My World of Color experience :-(

[Silly Little Pixie]

I have been so looking forward to WOC!!! This is just my experience- YMMV.

Yesterday my DS 10 and I spent the day at the parks. We planned for the 10:15 show of WOC, because the picnics were sold out through the end of the month when we checked a week or so ago online. No big deal, I hoped the 10:15 would be a little less crowded anyway. I had some concerns about being able to SEE the show, since I am short as is my DS. I posted a thread about that when the show opened, and lots of people said, "oh, Disney would never make a show kids can't see." Oh, really....

So, about 1:45 we bought our picnic lunches and ate them. DS got the kids pb&j, he really liked the glow WOC bracelet he got with it. I got the All-American and shared the chicken with him. So for both of us it was filling. I must say the kids cupcake was really good! Our FP said to line up at WCT from 9-9:30. At 8:40 I made my way to the line up area. The CM told me it was no big deal to come back. There were already about 50 people in front of me (mostly families with strollers) so I opted to wait. At 8:55 they started letting people go into the holding area. A bunch of people who were not in "line" but off to the side pushed ahead so now I was probably 100 people back. We waited in the line,my DS and I both sat down so it wasn't too bad. We could hear WOC going and could see a few really high fountains. I tried not to look though because I didn't want to spoil the show!

At 9:45 or so we were let over to the Blue section. The Blue section was low, above the wooden walkway at the base of Paradise Park, and took up the section between the pier to Ariel's Grotto and the center steps area of Paradise Park. There was a marked off walkway between the edge of the Blue section and the center section, which I think is the Preferred Seating section. By the time I got in, all the areas along the rail were taken. A nice gentleman motioned us to come over and he let us in at the rail in front of him. It did get PACKED in behind us so there was no wiggle room to another spot. We were in the corner all the way up by a lightpost. There was a marked walkway to our right, it was bordered with rail in front of us and with a rope behind us from the lightpost.

The show started on time. We had an awkward angle as it was to see (I don't think the low area of Blue is very good). About 5 minutes into the show a woman comes into the walkway and stops right in front of us. I lean waaaayyy over my rail and tap her on her shoulder, and asked her to move. She did move in front of the lightpost. A few minutes later her son joins her and she puts him up on the lightpost. His legs are bent and on the rail blocking our view. I lean over again and ask him to move. He does. Seeing that no CMs have made these two move (like they did before the show), a man comes up with HIS KID ON HIS SHOULDERS. He stands just out of my arms reach, again in the walkway. He directly blocked the center screen for us and probably most people along the rail in our viewing section. He stayed there the whole show. Not a CM in sight.

So, we couldn't see most of the show. We could see the screens way out to the side, but I didn't wait an hour and a half plus pay for the picnic to see part of a show. I felt totally ripped off. When we were leaving the area at the top of Paradise Park, the water still had bubbling waters with many colors. I looked back and saw the whole bay, and the view from up there was incredible!!!!!!!!! WOW. If I could have been up there, it would have been an entirely different experience. I complained about what happened to a CM who looked to be in charge on our way out, and also stopped by Guest Services. They all seemed apologetic. What else are they going to say?

So- World of Color I'm sure is nice. The technology that I could see was amazing! It would be really nice if you and your children are over 5'6", OR can score a view in the top tier. But it was so not worth all the hype. I won't be doing it again unless they really change the seating, and this is coming from a Premium AP holder. Most importantly, my DS was really disappointed. He couldn't see most of the show and thought it wasn't worth his time. I spent most of the show alternating between "oooh" and "this sucks".

On the plus side- even though the posted hours for DCA were to close at 10:00, when we were exiting at almost 11, rides were still up and running. We walked on to Soarin'!!!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

There is nothing worse than to be so excited about something and then to be let down by the actual experience. I am sorry yours was not a good one. While I saw testing of WOC from my room, I won't see the whole show until this Fall, and I hope my experience is better than your was.

Thanks for posting your experience.

