Best option for WOC if we don't want to wait

[iujen94]

We (me, DH, DS8 and DS6) are getting ready for our first DL trip. I think we are going to try to go to WOC, but (like everyone, I'm sure) I am not excited about the prospect of waiting in line 90 minutes beforehand. If I want to show up about 30 minutes before the show, I realize I'm not going to get a great spot, but I'd like to get at least a shot at a decent spot. What is my best option? I don't mind standing in line for FPs earlier in the day (what color would be best if I plan to show up 30 minutes ahead of time?) or doing the preferred dining package (I know the package doesn't guarantee me a good spot, but do I have a better chance at a decent spot than going the FP route?). Thanks in advance!

 

[QueenBeeMB]

I would say do the Dining Package. I have done WOC many different ways. I also have the choice to use Hadipcapped viewing areas and have tried that. But they best of the best in my opinion is the Dining Package viewing area. Plus, the food from WCT is amazing, and my second favorite place to eat at the resort.

Have fun !

 

[coaches24]

Me personally I don't worry about my spot there. I have seen it once and all I did was get my FP early And head there at the time the FP said. We ended up with a spot that was fine for me. Wasn't the greatest view but I could see everything fine and I wasn't even at the rope or anything. Never waited on line and only waited a little while for the show to start and that wait time was welcome because we were tired from walking all day and happy to sit down on the ground for a while.

 

[sonnyjane]

There's hardly any line nowadays to get your FP's from the machine. A few minutes tops. For that reason, I would just get the free FP's and chance it by showing up late. That way if you get stuck behind someone tall or with kids on their shoulders because you didn't get there soon enough, at least you didn't pay $40 per person to do it. As far as if one color is better than the other, I have watched from many different spots and seen the show several times, and really I find little difference between yellow and blue (did we ever clear up if red is still gone?), so I wouldn't worry about getting a specific FP from the machines at a certain time. It's first come first serve so if you're there early, you'll probably get blue.

 

[HydroGuy]

We (me, DH, DS8 and DS6) are getting ready for our first DL trip. I think we are going to try to go to WOC, but (like everyone, I'm sure) I am not excited about the prospect of waiting in line 90 minutes beforehand. If I want to show up about 30 minutes before the show, I realize I'm not going to get a great spot, but I'd like to get at least a shot at a decent spot. What is my best option? I don't mind standing in line for FPs earlier in the day (what color would be best if I plan to show up 30 minutes ahead of time?) or doing the preferred dining package (I know the package doesn't guarantee me a good spot, but do I have a better chance at a decent spot than going the FP route?). Thanks in advance!

No good answer to this so no one is really right or wrong. I would say shoot for the fire hydrant spot. Or just watch it from the backside.

 

[Huff]

I found the shortest wait is to see the 1st show. This is because you can head straight to your zone anytime after 1 hour prior to show. The earlier you can arrive, the better the spot but a lot depends on crowds that day.

If you attend the 2nd show you have to go to the pre-show que area first, wait there and then be led to your viewing area. I found in order to get a decent spot for the 2nd show you must be among the 1st into the que areas.

We saw the 8pm 1st show this past Sunday night (18th). We arrived to the yellow section 20 minutes before show and had a perfect view against the rail on the 2nd level. We could have gotten down closer but I prefer the further back.

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I have to vote for the dining package.

Last year we went that route, and instead of standing in line, the CMs kept sending us away and telling us to come back later! All told, we ended up standing for less than 30 minutes, and right in front of the water. It was a great location to see the show from, and I'm guessing pretty much everyone had a good view from there.

I've eaten at both Ariel's Grotto and Picnic, and would recommend both. AG's if you want table-service and Picnic if you're more the grab-and-go sort.

 

[DizFan13]

It is important to realize that it is possible to get find a good or bad view whichever section you are in. In November, we tried the dinner package, and ended up with the worst view we've ever had. In January, the first night we tried, the weather was poor and the show was low to the ground. Once it started, about three dozen dads popped their kids up on their shoulders, and DH and I could see nothing;barely the top lights. DS (6'1") was able to lift his GF up by her elbows to his eyeline, and they saw a bit. The second night, we waited and found a perfect spot. Five minutes in, the wind kicked up and the show was stopped and canceled for the night. Third night, we decided last minute to grab passes, and picked a spot in the yellow the closest to the middle we could, and it was a decent view.

The best luck we've had is the fire hydrant spot in January 2011. From now on, I will simply wait the hour and a half and try for that spot everytime. The show is so amazing when you have a good view, but it is really rough to get through when you don't, in my opinion. It's worth the wait.