World of Color Superthread

[HydroGuy]

I've heard a lot about WOC having to do with crowds and busy times, but I'm not sure how to convey that to my visit during a less busy tiime of year. What is the crowd like for WOC on a weekday in the off season (early February) when there is one show? Even though DCA probably isn't too crowded, do throngs of people park hop from DL just to see WOC?

I really don't care what section I get a ticket for, so I don't care when I get a Fast Pass, and I don't want to wait in a long line for a ticket if I don't have to. Can I avoid the lines getting a Fast Pass in the morning (if there are lines) and not worrry about getting one later without a crowd, or do they sell out by a certain time, and when might that be?

So far WOC has been crowded no matter what time of year. However visitors get there (parkhopping from DL, etc.) they fill up WOC. So, yes, there are throngs of people coming to see WOC each evening.

You do not have to wait in a long line for a FP ticket. It is generally walkup or at most a one-minute wait.

The real issue is how early you need to arrive for the show to get a good viewing spot. From what I understand if you do anything other than follow the advice in the OP (arrive 90 minutes early) you are taking a chance on a mediocre view.

 

[gardener14]

Thank you Hydroguy. I thought I read people were waiting an hour in line a t the Fast Pass machines after park opening. I'm glad that's not true.

I'm not happy with the idea of waiting 90 minutes for any show, and I've never had a problem viewing Illuminations at Epcot, Fantasmic at HS, or Wishes at MK by arriving well after many people have waited 1-2 hours. I don't need a "perfect" viewing spot, just a place where I can enjoy the show (even if it's off center or above or through some heads of a crowd). Is this not possible for WOC when arriving say 15-30 minutes early? I guess I don't understand the viewing scenario. Are the "mediocre" views (presumably from behind some other people instead of at a railing's edge) really that undesirable?

Thanks for helping this first time WOC viewer.

 

[skiingfast]

Are the "mediocre" views (presumably from behind some other people instead of at a railing's edge) really that undesirable?

That is really what happens. The viewing area is slightly tiered. If you are at the front of the tier against a railing, you see over the tier infront. If you are standing behind someone you see the back of thier head 70% of the time.

 

[soaringirl]

Sorry if this been asked before, didn't get a chance to read all the pages.
Does the lunch includes drinks and tips? or those are separate?
Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you Hydroguy. I thought I read people were waiting an hour in line a t the Fast Pass machines after park opening. I'm glad that's not true.

I'm not happy with the idea of waiting 90 minutes for any show, and I've never had a problem viewing Illuminations at Epcot, Fantasmic at HS, or Wishes at MK by arriving well after many people have waited 1-2 hours. I don't need a "perfect" viewing spot, just a place where I can enjoy the show (even if it's off center or above or through some heads of a crowd). Is this not possible for WOC when arriving say 15-30 minutes early? I guess I don't understand the viewing scenario. Are the "mediocre" views (presumably from behind some other people instead of at a railing's edge) really that undesirable?

Thanks for helping this first time WOC viewer.

Just about anything you want to know is the first post of this thread. It appears you have not found that yet. Go read it and then come back and ask more questions.

WOC viewing is different than all the other shows you mentioned. Disney did an ooops when the created it.

 

[gardener14]

Hydroguy, thank you for the information you've provided I did read the original post, however I didn't feel it answered my questions, so I asked them here. Upon your suggestion, I went back and re-read the original post (albeit I skimmed for the category headings that seemed pertinent to my concerns), and I still didn't find the anwers in the nuanced way I am looking for. It wasn't until I found the link to the other thread about the best world of color viewing spots that I might have found my answer, so the answers weren't in the original post directly, but in a link I hadn't followed before.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2655956

 

[blackjackdelta]

And everytime I read the multiple WOC threads, these I want to be amoung the masses. Last year everytime I walked by the throngs all I could do is shake my head.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydroguy, thank you for the information you've provided I did read the original post, however I didn't feel it answered my questions, so I asked them here. Upon your suggestion, I went back and re-read the original post (albeit I skimmed for the category headings that seemed pertinent to my concerns), and I still didn't find the anwers in the nuanced way I am looking for. It wasn't until I found the link to the other thread about the best world of color viewing spots that I might have found my answer, so the answers weren't in the original post directly, but in a link I hadn't followed before.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2655956

I guess I did not get your nuance. One's experience with WOC depends on a lot of their viewing spot. And you may be able to get a good spot 15 minutes before, just like you may get a good spot for a parade 2 minutes before. But if you really want to see it then you need to plan more time. If you do not care about a good view then you can show up late. The likely result will be a not so good view.

