Need info on the "backside of water" views

[Judy from Boise]

I haven't found any reports on the web yet of what it is like to experience WOC from the backside (or any other than front) views. I am anxious to hear about the quality of the experience in light of the fact I assume you can walk up 10 minutes prior to the show and get a rail spot . What is the 10 minute no hassle ROI?

 

[skiingfast]

It is a mystery that nobody has mentioned this. But contrary to rumors that TSMM would be open because it's indoors and super popular it isn't open when WoC runs. This is making me think that the backside area of the Paradise Pier is closed at night 100%.

Nobody has mentioned any ropes cutting off the loop around Paradise Bay. Nobody has said anything about veiwing the back or from the area underneath SSS. There is just a black hole of information.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It is a mystery that nobody has mentioned this. But contrary to rumors that TSMM would be open because it's indoors and super popular it isn't open when WoC runs. This is making me think that the backside area of the Paradise Pier is closed at night 100%.

Nobody has mentioned any ropes cutting off the loop around Paradise Bay. Nobody has said anything about veiwing the back or from the area underneath SSS. There is just a black hole of information.

There were people around the backside of Paradise Pier at the railings about 1+ hour to wait for the show. The signs around Paradise Piers rides said that the rides around Paradise Pier would be closed around 7:30, but DCA didn't close the backside of Paradise Pier. I also seen people waiting at the new spot at Silly Symphony Swings and around th the bay.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

After doing the dining package for the first show on the 11th I walked around to ride TSMM b/c a CM told me it would be open. Well, after waiting for the crowd to clear and doing a little upstream swimming I made it there to learn it was closed. But that's not what you were asking, was it?! lol Anyway, I decided to stay and watch the second show so I could answer this question!

I watched from just in front of TSMM and was there approx 15-20 minutes before the start. There were people at the rail around the pier side but I was right in back of them and when I left before it finished there were only 2-3 "rows" behind me. The water screens aren't as clear as from the front but most of it is visible. Not all though. And there are some globe like screens that rise a couple of times during the show that you won't see. What I could see better was the water surface and those effects that I couldn't see from the premium viewing area b/c I was behind several "rows" of people. Walking back on the pier part I felt you also could get a very decent view and because of the slope of the pier I was able to have a clear view even though I was looking over 3-4 rows of people.

Overall I'd say the show is best viewed from the viewing area b/c it's been designed that way and even the sequences of the fountains is meant to be seen from there - but if I didn't want to wait that long I would not have a problem viewing it from the side or back.

By the crowds of people that were flowing past me as I waited to walk over to TSMM I'd say there were a lot more people viewing from there for the first show. That may just be because it was the opening but I think you'll have better luck getting a railing or close to railing view for one of the later shows.

The worst view I saw is from the viewing platform at VGC. You see virtually nothing of the water screens and some of the fountain view is blocked by the Zephyr.

 

[skiingfast]

KAT4DISANEY that is good to know. I think I read your post about being told that TSMM was open only to push through the crowds to find out it wasn't. Glad you saw the show from the back for our sake. Even better that you have a comparative observation as you also saw it from Paradise Park.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

KAT4DISANEY that is good to know. I think I read your post about being told that TSMM was open only to push through the crowds to find out it wasn't. Glad you saw the show from the back for our sake. Even better that you have a comparative observation as you also saw it from Paradise Park.

Glad to be a test subject and early reporter! To expand just a little bit. The problem with viewing the water screens (beside the projection being backwards - which is not a big deal) is that some of the fountains that are in the back when viewing from the platform area operate during the water screens so the picture is more muted b/c of that. ie - a row or two of the fountains may be between you and the screen. In some cases where the colors are more muted or there isn't much contrast in the picture it was hard or impossible to see the image. However, since it is the world of color show the images are usually very vibrant so though it is more muted than the view from the front it still is bright enough for you to see it from the back.

 

[Judy from Boise]

yea you ! Thanks for being the reporter. I am almost certain this is what my family will do. We will enjoy the music and fountains and lights.....the screens are pretty secondary.

