Understanding FP and WOC

[MickeyMoush]

I was just reading through two of the other threads talking about these- but don't want to hijack them. I still have questions and am confused how both things work. I am totally a novice here- as I've been to DL for most of my life, but haven't been since 2009, and I've never been to DCA. (I will be going to both within the month with my 3 day passes and hopefully upgrading to AP.)

Now my questions- even though when I went to DL the last few times, I always saw the term FP and signs, I never used them. I get that it is a way to get a ticket to come back at a different time and then not wait in such a long line. I also understand that some attractions have them and some don't. What I don't get is what has been talked about for getting them for WOC first thing in the morning? First of all, that is a show, not a ride, right? So there are FP tickets to be able to stand in certain color coded areas to see the show that is at night? I see on the schedule that there the show is supposed to be at 9:00 and 10:15? However, the park closes at 10:00. More confusion for me. So there are 2 shows? If I don't get a FP in the morning (and I don't have an early entry), then my daughter and I won't be likely to see the show? Help! Sorry for being so lame about this, but I don't even understand the set-up. Last time I took my daughter to DL, we just staked out a spot by IASW to watch the fireworks, and that turned out great. Going to see WOC is not the same? WOC is one of the main things my daughter wants to see, and so I want to plan this right.

I was reading what some wrote about a plan of action for heading into the park (with early entry) to obtain FP and ride LM (the other thing my daughter wants to do), but wondered how different it would be for my planning without having the early entry. If I don't obtain a FP for WOC in morning, then we basically won't be able to see it?

I really hope to upgrade to the AP so I have time to learn all of these tricks that you all seem to have figured out. Really appreciate the help!

 

[ND Disney Daddy]

Sounds like you understand it better than you think.

The World of Color Fastpass is indeed just a ticket that will grant you entry to a certain viewing zone at a certain time. The show can be seen from outside the viewing zones without a fastpass (perhaps by standing outside the Little Mermaid ride), but you'll get the best view by getting a FP and arriving early to get a spot by a rail (so you don't end up with people right in front of you blocking your view).

WoC fastpasses are distributed all morning at the Grizzly River Run fastpass bank. You don't need early entry to get them, just stop by in the morning and pick them up.

DCA "closes" at 10:00, but that really means they stop letting people into lines for rides at that time. There is a 10:15 WoC show.

And for the love of Walt, START USING FASTPASSES FOR RIDES!!! It will save you many many hours of standing in lines.

Hope this helps.

 

[ykmom]

The world of color fastpass is not connected to the system, so it does not impact your ability to collect other fastpasses. It is also important to understand that you can go back anytime after the time stated on your fastpass. If your fastpass has a return time of 11:15 -12:15 you may return anytime after 11:15 on that day. You can also get another fastpass for another ride after 11:15.

You can get a fastpass for World of Color from the machines at Grizzly River Run, or by ordering a picnic meal. We had the picnic meal in February and it wasn't bad. It was nice to not have to worry about being in California Adventure first thing in the morning but there is no real advantage other than that. Even with the fastpass make sure you are there early to get a good viewing spot. We ordered our picnic meals online, picked them up around 5:00 and got a yellow zone fastpass.

It's a great show. Now I must stop daydreaming of disney and get to work!

 

[MickeyMoush]

Thank you for the replies!

So, ND Disney Daddy, can you give me a ball park for when I should return to with my FP for the show- as you say to still arrive early- like say I get there in the morning and pick up a FP for the 9:00 show, the FP will say to return when? Like at 8:00 before the show starts? And then if it says 8:00, do I show up at 8:00 or earlier? I thought I could not go at an earlier time?

I will heed your advice and use the FP whenever possible - as soon as I figure out how to do it- first day of trip I'll be figuring stuff out, but hope soon to have a handle on it all!

ykmom- what exactly do you mean about the WOC FP not being connected to the "system"? The other FP are rides/attractions and this FP is for a show? Is that the difference? Good to know I don't have to be back at the exact time to something. Knowing that- it seems like a no brainer to use them- so I will like ND Disney Daddy said!

The picnic meal is from where? I know you said online- but where do you pick up? You said the same thing about getting there "early" so is this at the time your FP says or earlier than that? Also, do the FP have a color zone on it? Or that is determined by how early you get there? Kind of pointless if we go and can't get close, as my kid is short and so am I! Little worried about feeling squished by the railing though?

Thanks for the help! I can't believe how many questions I keep coming up with even though I've been to DL before. Glad you all are there to help out!

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you for the replies!

So, ND Disney Daddy, can you give me a ball park for when I should return to with my FP for the show- as you say to still arrive early- like say I get there in the morning and pick up a FP for the 9:00 show, the FP will say to return when? Like at 8:00 before the show starts? And then if it says 8:00, do I show up at 8:00 or earlier? I thought I could not go at an earlier time?

