Disney is expanding the elbow room for guests who are attending the Wishes Dessert Party in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The kicker? They’re using the area that, up to now, has been designated for viewing Wishes with a FastPass.
Wishes Fireworks Spectacular
Effective immediately, guests who take advantage of same-day booking for this premium event will move into the Main Street Plaza Gardens when the fireworks begin. Guests who booked their Wishes Dessert Party in advance can choose to remain in the Tomorrowland Terrace for fireworks viewing, or join the other guests in the Gardens.
And speaking of Tomorrowland Terrace — it will continue to be the venue for the actual noshing part of the party.
Desserts at Wishes Dessert Party
The expansion will ensure that lots of people are able to enjoy this premium view of the fireworks while they snack on decadent Disney treats. The price for the experience — $59 for adults and $35 for children age 3-9 — remains the same.
Wishes Dessert Party
So, of course, our big question here is this: Are FastPasses no longer available for Wishes viewing? Does this mean that what has been free is now only available as a premium experience? (Well. There’s cake involved in the party. But still.)
We checked MyDisneyExperience, and “Wishes nighttime spectacular” is no longer showing for us as a FastPass option.
No More Wishes Nighttime Spectacular on Our FastPass Page?
Hmmmm…. Curiouser and Curiouser.
What do you think of the move to expand the Wishes Dessert Party viewing area into the Main Street Plaza Gardens? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
Source: WDWMagic.com
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I think this is yet another example of Disney’s now all-too-commonplace tactic of finding ways to nickel-and-dime guests at every turn. I don’t mind that they’re starting to offer more and more hard-ticket and extra fee events- that’s fine. We’re fortunate enough that we could afford them, if we thought they were worthwhile. But I really hate when, in so doing, they take away options from people who may not be able to afford those events. Before I get flamed… I get it, Disney is a business, and the ultimate goal is to make money, but it used to be that once you were through those turnstiles, you could mostly forget about money (excluding souvenirs and food, which are optional) and everyone could enjoy the attractions their ticket paid for the same way, regardless of their wealth. And yes, in reality, they’re not preventing anyone from seeing the fireworks by blocking off this area. But it really annoys me when things are “taken away,” and when these decisions further deepen the divide between people who can and can’t afford these extras. More and more, it seems like Disney is intentionally creating a class system within the parks, and they’re making it pretty clear which class they’re trying to cater to. It feels like greed to me. It definitely does not feel like the Disney way.
#ThanksShanghai
I couldn’t agree more with Nicole.
I don’t mind standing, waiting to hold my spot but I don’t want to have to eat a a $60 dessert to watch a 15 minute fireworks display that I’ve seen dozens of times.
We’ll limit our WDW vacations . We didn’t renew our season pass this year partly because of how the maximizing- profit- model has taken over in the parks, restaurants and resorts. We are a typical middle class family, but somehow we are not the demographic they want.
I totally agree. Disney used to be for all families if you saved up, but its becoming more and more for the elite. It already costs enough to get in, all these extra costs now make me feel is entirely run by greed instead of providing a special trip for families which is what Walt’s whole goal was. I’m more and more disappointed with the company.
I think Disney did recently stop taking fast passes for all reserved fireworks & parade areas.
I wouldn’t mind paying for the dessert party. . . IF the price was reasonable. . . But $59 for ONE ticket???? That’s crazy! I am going to Disney this June with my family of 5 and I don’t think all 5 of us would eat $59 worth of desserts! I remember when it was about $35… I missed it then because a family member had just been diagnosed with diabetes. Boy oh boy do I hate that I missed it now!! There is no way I’m paying $271 to eat some chocolate covered strawberries, cupcakes and rice krispie treats while watching a 15 minute show while I can watch it from my hotel! Disney, come on now, aren’t we paying enough as it is? I am a yearly visitor and stay at the Contemporary but I’m like everyone else—I’m getting far too tired of the company nickel and diming us to death!
Here’s my question: if it’s effective immediately and you are no longer able to book fastpasses for Wishes, what if you already booked a FP prior to this happening? I travel next month and have a FP for it – will I still be able to use it?
So, what does this actually mean for someone who doesn’t have the fast pass? That you can no longer sit directly in front of the castle for viewing the fireworks?
Becky — I can’t answer authoritatively for Disney, but I would expect that if you have a FastPass in your trip plan, and you can still see it when you pull it up, it will still be honored. 🙂
Yes, another chip off the block. I am sooooooooooo disappointed in Disney that I doubt I will
recommend them as I have in the past. Seems everything that was free is now an extra charge.
Tickets are up, dining plan is up, etc. etc. etc. I no longer feel that “Disney magic” I have felt for
the past 30 years.
