WoC viewing recommendations

[drenha]

After many visits, I'm hoping that we will finally catch WoC this year! I want to have a guaranteed viewing plan but am having a hard time coming to terms with the Dessert Party price tag. We're already planning/hoping for BB F! dining package, Goofy's Kitchen, and maybe the Princess Breakfast for the smallest children in our party. That's a lot of food/experience budget accounted for already! I would have an easier time stomaching the dining package at Storytellers than the dessert party.

Any insights/opinions on the viewing areas for the dining package? If I book an early dinner at Storytellers are chances good that we will get to see the first show? We will have 5 children with us and I doubt we would be able to make it to the second show, even with a solid midday break. I know that all of the viewing areas are standing-room only - will short children be able to see without being picked up by an adult?

That being said, if the Dessert Party is really, really worth it we might be able to figure it out budget-wise...

 

[starry_solo]

When do you go? I booked Storyteller's Cafe this upcoming week for the earliest reservation I could get (5:30 p.m.) but plan to arrive at 5 p.m. to see if I can get seated earlier. The first show is at 9 p.m. so I do think you'll be able to get to the premium viewing area with enough time if you get a 5 p.m./5:30 p.m. reservation

 

[cmph]

We did the dessert party when it was pretty new (spring 2016). Our kids were 10 and 7. It is the ONE thing our now-17yo remembers most fondly from that trip - the food, having a seat for the show, the light-up cups. I completely understand where you are coming from, b/c I remember that DH thought I was absolutely bonkers to book it, considering the cost. (Back then, we weren't as numb to all the upcharging.) And afterward - he 100% agreed it was worth it. It is overpriced, just like every other add-on experience, but for us, it was worth it b/c of the seats for tired kids at the end of the day, the relative calm (no standing in massive crowd), and the food (which served as our dinner). If your party doesn't get stressed by the masses, or if no one likes fruit/cheese/desserts for their dinner, then the value is definitely diminished.

Not sure when you are going, but the WOC first show is 8:00pm in late December. I think you'd be fine with an early dinner res, unless you have adults who were hoping for a leisurely long dinner or they have a massive issue with seating people late.

 

[gelatoni fan]

The viewing area for dining packages changes quite frequently. It's often in the middle circular hub area that may be a wet zone. If it's a busy night, you'd have to arrive like an hour early for the first show. I personally prefer the dining package spots to the dessert party ones but with kids on a busy day, I could understand why someone would go for the dessert party.

It's really important to know when you go since WOC has gotten to a point now where on low crowd days, getting a spot isn't too difficult. It may even be possible to walk right up to the rail on the bridge right as the show is starting and get a good view of the show. But on busy days (ex. Christmas week), it may be crazy busy where even getting a dining package or doing the dessert party will not guarantee a good spot, especially for the first show.

 

[starlite_]

Having done the dining package I cannot honestly recommend it very much unless you get there super early to camp out at the railing. Yes, there was a nice zone dedicated for it and we had a good view of the water....till the moment a family of 6' plus folks stood up at the very front. I'm short and I could barely see anything and only because I was sideways and had to ask one of the tall fam to move a bit to the side. Wouldn't have been able to see anything otherwise and felt really bad for all the kids behind us. With so many little ones, if it is important for you and them I think either going super early or doing the dessert party to be there less time might be better.

 

[drenha]

Thanks for the replies, everybody! It sounds like the dessert party might be the better choice for us. We're going in late January - the weekend before the anniversary celebration stuff starts. I'm hoping it won't be too crazy but it's anyone's guess. Camping out for an hour with 5 kids or ending up in a situation in which the kids can't actually see anything sounds crummy. I've heard mixed reviews about the dessert party with situations like children not receiving glow cups but honestly, just having a place to sit sounds worth it.

I feel like I've heard things about needing to show up early for the dessert party to guarantee "good" seating. What does this mean? Can you still end up with crummy seating even with the dessert party?

Now I just have to hope I can actually nab those reservations...

 

[starlite_]

Thanks for the replies, everybody! It sounds like the dessert party might be the better choice for us. We're going in late January - the weekend before the anniversary celebration stuff starts. I'm hoping it won't be too crazy but it's anyone's guess. Camping out for an hour with 5 kids or ending up in a situation in which the kids can't actually see anything sounds crummy. I've heard mixed reviews about the dessert party with situations like children not receiving glow cups but honestly, just having a place to sit sounds worth it.

I feel like I've heard things about needing to show up early for the dessert party to guarantee "good" seating. What does this mean? Can you still end up with crummy seating even with the dessert party?

Now I just have to hope I can actually nab those reservations...

I think for the dessert party you need to line up to get your preferred table selection but your kids don't need to join you until you get to the front so they can get their wristbands.

