Help! WOC - Sit or Stand???

[LuvMyEAR]

Hello, the more I read about the WOC, the more confused I get! I see references to preferred "seating" and then read that most viewing areas are for standing, with only limited benches for those unable to stand.

I thought about getting a dining package for the preferred area, although it may be way too late for that, but if my preferred spot involved standing for the length of the show, it would be a waste, anyway.

So I am counting on you DIS experts... do you sit in the preferred viewing areas or stand? I can walk all day, but cannot stand for 5 minutes without suffering. Should I try to get a reservation or just rule out WOC altogether?

 

[sonnyjane]

The preferred viewing areas are still standing-room-only. The only place to sit are the benches that you mentioned that are available for those with Guest Assistant Cards because of a medical condition. The dining package simply gives you a better area to stand in, but it is, indeed, standing.

Since you mention that you cannot stand for long periods of time, it might be worth getting the GAC when you enter the parks so that you can view from the area that has the benches, although I'm not sure how good that view is, but at least you'd be able to sit.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

Thank you very much, sonnyjane. Sounds like I should set my sights on Fantasmic for a premium viewing experience. I doubt anyone in our group would qualify for a GAC, except for maybe my mother... we are going to Disneyland celebrate her 92nd birthday!

DISers are the best at providing accurate and timely answers!

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you very much, sonnyjane. Sounds like I should set my sights on Fantasmic for a premium viewing experience. I doubt anyone in our group would qualify for a GAC, except for maybe my mother... we are going to Disneyland celebrate her 92nd birthday!

DISers are the best at providing accurate and timely answers!

I'm in no way promoting any abuse of the GAC system, but if you legitimately cannot stand for more than five minutes because of a medical condition, that is what GAC's are for. There's no reason you shouldn't see WOC if you really have a physical ailment. They do not ask for doctor's notes or anything like that to prove you have a condition.

As far as Fantasmic!, I just want to make sure you understand that the premium viewing experience is $59 per adult and includes a dessert box, drinks, and a seat. The rest of viewing for Fantasmic! is also standing unless you stake out a spot hours in advance to sit up front. As long as you know all the facts, I hope you have fun no matter what you decide!

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I appreciate your in-depth advice tremendously. I'm a researcher (where travel is related) and that's why I love this website so much. Good advice about the GAC, thanks... never thought about it in those terms, although I have many times advised those who are unsure about using ECVs to get max enjoyment out of their trips. Time to heed my own kind of advice.

I consider myself to be relatively able-bodied, and always appreciate that fact. Standing is my weak point, though, and I have to abandon shopping carts when confronted with long checkout lines, and scrupulously plan everything from shopping to Disney trips to coincide with lowest crowd levels possible.

I do bemoan the lack of seating for Illuminations, parades, and the inhumane individual(s) who designed the Canadian show in Epcot. Little stools in that circle-vision theater would be a real boon for not just me, but all the foot-weary tourists who gain awareness of the old joke... EPCOT = Every Person Comes Out Tired. I guess I should be very glad that Fantasmic in DHS is hosted in a true amphitheater. I did see that Dessert Package is required, and while $$$, who can't enjoy a little dessert?