Thank you! and thoughts on our trip

[amym2]

We just got back from our first trip to DLR and wow- did we have a fantastic time! A big thank you to everyone on these boards- everyone's advice and ideas made for a wonderful stress-free trip. I'll try to write a trip report once I'm recovered from this exhaustion, but for now a few notes:

-Hydroguy, your tips for collecting FP in the morning and using them in the evening saved us so much line-waiting time. We were in the parks Wed-Fri and the longest line we waited in was 25 min for TSMM. We rode SpaceM 5 times, CS 4 times, and pretty much everything else at least once. We heard from others that the parks were not as crowded as they had expected, but they seemed pretty crowded to us.

-We did the WCT WOC package and really enjoyed the food (beef tenderloin and chicken). The kids enjoyed their kids meals as well. We had 5:50 reservations and were done by 7:00. We staked out what a CM told us was a premium area to see the show (center area, right side railing) but our view was totally blocked by people kneeling on the raised concrete railings around the central area. What we saw of the show was great, but I was completely frustrated. If we were to do it again, we'd be front and center and just get wet.

-We loved the HOJO and the kids suite. We were in room 118, first floor. The highway noise didn't bother DH or the kids, but it kept me up the first couple of nights. Turning up the A/C helped, but the weather was unusually cool last week, so this meant we froze. The kids (6 and 8) LOVED the pirate play area and it was so nice to just sit and watch them and not have to swim. We did use the pool one day, but the kids weren't fond of the salt water. We only saw the sun for about 3 hours every day, so we soaked it in when we could. The walk to the parks was easy- 10 minutes.

If anyone has any questions, ask away and I'll do my best to answer!

 

[QueenDoOver]

Sounds like a wonderful time. I had no idea the HOJO pool was salt water? My son has never said a word, and he loves the pool there.

 

[HydroGuy]

We just got back from our first trip to DLR and wow- did we have a fantastic time! A big thank you to everyone on these boards- everyone's advice and ideas made for a wonderful stress-free trip. I'll try to write a trip report once I'm recovered from this exhaustion, but for now a few notes:

-Hydroguy, your tips for collecting FP in the morning and using them in the evening saved us so much line-waiting time. We were in the parks Wed-Fri and the longest line we waited in was 25 min for TSMM. We rode SpaceM 5 times, CS 4 times, and pretty much everything else at least once. We heard from others that the parks were not as crowded as they had expected, but they seemed pretty crowded to us.

-We did the WCT WOC package and really enjoyed the food (beef tenderloin and chicken). The kids enjoyed their kids meals as well. We had 5:50 reservations and were done by 7:00. We staked out what a CM told us was a premium area to see the show (center area, right side railing) but our view was totally blocked by people kneeling on the raised concrete railings around the central area. What we saw of the show was great, but I was completely frustrated. If we were to do it again, we'd be front and center and just get wet.

-We loved the HOJO and the kids suite. We were in room 118, first floor. The highway noise didn't bother DH or the kids, but it kept me up the first couple of nights. Turning up the A/C helped, but the weather was unusually cool last week, so this meant we froze. The kids (6 and 8) LOVED the pirate play area and it was so nice to just sit and watch them and not have to swim. We did use the pool one day, but the kids weren't fond of the salt water. We only saw the sun for about 3 hours every day, so we soaked it in when we could. The walk to the parks was easy- 10 minutes.

If anyone has any questions, ask away and I'll do my best to answer!

Glad the FPs worked.

I am trying hard to figure out how to avoid the WOC experience you had. Can you clarify what concrete people were on that blocked you? See pic below. I and S.S. Columbia are trying to figure out if one can get from the preferred area down to the wet zone along the front railing - or whether this is roped off. Do you recall?

http://www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/101293-2/ParadisePark_By_Daniel_K_Lew.jpg

 

[Raindown]

I and S.S. Columbia are trying to figure out if one can get from the preferred area down to the wet zone along the front railing - or whether this is roped off. Do you recall?

http://www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/101293-2/ParadisePark_By_Daniel_K_Lew.jpg

From what I experienced last weekend at the 11:15 show the viewing area in front of where preferred usually is was roped off for Yellow. However, that probably changed since, to my knowledge there is no preferred for 11:15. I would go as far to say I much prefer being up against a rail in blue or yellow than in the preferred section.

