gatorfreud
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
- Messages
- 1,556
Hi all: Since everyone was so helpful before I left - I will report in on our WoC experience from Sunday.
We were hotel guests so got in early for FPs. This was super easy. The first day we went in the GCH entrance around 9:15 or so, had a minimal wait for WoC FP. Got Blue 9pm as expected.
The next day we went in for DCA RD, and you could have easily gone through the GCH entrance at 9:25, got your WoC right away. Then you can run down and FP Soarin' (one day the machines didn't come on until 9:30, the other day I got them at 9:25) - and easily make it to the rope before hardly anyone gets there, putting you right near the front for TSM. Super super easy. The rope is right at Paradise Park now which is so much easier for the rush to TSM.
I had scouted the area to see where we wanted to stand in blue. The level right above that arbor as shown in the pictures seemed too low to me. There was one more level up from that which looked like a good view, but about 1/2 of it was roped off for HC. After looking all over, we decided we would aim that night for the bridge, as far center as possible without being obstructed by any poles. I was going to risk it and not show up until 7:30... I just couldn't see getting there at 6:45.
So my son and I were waiting for dad and other son to get off Screamin' so we wandered over to the park around 6:55 or so... there was already some pretty long lines. They were very organized with big colored flags to show you where to line up - we were three rows across starting at PP and going down towards Bugs Land.
We decided to go ahead and get in line at 7:05 - I just couldn't help it! I am not so brave. Here is what the line looked like in front of me at 7:05.
Not sure it is always the case but the blue line was WAY WAY longer than red and yellow. Maybe more planners?? Or more Blue FP? The front of the lines are up where that red flag is. They had flags at the front and backs of lines.
Dad went to get everyone some ice cream while we waited. They did not walk us in until 7:30pm so it was very easy to pop in and out of line if needed. A CM did come by and gather up all the ECVs and their parties and took them off - I assume into the viewing area.
We walked in and the upper level seemed to be looking full, so we headed for the bridge. We ended up more than 1/2 way down to get a rail spot. We were sitting down and taking up quite a bit of room, and so about 7:45 I think the 2nd row of people started forming behind us and I saw a couple needing a spot so we moved over so they could have some rail. Some people tried to jump the ropes to the bridge but there were a lot of CM's and they were on top of it.
This was around 7:45 - after pretty much all the people in the lines had come in.
It stayed pretty empty behind us until well after 8pm I think, so we could sit and had plenty of breathing room. Then they made us stand about 8 or so (I still let the kids sit in front of me). We had to go out to the bathroom which was really easy, the CM just let us right under the rope, no pass or anything.
The rail spots in the main area seemed pretty well gone early - I would guess people that got those were in that line before 7. The PD section stayed pretty empty. Even about 7:45 or 8pm, the whole 2nd level that goes out toward that arbor (I am pretty sure it is PD) had rail spots and was empty. Not sure why no one really went there, seemed like a good view (just in front of the VIPS).
I thought the show was really good. We had a very unobstructed view and I thought we could see everything really well. I thought the screens sometime seemed a bit blurry - my guess is because we were pretty far out on the side, DH thinks it might be that way even in the center...not sure. I didn't find it bad though. There might be some effects that you can only see near the center line - I don't know as I haven't seen it from there - but I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
Here is what our view looked like...
Looking at the mob of people down in the main area made me really happy to be on the bridge. There was no chance of anyone hoisting a kid up in front of me. No crush of people behind me. Easy in/out. I would totally pick the bridge again.
Any questions, I will try to remember the answers!!
Summary: I think to get bottom rail spots, have to be in line before 7. Rail bridge spots, around 7. If you can do 2nd row of people on bridge, you can come closer to 8. If you will stand 3 rows back on the bridge, you can come pretty much as late as you want.
Kim
We were hotel guests so got in early for FPs. This was super easy. The first day we went in the GCH entrance around 9:15 or so, had a minimal wait for WoC FP. Got Blue 9pm as expected.
The next day we went in for DCA RD, and you could have easily gone through the GCH entrance at 9:25, got your WoC right away. Then you can run down and FP Soarin' (one day the machines didn't come on until 9:30, the other day I got them at 9:25) - and easily make it to the rope before hardly anyone gets there, putting you right near the front for TSM. Super super easy. The rope is right at Paradise Park now which is so much easier for the rush to TSM.
I had scouted the area to see where we wanted to stand in blue. The level right above that arbor as shown in the pictures seemed too low to me. There was one more level up from that which looked like a good view, but about 1/2 of it was roped off for HC. After looking all over, we decided we would aim that night for the bridge, as far center as possible without being obstructed by any poles. I was going to risk it and not show up until 7:30... I just couldn't see getting there at 6:45.
So my son and I were waiting for dad and other son to get off Screamin' so we wandered over to the park around 6:55 or so... there was already some pretty long lines. They were very organized with big colored flags to show you where to line up - we were three rows across starting at PP and going down towards Bugs Land.
We decided to go ahead and get in line at 7:05 - I just couldn't help it! I am not so brave. Here is what the line looked like in front of me at 7:05.
Not sure it is always the case but the blue line was WAY WAY longer than red and yellow. Maybe more planners?? Or more Blue FP? The front of the lines are up where that red flag is. They had flags at the front and backs of lines.
Dad went to get everyone some ice cream while we waited. They did not walk us in until 7:30pm so it was very easy to pop in and out of line if needed. A CM did come by and gather up all the ECVs and their parties and took them off - I assume into the viewing area.
We walked in and the upper level seemed to be looking full, so we headed for the bridge. We ended up more than 1/2 way down to get a rail spot. We were sitting down and taking up quite a bit of room, and so about 7:45 I think the 2nd row of people started forming behind us and I saw a couple needing a spot so we moved over so they could have some rail. Some people tried to jump the ropes to the bridge but there were a lot of CM's and they were on top of it.
This was around 7:45 - after pretty much all the people in the lines had come in.
It stayed pretty empty behind us until well after 8pm I think, so we could sit and had plenty of breathing room. Then they made us stand about 8 or so (I still let the kids sit in front of me). We had to go out to the bathroom which was really easy, the CM just let us right under the rope, no pass or anything.
The rail spots in the main area seemed pretty well gone early - I would guess people that got those were in that line before 7. The PD section stayed pretty empty. Even about 7:45 or 8pm, the whole 2nd level that goes out toward that arbor (I am pretty sure it is PD) had rail spots and was empty. Not sure why no one really went there, seemed like a good view (just in front of the VIPS).
I thought the show was really good. We had a very unobstructed view and I thought we could see everything really well. I thought the screens sometime seemed a bit blurry - my guess is because we were pretty far out on the side, DH thinks it might be that way even in the center...not sure. I didn't find it bad though. There might be some effects that you can only see near the center line - I don't know as I haven't seen it from there - but I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
Here is what our view looked like...
Looking at the mob of people down in the main area made me really happy to be on the bridge. There was no chance of anyone hoisting a kid up in front of me. No crush of people behind me. Easy in/out. I would totally pick the bridge again.
Any questions, I will try to remember the answers!!
Summary: I think to get bottom rail spots, have to be in line before 7. Rail bridge spots, around 7. If you can do 2nd row of people on bridge, you can come closer to 8. If you will stand 3 rows back on the bridge, you can come pretty much as late as you want.
Kim