Showing up 90 minutes early is the way to go to get a good view guaranteed.

HTH

 

[gardener14]

Showing up 90 minutes early is the way to go to get a good view guaranteed.

The funny thing is there is lots of information here and elsewhere about how to get a perfect spot...basically show up early and wait. However, there is very little information describing the consequences of not doing that other than the view won't be so good. My question is what does that mean? I haven't read anyone describe their "not so good" experience other than a few short people who couldn't see anything or someone unlucky enough to have a parent hold a kid on their shoulders at the last minute blocking the view.

Not everyone can be along a railing. They simply physically can't all fit there. That means thousands of people at every show are not along a railing. Are those thousands of people terribly disappointed by a show they can't see or enjoy? I haven't heard those kind of comments, but I haven't heard what their experience was like either. They must have enjoyed the show more than not even if there were some heads to look through and around. Their perspective is what I'm looking for, not those who waited 1 1/2 to 2 hours because, frankly, there is too much else to do to spend that kind of time waiting.

I'm sure I'll figure it all out when I get there, and I'm sure I'll enjoy the show in my own way, but I'm surprised that the only responses online seem to be "get there super early or else." That's great for superfans and season pass holders but that simply isn't realistic for the masses and occasional tourists.

 

[skiingfast]

However, there is very little information describing the consequences of not doing that other than the view won't be so good. My question is what does that mean?

By throwing out some reviews effected by prejudice it could be summarized like this:

Time taken for great view=Best show ever to that was good.
Obscurred view=that was alright to don't need to see that again.

 

[ArchOwl]

The funny thing is there is lots of information here and elsewhere about how to get a perfect spot...basically show up early and wait. However, there is very little information describing the consequences of not doing that other than the view won't be so good. My question is what does that mean? I haven't read anyone describe their "not so good" experience other than a few short people who couldn't see anything or someone unlucky enough to have a parent hold a kid on their shoulders at the last minute blocking the view.

Not everyone can be along a railing. They simply physically can't all fit there. That means thousands of people at every show are not along a railing. Are those thousands of people terribly disappointed by a show they can't see or enjoy? I haven't heard those kind of comments, but I haven't heard what their experience was like either. They must have enjoyed the show more than not even if there were some heads to look through and around. Their perspective is what I'm looking for, not those who waited 1 1/2 to 2 hours because, frankly, there is too much else to do to spend that kind of time waiting.

I'm sure I'll figure it all out when I get there, and I'm sure I'll enjoy the show in my own way, but I'm surprised that the only responses online seem to be "get there super early or else." That's great for superfans and season pass holders but that simply isn't realistic for the masses and occasional tourists.

You are right, there are lots of people who see WOC mainly from behind a mass of people. They probably have different expectations and don't mind missing parts of the show. However, since you are on a message board about Disneyland, you will mostly find superfans here, folks who are interested in experiencing all the shows and attractions in the best way possible. There really isn't a need for a message board on how not to wait to get the best view, because as you said, it happens every day. Most of the people here are looking for tricks and tips to get the most out of every experience.

WOC is a unique show at the DLR mainly because there is no shortcut or way to get a really good view without waiting a long time. This has to do with the design of the viewing area and is not something that will change in the near future. Because most people here are concerned with the getting the best view and being able to see the show, most of what we discuss has to do with the reasons why you need to line up early and how to get the best view.

If you are not interested in waiting a long time, just do what most other people will do and show up when you want. Because of the queuing system, there is no way we could tell you where you will be or how to see. The only way we can guide you is if you show up early because then you will have the ability to choose a spot. If you show up later, that choice will no longer be yours to make. You take your chances along with everyone else. You could end up in a good spot or a bad spot, but we can't help you or give you advice at that point.

The only other advice I can give you at this point is that if you are dead set against waiting, you might want to go to the Cove Bar and pay the cover charge to watch from there. It is a side view and you won't see everything, but at least you would know that ahead of time and would not be among the masses.

 

[gardener14]

Thank you Arch Owl. I hadn't considered that the mass majority of viewers who get an average view of the show aren't likely to be on this board. I had thought it was strange that nobody was able to report on anything other than a perfect view with a long wait, and I was looking for that "average viewer's" experience to no success. Your response indirectly answers my questions very well. I'm happy to take my chances, and I look forward to seeing the show soon.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you Arch Owl. I hadn't considered that the mass majority of viewers who get an average view of the show aren't likely to be on this board. I had thought it was strange that nobody was able to report on anything other than a perfect view with a long wait, and I was looking for that "average viewer's" experience to no success. Your response indirectly answers my questions very well. I'm happy to take my chances, and I look forward to seeing the show soon.

