Let’s talk about the Dessert Party! This guide is both a review, and an informational piece, on the Fireworks Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom in reference to special diets. Included are tips, pricing, and some helpful information if you are considering adding the Fireworks Dessert Party on to your vacation!
What is the Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Party? It’s a way to view the Fireworks show (Disney Enchantment) without having to wait in long lines or packed in like sardines.
There are three shows to chose from, the Pre-Party, the ‘During’ Party, and the After-Party. The Food is the same at all three offerings, but only the ‘During’ party is on the balcony and seated during the show. Both the Pre-Party and the After-Party participants are on the front turf grass area, affectionately known as ‘Hub Grass’.
This review is from July 18, 2022.
⭐ If this is your First Time to Disney World, you’ll want all the insider tips and done for you plans found in the Food Allergies at Disney World Made Easy Guide , If you’ve been here before and just need the best places to eat and snacks, see the Touring Plan and Snack Guide. Just Gluten Free? There’s a guide for that too!
***As Always, please speak to a qualified restaurant employee when ordering food. In order to see the most accurate ingredients and risk assessment, you will need to confirm allergy safety in real-time. This is my personal experience, I am not employed or endorsed by companies or brands mentioned.***
Benefits to the Fireworks Dessert Party
There are quite a few benefits to the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party! Lots of people agree as this is commonly sold out, but you might be able to find spots on your vacation depending on your flexibility.
Viewing Area
The Viewing area was incredible, coming from someone whose watched a lot of Fireworks at Disney World.
I saw parts of the show that I didn’t even know existed because I had a decently close and low obstruction viewing. If fireworks are a big deal to you, or you have members of your party that wouldn’t be able to see, this view is 100% worth it.
Like all things though, you are not only paying for a ticket to get inside, but now paying to get a great view. This is part of the ‘trade off’, so keep in mind that if you are willing to deal with crowds and waiting in line, this might now be worth it to you.
Buffet Style (AUCTE-ish)
This is a super fun end to the night, as you’ve got so many options! Add in the fact that many people in the Allergy/Restriction group don’t get the option to do this normally and it’s extra special.
Lower Stress and Time Saving
For me, this is the biggest benefit of a Fireworks Dessert Party. If you’ve been to Disney World, you know that the day can get away from you very quickly. There’s also the crowds and the weather to deal with, causing many people to leave before Dinner when they rope dropped the parks.
The Fireworks Dessert Party option means that you aren’t waiting 45-90 minutes ahead of time for a good viewing location.
You also don’t have to deal with too many crowds (though there will be some crowds). I purposefully chose the After Party event to deal with even less crowds (as the crowds leaving after the fireworks are wild and you still wait 30 minutes for transportation if headed to the parking lot)
Pricing and Location for the Fireworks Dessert Parties
Disney World offers three Dessert Parties (currently) at Magic Kingdom on most nights. They also offer Dessert Parties for the Holiday Parties.
Find them under “enchanting extras”. The three are:
- Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Pre-Party
- Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats
- Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment After-Party
The party is located in TomorrowLand Terrace in Magic Kingdom. You’ll find the check in stand here. On the map it’s in between Main Street USA and Tomorrowland. For those in the before party and after party, this is where you’ll eat and then move to the Hub Grass for the show.
Pricing starts at $99 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $59 per child (ages 3 to 9). Note that tax is included and Gratuity is not included or required (though I did leave 10 dollars with my plate as service was excellent). You will also need a park ticket AND park reservation in addition to purchasing the dessert party. Learn more about the party, and book it at Disney World Dining Events
Preparing for the Party when you have dietary restrictions
For starters, I booked my trip almost three weeks out.
When I went to book, there was an area where I could select my allergies before checkout. The options to select are: Wheat/gluten, Dairy, Soy, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Peanut, Treenut, Sesame, Corn and ‘Other’.
After I had booked (and paid! as this is prepaid) I emailed special diets at Disney World to let them know that I had an unusual allergy request (pineapple).
Here is the special diets email: Special.diets@disneyworld.com.
In the email, I said ‘Hello Special Diets Team, I booked a Fireworks Dessert Party and I wanted to confirm my allergens. included was my name, reservation number, date and time of the party.’
They email me back with confirmation and a giant copy and paste list of generic info (which is good but not super helpful as it wasn’t related to the party)
Food Allergy Offerings for the Magic Kingdom Dessert Party
Please note that if you have allergies outside of the Top 8, you will need to ask Special Diets if they can accommodate you with other items.
For more on Erin Mckennas dedicated bakery (whose items are offered at the party) please see this Erin McKennas Disney Springs guide.
Multiple Allergens
For multiple top 8 allergens, There is fruit, Erin Mckenna’s Cookies, breads and brownies, and enjoy life cookies.
Gluten Free
For multiple top 8 allergens, There is fruit, Erin Mckenna’s Cookies, breads and brownies, and enjoy life cookies.
Dairy Free
Dairy FreeThere is fruit, Erin Mckenna’s Cookies, breads and brownies, Sorbet, Plant Based Cakes, and Enjoy Life Allergy cookies.
Nut Free
Several of the Buffet items are good for Nut allergies, and the Coordinator will grab those from the back to avoid cross contact. There is fruit, Erin Mckenna’s Cookies, breads and brownies, Sorbet, Yogurts, Cakes, and Enjoy Life Allergy cookies.
Is it worth it when you have Food Allergies?
The dessert party is worth it for several guests, but a good skip option for others.
Worth it if:
- this is your only trip
- you have small children who cant see the fireworks show
- members of your party need space or accommodations to see the show
- you enjoy the low stress option of only waiting for 10 minutes for the show to start
- you don’t have options locally that can accommodate desserts and a show
- you are only at Magic Kingdom for one day and want to maximize your time
You can skip this if:
- You have access to Erin Mckenna’s and would rather spend
- You don’t enjoy the fireworks or the show
- You are planning to come again for vacation
- you have more than one day (or several) days to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom
- You don’t mind waiting in line/crowds to see the show
- You have allergies outside of the top 8 and Disney doesn’t have options for you
Bottom line, you are mostly paying for the ease and low stress of a dedicated viewing area to watch the show, plus some desserts.
My personal take is that the show is worth it for me to take my daughter to, as she absolutely loves the show! My oldest son would much rather go pick out a box of goodies at Erin Mckennas and go to the movies. I enjoyed the unobstructed view of the show and the desserts before heading back to my room (as not all guests will make it to Erin Mckenna’s in Disney Springs!)
Let me know in the comments below so that other allergy families have input: Is the Dessert Party on your list? Have you had a positive experience?
Here’s My Timeline of events for planning an Allergy Friendly Dessert Party:
➡️ Booked on July 6th
➡️ Emailed on July 8th. Received Confirmation that my allergies were noted
➡️ Party on July 18
(My Reservations didn’t list allergies on app, even after checking.)
➡️ I checked in two hours before the party and let them know my allergens. Printed Sign in sheet already had a note for allergies.
➡️ Once Seated I spoke to a coordinator who did not have my allergy request. I’m not sure what the breakdown was between the email to the check in sheet to the coordinator. Coordinator lists my allergies and says culinary team will prepare a fresh plate. Recommends that I do not use the buffet at all, as buffet line items are CC with other allergens. Since this is not recommend for allergies, Coordinator let me know to talk with him after my plate if I wanted more treats!
➡️After 15 minutes, Coordinator brought out my plate of desserts! It was so much after reviewing food all day that I did not get seconds.
** note, the Coordinator said that Disney keeps most of these options on hand, and that for many plant based or top 8 allergens
