Total newbie, help with WOC?

[geminimagk]

I visited DL a couple years ago but it was a quick trip and I didn't plan much. Now, I am going the last week of March with my family (husband, 3 children under the age of 6, and in-laws). We will be staying at the Grand Californian and have 5-day park-hopper passes.

Can someone please educate me on WOC? There are so many threads and discussions about it, I'm not sure where to start. It's a fireworks show in the evening, is that correct? Does it begin at sunset? I anticipate it will be difficult for us to do much at night because the kids will be exhausted. But, DH and I could put them to bed and then go to see it. Is it like the parade where you just line up and watch? How do you get in? FP or a dining package? Which is better? Do you sit and eat a whole meal there while the show goes on? If you do a dining package, is that a way to get better seats?

Thank you! I'm sure I will be asking LOTS more newbie questions.

 

[dshimel]

It uses water fountains, movies projected onto water screens, and various other "effects". It is on paradise bay with Paradise Pier (Screamin' and Fun Wheel) as background.

The enjoyment of the show comes from how the movie clips are presented, not in scale or quantity of fireworks.

At opening, get fast passes to the show from machines by Grizzly River Rapids. The passes give you a section and limit how many people can get into each section each day. The best section is given out first and worse sections later. The fastpasses will say you can't show up more than an hour early. Don't believe it. If you show up one hour early, you're watching the backs of peoples' heads.

 

[SMD]

It's water and light, not fireworks. There are usually 2 set show times per night, sometimes midweek there's just 1 right when the park closes. There's a dessert party option with a seat, otherwise the show is standing. If you do another dining package you eat before the show and are given an FP for a standing section. You can also just pull and FP without a dining package. For all 3 options your view will depend on how early you line up for your section.

 

[geminimagk]

Thank you. That makes sense.

 

[Winnowill]

It puts the fountain shows at Bellagio to shame, I'll say that for it.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for this thread I am also planning 1st DL trip and was planning on getting a WOC fastpass 1st thing.

I also read that the electrical parade is ending, Is this true.
What other nighttime shows are there?
Are there fireworks every night?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[goooof1]

The Grand Californian has a viewing area at the hotel with the sound piped in (6th floor, very large extended "balcony" /"patio"). It is not a great view, but it will give you an idea what it is like. The shows would likely be after 8:00 pm. or so, not so easy for young children. Check it out first at the hotel, then you can make arrangements to see it up close.

 

[alldiz]

The Grand Californian has a viewing area at the hotel with the sound piped in (6th floor, very large extended "balcony"). It is not a great view, but it will give you an idea what it is like. The shows would likely be after 8:00 pm. or so, not so easy for young children. Check it out first at the hotel, then you can make arrangements to see it up close.

Thanks so much that is awesome. I'm sure we will be exhausted 1st arrival day so we are staying at GCV and that will be easy to check out.
Kerri

 

[hawkfam]

I would recommend trying to see it early in your trip because it's possible you'll like it so much you'll want your kids to see it and be able to take them to a show later in your trip. Fireworks only hold my kids' interest so much because there's only so much to expect from them (aside from projections if you're able to get a spot to view them) but as others have mentioned between the fountains/jets, projections, lighting and music WoC is definitely one of their favorites.

 

[geminimagk]

At opening, get fast passes to the show from machines by Grizzly River Rapids. The passes give you a section and limit how many people can get into each section each day.

Do you mean go get the WOC FP right when the park opens? If I have EMH, should I do it then? And if I get this FP, I can still get other FP's for other rides, correct?

 

[alldiz]

Do you mean go get the WOC FP right when the park opens? If I have EMH, should I do it then? And if I get this FP, I can still get other FP's for other rides, correct?

From what I have been reading WOC fastpass is not hooked up to system, so yes you can get other rides.

However that can change I just read a ride used to be not connected now is, I can't remember which one.
Kerri

 

[SMD]

FP are not distributed during EMH.

MSEP is ending 6/18. Fireworks are every night, weather permitting, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but otherwise only on weekends. Fantasmic is supposed to be back this summer, but Disney hasn't said when. Other than WOC and fireworks, we don't know if there will be any nighttime shows after 6/18.

 

[lcp9]

I visited DL a couple years ago but it was a quick trip and I didn't plan much. Now, I am going the last week of March with my family (husband, 3 children under the age of 6, and in-laws). We will be staying at the Grand Californian and have 5-day park-hopper passes.

Can someone please educate me on WOC? There are so many threads and discussions about it, I'm not sure where to start. It's a fireworks show in the evening, is that correct? Does it begin at sunset? I anticipate it will be difficult for us to do much at night because the kids will be exhausted. But, DH and I could put them to bed and then go to see it. Is it like the parade where you just line up and watch? How do you get in? FP or a dining package? Which is better? Do you sit and eat a whole meal there while the show goes on? If you do a dining package, is that a way to get better seats?

Thank you! I'm sure I will be asking LOTS more newbie questions.

I have 3 children under 5. A few things about WOC:

1. No matter when you get there, it will be impossible for your children to see. They will end up on your shoulders much to your chagrin and to the chagrin of people around you.
2. Even if you have reserved seats to be able to see (we had VIP seating for any event once and I used it for WOC specifically because we had never been able to enjoy it due to #1) it's cool, but it starts late and your kids will be tired and not care. I find it to be more of an adult pleaser than a kid pleaser. Some clips catch their eye from the newer movies, but I think to kids you've seen one colorful spray of water you've seen them all, and really, they will be tired. You can do the WOC dessert party but it's pricey and I can 95% assure you that it is not worth $80 per kid for your kids.
3. My understanding is that the dining package seats are actually just standing room and your kids still may not be able to see.
4. If you have parent help, I would put them to bed, honestly. Of all of the "entertainment" types of things, WOC was the one my kids (5 yo girl, 3 yo boy, 1 yo boy) were the least interested in.
5. Again...it starts late and after a long day at Disney standing at WOC with tired kids is the worst.

