Anyone have stories to share about the MNSSHP dessert parties? Specifically, I’m interested in the Plaza Garden View.
Can you view the parade from the outdoor seating area? Isn’t the parade right before the fireworks (or is it the stage show)? I’m worried about missing the parade and headless horseman.
My booking window opens Saturday morning, so I need to make a decision!!!
Except for historical information about this - which would go way, way back! - nobody really will know the answer to this until after the night parade returns in late July
Oh duh - you mean Boo To You. I’m an idiot
That’s really a standing area, no seating unless you sit on the ground. But maybe you knew that.
Last year, the parade ran twice, at 8:15 and 11:15pm, while the only fireworks happened at 10:00pm. You can check in to the dessert party 1.5 hours before the fireworks (8:30), and start enjoying treats before making your way to the viewing area. I think you will have time to catch either parade.
Yes, Boo to You parade 
I definitely wouldn’t say you’re an idiot.
Thank you! I don’t know why I thought I could see the Boo To You parade at the dessert party 
if the parade starts at 815 and I can’t check in until 830… seems like my thinking was off!
I must be thinking stage show then… does the stage show happen right after the parade and right before fireworks? If so, do you think we are close enough to see the stage show from the garden viewing area?
Last year, the stage show happened 3 times a night through Sept 28, 4 times a night after that. I think you will have multiple chances to fit it in. “Close enough” is very subjective, so I’m not much help.
This article from last year has the times for various things. You’ll have to keep an eye out for the 2025 times. One thing about the Headless Horseman - if the pavement is wet, he won’t participate. I suggest catching the first parade in case the later one gets rained out. We like to watch the parade from Liberty Square/Frontierland where it seems to be darker. It’s always a real puzzle trying to figure out a plan that works for you and your group.
I did the dessert party with the indoor seating area last year. We went to the first night, and I was worried about crowds.
We did the parade from Liberty Square, ate at Sleepy Hollow, and then went to the dessert party. We mobile ordered, but I feel like we had plenty of time.
My picture timestamps are:
First parade picture: 8:10 pm
Last parade picture: 8:30 pm
Food: 8:51 pm
Desserts at dessert party: 9:18
Fireworks: 10
I think this is key… figuring out the puzzle! It almost seems like the dessert party might just complicate things even more!
Thank you for this! It helps give perspective.
I’m planning on doing Frontierland parade, then the fireworks like you, so it seems like it is very possible with this timeline you provided.
We did the dessert party (pre-fireworks) but I care not about the desserts nor want to waste that much time up there. So we checked in sometime after official checkin time, grabbed a quick drink and a cookie or something and left. Rode more stuff, came back a teeny bit before the fireworks and came into the plaza gardens right across from the tomorrowland terrace and found a nice empty spot in the back where I could sit and still see everything from the astroturf. Bailed immediately after and got a spot on the curb for the 2nd parade (for Halloween we did this on the straight part of the street to the left of plaza gardens and were right on the curb and for Christmas Party we pushed against the stream to get on the curb right in front of the castle cuz we caught the last stage show of the night right after the parade) both times it was very easy to get a spot right on the curb with prime parade viewing.
I would not stay in the grassy area to watch the parade, I’d come out and get a spot on the curb. It’s very easy to do. There is also a parade before the fireworks but 2nd parades are always less crowded so I chose that parade and the final stage show both times. When we did MNSSHP we had to then rush after the parade to the castle for the Sanderson Sisters show so I’d recommend doing that for the parade (working to the hub curb in front of the castle) if you want to see the last stage show of the night.
So basically you used the dessert party to get decent parade viewing and kind of passed over the desserts/drinks themselves?
pretty much! I do this every time, but I have severe crowd anxiety. Being shoulder to shoulder with people induces panic. I don’t think the dessert party is necessary during a party. But for me I have 5 feet of space on every side from shoulders of strangers so it’s worth the cost just for that.
I highly recommend not wasting a significant amount of time up there eating treats during a party. Those hours are precious!
No, move up closer to the stage. This area is really only good for the fireworks.
And you do not have to checkin at 830pm btw for the dessert party. That’s just when it opens. I very much suggest you do not check in that early. There will be more a line to checkin. Come later even if you do want to hang out and have a couple of drinks and a plate of treats. You’ll still have plenty of time and you can check into the plaza gardens separately whenever you want so you don’t have to go directly from one to the other. But you do have to checkin at the terrace to get the band/ticket (I can’t remember) that lets you into plaza gardens.
Doing the last stage show of the night can be beneficial because I believe for one or both of the parties I attended that year (halloween and christmas 2023) it was right at close or a few minutes before close meaning you technically are staying 30 minutes after the park closes and doing something still when rides and characters line are closed.
This is the way…You aren’t losing party time by catching the midnight show. We watch it, head down to the Confectionary for snacks to take back to the room and then hit the bus back to the resort.
We did stay in the grassy area for the parade at the Christmas party this year. It completely cleared out after the fireworks and my kids ran around like the crazy little heathens that they are while we waited. We are a large party, including an ECV and double stroller, so it’s not as easy to find a spot on the curb large enough to accommodate all of us. Best view ever, no, but we had plenty of space and we could still see everything.
I will add, if they ever do the parade party again, absolutely worth it. We did it at the Christmas party in 2019 and we stood dead center at the end of Main Street. The parade came right at us, and we got to watch as it turned to go around the circle. Of course all 3 of my kids slept through it 
Thank you for all for the comments and clarifications. Today was my ADR day and I was able to book this NO PROBLEM for 2 people.
My daughter is an anxious person and has always struggled with the crowds at Disney, so I think this option will be best for us to ensure we have a spot.
I just hope I can still see the Jack puppet on the stage!
He’ll be tiny. But maybe. I think the best way to see him is Jollywoof Nights.