My Take on WOC

[Diznut84]

Here is my take on WOC and its impact on DCA:

First, the positives:
1) Disney spared no expense for WOC. The show is a huge production, and will please many people. Cool fire sequences!

2) Disney had a lot of people working last night to ensure that the very large (but orderly) number of guests could be handled as well as possible. It seemed like there was an army of CMs everywhere you turned.

Now for the negatives:
1) It is insane to close all of the rides along Paradise Pier beginning a full hour and fifteen minutes prior to the first show until the park’s closing. That’s right. Last night there was no California Screamin’, TSMM, Maliboomer, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings, etc. from 7:45pm until 11pm! We know that DL execs went crazy knowing that the fireworks show was closing so much of Fantasyland, but those inconveniences are small compared to the effects on DCA.

2) The view from the Boardwalk does not do justice to the show. The images are blurry, and the views are very obstructed. Plan on seeing the show from the front (i.e. with FastPasses or meals).

3) I’m not a big fan of Glow Fest. The music was much too “clubby” with the same driving beat throughout. It permeated not only the Hollywood Pictures Backlot but also the Sunshine Plaza. Used to enjoy eating an ice cream cone outside the train cars? Now be ready for 110 decibels of driving Miley Cyrus music and blaring lights. Yuck. It reminds me of EPCOT on New Year’s Eve. While some people might like it, others will invariably hate it. Count me in the latter group.

While I’m still optimistic about the new Radiator Springs Racers (but concerned that it might end up like Test Track), as well as the Little Mermaid ride, I give high marks to WOC itself but low marks on its impact on the park.

Just my opinion!

 

[kerickson]

Here is my take on WOC and its impact on DCA:

First, the positives:
1) Disney spared no expense for WOC. The show is a huge production, and will please many people. Cool fire sequences!

2) Disney had a lot of people working last night to ensure that the very large (but orderly) number of guests could be handled as well as possible. It seemed like there was an army of CMs everywhere you turned.

Now for the negatives:
1) It is insane to close all of the rides along Paradise Pier beginning a full hour and fifteen minutes prior to the first show until the park’s closing. That’s right. Last night there was no California Screamin’, TSMM, Maliboomer, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings, etc. from 7:45pm until 11pm! We know that DL execs went crazy knowing that the fireworks show was closing so much of Fantasyland, but those inconveniences are small compared to the effects on DCA.

2) The view from the Boardwalk does not do justice to the show. The images are blurry, and the views are very obstructed. Plan on seeing the show from the front (i.e. with FastPasses or meals).

3) I’m not a big fan of Glow Fest. The music was much too “clubby” with the same driving beat throughout. It permeated not only the Hollywood Pictures Backlot but also the Sunshine Plaza. Used to enjoy eating an ice cream cone outside the train cars? Now be ready for 110 decibels of driving Miley Cyrus music and blaring lights. Yuck. It reminds me of EPCOT on New Year’s Eve. While some people might like it, others will invariably hate it. Count me in the latter group.

While I’m still optimistic about the new Radiator Springs Racers (but concerned that it might end up like Test Track), as well as the Little Mermaid ride, I give high marks to WOC itself but low marks on its impact on the park.

Just my opinion!

I was hoping WOC would keep DCA open later at night, but it sounds like now it will hinder them from doing just that, as it doesn't seem like you can have any of the rides in that section running while the shows are going on. After seeing the testing of it I now understand why (it's a HUGE water show tucked into a relatively small area) Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Very happy to hear that Disney didn't cut corners with the production though, especially given the economy. Kudos to Disney!

 

[MAH4546]

TSMM stays open during WoC; or at least it is supposed to stay open.

 

[cyberjoek]

TSMM stays open during WoC; or at least it is supposed to stay open.

That's been changed - and for good reason. There are no lights on in that area of the park during WoC shows, you can't see where you're going and that would create so many safety problems. I suspect it was one of those cases where the management thought it would be good to have that ride open until someone tried the concept during a night test...then saw what happened.

 

[Diznut84]

It's defintely still light enough to walk around during WOC. I was suprised that TSMM was closed as several CMs told me that it was staying open. But it and California Screamin' were both closed prior to 7:45pm. I understand California Screamin' going down as the fountains (and fire!) both blast pretty high. Combine that with any wind, and that could create some problems. But why close TSMM? How about some alternative lighting?

 

[Mugglemama]

I think when I make my itinerary for evenings at DCA during my upcoming trip, I will make plans to be done with any of the affected rides by 7pm.

I watched the YouTube video of WOC, and I'm with you OP....the music was enough to make me want to scratch my eyeballs out. Particularly that first song....blech.

I'm sure many, many people will really love WOC, but personally I have no interest in standing in huge crowds to watch bits of Disney cartoons that I've seen (or listened to) half a million times at home over the past 18 years while my kids have been growing up. No.Thank.You.

 

[Michelle2]

Thanks so much Diznut for giving your input on the shows. I love hearing the negatives as well as the positives so I can judge what is best for my party going in August and be prepared.
Great info!

 

[Lights_Out]

What is this "glow fest"?


Pop music? In my Disney park? Do not want.

