World of Color Superthread

[mickeysgal]

We booked WCT for lunch to get the preferred viewing for the first showing of WoC. We can't - really shouldn't - be attending the second viewing as we have to be up early for the Disneyland 1/2 marathon. I thought we were doing the right thing by booking preferred viewing. After reading recent comments, did I do the right thing? Or shoud we just get a fast pass for WoC early in the day - we staying on property - and just wing it?

 

[HydroGuy]

We booked WCT for lunch to get the preferred viewing for the first showing of WoC. We can't - really shouldn't - be attending the second viewing as we have to be up early for the Disneyland 1/2 marathon. I thought we were doing the right thing by booking preferred viewing. After reading recent comments, did I do the right thing? Or shoud we just get a fast pass for WoC early in the day - we staying on property - and just wing it?

Do the right thing? Not sure what you mean. If by do the right thing you meant you did something to guarantee a good view of the show, then the answer is "no". No one should book a CCR or WCT reservation with the idea they will have a guaranteed good view of WOC.

Anyone who has questions on this, please read the OP. I will update it soon as it appears some of the boundaries may still be in flux. But the advice given and good viewing locations and timing of arrival are all still valid.

 

[jcarwash]

With a blue section pass on Tuesday, Aug 21, 2012, my group stood in the round section in the middle. We stood right where the middle yellow star is on the current map in post #1.

I got the set of blue passes around 10:15am. There was no line.

Thanks to supporting advice from a helpful CM at Soarin', we arrived at the WOC area around 7:30pm. Not long after we were let into the holding area, and then around 8pm we were let into the viewing area.

Many with blue went directly to the front as close as possible. Not wanting to get wet, we went to the middle section. Everyone around us were in the blue group.

We stood up against the rope that divided the steps down into the reserved section for diners.

It was our first time at WOC and the view and show were fantastic!

 

[zeferjen]

My recent experience matches ArchOwl's.

I had the "Carthay Circle Reserved Viewing" for the 9pm show (Monday, Aug. 13).

I arrived at #7 at 8:05pm; we were not using ECVs and the CM directed us to go to the "CCT -lunch ?" area. (Note: the references to #7, "CCT -lunch ?" and "WCT ?" are for the map that's posted

This was also my experience. We got there about an hour early, spread out some blankets, and played the kids a movie on the iPod. We were right up against the railing of that section and could see pretty well. Once the show started, We put the blanket on the railing and let the kids sit on it with us behind them. Tis put their heads at roughly our height, so we weren't blocking anyone else's view. I am less than 5ft tall, and could see everything. The show was amazing and worth the wait.

 

[sweethannah]

Last year when we were there we did the only show and while we had a good spot ( thanks to DIS! ) we did have to wait quite a while. With my elderly DM it was a bit stressful and one absolutely lovely CM took pity on her and let her rest on a bench outside the WOC waiting area and brought her back to us close to show time.

This year I would like to avoid waiting as much as possible and plan on attending the late show on the weekend. From what I gather this means we'd have at most an hours wait... would this be fairly accurate?

I wouldn't mind trying the 'wet zone' or if my DM comes with us again we'd try for a spot by the railing on the bridge. I understand the visibility isn't the best but not having anyone in front of us and not have to wait quite so long would be worth it. Would it be fair to say I could score one of these spots if we show up just before the other show lets out?

Thanks so much!

 

[ArchOwl]

Last year when we were there we did the only show and while we had a good spot ( thanks to DIS! ) we did have to wait quite a while. With my elderly DM it was a bit stressful and one absolutely lovely CM took pity on her and let her rest on a bench outside the WOC waiting area and brought her back to us close to show time.

This year I would like to avoid waiting as much as possible and plan on attending the late show on the weekend. From what I gather this means we'd have at most an hours wait... would this be fairly accurate?

I wouldn't mind trying the 'wet zone' or if my DM comes with us again we'd try for a spot by the railing on the bridge. I understand the visibility isn't the best but not having anyone in front of us and not have to wait quite so long would be worth it. Would it be fair to say I could score one of these spots if we show up just before the other show lets out?

Thanks so much!

Have you thought about trying for the fire hydrant spot? That might work for you.

 

[sweethannah]

I feel like that is near where we were last time... I'd have to check an old photo.

Last year I actually took a print out of hydroguy's map with me for reference



I'll probably do the same this year

edit:

I'm not sure if that helps figure out where we were last time.

We seemed to be near a seated or wheelchair section.

We got our FP super early and had blue section - again, thanks to DIS!

 

[ArchOwl]

I feel like that is near where we were last time... I'd have to check an old photo.

Last year I actually took a print out of hydroguy's map with me for reference

I'll probably do the same this year

edit:

I'm not sure if that helps figure out where we were last time.

We seemed to be near a seated or wheelchair section.

We got our FP super early and had blue section - again, thanks to DIS!

Yep, looks like you were at the fire hydrant spot or near it. Normally you don't have to wait as long for that spot, was that your experience? Were others waiting in that space with you? It might be worth another shot if you liked that spot. The bridge is ok, but is more of a side view. Alternatively, they have walk up spots right in front of the Little Mermaid that are decent if you are tall enough.

 

[sweethannah]

We waited a while, probably longer than we needed to actually... I will perhaps try for the same spot for the late show and if that fails try the spot on the railing or near the Little Mermaid standby areas... thank you for reminding me about that tip by the way!

For the second show, to get blue passes I'd just have to guesstimate when the 1st shows FPs have all gone or buy a picnic right?

I haven't done the picnic before, it might be a nice snack before the show

 

[ArchOwl]

We waited a while, probably longer than we needed to actually... I will perhaps try for the same spot for the late show and if that fails try the spot on the railing or near the Little Mermaid standby areas... thank you for reminding me about that tip by the way!

