World of Color - Letdown?

[rramstad]

I really, really, really enjoyed WoC and didn't find the wait for the first show unreasonable.

I thought Fantasmic! was cool, but very disjointed. We didn't wait long for it, saw the early show, used the light pole, had a pretty good view of things.

The fireworks are primarily cool because of the location. I've certainly seen better firework shows.

I rate them in that order, but wouldn't dump on any of them, they are all worth seeing. I would state though that I'm far more interested in seeing WoC a second time, than any of the others.

 

[mrswh]

The fireworks are primarily cool because of the location. I've certainly seen better firework shows..

Really? I feel like on our last trip (last month), I kept saying "WOW! How did they DO that?" Pretty cool and innovative, and I'm talking just about the explosives. The music and "story" that go along with it are a bonus.

 

[sonnyjane]

The fireworks are primarily cool because of the location. I've certainly seen better firework shows.

Really? I feel like on our last trip (last month), I kept saying "WOW! How did they DO that?" Pretty cool and innovative, and I'm talking just about the explosives. The music and "story" that go along with it are a bonus.

Hmm, I agree mrswh! I'd love to know where rramstad's more impressive fireworks displays are held so I can check them out, because I cried the first time I saw the DL fireworks (actually it was during the Dumbo flight) because I was so blown away. I have since seen the DL fireworks several times and every time I go with someone else, they are equally as impressed. Other theme parks have fireworks, but it's basically 8 minutes of BAM BAM BAM "how many things can we light on fire in this time frame" type stuff (I have to hear the Sea World fireworks every night during the summer from my house lol). DL's fireworks actually involve you with the music and narration.

I do always watch the fireworks from "the hub", more toward Matterhorn so I can see those features well too. I'd imagine if you were watching from somewhere that didn't pipe in the music or let you see all the stuff happening lower to the ground, you wouldn't be impressed.

 

[MattsPrincess]

DH and I were both pretty let down by WoC. We had a fairly good view, didn't miss much of it at all. Didn't have to wait at all to get into it because it had been a rainy day and the parks were pretty empty. Didn't have to go through any hassle planing or anything. So there wasn't any big build up or a lot of work put into it. We were just let down in the actual show itself. The best part to me was how vibrant the colors in the fountains were.

We both walked away going "meh, it was ok." we decided we don't want to see it again. We both really enjoy the fireworks, both shows of them that we've seen. We liked Fantasmic! a lot too. Just not WoC.

 

[kailuagirl]

We really liked it! But I didn't like how the whole process of seeing the show works, from getting your fastpass to arrival time, race to find a spot and then wait and wait and wait.

 

[Disco]

Saw WoC for the first time in June and I think it's a great show but the limited viewing area is a mess. I could see everything fine but I had to put my son on my shoulders for him to see it.
The whole time I was looking at all the other kids at ground level and feeling bad for them because they were missing it. Why Disney didn't put in more of a tiered stadium seating setting just blows my mind.
After all is said and done, the show is just old clips but delivery method is spectacular. I think what finally won me over was the audience interactive elements to make you feel like more a part of it. I think that was pretty cool.
I think rewatchabilty would only be dependent on new content for me though. If they put trailers for new movies in I might be a little more likely to check it out again.
I just don't think any show is really worth more than 30 minutes of effort though. I had the Aladdin fast passes and arrived about 15 minutes before start only to learn that you had to show up early because you have to be seated before the general public. LOL, I was like what is the point of that? Any way with Aladdin we went in with (late) general public on the balcony and it was still a great view. I noticed that most every seat could see the stage fine compared with WoC where I would guess more "seats" than not could see the show fine.
Well my 2 cents. Good show kinda gimped by bad viewing. Could be a great show with original content.

 

[daannzzz]

As stated in me previous post, we have not been that impressed with WOC. This week end I viewed a Youtube of the whole show in HP form a great location. It appeared to be form a second floor location behind the crow and directly in the center. This gave a complete view of the show but from farther back and I will say that it was much better that way. We are going to try to see it again sometime but from the back. I do not know where the camera was placed but it is not somewhere that regular guests can normally go (or possible a location that cost a fortune to sit in). Still thought the show was messy and needed to cut 10 minutes or more and be restructured but visually it was great form this location.

