World of Color Superthread

[maynrive]

Our ticket said to return between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm; however, earlier that afternoon, I had spoken with a CM, who really seemed to know what he was talking about (yeah, right!), and he confirmed where I was to go during my window; then, UNFORTUNATELY, he added, "but, don't go early! There is no need to go early." Since my family was not as "hip" as me on going early and waiting, I asked him if 8:00 pm would be early enough and he said, "Absolutely!" We ended up "checking in" by about 8:05 pm - 8:10 pm.

Well, he was wrong . . . especially because they started "seating" everybody long before 7:30 pm even arrived.

I'm really trying to like this show, but they're making it really really hard. We gave it another try today, but the crowd control did us in and we gave up. Here's what happened:

We got our fast passes this morning by around 10:15 for the orange section. The cast member at the machine told us to line up in front of the winery between 7:30-8:30. That's fine we knew where it was and knew to get there early.

At about 6:00 this evening we sat down on the benches in front of the winery where they were distributing the picnic dinners. A few minutes later the CMs came by and started turning the benches around to form a lineup area. We asked them if this was where the orange section was supposed to line up and the suit told us that we were supposed to be on the bridge near Ariel's Grotto. He wasn't clear on whether that was where we were watching or where we were supposed to go line up.

We headed in that direction and I went up to a CM standing at the barricades in front of the rotunda building. She said they were already letting people past the barricades to wait in the walkway and told us to go ahead through. Now, this is not the standing area for the show, rather the walkway between the park and the construction wall for the Little Mermaid ride, so we still had to wait for them to let us down into the viewing sections. The picnic people were already waiting there, so I asked another CM where we needed to go to line up for Orange.

After consulting with her lead, she came back wearing the little black apron that said Orange on it and she had us wait where we were. By this time we were surrounded by a mix of orange and blue people. People around me were confused and kept questioning her on it and she kept telling us that blue and orange should just mingle where we were.

I'd have to say it was probably around 7:15 when they dropped the rope in front of the picnic people and since blue, orange and picnic were all jumbled together, we got pushed along until we got down the ramp to where she was checking FP tickets. Of course we get denied at this point and had to swim upstream to get out. I know we weren't the only orange people that got caught up in this as I'd seen other people get turned back at this point, but the crush of people makes it difficult to get out of there.

By the time we made it back up to the walkway I was pissed. Everyone that knows me, knows that I'm a very patient person. I can happily wait for hours on end for a good show and I've waited for not so good shows without a problem. It's not the crowd or waiting that pissed me off, it was the conflicting directions that the CMs were giving us. I wasn't in the mood to enjoy the show anymore, no matter how good it could be. Hopefully, they'll get the crowd control situation straightened out soon, but it's a bad sign when they tell people to just mingle.

I'm going to give it another try next week. Here's hoping that third times a charm and I can finally enjoy this show. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[skiingfast]

How does the 3rd showing work? Sounds like it is just announced later in the day without Fast Passes. Since the park closes at 10 and the show isn't until 11:15 or something, how do you get in, and where do you go. We are going tomorrow and would love some insight in case we don't get FP in time.

While the park close at 10, that doesn't mean you can't be in there. That is only when attractions stop letting people get in line. Stores and some dining will be open later. I'd just make your way to that side of the park when the second show has ended if you hear they are doing a third.

 

[skiingfast]

Has anyone who stayed in the GCV or a concierge level room been given a WoC FP, as was rumored to happen?

 

[Michelle2]

I'm really trying to like this show, but they're making it really really hard. We gave it another try today, but the crowd control did us in and we gave up. Here's what happened:

We got our fast passes this morning by around 10:15 for the orange section. The cast member at the machine told us to line up in front of the winery between 7:30-8:30. That's fine we knew where it was and knew to get there early.

At about 6:00 this evening we sat down on the benches in front of the winery where they were distributing the picnic dinners. A few minutes later the CMs came by and started turning the benches around to form a lineup area. We asked them if this was where the orange section was supposed to line up and the suit told us that we were supposed to be on the bridge near Ariel's Grotto. He wasn't clear on whether that was where we were watching or where we were supposed to go line up.

We headed in that direction and I went up to a CM standing at the barricades in front of the rotunda building. She said they were already letting people past the barricades to wait in the walkway and told us to go ahead through. Now, this is not the standing area for the show, rather the walkway between the park and the construction wall for the Little Mermaid ride, so we still had to wait for them to let us down into the viewing sections. The picnic people were already waiting there, so I asked another CM where we needed to go to line up for Orange.

After consulting with her lead, she came back wearing the little black apron that said Orange on it and she had us wait where we were. By this time we were surrounded by a mix of orange and blue people. People around me were confused and kept questioning her on it and she kept telling us that blue and orange should just mingle where we were.

I'd have to say it was probably around 7:15 when they dropped the rope in front of the picnic people and since blue, orange and picnic were all jumbled together, we got pushed along until we got down the ramp to where she was checking FP tickets. Of course we get denied at this point and had to swim upstream to get out. I know we weren't the only orange people that got caught up in this as I'd seen other people get turned back at this point, but the crush of people makes it difficult to get out of there.

