What are the main differences between World of Color Preferred Dining viewing, picnics, and regular FASTPASSes?
All of the viewing areas are standing only. There are a few benches here and there usually used by those less able to stand (e.g., the elderly).
o The Preferred Dining costs $35-40 per person and gets you a quality meal and entrance to the central viewing area (as shown in the map later in this post). The viewing spots are central to the show but do not think that if you stand here you will have a guaranteed good view. The quality of your spot depends on how tall you are and where you stand. See advice also below on getting a good spot in the preferred dining viewing area.
o The picnics get you a cold meal and a guaranteed FP to the blue or yellow viewing sections. That is all. Your FP has a different look than regular FPs but is functionally identical. You do not get admittance to the preferred dining section in the center or any special viewing area at all. You are mixed in with the regular free FP sections. The main advantage is you have guaranteed admittance to a specific show at a specific time and do not have to commit time to go into DCA in the morning to get regular FPs. You can show up really late for your picnics (like 6PM) and still be able to see WOC.
o Regular FPs are for blue, yellow or red sections. These are free. You cannot choose which color you get. If you go to the WOC (GRR) FP machines they give out one color at a time. If you want a different color section you have to come back later when that color is given out. But there are no specific times when each color is given out so which color is available depends on how busy the day is at DCA and when you happen to arrive. The way to find out which color FP is being distributed is to ask the CMs or just walk up and look at what other FP gatherers are actually getting.
See this excellent post by
Disneyland 1951 for what the various WOC entrance tickets look like.
