WOC - Ariel's Grotto, Wine Country Trattoria or Picnic????

[Charmaine]

Hello,

I am looking for suggestions on what Disney Dining Package we should go with for World of Color in March. We're going for our daughters 7th birthday and we are doing a Lunch @ Ariel's Grotto...so I am thinking that for the WOC Dinner is already out. Is it worth is to do the Wine Country Trattoria??? We live 1 hour from Napa...so I am thinking it may be lost on us.

Any suggestions are welcomed! I am even thinking of just getting in early to DCA (since we're staying at DLH), getting a "fastpass" and going to that secret spot in front of the Fire Hydrant!

 

[sonnyjane]

My opinion, and mine alone, is that it isn't worth paying for a fastpass. I wouldn't do the premium meals, simply because they are too expensive, and there is still a chance that someone would end up standing right in front of you! The only thing I might consider would be a picnic if I knew that I wouldn't be able to get to the parks in the morning to get a free fastpass. The fastpasses from the picnics are for the exact same areas as the free fastpasses that come from the machines, so if you don't mind grabbing the passes in the morning, that's how I would play it.

 

[mystic_path]

Well no matter where you stand someone could be infront of you, but the best chance of best views of the show you are going to get is if you purchase a dinner package. But the dinners can be costly. If you its something that does interest you however, I would go with the Wine Country. They do have a child's menu. The picnic package is a cheap way of getting garunteed tickets, but its not the best viewing that you would get with the Dinner Package. Just so your aware as well, the Ariels grotto dining WOC dining package does not include a character meet and greet.

 

[dptabrown]

I have not been, but I'm planning on getting the picnic meals for WOC. We are already going to Ariel's Grotto as well for the Princess lunch and with my 2 young kids I don't want to hassle with trying to get there to get Fast passes first thing in the morning. Since we're gonna need food at some point during that day anyways, to ME it's worth it to pay a little extra for the picnic meals to guarantee a FP. Still not thrilled about having to still get there so early to get a spot, but this way I'm not having to wait in line twice for the show, LOL!

 

[arftle]

We're doing the picnics too. We're already eating at AG for lunch, so we're just going to picnic it and hope for the best. I know the fastpasses tell you what time to come back to get your spot, but how much earlier than that do people usually start lining up? Sounds like Disney didn't really think this one through...the seating seems really weird!

 

[BlueBayou]

We got fast passes in the morning for the first show - but on the way to get our seats - the kids were very hungry and we ended up getting picnic meals (and fast passes for the second show).

We loved eating the picnic meals while watching the show. Like most Disney food - it's not cheap. But we thought it was very yummy. The kids got the cold chicken and my husband and I split a cheese and meat tray.

It also came with bags you can use if you use your own bags at the grocery.

 

[skiingfast]

Picnics are a fairly good deal. Here's why. Entree and drink at a CS, will run about $12.50 before tax. WoC picnic about $15. So you are spending more, but you get a special reusable bag which you could buy in a grocery store for 99c to $9.99. So you aren't spending very much on the ticket and can pick up your picnic more or less at your convinience, between 11:30am and an hour before the show.


The Dinners I find to not be a bad deal either when you look at the the prices for regular dinners. But for me, just too much food.

 

[Sally_fan]

We did the picnics...they were good. Plenty of food & like skiingfast mentioned, really a very good deal! Between the 6 of us we tried 3x mediterranean vegetarian , 2x all-american & 1x jr all-american. Everyone was happy with their meal. I love the bags! I use them for grocery shopping & they make me smile every time! We got blue fastpasses, I did my research, listened to cast members advice & we had a great unobstructed view along a rail. I would do them again for sure!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

what bags?
the bags that are online an say for 4 picnics you get one?

 

[Lynzer Torte]

what bags?
the bags that are online an say for 4 picnics you get one?

They're World of Color reusable totes. They're quite large too!

We got one for each meal we ordered in August (5!). Looks like they've changed it to 1 bag/4 meals bought.

 

[arftle]

We did the picnics...they were good. Plenty of food & like skiingfast mentioned, really a very good deal! Between the 6 of us we tried 3x mediterranean vegetarian , 2x all-american & 1x jr all-american. Everyone was happy with their meal. I love the bags! I use them for grocery shopping & they make me smile every time! We got blue fastpasses, I did my research, listened to cast members advice & we had a great unobstructed view along a rail. I would do them again for sure!

How early did you line up for the show? I've heard that people start lining up long before the fp tells you too. I think the picnics sound like a pretty good deal too

 

[FlameGirl]

My opinion, and mine alone, is that it isn't worth paying for a fastpass. I wouldn't do the premium meals, simply because they are too expensive, and there is still a chance that someone would end up standing right in front of you! The only thing I might consider would be a picnic if I knew that I wouldn't be able to get to the parks in the morning to get a free fastpass. The fastpasses from the picnics are for the exact same areas as the free fastpasses that come from the machines, so if you don't mind grabbing the passes in the morning, that's how I would play it.

I totally agree. The only way I would pay for one of the dinner packages is if I wanted to eat there anyway.

 

[skiingfast]

what bags?
the bags that are online an say for 4 picnics you get one?

Like Lynzer Torte said, you get one per meal, it's like they give them to you as a bonus souvenire not as a nessecity to tote your meal boxes around.

How early did you line up for the show? I've heard that people start lining up long before the fp tells you too. I think the picnics sound like a pretty good deal too

All of these questions are answered in the WoC superthread. Give it a look because it has lots of great information.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2542717

 

[my2mickeykids]

How early did you line up for the show? I've heard that people start lining up long before the fp tells you too. I think the picnics sound like a pretty good deal too

I would love to know this as well.

 

[msp2mco]

We picked up picnic meals this past Saturday and received 1 bag for 2 meals. I knew nothing about getting a bag, so it was a nice bonus. Unfortunately, my DH was sick, and we didn't stay for WOC, but I enjoyed the picnic meals. It was a way to get a variety of food for a low cost--entree, 2 sides, dessert and drink. I had the Asian salmon and my DH had the cold chicken.

 

[JChaos]

My children (15 and 9) and I are going to DL on April 18-21. I am thinking of getting the Ariel's Grotto World of Color package for reserved viewing. Is it worth it? Should I just get the picnic package (free tote bag for every 4 meals)? Can we take the left over food from the Ariel's Grotto (from reading and looking at the pictures from different reviews,I'm sure we're not going to finish all the food esp the appetizers and bread)? I'm on a budget and I want to get the most for my money. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[HydroGuy]

My children (15 and 9) and I are going to DL on April 18-21. I am thinking of getting the Ariel's Grotto World of Color package for reserved viewing. Is it worth it? Should I just get the picnic package (free tote bag for every 4 meals)? Can we take the left over food from the Ariel's Grotto (from reading and looking at the pictures from different reviews,I'm sure we're not going to finish all the food esp the appetizers and bread)? I'm on a budget and I want to get the most for my money. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

For people who are budget conscious I would say there are better things you can with your money than WOC Dining or Picnics. You can get equally good views of the show for free with the normal FP approach. Most people doing WOC dining are splurging a bit or not as budget-minded. People doing picnics are often because they do not have time to get WOC FPs in the morning for the first show. So picnics guarantees them a spot and they can arrive late.

My two cents.

 

[HebeJebe]

Are adults able to order a kids meal? I love me some pb&j!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Are adults able to order a kids meal? I love me some pb&j!

Funny you should ask that - I was thinking the same thing. In particular the cupcake appealed to me.

 

[traveljen1027]

Yes, you can order any picnic meal you want - they are all the same price ($15.99).