 

[Raindown]

I had a similar experience on opening night and the following night. Opening night we had the picnic and didn't get a rail spot. I could see at 6'0 but the person with me couldn't at 5'4. It was frustrating for her because you hear the music, crowd and know something amazing is happening but can't see. We where probably 2 deep on our tier. The next night we got a rail spot and it was great.

I'm really hoping for a F! preferred viewing for WoC, but I think that is a long way off. Even though the F! viewing is $60, it is only about 20 more per person than the WoC preferred which is not really great anyhow.

 

[Eeee-va]

I'm so sorry! That's horrible about people getting in your way. I guess you should've bought some colored popcorn to throw at them. How awful that the CMs don't take any action!

We evidently got lucky/were knowledgeable when we did our reserved viewing on opening night, as I knew you wanted to get the best view of the water you could, so we got right by the walkway by the railing behind the wall. Nearly perfect view...but anyone walking by and standing in front of us would've wrecked it.

I'll bet they eventually have to tear up the park to "terrace" it more like Fantasmic. I know even for Fantasmic it's hard for kids to see it well unless they're in the seated area, so when I heard WoC would have no seating, I didn't think it would be great for kids.

DCA's posted hours have been 10 PM, but they are reportedly scheduling CMs to work 'til 11 PM, and then generally announce a "bonus" third showing at 11:30, with the park hours extended until 11.

 

[nana50]

This is exactly why I don't go to these shows. With small children it's hit or miss that they will see and not be blocked. They need to make the shows up high so everyone can see. I'm not waiting in lines forever to disappoint my grandchildren

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm sorry that you didn't experience a good time watching WoC during your visit. People are always like that every time I go to any night time show or parades at any Disney resort. Just because their kids want to see the show and cannot see in front of tall people and have to block out other peoples view and make them mad and its just goes over and over.

On our first night when my DA and I saw the debut, we were in the blue section on the 2nd tier (we didn't want to be close to paradise bay since I was video taping the show). We had a few people that were in front of us and were blocking us just a little, but we had enough view to see the show and enjoyed it so much on the first night. Than on our 2nd night we did the dining package and we had a great viewing spot during that night behind the center circle back row steps and no one was even in our way. We had a great spot to see WoC that night and it was spectacular.

I would like the viewing section for WoC to be more like F! walkway by the roa. Where the walkway goes up barely and it would be easy for people to see the show. Than it would be easy for people in the back to see up a little during the show.

Everyone knows when Disney first announce the viewing area, little kids would be able to enjoy the show, but it turns out the opposite for the kids especially if you are right next to the railings. I also feel bad for all those kids who are unable to enjoy the show. I seen a lot of adults tried to put there young children on the shoulders during the show, and we seen a lot of CM went in to the viewing area and told them they can't be on the shoulders but they can carry them. It is also not right for any other groups to come in the last second when the show is about to start and take someones spot when they waited for hours.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Wow, it just seems so random if you will be able to see or not. I'm 5'3" so I guess if I can see it will be plain luck. I am surprised that no one moved people out of the walkway. Disney has always been right on top of that sort of thing. Just try to stop for a second on Main Street during a parade and you will be shooed along. Which is good. I have seen what can happen if all walkways in an area are blocked and it isn't good. (Pirate show in front of TI in Las Vegas).

 

[DizMe]

Ooooooh, I was hoping I'd be wrong to feel skeptical when others said that everyone would be able to see the show. I'm not surprised, but disappointed. I'm sure it was quite a let down for you and your son.

 

[Funball]

u know what that is it. i am writing disneyland a strongly worded letter about the viewing of woc nd how it bites!! i don't want to end up like the OP hating the show because some dude and his kid could not be courteous!

 

[Rosanne]

The ability to see (visually) the show has been a concern of mine also. I wouldn't be able to prop both my kids on my hip and I fear neither of them will be able to see it even with Fast Passes, be it regular, picnic or preferred dining. I would hate to wait so long and not see it. That happened last time we watched the night parade at Magic Kingdom. We had a fabulous view and then a guy who literally was 7 feet tall stood in frong of us. The way we had it we were up about a foot higher than the rest of the crowd in the back row so we totally could see.... even if someone 6 feet stood in front of us. Go figure.

