best/cheapest way to see WOC

[JH87]

I didn't get a chance to see it when I was there a few weeks ago (the FP line was overwhelming!) and I have been reading about all these meal packages that go along with seeing the show.
A friend and I are going in mid-October and would like to see the show. My friend is really on a tight budget so I am looking for the best way and cheapest way to see WOC without having to stand in the huge FP line and waste valuable time which could be spent enjoying the park! lol.
It seems like the Picnic meal is the best way to go in terms of cost. Is this correct? How is the food? How early do you need to arrive for that and what spot are you at during the show?
Thanks, any info would be helpful!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I didn't get a chance to see it when I was there a few weeks ago (the FP line was overwhelming!) and I have been reading about all these meal packages that go along with seeing the show.
A friend and I are going in mid-October and would like to see the show. My friend is really on a tight budget so I am looking for the best way and cheapest way to see WOC without having to stand in the huge FP line and waste valuable time which could be spent enjoying the park! lol.
It seems like the Picnic meal is the best way to go in terms of cost. Is this correct? How is the food? How early do you need to arrive for that and what spot are you at during the show?
Thanks, any info would be helpful!

You are right that the WoC picnic meal is the cheapest way to see the show without waiting in line at GRR for a FP. The dining package are 2-3 times more than the picnic package. You can order the picnic meal online at the DL website or you can order the picnic at the park of the day of the show. If there are two shows that night that you are thinking of watching one of the two times, ordering online will give you the first show FP and getting on the day of the show will get you the 2nd show. When you pick it up, I read from other threads that the guests can select the FP color if they still have it. When I got my picnic, they just gave me the blue section without asking. But I would have asked and pick my own color FP. Right now it costs $14.99. Here is the link for the pictures and descriptions of the WoC picnic food. A lot of people have mixed reviews of the picnics. But I think it is good for a cold lunch. If you want a front row railing viewing area, I would show up 2 hours before the show starts at its original time. That means you have to get at the blockade and might have to wait half and hour to and hour until CMs let the guests in to the viewing area.

 

[JH87]

thank you!!!

 

[erinbharris]

We did the picnics. Lined up about half an hour before they allowed people into the seating area and got a railing. The kids weren't crazy about the cold chicken (they would have liked it warmed up), but my husband and I both thought the picnics were decent.

 

[JH87]

I have another quick question....are adults allowed to order one of the kids meals? Seeing as though all meals are the same price? Do they care what you order? My friend is super picky with food and would like what they serve in the kids version of the meal better lol.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

FASTPASS:

If you line up at 9:15 at DCA you will be let in at 9:30am. Walk quickly to the WOC Fastpass and the line will be in line less than 25 minutes. You will get a Blue (on a slower day) or yellow fastpass for the first show. COST $00.00 and 40 minutes of time.

If you wait until 10:00 to enter DCA you will wait in line 45 minutes and get Blue or Yellow for the 2nd show. COST $00.00 and 45 minutes.

Easiest / Best

Wait until 1:00pm. The line will be less than 5 minutes and you will get a Blue or Yellow Fastpass for the 3rd show. COST $00.00 and 5 minutes.

Wait until 2:30pm and you will probabbly get a RED Fastpass for the 3rd show. Cost $00.00 and 5 minutes.

Seeing the Show.

BLUE: Wait until the lineup time or 15 minutes later. For the 1st or 2nd show when you enter and give the Fastpass to the Cast Member, then>>>>
SECRET SPOT: Take one giant step forward, duck under the rope and take 2 steps to the rail behind the yellow Fire hydrant. This is one of the best spots to see the whole show, doesn't fill up early, and at the end you will save up to 10 minutes on exit.

3rd show: Go down toward the front then back up to the top tier next to the trellis. This is the BEST Spot to see the show. It is DEAD CENTER, with no one in front to block your view, It is the exact location that the WOC was programed from. OR, Take you time and go to my secret spot above next to the yellow Hydrant.

YELLOW:
Get Wet: Wait until the lineup time or 15-30 minutes later. Go down to the Wet zone and stand as far to the right as possible. Dead center and completly unobstructed view.
Or get there 30-40 minutes before the time listed, wait 1-1/2 to 2 hours, walk quickly and go down to the 2nd tier, quickly go all the way towards the center behind a wooden locker. (This is a stage for the 1st preshow) . This is a good spot.

RED:
Get Wet: Wait until the lineup time go to the Wet Area and go all the way to the Left (Center). This is near the center with a completly unobstructed view.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Regarding the picnic meals themselves, are all of the items served cold???

 

[TLuvsD]

Yes, the picnic meals are cold food. And they include a bottle of soda/water.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

A couple of questions for Disneyland_1951:

BLUE:
SECRET SPOT: Take one giant step forward, duck under the rope and take 2 steps to the rail behind the yellow Fire hydrant.

1. Where is the yellow Fire hydrant?

YELLOW:
... quickly go all the way towards the center behind a wooden locker. (This is a stage for the 1st preshow).

2. Where is the wooden locker?

For reference, here is a link to the WOC viewing chart from Crazycoasterider:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4880152804_5ee2ff9670_b.jpg

Thank you, in advance.

 

[SD33]

YELLOW:
Get Wet: Wait until the lineup time or 15-30 minutes later. Go down to the Wet zone and stand as far to the right as possible. Dead center and completly unobstructed view.
Or get there 30-40 minutes before the time listed, wait 1-1/2 to 2 hours, walk quickly and go down to the 2nd tier, quickly go all the way towards the center behind a wooden locker. (This is a stage for the 1st preshow) . This is a good spot.