I'm interested in what Amym2 has to say as well. Glad you had a good time.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Glad the FPs worked.

I am trying hard to figure out how to avoid the WOC experience you had. Can you clarify what concrete people were on that blocked you? See pic below. I and S.S. Columbia are trying to figure out if one can get from the preferred area down to the wet zone along the front railing - or whether this is roped off. Do you recall?

http://www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/101293-2/ParadisePark_By_Daniel_K_Lew.jpg

Well, when you guy's get things figured out then you can clue me in on what to do. The WOC experience is the biggest unknown of the trip. Another 100+ day here.

Jack

 

[amym2]

OK, let's see if I can explain this. When looking at the photo, the circular section in the center has 4 concrete curved areas with lights on them. Looking at the photo, we were to the right of there- against a railing, almost right in front of the box where the dancers stand for the pre-show. People were sitting (and then eventually kneeling) on that concrete curved area and blocking our view. Had we been maybe half-way down that railing, we would have been better off. We couldn't go all the way down because it was roped off for handicapped viewing farther down.

In terms of the front area, we honestly didn't even try to go down there because we didn't want to get wet. I believe the very front was roped off for a different section.

We were not told we were in any certain color, the preferred dining just goes to the "Preferred Dining" sign to enter (they had the whole area blockaded until about 7:30 then we entered with everyone else).

After we received our tickets, we were told by our waitress to just wait in front of the WCT until 8:00 (our tickets said entry between 8:00 and 8:30). However because of what I'd read on here, we waited with everyone else at the blockade at around 7:15. The preferred dining section never really got full. The other sections were pretty much jam-packed.

Does that help at all??

 

[Raindown]

I'm surprised they let people sit on those things. Our first WoC viewing was frustratingly blocked too, but we chalked it up to being opening night. But subsequent trips have lead me to believe WoC is just a tricky thing to experience.

Probably the best viewing I had so far was just to the left of those arches over the last tier, in blue (section closest to the pier). I'm actually thinking the best view would be from the street/top of the park at the rail. However, I'm actually not sure how one gets in there.

I'm hoping for some F! style preferred viewing in the future. I'd pay for it considering it is only 20 more than the preferred dinner. The 11:15 wasn't that busy. I was in the blue wet zone and didn't get that wet. I did see some people from the 10:15 show come out really wet.

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, let's see if I can explain this. When looking at the photo, the circular section in the center has 4 concrete curved areas with lights on them. Looking at the photo, we were to the right of there- against a railing, almost right in front of the box where the dancers stand for the pre-show. People were sitting (and then eventually kneeling) on that concrete curved area and blocking our view. Had we been maybe half-way down that railing, we would have been better off. We couldn't go all the way down because it was roped off for handicapped viewing farther down.

In terms of the front area, we honestly didn't even try to go down there because we didn't want to get wet. I believe the very front was roped off for a different section.

We were not told we were in any certain color, the preferred dining just goes to the "Preferred Dining" sign to enter (they had the whole area blockaded until about 7:30 then we entered with everyone else).

After we received our tickets, we were told by our waitress to just wait in front of the WCT until 8:00 (our tickets said entry between 8:00 and 8:30). However because of what I'd read on here, we waited with everyone else at the blockade at around 7:15. The preferred dining section never really got full. The other sections were pretty much jam-packed.

Does that help at all??

Thanks! Good info.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

OK, let's see if I can explain this. When looking at the photo, the circular section in the center has 4 concrete curved areas with lights on them. Looking at the photo, we were to the right of there- against a railing, almost right in front of the box where the dancers stand for the pre-show. People were sitting (and then eventually kneeling) on that concrete curved area and blocking our view. Had we been maybe half-way down that railing, we would have been better off. We couldn't go all the way down because it was roped off for handicapped viewing farther down.

