HydroGuy or others - 1 day at DL, Ariel vs FP and WOC

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

Let me preface this by saying...
We are going only for 1 day. I understand that this is not enough time to do it all.
We have been to DL before, but we don't go there as often as WDW, because we live on the EC
I have read all the stickied tips threads here and a lot of posts on the subjects
I'm an uber-planner
I'm an expert fast passer (both in WDW and DL)
It's a MM on the day we go, and we don't have MM privs
The park is open from 8-12midnight (4/2)

We are taking a DCL MR cruise out of LA, and I decided to surprise DD7 with a trip back to DL to kick off the magic. I know it's one day and that's not enough time to see and do it all. We have a list of our favs that we always do, and this time there is WOC. I read the WOC superthread and a bunch of other ones (I may have missed something, so please be patient if this has been asked and I didn't search properly enough)

I tentatively booked Ariel for dinner based on recommendations, but I want to make sure that is wise before we continue with that plan.

Normally when going to DL, our trips are shorter than WDW, therefore we don't do a lot of sit-down meals in DL, when our time could be better used riding rides and watching the Aladdin show (my fav). Plus, I could live at Bengal BBQ - Asparagus and Bacon Skewers with lemon - OMGOSH - my mouth is watering and it's 10:05AM!! However, I really want to see WOC, and I'm willing in throw in the $$ and time expense if the difference is that substantial.

So weigh in... you have 1 day, you don't plan on taking a break at the hotel, you only get to go to DL every other year, you want to see WOC... Do you stay with the Ariel plan? or do you risk it with a fastpass as early as you can possibly get one? or do you get the picnic (which is obviously a controversial option)?

Keep in mind that I will need to see Aladdin that day. Maybe twice, and call that my afternoon break Have I mentioned that this is my FAVORITE?!

Thanks in advance!

 

[HydroGuy]

Not sure how you do dining, but if you do AG and then WOC - and you want to get a good viewing spot - you will need to dedicate a lot of time.

You want to get to the WOC queue at least 60 minutes before the show - but really should do 90 minutes if you want a good spot. Then you have to backup from there for AG by 90 minutes to be able to enjoy your dinner and not rush. Put all that together and you need to dedicate 90 minutes at AG plus 90 minutes waiting for WOC and then 30 minutes for WOC. The math days 3.5 hours out of your one day. If that is how you want to spend the day then there you go. It may be worth it - the experience is awesome and the AG dinner is great - especially if they serve you outside.

If you skip AG and just get your WOC FP then you only need to dedicate 2 hours for WOC. And you can do dinner quick somewhere if that is your style.

Good luck. Hope you enjoy the show!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Unless eating at AG is on your list of things you have to do, get the picnic lunch with WoC FP. You won't have the "perfect" spot, but you will save some time with all the FP getting and you will have a meal to eat while you are waiting to head in to WoC before the show. (And therefore double up on wait time / eating time.)

AG is a nice place and a nice experience, but if you are doing it just for the FP, it's a time-stealer and with just one day, I would not want that.

My 2 cents. Hope you have a great trip and a WONDERful cruise. The ship is incredible!

- Dreams

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I bow to the awesomeness that is Hydroguy!

He makes a very valid point. WOC takes up a LOT of time. I've done both Ariel's and the picnic lunch option. We liked the picnic better. The meal at Ariel's was okay, but it made WOC the entire focus of our evening from 4:30 onward. That's a lot of standing and waiting.

May I suggest an alternative? You could take advantage of that MM and book a character breakfast in the park during that first hour. Just like so many do with CP or CRT back at WDW. Then you have a headstart on the crowds for the day. You could order a picnic lunch online that includes your WOC fastpass. You could do DL in the morning, then head to DCA for the first Aladdin show around 11:30. Pick up your lunch and then spend some more time at DCA.


Then you wouldn't have to spend some much time preparing for WOC. Just queue up 2 hours before the show. I know I'm the minority but I have to say that my family does not think WOC is worth the effort. We would rather see F! or the fireworks.

You also have the option of heading to DL after WOC.


Another option might be sending someone in the morning for a WOC FP run. You might eat at Ariel's for breakfast, with the princesses. The FP lines aren't the monsters they used to be. I think this is another good option for WOC.


Have fun at DL and your cruise! We agree...Aladdin is not to be missed!

 

[Love Tink]

Let me preface this by saying I haven't been to WOC yet - but have just been reading all the threads.

Have you considered watching the show from behind? By that I mean standing on the other side of the water, on the pier? There was a recent post where someone did this.

That might be a way to get a taste of the show. Everything is backwards, but you can see it without having to line up and wait.

Not ideal, of course - but with only one day...

