A Sweet Guide to Dessert Parties at Disney World

Thinking about springing for something special on your next trip? A dessert party might be just the thing.

Here’s everything you need to know about Disney World dessert parties.

In this article

What dessert parties are available?

In the before times, there were a lot more options for dessert parties, In fact, in addition to the original dessert parties at Magic Kingdom, each park (Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) had their own versions, too.

Now, the only dessert parties that remain are just the parties at Magic Kingdom.

dessert party plate at disney's not so spooky spectacular fireworks dessert party

Note:

Both Epcot and Hollywood Studios currently have dining packages for their nighttime shows; however, they aren’t the traditional “dessert only” party that we saw in years past – they are full meals.

In The Epcot version, you can watch the fireworks while you dine, and for the Hollywood Studios version, you eat in a restaurant and then have access to a reserved seating area for Fantasmic!.

Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties

The dessert parties at Magic Kingdom are wildly popular for a good reason. They take some of our favorite things like tasty cupcakes, cookies, and other desserts, and they pair it with our favorite drinks (yes, there’s wine and beer for us grown-ups!).

Add to that a front-row seat to the most enchanting show in the park, and it’s *chef’s kiss*.

It’s like having your cake and eating it too, quite literally.

Magic Kingdom hosts dessert parties year-round, including during both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. So no matter what day you plan to be in the park, you’ll have the option to book a party.

Note: You’ll need a separate ticket to a party if you want to book a dessert party on one of those nights.

There are 3 different options that guests can choose when booking:

Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties: Pre-Party
Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties: Post-Party (our favorite of the 3)
Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets (the only one where you sit in chairs, and a close 2nd favorite)

The dessert party portion for all 3 options takes place at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant (label number 5 on the map below).

Pre- and Post-Party guests watch fireworks from the area labeled with a number 1 on the map below, while those that have the Seats & Sweets have tables and chairs for viewing at number 3.

We prefer the Post Party option because it offers the best view and a more relaxed way to enjoy your desserts. However, the Treats and Seats version is a very close second. The only slight drawback is that you’re a bit off-center, but for most, this isn’t a major issue, and it’s well worth it for the convenience of staying seated without needing to move to a separate viewing area, unlike the other two parties.

We go into lots more detail, including price and how to book one, in our most recent review of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties.

If you don’t want to be in the park, you can also see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Ferrytale Fireworks party, which takes place in the water on one of the Magic Kingdom ferryboats.

There is also a party called “Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle“, that takes place at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Reasons to book a dessert party

For us, there is 1 main reason we like booking a dessert party at Disney World: it makes viewing the fireworks just so much less stressful.

Yes, we love being able to sip on a cold beer after a long park day (something you can only do at a few spots in all of Magic Kingdom), but that is a very minor piece of why you’ll find us spending the money on a dessert party.

The fireworks are incredibly popular, and although there are numerous places to watch them, securing an amazing view usually means camping out long before the show starts. At a dessert party, you get to bypass that hassle, enjoying spectacular views without the wait.

desserts at the magic kingdom fireworks dessert party

In addition to that, we like taking pictures, and it is just so much easier to snag the perfect spot in the spaces designated for dessert party attendees. It’s like having VIP access amidst the magic of Disney—no jostling for a spot or peering around a sea of heads and hats.

Yes, people will still have their phones up in the air, but it is easier to position yourself for a good view without as much difficulty.

How to book a dessert party

You can book Magic Kingdom dessert parties online, and while Disney says you can book up to 60 days in advance, they sometimes aren’t available until later.

Keep in mind that these parties are extremely popular, so you’ll definitely want to book them right when they open up for the best chances of snagging one.

Former dessert party options

As we mentioned above, there used to be a lot more options for dessert parties. Here are some of the former parties you could find in the parks:

Rivers of Light Dessert Party (Animal Kingdom)

Location: On the banks of the Discovery River
Show: “Rivers of Light,” a nighttime water and light show that took place on the Discovery River
Perks: Themed desserts and beverages with a clear view of the water show from a reserved seating area

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party (Hollywood Studios)

Location: Star Wars Launch Bay
Show: “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” a fireworks and projection show that featured scenes from the Star Wars saga
Perks: Themed desserts and drinks, a souvenir Chewbacca or Darth Vader stein, and a reserved viewing area for the show

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party (Hollywood Studios)

Location: Echo Lake, for a few years it was right in front of the Chinese Theater and then it moved to an area closer to the lake
Show: “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” a holiday-themed fireworks and projection show
Perks: Holiday-inspired treats and drinks, a pair of 3D glasses designed to enhance the show’s visual effects, and a reserved viewing spot

Frozen Ever After Dessert Party (Epcot)

Location: World Showcase Plaza.
Show: “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”
Perks: Frozen-themed desserts and beverages, a special opportunity to ride the Frozen Ever After attraction after the park closes, and reserved seating for the fireworks