Fantasmic or WOC -- which would you pick, if you could only do 1? (more)

[Funball]

Perhaps all the hassle with seeing WoC on opening day and the follow day tainted my experience. There was a lot of confusion among where people should go, especially the preferred dinning guests. We've come to find out we never really made it to the preferred area, but close and had a great view of WoC. It is a great show and I want to see it again without having to film and take pictures. To me WoC just doesn't have that cohesive store like F! does. It would be really hard to pick. They are both something to see. Your kids would probably like WoC better. It is very visual and they might just shrug off the cheese and crackers at F!

opening day was a bit dodgy!! but the crowds have calmed down now and it's more enjoyable to see WOC, alot of the confusion problems and kinks have been worked out now ! It really is a fantastic show! i mean 8 million later it should be a fantastic show!! . I give 6 thumbs up for WOC! you get better dining choices then F! and by far that is plus in my book! but what ever the OP picks, they will have a fabulous time!

and anybody who has seen both shows(woc and f!) let me know how that went..like i want to know if you were sprinting at the speed of light to get to one show and then the other in order to get the "good" seats!

 

[DisneyJewel]

DH looked at me like I had two heads when I told him even the preffered dining option required standing up. We are relatively fit people, so it's not that standing up for 1/2 hour would be difficult, he just has no interest in seeing a show where he can't sit.

That said, I'm keeping my reservation at AG since I don't have to prepay, but I think we will book Fantasmic, and if everyone is up for the WOC once we're there, we can try that too!

We are also going in August and stay at the grand and we have decided to book both. Missed Murphy by a couple of days last year and we are curious about WOC. The WOC will most likely be picnic, but when we did the family vote, "F" was number 1. We are just waiting to see how things fly, no one wants to stand.

Jack

 

[DisneyJewel]

Yikes, sorry for the double post.
DH looked at me like I had two heads when I told him even the preffered dining option required standing up. We are relatively fit people, so it's not that standing up for 1/2 hour would be difficult, he just has no interest in seeing a show where he can't sit.

That said, I'm keeping my reservation at AG since I don't have to prepay, but I think we will book Fantasmic, and if everyone is up for the WOC once we're there, we can try that too!

We are also going in August and stay at the grand and we have decided to book both. Missed Murphy by a couple of days last year and we are curious about WOC. The WOC will most likely be picnic, but when we did the family vote, "F" was number 1. We are just waiting to see how things fly, no one wants to stand.

Jack

 

[DisneyJewel]

I really appreciate all the opinions and advice. Since DH is so adverse to standing, we're going to go for Fantasmic, but I'm keeping my WOC reservation -- maybe when we are down there and all Disneyfied, he'll change his mind, or maybe I can just go with the kids. Thanks again!

 

[Funball]

but u have to stand for Fantasmic also....unless you camp out in the tippy front!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

but u have to stand for Fantasmic also....unless you camp out in the tippy front!

I think the OP was going to do the dessert box option which comes with a seat. I have now seen both shows. I have never spent any extra money for either. We have done the camping out for Fantasmic and also chosen to arrive later and have a less than optimum view. We did the fastpass option for WoC and had a side view from red section. While we will certainly go to WoC again sometime, the show just didn't grab us all that much and doesn't inspire in me a desire to spend money just to view it. The idea of the Fantasmic dessert seating though still holds a little bit of appeal to us, and we may just have to try it someday. So I guess I'm saying that if this was a choice I had to make, which one show to see, I would choose Fantasmic.

 

[Eeee-va]

Can you do one on one night and one on another, or is that not an option?

The best show really depends. I think Fantasmic! is a slightly better show. It has a better flow and the music weaves throughout, making the whole show feel connected--even though when it comes down to it I only adore about half the scenes. I'm also more impressed by live actors than projections.

But World of Color is brand new and also very good; the technology is quite impressive (though I'm not sure anything can beat a dragon!).

I've never done it, but if you want to feel special, I think the Fantasmic! seating will be a better choice. I HAVE done the Preferred Viewing area for WoC (we went to the first "public" show so I thought the expense was justified!). The Preferred Viewing area is nice (and the price is much nicer than the Fantasmic! seating, considering all the food you get). But we weren't wowed by our service for dinner and once you're done eating, you're on your own. If you can buy the picnic "meals" and don't mind waiting a bit before your "window" opens (as in, before 7:30 PM for a 9 PM show), then you can probably get a spot about as good as the Preferred Viewing.

