Just wanted to add our experiences from last week. Monday 10/25 DSU (Disney Spousal Unit) and I reserved AG WOC meal. We arrived at our appointed time of 5:10 and were seated promptly. We had never been to AG before and were looking forward to the experience. The first thing we noticed was the carpeting was "tatty". It looked faded and in need of a deep vacuuming and steam cleaning. Our table was sticky and more than a few of the jelly fish tentacles hanging from the lights were broken off.
We only waited a few moments for our server to bring menus and take our drink orders. The appetizer tower (cheeses and vegies) was delicious. The breads and dips were very good as well. DSU ordered the tri-tip which was yummy. I had the chicken and while it might simply be a case of personal preference I hated it a lot!!! Maybe the kitchen had an off night but another group of diners we spoke to felt the same way. The desserts were incredible and I easily could have eaten the salad, appetizers, and a dessert or two and been satisfied. The total for 2 adults with a beer and a Mojito plus tip was around $100. Which would have been fine if I had enjoyed my dinner.
We knew from the DIS info to go speak to a CM near the viewing area to find out what the plan was for the evening. We were told, for Preferred Dining Viewing, to meet at the area that looks like a lighthouse on a cement pedestal directly in front of the pier walkway to AG and a CM would come to escort us. As we sat and waited, we talked to a number of people around us who had each been told something different by a different CM. Things were getting confusing. We started talking with a large group of people who had dined next to us at AG. They had already been told to go to two different areas. Each time they got there, a new CM gave them different info and they ended up moving. We all decided to stick together and see where we ended up. It turned out they had a guest with mobility limitations. When the CM came to get the Preferred Dining group of us, we were taken with them to the Handicapped section. Their guest in the wheelchair was moved alongside one of the benches. The rest of us stood at the very back along the rail. I immediately noticed that anyone seated in this area was going to have a very limited viewing since they were seated and there were at least 2 tiers of guests in front of them all standing. We stood for approximately 45 minutes to an hour until the show started. While we all agreed it was incredible, we question whether or not there has to be a better way than the way it is currently staged.
Tuesday, Oct 26, we had the WOC picnics. We chose the ones with meat and cheeses which I think were called the European? We paid $12.99 and got passes for they yellow section. We really enjoyed our choices but if you don't enjoy strong tasting cheese, meats and olives you may want something else. We went to the same area we had waited at the evening before. A CM came and asked what color we were. Most of the group in that area was also yellow. The CM said he would be back to escort us in shortly. Another CM came in and asked if there was anyone who needed Handicapped seating or a bench. I didn't notice anyone requesting this. A short time later, a different CM came by and asked who had told us to sit there? The first CM now had a yellow flashlight. He said he was escorting us to the yellow section. Within minutes, that was just what he did. But he headed towards the Handicapped section with the group. We moved off to the side as we saw where we were going and asked one of the CM's who was standing in the viewing area what we should do. (BTW, the CM who escorted us in had disappeared or we would have asked him) She seemed pretty confused and pointed us in the direction of a CM further towards the water. When we asked where we should be for yellow he said: Just go stand down there by the railing. This was one level up from the water!!!! Extremely awesome viewing!!!! I'm sure it happened by accident since we certainly didn't know how to plan it that way. We then noticed that the Handicapped viewing area we had originally been destined for was different from the previous night.
As I said before, it's all very confusing and it seems you have to line up to line up. How we avoided the rush I'll never know. I think the picnics are the way to go for us from now on. Sorry this is so long but I hope it helps others since I don't think you can ever have too much information. Any questions feel free to PM me!
