WoC or no WoC?

[DizFan13]

Hi DISer's. We are squeezing in a quick one day at the parks while in the area to tour colleges for our DS. We have not had the chance to see WoC, and were hoping to get a chance while there, since we had heard that there isn't supposed to be a wait. After looking at some related threads here, however, it seems like you have to devote the same two hour plus wait that you would for any other show, and with only having one day to visit, I am now questioning whether or not it is worth it. Is there a place that you can arrive close to show time and get a decent view? Or is the show so terrific that we should just deal with the wait? I'd love opinions from all of you that have had a chance to experience it.

 

[99haunts]

Hi DISer's. We are squeezing in a quick one day at the parks while in the area to tour colleges for our DS. We have not had the chance to see WoC, and were hoping to get a chance while there, since we had heard that there isn't supposed to be a wait. After looking at some related threads here, however, it seems like you have to devote the same two hour plus wait that you would for any other show, and with only having one day to visit, I am now questioning whether or not it is worth it. Is there a place that you can arrive close to show time and get a decent view? Or is the show so terrific that we should just deal with the wait? I'd love opinions from all of you that have had a chance to experience it.

I think WOC is an amazing show and one that is definitely worth making time for, especially if you have visited DLR before! You're best chance at arriving close to show time And still having a great view is doing a preferred dining fast pass, if your budget permits. I have seen it twice this way and consider it to be worth every cent. Most recently, on new years day, we arrived at 9 for the 9:15 show and had an awesome view. Another perk of preferred dining is the extra space within that viewing area; the other viewing areas are a lot more crammed.

 

[DLR29]

I would highly recommend it. It is fabulous! How long you wait before the show depends on the day that you see it. I would expect that an "offseason" weekday, you'd be just fine showing up 30-45 min before show time and getting decent spots. If you go on a weekend, I would recommend seeing the later shows because they tend to be less crowded. Also if weather is iffy then crowds will be lower too.

Although the preferred dining does give you access to the less crowded viewing area, if time is short, you won't want to do a long sit-down meal either.

Off topic (kinda): Is DS coming to visit USC??? That's where I go! And I love it! If he has any questions, I can answer them

 

[Nanseev]

I just saw WOC for the first time last week. Without a doubt, I would 100% say that it was worth the wait. I left the show telling my husband that it EXCEEDED my expectations. It was amazing. Honestly, I loved it.

It's important to get your fast pass. From there, I think you only need to show up 45 mins before the show.

 

[SplashMo]

Yes line up 40 min before park opens and fastpass WOC while your group rides SOARIN.

The gates and SOARIN open 30 minutes early... WOC fastpasses are available during that time. Great show...

 

[DizFan13]

I would expect that an "offseason" weekday, you'd be just fine showing up 30-45 min before show time and getting decent spots. If you go on a weekend, I would recommend seeing the later shows because they tend to be less crowded.

Although the preferred dining does give you access to the less crowded viewing area, if time is short, you won't want to do a long sit-down meal either.

Off topic (kinda): Is DS coming to visit USC??? That's where I go! And I love it! If he has any questions, I can answer them

We probably don't want to take advantage of the preferred dining this trip, not because we won't be sitting down to eat, but because we have favorites we have to have while we're there! My DS is visiting both UCLA and USC. Thanks for your offer! If he comes away with questions, I'm sure I'll ask you.

It's important to get your fast pass. From there, I think you only need to show up 45 mins before the show.

Yes line up 40 min before park opens and fastpass WOC while your group rides SOARIN.

The gates and SOARIN open 30 minutes early... WOC fastpasses are available during that time. Great show...

How does the fast pass work for this? Is the pick up and return right by where the show happens, and is it all clear and easy to understand? We are going to be there on Saturday the 22, so how does that affect the wait time? I am worried we won't get fast-passes in time, since we want to be at DL for opening time.

 

[kailuagirl]

You get your fast pass over near grizzly rapids, there is a whole section and CM's to help you. You pass soaring, pass grizzly then the FP area is on the left. Someone might be able to give you better more accurate instructions, I only went once to get a FP, but that's my best description You do want to try to get it as early as possible in the morning to get in the blue section. You return to watch the show in a different area, over by paradise pier, you won't be able to miss it. When we went in early December we returned about 10 minutes prior to what the return time said and it was already really crowded and we were about the 5th group let in, it was amazing how crowded it go so fast. So make sure to return early. I think it was suggested to return about an hour before your return time states.

Have fun!!

 

[DizFan13]

 

[nana50]

I've been to Disney 4 times since world of color opened and have yet to see it. I've never even seen fastasmic. I hate waiting in the cold and I hate waiting period. I guess I'll get around to eventually.

 

[DLR29]

How does the fast pass work for this? Is the pick up and return right by where the show happens, and is it all clear and easy to understand? We are going to be there on Saturday the 22, so how does that affect the wait time? I am worried we won't get fast-passes in time, since we want to be at DL for opening time.

WoC FPs are distributed where the Grizzly River Run FPs are. Basically, here's how it works: at 9:30, DCA opens for everybody to come in and get WoC FP (and/or Soarin FP) and line up for rope drop. There are 3 "colors" corresponding to certain areas of the viewing section. At 9:30 the WoC FP machines will start handing out "Blue" WoC FP for the first show. When those are all gone (and there are a lot), they will start handing out "Yellow" WoC FP for the first show. After that, comes "Red" WoC FP. Once those are gone, then the machines start handing out "Blue" WoC FP for the second show...and continue for the other two colors until all FP are gone.

WoC FP don't usually run out until mid-afternoon. Also, Blue->Yellow->Red is the order in which you get the best possible views. So if you want the best view, I would ask a CM right before getting a FP to see if they are handing out Blue ones.

Once you get your WoC FP, it will tell you where to line up and at what time. The location is key because that changes from show to show. However, if you want the best seats, I would recommend showing up before the FP recommends you to. Here is a pic of a WoC FP (just an example):

Source: GetAwayToday

So even though it says to come back between 9 and 9:30, for the best seats, 8:30-9 is probably better.

Following so far?

The thing is, also, that you don't have to sacrifice your DL morning time if you don't want to. Since WoC FP are distributed throughout the whole day, if you're ok with seeing the second show, you can still get good seats (blue) by showing up in the early afternoon. OR, for the first show, if you want Blue FPs, here's what I recommend:

8:00-Go to DL, pick up a FP for something, ride a few rides...
8:50/9-Get another FP for something, continue riding rides
9:20/9:30-Hop over to DCA (by now, you should have been able to do quite a bit in the morning at DL, if you were there at opening)
9:30/9:45-Get a WoC FP (almost guaranteed blue at this time). You can also get a Soarin FP during this time too!
10:00-Rope drop at DCA, head for TSMM or whatever your favorite DCA ride is!

 

[momrek06]

ABSOLUTELY, try to fit it in! You will be glad you did! AWESOME SHOW!

 

[DizFan13]

Thanks so much for the tips! We just have to decide which show we want to see. If we go to the late, it seems like it will be hard to figure out when to arrive to get the blue passes, plus that would be a long day. I think DLR29's plan works the best. Thanks again! Love the DISboards!

 

[ironpig70]

We did it on our last trip and arrived an hour early and had agood show for us adults, not so much for the kids. Mind you this was during Christmas. I really thought it was a great show.

 

[tholczer]

Although we greatly enjoyed WoC, I definitely wouldn't give up two hours to wait if it was only a one day trip. Especially not in the cold. But that's me. I'm quite the wimp when it comes to waiting and cold. Unless this is your last time to visit DLR, I'd definitely wait until I had more time and/or it was summer.

Tracy