World of Color Preferred Viewing Dining Reviews: Ariel's vs. WCT!

[Raindown]

I confess that ever since the lawyers made them stop writing down comments at City Hall, I've never bothered to lodge a complaint b/c I didn't think they'd bother to pass it along.

In the defense of lawyers, it is the action people brought that caused this reaction rather than something cooked up by lawyers.

I do know what you mean though. I left a comment about a great CM. It just doesn't seem to have the same impact. I hope they make sure those get communicated down the line.

 

[Eeee-va]

Thank you for the review! Your meal was almost COMPLETELY different from mine on Friday, 6/11--even though we both got the New York whatever it is (but they called it a New York Strip Loin then) Only the salad matched up.

A great viewing area is anywhere directly behind the walkway ropes on the right side of your picture facing the Fun Wheel, more or less where those two CMs (?) are standing, only on the park side of the ropes. You have one full "open" side as you go (so you don't feel squished) and it's a great view provided you can see over the wall (almost any adult would, and I reckon any kid who can ride Indy). We were able to see part of the surface of the water, even. I would call it a damp zone as it feels like you get rained on once and misted on a few times, but I was OK with just a jacket. The view was really very, very good though!

I would do the first showing of WoC if buying a dining package just to see Carnivale of Color--it's not that great, but if you're already psyched for the show it's pretty fun, and hey, if you're paying for a reserved spot, you might as well make the most of it!

I did eat at Ariel's Grotto on Saturday (princess lunch) and I would recommend that food as slightly better (and much more ample) than Wine Country Trattoria's...even before reading this review/seeing the negative changes made to the meal.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Just changed my reservation from WCT to AG based on the less than stellar food reviews. I hope I don't regret it.

Me, too. We aren't going until July 29th so I am sure things will change many times between now & then but I wasn't comfortable with our choice of WCT. Much happier switching to AG. Now we'll just hope for the best!

 

[HydroGuy]

Me, too. We aren't going until July 29th so I am sure things will change many times between now & then but I wasn't comfortable with our choice of WCT. Much happier switching to AG. Now we'll just hope for the best!

We are doing AG on the 28th!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We are doing AG on the 28th!

I am sorry we will miss you! Certainly hoping to cross paths at some point!

 

[Ecboyd]

Its interesting the differences in experiences.
1st let me say World of Color was AMAZING. STUNNING. It was great!
Disney has outdone themselves.

The Fast Pass Process.
This was as expected, MAD DASH, PUSHING shoving and a HUGE long line. Cast members said "Keep your entire party Together" .... Most people took their tickets, passes etc and FLAT OUT RAN to get fast passes. Through the machines sip them out random, there is no reason to run! : ( or Push.

Sunday June 13th, 9pm Show
The seating.... maybe some work could be done here.
We had the Fast Pass seating, section Blue.
The people next to us, Pic Nick, section Blue.
The people about 8 foot away (one level up) Dinning Preferred, section Blue. (this is the section we started at, but moved)

The only thing that saved the viewing for me was the fact I was on a step.
My DD could see nothing but heads and my DH could see nothing but the 5 or 6 little kid butts on the dads shoulders. : (

We were in the "wet Section" Ariel's Grotto was directly to our Left, we were maybe 40 foot back from the center of the viewing area on the bottom "tier". We arrived at 7:00pm for the 9pm show. We actually moved down one tier for a better view. We could not see the Carnival at all.

The cast members seems confused and were, short tempered a bit. (not with us, just over all). During the whole process, there were several dozen managers around asking people opinions as they left the show. Not about the Show but about the "seating" so I would bet my hidden Mickey photo collection that there are some Major changes by our next visit on June 27th.

Lets all try to report on the changes as they make them.

I did listen to a LOT of "out of the loop guests" that were very upset at the viability, at the seating and at the wait.

For me, I gotta say, the seating at Fantasmic! in WDW is MUCH MUCH better. Though the seating area is beautiful, its not really conducive to what they are trying to do. not yet anyway.

We shall see what happens next.

But no matter what, the Show is WORTH seeing!

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

thanks for the info everyone!
We have Dinner Ressies for AG on the 18th of July, we can't wait!!!
Thanks again!!!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Great report! I was so glad that we talked to you & Patrick before dinner so that we knew what to expect going in to WTC. Dinner was, well to be nice, NOT good.

Thank goodness you had fabulous dining companions.

 

[sierranevada]

Just changed my reservation from WCT to AG based on the less than stellar food reviews. I hope I don't regret it.

