[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by ddoll

I think it's just another way for guests to pay extra for a deluxe version of Disney events.

The preferred fastpass idea would still leave the regular system free to guests. I do not see a difference here.

I see a HUGE difference, I just modified my post above. Like I said, my sitting in a preferred area & enjoying refreshments in an area that ISN'T normally packed for firework viewing has zero to little effect on the non-attending guests viewing fireworks anywhere else in the park. Creating a two-tiered FP system directly effects non-paying guests 'cause it slows down their experience & wait times if they DON'T pay for the preferred system.

NOT paying for the dessert party doesn't necessarily make your experience any less advantageous. Actually I don't even WANT to view the fireworks from the Noddle Station, I prefer to be front & center by the Partner's Statue.

[lovemysons]

I am interested to hear Mickeysgirlz review, if she got her ressie. I have mixed feelings about it.

[ddoll]

But for this "event", Disney has taken what was previously a free viewing spot and made it preferred for those who are willing to pay for a deluxe experience. This used to be a spot where families with little kids, or elderly people could go to sit down on a chair with a table, and watch the fireworks with a good view if they got there early enough. As we all know, seats for Wishes are quite hard to come by.

The Illuminations dessert party at least uses an area that is not open to the public to begin with.

My objection here is they are taking away something that used to be open to everyone and making it exclusive to those who are willing to pay more.

[ddoll]

I did pay for the dessert party in DL after not being able to see Fantasmic there at all the regular way. That place is insanely crowded!!!

I don't know this for sure, but was that balcony open to guests for free before they came up with the idea of charging for it? I thought it was an area that was closed to the public anyway. (Obviously I'm not talking about the second tier of seating for the dessert party)

[mickeysgirlz]

YAY! I called and got right through! I'M BOOKED!!!

This is what I was told:

Terrace Wishes Dessert Party

9pm - 1 hour BEFORE Wishes begins

STANDING ROOM ONLY!!

Outdoor Covered Patio

All you can eat dessert buffet and drinks

WITH TAXES:
$19.16/adult
$10.64/child

I promise to take LOTS of pictures and post ALL about it when I get back. I'm super excited DESSERT and DISNEY FIREWORKS, what could be better!

[WishUponAStar]

What date did you book for? I got Sunday the 28th.

Originally Posted by mickeysgirlz

YAY! I called and got right through! I'M BOOKED!!!

This is what I was told:

Terrace Wishes Dessert Party

9pm - 1 hour BEFORE Wishes begins

STANDING ROOM ONLY!!

Outdoor Covered Patio

All you can eat dessert buffet and drinks

WITH TAXES:
$19.16/adult
$10.64/child

I promise to take LOTS of pictures and post ALL about it when I get back. I'm super excited DESSERT and DISNEY FIREWORKS, what could be better!

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

What date did you book for? I got Sunday the 28th.

We are doing the 30th!! I can only cancel 24 hours in advance so make sure you text me if it's worth it or not! I'm soooooo a front of the castle Wishes kinda girl . . . but dessert and Disney events so I couldn't resist!!

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by ddoll

But for this "event", Disney has taken what was previously a free viewing spot and made it preferred for those who are willing to pay for a deluxe experience. This used to be a spot where families with little kids, or elderly people could go to sit down on a chair with a table, and watch the fireworks with a good view if they got there early enough. As we all know, seats for Wishes are quite hard to come by.

The Illuminations dessert party at least uses an area that is not open to the public to begin with.

My objection here is they are taking away something that used to be open to everyone and making it exclusive to those who are willing to pay more.

But this 'previously free viewing spot' was ALWAYS either near empty OR blocked off by ropes for cleaning when I've been in the MK for Wishes. I could TOTALLY understand & agree with you if this was an area that I typically witnessed lots of "families with little kids & the elderly" using but in my experience that's just not so. There are TONS of chairs & tables outside of the Plaza restaurant & outside Casey's. Also, I HIGHLY HIGHLY doubt the WHOLE entire Noodle Terrace is going to be used. It's probably going to be a small portion.

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

But this 'previously free viewing spot' was ALWAYS either near empty OR blocked off by ropes for cleaning when I've been in the MK for Wishes. I could TOTALLY understand & agree with you if this was an area that I typically witnessed lots of "families with little kids & the elderly" using but in my experience that's just not so. There are TONS of chairs & tables outside of the Plaza restaurants & outside Casey's. Also, I HIGHLY HIGHLY doubt the WHOLE entire Noodle Terrace is going to be used. It's probably going to be a small portion.

