VGC World of Color Viewing deck -- What are the 2022 Guidelines?

[bwvBound]

Now that the night time show 'World of Color' has returned to DCA ... what are the DVC Guidelines concerning the DVC Viewing Platform? I searched the DVC Member site this morning and couldn't find a peep concerning this once touted Membership Perk.

• Does the Viewing deck still exist?
• Has it re-opened?
• Is it for 'all DVC' members -- or are there restrictions?

Thank you!

 

[bwvBound]

So I phoned DVC Member Services. Total call time, mostly waiting to speak with a VC: 30 minutes.

Current scoop:

• DVC is unaware that WoC has re-opened. Their official answer is, "No viewing platform as there is no entertainment."
• After I informed them that WoC restarted last Friday (4/22), the VC reached out the Grand California Hotel operations.
• GC Hotel Operations said, "No viewing area for DVC. All guests must use the WoC VQ through the DL Mobile App."
• There is no hint as to when the DVC Viewing area might re-open ... it is, apparently, dependent on Disneyland-management decisions more than DVC-management decisions.

So that is what I found. I asked to have the request pushed upstream to DVC management. I requested that a DVC-perk be restored! (At least I tried.)

 

[karrit2000]

For what it's worth I don't think the view from the Platform was that great, although it's been quite a few years since I used it. It's just ok since you are way far back from the actual show in DCA. It's fine for going up if you aren't in the park & just want to soak in the music & limited view. And it isn't really a very large space from what I remember. Something I read while I was there at the end of February led me to believe the the platform area access would be open to GCH hotel guests also, not just DVC members. I don't know if maybe it was limited additionally to Concierge level hotel guests.

 

[bwvBound]

For what it's worth I don't think the view from the Platform was that great, although it's been quite a few years since I used it. It's just ok since you are way far back from the actual show in DCA. It's fine for going up if you aren't in the park & just want to soak in the music & limited view. And it isn't really a very large space from what I remember. Something I read while I was there at the end of February led me to believe the the platform area access would be open to GCH hotel guests also, not just DVC members. I don't know if maybe it was limited additionally to Concierge level hotel guests.

Agreed on the view -- we've done it in the past. But we have practically zero chance at the Virtual Queue for WoC -- so I figure the viewing platform might be better than standing against The Little Mermaid attraction.

Yes, I encountered other hints today that the platform was intended for "all GCH guests" -- not limited to DVC. (Was it always this way? Hmmm, I don't recall!)

 

[karrit2000]

Agreed on the view -- we've done it in the past. But we have practically zero chance at the Virtual Queue for WoC -- so I figure the viewing platform might be better than standing against The Little Mermaid attraction.

Yes, I encountered other hints today that the platform was intended for "all GCH guests" -- not limited to DVC. (Was it always this way? Hmmm, I don't recall!)

No it wasn't always open to all hotel guests years ago. From what I remember you needed to swipe your room card to get the door to open to allow access but I don't believe there was anyone monitoring to make sure only DVC guests were entering. Anyone could enter if the door was opened. Maybe you could wander up there & check it out to see if you can access it while you're there. One other option would be trying for a dessert party or dining reservation that includes preferred viewing if they are offering them yet.

 

[bwvBound]

No it wasn't always open to all hotel guests years ago. From what I remember you needed to swipe your room card to get the door to open to allow access but I don't believe there was anyone monitoring to make sure only DVC guests were entering. Anyone could enter if the door was opened. Maybe you could wander up there & check it out to see if you can access it while you're there. One other option would be trying for a dessert party or dining reservation that includes preferred viewing if they are offering them yet.

Yes, thanks. We are were hoping for a dining package but they are not yet offered.

 

[crvetter]

Yes, thanks. We are were hoping for a dining package but they are not yet offered.

I believe the dessert party is offered. Advantage there is you sit at a high top table well above everyone else and get a seat for the entire show (with tons of space unlike the dinning packages).

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color-dessert-party/

Also when I was VGC in February the viewing platform was open and I’m not sure it wouldn’t be open still. It did require a keycard not sure if GCH guests could access it though.

 

[DonnerB]

We noticed people standing out there during WOC while riding Goofy’s Saturday night. I was also able to access the deck in February as a GCH guest (although I am a DVC member).

 

[limace]

I had thought it was always open to all hotel guests.

 

[bwvBound]

I believe the dessert party is offered. Advantage there is you sit at a high top table well above everyone else and get a seat for the entire show (with tons of space unlike the dinning packages).

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color-dessert-party/

Also when I was VGC in February the viewing platform was open and I’m not sure it wouldn’t be open still. It did require a keycard not sure if GCH guests could access it though.

