Is WoC worth the time commitment?

[dreamseeker9]

I've only been to DL & DCA on a day trip, and we didn't have time to experience WoC. I'll be at the DLR in June, partially for fun and partially for a conference. I will have 2 full days for the parks, any other time I can squeeze in at the parks will be a bonus (depends on the conference schedule).

I read on the DISboards that for WoC, even if I have a FP or a WoC lunch or dinner package, I should still arrive at the queue area 90 minutes before the show. So that's 2 hours for lining up and the show itself, plus time to get a FP or time and money to eat lunch or dinner if I get the WoC meal package.

If I only have 2 full days in both parks, is WoC really worth the time commitment? I have so many other things I want to do that I've never done - RSR, Aladdin, Fantasmic, BTMRR, Matterhorn, all of Fantasyland.

What do you think?

 

[mom2rtk]

So many visitors to DLR are frustrated with the same thing.

Nobody has seen the new version of the show so it's hard to say whether it's "worth it" or not. Maybe there will be 2 shows and you could get a FP to the later show and avoid spending quite as much time lining up?

 

[dreamseeker9]

So many visitors to DLR are frustrated with the same thing.

Nobody has seen the new version of the show so it's hard to say whether it's "worth it" or not. Maybe there will be 2 shows and you could get a FP to the later show and avoid spending quite as much time lining up?

Good point about there being a new show, though I've never seen the current one, so it will all be new to me. Right now, the estimated park hours and showtimes only have 1 WoC, but maybe that will change. I wish Disney would release the park hours and showtimes sooner. It makes planning for ADRs 60 days out difficult when I'm not sure of the times.

 

[superlarz]

If you are going by yourself just go 15 minutes before the show. Youll be able to find a spot to watch. If you have children or large groups then go earlier. If its just you then just go later and walk around until you find a spot you can see from. A lot of people will be sitting down. When the show starts they all have to stand up so this creates a lot of room.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I think the current show is not worth it. I haven't been impressed with it at all. But, no one has seen the new show yet, so who knows? Maybe the one they're starting this summer will be better?

 

[mom2rtk]

It is a uniquely DLR experience. I'd try to see it if you can, even if it means getting a spot toward the back with a less than perfect view.

Have a great trip!

 

[cindernat]

Really wish they would make some adjustments for the viewing areas with the 'new show' but seems that won't be happy.

 

[Canuck16]

WoC is so worth seeing.....it's my favorite night time show at either DLR or WDW. I would recommend making the effort to see it.

Have fun!

 

[cherice95403]

Worth it, but I think 90 minutes is extreme. We were there in December an hour in advance and got a place right at the rail. If you don't have kids, you could probably show up 30 minutes before. I wouldn't do less than that.

 

[Imdboss]

So I'm probably in the minority here but here's my two cents worth. I've watched it twice and I say that loosely because I could see hardly anything. One time was with the picnic dining meal package and the other was just getting a regular FP. I will never waste that much time again attempting to watch a show where everyone is standing and unless you are 6' tall you miss most of it. I say spend your time doing other things you haven't experienced. A little tip though, one time while walking over the pier we caught a decent amount of the show just up behind Ariel's Grotto, no one else was around, probably the most I've seen of the show (even though it wasn't right in front) and required no time out of our day at all.

 

[Diszona]

The last 2 times I saw it, we used the dining package and were able to get spots close to the water only 30 minutes in advance of the show. That said, once the new show starts in May I imagine there will be much more demand for spots. I will say that if they weren't doing a new show we would probably skip it on our next trip.

 

[McNs]

I've seen it twice, and both times had to hold kids up so they could see something. We managed to get an OK view first time but second time it was definitely not worth the effort. It is a shame that an area supposedly designed as a viewing area is not really any good unless you are tall or get to the front. It would be nice (but maybe impractical) if they could rejig the fastpass system so getting an early pass in the day could get you a better spot.

For our trip this year we are going to get a dining package and see if that helps viewing.