 

[HydroGuy]

Saw WoC for the first time in June and I think it's a great show but the limited viewing area is a mess. I could see everything fine but I had to put my son on my shoulders for him to see it.
The whole time I was looking at all the other kids at ground level and feeling bad for them because they were missing it. Why Disney didn't put in more of a tiered stadium seating setting just blows my mind.
After all is said and done, the show is just old clips but delivery method is spectacular. I think what finally won me over was the audience interactive elements to make you feel like more a part of it. I think that was pretty cool.
I think rewatchabilty would only be dependent on new content for me though. If they put trailers for new movies in I might be a little more likely to check it out again.
I just don't think any show is really worth more than 30 minutes of effort though. I had the Aladdin fast passes and arrived about 15 minutes before start only to learn that you had to show up early because you have to be seated before the general public. LOL, I was like what is the point of that? Any way with Aladdin we went in with (late) general public on the balcony and it was still a great view. I noticed that most every seat could see the stage fine compared with WoC where I would guess more "seats" than not could see the show fine.
Well my 2 cents. Good show kinda gimped by bad viewing. Could be a great show with original content.

I agree with a lot of what you said here. Obviously there was no space for stadium seating in this spot. So Disney is kind of stuck with the layout. I am sure someone at Disney somewhere has been tasked with trying to come up with a "Plan B".

The show has changed some since it first came out. The effects on California Screamin are all new and a cool addition.

 

[mydisneymoney]

I hope it is good. We were at DL in February and did not make it to WOC. We are going again this weekend and I want to go but DH says he doesn't think it is going to be all that exciting. I hope he likes it since I am going to drag him to it.

 

[aan1701]

So today I visited the park with a friend of mine who works for DCL. My friend has never seen World of Color. He agreed with me that while the show is a feast for the eyes he could not figure out what the show is about. The first thing my friend said after the show was "Wow I can't believe what I just saw, the problem is I can't figure out what it was about and mow I will be up all night figuring it out. I guess I ultimately like Fantasmic better because I know what that Is about."

 

[kik050]

WOC was good, not great. A lot of viewing issues. But, I saw it when it had the TRON encore. The TRON portion was better then the entire WOC show, to me. To each, their own.

Since, TRON is no longer in the show, I don't feel the need to see it again.

 

[DebbieB]

I was just looking at the video I took 3 weeks ago and I can't see how anyone can call it a letdown. I thought it was awesome. It wasn't the first time I saw it either, I saw it in May not only from the park but from our VGC room. Now the 2 times I saw it in the park we got there early and got a spot right at a railing (first time was dining section, second time blue). My trip last month was with a friend who had not seen it before and she thought it was great. Having to wait an hour either sitting or standing on concrete is a pain.

 

[HydroGuy]

So today I visited the park with a friend of mine who works for DCL. My friend has never seen World of Color. He agreed with me that while the show is a feast for the eyes he could not figure out what the show is about. The first thing my friend said after the show was "Wow I can't believe what I just saw, the problem is I can't figure out what it was about and mow I will be up all night figuring it out. I guess I ultimately like Fantasmic better because I know what that Is about."

I continue to turn this over in my mind and think I am making progress in understanding this whole issue. Many posters on this forum who I respect have posted opinions about WOC's "lack of story" and how that detracts from the experience. Personally I really value the storytelling aspects of Disney parks and so this hits close to home. But WOC works for me. Without a story? Why?

After seeing WOC most recently last month (twice), plus Fantasmic, Magical fireworks (first time from the hub - I have seen them from NOS), and SoundSational parade (2nd time), and thinking about other Disney shows I have seen (RDCT fireworks at DL, Illuminations at Epcot, Spectromagic parade at MK, Electrical Parade at DL, DCA and MK), here is what I have concluded:

Fantasmic has a story (although I think it's story is much weaker than most people think). Be that as it may, there is a story. Most other Disney entertainment I mentioned does not have stories.

Remember Dreams Come True - I love, love, love this show - especially in its original form - but there is no story. It is a celebration of Disneyland and its rides and Walt's Disney's dream.

SoundSational (cool new parade at DL which I really like) - no story - just lots of focus on drummers and a celebration of different Disney characters.

Magical (summer fireworks show at DL) - I have no idea what this show is about. Certainly no story.

Illuminations - many people's favorite Disney show - especially WDW vets - and no real story there. Illuminations has a theme for sure, but to my mind no story.

