WOC dessert or Dinner package?

[cinder-ellah]

I vote for the WOC Dessert package. Our group of 10 (3 kids) had a very nice, stress free, fun experience.
We didn't do the lunch or dinner package as we wanted to sit & just enjoy it all.

 

[BriannaRuth]

(we were there a little earlier- but it was clear the tables were pre-assigned as people arriving later than us got better tables).

I asked about this specifically when we were there a couple of weeks ago. Although it may appear that way, tables are NOT pre-assigned. The host said that guests "are seated on a first-come, first-served basis." He commented that because we were third in line, we would pretty much have our pick of wherever we wanted to sit. He told us to just let the seating host know when we got down there. It does pay to get there early if you want a specific table type or location. They won't ask you where you want to sit; they will just take you to a table. BUT you can move if a different table is available.

The exception might be if you're a large group and they need to put you somewhere together, or if the remaining tables are for a large group, etc., or you're a group of 2 that has to be seated with another party.

They do go around through the line checking reservations and number in your party, but evidently the purpose of that isn't to pre-assign seats; it's just to be sure they have a spot for everyone.

 

[ktlm]

I asked about this specifically when we were there a couple of weeks ago. Although it may appear that way, tables are NOT pre-assigned. The host said that guests "are seated on a first-come, first-served basis." He commented that because we were third in line, we would pretty much have our pick of wherever we wanted to sit. He told us to just let the seating host know when we got down there. It does pay to get there early if you want a specific table type or location. They won't ask you where you want to sit; they will just take you to a table. BUT you can move if a different table is available.

The exception might be if you're a large group and they need to put you somewhere together, or if the remaining tables are for a large group, etc., or you're a group of 2 that has to be seated with another party.

They do go around through the line checking reservations and number in your party, but evidently the purpose of that isn't to pre-assign seats; it's just to be sure they have a spot for everyone.

That was not our experience at all. We were seated at a tall table behind another tall table which had two very tall/large men already sitting there which partially blocked my view of the lower portion of the show (all my photos have 2 big heads in them). At the time we were seated, there were empty tables in the front row of tables as well as empty tall tables on the back row with shorter rows in front of them. We were told our table was assigned. They gave us our table number when they checked us in during the line and gave us our wristbands and again when they opened it and sent us down. I figured our location was because I had not booked early, but decided to do it closer to the trip. Of course, that was in July, so they easily could have changed how they do things. People that were not in the line at all, but rather walked in even after the time you were told to be there were getting the better tables, so maybe somebody complained and they have changed things since July.

 

[5forMickey]

Silly question and I'm sure it has been answered somewhere, but.......what did you take with you to check in? Do they just have your name on a list or do I need to take my confirmation with me? TIA

 

[cinder-ellah]

Silly question and I'm sure it has been answered somewhere, but.......what did you take with you to check in? Do they just have your name on a list or do I need to take my confirmation with me? TIA

I had a screen shot of my confirmation # with all the info from my reservation from the Disneyland site. I always worry that my name will have disappeared on their reservation list and just like to have it with me "just incase". The CM's just went down the line with a clipboard (?) (might have even been an ipad type device) just asking name and double checking the amount of people in your group. We got there a bit early (7:30) and took turns inline (group of 10 / with 3 kids). They went down the line at about 7:45 -8pm. At 8:15 the CM's would let a group in and put a wristbands on us. And directed us along the path to the entry where the table were. We were the 3rd group in line. We'd been advised at 7:45 that they had tables / chairs picked out for us, but if we wanted different tables to just let them know. I have no idea how that would've worked if we didn't like where we were seated as the groups of people came in steadily. Seems like that would have been quite chaotic if we had wanted to change. We were thrilled with our seating.

 

[5forMickey]

I had a screen shot of my confirmation # with all the info from my reservation from the Disneyland site. I always worry that my name will have disappeared on their reservation list and just like to have it with me "just incase".

Yup, this is me also. Thanks so much for the info!!