The main drawback for the Fantasmic! dining for me, is that you have to get there early to check in, which just seems silly to me. I would hate to pay to avoid lines, then have to wait in a line!

On the other hand, if you can do the 10:30 Fantasmic!, you can easily get seating (on the ground) for that show. (I know some people have trouble getting up but it doesn't sound like you do?) Whereas World of Color, pretty much only bringing a wheelchair, or coming with someone in a wheelchair, will net you seats, as far as I know.

If you can/will only do one show, then I'd suggest flipping a coin. If you're disappointed in the result, then pick the other.

But if I were in your shoes (as an over-planner myself), and if I could do both shows, I think I would:
*Book a WoC dining package (60 days out)
*Attempt to book Fantasmic! seats (30 days out)
*If I get the Fantasmic! seats, cancel the WoC dining and book a picnic package (30 days out)
*If I don't get the Fantasmic! seats, keep the WoC dining and do Fantasmic! another night.

Have a great trip!

 

[nunzia]

I may be facing this when I take son and his family in January. The OP, since she is going in August, will have both shows playing nightly, so I guess I don't understand why she is only planning on seeing 1?
My son's wife and his stepkids and daughter have never been, so I want them to see Fantasmic since I really love that show. But..I sure want them to see WOC too..and since we are going in January, they may only be playing WOC on weekends and we will only be there on Friday of the weekend. I am just hoping WOC will still be new enough to be playing nightly...I just can't choose.

 

[DisneyJewel]

but we are early to bed, early to rise people and realistically 2 late nights would be too much. At DL last year, my kids were conked out by 9 pm! So even the earlier show is on the late end for us. I know most kids by 8 and 11 years old can stay up much later, but my 2 wake up early. And we have 3 early entry days and plan to use them all.

But it IS possible, since we are there 4 nights, so if the family is up for it, or if we all decide to skip a MM day to stay up late one night, we will try to see them both.

 

[egritz]

but we are early to bed, early to rise people and realistically 2 late nights would be too much. At DL last year, my kids were conked out by 9 pm! So even the earlier show is on the late end for us. I know most kids by 8 and 11 years old can stay up much later, but my 2 wake up early. And we have 3 early entry days and plan to use them all.

But it IS possible, since we are there 4 nights, so if the family is up for it, or if we all decide to skip a MM day to stay up late one night, we will try to see them both.

If you take a long afternoon break (which in August will be necessary due to the heat & high crowds) maybe you can do both on two different nights. Especially if you camp out for Fantasmic. Just bring a blanket & everyone can sit for the 2 hours or so before the show (unless financial circumstances allow you to do preferred for both!)

We were there Mon-Fri (left friday afternoon). Did WOC on Tuesday night, 9:00 show w/ preferred standing from WCT (not good food). On Thursday mom & I were the only ones who wanted to return to DL for Fantasmic!. We re-entered the park around 7:20 and got a decent spot next to the stairs in front of the French Market Restaurant. If we had the whole group of 10 we would have gotten everyone into the same viewing area w/ the kids in front of the adults.

Mom & I agreed that Fantasmic! was much better & next trip she wants to do the dessert package & would do that over WOC. There was a nice family from Australia behind us who also thought Fantasmic! was better. There is just something about the live characters that makes it SO much more magical & Disney (in my opinion) than WOC. I do want to try to see WOC at least once more from a closer view (we were third tier), but if it were a Money/Planning issue I would choose Fantasmic! Dessert package without hesitation.

 

[1disneynutt]

If you do choose Fantasmic I would definitely do the dessert package. My family & I did it a few years ago and it was so nice to be able to sit and enjoy the show. We also stayed and watched the fireworks after. The dessert box was good but the sweet stuff was a little to fancy for their tastes I wish they would have a mickey rice krispy treat or something simple for the kids but overall it was very nice. They tell you to line up at a certain time in a certain spot but you should get there a little early. You choose your seats from a map and the closer you are to the front of the line the better your seat choices will be. They allow you more than 1 beverage also so during the show we had a soda with our dessert box and then enjoyed a hot chocolate while watching the fireworks after. Have fun

 

[Mary09]

It floors me how many people will pay $60 for a seat at F! Maybe I'm missing something. We always show up maybe 30-60 mins. before the show and it's been fine. I guess I'm a cheapskate but it's a 25 min. show and it's on free twice a night.