 

[ktlm]

We have done both the dining package and the dessert party. The dessert party is definitely the better option, but the price is high. There is no stress, and more often than not you can get a table where everyone can get a decent view (we had one time that we had view issues from our table- try to avoid a tall table behind another tall table-- we got stuck there with extremely tall people in front of us). For the dining package, we would go an hour before the show and we would get a spot on the rail in the wet zone. Typically you can sit on the ground until about10 or 15 minutes before the show starts, but then they come through and require everyone to stand. Without a rail spot (or a spot on the stairs which is REALLY hard to get), it can be difficult for children (or short adults like me) to see anything but the back of the person in front of you, especially if you wind up with a tall person in front of you. In the wet zone on the rail you can get a perfect unblocked view, but, if the wind is blowing a certain direction, it can get really wet, and it is cool at night. We would bring ponchos and wear them during the show- people would laugh at us when we put them on, and then after the show there were always multiple people telling us how smart that was. I would also bring a big ziplock bag for my purse, stuffed animals etc-- anything you don't want getting wet.

 

[gelatoni fan]

We have done both the dining package and the dessert party. The dessert party is definitely the better option, but the price is high. There is no stress, and more often than not you can get a table where everyone can get a decent view (we had one time that we had view issues from our table- try to avoid a tall table behind another tall table-- we got stuck there with extremely tall people in front of us). For the dining package, we would go an hour before the show and we would get a spot on the rail in the wet zone. Typically you can sit on the ground until about10 or 15 minutes before the show starts, but then they come through and require everyone to stand. Without a rail spot (or a spot on the stairs which is REALLY hard to get), it can be difficult for children (or short adults like me) to see anything but the back of the person in front of you, especially if you wind up with a tall person in front of you. In the wet zone on the rail you can get a perfect unblocked view, but, if the wind is blowing a certain direction, it can get really wet, and it is cool at night. We would bring ponchos and wear them during the show- people would laugh at us when we put them on, and then after the show there were always multiple people telling us how smart that was. I would also bring a big ziplock bag for my purse, stuffed animals etc-- anything you don't want getting wet.

I feel like ponchos is a bit overkill. But I do keep a lens cloth in my pocket to wipe my glasses when they get splashed.

I personally find the dessert party spots too far back and prefer the dining package even if we ignore the price difference. But I kinda find neither to be worth it because I like to do the 2nd WOC show when it's easier to get a spot since the first show often conflicts with fireworks which is a bigger priority for me. I know I'm in the minority though.

 

[ktlm]

I feel like ponchos is a bit overkill. But I do keep a lens cloth in my pocket to wipe my glasses when they get splashed.

You may not have been there when the wind is blowing just right for a soaking. We have been in the wet zone several times. Depending on the wind strength or direction, the wet zone can range from a little spritz to a full blown shower looking like you just got off of an unlucky ride on GRR or Splash Mountain. For the first the ponchos are overkill-- for the 2nd, especially on a chilly night, they are very helpful. We learned our lesson one day as a custodian was in the area as we were sitting in the wet zone waiting and he said something to the effect of "You know-- with the wind tonight if you all stay in this spot you are in for a soaker". We asked him what he meant and he explained to us that basically with the direction and strength of the wind, it was going to push the water at us--- like when you are standing near a fountain and getting some spray because the wind is blowing the water--- but with a WHOLE lot more water at WOC. He told us that some nights the wet zone might not even get a drop or not much anyway, but every now and then people might as well be standing in the shower. When DD was younger she wouldn't ride GRR without a poncho (now she just won't ride it at all)- so we always have some with us- and she used to always carry a stuffed Duffy so I usually had a big ziplock bag for him for water rides or rain. We pulled them out that night and used them and were glad we did, the people around us were absolutely soaked.

 

[gelatoni fan]

You may not have been there when the wind is blowing just right for a soaking. We have been in the wet zone several times. Depending on the wind strength or direction, the wet zone can range from a little spritz to a full blown shower looking like you just got off of an unlucky ride on GRR or Splash Mountain. For the first the ponchos are overkill-- for the 2nd, especially on a chilly night, they are very helpful. We learned our lesson one day as a custodian was in the area as we were sitting in the wet zone waiting and he said something to the effect of "You know-- with the wind tonight if you all stay in this spot you are in for a soaker". We asked him what he meant and he explained to us that basically with the direction and strength of the wind, it was going to push the water at us--- like when you are standing near a fountain and getting some spray because the wind is blowing the water--- but with a WHOLE lot more water at WOC. He told us that some nights the wet zone might not even get a drop or not much anyway, but every now and then people might as well be standing in the shower. When DD was younger she wouldn't ride GRR without a poncho (now she just won't ride it at all)- so we always have some with us- and she used to always carry a stuffed Duffy so I usually had a big ziplock bag for him for water rides or rain. We pulled them out that night and used them and were glad we did, the people around us were absolutely soaked.

