After a lackluster experience at the Wishes Dessert Party in 2014, I was skeptical to book another dessert party experience. With the wonderful reviews of the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks, our limited time on this trip, and being sans children, I took the chance and booked the newly offered: Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party. The Star Wars Dessert Party took place on the second night after the experience was re-imagined and moved inside, which was a nice bonus.

Where and how to check-in

We arrived at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios  Star Wars Launch Bay entrance a little before 7:30 p.m., and were among the first to check in to the dessert party. The check-in is well placed and presented.

Star Wars Dessert Party Check-In

Upon check-in you are outfitted with lime green wristbands, which serve as your ticket for the event. At this point you can leave the Launch Bay and return closer to 8:30 p.m. or enjoy some of the Launch Bay offerings. Seeing as we had already enjoyed most of what Hollywood Studios had to offer, we opted to head into the air conditioning and grab a bench and enjoy the air conditioning until party time.

At 8:10 p.m., the roped off area of the Launch Bay, that held about a dozen draped high-boy tables, dessert stations, drink stations, a frozen dessert station and a mixed drink bar, was opened. Being the first into the party, we had our choice of tables, and chose near the bar of course. No seats are provided, but seeing as this party was previously held outdoors, we were just happy to have the addition of air conditioning.

Upon arrival, a pair of Stormtroopers roamed the dessert party and provide rare one-on-one interaction. While being informed that the area was under the jurisdiction of the First Order, my husband replied that his “first order” was to get a drink, to which Stormtrooper responded with an, “Affirmative”.  We were left to begin partaking in the tables of goodies that were calling our name! The Stormtroopers made frequent trips through the dessert party the entire night.

Drink Options

The bar offers four different Star Wars inspired mixed drinks. The bartender was giving each drink a generous pour, which was quite surprising. Most of the drinks are made by using the specialty non-alcoholic drinks as bases. No additional alcoholic beverages are available.

Bar Menu

Throughout the night we sampled all four specialty drinks, and found them all to be very good. That is, minus Swamp Milk, which was very strange and was actually pretty gross. I didn’t see anyone else at the party partaking in them, but I have heard good reviews since.

Swamp Milk

An ice cooler is located next to the bar, and canned Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite is provided.

Drink Station

There is also a drink table which houses a couple non-alcoholic specialty drinks, including themed juice, lemonade and water. The Jettison Juice, is actually Jamba Juice, was wonderful. Any fan of Tusker House will understand how exciting of a find this is, and I easily drank at least 3 glasses of it!

Laser Lemonade

Jettison Juice

Selections of Twinings tea with accompaniments are also available, which is a nice option in the colder months.

Tea Table

Dessert and Savory Options

Next to the beverage table is the bread pudding station, where you can indulge in a bread pudding concoction covered in candy and pretzels. Additional candy, fruit, and nut toppings, as well as vanilla ice cream is available to doctor it. I am not a bread pudding fan, but my husband went back for seconds (and possibly thirds), so I will go out on a limb and say it was pretty good.

Bread Pudding Station

The dessert selection is varied and quite good, which is a definite change from the Wishes Dessert Party. The main dessert table had many options including: Mini Cupcakes (including the Darth Vader Chocolate  Peanut Butter Cupcakes, which are the things dreams are made of),  Blue Panna Cotta, brownies, Rice Crispie bon-bons, cookies, tarts and more. The Red Velvet Brownies are particularly delicious.

Dessert Table

Dessert Table

The non-dessert options includes “Lightsabers” made from various fruits, cheese, tomatoes, and olives, as well as grilled pita with red pepper or black bean dip. The savory items seem to be depleted and refreshed more often than the dessert items. All of the items are kept full for the entire length of the party.

Star Wars Dessert Party Savory Food Items

Frozen Food Station

In addition to various pre-packaged Disney ice cream novelties, Disney’s newest invention, the Flash-Fried Nutella Truffle is served. The truffle, which is flash frozen in liquid Nitrogen and topped with your choice of dark chocolate or raspberry sauce, is a very delicious and unique item.

Flash-fried Nutella Truffle

It became quite crowded in the area, as the party wore on, but not uncomfortable. Since it was a new party, managers were walking around asking guests and Cast Members alike for their opinions and suggestions. Other than being inside the Launch Bay and having themed names for desserts, the only decoration in the party was the First Order seal on the candle holders.  Guests take the lights in the centerpieces at the end of the night.

Table Decoration

The party was very well staffed. In addition to the Cast Members who are working the dessert stations and the bar, Cast Members were circulating the room clearing tables.

Around 9:10 p.m., Cast Members announced that we were about to be lead outside to our reserved viewing area. You are free to bring any drinks with you, which is a definite plus. Ice cold water is handed out which is a wonderful touch. The viewing area provides a great view the entire Star Wars Galactic Spectacular Firework display, without having to claim a spot an hour or more in advance.

Fireworks

Before the fireworks began, someone noticed the table filled with Chewbacca Steins. A scramble happened as everyone rushed to pick up their free souvenir and get back to their viewing spot. Ideally, I believe this should happen as we leave the party. The cup is nice “free” souvenir.

Chewbacca Stein

The fireworks began pretty quickly and of course were fantastic. I have to say that the Star Wars Fireworks are fighting to be my favorite fireworks display at Walt Disney World. The mix of music, pyrotechnics, video projections and fireworks is simply amazing.

Star Wars Fireworks

The price for this experience is only $69 per adult (ages 10+up) and $39 for ages 3-9. The Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party has a lot of unique features, and costs only $10 more than the Tomorrowland Terrace Wishes Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom.

Final Thoughts

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, in my opinion, is very well run, and is a great value. Would we do it again? Absolutely! That is something that I would not say for the Wishes Dessert Party. I recommend this event to anyone who loves Star Wars, or who hates fighting crowds. Right now the event is available to book through November 12, 2016. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party will not be showing during the holiday season (November 14-December 31, 2016). Its replacement will be the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Party.  This is one Disney fan who hopes that it will return with a “bang” after the holiday season is over!

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