 

[Raindown]

It floors me how many people will pay $60 for a seat at F! Maybe I'm missing something. We always show up maybe 30-60 mins. before the show and it's been fine. I guess I'm a cheapskate but it's a 25 min. show and it's on free twice a night.

No matter how many times I've seen F!, I'd still do the preferred seating again (done it twice). The seats are great and the food and drinks is icing on the cake. I allows you to check it or have someone else do it, then come back later (I usually do the 10:30 show). Plus, having a chair is nice.

It makes a great gift too. For people that are hard to buy for you would be amazed at what fireworks and F! will do.

 

[Funball]

It floors me how many people will pay $60 for a seat at F! Maybe I'm missing something. We always show up maybe 30-60 mins. before the show and it's been fine. I guess I'm a cheapskate but it's a 25 min. show and it's on free twice a night.

i never find an area to stand ., so i just don't go , i have seen it once! i camped out though i will never do that again. i knew someone who HAD to have the front row for the best viewing of F! but when you arrive 5 moin before the show that's not going to happen!! RFLOL

 

[1disneynutt]

I know what you mean about the price! When we went we had my mom (70) with us so I didnt want to have her standing so long. We splurged and did the preferred seating I am so glad we did, with that being said I would not do it again. Since this will be your first time seeing it I think it will be worth it. Next time we will be among those standing and waiting For us it was one of those once in a lifetime things.

 

[blackjackdelta]

It floors me how many people will pay $60 for a seat at F! Maybe I'm missing something. We always show up maybe 30-60 mins. before the show and it's been fine. I guess I'm a cheapskate but it's a 25 min. show and it's on free twice a night.

What time of the year, day of the week and where do you stand. Last year it was elbows to elbows from one end of ROA to another and people were packed like sardines you could not move.

Jack

 

[pigby]

It floors me how many people will pay $60 for a seat at F! Maybe I'm missing something. We always show up maybe 30-60 mins. before the show and it's been fine. I guess I'm a cheapskate but it's a 25 min. show and it's on free twice a night.

I am with you on this one - I don't understand why people pay so much - how can you eat that many cakes anyway - maybe I just don't have a sweet tooth but myself and DH would eat one dessert each at the most. I would much prefer a picnic type meal here similar to the ones at WOC probably. We'll take our chance and go for the second show instead

 

[Mary09]

What time of the year, day of the week and where do you stand. Last year it was elbows to elbows from one end of ROA to another and people were packed like sardines you could not move.

Jack

I think I usually go in summer? It's been a few years. We'll be there in a couple weeks so I'll let you know. Last time I saw it was at DW and I was shocked that I staked out seats like 1.5 hours early and I could've gotten there 45 mins. early and gotten those same seats. Not the same thing, but those were free good seats that no one really even cared to show up early for.

I do think Fantasmic is worth the price of admission into Disneyland, just (for me) not the price of admission plus $60. Or $180 for us three.

 

[720L]

We just got back and saw both shows. I'd see Fantasmic over WOC. Getting a spot to sit is tricky, but not too hard. We found an ok spot about 45 minutes before the show, next time I will get there at least an hour before. I saw a lot of people having their dinner while waiting, great idea so you don't get bored. Our spot would have been better if the 10 or so other people didn't squeeze their way in by us 10 minutes before the show.

 

[nunzia]

It floors me how many people will pay $60 for a seat at F! Maybe I'm missing something. We always show up maybe 30-60 mins. before the show and it's been fine. I guess I'm a cheapskate but it's a 25 min. show and it's on free twice a night.

I used to feel that way too..until I did it Now I'm a convert. Yes, very pricey, but DLR trips are special trips and so I love to do the special things. When I don't do the dessert thing I watch the show from the Tom Sawyer dock..different perspective, but still very cool!