 

[HydroGuy]

Then you wouldn't have to spend some much time preparing for WOC. Just queue up 2 hours before the show. I know I'm the minority but I have to say that my family does not think WOC is worth the effort. We would rather see F! or the fireworks.

And you are not in the minority but the majority. From this poll:

Remember Dreams Come True, Fantasmic or World of Color? Which is your favorite?

.. results are currently (for those who have not voted and can't see results)

RDCT 38%
Fantasmic 36%
WOC 26%

RDCT has surged ahead of Fantasmic over the last month - Fantasmic was ahead from the moment I created the poll last August - but now RDCT us ahead.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I'm worried her daughter will not have the stamina to stand and wait for WOC and enjoy it.

Flying across country with the time change is tough on a kid that age.

My youngest had trouble seeing both times we went. The first time we were in the preferred viewing area with our Ariel's FPs. We took the advice of the great Disers here and took a railing position on the second or third row. When the show started everyone in front of us started putting people on their shoulders. My dh picked up my daughter, not on his shoulders just holding her to his side, which caused a tons of groans behind us.

My daughter is a tiny thing, but it was still tiring for my dh to carry her for almost 30 minutes. My older kids lost interest quickly. It is a beautiful show, but it is long.

The second time we did the picnic and had a much better experience. We got on the front rail, but still my daughter's line of vision was restricted. She was so tightly packed between family members that she could only see in front of her. It is hard to take in the entire show so closely. Plus we got wet from the constant mist.

I would have a hard time convincing my kids to see it again anytime soon. It just wasn't worth the hassle. I know they have different shows of holiday themes and I'm sure that would be the only reason we would see it in the future.

I don't know if you have the option of a nap/rest time in the afternoon. I think that is the key to a good WOC experience. Don't go tired to WOC!

 

[HydroGuy]

I think that is the key to a good WOC experience. Don't go tired to WOC!

ITA. If you have kids then plan to see the first show.

Secondly, make sure you do whatever it takes to get a good viewing spot. If not the show may be disappointing.

I am convinced that WOC's ranking behind RDTC and F! is more related to the challenging viewing experience than the actual show - which is totally awesome in our opinion. All four of my teen sons and my oldest's girlfriend thought WOC was fabulous. But we had a great spot for the first show.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

ITA. If you have kids then plan to see the first show.

However, if you want to spend less time waiting....see the second show (with the dining package).

 

[Funball]

Unless eating at AG is on your list of things you have to do, get the picnic lunch with WoC FP. You won't have the "perfect" spot, but you will save some time with all the FP getting and you will have a meal to eat while you are waiting to head in to WoC before the show. (And therefore double up on wait time / eating time.)

AG is a nice place and a nice experience, but if you are doing it just for the FP, it's a time-stealer and with just one day, I would not want that.

My 2 cents. Hope you have a great trip and a WONDERful cruise. The ship is incredible!

- Dreams

i agree with dreams, picnic is way to go. the sections are suitable..but 90 min? nooo i waited 30 and i was fine.. anyhow but that is just me...n

 

[skiingfast]

OP's quickest option will be to do the picnic for the second show. Use the 9 hour window to pick up your picnic meal and tickets whenever is most convinient. Eat the picnic as a quick lunch or dinner. To save even more time reserve tickets for the second show, this will reduce the time when you are waiting to enter the viewing area.


While picnic preorders used to be only for tickets to the first show and same day walk up picnics for the later show.You can now preorder picnics for any show time that is sheduled for you visit day.

 

[sonnyjane]

Let me preface this by saying I haven't been to WOC yet - but have just been reading all the threads.

Have you considered watching the show from behind? By that I mean standing on the other side of the water, on the pier? There was a recent post where someone did this.

That might be a way to get a taste of the show. Everything is backwards, but you can see it without having to line up and wait.

Not ideal, of course - but with only one day...

Hey Love Tink, I just wanted to chime in. I think that because you haven't seen WOC yet, you don't quite understand just how bad of a view one will get if they are not in the designated viewing area. If you try to see the show from behind, you will see the images in reverse or sometimes not at all. You also won't see the images that are projected onto the special globes, as they only face forward. The sound will be affected, and the special scenes that are projected onto Screamin's loop will also not really be visible to someone standing behind the show. In other words, you'd be seeing just a fraction of the show, and a bad fraction at that. I'd equate it to downloading a grainy, illegal bootleg version of a fantastic IMAX film to your computer. Sure, maybe you get the idea, but you're not seeing it as it was intended, and therefore you won't leave with the same positive impact as those that took the time to see the show from the viewing area.

I agree with Hydroguy that the negative reviews of World of Color are probably attributed to bad views, because the show itself, when seen as intended, is absolutely amazing.

