World of Color-No FastPass?

[DopeyLisa]

How difficult is it to get a decent spot at World of Color for a group of 11 (no small children) without having a FastPass? We will be arriving on a Wednesday afternoon and I doubt we will be able to get them when we enter the park. That really is the best evening of our trip for us to see the show, so any info would be great!

 

[Girimama33]

You need a FP to get into the viewing area.
On a Wednesday during the off-season, you should be able to obtain FP's in the afternoon...they do not run outas quickly as they used to.

 

[DopeyLisa]

Thanks, I guess I didn't realize you HAD to have one to get in. Last time we did the boxed lunches and we chose a great spot at the back of the blue section on the rail...perfect for amazing pictures. Not really impressive for the first day's dinner with newbies though!

 

[Ross3half]

Last Friday we wanted to see the later show so we waited until later in the day to get a fastpass, assuming they'd be on the second show passes by then. We checked back several times and they were still on the first show so we finally just got the passes for the first show when the CM told us that fast passes wouldn't be necessary for the second show that night because they didn't expect it to be very full. We ended up going to the first show after all and arrived about 15 minutes before it started and we all could see the show just fine from where we were.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It is possible to view WOC without a FP from the viewing area in front of the Little Mermaid ride. This is not the greatest view, but it isn't horrible if you are in the front. However, the best views are in the official viewing area, and for those a FP is required.

 

[disneychrista]

Fastpass for World of Color, really isn't a FP but an admission ticket.

 

[KateDrake]

Fastpass for World of Color, really isn't a FP but an admission ticket.

That's a great way to think of it!

 

[pharmama]

We walked up about 20 minutes prior to showtime last Tuesday night after we got out of Ariel's Grotto. There were most definitely viewing areas that did not require a fastpass. We found a front of the rail spot right off the little circle at the entrance of the bridge to Ariel's Grotto/Paradise Pier (so NOT in front of the Ariel ride- confirmed with CM that this area did not require an FP, at least that night). It was next to/behind a large palm tree but we still had a pretty good view.

That said, with a party of 11 you may be better off if you're willing to split up for 'walk up' viewing locations.

 

[Mary09]

It would surprise me if there was no viewing area access without a FP. How would people who don't research this stuff to death know they need a FP for a night time show? I didn't even know, and I do research it all. It seems like it'd be a recipe for hundreds of disappointed, turned-away guests each night.

 

[Started With a Mouse]

It would surprise me if there was no viewing area access without a FP. How would people who don't research this stuff to death know they need a FP for a night time show? I didn't even know, and I do research it all. It seems like it'd be a recipe for hundreds of disappointed, turned-away guests each night.

It's pretty much plastered all over the DCA map they provide at the turnstiles that you need a Fast Pass to see the show.

 

[Mary09]

Oh that's good. I haven't been in 18 months, and the time before that WOC had just opened. I'm not even sure they had FP (machine ones) for it then.

 

[Girimama33]

It would surprise me if there was no viewing area access without a FP. How would people who don't research this stuff to death know they need a FP for a night time show? I didn't even know, and I do research it all. It seems like it'd be a recipe for hundreds of disappointed, turned-away guests each night.

Also, I would imagine most people that are actually planning the trip would look at the DL website. It mentions the FP when you go to the WOC page.

 

[HydroGuy]

We walked up about 20 minutes prior to showtime last Tuesday night after we got out of Ariel's Grotto. There were most definitely viewing areas that did not require a fastpass. We found a front of the rail spot right off the little circle at the entrance of the bridge to Ariel's Grotto/Paradise Pier (so NOT in front of the Ariel ride- confirmed with CM that this area did not require an FP, at least that night). It was next to/behind a large palm tree but we still had a pretty good view.

That said, with a party of 11 you may be better off if you're willing to split up for 'walk up' viewing locations.

It is good to know this sometimes happens. But often it does not.

For those who do not care much about WOC and want to wing it, this may be a good strategy. For people who definitely want to see WOC and want a good viewing spot for people of small stature and/or children, it really isn't.

The standard advice around here for the last two years is still valid IMO. If you want to for sure see WOC from a good spot, show up 90 minutes before the show. Often 75 minutes is good enough. For second show it seems that 60-75 minutes is sufficient.

There do tend to be open walk-in spots for second shows on most nights. The views may not be that good but of everyone is tall enough it can be a good approach with less time invested.

 

[disneychrista]

Oh that's good. I haven't been in 18 months, and the time before that WOC had just opened. I'm not even sure they had FP (machine ones) for it then.

They have used it since the beginning. In fact at first WOC was like Racers and you had to get in line at park opening to get one.

 

[kimis]

Does WOC happen every night?

 

[tamiandryan]

Does WOC happen every night?

Most every night. The disneyland website has the schedule for what days and what times it will show.

 

[Mary09]

Most every night. The disneyland website has the schedule for what days and what times it will show.

Usually twice on weekends, too.