For the second show, to get blue passes I'd just have to guesstimate when the 1st shows FPs have all gone or buy a picnic right?

I haven't done the picnic before, it might be a nice snack before the show

Sounds good. I am on my iPad, so I can't see if you have a signature for your trip date, but WOC FP distribution changes a lot depending on when you are there. I will be there late September and on my WOC night (a Sunday), I will start checking around 11:30 or so for second show blue. I suspect I may have to check back, but I feel better about it if I am a tad too early than too late. I am actually attempting to do the fireworks and WOC, but am cheating and hired Mouse Expeditions to save a spot for my party .

The picnics are ok, but there are lots better meals to be had in the parks. Just my opinion, though, some people like them just fine!

 

[Blue32]

Yep, looks like you were at the fire hydrant spot or near it. Normally you don't have to wait as long for that spot, was that your experience? Were others waiting in that space with you? It might be worth another shot if you liked that spot. The bridge is ok, but is more of a side view. Alternatively, they have walk up spots right in front of the Little Mermaid that are decent if you are tall enough.

ArchOwl, in your opinion, would you say the bridge or hydrant spot is a better view? And is one a better view if you have short kids with you? Thanks!

 

[GrandBob]

Yep, looks like you were at the fire hydrant spot or near it. Normally you don't have to wait as long for that spot, was that your experience? Were others waiting in that space with you? It might be worth another shot if you liked that spot.

When we went on a weekday last November, we got to the fire hydrant spot 45 minutes before the show. It was already occupied by a couple of families, and we had to form a 2nd row behind a family that was already there. Thankfully, the family let our DGD, who was 8 at the time, into the front row with them. But personally, I thought this spot to be a marginal viewing area at best. We had seen WOC once before, a few months after it opened, from a 2nd tier spot (i.e. the tier above the wet area). We thought that spot to be much, much better for viewing. Apparently DGD thought so too. The first time, she was clapping, shouting, and pronounced it the best show she had seen. The 2nd time, from the fire hydrant, she was kinda bored.

JMHO,
Bob

 

[ArchOwl]

ArchOwl, in your opinion, would you say the bridge or hydrant spot is a better view? And is one a better view if you have short kids with you? Thanks!

Personally, I prefer the fire hydrant spot as I think you are at a better angle for the show. It is not the immersive feeling you get when you are down further in the viewing area, but normally you don't have to wait as long either, so it is a trade-off. The bridge is a steeper angle, but you can still see most of the effects.

If it were me, I would go by the fire hydrant first and see if it was available. If not, I would head for the bridge, where at least you should be able to get the kids up against the railing, which they will need to see the show.

When we went on a weekday last November, we got to the fire hydrant spot 45 minutes before the show. It was already occupied by a couple of families, and we had to form a 2nd row behind a family that was already there. Thankfully, the family let our DGD, who was 8 at the time, into the front row with them. But personally, I thought this spot to be a marginal viewing area at best. We had seen WOC once before, a few months after it opened, from a 2nd tier spot (i.e. the tier above the wet area). We thought that spot to be much, much better for viewing. Apparently DGD thought so too. The first time, she was clapping, shouting, and pronounced it the best show she had seen. The 2nd time, from the fire hydrant, she was kinda bored.

JMHO,
Bob

Were you at the first or second show? In my opinion, the first show nowadays is definitely more crowded and fills up faster than the second show.

Everyone has their favorite spot to view and opinions differ on the best spot. I prefer closer to the water as well, but on occasion, I purposely head to the back for a more panoramic view of the show. I find I see things that I missed closer to the water. But of course, as I said, opinions vary.

 

[gmi3804]

I've seen the updated map of the WoC park, with the CCR section marked. Is there a different are for CCR dinner guests, or are all CCR FP holders directed to the same section(s)?

 

[poohj80]

I've seen the updated map of the WoC park, with the CCR section marked. Is there a different are for CCR dinner guests, or are all CCR FP holders directed to the same section(s)?

I can't find the map with CCR Lunch and Dinner sections marked (or maybe I'm missing what colors they are). Can you point me to a particular post please?

Thanks!

 

[gmi3804]

I can't find the map with CCR Lunch and Dinner sections marked (or maybe I'm missing what colors they are). Can you point me to a particular post please?

Thanks!

Well, there is no lunch and dinner differentiation marked, which is why I asked. This is the most current map I could find in this thread:

 

[GrandBob]

Were you at the first or second show? In my opinion, the first show nowadays is definitely more crowded and fills up faster than the second show.

It was a weekday in the off season. There was only one show.

-Bob

 

[papamouse1]

I've seen the updated map of the WoC park, with the CCR section marked. Is there a different are for CCR dinner guests, or are all CCR FP holders directed to the same section(s)?

I can't find the map with CCR Lunch and Dinner sections marked (or maybe I'm missing what colors they are). Can you point me to a particular post please?

Thanks!

The map that I updated was based on all the differing info that has been given recently in this thread. I went through every post, and just tried to compile the input of many different experiences people were having. I wish I had made a list of who said what... oh well

Based on comments of several people, the Dining FP's seem to be given this way...
Preferred viewing FP given to CCR lunch and dinner, as well as WCT dinner.
Blue FP given to WCT lunch instead of a preferred view FP

 

[gmi3804]

Based on comments of several people, the Dining FP's seem to be given this way...
Preferred viewing FP given to CCR lunch and dinner, as well as WCT dinner.
Blue FP given to WCT lunch instead of a preferred view FP

Thanks!

 

[heidica]

Thanks for the update on the map. Very helpful. Question - are the spots not marked with a green or yellow considered bad and to be avoided at all costs? Wondering what the different degrees of bad the non-star spots are.