Electrical Parade and Spectromagic parades - no stories - just lots of music and celebration of Disney characters


Basically, the vast majority of Disney outside entertainment spectaculars are more focused on celebration than story. And World of Color fits in this category. It celebrates the colorful themes of Disney characters - much like Disney parades do. I think many people saw WOC expecting a story - without realizing that most such Disney shows do not have stories but are more like celebrations.

 

[Saylan]

I continue to turn this over in my mind and think I am making progress in understanding this whole issue. Many posters on this forum who I respect have posted opinions about WOC's "lack of story" and how that detracts from the experience. Personally I really value the storytelling aspects of Disney parks and so this hits close to home. But WOC works for me. Without a story? Why?

After seeing WOC most recently last month (twice), plus Fantasmic, Magical fireworks (first time from the hub - I have seen them from NOS), and SoundSational parade (2nd time), and thinking about other Disney shows I have seen (RDCT fireworks at DL, Illuminations at Epcot, Spectromagic parade at MK, Electrical Parade at DL, DCA and MK), here is what I have concluded:

Fantasmic has a story (although I think it's story is much weaker than most people think). Be that as it may, there is a story. Most other Disney entertainment I mentioned does not have stories.

Remember Dreams Come True - I love, love, love this show - especially in its original form - but there is no story. It is a celebration of Disneyland and its rides and Walt's Disney's dream.

SoundSational (cool new parade at DL which I really like) - no story - just lots of focus on drummers and a celebration of different Disney characters.

Magical (summer fireworks show at DL) - I have no idea what this show is about. Certainly no story.

Illuminations - many people's favorite Disney show - especially WDW vets - and no real story there. Illuminations has a theme for sure, but to my mind no story.

Electrical Parade and Spectromagic parades - no stories - just lots of music and celebration of Disney characters


Basically, the vast majority of Disney outside entertainment spectaculars are more focused on celebration than story. And World of Color fits in this category. It celebrates the colorful themes of Disney characters - much like Disney parades do. I think many people saw WOC expecting a story - without realizing that most such Disney shows do not have stories but are more like celebrations.

I was going to say something similar having seen WoC, Magical, and Fantasmic this past weekend.

WoC's 'story' to me is the amazing diversity and colours that are abundant in Disney's characters and stories, as well as the world.

I saw Fantasmic a few times when it first came out and wrote it off becase regardless of what the 'story' was that we were told, it really didn't follow well. Yes, it's Mickey's imagination/dream but really it's just a platform to bring out all the characters in different scenes and mash up a couple of villians who don't really work together. I was surprised Mickey dreams of princesses finding their princes (convienently with the appropriate Disney songs) and then Peter Pan fighting Captain Hook. If that's not on the same level of re-hashing common character/scenes, not sure what is.

If one agrues that WoC is a bunch of old clips replayed, one could easily say something similar about Fantasmic. A bunch of random Disney characters paraded out for an audience. Is there anything wrong with that? No. I will say I enjoyed Fantasmic this past weekend, but I disagree that the storyline is any stronger or more cohesive than WoC.

Using 'imagination/dreams' as the reason it's so disjointed is just as viable as saying 'celebrating colour', so both have their own trains of thought but result in the same thing as most any Disney performance: Tie-in well-known/loved Disney characters/songs/scenes/themes for guests to enjoy.

IllumiNations has a story/theme, whether it's stronger or weaker, that's up to debate, but it is supposedly the birth of the world and how unifying world-wide brotherhood can be.

In a way, all these shows are better for not having a cohesive story, only a theme or tenuous story, because it allows for people to watch them over and over, think about the meaning, and have meaningful discussions about them. It's way better than being handheld and force-fed a cookie-cutter story. Disney's all about magic and imagination in any show, so allowing us to use their magic and our imagination is a perfect choice, I feel.

For the record, DBF who had seen none of the three shows we saw (F!, Magical, and WoC) ended up preferring WoC over them all. I agreed with him but I had seen F! before and it didn't do much for me (though it was better this time than before). We both enjoyed sitting to standing though.

 

[Disco]

I continue to turn this over in my mind and think I am making progress in understanding this whole issue. Many posters on this forum who I respect have posted opinions about WOC's "lack of story" and how that detracts from the experience. Personally I really value the storytelling aspects of Disney parks and so this hits close to home. But WOC works for me. Without a story? Why?