 

[disneyfan67]

KAT4DISANEY that is good to know. I think I read your post about being told that TSMM was open only to push through the crowds to find out it wasn't. Glad you saw the show from the back for our sake. Even better that you have a comparative observation as you also saw it from Paradise Park.

I have to agree and thank you very much. This is good information to know.

 

[Funball]

It’s not that great. And it’s not worth it.. get the FP !! watching the backside of water is not that fun

 

[Judy from Boise]

any more first hand experience?

 

[allen2oo3]

i watched 2 shows last night. first show from the front with a fastpass from the picnic meal. second from around the area where california screamin launches. if you can, i highly suggest watching from the front. from the rear i was unable to see any of the screen projections...it takes away a lot from the show. i personally was satisfied because i was just watching all the jets and admiring the technology.

 

[I'm_Wishing]

And to think I thought this thread was going to be about the Jungle Cruise. I did not even think about trying to view WOC from the backside.

 

[Judy from Boise]

my family is very flexible in our thinking! At WDW we have seen "wishes" maybe 20 times? We have watched it in front of the castle once. At DL we enjoy the Small World location for fireworks. For us there are very few thing worth the physical and mental hassles of pursuing the "perfect view" when in reality it can all come crashing down with 1 idiot who puts their child on their shoulders, puts their LCD screen in my line of sight, or has to provide loud running commentary. I am much happier with more control, less hassle and an "acceptable" view.
Just a personal problem

 

[fronkfam]

For us there are very few thing worth the physical and mental hassles of pursuing the "perfect view" when in reality it can all come crashing down with 1 idiot who puts their child on their shoulders, puts their LCD screen in my line of sight, or has to provide loud running commentary. I am much happier with more control, less hassle and an "acceptable" view.
Just a personal problem

You sound like me!

 

[Judy from Boise]

shameless BUMP

 

[jernysgirl]

Monday night, they wouldn't even let anyone past GRR who did not have a FP for WOC. I told DH, that that was odd, and was a little disappointed because I was hoping to catch WOC again, from an alternate view around the pier. As we turned around and were walking out through Condor Flatts, we came across more CMs that were turning people away from the are who did not have FPs.

 

[Eeee-va]

Monday night, they wouldn't even let anyone past GRR who did not have a FP for WOC. I told DH, that that was odd, and was a little disappointed because I was hoping to catch WOC again, from an alternate view around the pier. As we turned around and were walking out through Condor Flatts, we came across more CMs that were turning people away from the are who did not have FPs.

That's very odd! I wonder if they let them back through the Paradise Pier area? (I know just coming FROM Paradise Pier on the Golden Zephyr side, they would not let you through the WoC barricades, so they made us walk all the way back around.)

But the Disneyland blog had claimed that if you didn't get FPs, you could get alternate viewing all around Paradise Bay.

 

[letitsnow]

I watched from the benches at the silly strings. We were the only other ones there except for a cast member and we were happy with the view and what we saw. It is a side view so you only get to see some of the animations. I actually think we got a better view from there because I truly believe that if we watched from the viewing area the only thing we would see is the back of people's heads.

I also watched from behind the ferris wheel and you can definately see the animations there. The only thing is the ferris wheel is in the way. Either view is better than nothing...

 

[Judy from Boise]

thanks for the report, I have been reading around other boards and peoples opinions are all over the place.....but I trust the more moderate population that posts here the most!

 

[MeRSiamese]

This just really irritates me!!

While I realize that some Imagineer's ego might get bruised by people not viewing their creation spot on from the "prime" middle...
The total fiasco mess they made out of the viewing area in only accomodating the select few that get the front row "standing" spots, while the rest get the backs of people's heads, led screens, and kids' butts on top of shoulders is enough to make the majority of us out there only want to see it "front and center" once... and never put ourselves through that cattle car mess again.

*Someone* should swallow their pride, reopen the areas all the way around the pier and forget about "forcing" people to only view the show from the "prime" spot.
When they install tiered SEATING areas, then maybe they can try to force people into their claustrophobic "arena"... (or better yet - maybe people will actually WANT to be there! Gasp!) but until then - they should just open the rest of the boardwalk up and allow viewing from any angle anyone wants to find a place... especially if they are lucky enough to find a "bench" to sit on!