By the time we made it back up to the walkway I was pissed. Everyone that knows me, knows that I'm a very patient person. I can happily wait for hours on end for a good show and I've waited for not so good shows without a problem. It's not the crowd or waiting that pissed me off, it was the conflicting directions that the CMs were giving us. I wasn't in the mood to enjoy the show anymore, no matter how good it could be. Hopefully, they'll get the crowd control situation straightened out soon, but it's a bad sign when they tell people to just mingle.

I'm going to give it another try next week. Here's hoping that third times a charm and I can finally enjoy this show. Thanks for letting me vent.

That is awful! I would have been ticked, and for the same reasons. If it's waiting for primo spots for the show, that's one thing, but checking, checking and checking again and being told ALL WRONG information and ALL conflicting is something else.
I am so hoping for your third time to be totally worth it!!!

 

[kikiq]

How does the 3rd showing work? Sounds like it is just announced later in the day without Fast Passes. Since the park closes at 10 and the show isn't until 11:15 or something, how do you get in, and where do you go. We are going tomorrow and would love some insight in case we don't get FP in time.

When we went to the parks today, the park hours posted for DCA at Mickey and Friends parking structure was 11 pm closing. Picked up FPs for 11:15 show at 2:20 pm. Ended up taking our DGD home and our DD stayed to watch the late show. Also walked over to see if any picnic dinners were still available at 2:45 pm, they were still available walk up for the second show.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Unfortunately, this is not true. We purchased the picnic meals (in advance, online), and we were given "yellow" section Fast Passes. This "picnic meal/yellow" section was, in fact, the VERY BACK section; there was no section behind us. . . and, we were, unfortunately, the back row of our "section".

The bottom line for me was: I could see nothing but the head of the man in front of me. I had not planned to video tape, but, holding my video camera up high and video taping was my only hope of seeing the show; so, I tried to keep my video camera up high enough to catch the show for me to watch later.

I admit that we were not "in line" to get into the "yellow" section right when they began letting people in (which was around 7:15 pm), but, I still had hopes of being able to at least "see" the show. That did not happen. It was frustrating and disappointing that, even with "advance planning" such as purchasing the picnic meal, still brings challenges, such as not being able to see, due to height issues within the section. We had originally booked the Ariel's package, then changed our minds and purchased the picnic meals; I do not know how different our experience would have been if we had gone with the Ariel's package. I would initially think that we would have had a better viewpoint and better experience; however, there is likely just as good of a chance that I would have still been behind someone taller than me, as happened in the "yellow" section; so, my experience could have still been the same.

This plain stinks. I started a thread about this very problem (anticipated) earlier this week... heard lots of "oh no, Disney would never create a show that children couldn't see". I had wondered about this because a good friend went to the radio event, and she told me she thought I would have had trouble seeing it. Sounds like, us short folks and kids who can't manage to be the first or second "row" in your section are out of luck. Maybe in the future the actual line up time will be more clear and we can be sure to be the "first" to line up for the section.

I'm super frustrated and I haven't even tried to see it yet!! At least fireworks are UP and not a lot of "straight ahead". I wonder if the 11:30 show is pretty empty? Maybe that is my only chance at getting up close in a section. Unfortunately, the odds of my kids being awake then are about slim and none.

I can always hope I can see it from the VGC when I am there next February!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

While the park close at 10, that doesn't mean you can't be in there. That is only when attractions stop letting people get in line. Stores and some dining will be open later. I'd just make your way to that side of the park when the second show has ended if you hear they are doing a third.

Once they added the 3rd show they also extended the park hours to 11PM. Soaring and other rides were open until then.

Has anyone who stayed in the GCV or a concierge level room been given a WoC FP, as was rumored to happen?

Nothing seems to be happening with that rumor. Maybe in the future. At least the viewing platform was finally open last night. It's ok for seeing the fountains and hearing the music but you miss the water screens from that vantage point.

And yes Silly Little Pixie - the viewing stinks if you aren't right in the very front of your section riser. You still see a lot but I think you miss out on a lot as well. The good thing is that I think you're fine in any of the viewing section as long as you're at the front or on a stairs so you are slightly above those in front.

 

[KCmike]

Why wouldn't they add aluminum long benches to this section which could be staggered row by row and gradually increase in height so people could sit and enjoy the show? You wouldn't think it would be hard to install and could easily be taken out if so wished. I agree with above poster stating how they don't take into consideration small children.

 

[lurkyloo]

I just posted some pix and a quick write-up of our experience using the Wine Country Trattoria dining package for World of Color last night:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36987884#post36987884


And no spoilers!

 

[iHEARTflorida]

When are showtimes posted for WOC? There's nothing on the DL site for late July yet? the entertainment shedule is up, but no mention of WOC

 

[brergnat]

Why wouldn't they add aluminum long benches to this section which could be staggered row by row and gradually increase in height so people could sit and enjoy the show? You wouldn't think it would be hard to install and could easily be taken out if so wished. I agree with above poster stating how they don't take into consideration small children.

