WoC Picnic?

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I didn't think I saw any reviews. I'm still getting used to all this new stuff! If you've done this did you enjoy it? Would you do it again? Which meal did you order?

 

[cyclenut]

I didn't think I saw any reviews. I'm still getting used to all this new stuff! If you've done this did you enjoy it? Would you do it again? Which meal did you order?

We did this and ordered the chicken. It was a decent meal and they give you a "yellow" FP for the attraction. There is no special area for picnic, but you do get a "yellow" instead of a "blue" or "red". It means you don't have to worry about getting right over to the WOC FP machines first thing. We were able to get a spot right on the railing in the front area, but we had to get to the queue early, just like everyone else who had yellow.

We would probably do it again if we were to go to WOC, but I'd consider the dining option first to try and find a way to avoid more of the crowds. I think we also got a WOC tote bag, but it had to do with how many picnics you ordered (don't remember what the number was).

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Is the dining option the Ariel?? (sorry, WoC has me stumped for real here..) I think you order 4 picnics for the tote.

The FP deal is totally losing me too. I need to do more research LOL

THANK YOU!

 

[brenda1966]

Last summer we did the picnic and got blue FP's.
I thought the food was rather horrible. DD got the kid's chicken and I got the asian. I ate the salmon and the dessert. If I do it again I will probalby get the kids PBJ -- at least I'd have something to eat.

I'm still undecided on what the best WoC approach is.

 

[specialks]

Can I recommend you look at the great info HydroGuy has compiled on the World of Color Superthread

Also, here is a fun report on one person's experience with picnics (when they first began) World of Color Picnics: A Special Culinary Quest

We ordered the picnics for our Dec 2010 trip. We received Blue FPs. All of the food is cold, so keep that in mind. We had the chicken and my husband had the asian salmon. We all thought it was very low/mediocre food. The best part were the WOC bags, the 20 oz cold coke bottles, and the light up bracelets for my girls.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Thanks Specialks!

 

[skiingfast]

Is the dining option the Ariel?? (sorry, WoC has me stumped for real here..) I think you order 4 picnics for the tote.

The FP deal is totally losing me too. I need to do more research LOL

THANK YOU!

You can do the WCT for lunch and get a blue showpass. Picnics will give you blue or yellow showpasses. Dinner at Ariels or WCT will give you the Prefferred Dining Showpass, a sections of its own with little advantage over Yellow or Blue.

Have you seen the WoC Superthread, it will explain all the in and outs of how to see the show.

 

[CaliDreamin]

My daughter and I ordered these in October. She got the all-american and I got the antipasto. Her only complaint was that the chicken was cold. I didn't think it was very much food and we are not big eaters. It was worth it to do once, but would get FP from machine next time. The best part of the picnics is the awesome WoC bags you get with them!! I love taking these to the grocery store!!!

 

[cyclenut]

Last summer we did the picnic and got blue FP's.
I thought the food was rather horrible. DD got the kid's chicken and I got the asian. I ate the salmon and the dessert. If I do it again I will probalby get the kids PBJ -- at least I'd have something to eat.

I'm still undecided on what the best WoC approach is.

Our experience was a bit more recent but I can see why you might feel that way. It seems they tried to make the meals a bit more than your common picnic offering, perhaps to justify the expense. Personally I'd prefer something much simpler. They are intended to be picnic so the food is cold and some are put off by that to start with.

I don't know how they decide which color FP you get, but we booked our picnic sorta late so I suppose that is why we got yellow? My DD saw WOC a couple days ago from blue (obtained FP at DCA open) and thought our spot from the picnic at yellow was better, but I've heard a lot of people who think blue is a better color. One thing I do know is that you can't specify which color you want when you order and there is no special picnic spot.

I agree with your statement though that I can't decide on what the best WoC approach is. I've recommended the picnic to people primarily because you don't have to stand in the FP line and I thought the food was actually good. I mean, it isn't probably worth what they charge (remember, you are in the parks), but it wasn't like your experience where I would call it horrible either. The dinner at Ariel's just seemed like it was too much to pay for what you get.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Yeah I can't swallow Ariel's...kids would ADORE it but..man I dunno.

I'm looking at the Antipasto for myself. The kids would like the kid meal (obviously..pretty basic)..I'm worried about a couple other members in our party and think they'd totally hate everything they're offering so. Hmmmmm

 

[robinjh7]

We did picnics twice on our Spring Break trip down in April. We got blue FPs one night and yellow FPs the second. We liked both areas. (I had seen it before from the very back of red. UGH.)

We were not fans of the meals AT ALL. I'm not a picky eater, but my husband is and so are my kids (even my adult children). Between the two nights, someone had each of the adult choices. I liked the looks of the kid's chicken meal my 11-year-old had!

We would not do them again.

 

[sassy*girl]

We got the picnics last year. Didn't like them at all pretty nasty. This past week we didnt have any problem walking up and getting a FP around noon. Ended up not even using them after we had the stroller police standing guard at our locked up stroller. Decided to head to Disneyland instead.

 

[brenda1966]

I've done Ariel's for lunch, when you get to see the princesses, and that was nice and fun. but if you call to make a WoC dining reservation, they are quick to point out there are no princesses! (At least last year that was the setup). So, the attraction of Ariel's for WoC is gone. We did the picnic instead.