Adding to what Arch so eloquently summarized, of the 4000 viewing spots for WOC I would say the following:


If you are 6 ft 4 inch or taller...

30% of the spots offer a good view
50% of the spots offer a mediocre view
20% of the spots offer a poor view


If you are 6 ft tall...

10% of the spots offer a good view
50% of the spots offer a mediocre view
40% of the spots offer a poor view


If you are 5 ft and 6 inches tall...

10% of the spots offer a good view
20% of the spots offer a mediocre view
70% of the spots offer a poor view


If you are child...

10% of the spots offer a good view
90% of the spots offer a poor view


A good view means:

A person can see the majority of show elements from a decent angle and close enough distance.

Comparing to watching a street parade, this would be standing in the front row on the street.


A mediocre view means:

You cannot not see some of the show elements and/or what you can see is from too far away or from a poor angle.

Comparing to watching a street parade, this would be standing several rows of people back so you can only see parade elements that are tall but things low to the ground are obstructed.


A poor view means:

You can see only a small part of the show elements and what you can see if from a distance too far and from a poor angle.

Comparing to watching a street parade, this would be like standing at the back with many rows of people in front, plus a tree in front of you so you can only see the parade by looking up the street and can't see much right in front of you.


Most people want a good view. But as others have said, if you have seen WOC before they may not want a good view or everyone in their group is tall or they are solo and tall. So you have more flexibility if you are tall and/or have no kids or short people in your group. In such cases you can show up later and take your chances and the impact is less.

For me personally, I am 6 ft tall and think WOC is so good that I want to always be in a good spot. I saw WOC once from a mediocre spot (towards the back of the yellow section) and ths show seemed only half as good as when I saw it from the best spot. So I always try for a good view or just don't see it.

 

[MooMar]

Haven't seen this question so apologize if it's been asked/answered previously...can you see WOC from the Cove Bar which I heard is located on top of Ariel's Grotto? And..can you view WOC sitting in Ariel's Grotto eating dinner, if we decided not to go outside to view it?

MooMar
"Cow"nting down days to Disney Feb 3 for daughter's big 18th BD!

 

[ArchOwl]

Haven't seen this question so apologize if it's been asked/answered previously...can you see WOC from the Cove Bar which I heard is located on top of Ariel's Grotto? And..can you view WOC sitting in Ariel's Grotto eating dinner, if we decided not to go outside to view it?

MooMar
"Cow"nting down days to Disney Feb 3 for daughter's big 18th BD!

Yes, you can see WOC from the Cove Bar. However, it is far from the best view, not recommended for a first viewing. Additionally there is a $10 cover charge to view from that area per person.

There is no viewing from Ariel's Grotto (the restaurant), they close it down prior to WOC.

Pics from my viewing of WOC from the Cove Bar (not my first time seeing WOC).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40190000&highlight=cove#post40190000

 

[pixarmom]

Thank you Arch Owl. I hadn't considered that the mass majority of viewers who get an average view of the show aren't likely to be on this board. I had thought it was strange that nobody was able to report on anything other than a perfect view with a long wait, and I was looking for that "average viewer's" experience to no success. Your response indirectly answers my questions very well. I'm happy to take my chances, and I look forward to seeing the show soon.

Hi gardener14! We saw WOC in 2010, followed all the advice here, and had an outstanding spot. It was amazing - and we're not into shows nor waits. Our wait for WOC was the longest wait we've ever experienced for any WDW show or attraction by far - really far. We decided that it was entirely worth it - once. We'll be back in March and we plan to take our chances for WOC and report back!

 

[JeriLee]

We will be doing the Ariel’s Grotto preferred dinning this Saturday (1/28/12) for my daughter’s BD – it was her only request. Where does the preferred dining line up these days? Do we still need to plan for a 90 minute wait?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

We will be doing the Ariel’s Grotto preferred dinning this Saturday (1/28/12) for my daughter’s BD – it was her only request. Where does the preferred dining line up these days? Do we still need to plan for a 90 minute wait?

Thanks!