I have been in the front section when I did get much wetter than I've ever been on GRR and Splash Mountain which I don't wear ponchos on either. I think I may have a higher tolerance for wetness than your family. I usually don't mind my shirt and jeans getting heavy with water but I don't like when my underwear gets soaked. I tend to bring to Asian Disney parks, SeaWorld, etc. The water rides at SeaWorld and the shows at Tokyo Disney are way wetter than what you get at Disneyland California.

But then again, these past few years, if the wind was going directly at my face an hour before the show, I'd usually go to at least the top of the stairs rather than the railing.

 

[drenha]

Lol I'm a wimp with being cold, so we just might pack our ponchos to be safe.

I'm actually now wondering about the viewing area for F! for BB. Is it a similar situation in which children might not be able to see even though we have the reserved viewing area?

 

[starlite_]

Lol I'm a wimp with being cold, so we just might pack our ponchos to be safe.

I'm actually now wondering about the viewing area for F! for BB. Is it a similar situation in which children might not be able to see even though we have the reserved viewing area?

Nope, you are sitting down for that one. You can always stand up against the wall I think if the railing is a bother for the kids, that way you don't block anyone's view either.

 

[ktlm]

Lol I'm a wimp with being cold, so we just might pack our ponchos to be safe.

I'm actually now wondering about the viewing area for F! for BB. Is it a similar situation in which children might not be able to see even though we have the reserved viewing area?

BB viewing area for Fantasmic is great for kids and short people because they let you remain seated on the ground. I'm always wishing WOC would do the same. We like to get there early to be closer to the front of the line to get in front, but unless it is a night where they have absolutely packed the section like sardines (which has only happened one time we did it) you can usually move or scoot a bit to get a better view.

 

[Claudia1]

We will be visiting DL during a time with estimated crowd levels of 3/10 and this trip will be our only DL trip for several more years. (We are WDW AP holders and it is much closer.) We are a family of 6 with 2 senior citizens with mobility issues and one adult recovering from intensive chemo. From your reports, I've wondering if the dessert party with seating would be best for us (don't mind paying the price for a once-in-a-decade viewing) but would we regret not having a better view with the dining package?

TIA for your advice!

 

[cmph]

We will be visiting DL during a time with estimated crowd levels of 3/10 and this trip will be our only DL trip for several more years. (We are WDW AP holders and it is much closer.) We are a family of 6 with 2 senior citizens with mobility issues and one adult recovering from intensive chemo. From your reports, I've wondering if the dessert party with seating would be best for us (don't mind paying the price for a once-in-a-decade viewing) but would we regret not having a better view with the dining package?

TIA for your advice!

The dessert party area has a great view, with the advantage of being spaced out so you're not staring into the back of someone's head potentially. Ask for the high tops. It sounds like your group would benefit from seating, IMO, so this one (dessert party) seems like a clear best-winner.

 

[Pluto468]

We will be visiting DL during a time with estimated crowd levels of 3/10 and this trip will be our only DL trip for several more years. (We are WDW AP holders and it is much closer.) We are a family of 6 with 2 senior citizens with mobility issues and one adult recovering from intensive chemo. From your reports, I've wondering if the dessert party with seating would be best for us (don't mind paying the price for a once-in-a-decade viewing) but would we regret not having a better view with the dining package?

TIA for your advice!

I think the dessert party would be great for you. The view is wonderful, and having a seat is the best part. We loved the food and the whole experience.

 

[godfather927]

Can you reserve a VQ or lightning lane for WoC? Thought I read that somewhere. Can anyone confirm? If so, what's the view like from there?

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Can you reserve a VQ or lightning lane for WoC? Thought I read that somewhere. Can anyone confirm? If so, what's the view like from there?

at Noon you can get a ticket on the app for the show, it assigns you a section to stand in

 

[ktlm]

We will be visiting DL during a time with estimated crowd levels of 3/10 and this trip will be our only DL trip for several more years. (We are WDW AP holders and it is much closer.) We are a family of 6 with 2 senior citizens with mobility issues and one adult recovering from intensive chemo. From your reports, I've wondering if the dessert party with seating would be best for us (don't mind paying the price for a once-in-a-decade viewing) but would we regret not having a better view with the dining package?

TIA for your advice!

If you want to see WOC (which is great), I would absolutely do the dessert party in your situation. We have done both the dining package and the dessert party. The dessert party view is good and having a seat can't be beat. If you do the dining package unless you are really tall, it is best to get there really early to get a spot with a good view and it is standing only. With standing only if you are short like me-- unless you can position yourself on the rail in the wet zone, if a tall person stands directly in front of you, your view can be blocked completely. You can sit on the ground until just before it starts, but then you have to stand before the show starts and during the show. It might be hard for your seniors with mobility issues to get up and down from sitting on the ground-- or to stand for that long if they don't sit down on the ground.