For the life of me, I cannot understand WHY they didn't just build an amphitheater with aluminum benches like at WDW for Fantasmic. It didn't need to be as big, but they could have CERTAINLY just built graduated concrete steps in that space, even without benches! People could sit on the concrete. We have something similar at a local park for special events, for goodness sake. I think the area at our park can hold more than 4,000...and EVERYONE can see what's going on down below.

I don't really understand why this had to be made into a "park" with lights, benches, and shrubbery. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I am so angry that I can't even take my kids (4 and 6) to see this because they are too big for me to hold them (I'm only 5'2") and too small to see on their own.

 

[jacobsmommy]

Does anyone know where you are supposed to put strollers? I am assuming you don't take them into your section with you.

 

[cypressmom]

Does anyone know where you are supposed to put strollers? I am assuming you don't take them into your section with you.

I've been told strollers are allowed and that's why the number of people who can see the show was reduced by a few thousand.

 

[jacobsmommy]

So, we have a sit and stand stroller than me little ones could stand on the stroller seat to see?

 

[HydroGuy]

For the life of me, I cannot understand WHY they didn't just build an amphitheater with aluminum benches like at WDW for Fantasmic. It didn't need to be as big, but they could have CERTAINLY just built graduated concrete steps in that space, even without benches! People could sit on the concrete. We have something similar at a local park for special events, for goodness sake. I think the area at our park can hold more than 4,000...and EVERYONE can see what's going on down below.

I don't really understand why this had to be made into a "park" with lights, benches, and shrubbery. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I am so angry that I can't even take my kids (4 and 6) to see this because they are too big for me to hold them (I'm only 5'2") and too small to see on their own.

You can squeeze more people in for standing than sitting with benches. Also, I bet they did not have enough vertical space without building up and above the walkway behind. And the current setup gives them more flexibility on how to use the space.

I am not saying it was the right thing to do - I would be frustrated too if I were you. At a minimum they should have a" sitting on the ground" section like Fantasmic has - so people can get kids to see it. When everyone has to stand then such problems turn up. I am a bit surprised they did not figure this out beforehand. They have done Fantasmic for 20 years at DL and know about these issues. I can only speculate that once they get enough complaints from people in your situation they will come up with alternatives.

 

[Raindown]

I am not saying it was the right thing to do - I would be frustrated too if I were you. At a minimum they should have a" sitting on the ground" section like Fantasmic has - so people can get kids to see it. When everyone has to stand then such problems turn up. I am a bit surprised they did not figure this out beforehand. They have done Fantasmic for 20 years at DL and know about these issues. I can only speculate that once they get enough complaints from people in your situation they will come up with alternatives.

It's true. Unless you are at a rail, or tall, you have a tough time seeing the 'whole' show. There are a lot of lower effects that my shorter friend did not see the first time we saw it.

 

[skiingfast]

For the life of me, I cannot understand WHY they didn't just build an amphitheater with aluminum benches like at WDW for Fantasmic. It didn't need to be as big, but they could have CERTAINLY just built graduated concrete steps in that space, even without benches! People could sit on the concrete. We have something similar at a local park for special events, for goodness sake. I think the area at our park can hold more than 4,000...and EVERYONE can see what's going on down below.

I don't really understand why this had to be made into a "park" with lights, benches, and shrubbery. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I am so angry that I can't even take my kids (4 and 6) to see this because they are too big for me to hold them (I'm only 5'2") and too small to see on their own.

Sometimes I think the arena for Fantasmic in Florida is stupid. It was a huge capital expense that only serves a purpose for a few hours a week. In DL the ROA get used all the day and the boardwalk around it is a walkway for most of the day.

I would think that in DCA they did not want to ruin their parade route and central lagoon by putting an elevated viewing area around it. I am positive if Disney could not think of a better way to do it. Otherwise that is what they would of done.

It is unforutante that the viewing isn't perfect for everyone. Next summer as they see how crowds are for the show and in the park in general they may decide to tweak things. Like letting more people into PP or keeping more out. Adding or taking away shows.

 

[KCmike]

If they can't build the benches then make everyone sit down or at least have areas where people have to sit and people in the back can stand. Not sure why this is so difficult to understand? Maybe they had the forethought to make people purchase expensive meals so they can be guaranteed a spot to view it better? I'm sure its always about the almighty dollar. So sad.

 

[AmyPond]

I wonder if being almost 5'7" falls into the "too short to see everything" category or not.

Has Fantasmic at Disneyland had the same viewing setup the entire 18 years it's been running? Or have they changed things? I've never actually watched the entire show.

 

[brenda1966]

So, we have a sit and stand stroller than me little ones could stand on the stroller seat to see?

We have done this in the past for fireworks. It works fairly well for that, makes the kids a bit taller. I just held onto DD as she stood on the stroller so she didn't fall. I'm not sure it will help if a 6 foot tall person is in front of you though.

As for building a stadium -- where? In WDW it's this huge space that sits empty all day long for one, sometimes 2 shows a day. The real estate is too precious in CA to do that. Hopefully they will figure something out. A sitting are (sitting on the ground) would be nice -- but where? In the monsoon area I think the railing would be in your way. I'm not sure there's anywhere elevated that you could sit and see over those standing in front of you.