1st (and likely only) DLR trip....skipping WoC?

[CapnJacksGirl]

As WDW regulars who are making the venture west, likely for the only time, we have done a fair bit of research and it seems like seeing WoC may be more hassle than it's worth.

What are your recommendations for catching a glimpse of WoC without waiting in line for an hour and then standing where not all of us can even see? We aren't interested in paying for a dining package. Obviously, we know we won't be seeing all of the show and we're good with that. We'd rather be seeing and doing other attractions and not wrangling all the kids during a long wait.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[MommyJKM]

You might want to rethink the dining package. You're going to have to have lunch or dinner anyway, so might as well do the WOC package. We do Carthay Circle for lunch right before we leave for an afternoon break. The viewing area is great. We always show up 10minutes before the show.

I'm not a "waiter" and would never spend 90minutes to 2hours waiting to watch a show so the dining package is ideal for us.

If you're staying at the Grand Californian there is a viewing patio on the 6th floor - you can't see the whole show but you could watch it from there the night you arrive.

Have fun!!

 

[Mike_M]

It looks impressive from the videos I've seen, but as a DLR 'regular', I have yet to see it myself in person and don't really think I'm loosing out on anything. I generally skip Fantasmic!, parades and the fireworks (Although I've seen those in the past) to do things with fewer crowds and WoC fits into that category for me as well. If my kids insist on seeing it, I may concede on a future trip but if they are ok skipping it, I am too.

 

[g-dad66]

We faced the same question earlier this month, because we did not want to invest a large amount of time waiting in line for a decent viewing spot.

So thanks to all of the information gleaned from this board, here is what we decided to do:

1 - We got blue Fast Passes for the second show (actually the machine was dispensing first show Fast Passes at the same time, but the CM told us that the Fast Passes would be honored to the second show because it is always less crowded than the first).

2 - We showed up at about 10:15 for the 10:45 show, and we were directed to the back of a line which started just across the bridge to Paradise Pier. Just as we finished walking past the huge line of people and reached the back of the line, the line started to move, and a CM took our tickets.

3 - The line surged into the viewing area, but we stopped at the "fire hydrant" spot (described in HydroGuy's most excellent WOC Superthread). There were about 5 people there, but plenty of room for 5 more of us (an eventully maybe a dozen more folks by show time). We had decided in advance that either the fire hydrant spot or the bridge to Paradise Pier were our best chances for an unobstructed viewing area with so many people in line ahead of us.

4 - The view was great for even our 7-year-old grandchild because there was no one in front of us to obstruct our vision. And I noticed that even by showtime there appeared to be railing spots available on the bridge to Paradise Pier, so I think that would have worked out had we shown up just 5 or 10 minutes before showtime.

 

[TLinden16]

In my opinion, World of Color is worth the hassle. It is a great show. I actually loved it so much that I saw it every night of my trip the last time I was there (though a couple of times it was from the viewing area for DVC members at the Grand Californian (though that's not a great place to see it).

 

[Imdboss]

So I'm with you on not spending a bunch of time on WoC. I've watched it a few times (if that's what you call it considering the lack of view due to tall people standing in front). I feel like it's such a time commitment to then not get a full view, so we rather spend our time on rides. I have yet to be able to see anything other than the higher up projections. That being said one time we were walking over Paradise Pier and stopped to watch, it was about the same view I had after putting in 1.5 hours for FP, return time line, and general waiting for the show to start. It was a decent enough view to get an idea of what's happening.

 

[Disney Kidd]

On my most recent trip in June, I showed up with my fastpass about fifteen minutes before the show. There was plenty of room left at the front, where you will get wet, but I had an awesome view. I would suggest getting a FP, showing up close to show time, and seeing if you luck out with a good spot. If not, at least you didn't waste a whole bunch of time waiting.

 

[Tink]

We went in 2013 and loved WOC! We did do the dinner package at Trattoria and it was really good. We loved the show and my kids want to back when we go in February. It's really worth it!

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I really like WOC but I don't wait a long time for things, parades, etc.
We went when 60th anniversary started and grabbed a FP for WOC. Didn't show up until 5-10 minutes before the show started. Planned on getting there earlier but got sidetracked . Anyway, we ended finding a decent spot to see the show. It wasn't perfect but good enough. I think if you're torn on whether to see it, you should just grab a FP and not worry about a dining package. But that's just me

 

[jesster]

I didn't read all the responses, so sorry if I'm being redundant, but I wanted to chime in and say it really wasn't a hassle at all to see WoC. I saw it on Saturday, June 13, 2015 with my SIL and my niece. They wanted to go to Disneyland first thing that morning, meanwhile I was biting my nail, just itching to go over to CA so that I could snag some WoC fast passes, thinking they would be gone after lunch when we'd finally get over there, which ended up being after 1pm (gasp!). It was SO SO easy to walk up to the FP machines (just to the left of Soarin') and grab three FP for WoC. Then we just showed up about 30 minutes before it started and we have fine viewing space. We were in the yellow section, which is the last of three, I believe. If you have a LO who doesn't like getting a mist of water in the face then being further back actually might be beneficial. I LOVED WoC, can't imagine not checking it out, especially if you don't have plans to returns to DL. I will say, being a WDW vet myself, DL is so much more relaxed, it is so much easier to just go with the flow of the day then at WDW. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Even when we got tickets for WOC we ended up in the back where just anyone could also view it from. Next time I won't even bother getting tickets (fastpasses) and just stand in back again. Because the whole area is terraced, you still get a good view.
You want to see the show at least one time though, it is magnificent.