I agree with everyone else that you should do the picnic. The Ariel's sit-down dinner will just eat up too much of your time. You have to line-up for every section to see WOC at least an hour early, so I wouldn't spend more time on top of that eating.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

OR..... Get a free fastpass from the GRR machines.

How to get free Blue Section Fastpasses for the first Show.
[These work EXACTLY the same as a Picnic Fastpass]

Go the the right side entrance of California Adventure at 9:15 with all of your parties tickets (After entering DL). Follow the large signs and Cast Members to the GRR fastpass machines. Stand in Line 2-4 minutes, do whatever you want until the WOC Show.

Example from yesterday 3/17:
9:23 Arrived at CA entrance
9:30 Entrance Opened.
9:35 Arrived at Fastpass line
9:38 Received BLUE Fastpasses
9:40 Arrived at Soaring Fastpass machines
9:41 Received Soaring Fastpasses
9:43 Exit CA

See Aladdin, eat at Bengle BBQ, get Mickey Bagnets at NOS, watch Mary Poppins and the Band at 2:00 in front of the Castle, 2:15 meet Snow White at the side of the Castle, play Musical Chairs with Alice at the Coke Corner at 2:30 (no line - or waiting).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XORk9uloCuU

At 7:10 go to the WOC Blue section. Go the my "Secret Spot" just inside the entrance:

Eat the Mickey Bagnets and enjoy the WOC show with nobody blocking your view.

NOTE: this is 25' to the left and slightly behind the spot that last night (Edit) George Kalogridis (President of Disneyland) chose to watch the WOC show from.

 

[Funball]

sonnyjane right, don't do it from behind. i have done that view, worst view ever!! nothing is fun about the backside of water and projectors!..you really need to see it from the front like it was intended! seriously if you don't want to fork out $30 for a 3 course meal, then do the picnic! i give it two thumbs up!

 

[DahliaRW]

I know I'm the minority but I have to say that my family does not think WOC is worth the effort. We would rather see F! or the fireworks.

Oh, I TOTALLY AGREE! And I spent MORE time to get a good spot for F! the second time we saw it (yes, we saw it twice in one weekend, it was that good) then we did for WOC an we got a decent WOC spot. In fact, WOC played every night we were there, we saw it the first night and decided it wasn't worth doing again, it just wasn't as spectacular as we thought it would be. With F! you get the waterscreens and pyrotechnics and all the characters, etc. So much better!

As for the OP, I would do picnic or a FP runner. I think you would want to avoid spending pretty much half your time at the parks towards getting to see WOC. Though personally, with one day, I would probably skip it all together.

 

[Love Tink]

It sounds like the "view from behind" option isn't very popular. I get it, and the reasons make perfect sense.

But, just in case, I found the thread where someone did it and wrote about it. It sounds like it definitely isn't as good an experience, but might be good enough for someone who just wants a taste of the show without spending two hours in pursuit of it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2664740

Personally, we're planning/hoping to use Disneyland 1951's hydrant spot when we go. I know my husband and sons will have VERY little patience with standing around waiting for a show when there are RIDES RIDES RIDES everywhere.

 

[Funball]

And you are not in the minority but the majority. From this poll:

Remember Dreams Come True, Fantasmic or World of Color? Which is your favorite?

.. results are currently (for those who have not voted and can't see results)

RDCT 38%
Fantasmic 36%
WOC 26%

RDCT has surged ahead of Fantasmic over the last month - Fantasmic was ahead from the moment I created the poll last August - but now RDCT us ahead.

It sounds like the "view from behind" option isn't very popular. I get it, and the reasons make perfect sense.

But, just in case, I found the thread where someone did it and wrote about it. It sounds like it definitely isn't as good an experience, but might be good enough for someone who just wants a taste of the show without spending two hours in pursuit of it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2664740

Personally, we're planning/hoping to use Disneyland 1951's hydrant spot when we go. I know my husband and sons will have VERY little patience with standing around waiting for a show when there are RIDES RIDES RIDES everywhere.

