I recently attended a Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert party in October 2021 and I am here to breakdown all the details to help you decide if this is right for you during your visit to Disney World.
A Disney World dessert party is a special reservation only extra cost event where you get dessert, some other food as well, and a view of the fireworks.
With the start of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration which runs from October 2021 – March 2023 a new Magic Kingdom Fireworks show has debuted. Named Disney Enchantment this night-time spectacular celebrates the magic of Disney animated movies. The show runs 15 minutes and and plays most nights at 8:00pm. Be sure to check both the fireworks and party schedules while planning your bookings. The show includes spectacular fireworks in the sky, projections on the castle and down Main Street, and even the classic flight of Tinkerbelle over the crowd. The show is narrated by Angela Basset and features Disney music and an original song.
Types of Dessert Parties
At this time there are five 50th Anniversary fireworks dessert party types.
*Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Pre -Party: Admission is $99 per adult (ages 10 and up); $59 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included. Dine at the Tomorrowland Terrance and then watch the Enchantment fireworks show from a reserved viewing area in front of the castle, in the Plaza Garden.
Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Post-Party: Admission is $99 per adult (ages 10 and up); $59 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included. Watch the Enchantment fireworks show from a reserved viewing area in front of the castle, in the Plaza Garden then dine at the Tomorrowland Terrance.
Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats: Admission is $114 per adult (ages 10 and up); $69 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included. Dine at the Tomorrowland Terrance and watch the Enchantment fireworks show with views from the restaurant. The bottom 25-50% of the castle projections are blocked from view by trees.
Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Admission is $129 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Dine at California Grill at the Contemporary Resort with appetizers and desserts. Enjoy a private viewing of the Enchantment Fireworks from the top deck. You will be unable to see the castle projections in any detail from this location.
Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise: Admission is $99 for adults and $69 for children ages 3 to 9 tax and gratuity included. Board a ferryboat in the lagoon in front the Magic Kingdom dine on the boat and then view fireworks from the lagoon. You will be unable to see the castle projections in any detail from this location.
Getting a Reservation
Reservations for the parties open 60 days in advance of your visit just like the other dining reservations.
The reservations can be made on the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience App the new days reservations open at 6:00am EST.
When booking a dessert party you have to pay the entire price up front unlike most other dining reservations.
Choosing A Party
I chose and attended the Disney Enchantment Pre-Party. I chose the pre-party for two main reasons. The first being that the pre and post parties offer the best views of the show between the five dessert party offerings. This was the first time I was seeing this show as it was so new so I wanted to be able to take in everything with a good view. The second being that I would rather eat before the fireworks and be able to leave right after and get back to the hotel earlier as we had an early morning the next day. So that was just personal preference.
The rest of the review will be about the Enchantment Pre-Party
Checking In
The dining part of the party takes place at the Tomorrowland Terrance which is an open air quick service restaurant during the day. It is completely under cover but it outdoors.
At 6:30 you can officially start checking into the party at the front of Tomorrowland Terrance. While the official time is 6:30 it seems like they actually start checking people in a bit before that. You are given a wrist band to allow you access to the party and viewing area, and a second wrist band if you are over 21 and plan to drink alcohol during the party.
Once you check in you will be walked to and assigned a table. The tables in the pre-party / post -party area are all close together and it got pretty loud in there. So this is certainly not a date atmosphere but more of a big family party atmosphere. It was a fun vibe to get pumped up for the fireworks show. The night we were there the party was sold out but the food lines were never super long and it never felt too crowded so I think the crowd size they are allowing is good for an event like this.
Once you are seated at your table you are free to get food and drinks at your leisure. Whenever you were done eating you can let a cast member at the check in stand know and someone will walk you over to the viewing area which is very close to the restaurant.
Food Review
I have food allergies so I didn’t eat any of the standard food so the review of the food is from my husband’s tasting. More below on the allergy treats I ate.
The food is served buffet style with two buffets both serving the same things to cut down on lines. There were a few not sugary foods, cheese and crackers, and a selection of fruits which were mostly melon. My husband enjoyed these options.
For sweet dessert options there were a bunch of cute little single serve desserts. Many of the options were smaller portions of things found at restaurants around Magic Kingdom which was a cute nod to the 50th.
My husband liked all of them but a few were stand outs for him I have marked those with stars below. The one disappointment was that there were no frozen treats.
Tres Leches Cupcakes are coconut cakes soaked with a four milk mixture from Pinocchio Village Haus.
***The Firehouse Doughnuts are ricotta doughnuts rolled in cinnamon sugar with strawberry topping found at Tony’s Town Square.
Butterscotch Pudding with Caramel Popcorn on top.
