Is the World of Color dining packages worth it?

[Ginarian]

Is the World of Color dining packages worth it (in regards to the seating for the show, in regards to the food... my husband and I don't mind splurging on a nice dinner)? Or is it better to just get to the viewing area early? Are there seats for the show for those with the dining package? Are there seats for others who only have the pass? Is it better to get lunch or dinner to get the pass? Which restaurant is the best option? How soon should I reserve for a trip next month? I'm sure I can think of more questions LOL. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[DisTXMom]

We did the wine country trattoria and really enjoyed our meal. I studied the maps beforehand and we got a great spot on the rail for our DD's. Dining and fast pass was all standing, other than accessible areas. We did the dessert party last time. Seating, very nice experience, but very expensive and you're further away. Personally, we liked being right up close and would do the dining package again. Not the dessert.

 

[julesann]

I've enjoyed the World of Color Dining package both at CC and WCT; I like their viewing area and enjoy having a dinner and then going over to my viewing section. However, it is important to know there is not seating for these dining packages. What I've decided I like best is the WOC dessert--because you get to sit (this is the only package with seating), and relax and all of the seats are good. When you have a dining package, you still aren't guaranteed a good view and you end up standing for a long time first waiting for your section and then waiting for your show. The dinner package is a better value with the meal but I find the dessert option a better value for seating and the experience.

 

[22Tink]

We've done the WCT dinner package and really enjoyed it, but wish we'd have asked for a table outside because we got stuck inside and the restaurant was very noisy! Last summer we tried the dessert party option and I enjoyed that so much more. It was so nice to have a seat to enjoy the show after a long day. We're heading back this summer and I plan to book the dessert party again.

 

[Aladora]

I've enjoyed the World of Color Dining package both at CC and WCT; I like their viewing area and enjoy having a dinner and then going over to my viewing section. However, it is important to know there is not seating for these dining packages. What I've decided I like best is the WOC dessert--because you get to sit (this is the only package with seating), and relax and all of the seats are good. When you have a dining package, you still aren't guaranteed a good view and you end up standing for a long time first waiting for your section and then waiting for your show. The dinner package is a better value with the meal but I find the dessert option a better value for seating and the experience.

This exactly. We have done WCT once, CC twice and the Dessert Party once. Definitely enjoyed the dinners and the viewing area but you just can't beat having a seat!

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I've done both and found the dining packages to be miserable. The dessert party you get to sit and relax and enjoy some bread and cheese with a nice alcoholic beverage. Then we dug into the desserts and had some hot chocolate and coffee. Great experience. Expensive but if you have a late lunch it can take the place of dinner.

 

[LittleFlounder]

I did the WOC package at Ariel's Grotto on my last trip....and it was fantastic! In fact, we'll be doing it again this summer! The food was really good. I had the Catch of the Day which was a salmon dish...the best salmon I've EVER had! The restaurant itself was really pretty. Sat at a window table and had a nice view of the pier area.

One word of advice on the WOC dining package: though you are given a voucher for a reserved area for WOC, you still need to show up decently early to get a good spot within that area! I showed up a little later before the show, to a huge crown and had to squish my way to a good spot. Luckily I was solo and still got a spot on up front along the railing, but it was awkward having to squish my way in, and it was packed.

 

[MikeRx]

We used to love the dinner package, but have been spoiled by the dessert package. We now go to WCT or CC for dinner or lunch and not worry about WOC. The waiting, standing and chance of having our view blocked by the "not so magical things that block your view" makes the dessert party a must do for us. My order of WOC:
1. Dessert party
2. Dinner package
I know we're lucky to be able to do the dessert package multiple times, but if you have to have one splurge, I highly recommend this one.

We've not tried the FP, lunch or standby option, but they sound untenable.

Just my opinion so please be kind.
Mike

 

[HuskerFaninIL]

We are at AG last week. We ended up right at the rail, in the misting section. Got a little damp.

The food was great and our server, Peter, was great! We all had the tri-tip, DH had his with lobster.

 

[Steven G]

I wouldn't do anything but a dessert party at this point.