 

[BriannaRuth]

That was not our experience at all. We were seated at a tall table behind another tall table which had two very tall/large men already sitting there which partially blocked my view of the lower portion of the show (all my photos have 2 big heads in them). At the time we were seated, there were empty tables in the front row of tables as well as empty tall tables on the back row with shorter rows in front of them. We were told our table was assigned. They gave us our table number when they checked us in during the line and gave us our wristbands and again when they opened it and sent us down. I figured our location was because I had not booked early, but decided to do it closer to the trip. Of course, that was in July, so they easily could have changed how they do things. People that were not in the line at all, but rather walked in even after the time you were told to be there were getting the better tables, so maybe somebody complained and they have changed things since July.

You're right, it sounds like it has changed. We were given wristbands but no table number. They were pretty much seating the front row high-tops first; we were seated next to the people who were right in front of us in line.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Silly question and I'm sure it has been answered somewhere, but.......what did you take with you to check in? Do they just have your name on a list or do I need to take my confirmation with me? TIA

If you have the DL app on your phone, your reservation will show up there as well.

 

[julesann]

I am wondering where we line up to check in for WOC dessert area?

 

[BriannaRuth]

It's right across from the Little Mermaid.

 

[BriannaRuth]

When you come out of Little Mermaid and walk towards the water, the sign is pretty easy to see; although when we first got there we were 45 minutes early and the sign wasn't on yet, so it was just a blank white sign. So if you see a blank sign like this, that's it! They turned the sign on maybe 10 minutes later.

 

[julesann]

Thanks for the info BriannaRuth--and the detail about the sign --that's very helpful.

 

[bcwife76]

We did the dinner package 4 years ago and the dessert package yesterday. To me it is worth the money to do the dessert package. With the dinner package you get a fast pass, stand in line, then stand till the show starts and hope that you can see once it starts. For the dessert package we got in line at 7:15 for enterence at 7:30, were seated by 7:40 and relaxed. Great view.

I think we were at the same WOC dessert party as you, this past Wednesday Aug 31st? We had a fantastic time and a fabulous view! Highly recommend the dessert party.

 

[Kindermouse]

I had genuinely considered the dessert party over the dining with FP for the standing room only section but then I crunched the numbers. for only 50 more than the cost of doing dessert party for me and 3 children we could buy tickets to second halloween party for all 4 of us and do the carthay WOC dinner. for that amount of money and what else we could do with it in the parks its just not worth it. Id rather go to a second halloween party and eat a whole meal even if it means we have to stand and line up earlier.

 

[mlnbabies]

Do you get more than one plate?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Do you get more than one plate?

It is one plate per person. We got 2 drinks per person.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

If you plan on doing the dinner package, make sure the weather looks good. We were upsold the dinner package when we arrived for our dinner at Carthay Circle and the show was canceled. In hindsight it was an oversight on my part, it was windy our entire trip and while I knew about them canceling fireworks, I had not thought about canceling WoC. Looking back at what we paid vs what we would have ordered had we not done the WoC package, I got burned pretty good.

It would have been nice to be reminded the show would be canceled if the wind persisted when we were upsold the package. While Disney has perfected separating me from my money, I gladly do it and generally feel I am getting a value for the quality of the service we normally get. We have so many excellent memories of cast members going above and beyond to make our trip more enjoyable. This was one of the few times I got a used car salesman vibe from their tactics.

 

[dcraythorn]

We just did the dessert package a few weeks ago. It was great. You actually get to sit down and watch the show. But, ask for a high table.

 

[hsmamato2]

We got to (sort of) pick a table we wanted with our wristbands on, but as noted in my post on the "big" thread, due to a few glitches in the actual getting in process to the area, I wouldn't do it again. I'm glad we tried it once,and the desserts were lovely. But it didn't save us much standing around time, they didn't even put out the sign to line up until around 8:30.... long after the line area was full. And we didn't even start entering till after the blue area had entered and filled up their area.

 

[lbcrosby]

At WDW when we did one of the dessert shows it was an all you can eat dessert party. It sounded like this one is one plate. Is that correct?