I asked and was told the event is STANDING ROOM ONLY!!

Those table and chairs will still be available to NON EVENT guests.

I really think they are just utilizing space that would otherwise be unused at the time. DISNEY is not one to take away from their guests. They only offer these kind of events to enhance the experience.

If they get numerous complaints, I'm sure they will change the venue. BUT, if they get POSITIVE feedback I'm sure it's an event that will stay.

[mickeysgirlz]

PS. I just pulled out my park map, and the Noodle Terrace, is on the other side of the Noodle Terrace (not the ramp that comes from MAIN STREET, but the ramp that comes from Tomorrowland)

Not sure where the event is to be EXACTLY, but the CM said to me Noodle Terrace is where I check in!

[Mickeybug]

Originally Posted by ddoll

I think it's just another way for guests to pay extra for a deluxe version of Disney events.

The preferred fastpass idea would still leave the regular system free to guests. I do not see a difference here.

Disney's already doing this, have been for years. Sounds no different than Fantasmic to me. Those willing to pay for the high $ meal as opposed to a CS or none have preferred seating.

Would I like to see a paid FP, NO I wouldn't. All inclusive is something I brag on Disney about while visiting other parks. If they ever did do something like charging I could see offering it as an extra perk to those staying in a deluxe on preferred or concierge level, but not something individually offered that one would pay extra for. It would bottle neck non fast pass lines even more imo.

Hope the desserts are good. Think i'll stick to my Ghirradelli's choc waffle instead though.

[tinkerbelle24]

Did they mention what the offerings will be?

[ddoll]

Originally Posted by mickeysgirlz

I asked and was told the event is STANDING ROOM ONLY!!

Those table and chairs will still be available to NON EVENT guests.

I really think they are just utilizing space that would otherwise be unused at the time. DISNEY is not one to take away from their guests. They only offer these kind of events to enhance the experience.

Well that sounds good, but they still have to be reserving the portion of the Noodle Station that has a clear view of Wishes. Perhaps they plan on removing the tables and chairs from the viewing area altogether.

I have seen people sitting in the tables/chairs in that small, outer edge of the Noodle Station every time I've been there. The tables further inside (or obstructed view) are of course empty, because you can't see the fireworks from there.

And for the record, I have no strong feelings one way or other about this or the fastpasses. Clearly Disney is trying to eke out every penny they can, like everyone else. I just wanted to point out that both money making ventures are taking away something from the general public and making it available to those who have the ability/desire to pay for the privilege.

[XQIXX]

I said it before, but most of us fanatics do not want to admit it, Disney is first and foremost a business. The purpose of a business is to make a profit.If they can keep costs down by having some paid perks and still maintain the level of service and quality to all guests, then I am ok with it. It is the price of not only doing business, but staying in business today! I am sure they will not sacrafice the general public for the few who do pay extra. It is like closing MK for MNSSHP or MVMCP.

[MissDisney]

Anybody care to hear another opinion?

I have had such a tough time with watching Wishes the past few times that I would gladly give a bucket of cash to have a spot I can call my own. Just once, I would like to see the show without someone elbowing me out of the spot I had been standing in for an hour. One time, if I could see it without having someone's stroller whack me on the ankles over and over... you get the idea.

But onto the other issue: Every single inch of WDW is clearly laid out to be segmented for special events. Even at Illuminations, you never know when someone will rent a lovely area for their own official viewing party. At Boardwalk, weddings rent out the landing (between ESPN and IG), making it off limits for everyone else. There are terraces, party rooms, gardens, etc. all over the place that are available for private rentals. I see the dessert debacle as the same thing. People are paying a small bit extra to have a tiny private area of their own.

There are times when an entire park shuts down and there is a private party, when the thousands of other guests have no place to be! My DH went to one of these without us (grrr) and said their company had the entire MK to themselves for hours.

The dessert thing is no different, really, than P&PP or MNSSHP -- people pay extra and others get shoved out. That's just the way.

But I don't see it as inconveniencing anyone, because Wishes goes on and nobody will be denied the chance to see it along with everyone else. The special FPs, on the other hand, would affect everyone negatively except the holder.

(That said, if they make the special FPs available, I will be first in line to buy one. I'm no fool. )