What to do if you don't want to see...

[msr709]

PTN or WOC? Is anything working at DL while the PTN is going on? What about DCA while WOC? We do have park hoppers so we can switch but in WDW while the parades are going on they do have rides and they are usually walk-ons! We plan to see PTN once and not see WOC during our 6 day stay. Any suggestions? TIA

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

If you are going to skip PTN, go to the west side of the park. Pirates and HM will be very short waits if not walk ons, BTMRR and IJA should be short waits. Traffic after the parade will be bad, stay on that side of the park for a while or get out before fireworks start.

In CA, I believe they only close Screamin and maybe the swings for WOC. We usually don't skip WOC, so cannot tell you too much. I would imagine TSMM and RSR are a little less congested but probably not too much. With 6 days, it is worth investing the time for WOC, but your choice. With 6 days you can see and do everything in both parks multiple times, I would not skip WOC unless you have a very specific reason to do so.

 

[Aladora]

In CA, I believe they only close Screamin and maybe the swings for WOC.

A few more attractions close for WOC.

World of Color – Frequently Asked Questions

Q.
Do any attractions close during World of Color?

A.
Yes. To offer Guests the best possible viewing experience, some attractions close prior to the first World of Color show—similar to Fantasyland attractions and Mickey's Toontown closing prior to the Disneyland Park fireworks.

Attractions closing for World of Color include:

• California Screamin'
• Games of the Boardwalk
• Golden Zephyr
• King Triton's Carousel
• Jumpin' Jellyfish
• Mickey's Fun Wheel
• Silly Symphony Swings

 

[figment_jii]

In terms of closures, PTN only impacts a few attractions. I think Storybook Canal boats close prior to PtN. It's currently closed, but the railroad also stopped during PtN because the train tracks cross the parade route. Toontown and Fantasyland near the castle also close for Disneyland Forever fireworks. Otherwise, the attractions in Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, NOS, and Critter Country remain open during the nighttime shows. It's hard to say how crowds will be during PtN when you're there, but I wouldn't plan on walk-on rides. Over Memorial Day weekend, most things still had a minimum of a 20 minute wait even during the nighttime shows (PTN and DL: Forever fireworks). If you have the official Disneyland App, you can check out the wait times tonight when PtN is running to see how things are looking in the park.

Disneyland.com has a list of attractions that close prior to the start of WoC; they're mostly in the Paradise Pier area of the park. In terms of seeing WoC, if you're going to be there for 6-days, it's probably worth seeing it once, but only if you're willing to put in the time to see it from a "good" view.

 

[msr709]

The reason we plan on skipping WOC is my autistic Grandson. We will be pushing it with PTN but he does enjoy parades. We have secured a reservation for the Aladdin package so we can watch from IASW because I dont think he would handle Main Street rush for the fireworks after, it sounds very chaotic and I'm afraid it would cause him a lot of anxiety.

 

[mich311e]

One night in January we rode TSMM 3 x in a row during WOC.

During the parade crossing between the West & East sides of DL are difficult but it's doable, just give yourself time and patience.

Oh, I also learned that Matterhorn doesn't offer single rider during the parade.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Good call on PTN seating. That is the perfect place for seating for your grandson to feel the most comfortable. And don't feel bad. I have been to the park dozens of times and have never seen WOC! Your grandson might also really like Blue Bayou depending on what his quirks are. Its calm and dark and being in there shuts out all the other visual stimuli from the park that can be overwhelming.

 

[mich311e]

And don't feel bad. I have been to the park dozens of times and have never seen WOC!

My son and I finally saw WOC last week. We got blue fast passes at park opening and got there an hour prior. We were underwhelmed by it and I can't say we'll be spending time on it again.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Exactly, similar to the OP, my DD is in a wheelchair and visually impaired (and short even in the chair). I don't think we can get her close enough with her wheelchair to actually be able to see. I've watched from my hotel room at PPH. Good enough!

 

[Kindermouse]

My son and I finally saw WOC last week. We got blue fast passes at park opening and got there an hour prior. We were underwhelmed by it and I can't say we'll be spending time on it again.

The original was waaaaaayyyyyyy better than the one they made for the 60th. You may have been under whelmed because the WOC you saw was not that good, and very inferior to the one a lot of people rave about ( just my opinion)

 

[gottalovepluto]

The biggest thing for us about PTN is making sure you have picked your side of the park before they close off the paths for the parade. Once it gets near kick off time you will be unable to cross to the other side of the park. I totally agree with the HM/Pirates side! We like doing TSMM during WOC, we go toward the end of the show. (Only works if the park is still open, watch the closing hour. For instance tonight WOC is at 9 pm & DCA closes at 9pm so even though WOC is running no one can enter any ride lines after 9).

Side note: plans are important for our autistic family member and we kept running into paths blocked by parades in DL in the afternoon (we never did afternoons before last trip) so if that might be an issue keep an eye on the parade schedule to know when you will be unable to cross the park.