Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle is held on select nights at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It is the latest version of Contemporay’s fireworks party, replacing Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks. This upmarket event includes a private lounge and bar, an exclusive sushi buffet, small bites and desserts, and a private balcony to watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks.
However, the event does come at a price and currently costs $129 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Despite the price tag, it does contain a lot more than the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets, which costs $114, including tax. Although worth noting, when the tax and compulsory gratuity are added, it does become $160.
Rather frustrating for an event that does contain alcohol, and it does include a lot of alcohol, Disney does not make a discount for children and non-drinkers. Universal occasionally gives a discount, but Disney always charges full prices for those over ten if they drink or not.
We have always been a fan of the California Grill, but the current menu hasn’t been very appealing. Our favorite event in the past was the California Grill Brunch, but this hasn’t been held since the resort reopened. Celebration at the Top is probably closer to the Bunch than the regular dining menu.
Arrival at Celebration at the Top
If you arrive at Contemporary by car, valet parking is included in your ticket price. Guests check-in for Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle at the podium on the second floor in the Contemporary Resort. You will be escorted in an elevator to the 15th floor from here to the event’s location.
The event is located in the Sonoma and Napa rooms at the California Grill. The rooms are located on the 15th floor of the resort, offering an incredible view of the Magic Kingdom and the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular from a private balcony. The rooms are just to the side of the California Grill and, apart from shared restrooms, are completely separate.
This is a Disney Signature Dining Location, and you will not be admitted unless you are dressed for the part. Disney specifically says no swimwear and that clothes should be clean, neat, and in good condition. However, you don’t need to wear a lounge suit or cocktail dress, but some guests do.
On arrival in the lounge, there will be a name card to collect, and some complimentary bellinis will be laid out. Guests are free to pick any table and can reserve it by putting their name card on the table. As tables are first come, first served, it does pay to be early. However, there isn’t really a bad table in the room. We arrived 30 minutes before the advertised start time, and guests were already getting escorted.
The bar was open on arrival, and bartenders quickly took your order and refreshed your glass. Everything you could imagine was included, and there were no limits on how much you could have. A wide selection of wines, cordials, and beers are available. Plus, you can challenge the bartenders to make any cocktail.
Celebration at the Top Food
The buffet was very special, and a wide selection of small bite options were available. California Grill is famed for its sushi, and there were a number of delicious selections available for you to try. Much like the bar, there were no limits on how many times you returned to the buffet.
The small plates were exceptional; my personal favorites were the goat cheese ravioli, cheeseburger sliders, and katsu pork sandwich. Dishes do vary on occasion, but similar items seem to be served most nights.
If kids don’t like the food, they will happily bring out pizza or other items. However, my kids are big sushi fans!
Desserts were put out before the fireworks, and the selection was incredible. They all look beautiful and taste fantastic.
The food is delicious, and having looked at some old reviews, I think the current selections for Celebration at the Top look better than a few years back.
The Fireworks – Happily Ever After
The big event of the evening is the opportunity to watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from a private balcony. You can also choose to stay in the lounge, but I think everyone went on to the balcony. During Happily Ever After, lights are dimmed, and music from the show is piped onto the balcony. The view is fantastic, and I think it is better than in the Magic Kingdom.
After the fireworks, cocktails and coffees were waiting, with another chance to grab an additional dessert.
There wasn’t an advertised end time for the party, and guests seemed just to start to drift away. We left about an hour after the fireworks, but a few people were still present and still getting served alcohol.
Our Opinion on Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle
We think Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle is a must-do experience at Walt Disney World if you are celebrating a special occasion. Although not cheap, it represents much better value than Magic Kingdom Dessert parties.
We don’t think it is a great choice for young children, especially if they are picky eaters, and we do think it is unfair that Disney does not offer a discount for those under 21.
Read More
Our Guide to Walt Disney World is a fantastic place to start your research for a Walt Disney World Vacation.
To learn more about Dining at Walt Disney, visit our Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.
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