World of Color Superthread

[DisneyDork712]

This cross your fingers and hope thing just doesn't really work for me.

My thoughts exactly. This is one of the most complicated things I have ever tried to plan for a Disney vacation!

 

[poohj80]

The cheapest appetizer/soup is $11
The cheapest lunch entree is the pulled pork or meatballs @ $18.

So you're starting @ $29 min. In practice The numbers are closer to $15 + $25 for most of the items, so $40 is a more realistic minimum.

Kids can eat for between $8-13 at Carthay Circle which is quite a bit less than WCT.

WCT is also a 3 course meal which to me means a longer experience and I'm not our child will sit through it.

 

[papamouse1]

I did see a CM with (gasp) a map of the sections when they were setting up the ropes. I should have tried to get a pic.

Oh man that would have been golden! Next time, smack him with your foam Mickey hands and snatch that bad boy

 

[papamouse1]

My thoughts exactly. This is one of the most complicated things I have ever tried to plan for a Disney vacation!

Honestly, after pouring page after page of input in this thread, Hydroguy still says it best.... just get there early enough and you will have a good chance for a nice spot. If you don't want it to be frustrating, just take the easy route... but it does require time to be spent waiting

 

[papamouse1]

Exactly. It still might not exactly make sense but at least I'd know for sure what to actually expect. This cross your fingers and hope thing just doesn't really work for me.

For us, it is really a pretty simple choice. We are foodies, and fully intended on giving CCR a chance, so the tickets are just a bonus for us. Otherwise, I think we would get a blue ticket and get in line

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Kids can eat for between $8-13 at Carthay Circle which is quite a bit less than WCT.

WCT is also a 3 course meal which to me means a longer experience and I'm not our child will sit through it.

Don't forget the $5 dessert... so a kid's meal for WOC is really $13 to $18 ish plus tax...

Plus I understand Carthay is pretty slow... 1.5 to 2 hours for dinner... not sure that will be any quicker than WCT.

 

[coopersmom]

Kids can eat for between $8-13 at Carthay Circle which is quite a bit less than WCT.

WCT is also a 3 course meal which to me means a longer experience and I'm not our child will sit through it.

I'm not sure what you keep trying to say.

First, kids need to have entrees AND appetizers/desserts for World of Color meals at Carthay. So, even if you order the least expensive adult/child options at Carthay, you will still end up spending AT LEAST as much as the Wine Country fixed price World of Color option. And that's with only two courses, not the three offered at Wine Country.

Carthay is also billed as a fine dining experience which, by definition, SHOULD take longer than a more casual, "trattoria," dining experience. Any (good) service though should be catered towards the patron's needs. If you need more sprightly service because you're traveling with a young child a server at any decent restaurant, particularly one in Disneyland, should be able to accommodate you. If you're looking for a more luxurious, lingering meal, that should also be an option.

 

[ArchOwl]

Kids can eat for between $8-13 at Carthay Circle which is quite a bit less than WCT.

WCT is also a 3 course meal which to me means a longer experience and I'm not our child will sit through it.

Kids need to order an entree and either an app or dessert. Add in a beverage, and you are paying about the same for a child. WCT is a much quicker dining experience than CCR. The service at CCR can best be described as leisurely. And most people who dine at CCR are getting three courses anyway.

 

[papamouse1]

I'm not sure what you keep trying to say.

First, kids need to have entrees AND appetizers/desserts for World of Color meals at Carthay. So, even if you order the least expensive adult/child options at Carthay, you will still end up spending AT LEAST as much as the Wine Country fixed price World of Color option. And that's with only two courses, not the three offered at Wine Country.

Well, based on the reviews found at disneyfoodblog on both restaurants, you could go to CCR and order most expensive entree (steak $13) and most expensive salad/dessert ($5) and it would still be $3 cheaper then the WCT fixed price for kids. Also, go check out the review on the fixed menu items... the fact they call it 3 courses is a little misleading... the appetizer was 2 small slices of carrot, handful of grapes and 2 balls of cheese, and the dessert was a small tart with one berry on the plate. I look at what all comes with that steak for kids at CCR and then the cool desserts they can pick for themselves and it seem to be every bit as much food as the 3 course for WCT. PLUS, the WCT looks like you can't pick the app or dessert, only selection you can make is the entree. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to knock WCT, but just seems to not compare to quality, price or variety of CCR for kids

Also, the adult menu (for me) just looks way more inviting. You could get the Carthay House biscuits app ($8), the Pasta with Braised Lamb similar to entrees on the WCT menu ($20), and that amazing looking Peach dessert.. or several other choices for $12... that's $40. And the WCT fixed price for a basic salad you don't pick a dessert you don't pick and an OK entree for $39.99. So really, the prices are comparable, if you want them to be. There are definitely some entrees at CCR much more expensive, but they also look much more appetizing and fine dining to me

Carthay is also billed as a fine dining experience which, by definition, SHOULD take longer than a more casual, "trattoria," dining experience. Any (good) service though should be catered towards the patron's needs. If you need more sprightly service because you're traveling with a young child a server at any decent restaurant, particularly one in Disneyland, should be able to accommodate you. If you're looking for a more luxurious, lingering meal, that should also be an option.