After seeing WOC most recently last month (twice), plus Fantasmic, Magical fireworks (first time from the hub - I have seen them from NOS), and SoundSational parade (2nd time), and thinking about other Disney shows I have seen (RDCT fireworks at DL, Illuminations at Epcot, Spectromagic parade at MK, Electrical Parade at DL, DCA and MK), here is what I have concluded:

Fantasmic has a story (although I think it's story is much weaker than most people think). Be that as it may, there is a story. Most other Disney entertainment I mentioned does not have stories.

Remember Dreams Come True - I love, love, love this show - especially in its original form - but there is no story. It is a celebration of Disneyland and its rides and Walt's Disney's dream.

SoundSational (cool new parade at DL which I really like) - no story - just lots of focus on drummers and a celebration of different Disney characters.

Magical (summer fireworks show at DL) - I have no idea what this show is about. Certainly no story.

Illuminations - many people's favorite Disney show - especially WDW vets - and no real story there. Illuminations has a theme for sure, but to my mind no story.

Electrical Parade and Spectromagic parades - no stories - just lots of music and celebration of Disney characters


Basically, the vast majority of Disney outside entertainment spectaculars are more focused on celebration than story. And World of Color fits in this category. It celebrates the colorful themes of Disney characters - much like Disney parades do. I think many people saw WOC expecting a story - without realizing that most such Disney shows do not have stories but are more like celebrations.

LOL, sometimes it's just about the eye candy.
Actually, I would say it's more about the originality and not just the story elements. If it is something you've never seen before it is much more excitable. If it has a good story line, even better.
Giant over the top water works and light shows, exciting. Old movie clips, not so much.

 

[Disco]

WOC was good, not great. A lot of viewing issues. But, I saw it when it had the TRON encore. The TRON portion was better then the entire WOC show, to me. To each, their own.

Since, TRON is no longer in the show, I don't feel the need to see it again.

I do really wish I caught the Tron segment, but I didn't.
Love Tron effects...

 

[oumagic]

If WOC and F! magically switched places and F! had the same viewing location and seating procedure that WOC does, I think WOC would be more preferable over F!. Ultimately, I think any show in DL is going to have the edge because it is DL vs DCA. Many people go to WOC not having any idea as to what to expect, not only with the show but with the hysteria and leave disappointed. Even CM's seem to not know what is going on there at times. I usually don't mind lines at DL but the mass of people and disorganization that is at WOC starts the experience on a bad foot and before the show even started, my family was ready for it to just be over. Having people (especially kids) stand/sit on concrete for 30-45 minutes staring at all of the rides they could be doing is torturous. I asked my kids just this week if they wanted to see WOC again when we go back in Oct and it was an emphatic "NO!"

I loved it and I want to see it again but Disney had one chance at a first impression and it was a bad overall experience. You compare that to Fireworks and F! and my kids want to see those again. One can enjoy the Fireworks without a prime location; shoot, they enjoyed the fireworks from the esplanade last year!

I guess what I am trying to say is that it is not the show that puts fireworks and F! ahead of WOC for me, it is the overall experience. If I were to watch a Blu-ray dvd of each show with a big HD screen and surround sound, my preference would be WOC>F!>Parade>Fireworks (Remember). However, in reality, my preference is the exact opposite. I'd rather sit down with a churro in front of the castle and watch fireworks than watch any of the other shows.

In fact, I think the two things I look most forward to on my next trip is the "Remember" fireworks on Sunday night after we arrive and Halloween fireworks on Monday at the party we are attending. We will work in F! on our Thursday night when it shows and will probably grab FP's for WOC everyday we are there just to see if we can get a decent view with minimal wait time (by the hydrant or somewhere).

 

[ArchOwl]

I wonder if people went into WOC with expectations that it would be more like F! than a parade/fireworks?

 

[Disco]

I must admit that I'm a little surprised by all the responses in here. I thought everyone loved WoC. It's the single attraction that put DCA back on the map. What it do, only increase attendance by like 20%?

 

[Brer Cameron]

I always thought World of Color's "story" was a celebration of Walt Disney, because of the television show he hosted: "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color". I saw it as sort of a trip through the stories and memories we have because of the legacy he started. Maybe that's not enough of a concrete story for some people, but it worked for me.

I know people have preferences, and I love both Fantasmic and World of Color equally, but I believe World of Color is the more impressive show. Fantasmic is very character heavy, whereas World of Color is very tech heavy. The programming that had to go into that show? Yikes. To each their own of course, but World of Color is a must see for me every trip now.