No offense to really tall people in general.

 

[rentayenta]

I am sorry you had a lousy view.


We were in the prefered section against the railing and no one, including us, held their children up. Up that close, there wouldn't be any need to.

 

[spacemermaid]

I'm sorry that you had a lousy time. I'm trying to decide whether it'll be worth trying to see the show anytime soon & if so, if we'll have to spring for the AG or WCT meal to be able to have a decent view/experience. So, thanks for the honest review.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I'm sorry that you had a lousy time. I'm trying to decide whether it'll be worth trying to see the show anytime soon & if so, if we'll have to spring for the AG or WCT meal to be able to have a decent view/experience. So, for the honest review.

I'm hoping that Disney works out the kinks in the viewing system they have set up right now. Although we were "at the rail" and still ended up not being able to see- the folks who were 3 deep behind us probably couldn't see, either. I can't for the life of me figure out what Imagineer(s) didn't forsee that children and shorter individuals couldn't stand behind tall adults and still see the show!!

Spacemermaid, if WOC is a must-see for your trip, the only way I think to guarantee a good viewing spot is to pay for the premium dining (which was not in my budget, sadly...). I could see those folks and they had plenty of room to manuever around should a taller person stand in front of them. They could have just walked over to a different part of the section, easily. Everyone in my part was just packed in like sardines! I felt so badly for my DS, he was SO good with waiting for the show- no whining, crankiness, or being tired like so often happens with kids when you really need them to stay up! He and I did have a really nice day, otherwise. So while it was disappointing, I think he'll still recall that nice trip when it was just him and mum, rather than the WOC fiasco when he looks back on it.

I wonder if there's any way to finagle getting the top section...? I just went where I was directed to go within the Blue section.

 

[spacemermaid]

Oh, I'm sure he won't remember it badly...I remember when I was little, my parents sat down on Main Street a couple hours ahead of time to get a good view of the Electrical Parade...

...and my main memory of that night was being utterly fascinated staring down at a swarm of ants whilst listening to the parade music all around me.

Thanks for the heads-up on the dining viewing area situation! Don't know if it'll be in my budget, either, but it's good to hear that 1. the wait/crowd will be more tolerable if we do the meal and 2. it's probably not the greatest idea for us to wait for "general admission", for various reasons...I mean, it's good to hear an honest evaluation of the whole thing to make an informed decision!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. I think it's very sad that it was not ruined necessarily by the set-up of the viewing area, but by the rudeness of an inconsiderate fellow guest. When we saw ELP on the next-to-last night, they were VERY specific that the front 2 rows were to remain seated. Three minutes after the parade started, a gentleman directly in my sight-line stood up to record the parade. The entire parade various guests around him asked him numerous times to sit down. He didn't care.

Thoughtfulness for others' Disney experience is sadly something many just don't seem to understand. Sad, but true.

I hope the rest of your trip was enjoyable,
Dreams

 

[nunzia]

I had a similar experience on opening night and the following night. Opening night we had the picnic and didn't get a rail spot. I could see at 6'0 but the person with me couldn't at 5'4. It was frustrating for her because you hear the music, crowd and know something amazing is happening but can't see. We where probably 2 deep on our tier. The next night we got a rail spot and it was great.

I'm really hoping for a F! preferred viewing for WoC, but I think that is a long way off. Even though the F! viewing is $60, it is only about 20 more per person than the WoC preferred which is not really great anyhow.

Super I am also 5'4")..I don't know what else they can do about this, really..kids on shoulders should certainly be stopped..sorry to you all with little kids who want to see, but didn't someone say that you could have the kids put up to head level of an adult? Truth is everyone wants to see. Hopefully buying the dining thing will help

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. I think it's very sad that it was not ruined necessarily by the set-up of the viewing area, but by the rudeness of an inconsiderate fellow guest. When we saw ELP on the next-to-last night, they were VERY specific that the front 2 rows were to remain seated. Three minutes after the parade started, a gentleman directly in my sight-line stood up to record the parade. The entire parade various guests around him asked him numerous times to sit down. He didn't care.