Can you tell I've done this and hated it? hahaha. With the reserved VIP seats it was cool to watch but my kids really did not care even with an unobstructed view. Like I had to force feed them sour patch kids to stay awake.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... The best section is given out first and worse sections later...

FPs are given out according to viewing section only, not according to best and worst. Blue section first show is first, yellow section first show comes next. (If there is a second show that day, the order repeats for the second show when the first show FPs are gone.) There is good and bad viewing in both sections. The quality of your view all depends on how early you get in line for your area and where you choose to view the show.

Do you mean go get the WOC FP right when the park opens?..

You won't be able to get a WOC FP during EMH, but you won't need to anyway. WOC FPs have been lasting into the afternoon at least, sometimes much later. Just head over to the FP machines sometime during the morning and you should be fine.

From what I have been reading WOC fastpass is not hooked up to system, so yes you can get other rides.

However that can change I just read a ride used to be not connected now is, I can't remember which one.
Kerri

You are thinking about Buzz Lightyear over in DL. That is an actual ride, but WOC is not a ride so it has never been connected to the ride FP system. You can still get WOC FPs and go right to a ride to collect a ride FP without any trouble.

I have 3 children under 5. A few things about WOC:
1. No matter when you get there, it will be impossible for your children to see. They will end up on your shoulders much to your chagrin and to the chagrin of people around you...

Please do not put your children on your shoulders. If they are on your hip, they are pretty much level with your head. If you can see, they can see. Deliberately blocking the view of the guests behind you isn't very magical. But you've made a good point that WOC isn't for everyone. The OP should look at some videos on YouTube to decide whether this will be a good fit for her family. Our little ones loved WOC and still do now that they're older. But not all kids do. And one of the great things about DLR is that it offers so many things for all different kinds of tastes and interests.

 

[lcp9]

FPs are given out according to viewing section only, not according to best and worst. Blue section first show is first, yellow section first show comes next. (If there is a second show that day, the order repeats for the second show when the first show FPs are gone.) There is good and bad viewing in both sections. The quality of your view all depends on how early you get in line for your area and where you choose to view the show.



You won't be able to get a WOC FP during EMH, but you won't need to anyway. WOC FPs have been lasting into the afternoon at least, sometimes much later. Just head over to the FP machines sometime during the morning and you should be fine.



You are thinking about Buzz Lightyear over in DL. That is an actual ride, but WOC is not a ride so it has never been connected to the ride FP system. You can still get WOC FPs and go right to a ride to collect a ride FP without any trouble.



Please do not put your children on your shoulders. If they are on your hip, they are pretty much level with your head. If you can see, they can see. Deliberately blocking the view of the guests behind you isn't very magical. But you've made a good point that WOC isn't for everyone. The OP should look at some videos on YouTube to decide whether this will be a good fit for her family. Our little ones loved WOC and still do. But not all kids do. And one of the great things about DLR is that it offers so many things for all different kinds of tastes and interests.

I want to clarify the time our kids were on shoulders that we were in the very back row, touching the tape, by little mermaid, with no one behind us. We did not do FP that time. Others in more forward positions did not extend the same courtesies regarding children on shoulders which is how we ended up using shoulders Anyway, my point is that generally my experience is that someone is always blocking the view for little kids and it's a long time to have to hold kids, no matter what part of your body! Haha.

 

[SMD]

Even if can't see the water surface there is quite a bit visible in WOC. If you line up early enough to be at the front of a tier within any section most kids should be able to see most of the show.

 

[MouseOfCards]

If you're only planning to see this once, then I would do the dessert party. It's expensive, but everyone in our group rated it a 10 (except for the desserts, which were not very appealing). You don't have to wait in a very long line. You get seats, snacks, drinks, bottled water, color changing mug for the kids, and a great view. Especially good for small kids and the elderly. And especially nice to be able to sit for this after a long day in the parks. WOC is a great show!

 

[MouseOfCards]

Here is the view from our WOC dessert party table behind other high tables:


And here's the same view panned a little to the right showing some low tables (still with a clear view over the crowds):


The area in front was also preferred viewing, and the folks standing there I believe had purchased WOC dining packages (not the dessert party).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I want to clarify the time our kids were on shoulders that we were in the very back row, touching the tape, by little mermaid, with no one behind us. We did not do FP that time. Others in more forward positions did not extend the same courtesies regarding children on shoulders which is how we ended up using shoulders Anyway, my point is that generally my experience is that someone is always blocking the view for little kids and it's a long time to have to hold kids, no matter what part of your body! Haha.

You are right that back by the LM is not the best section for viewing (far back, many people walking in front of you, and only the higher elements of the show clearly visible). And it is a good reminder for people that this is a longer show (almost half an hour), which feels like a lot longer when you are holding a heavy child (!).

 

[MouseOfCards]

You are right that back by the LM is not the best section for viewing (far back, many people walking in front of you, and only the higher elements of the show clearly visible). And it is a good reminder for people that this is a longer show (almost half an hour), which feels like a lot longer when you are holding a heavy child (!).

You're right. Even sitting in the dessert party section we were pleasantly surprised by the length of this show. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to hold up a child for that extended length of time.