I can’t recall where I read this, so I have no source to back it up. But I read somewhere that 80% of visitors to WDW annually are once-and-done visitors. Only 20% are repeat visitors. So 80% of people won’t really notice that all this is happening. It’s sad, really, because that means there’s less pressure on Disney to keep things inclusive in the ticket price. Only those of us who go frequently will be aware (painfully aware) that something used to be included. Anyone else remember when the water parks were included in the Hoppers?
I don’t understand where this sense of entitlement came from for everyone. People spend good money to go to those dessert parties and the comment time and time again has been that the view of the fireworks wasn’t as good as it could be and that too many people gather at the rail. The fireworks FastPasses were not very popular and the vast majority of websites and blogs advise against using them. It only makes sense that Disney would utilize the area in the way that is most appropriate for the guests that want something special. People need to get over this idea that they are entitled to something free. Setting a FastPass and getting a special section divides the crowd, too, so why isn’t anyone complaining about that? You are going to a theme park that people spend thousands of dollars to go to — that is in of itself elitist. If you don’t want people to be “left out” by your actions, don’t go to Disney World for your vacation.
It’s hardly entitlement to be upset that ticket prices keep going up while formerly included experiences keep going away. I think that’s a fair and legitimate concern.
I honestly wish you crybabies would stop going to WDW.
It would be more enjoyable for the rest of us.
But you will keep going……..over & over again.
I don’t understand when people say that something was taken away. you can still watch the fireworks. you can still get a good spot, if you plan ahead. if you don’t want to pay for the dessert party, you don’t have to!!! the dessert party has been going on for many years. I do it every time we go and I will not be stopping any time soon!! I am so tired of the barrage of complaints any time Disney changes anything.
Judging from some of these later posts, I now know Disney’s new demographic: snarky spendthrifts.
People , they are not taking something free and now charging for it!! They are simply moving the dessert party to the new area they built , there is still plenty of free viewing space to see the show in front of the castle GREAT FREE viewing !! The dessert party is not new and it always had an additional cost so what is all the fuss about. I think sometimes people join Disney things not for the love of Disney but to simply complain and make a ruckus about anything and everything . No Disney is not for the elite as someone previously stated. They simply offer different activities for all. You are not obligated to partake in any additional activity you can still enjoy all the parks for your admission price, they are not taking away rides from people and making you pay extra to ride them. Stop complaining and either go and enjoy the MAGIC of Disney or don’t go and stop complaining
I agree and disagree with many of the comments but in the end Disney is never a place I will consider skipping. Shop for the deals, there out there, if your finances are at a certain level. Thats what my family does. As for the dessert party price it was a large increase but the look on my kids face as tinker bell flew over us was worth the price but they could offer a little more. Knowbody pushed to the rail when we went and we definitely were not rushed out when it was over.
Marie,
When you tell people to ‘stop complaining’ twice in one sentence, that’s sounds lot less like a comment and more like bullying.
What you are missing is that when ‘dessert parties are nothing new etc’., what IS new is that whereas we could use a fast pass to use this space, included in the price of our admission, now we are expected to pay sixty bucks more to stand in the same place. Let me repeat, it wasn’t ” FREE VIEWING”as you say- It was included in admission that was already paid.
It’s true that if you can afford it and I can’t, then yes, that separates us as guests going to the same event. This didn’t used to bother me, but happens more and more at Disney, obviously not for the benefit of the average park-goer, but to increase revenue. ( They use to do the same thing in resorts with WIFI charges until enough people complained about it. Oh dear!)
Put it this way – If you are paying the daily admission price to MK, which is like $120 these days, and then fork over another 50% more for this feature, basically to stand some where for 30 mins. that used to be part of the $120 bucks you already paid, that’s poor value. Well, you do get $60 worth of sweets, right? Good for you for being happy to fork it over, but do not accuse people like me who have been going to Walt Disney World since 1973 of not loving the place because we seriously question changes. I think it’s actually because we DO care so much that we raise our voices. No institution can exist without honest appraisal and criticism, and if DFB didn’t believe that, they wouldn’t provide this forum. I shall go when I please and say what I feel.
And the same comments are for Jeff.
I like these extra offerings from Disney. We go often and now have adult children, so trying something new and “special” appeals to us. They charge so much for the events because they are “special” and obviously in demand. I’m always excited to get reservations for these different experiences. It gives us a whole new perspective from the park and it also helps establish our schedule and where we’ll be for the fireworks, etc. I hope Disney continues with these great ideas!
The fact is that Disney is increasing prices for a more practical reason–the same reason tolls go up. Reducing traffic. Yes, it creates an elite group that can afford to go, but the bottom line is there is only so much physical space in the parks. They do miss one point and that is that while most very scrupulously pay for the trips out of excess, a good number of people will go seriously into debt to pay for the trip of a lifetime.
I was happy to pay for the dessert party, but that’s because my husband is disabled and we really need a place to watch the fireworks rather than trying to cram us in with his scooter.
Do you know if the option of staying at tomorrowland terrace or going to the garden area still exists for people that reserved ahead of time?
Shame on you Disney World!