As many of you know by now it is sadly the last year for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios. This has been a highlight of visiting Walt Disney World during the Christmas season for many years.
To send the event off in style Disney offered an exclusive dessert party during this nightly event this year. The party is booked through dining and spaces are still available. Here are the important details:
The Merry & Bright Dessert Party runs November 6 through December 30, except for November 17, December 9, and December 18. The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. November 6 through December 24, and 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. December 25 to 30.
Tickets are $69 for ages 10 and up and $39 for ages 3–9. This price includes all taxes, fees and gratuity. Theme park admission is required, and not included.
Your ticket includes 90 minutes of access to the all-you-care-to-eat dessert buffet, “a special reserved viewing location set apart from the crowds,” and a stadium blanket. In the event of rain, the dessert party is relocated to a nearby covered location.
Ok, so now that we have covered that info lets talk shop. Is the event worth it? Seeing as though the cost is more than you will pay for one entire day on the dining plan that should be your first clue that this event may not live up to the hype. I, of course, had to try it out anyway! I am not one to turn down desserts and a chair!
The seating area does give you a prime view of the lights and the tables are comfortable and plentiful. We never felt crowded or cramped. It had taken us nearly two hours to get to Hollywood Studios from Epcot and I was worried this would have a negative effect on our experience. Tip: Do keep in mind that the lights are very popular and plan on arriving to Hollywood Studios well before sun down to experience this event without having to battle crowds getting into the park.
When we arrived (about 15 minutes late) we were giving a special sticker to wear so we could go in and out of the area if we chose. This would also be our way to redeem our party favor, a commemorative fleece blanket (one of which I will be giving away on my facebook page!) We were also given special viewing glasses that enhance the colors of the lights. These were a little cheesy but actually kind of fun to wear!
The main point of a dessert party should be to enjoy the desserts and drinks. I did enjoy the guava juice that they called Rosy Cheeks, but tasted suspiciously like Pog Juice from Ohana with a splash of grenadine. My husband had a few of the cocktails and enjoyed each mildly.
The desserts were less than spectacular and reminded me of something I could buy for half price at any discount grocer. Tiny chocolate lava cakes made to look like wreaths, eclair christmas lights, mint mousse, mini rice krispy treats and tiny coconut cakes rounded out the offerings at the cold buffet, while there was apple pie and ice cream being served warm (well, not the ice cream.) For a $70 per guest entry fee these desserts just totally missed the mark. I think I would have been happier with delicious traditional Christmas treats such as sugar and gingerbread cookies, fudge, truffles, cake or heck even a yule log!
It is the very last year for the lights so attending this event is a one time deal, though I am sure something else will come along in due time. Right now, I would advise you attend this event if you are interested in a nice place to sit and take in your surroundings while casually consuming empty calories just because you paid for it and not necessarily for the taste! Otherwise, your money is best spent else where. Why not visit starring roles, grab a cupcake and just stroll through the lights. I leave you with this…a teaser of what you can see right now!
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