90 minutes yes. I would start with the map in the OP. Others may have more recent info but even if they do, things can change on a dime and you always, always want to be pro-active with the CMs there to make sure you are in the front of the line.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Being 6 ft 5 in, I agree completely with HydroGuy's excellent analysis and his comparison to seeing one of the parades. Being tall, 80% of the time I can show up 20-30 minutes before and have a good to mediocre view but that is not likely everyone's experience (since I'm in the 99% when it comes to height)

Gardener14, if you're the kind of person who enjoys the parade when you can only get a partial view of the dancers/walkers but can see the floats (and you're tall), then you'll probably be OK showing up 15 minutes before. But understand that you'll be missing effects and projections that make it a more complete experience.

The first time we saw WoC, we had gotten picnic lunch when they still provided tickets for the blue zone and we made a point of being at a rail so we could pretty much see the entire lagoon. Completely blown away. Since then, if we have the time, we line up early, if not, we don't. When we don't we typically can't see all the water screens or much (if any) of the surface of the lagoon so we miss some of the projections and some of the effects. We know that, but we're OK with it. It's still an OK show but just like the parade, you know you haven't really seen everything.

If you are tall and not wanting to spend a lot of corral time, I would recommend getting a blue ticket and head towards the bridge. My memory is that the crowds on the bridge only get 5-6 people deep vs. dozens deep so (even though it's not terraced) tall people have a better chance of getting a complete view. The only downside is the view is off to the side a bit.

With a limited amount of time, you make your choices. Even after seeing the show maybe a dozen times since it opened, I still walk away amazed at a few of the effects that are really unusual. It is a unique show and if you're only going to see it once, I would recommend doing what you can to get the full effect. So figure out something productive you can do with your corral time...grab dinner to go on the way to the pen...catch up on facebook, etc. If there are two shows, the second show is usually less crowded so time your FP pickup to see the second show.

Adding to what Arch so eloquently summarized, of the 4000 viewing spots for WOC I would say the following:


If you are 6 ft 4 inch or taller...

30% of the spots offer a good view
50% of the spots offer a mediocre view
20% of the spots offer a poor view


If you are 6 ft tall...

10% of the spots offer a good view
50% of the spots offer a mediocre view
40% of the spots offer a poor view


If you are 5 ft and 6 inches tall...

10% of the spots offer a good view
20% of the spots offer a mediocre view
70% of the spots offer a poor view


If you are child...

10% of the spots offer a good view
90% of the spots offer a poor view


A good view means:

A person can see the majority of show elements from a decent angle and close enough distance.

Comparing to watching a street parade, this would be standing in the front row on the street.


A mediocre view means:

You cannot not see some of the show elements and/or what you can see is from too far away or from a poor angle.

Comparing to watching a street parade, this would be standing several rows of people back so you can only see parade elements that are tall but things low to the ground are obstructed.


A poor view means:

You can see only a small part of the show elements and what you can see if from a distance too far and from a poor angle.

Comparing to watching a street parade, this would be like standing at the back with many rows of people in front, plus a tree in front of you so you can only see the parade by looking up the street and can't see much right in front of you.


Most people want a good view. But as others have said, if you have seen WOC before they may not want a good view or everyone in their group is tall or they are solo and tall. So you have more flexibility if you are tall and/or have no kids or short people in your group. In such cases you can show up later and take your chances and the impact is less.

For me personally, I am 6 ft tall and think WOC is so good that I want to always be in a good spot. I saw WOC once from a mediocre spot (towards the back of the yellow section) and ths show seemed only half as good as when I saw it from the best spot. So I always try for a good view or just don't see it.

 

[brookelizabeth]

A while ago I posted a question about my husband, being legally blind, being able to get a decent spot so he could actually see the show and enjoy it. I'm back to share our experience!

We visited Disneyland in January, so the crowds were on the lower side. We did World of Color on a Friday night. The Red Section was under refrub, and our FPs were for the Blue section. We arrived about 45 minutes prior the show (we had planned on earlier, but other circumstances prevented it!) and happily found there was quite a bit of room still open in the Blue section, not the closest spots though. We found a fairly decent spot, but my husband was pretty sure he wouldn't really be able to see the movie clips at all from our spot. So we figured it would not hurt to ask a Cast Member about getting closer due to his handicap.

We spoke to one and they had us speak to another who ushered us right up into the reserved middle section-not a handicap section, but the reserved dinner area. There were folks already against the rail, but we were one row back and my husband VERY much enjoyed the show despite not being able to see well and being completely color blind. He can see the shades of gray, so even that was pretty exciting to him because the colors change so much. And thankfully he could see the movie clips and enjoyed those--plus just the overall SIZE of the show was incredibly impressive.

We had a wonderful time and I just wanted to report back here in case someone else found themselves in a similar situation. Getting a GAC would be easier for the situation, but we hadn't gotten one - next time we will!