emacat
Polishing up my ears
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2010
- Messages
- 482
We just got home today from a very fun and successful 5 day trip to DL. We did the WOC Preferred Dining, and boy, was it worth the money.
First and foremost, WOC. The show is FANTASTIC!!! Seeing clips on youtube, etc, just don't give you any idea how magical it really is. My 10 year old absolutely loved it as well. We did the dining, as I said above, and as I told numerous parents I talked to at the hotel, this really is your best option, whether you choose the PD or the picnic. We were stunned at the line for WOC fastpasses each day in DCA. On Sunday, people were still in line at 3 pm!!! (We tried to get GRR FP's. and the people in the line said they were STILL waiting for WOC FP.) They did add the third show each night, as well.
We arrived about 7:30 for the first show, and were ushered by numerous CM's to the center section of the viewing area. This was definately the best spot, and the whole area seemed to be the reserved section for dining and picnic packages. We found a great spot at the top of the steps, and sat down (everyone in that section was seated and relaxing while waiting for the show.) We had some great families next to us, and so the wait flew by quickly. We all noticed in our section as the show became closer that the sections on either side of us were packed with people, all of whom were standing close to each other. Like the mom next to me said, "They're packed in like sardines!"
The pre-show was fun and all about getting you excited for the show. There are these huge, lit up characters- Sebastian, Mike Wazowski, Lumiere, etc. They go through the crowds. (got some GREAT pics). We stood up as pre-show started, and still had plenty of space.
Then, of course, the WOC show. All I can really say is.....GO SEE IT! It really was worth the wait. If you sit too close, you'll get wet with mist (we had a great Disney manager we ran into who suggested the middle of the section, top of stairs, to avoid getting wet, and still see really well) and a little hot when the fire flares up.
The glow fest we ran across afterwards was a little crazy, but I think it's great for teens and adults. My daughter didn't like it at all. Also, I budget with gift cards, and I was really irritated that all the vendors for the WOC only take cash. So, make sure you take a bunch of cash if your kids want light up bubble makers, glow cotton candy, etc.
The rest of the trip was tons of fun! Getting my kid off of Mulholland Madness was a challenge, and Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Run and Space Mountain were also big wins. Fantasmic was great, and we started pin collecting, which my daughter went crazy for. She was thrilled when cast members saw her on Wednesday and remembered her from the day before, curious to see what she'd gotten since they last saw her.
The Hojo was fine, as always, and I would recommend Zippy Shuttle for a private shuttle. They did a great job. Mimi's was good (and two kids meals are only $9.99!), AG was okay, Minnie's Breakfast was delicious, etc. Our big fave was Ralph Brennan's. For some reason, we never ate there on previous trips, and it was yummy and very decently priced.
We also did a cartoon portrait for my daughter (in DCA), which is gorgeous. I was very aggravated at waiting 5 minutes, first at their sign and then at the cash register while the cashier pointedly ignored us, then assisted someone else. I have to admit, I got a bit irritated, and said we were there first.
I hate being that obnoxious person, but we had obviously been waiting for her to finish her oh-so-important chat with a fellow employee. On a side note, while my dd was being drawn, I watched four more groups walk up and then finally walk away, since she had gone back to hide behind the cart. It really was atrocious. Also, bear in mind that's yet another place that only takes cash.
So, despite a minor
or two, it was a wonderful trip, and we already can't wait to go again!
First and foremost, WOC. The show is FANTASTIC!!! Seeing clips on youtube, etc, just don't give you any idea how magical it really is. My 10 year old absolutely loved it as well. We did the dining, as I said above, and as I told numerous parents I talked to at the hotel, this really is your best option, whether you choose the PD or the picnic. We were stunned at the line for WOC fastpasses each day in DCA. On Sunday, people were still in line at 3 pm!!! (We tried to get GRR FP's. and the people in the line said they were STILL waiting for WOC FP.) They did add the third show each night, as well.
We arrived about 7:30 for the first show, and were ushered by numerous CM's to the center section of the viewing area. This was definately the best spot, and the whole area seemed to be the reserved section for dining and picnic packages. We found a great spot at the top of the steps, and sat down (everyone in that section was seated and relaxing while waiting for the show.) We had some great families next to us, and so the wait flew by quickly. We all noticed in our section as the show became closer that the sections on either side of us were packed with people, all of whom were standing close to each other. Like the mom next to me said, "They're packed in like sardines!"
The pre-show was fun and all about getting you excited for the show. There are these huge, lit up characters- Sebastian, Mike Wazowski, Lumiere, etc. They go through the crowds. (got some GREAT pics). We stood up as pre-show started, and still had plenty of space.
Then, of course, the WOC show. All I can really say is.....GO SEE IT! It really was worth the wait. If you sit too close, you'll get wet with mist (we had a great Disney manager we ran into who suggested the middle of the section, top of stairs, to avoid getting wet, and still see really well) and a little hot when the fire flares up.
The glow fest we ran across afterwards was a little crazy, but I think it's great for teens and adults. My daughter didn't like it at all. Also, I budget with gift cards, and I was really irritated that all the vendors for the WOC only take cash. So, make sure you take a bunch of cash if your kids want light up bubble makers, glow cotton candy, etc.
The rest of the trip was tons of fun! Getting my kid off of Mulholland Madness was a challenge, and Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Run and Space Mountain were also big wins. Fantasmic was great, and we started pin collecting, which my daughter went crazy for. She was thrilled when cast members saw her on Wednesday and remembered her from the day before, curious to see what she'd gotten since they last saw her.
The Hojo was fine, as always, and I would recommend Zippy Shuttle for a private shuttle. They did a great job. Mimi's was good (and two kids meals are only $9.99!), AG was okay, Minnie's Breakfast was delicious, etc. Our big fave was Ralph Brennan's. For some reason, we never ate there on previous trips, and it was yummy and very decently priced.
We also did a cartoon portrait for my daughter (in DCA), which is gorgeous. I was very aggravated at waiting 5 minutes, first at their sign and then at the cash register while the cashier pointedly ignored us, then assisted someone else. I have to admit, I got a bit irritated, and said we were there first.
I hate being that obnoxious person, but we had obviously been waiting for her to finish her oh-so-important chat with a fellow employee. On a side note, while my dd was being drawn, I watched four more groups walk up and then finally walk away, since she had gone back to hide behind the cart. It really was atrocious. Also, bear in mind that's yet another place that only takes cash.So, despite a minor
or two, it was a wonderful trip, and we already can't wait to go again!
I ran into the gift card issue on my very first trip to DLR, so after that I started bringing some gift cards for eating in the parks and cold cash to carry in pocket for vendors and such! what are ya gonna do? It does suck when you encounter a vendor (Disney employee or not) that has no clue about customer service. But you didnt let it ruin your trip..so all ended well!! 