 

[Diznut84]

In my opinion, the music at Glow Fest is far from pop. It is more like techno, driving-beat, hysteria. For example, they take Journey and set it to a very fast beat, triple the rhythm, and blast it loud. It totally destroyed a vintage classic!

Don't get me wrong. WOC is a phenomenal show. Disney just has to get much better at managing it within the other park activities.

 

[jory29]

Thanks for your input, OP, and you make valid points about the ride shut downs for sure - as well, I honestly don't think one of our kids (aspergers) can stand still for long enough to wait for 'the event' to happen.... if we do catch WOC it might just be when we happen to walk by it - waiting, via standing or sitting, is just too hard for children to do so. We have never waited for Fantasmic not for fireworks, and it seems to fall into play nicely (we stand way, way back - we don't try to barge into where others have waited for long periods of time!!) and we have been pleased so far. I think this show is large enough you should be able to catch a peek without all this fluff and stuff.

Curious to see how this plays out in the next months....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's defintely still light enough to walk around during WOC. I was suprised that TSMM was closed as several CMs told me that it was staying open. But it and California Screamin' were both closed prior to 7:45pm. I understand California Screamin' going down as the fountains (and fire!) both blast pretty high. Combine that with any wind, and that could create some problems. But why close TSMM? How about some alternative lighting?

I agree. There certainly was as much light to walk around as there is at DL at night. It's sad that a lot of the excitement about having WOC meant that DCA would stay open later but now there isn't any reason to go there anyway since the whole ride area is shut down. It's going to be very hard for people who have passes for the late WOC show. Glowfest just isn't enough entertainment. Nor is it anything I wanted to see more than a few minutes of. Really it's rather sad what they've done to the Hollywood section of the park with that bit.

 

[brocklesnar69]

While I’m still optimistic about the new Radiator Springs Racers (but concerned that it might end up like Test Track), as well as the Little Mermaid ride, I give high marks to WOC itself but low marks on its impact on the park.

Just my opinion!

What's wrong with Test Track? I like that ride.

 

[aan1701]

I wanted to jump in this thread. I saw WOC for it's third show Friday night at 11:30. While it is absolutly amazing feast for the eyes, it lacked a cohesive story line. The show is good and you can see the money that Disney spent. Would I tell people to see it, yes. Will it tell them to see it again and again. Probably not. Would I see it again over Fantasmic, probably not. In this posters opinion, Fantasmic is still top dog when it comes to shows at DL or DCA. Glow fest was nothing more than an outside club. It remined me of Pleasure Island before it closed, and I loved PI. The music was way, way to loud. You could hear it in the Aniamation buliding. For the coment about Radator Springs Racers, I have lowered my expitations for this mostly because WOC did not live up to the hype.

 

[Brancaneve]

Disclaimer: I just watched WOC on youtube, but I think all the comments here so far are fair. I also found the storyline a little disappointing, and found a lack of transitions that every animator knows must exist! Ask Walt, he'll tell you

Have any of you watched Mickey's Philarmagic in MK in WDW? Donald goes through different movies, and it is one of the best things I did while I was there! I was hoping it was going to be something like that.

BUT..........although watching it on youtube, I got a little emotional. I'm sure I would shed a few happy tears if I was there in person.

 

[pycees312]

It's defintely still light enough to walk around during WOC. I was suprised that TSMM was closed as several CMs told me that it was staying open. But it and California Screamin' were both closed prior to 7:45pm. I understand California Screamin' going down as the fountains (and fire!) both blast pretty high. Combine that with any wind, and that could create some problems. But why close TSMM? How about some alternative lighting?

it may be light at 7:45 but the show can't start until it's dark so it has to shut down prior. also when daylight saving time starts it will close REALLY early when it will be pitch black at 5:30. So im sure folks will complain about that as well. But all in all it doesnt seem like a complete dissaster and they will work out the kinks. i'll be going when the kinks are worked out lol

 

[CAbryan]

2) Disney had a lot of people working last night to ensure that the very large (but orderly) number of guests could be handled as well as possible.

The CM's and Management did an excellent job on Friday, I cannot believe how they kept some of the biggest crowds at DCA somewhat contained, It could of easily gotten out of control.

1) It is insane to close all of the rides along Paradise Pier beginning a full hour and fifteen minutes prior to the first show until the park’s closing..

Totally agree, after 8 the park is basically worthless, you can go on Soarin then stand around and wait for WOC. Good luck getting through Glow Fest for TOT.

2) The view from the Boardwalk does not do justice to the show.

Or the Red section near Zepher. If you get a Red FP try to get as far left as you can when they bring you in.

3) I’m not a big fan of Glow Fest.

Me 38, DW 36, DS13, DD7 - Glow Fest is definitely not going to appeal to everyone. This is not our genre of Music nor our typical scene but we had a lot of fun dancing in the streets. (I took pictures, which saved me from having to boogie).
-What I did not like was that they were serving mixed drinks in the middle of the street. I thought the decorations looked cheap and the name is horrible but overall we had fun and the kids loved it.

During the day DL still got all the traffic and then people crossed over for the show in the evening. I also wonder if Carsland will be enough to get people to stay in DCA all day.