Really, it's about whether I'd rather stand in line to get a FP or pay $32 to get 2 FP's and a sorry lunch of PBJ and a cupcake. Now you only get the cool bag if you buy 4 meals! Last time we each got a WoC bag. So, we don't even get the bag any longer.

The nice thing about the picnic is that you can take it with you and eat while you're camped out waiting for WoC to start. But if they don't even give us a bag now, I guess I better stuff a grocery bag in my pocket to carry it all. LOL.

 

[briannesmom]

Yeah I can't swallow Ariel's...kids would ADORE it but..man I dunno.

There are no characters at Ariels for dinner. Thankfully the cast member I talked to when I called to make reservations let me know. I would have had one very disappointed birthday girl. We will be there in about 3 weeks and will be doing the picnic meals.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Ok Ariels is out for sure then. Is it still as pricey? Lame Thanks for that headsup!!

I'm thinking we'll probably skip it altogether and ride rides while others are distracted..that's usually what we do haha

 

[BeccaG]

So...I have a different oppinion...My hubby and I did the picnics solo (which you get at a discount with APs). We loved our chicken meals! Thought it was a better deal for the price than many other eateries around the park, felt it was plenty of food, and used our yellow show passes to get seats right on the water!! (Bring your poncho!!! with any amount of wind, you can get a decent misting!)

The second time we did WOC we did Ariel's grotto, which is a prixe fixes meal, meaning you get a limited menu selection at one price. In my opinion its a bit pricey, but reasonable with an AP discount. The food was good but not memorable, and because service was slow waiting to get out bill made us at the back of the preferred viewing section, none of which is on the water. I like front row seats, can you tell? However the dessert, is incredible!!!

The third WOC trip we did the picnics with a large group. We thought the food quality and quantity went down a bit from our trip the first week of WOC, but found it decent, and again, were able to get spots on the water.

Both times we ordered the picnics we got totes with all our meals, but I am pretty sure they have changed that now. We have not tried the Wine Country Tatoria prix fixes meal, but that is even more expensive the Ariel's. If you did Ariel's or Wine Country Tratoria I would definitely aim for an early seating.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Ok so it seems that most people think if you're gonna do food, the picnics are probably the way to go if you want good seats. But the food is 'meh'?

The fastpass lines...they get long, yes?

 

[Corbisblue]

We did the picnics back in March and I enjoyed the food. We got the American and European picnics. For the price it was enough food and we didn't have to wait in the FP line. We weren't able to get to the park until the afternoon and that was the only day we could see WoC, so that's why we got the picnics. For the price it was worth it.

We're going again next week and we decided to get a dinning reservation with Wine Country Trattoria and get the FP that way. We wanted to do a sit down meal this time around and we've heard good things about it. So we figured since we're doing a sit down might as well get the WoC FP then we don't have to worry about it. While it is $40 per person that doesn't bother us.

If you *had* to get a dining package I'd go with the picnics. They are cheap, taste great, and you get your FP without standing in line. You have to eat anyway right?

Enjoy the show!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Yeah I can't swallow Ariel's...kids would ADORE it but..man I dunno.

I'm looking at the Antipasto for myself. The kids would like the kid meal (obviously..pretty basic)..I'm worried about a couple other members in our party and think they'd totally hate everything they're offering so. Hmmmmm

I love the European Antipasto and found it is even better when you have it with a glass of wine! I am a grazer, so I find it is the perfect amount of food for me and sometimes, I have not been able to finish the really excellant Tiramisu. We will be having the picnics for the 6th time next week.

I do think that the biggest advantage is when you arrive in the afternoon. You are guaranteed the first show on your arrival night and a reasonable viewing area. -- Suzanne

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We did the picnics back in March and I enjoyed the food. We got the American and European picnics. For the price it was enough food and we didn't have to wait in the FP line. We weren't able to get to the park until the afternoon and that was the only day we could see WoC, so that's why we got the picnics. For the price it was worth it.

We're going again next week and we decided to get a dinning reservation with Wine Country Trattoria and get the FP that way. We wanted to do a sit down meal this time around and we've heard good things about it. So we figured since we're doing a sit down might as well get the WoC FP then we don't have to worry about it. While it is $40 per person that doesn't bother us.

If you *had* to get a dining package I'd go with the picnics. They are cheap, taste great, and you get your FP without standing in line. You have to eat anyway right?

Enjoy the show!

Well now you've put a great idea in my head..maybe we'll take this in on an evening if we can talk Grandma into taking the kids around on some rides. Hmmm Then they don't have to get wet, we can get a yummy pricey meal. Hmmmmmmmm

I love the European Antipasto and found it is even better when you have it with a glass of wine! I am a grazer, so I find it is the perfect amount of food for me and sometimes, I have not been able to finish the really excellant Tiramisu. We will be having the picnics for the 6th time next week.

I do think that the biggest advantage is when you arrive in the afternoon. You are guaranteed the first show on your arrival night and a reasonable viewing area. -- Suzanne

Yeah the antipasto looks like my speed..I'm a small meal eater but DH is not. He's the one I'm worried about here..that one would suit his tastes but not his tummy capacity LOL. He'd survive, of course Probably have to get him a huge nasty burger after we leave at Jack n the box The tiramisu looks FANTASTIC. Mmmmmmm