I don't understand the differentiation in times. Why show up 15 - 30 minutes later to get the wet zone? Do less people want the wet zone? It's exactly where my wife and I want to be. Already got our ponchos and everything.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

The fire hydrant is 5 feet from the top of the Blue entrance. Again, Hand your Blue Fastpass to the Cast Member... Take one step forward. turn right and duck under the rope and walk two steps to the Rail... YOU are there. This spot is marked by the number 1.

The Stage is just below the 2nd tear, also marked by the number 1 It is the wood square just in front of this spot.

Red and Yellow Wet Zones
Do not fill up early for the later shows. For the first show only a few spots are taken early. No need to waste an extra hour waiting in line for an unpopular spot. But you can line up early and spend 1-1/2 to 2 hours waiting to be sure you get exactly the spot you want.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

The fire hydrant is 5 feet from the top of the Blue entrance. Again, Hand your Blue Fastpass to the Cast Member... Take one step forward. turn right and duck under the rope and walk two steps to the Rail... YOU are there. This spot is marked by the number 1.

The Stage is just below the 2nd tear, also marked by the number 1 It is the wood square just in front of this spot. ...

Thanks!

I hope it's o.k. to ask one more question.

Just curious, have you watched the WOC show from the "Blue" Bridge?

And if you have, what did you think of the view?

 

[JH87]

wow thanks for the extra tips Disneyland 1951!!
I will try to find your secret spots when I go!

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Thanks!

I hope it's o.k. to ask one more question.

Just curious, have you watched the WOC show from the "Blue" Bridge?

And if you have, what did you think of the view?

Yes, the Blue Bridge is pretty good towards the center of the area, as there is less in front of you. As you get closer to Arials Grotto the less you see of the front screen and the few 3D affects. I like this better than the Blue Wet zone that you have to get there very early, run to the spot, and fight the crowd every moment for a front rail spot.

But no matter where you stand if you are not on the far edge of the Red Section you get a good show. It is just if you are not close to the center line you do not get the full affect of the show.

People have stood behind the Ferris Wheel and loved the show with the marginal sound, but did not understand that only saw a small part of the Show!

 

[dxcspilk]

Wow, thanks for the tips!

 

[mrsw94]

We will be heading to DLR in October, (over the holiday, but it's unavoidable) and I was wondering if anyone knew if I have to have a FP/boxed lunch for my 2 year old? He doesn't need a ticket, so I can't get him a regular FP. I'm wondering if anyone knows how that works? Thanks!

 

[mrswh]

I'd say if you really don't want to waste any time, go for a picnic meal. If you order online before the day of, you will be guaranteed a FP for the 9:00 show.

Based on what I read on this board, we went to pick up our meals early (12:15 ) so we could get blue FPs (to match the FPs of the other people in our group), but we got yellow instead. My DH asked for blue but they said they didn't have any. So if you care about a particular color, there isn't much you can do about it when it comes to the picnic meals, as far as I can tell. The upside of the meals is that you are going to eat anyway (and probably eat something equally bad or worse for about the same cost) so this way you're guaranteed a FP wasting no time.

The FP lines this week haven't been that bad. We went in the GCH entrance and had zero wait, but it doesn't sound like you will have that option. I haven't seen any lines out to Sunshine Plaza as has been reported previously, though. If you don't care which show you go to, you can show up later in the day when lines are shorter - but make sure you don't go too late and miss it altogether! We went by at around 1:30 and there were quite a few people in line waiting for FPs for the 11:15 show.

If I were you, I'd keep an eye on the boards to see what the latest is. Crowds are always changing and by October who knows what time the shows are, and whether the will be showing it daily. (If they only show WOC on weekends I imagine that would make it more difficult to get FPs.)

 

[LynneDurham]

We did the picnic dinners (can't remember the name...salmon) and they were surprisingly tasty. We had expected them to be throw-aways, but the food was good.

We were right on the railing in the blue section.

I don't understand the differentiation in times. Why show up 15 - 30 minutes later to get the wet zone? Do less people want the wet zone? It's exactly where my wife and I want to be. Already got our ponchos and everything.

There was a "wet area" roped off immediately in front of us (below the railing; on the boardwalk) and NO ONE stood there the entire time. Thing is...that area never even saw any water for that show. Direction of the breeze, perhaps?

 

[SD33]

There was a "wet area" roped off immediately in front of us (below the railing; on the boardwalk) and NO ONE stood there the entire time. Thing is...that area never even saw any water for that show. Direction of the breeze, perhaps?

What time did you see the show? We will be going in mid Sept. when there is only an 8:15 show. I wonder if that makes a difference in people wanting to be there?

 

[wdwmickey]

We saw WOC on 8/5, picked up our picnics (both kids meals) around 2:30 and got blue fastpasses. We arrived approx 30 mins early and we told several different places to line up (they had not set up the barricade yet). One particularly helpful CM told us that the bridge was his favorite spot to watch the show, so that is where we headed. The CMN was correct--the view was great from the bridge. We watched from the lower end of the bridge and sould see all of the screens and the 3-D effects Also we sat until just before the pre-show started and we had noone behind or in front of us. The CMs did a fantastic job of directing people without fastpasses to the backside of the show.

A couple nights later we watched the show from the Cove Bar. We showed up about 7:45 and got a seat at the showside of the bar. We enjoyed our food and already knew about the $10 per person cover charge. It was a great view of the fountains, so-so of the screens.