Thanks -- but I find myself deeply opposed to the Dessert Party. (I'm trying not to speak of it to avoid being negative.) We really were hoping for a dining package. Sorry to be horrible about this point and THANK YOU for honestly trying to point out a feature I might have overlooked. (Thank you)

 

[zavandor]

Thanks -- but I find myself deeply opposed to the Dessert Party. (I'm trying not to speak of it to avoid being negative.) We really were hoping for a dining package. Sorry to be horrible about this point and THANK YOU for honestly trying to point out a feature I might have overlooked. (Thank you)

Can I be negative?
If we say the dessert buffet is worth $20, $10 for the drinks (I do not drink alcohol, it might be worth a bit more for drinkers, given Disney prices), the reserved seating costs $60.
$60 for a 20 minutes show. I spent a bit less to watch both Mary Poppins and Frozen in the West End in London in good seats, a total of 5 hours of amazing shows. I cannot see the value in the dessert party.
I did one only once at MK, when pricing was more reasonable (less than $30, if I remember correctly). I found it fun but a bit overpriced. At $89 no thank you.

I did the Carthay Circle dining package ages ago. It cost around what I would have spent anyway and I wanted to go to Carthay Circle anyway, so I booked it. I didn't like that I could only chose among a limited menu. I don't think I'll do it again.

 

[limace]

Can I be negative?
If we say the dessert buffet is worth $20, $10 for the drinks (I do not drink alcohol, it might be worth a bit more for drinkers, given Disney prices), the reserved seating costs $60.
$60 for a 20 minutes show. I spent a bit less to watch both Mary Poppins and Frozen in the West End in London in good seats, a total of 5 hours of amazing shows. I cannot see the value in the dessert party.
I did one only once at MK, when pricing was more reasonable (less than $30, if I remember correctly). I found it fun but a bit overpriced. At $89 no thank you.

I did the Carthay Circle dining package ages ago. It cost around what I would have spent anyway and I wanted to go to Carthay Circle anyway, so I booked it. I didn't like that I could only chose among a limited menu. I don't think I'll do it again.

Totally get it-the price is insane, as is everything at Disney now. However, the view and seats are much better than the dining packages-I did it on my 50th birthday in January of 2020 and it was a pretty wonderful experience.

 

[bwvBound]

FWIW, we found that the bridge to Pixar Pier was an excellent location last week. It was 'stand-by' viewing (no VQ or package required). The view was entirely unobstructed (we were right at the rail) and the water screens were easy to view.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! Perfect.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks -- but I find myself deeply opposed to the Dessert Party. (I'm trying not to speak of it to avoid being negative.) We really were hoping for a dining package. Sorry to be horrible about this point and THANK YOU for honestly trying to point out a feature I might have overlooked. (Thank you)

Love the dessert party! Best part is you get a seat! It is expensive but includes 2 alcoholic drinks plus the desserts.

 

[bwvBound]

Love the dessert party! Best part is you get a seat! It is expensive but includes 2 alcoholic drinks plus the desserts.

But we don't drink alcohol and are opposed to paying for it. I'm not particularly happy with the push Disney has made in serving alcohol in the parks.

 

[limace]

But we don't drink alcohol and are opposed to paying for it. I'm not particularly happy with the push Disney has made in serving alcohol in the parks.

Sounds like the event isn’t for you-totally ok!

 

[DebbieB]

But we don't drink alcohol and are opposed to paying for it. I'm not particularly happy with the push Disney has made in serving alcohol in the parks.

I think there’s also specialty non-alcoholic drinks.

 

[bwvBound]

I think there’s also specialty non-alcoholic drinks.

But the alcohol is priced-in. Sure, they likely offer coffee or tea -- but we did seriously well carrying our own Starbucks to the bridge and got a really great view from that location w/out paying for a package.

Really, I'm done with the Dessert Package discussion. Please, no more.

 

[cgodzyk]

We happened to be at the Grand Californian over the opening weekend of WoC in 2 rooms, a DVC room and a club level room. The club level room had access to the viewing area and the DVC room did not. (Fortunately for us all 4 guests had keys to both rooms). The view was not "perfect", but we enjoyed being up there for the show.

 

[bwvBound]

We happened to be at the Grand Californian over the opening weekend of WoC in 2 rooms, a DVC room and a club level room. The club level room had access to the viewing area and the DVC room did not. (Fortunately for us all 4 guests had keys to both rooms). The view was not "perfect", but we enjoyed being up there for the show.

Thanks for that important update!