Thoughtfulness for others' Disney experience is sadly something many just don't seem to understand. Sad, but true.

I hope the rest of your trip was enjoyable,
Dreams

While the man with the child on his shoulders was a jerk, it is still a problem for many people to view the show. To see as it was, we had to lean towards the main screen. We got there 20 minutes early to line up before even our lineup time. Still we wouldn't have gotten a rail spot had it not been for the kindness of a gentleman who waved us over. I would argue that people who PAID for a reserved seating Fastpass and lined up that early ought to be able to have their children see the show.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Super I am also 5'4")..I don't know what else they can do about this, really..kids on shoulders should certainly be stopped..sorry to you all with little kids who want to see, but didn't someone say that you could have the kids put up to head level of an adult? Truth is everyone wants to see. Hopefully buying the dining thing will help

The CMs do let the adults carry their kids during the show where the child head is about the same height. But they will not let the kids be on the shoulders of the adults. We seen a lot of CMs walk into the crowds and ask the guests to put them down where there head level is at.

 

[nana50]

I am 60 and would have a hard time carrying my 7 year old granddaughters and 10 year old grandson through the show.

 

[kelmac284]

Well let me tell you we DID do the premimum dinning and had an even WORSE experience!!!!

We did the AG and you get the SAME Blue section as the picnic people. We ate at Ariels at 5:30 and as soon as we were done eating we went and kind of "hung out" over by the light house near where the viewing sections were. They told us we could start "linning up" at around 7ish eventhough the tickets said 7:30. So as SOON as we saw people starting to stand up we got up and they had a rope across the area from the lighthouse to over by the Ariel ride. Then they finally let us in and as I said we were in the Blue section which is technically the middle. It is where the big circle is that is a water fountain during the day. If you walk STRAIGHT ahead there is a wrought iron fence that is RIGHT in front of where the middle of the show is but we purposely didn't go down there as we knew that was the "wet" zone. Now I wish we HAD because that seems to be the only spot you could see. The only thing I DON'T know is if there were more people down below THAT fence that could possibly block your view. I think there IS another section down there and not sure again as I said if people down there could stand and block your view but there are also fences to the right and left of the circle and we went there thinking it would be back from the water and by standing by a fence no one could stand in front of us. Problem was we were close to these cement wall things and EVERYONE who came in tried to sit or lean against them and what I didn't realize is that we were more even with the sides of the show than the middle and everyone filled in the middle section and so when it started we could not see the middle at ALL. THEN to make matters worse if I tried to look across and sideways there were people standing on the steps which blocked the view and the final blow was a guy came up and brought his kids and had them STANDING on that wall. I was like where the heck was the cm's!! I yelled at them once NO STANDING so then they "kneeled" but it was just as bad and after he brought his 2nd kid I was po'd! I could BARELY see before but that was the final straw. ALL night the cm's were saying no one was allowed to sit up there but they did it anyway and then people were putting kids on their shoulders and standing there and then I finally got so mad I went and stood in the back by my mom and we literally could only see like the top 1/3rd of the show. There was a space left where I HAD been standing and I could see a little bit of the SIDE of the show and then the jerk who put his kids on the wall who was literally like 6'3" goes and takes my old spot and stands RIGHT in front of me! I mean he could have seen wherever he stood! GRRRRRR So what LITTLE bit left I COULD see. I then couldn't see cuz he just finished it off by being completely RUDE! We got there 2 hours before jerko and his rude family and I guess he just felt he would push his way in. Oh and I forgot about the lady who pushed her kids in next to me when I was first on the railing and they were gouging me in the ribs with their elbows and stepping on my feet. This was in the whole about 5 inches of space that was between me and the post!!!!

I was SO not happy and we spent almost 200 for that lovely experience!

I am thinking that IF we try again we will do the picnics as everyone said they get the same viewing as preferred dinning and this time we will go straight to the FRONT railing and just buy a poncho and HOPE that no one below us stands in front and blocks our view. We are bound to be able to see more than what we did at that point and at least we wouldn't have wasted nearly as much money!!!