 

[Lauren in NC]

Agree with everyone else - unless it's changed significantly due to the 60th crowds, or you're going during an especially crowded time, you should be able to get decent enough seats by grabbing FPs and then getting there 10-15 minutes early. Keep in mind, those FPs won't keep you from getting other ride FPs as they're not linked to the system, so if you're walking by the FP area anyway - and you probably will - may as well grab them

 

[figment_jii]

As WDW regulars who are making the venture west, likely for the only time, we have done a fair bit of research and it seems like seeing WoC may be more hassle than it's worth.

How many days will you be in DLR? I'm not a huge fan of WoC; it's a nice enough show, but the viewing area is a hassle, especially if you're short and/or have children. That being said, it is unique to DLR and some people do really like it. So, if you have enough days and are willing to get a sense of the show, I do think it's worth it get FPs (second show if possible) and just try to see it. I wouldn't spend hours waiting to see it, but if you have the FP, then you have the option of seeing it if you want.

 

[allsaintsatx]

I wouldn't skip it. The 60th anniversary change up WOC show they did was one of the highlights of our trip. It was absolutely amazing - funny, touching, nostalgic and epic to say the least.

We did the Carthay dining package and it was worth it just for the viewing area, but the food was great and the restaurant is one of the most beautiful on property.

Carthay has it's own viewing section in a great spot almost dead center, and it's got plenty of "fence space" where you can lean up on the fence with nothing in front of you except small shrubs down below you. Even the people way down in front who were putting their kids on their shoulders didn't even come close to blocking our view.

They told us to show up 15 to 30 min early, but we showed up probably 45 minutes early and were able to secure fence space for 4 people and an ECV. And the area is pretty wide with not too many people in it so if your kids get bored they can play a bit.

Also, while we were waiting, I snuck off and rode Golden Zephyr and then my wife snuck off and rode Under The Sea, all while my mom and kid secured our spot.

And did I mention how great the new WOC was? Ha! My mom, wife and kid were all crying afterwards it was so emotional and heartfelt. We then had Disney group hugs and took lots of pictures in front of the WOC water displays, which still play for about 10 minutes after the show.

An amazing time that we will never forget.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's a must miss for me. Definitely not worth fighting the crowds and some very pushy people.

 

[az4boys]

The times I've seen WOC right up front (against the railing in the wet zone) - I thought it was awesome. Every other time I wanted to leave early. Having kids that can't see anything besides adults standing around them is not fun. I would suggest grabbing a fast pass, hopefully for the later show if there is one. Then close to show time show up and see if you can get a good view. If it doesn't work out at least you won't waste a couple hours. There might just be room up front in the wet zone. I'm not sure where a good last minute spot is. I'm in the all or nothing camp. Either we invest the time and get a good view or we skip it all together. Also, if you have kids consider their ages. My youngest has always slept through the entire show.

 

[Spunky946]

We just saw it tonight. We got a fast pass for the 9pm show in the yellow section and showed up at 8:45. Got a spot just to the right with not too many people around and we could see everything. We loved it.

 

[jomarsou]

We were there last November, had a FP, lined up for ages before the designated time, got our spots, waited for ages, got stuck behind a super tall guy and couldn't see a thing! I had to try and prop my very tired 4 year old as high as I could but we still couldn't see anything. I was so disappointed we wasted so many of our precious Disney hours for nothing. We won't be seeing it when we go again in two weeks.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Thanks all for the replies and advice! I think we may take the wait and see approach. We are WDW regulars with a very strict be-there-at-opening style of touring. We usually plan two, maybe three, nights where we stay for Wishes, Illuminations and maybe Fantasmic! Aside from that, we have our daily plan and focus on doing as much early in the day as we can. I'm trying to relax a little knowing that DLR isn't as schedule-oriented but it's hard to break a habit! We like the early morning touring so we plan to take advantage of our Extra Magic Hour every day. If we feel like staying to check out WoC one night, we'll see what we can happen upon. We (4 adults and 3 kids, 10, 8, and 4) check into PPH on Monday (Columbus Day) and will have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to do "normal" touring and Friday for the Halloween party. I think we're all good with seeing it if it's convenient and not seeing it if it's not. It's not anyone's priority so we'll see how it goes. Thanks all for the help!!

 

[sharksfinatic17]

Just saw WOC on Thursday. We had FP for first show/yellow section. Showed up about 20 minutes early, walked around until we found an area that worked, sat down for a bit, than entire section had to stand, and could see just fine. I will not wait any longer than this in the future.