In terms of the front area, we honestly didn't even try to go down there because we didn't want to get wet. I believe the very front was roped off for a different section.

We were not told we were in any certain color, the preferred dining just goes to the "Preferred Dining" sign to enter (they had the whole area blockaded until about 7:30 then we entered with everyone else).

After we received our tickets, we were told by our waitress to just wait in front of the WCT until 8:00 (our tickets said entry between 8:00 and 8:30). However because of what I'd read on here, we waited with everyone else at the blockade at around 7:15. The preferred dining section never really got full. The other sections were pretty much jam-packed.

Does that help at all??

Yes, thank you!

The Preferred Dining area is shown fairly well in the following viewing chart (although the viewing chart is slightly outdated).

Viewing Chart Credit: lurkyloo & brenda1966

 

[dalstitch45]

Glad the FPs worked.

I am trying hard to figure out how to avoid the WOC experience you had. Can you clarify what concrete people were on that blocked you? See pic below. I and S.S. Columbia are trying to figure out if one can get from the preferred area down to the wet zone along the front railing - or whether this is roped off. Do you recall?

http://www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/101293-2/ParadisePark_By_Daniel_K_Lew.jpg

I was there On June 28. We had the FP for the blue picnic preferred. We did the 10:15 show, and the wet zone was roped off until about 10 minutes before the show. Then they let whoever wanted to get in the wet zone go. Don't know if this helps you.

 

[HydroGuy]

I was there On June 28. We had the FP for the blue picnic preferred. We did the 10:15 show, and the wet zone was roped off until about 10 minutes before the show. Then they let whoever wanted to get in the wet zone go. Don't know if this helps you.

Thanks!

Was it roped off for everyone? In other words, when they opened it 10 minutes before the show were there people already there at the railing?

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks!

Was it roped off for everyone? In other words, when they opened it 10 minutes before the show were there people already there at the railing?

When we saw it, the "wet zone" was empty - and then filled with people 10-15 minutes before show time.

 

[dalstitch45]

When we saw it, the "wet zone" was empty - and then filled with people 10-15 minutes before show time.

Same here.

 

[HydroGuy]

When we saw it, the "wet zone" was empty - and then filled with people 10-15 minutes before show time.

Same here.

Thanks!

 

[CindyH]

If you have the preferred dining viewing area, it seems to me that the best solution for those with little kids is to stake out the first top rows of the stairs - kids standing on top stair, parents below, who would just sit down when the show started so that the kids could see? Would that work?

 

[amym2]

If you have the preferred dining viewing area, it seems to me that the best solution for those with little kids is to stake out the first top rows of the stairs - kids standing on top stair, parents below, who would just sit down when the show started so that the kids could see? Would that work?

Not sure... seems like the stairs weren't that steep. So potentially someone standing lower on the stairs could still block the kids' view. The stairs seemed pretty packed when we were there last week. If the parents sat, they would definitely miss out on the entire show. I love my kids, but I wanted to see the show more than they did!

 

[jodeja]

If you have the preferred dining viewing area, it seems to me that the best solution for those with little kids is to stake out the first top rows of the stairs - kids standing on top stair, parents below, who would just sit down when the show started so that the kids could see? Would that work?

In my experience, I think you would be better off trying to stand right at the green rail at the very bottom of the preferred dining section (by bottom I mean closest to the water).
I have two kids and we did not get there in time to stand at the green rail so we stood at the top of the stairs. The stairs are not very tall, just a few inches per stair. So, if your kid is 4 feet tall and is standing on the top stair, an adult who is 5’9” standing half way down the little staircase is still going to block their view. If your child stood on the top stair and you stood two stairs down from him and then you sat down, he may have a decent view but you would probably not see a thing (except for the back of a bunch of people’s knees).
If the kids were at the top of the stairs and then no one stood on the stairs in front of them then the kids should be able to see. Depends on how bold you are to attempt to block off the whole staircase though! We were next to a family that we did not know and they had their young boys at the top of the stairs and the mom made sure no one stood on the stairs in front of them, even halfway down the stairs. I saw this because my kids tried to stand halfway or lower down the stairs and she screamed at them that they were blocking her kids’ view. Her kids slept through most of the show in their stroller.
We also tried to have all of the kids in that area stand together on the second and third steps from the top so it would be a “kid section” and they were all about the same height and would not block each other’s view, but when other adults stood at the bottom of the staircase in front of them it did block their view because of the stairs not adding that much height.
The drop off below the green rail is much steeper than the stairs so you should still be able to see over anyone standing below you.