To me, this is the most important point about choosing for kids. Clearly, the review seem to indicate that CCR is more of a fine dining experience and so far, people seem to be saying you need to devote extra for this dining experience. If my kids were still little, I probably wouldn't consider CCR. I'm just glad they are older now, so our choice is easy... CCR here we come!!

 

[ArchOwl]

Also, the adult menu (for me) just looks way more inviting. You could get the Carthay House biscuits app ($8), the Pasta with Braised Lamb similar to entrees on the WCT menu ($20), and that amazing looking Peach dessert.. or several other choices for $12... that's $40. And the WCT fixed price for a basic salad you don't pick a dessert you don't pick and an OK entree for $39.99. So really, the prices are comparable, if you want them to be. There are definitely some entrees at CCR much more expensive, but they also look much more appetizing and fine dining to me.

Just so you are aware, our server made it very clear that the biscuits didn't count toward the app for the WOC meal. I am not sure if this is everyone's experience, but our server told us the biscuits didn't count and that you couldn't order certain salads as your entree.

 

[papamouse1]

Kids need to order an entree and either an app or dessert. Add in a beverage, and you are paying about the same for a child.....

Just FYI... both WCT fixed meal and CCR kids menu offer the same beverages for free to kids (water, milk, minute maid I believe) and you would have to pay extra at both of them for a different drink for the kids. You can order least expensive entree and dessert/salad ($8+$4) for $12 or most expensive ($13+5) for $18. So technically you could do CCR kids meal quite a bit cheaper if you wanted to OR go with a nice steak and cool dessert for a couple bucks less than WCT

 

[poohj80]

I'm not sure what you keep trying to say.

The OP questioned why CC diners receive inferior WOC viewing spots than WCT diners when CC is more expensive. My point is that CC isn't necessarily more expensive especially when kids are in the party.

 

[jcarwash]

Honestly, after pouring page after page of input in this thread, Hydroguy still says it best.... just get there early enough and you will have a good chance for a nice spot. If you don't want it to be frustrating, just take the easy route... but it does require time to be spent waiting

Agreed. On Aug 21 around 10:30am I got blue fastpasses for a 9pm show.

I arrived at WOC at 7:30pm before the ropes opened.

The group of blue FP holders were let into an initial holding area shortly thereafter. Around 8pm we were let into the viewing area.

My spot was directly behind those who paid for lunch/dinner/whatever. I could have been right in the wet zone up front if I wanted.

Yes we had to wait, but my experience was not frustrating and went exactly as planned.

 

[ttig34]

Just so you are aware, our server made it very clear that the biscuits didn't count toward the app for the WOC meal. I am not sure if this is everyone's experience, but our server told us the biscuits didn't count and that you couldn't order certain salads as your entree.

Wonder what their actual "official" policy is on whether or not biscuits count. As a friend of mine dined there last week, and was allowed to order the biscuits and have it count toward the WOC pass. Doesn't seem right that whether or not it counts is determined by which server you are assigned to.

 

[coopersmom]

The OP questioned why CC diners receive inferior WOC viewing spots than WCT diners when CC is more expensive. My point is that CC isn't necessarily more expensive especially when kids are in the party.

I believe I am the "original poster" (OP) you are referring to and, yes, I guess if you take one adult and 12 children to Carthay Circle, only order the cheapest possible options, and stick to drinking tap water, it could cost less than a World of Color price fixe meal at Wine Country Trattoria BUT my point remains ... Carthay Circle is California Adventure's signature restaurant and the only one they term fine dining. It is also, by and large, a much higher price point than Wine Country and is generally considered the "superior" and more expensive option by not only the public, but Disney as well. So, all that being said, why on earth would Disney determine that Wine Country diners got preferential viewing spots over Carthay Circle guests? It makes no logistical or financial sense. (I wouldn't even be shocked if they were the same; it's the preference for Wine Country I find baffling.)

Someone who stays at Paradise Pier, Disneyland's version of a value/moderate resort, could, theoretically, be spending more than someone who stays at Disney's Grand Californian (e.g. Paradise Pier suite vs. Grand standard view). But, in general, Paradise Pier guests are paying less than those at Grand Californian. So, I'd ask the same question if they built a theatre and situated Paradise Pier hotel guests in the front row as a special perk, and Grand guests were lead to the back. I'd guess it would't be because there was an off chance that, possibly, the Paradise guests spent more.

It doesn't make you better/worse no matter where you eat/sleep/etc. but it does usually stand to reason that higher price points equal increased perks and an increased (not decreased) level of service. When that does not hold true, the higher price point item/service does not stay that way for long, simply because what person in their right mind pays more, for less?