 

[Disn3yVision]

Only if you want to be seated. If you just want a great view just grab a fastpass hen you arrive st the parks

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We've done all 3 options and had great viewing with each. The differences come with the amount of money spent and time invested in waiting before the show. (And all 3 options do require at least some amount of waiting, even if it is just a little bit -- the least amount for the Dessert Party and the most for the free FP.) For the OP, how much are you willing to splurge? Is having a seat a priority? Are you willing to invest the time to get a great view in the free FP area and save a substantial amount of money? There are trade offs and no bad choices. It all depends on what is most important to you. For an actual seat, do the Dessert Party. For a nice meal, lunch or dinner (it depends on how you want to schedule your day and which menu you prefer -- see allears.net) with a FP, do the Preferred Dining FP package. If neither of these options will work for you, it is completely possible to get great viewing with a free FP as long as you are willing to invest the time to wait in line for your spot. With two of you to hold spots and pass the time together, the wait won't be so bad. (We always trade off bringing snacks and drinks back to the other person and taking restroom breaks.) We've met some really fun people around us when we've waited in the free FP areas. No matter which option you choose, you will have a great time. Enjoy the show!

 

[MacMama0930]

Splurge on the Dessert Party! I've had the pleasure of doing it twice now and it's fantastic.

 

[SMD]

As far as the meals that give you an FP for a certain reserved (color) standing section, the value is highly individual. There are people who don't want to take the time in the beginning of the day to get an FP, so it's worth it to them to get it by dining. There are others who don't typically take the time or spend the money for a sit down meal, so they'd rather make the detour to get the free FP. There are people who were going to eat at one of the restaurants anyway, so they'll do the dining package. But as PP said, with all the dining packages you still need to invest some time before the show to get a better spot within each viewing zone.

 

[Ginarian]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We plan to book the desert party for this!

 

[my2disneyboys]

What if you do not have the dessert party or the dining package - can you still see show and what is the experience like? (hope you do not mind me asking on your thread!?)

 

[Winnowill]

What if you do not have the dessert party or the dining package - can you still see show and what is the experience like? (hope you do not mind me asking on your thread!?)

Oh, sure. That's what the Fastpass machines over by GRR are for. The FPs for WOC aren't connected, so they don't impact your ability to get them for rides. It's all standing room, though, and you still have to wait in lines to get into the area your particular FP is designated to use. The only way to sit for the show is the Dessert Party.

 

[pharmama]

I've done walk up, regular FP, WCT preferred viewing and dessert party for WoC. I will say that we got extremely lucky with the walk up spot and I have never relied on that as my viewing plan (We weren't planning to watch it at all but a pretty good spot was still available very close to show time when we were walking by so we grabbed it). Here's how I would break it down (excluding the walk up) from least desirable to most desirable in my book.

Regular FP: Getting the FP is painless (as long as you or someone in your party is in DCA at some point in the morning). There really isn't a need to rush over there first thing, IMO. BUT, if you want a decent viewing spot in your FP area, you will need to arrive well ahead of time. Since all my WoC viewings have included children under 4' and viewing is standing room only, getting a spot at the railing/front of a section is very important to us as I will not hold my kids up the whole show (both for my arms/shoulders' sake and the sake of those behind us). We usually mitigate the wait somewhat by getting food in the Wharf area and eating while we wait (you can sit down while waiting/prior to the show but everyone must stand up for showtime). You can still have a very enjoyable viewing experience with regular FP, you just have to commit more waiting time and there's more risk of a subpar view, particularly for kids.

WCT Preferred Viewing: We have enjoyed the food at WCT both times we've done this. The last time we had 2 people with special dietary needs (Gluten Free and Dairy Free) and they were very accommodating and the food was still very good. We do the meal mid-late afternoon and just snack before and after. That offsets the cost a bit since we're not buying a full lunch and dinner in the parks (and we likely would have bought most/all of those snacks anyway!). The pricing starts to seem a little more reasonable if you think of it as 2 meals. We arrived in the viewing area approximately 30 minutes before show time and have had great viewing both times.

Dessert Party: Can you say SEATS and TABLES?!? Definitely the best view (at least from the high table we had) as well- particularly for kids. The desserts, cheese and fruit was good too but I wish they had a 'kids plate' that was smaller so I didn't feel like so much was wasted. You can take it with you if you want but I just didn't see the rest getting eaten and didn't want to haul it around. We did not arrive crazy early as I see some people posting about and were still very happy with our table but its certainly a premium price...but it's a splurge I feel is worth it. If our last trip hadn't been last minute and the DP wasn't sold out, we would have done it again for sure (we did the WCT package instead).

 

[EmmyL258]

I saw one person post that they arrived 30 minutes before the show with the dining package. Is that the standard amount of time to get there beforehand? I'm planning to be there on an 8/9 crowd level day

 

[RedStars]

We have Ariel Grotto WOC dining package booked. I just can't stomach the dessert party costs for my 2 young kids.