I have heard several people ask about wheelchair seating. There was a very nice family that we befriended on the plane going to Disneyland who were at the same WOC show as us and the dad was in a wheelchair because he broke a toe right before the trip. They had a PERFECT view in the benches that are just to the left of the preferred dining section/fountain circle. (The benches that are empty in the photo that HydroGuy linked to.) I hate to admit it but I was a teeny bit jealous of their seats especially since they didn’t even pay the $120 for the dining package that we did. But they were so sweet and we had such fun getting to know them that I just had to be happy for them.

 

[CindyH]

Not sure... seems like the stairs weren't that steep. So potentially someone standing lower on the stairs could still block the kids' view. The stairs seemed pretty packed when we were there last week. If the parents sat, they would definitely miss out on the entire show. I love my kids, but I wanted to see the show more than they did!

Didn't realize the stairs weren't that steep - there goes that idea!

In my experience, I think you would be better off trying to stand right at the green rail at the very bottom of the preferred dining section (by bottom I mean closest to the water).
I have two kids and we did not get there in time to stand at the green rail so we stood at the top of the stairs. The stairs are not very tall, just a few inches per stair. So, if your kid is 4 feet tall and is standing on the top stair, an adult who is 5’9” standing half way down the little staircase is still going to block their view. If your child stood on the top stair and you stood two stairs down from him and then you sat down, he may have a decent view but you would probably not see a thing (except for the back of a bunch of people’s knees).
If the kids were at the top of the stairs and then no one stood on the stairs in front of them then the kids should be able to see. Depends on how bold you are to attempt to block off the whole staircase though! We were next to a family that we did not know and they had their young boys at the top of the stairs and the mom made sure no one stood on the stairs in front of them, even halfway down the stairs. I saw this because my kids tried to stand halfway or lower down the stairs and she screamed at them that they were blocking her kids’ view. Her kids slept through most of the show in their stroller.
We also tried to have all of the kids in that area stand together on the second and third steps from the top so it would be a “kid section” and they were all about the same height and would not block each other’s view, but when other adults stood at the bottom of the staircase in front of them it did block their view because of the stairs not adding that much height.
The drop off below the green rail is much steeper than the stairs so you should still be able to see over anyone standing below you.

I have heard several people ask about wheelchair seating. There was a very nice family that we befriended on the plane going to Disneyland who were at the same WOC show as us and the dad was in a wheelchair because he broke a toe right before the trip. They had a PERFECT view in the benches that are just to the left of the preferred dining section/fountain circle. (The benches that are empty in the photo that HydroGuy linked to.) I hate to admit it but I was a teeny bit jealous of their seats especially since they didn’t even pay the $120 for the dining package that we did. But they were so sweet and we had such fun getting to know them that I just had to be happy for them.

Thanks - it's so nice to read about people who try and help the kids (I honestly would gladly give up my seat if my kids could have a better view) but the mom with the stroller was just too much!

 

[Mary09]

When we saw it, the "wet zone" was empty - and then filled with people 10-15 minutes before show time.

Last Thurs. we filled in the front blue wet zone at 7:20 or so, whenever they let picnic FP people in there. I think the area behind us might've filled in quicker but along the front rail and a row or so behind us filled in right away, before 8.

We didn't get wet at all. It was like sitting at a patio with a mist system at times. But if there had been wind, it'd be different. I think we got as wet Sat. night at the very, very back of the yellow section.

I recommend the view from the very back personally. I wish they'd let you stand in the street. The show is huge and you miss most of it when someone is standing in front of you and/or you're right up against the water.