Hi, Carrie

Great report! I was so glad that we talked to you & Patrick before dinner so that we knew what to expect going in to WTC. Dinner was, well to be nice, NOT good. It sounds like the lines for the viewing areas were more organized for the 2nd show than it was for the 1st - we had no issues with that part, at all. From your pics, we were in the exact same spot - that view was FANTASTIC!

Me too! :scar:

Me, too. We aren't going until July 29th so I am sure things will change many times between now & then but I wasn't comfortable with our choice of WCT. Much happier switching to AG. Now we'll just hope for the best!

Okay - count me in as another DISer who changed from 6:30 WCT to 7:20 AG next Sun 6/20. The food and service reviews were really bumming me out and quite frankly, the food photos at AG looked much better! The switch does have us seeing the second WoC show but at least I won't feel as rushed!

Thanks for all the great feedback!

 

[Willow25]

So in your opinions is it a show that is doable with an almost two year old and a three and a half year old. It just sounds like so much work and waiting around and then the kids might not have a decent view anyway. What are your thoughts. We might wait for the kids to get older and come back to check it out!

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Thank goodness you had fabulous dining companions.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Yup add us too. Changed our reservations from WCT to AG as well. The food looks so much better.

I am going to be going with an almost 3 year old and a 6 year old. Hope they can stay up for the show. I too (like someone else menitoned) am a bit worried about them being able to see. Might bring my sling so I can at least hold my almost 3 year old on my hip during the show if need be.

 

[PRomano]

I am wondering if the picnic is the way to go? I am sticking with WCT for now, at least my kids will eat pasta

 

[jwwi]

Hi Carrie,
Was happy to see your review of a dining option for WOC, I am planning my first trip back to DL since 1993. I think the picnic meal sound like the best plan for us, we can always take the food back to GCH to relax before the rush to WOC. I will be interested in everyone's reviews, but your TR are the best. Do you have any other DL suggestions for me, I have been trying to read as much as possible.

 

[Eeee-va]

So in your opinions is it a show that is doable with an almost two year old and a three and a half year old. It just sounds like so much work and waiting around and then the kids might not have a decent view anyway. What are your thoughts. We might wait for the kids to get older and come back to check it out!

If you want to do the show, I'd say do it for your own sake...but I don't know if the kids would get much out of it. Hopefully someone who HAS kids can chime in, but I'm not sure if kids will love it; the amazing effects might be lost on them, and I'm thinking they might just mostly notice the Disney characters on screens. A two-year-old might not be at all impressed that they used whatever awesome technique for this effect, the way that adults are.

Here's some ideas of HOW to do it with kids, but this was written before the show. In reality, I'm not so sure how that advice all works.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/06...-braving-the-grand-opening-of-world-of-color/

Have your kids seen Fantasmic? (I don't know if WoC is scarier or not but it has an aspect I find more upsetting, personally!)

 

[kymom94]

I am wondering if the picnic is the way to go? I am sticking with WCT for now, at least my kids will eat pasta

My kids complained the pasta sauce had a bit of a zing to it. I would agree, it was fine for me, but if they are picky or sensitive, be aware. My 5 year olds ordered the spaghetti & meatballs. They liked the meatballs (but they only had 2 or 3), but said the sauce was spicy. My 7 year old who will eat about anything ordered the chicken breast with pasta. She like the chicken breast, but agreed with the twins about the sauce and ate it anyway. Hope you have a good dinner and enjoy the show--it made it all worth it for us!

 

[Eeee-va]

I am wondering if the picnic is the way to go? I am sticking with WCT for now, at least my kids will eat pasta

I haven't had the kids' pasta but one of my dining companions had the adult/seafood pasta and she did find it too spicy, and stopped eating it maybe halfway through or less. (I'm not sure how sensitive she is; she is OK with a Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell. )

 

[PRomano]

Thanks. My 11 year old will only do pasta with butter! Ugh! We may just switch to the picnic option and stop worrying about it

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I went ahead and changed from WCT to AG as well. I really hope it was the right decision; WCT looked like a much nicer restaurant but I just can't see why it's more money for less food I haven't read a good review of the food there yet, and I've read at least two good reviews of AG so fingers crossed!

 

[lurkyloo]

Do you have any other DL suggestions for me, I have been trying to read as much as possible.

Yes! I will PM them to you!

I am wondering if the picnic is the way to go?

I'm wondering this, too. I thought getting the picnic meant you had to stand on the bridge, but there were Yellow-section picnic purchasers next to us, and I've heard reports of picnic tickets being in the Blue section too!