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I need to say I don't know what hydro says about 90 min wait all that stuff.. I have never waitd that long, maybe the max was 45 min and then they walked us into our section..but not 90 min...i have seen WOC 4 times, 3 times was FP, one time was with the picnic, i'd do the picnic again,it just gave me more freedom of a nice meal to eat when ever I wanted and have a ticket for WOC in a awesome section![/FONT]


oh and at About.com they the readers choice awards umm WOC was voted best nighttime show or something like that ..


http://themeparks.about.com/od/themeparkbests/ss/Best-Theme-Parks-2010_3.htm

 

[HydroGuy]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I need to say I don't know what hydro says about 90 min wait all that stuff.. I have never waitd that long, maybe the max was 45 min and then they walked us into our section..but not 90 min...i have seen WOC 4 times, 3 times was FP, one time was with the picnic, i'd do the picnic again,it just gave me more freedom of a nice meal to eat when ever I wanted and have a ticket for WOC in a awesome section![/FONT]


oh and at About.com they the readers choice awards umm WOC was voted best nighttime show or something like that ..


http://themeparks.about.com/od/themeparkbests/ss/Best-Theme-Parks-2010_3.htm

Not 90 minutes before the FP time, but 90 minutes before the show itself. The FP time is usually an hour before the show. So 30 minutes before the recommended return time. Which one are you talking about?

 

[Funball]

And you are not in the minority but the majority. From this poll:

Remember Dreams Come True, Fantasmic or World of Color? Which is your favorite?

.. results are currently (for those who have not voted and can't see results)

RDCT 38%
Fantasmic 36%
WOC 26%

RDCT has surged ahead of Fantasmic over the last month - Fantasmic was ahead from the moment I created the poll last August - but now RDCT us ahead.

It sounds like the "view from behind" option isn't very popular. I get it, and the reasons make perfect sense.

But, just in case, I found the thread where someone did it and wrote about it. It sounds like it definitely isn't as good an experience, but might be good enough for someone who just wants a taste of the show without spending two hours in pursuit of it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2664740

Personally, we're planning/hoping to use Disneyland 1951's hydrant spot when we go. I know my husband and sons will have VERY little patience with standing around waiting for a show when there are RIDES RIDES RIDES everywhere.

Not 90 minutes before the FP time, but 90 minutes before the show itself. The FP time is usually an hour before the show. So 30 minutes before the recommended return time. Which one are you talking about?

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Waiting in the line to go to the section...[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]im confused,the ticket gives you x time and y time, and it's about ½ hour between the two, like 7 and 7:30pm, and I usually get in line to get to my section at let's say 7:15 ishif the show started at 8:15 because at 7:30pm they take you in to the section you need to be......[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]so I don't get the 90 minutes before..sorry hyd's, i done it four times, maybe i am getting it wrong again![/FONT]

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Waiting in the line to go to the section...[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]im confused,the ticket gives you x time and y time, and it's about ½ hour between the two, like 7 and 7:30pm, and I usually get in line to get to my section at let's say 7:15 ishif the show started at 8:15 because at 7:30pm they take you in to the section you need to be......[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]so I don't get the 90 minutes before..sorry hyd's, i done it four times, maybe i am getting it wrong again![/FONT]

I think this has to do with quality or perceived quality of experience. I'm curious, Funball, since you definitely have more WoC experience than I do, where your standing position is when you watch the show. Arriving when you do, are you able to get right up against a railing? Are you centered to the show? Do you have any bodies or heads directly in front of you?

I am only 5' 3" and my sons are 4' 6" and 4' 8". We found it challenging to have a relatively unimpeded view of the show when we tried it during the summer. Even DH at 6' had some issues with seeing. We were on a higher tier. The boys were against the railing, and we stood directly behind them. If I so much as shifted my weight, there always seemed like there was somebody nearby trying to squeeze themselves in between my children and me "for a better view", and my younger boy was practically standing on my feet so it's not like there was this gaping space between us just demanding to be filled. People move around a lot and put kids up on their shoulders or hold them in the air. Even being against a railing wasn't the greatest since we were further back from the water. Our family is not willing to commit the time investment of arriving before our fastpass return time, waiting to be led in, jostling for our spot while everyone else is doing the same, continuing to wait for the show, and then actually watching the show. It is a 2-hour time investment, and even then we are not guaranteed to get the "best" view of the show. We are not willing to put in the time and effort for what might still end up being a sub-par experience. And we just don't like the show that much.

We are willing to put in that crazy amount of time for Fantasmic though. We know that if we arrive early and establish our space, we will not get pushed around that much by others and we can guarantee ourselves an excellent viewing position that we can all enjoy the show from, regardless of our heights. Our family sits together on a blanket for 2 or 2 1/2 hours and eats snacks and plays cards and talks together or just rests. We are willing to invest all this time because we know exactly what we are getting with regards to view and position. And we like this show.

Everybody has their own tastes and tolerances for what they're willing to invest toward certain ends. I know some people who are only willing to wait for rides and don't want to "waste" any time waiting for a show ever. Some of us might shake our heads in perplexity and say that they don't know what they're missing, but maybe shows really don't hold any interest for those people and, therefore, really aren't a good way for them to invest their limited entertainment time and dollars. That's the great thing about Disneyland; there's enough variety to satisfy almost anyone whether they do everything or not. To each their own.