Not ND Disney, but I'll let you know that if you want a railing spot for optimal viewing, show up a MINUMUM of 60 minutes prior to the start of the show. Your fastpass will have a return time window printed on it...for example for an 8:15 show it might say "Return between 7:15-7:45". You'll want to find out where your line-up area is (it will say on your fastpass) and then hang around there even before the window starts. The CM's don't usually let you in sooner, but you'll want to be close by for when they do start let guests lining up.

I will heed your advice and use the FP whenever possible - as soon as I figure out how to do it- first day of trip I'll be figuring stuff out, but hope soon to have a handle on it all!

ykmom- what exactly do you mean about the WOC FP not being connected to the "system"? The other FP are rides/attractions and this FP is for a show? Is that the difference? Good to know I don't have to be back at the exact time to something. Knowing that- it seems like a no brainer to use them- so I will like ND Disney Daddy said!

That's exactly what it means. Usually you can't get another FP until the window on your current one has lapsed, or two hours after you got it, whichever comes first. The WOC FP, however, does not affect your ability to get other FP's since it is "disconnected"

The picnic meal is from where? I know you said online- but where do you pick up? You said the same thing about getting there "early" so is this at the time your FP says or earlier than that? Also, do the FP have a color zone on it? Or that is determined by how early you get there? Kind of pointless if we go and can't get close, as my kid is short and so am I! Little worried about feeling squished by the railing though?

You pick the WOC picnics up from below Wine Country Trattoria anytime throughout the afternoon/evening up to about an hour before the show I believe. They come with a regular FP (not preferred viewing). It used to be for either blue or yellow sections but I recall reading recently that it was now just blue (or just yellow...can't remember lol).

Thanks for the help! I can't believe how many questions I keep coming up with even though I've been to DL before. Glad you all are there to help out!

 

[MickeyMoush]

Thanks SonnyJane. Wow- I found the link in another thread (the super thread) about all of the WOC stuff made by HydroGuy. A TON of information! You all must get tired of answering the same questions over and over. I find things as I lurk around in the threads, but I'm still learning my way around in here- never seem to be able to figure out things from searching, but just reading through them all. Anyway, thanks for the help! Going to keep reading. No doubt that no matter how our day is filled, I know our visits to DL and CDA are going to be awesome!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks SonnyJane. Wow- I found the link in another thread (the super thread) about all of the WOC stuff made by HydroGuy. A TON of information! You all must get tired of answering the same questions over and over. I find things as I lurk around in the threads, but I'm still learning my way around in here- never seem to be able to figure out things from searching, but just reading through them all. Anyway, thanks for the help! Going to keep reading. No doubt that no matter how our day is filled, I know our visits to DL and CDA are going to be awesome!

Yes, you are not the first with these kinds of questions and rather than answering them over and over, some forum members like me have consolidated info into certain threads to which everyone just links.

Hope you have a great trip! And read my FP threads to learn more how to work FP!

 

[SeattleTink]

Mickey,

If you want to completely change your Disneyland Resort experience for the BETTER, read Hydroguy's information on how to use FastPass. Read it, learn it, live it! It will change your life, and I mean that with all sincerity.

Have a great trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

Mickey,

If you want to completely change your Disneyland Resort experience for the BETTER, read Hydroguy's information on how to use FastPass. Read it, learn it, live it! It will change your life, and I mean that with all sincerity.

Have a great trip!

Wow! That makes me want to go back and re-read them myself!

 

[MickeyMoush]

Okay- I will absolutely be checking out all the FP stuff you teach about HydroGuy! That was quite an endorsement from SeattleTink! As I said though- still have trouble navigating through the forums, so I have to find the FP thread first! I'm sure it's in something I've read somewhere. Since I've decided to hold off on my first trip until the 27th, I have time to read up on lots more of these mega thread posts

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Okay- I will absolutely be checking out all the FP stuff you teach about HydroGuy! That was quite an endorsement from SeattleTink! As I said though- still have trouble navigating through the forums, so I have to find the FP thread first! I'm sure it's in something I've read somewhere. Since I've decided to hold off on my first trip until the 27th, I have time to read up on lots more of these mega thread posts

Thanks!

I'll help you this once

This is the FP thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

This is where you can find a lot of useful "newbie" information: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

If you want to search something specifically, on the right-hand side of the page, just above where the thread topics begin to be listed, there is a drop-down menu that says "Search this Forum". You can type in whatever keyword(s) you're searching for and it will show you all threads pertaining to them.

 

[MickeyMoush]

Oh- just saw the tip compilation link at the bottom of your post HG! Going there!