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Disney probably doesn't consider the Carthay viewing area inferior... the section is a great spot to stand for those who don't want anywhere near the wet zone. The VIP section is in the farthest back area... so obviously Disney believes that the farther back you are the better the view as you can take in the whole scene. I and a lot of others personally prefer to be as close to the front as possible. But that doesn't mean it is best... we have to zero in on what we want to look at by being close and that isn't really the intent of the designers of the show.

Its kinda like going to a theatre performance... the best seats aren't the front row... you are too close and looking up... you want to be part way back from the stage.

 

[JacksGirlz]

I believe I am the "original poster" (OP) you are referring to and, yes, I guess if you take one adult and 12 children to Carthay Circle, only order the cheapest possible options, and stick to drinking tap water, it could cost less than a World of Color price fixe meal at Wine Country Trattoria BUT my point remains ... Carthay Circle is California Adventure's signature restaurant and the only one they term fine dining. It is also, by and large, a much higher price point than Wine Country and is generally considered the "superior" and more expensive option by not only the public, but Disney as well. So, all that being said, why on earth would Disney determine that Wine Country diners got preferential viewing spots over Carthay Circle guests? It makes no logistical or financial sense. (I wouldn't even be shocked if they were the same; it's the preference for Wine Country I find baffling.)

Someone who stays at Paradise Pier, Disneyland's version of a value/moderate resort, could, theoretically, be spending more than someone who stays at Disney's Grand Californian (e.g. Paradise Pier suite vs. Grand standard view). But, in general, Paradise Pier guests are paying less than those at Grand Californian. So, I'd ask the same question if they built a theatre and situated Paradise Pier hotel guests in the front row as a special perk, and Grand guests were lead to the back. I'd guess it would't be because there was an off chance that, possibly, the Paradise guests spent more.

It doesn't make you better/worse no matter where you eat/sleep/etc. but it does usually stand to reason that higher price points equal increased perks and an increased (not decreased) level of service. When that does not hold true, the higher price point item/service does not stay that way for long, simply because what person in their right mind pays more, for less?

See map of post #976 at the top of page 66 in this thread. The green area marked CCT lunch is just for lunch. The green circular area marked for WCT is also for CCT dinner. The problem is CM confusion. Some posters have had the experience where CM's have directed ALL CCT WOC diners to the green area further back. Others have reported that when they ask the CM to go down to the green circular area for CCT dinner passes they have been able to. Unfortunately, CM's don't seem to all be on the same page which is why all the Diser's experiences have been different. CCT dinner and WCT dinner should both be able to go to the green circular area towards the front.

 

[coopersmom]

See map of post #976 at the top of page 66 in this thread. The green area marked CCT lunch is just for lunch. The green circular area marked for WCT is also for CCT dinner. The problem is CM confusion. Some posters have had the experience where CM's have directed ALL CCT WOC diners to the green area further back. Others have reported that when they ask the CM to go down to the green circular area for CCT dinner passes they have been able to. Unfortunately, CM's don't seem to all be on the same page which is why all the Diser's experiences have been different. CCT dinner and WCT dinner should both be able to go to the green circular area towards the front.

It was looking at the map that got me concerned originally.

To complicate matters even further, I talked with my Disney Vacation Planner, who has been helping me make reservations, etc. and she said she spoke to people at Carthay Circle and there is (quote) "no difference in the location if you do the lunch or dinner option."

I know you can get 100 different answers if you talk to 100 different people, so I called myself and was told, basically, the same thing. Carthay Circle lunch/dinner is the same World of Color seating, just showtimes may vary. (Lunch gets first showing, if there are two, and dinner gets second, though if available dinner guests can select the early showing.) I was also told that Carthay Circle's viewing area was "front and center" whatever that means.

An in theatre terms, while I understand the very front row isn't best, the center section certainly is, as is being in the first "orchestra" level of seating.

Oy! All so complicated. I just wish I knew, for sure, what I was getting, before I got it.

 

[HydroGuy]

It was looking at the map that got me concerned originally.

To complicate matters even further, I talked with my Disney Vacation Planner, who has been helping me make reservations, etc. and she said she spoke to people at Carthay Circle and there is (quote) "no difference in the location if you do the lunch or dinner option."

I know you can get 100 different answers if you talk to 100 different people, so I called myself and was told, basically, the same thing. Carthay Circle lunch/dinner is the same World of Color seating, just showtimes may vary. (Lunch gets first showing, if there are two, and dinner gets second, though if available dinner guests can select the early showing.) I was also told that Carthay Circle's viewing area was "front and center" whatever that means.

An in theatre terms, while I understand the very front row isn't best, the center section certainly is, as is being in the first "orchestra" level of seating.

Oy! All so complicated. I just wish I knew, for sure, what I was getting, before I got it.

Thanks for the feedback. And IMO the very front is better than being further back and in the circle - unless maybe you are at the very front of that circle. But still probably not.

 

[coopersmom]

So it's totally possible I just don't get it, because I've never been, but by the looks of this posted map, the Carthay Circle section is the very back row, the farthest you could possibly get from the fountains, while the Wine Country area is right down front. This is what has me sort of freaking out about our plans.

Am I missing something?