Devil’s Chocolate Pudding is chocolate pudding with crumble brownie and chocolate dipped cream found at Friar’s Nook.
Chocolate Silk Pie is a chocolate tart shell, chocolate filling, whipped cream and chocolate shavings and can be found a Casey’s Corner.
*** Oreo Cheesecake Mousse was topped with a crumble and can be found at Cinderella Royal Table
The Chilling Camber Pop was vanilla cake crumbs with caramel buttercream and graham cracker crumbs and can be found at Sleep Hollow.
*** Chocolate Covered Strawberries with 50th Anniversary detailing.
In addition to the desserts there are two drink stations. The non-alcoholic drink station has water, coffee including de-caff, tea, juices included the Disney favorite POG juice, and some very tasty apple cider. The alcohol station had a selection of several wines, and beer. You can have as many beverages as you’d like. The alcohol can not leave the restaurant.
Allergies & Special Diets
Those with allergies or special dietary needs as always Disney has you covered. I don’t eat dairy which is in a vast majority of desserts and was in fact in everything on the buffet except the fruit.
When I made the reservation I noted that someone in the party had an allergy to milk. You can do this for any dining reservation at Disney. When checking in they noted that was on the reservation and confirmed with me that someone had an allergy. If they don’t ask you just make sure to tell them. When walked to our assigned table and our little “reserved” table sign was teal instead of grey like the others. The person seating us let me know that an allergy cast member would be out to see me in a minute. My husband could start using the buffet immediately.
I grabbed a drink quickly and within 5 minutes the allergy cast member was at our table, confirmed my allergy and told me to hold tight while she brought an allergy plate from the back. She quickly returned with a large plate of multiple desserts that looked great. She let me know she would be back later if I needed more of anything or a to go box. I also continued to see her around the area so I could have flagged her down if I needed her.
The vast majority of the treats where from Erin McKenna’s bakery which has a location as Disney Springs and sells pre-package items in a lot of the hotel food courts and a few other locations around property. Erin McKenna’s is free of all the top allergens, is vegan and kosher. So if you have special dietary needs you are likely to get the same plate as I did.
Everything included was enjoyable and very familiar to someone who is used to eating allergy friendly treats. The one surprise was I did get a frozen dessert. Here is a list of the items and I have started my favorites.
Gummy Bears
***Chocolate Covered 50th Anniversary Strawberries
***Chocolate Chip Cookie
Vanilla Tofu Ice Cream
***Brownie Bit Cupcakes with Vanilla and Chocolate icing.
Lemon Bread
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
About a half hour later the allergy server returned and asked if I wanted a box for the rest, which I did. She also offered to bring me some extras to take with me from the back she specifically offered cookies and gummy bears but I could have asked of other items. I took her up on the cookies and she returned with a box and 4 more large packaged chocolate chip cookies. These leftovers were great to have in the room for the next few days.
Viewing Spot
When we were done and had our leftovers all boxed up we filled up our water bottles and walked to the front podium, a little group had formed waiting to be walked to the fireworks spot. We only waited about a minute until the group departed. The fireworks spot was very close by so if you knew where it was you could also walk yourself. A cast member check our wristbands to allow us to enter the area.
Inside the area there was a front section that was all pavement and was being reserved for those with strollers, ECVs, or wheel chairs though right before the show started they let anyone else who wanted to enter this section move up to fill the available room. The back section has grass and pavement. The front and back sections were divided by some fencing and bushes so there was some separation and those up front were not blocking the views for those in the back.
We grabbed a spot right up against the railing in the very front of the back section. I was very happy with our view which you can see in the photos. I liked being up against a railing which allowed some extra personal space and no one to come right in front of us. We had a couple right beside us on each side but no one was close to us behind us. The dessert party area had plenty of people in it by the time the show started but it did not feel crowded at all. Now I went on a night that they only offered the Pre-Party. There was no Post-Party offered due to it being a Halloween event night at Magic Kingdom. So on a night where there was a Pre and Post Party twice as many people would have been in this space. There still would have been plenty of room and it would not have felt as crowded and the people 10 feet to the left of us in the regular hub area but I think it would have felt full.
The timing here is important if you want to get a better viewing spot. I would say everyone at the party had a good view but some spots have lighting equipment obstructing your view more than other spots did. So if getting a prime spot is part of the reason you booked the party here is the time table we followed.
6:30 Check Into Party
7:20 Head Out of Party
7:25 Arrived at Viewing Area
7:45: Beacon of Magic
8:00: Fireworks
8:30 At Bus Stop To Go Back To Hotel
You want to make sure you don’t miss the 7:45 Beacon of Magic which is the lighting of the castle and is part of the 50th celebration nightly.
