I can picture my trip around the Seven Seas Lagoon as keenly today as I did when I experienced it years ago. The serenity of a relatively exclusive trip on the ferry paired with a unique vantage point to watch the Magic Kindom’s then-nighttime-spectacular Wishes. It wears a perfect night.

The only thing better than a Disney Parks fireworks show, is having a prime location for watching that show! Nobody knows this better than Disney. Many guests know all about their after-hours parties around Halloween and the Holidays, but not as many know about dessert parties.

An extra ticket for these events gives you access to quite a lot! Depending on the event, enjoy all-you-care-to-eat buffets before or after a park’s fireworks spectacular. No need to stake out a spot on the sidewalk for an unobstructed view! During the show, know you will have a reserved and often unique location to watch the show.

These parties have been missing from our lives for a while now. Starting in October, Walt Disney World Resort guests will have their pick of a few different options. Some are new takes on old standards, but one massive favorite from the past is also returning.

Tomorrowland Terrace

Here’s a classic that is back again with a few twists! Tomorrowland Terrace dessert parties traditionally let you enjoy a bevy of snacks from savory meats and cheeses to lush pastries and sugary treats! These parties would start about an hour before the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show. As guests finish their late-night meals, they could either funnel down to a reserved standing area in a grassy area of the Hub or into a seating area on the Terrace. 

To kick off this anniversary celebration, Disney World is bringing back the classic party with an extra session each night. Enjoy your treats before the show or now in an after-party. See the fireworks and then head back into the Tomorrowland Terrace for some late-night snacks! There is still an option to reserve seating inside the Terrace for viewing. 

Another addition is beer and wine selections. Like some of the sit-down restaurants in the Magic Kingdom, you can now try out a few alcoholic beverages or enjoy classic punch, juices, and coffee. 

The Contemporary Resort

If you want to have a little more heft to your meal, head to the Contemporary Resort’s dessert party called Celebration at the Top. From the 15th floor balcony outside the California Grill, fill up on small plates and sushi before the show. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included in your ticket. Head back inside afterward for cordials, coffees, and cookies!

Guests dining at the California Grill have long coveted late-night reservations so they can try and catch the show from the balcony. That point allows a great view of Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle. Music is piped in to sync perfectly with the fireworks and projections below. Now, you can have an even more exclusive experience from this vantage point with these party reservations.

The Seven Seas Lagoon

The absolute best experience for watching the new Disney Enchantment spectacular is on a boat. I might be exaggerating. But probably not.

I had the pleasure of enjoying Ferrytale Wishes a few years back and it remains vivid in my mind. Few Disney World experiences match the feeling of riding the peaceful waves between the resort hotels and the Magic Kingdom. You see the castle rising in the distance, lit with every imaginable light. On the opposite side, torches illuminating the beach along the Polynesian, respectfully pleasant lights at the Grand Floridian, and a dark and mysterious island between you and the stark edifice of the Contemporary.

It was bliss.

I can’t wait to try this experience again. The ferry departs from the Ticket & Transportation Center (anybody remember buying actual park tickets there?) and proceeds around the Seven Seas Lagoon on a grand circle tour. 

While touring, you have your pick of several different dessert stations ranging from luscious mousse to tart key lime pies. Relax with a cup of premium coffee or a light cocktail. Enjoy the sound of the waves lapping against the hull. This might have been the same ferry that transported thousands to the Magic Kingdom through the day, but you have your run of it now.

The fireworks start and similar to the show from the Contemporary, you get a perfect sync with the action from your watery vantage point. When the show ends, you float back to the dock with buses waiting for your trip back to your hotel. 

And when we were there, unlimited Mickey Premium ice cream bars on the walk out. No guarantees there!

Seriously. Invest in an extra memory on your trip. The fireworks are great, but for an extra cost you can relax just a bit more before, during, and after the show. The memories persist because these singular experiences are so different from everything else you have done before.

If you want a chance to enjoy this exclusive magic, please give one of our planners a call. Send us a message through our new chat feature on the page and we will do our best to reserve these highly sought-after experiences for you and your family! The 50th anniversary of Disney World only comes once, so make the most of your next trip!