 

[dreamseeker9]

Thanks so much for all the replies! It will be just me, so it sounds like I could either do a regular FP or try to walk up and get a decent spot.

A little tip though, one time while walking over the pier we caught a decent amount of the show just up behind Ariel's Grotto, no one else was around, probably the most I've seen of the show (even though it wasn't right in front) and required no time out of our day at all.

I heard about this location, but can you see the projections? I read in the Unofficial Guide that WoC can be seen from the Cove Bar by Ariel's Grotto. Even if I can't see the projections, this sounds like a nice way to see the show - I could still see the fountains and the lights and hear the music, and have a cocktail while watching.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We did the dinner package twice. First time we had the misfortune of having children on the shoulders of their parents, even though they were near the front rail. This creates a domino effect because my husband then tried to hold my daughter throughout the show while the people behind us loudly complained.

That experience was terrible, but decided to give Carthay a try. Again, being a average height family we had trouble viewing, even after committing to be one of the first families in line.

We now take advantage of short lines elsewhere during the show.

We probably will give it another try if the reviews for the new show are good.

 

[Imdboss]

Thanks so much for all the replies! It will be just me, so it sounds like I could either do a regular FP or try to walk up and get a decent spot.



I heard about this location, but can you see the projections? I read in the Unofficial Guide that WoC can be seen from the Cove Bar by Ariel's Grotto. Even if I can't see the projections, this sounds like a nice way to see the show - I could still see the fountains and the lights and hear the music, and have a cocktail while watching.

We were able to see some projections, it was more than I ever saw of them at my first two attempts.

 

[Maddle]

We did the dinner package twice. First time we had the misfortune of having children on the shoulders of their parents, even though they were near the front rail. This creates a domino effect because my husband then tried to hold my daughter throughout the show while the people behind us loudly complained.

That experience was terrible, but decided to give Carthay a try. Again, being a average height family we had trouble viewing, even after committing to be one of the first families in line.

We now take advantage of short lines elsewhere during the show.

We probably will give it another try if the reviews for the new show are good.

Your experience frustrates me - I can't think of anything ruder than someone with a child on their shoulders. i understand picking up a child and holding him/her in your arms, but I don't think the child's head should be two feet higher than the parent's head...unless the parent and child are completely in the back of the viewing area and no one is behind them. I think cast members should exercise some authority and ask guests to bring the child down.

Maddle

 

[chrisaman]

If you are staying at the grand you can watch it from the special viewing area on the 6th floor. You can't see the water projections but u can see and hear everything else. Plus u can show up 2 min before

 

[Carolynleanne]

So I'm probably in the minority here but here's my two cents worth. I've watched it twice and I say that loosely because I could see hardly anything. One time was with the picnic dining meal package and the other was just getting a regular FP. I will never waste that much time again attempting to watch a show where everyone is standing and unless you are 6' tall you miss most of it. I say spend your time doing other things you haven't experienced. A little tip though, one time while walking over the pier we caught a decent amount of the show just up behind Ariel's Grotto, no one else was around, probably the most I've seen of the show (even though it wasn't right in front) and required no time out of our day at all.

This. This is why we don't generally bother. I'm going to try the 'behind' method with our boys this time and walk towards the back of the park. There is no way they'll wait around for 60 minutes for a show that late at night, so it's that or nothing for us.

 

[blondeoverbluenyc]

We are visiting for one day and i'm wondering which nighttime show to do. I love Fantasmic in WDW but don't want to miss fireworks by the castle-and this water show also looks cool. Help! lol Are they all at the same time?

 

[dreamseeker9]

We were able to see some projections, it was more than I ever saw of them at my first two attempts.

Good to know, thank you! This sounds like it may very well be a winner then. Not sure how crowded the Cove Bar gets before WoC, but it may very well be worth the risk of trying. If it doesn't work out, I'll stake out another view or go ride some attractions with hopefully short lines.