If you have kids arriving at the viewing area at the time we did they would have had time and space to run around the grassy area a bit and we saw some doing that.
If you want a prime spot I would leave the party no later than 7:25.
Of course the point of the party for many is that you don’t have to wait for you spot so if you want to roll up to the viewing right at 7:45 you will still have a good view. Consider also that people with similar views to ours outside the party area had likely been waiting in their spots for an hour and a half or more and were in much more crowded conditions.
Note there is a restroom right outside of the restaurant and very close the the viewing area.
The first set of photos show our reserved viewing at 7:30 are and the second show the normal viewing areas at 7:30 and the third set is the reserved viewing area at 7:55.
Fireworks Show & Beacon of Magic
Let’s talk about the show itself. First the Beacon of Magic, this is a cute little appetizer to Enchantment. It is also the only part of the show that is going to specifically mention the 50th Anniversary. It is worth seeing but it’s not hugely impressive it is more a little emotional moment.
The big event of course is Disney Enchantment. Angela Basset is a great choice for the narration and does an awesome job. The original song that opens and closes the show is lovely and starts with a nice little soft moment of emotion as we build to the big louder moments later in the show. The projections on the castle are beautiful as they always are. They are really an integral part of the show especially for a first viewing. The fireworks are so vivid and some are huge. I love how they work them into the music. The show worked in a lot of characters from all the eras of Disney but the focus here is on newer movies from from the last 10 to 15 years. It feels like there was a clear effort to include and focus on diverse characters for this show, it is so great that more and more children can see a character that looks like them projected on the castle having their big moment. My absolute favorite part of the show was the the Into the Unknown number, complete with lasers, it was fantastic. Of course it is always a highlight when tinker belle flies and don’t worry she flies from the castle in Enchantment just like she did with previous shows.
How was the show overall? I have never meet a castle fireworks show I didn’t love so of course I loved this one. It was emotional watching it and I left impressed and happy.
This is a must see for any visit to Magic Kingdom in my opinion. That is if your group can make it to stay up this late, I’d recommend a mid-day break or nap time if possible to make it to the evening.
After the show we were ushered form the viewing area. While the vast majority of the crowds were heading right down Main Street we were in perfect position to take the side exit which was open. This pathway runs behind the shops of main street and ends at Town Square right by the exit to the park. So we avoided some of the exiting crowd that way.
Is The Dessert Party Worth It?
Here is the quick answer we paid about $200 for the two of us to attend the dessert party.
For me it was worth it for a few reasons.
- That money was in our budget and we didn’t have to sacrifice something else to do it.
- This was a first viewing of this show for us and seeing it with a good view was a trip priority for me. This guaranteed me a good view without waiting for a long time in uncomfortable conditions.
- This was a special occasion for us, our anniversary, so this was a fun thing to make our day a little extra special.
- I love dessert and I knew this was a way for me to get a lot of allergy safe treats easily.
But that does not mean a dessert party will be worth it for you. I only had a party for two people if I was paying for a party of 4 that math gets a little harder. If I had to sacrifice another park day to do this then that is an absolute no. If I was traveling with a 4 year old who may or may not make it to fireworks I wouldn’t chance having the party reservation that is non-refundable. If fireworks are not a priority and you don’t care what your view is as long as you can hear the music and see them from somewhere in the park. Particularly if you don’t care about seeing the projections then this is not for you.
Who would I suggest this party for?
- Anyone with fireworks as a top priority for your day.
- Adult only groups / couples
- Celebrating a birthday or another special occasion.
- Those who want to do a dessert party and have kids in their group. This is the best of the bunch for kids.
- Those using an ECV and Wheelchair. Having a reserved area is going to give you a lot more personal space and if unable to stand for the show access to a more unobstructed view.
Here is a quick Pro and Con List:
Pros:
- Prime Firework Viewing Without The Wait
- Alcohol In the Magic Kingdom (which is only in a few select restaurants)
- Place To Sit and Enjoy Your Dessert
- Unlimited Dessert
- Easy Dessert Access For Allergies / Special Diets
Cons:
- Expensive
- There are plenty of desserts that are just as good and less expensive on Main Street and the Ice Cream Parlor, or Confectionary that you could grab and then camp out in a fireworks spot on your own.
- You Won’t See The Projections Down Main Street.
I hope that helps you decide if you want to make a reservation for the Enchantment Pre-Party or another dessert party.
If you are looking to travel to Disney World (or anywhere else) I would love to be your travel agent.
Get expert advice in planning your vacation and a personalized experience at no additional cost to you.
Contact me at katiev@themagicsyours.com
Follow Me! https://linktr.ee/katiethemagicsyours
Katie - The Magic's Yours Travel 