World of Color Superthread

[goofy4tink]

Well, weather for next week certainly doesn't look terrific. Perhaps that will lessen the number of guests waiting.

 

[tmfranlk]

I would love some suggestions for WOC on Dec 26. It will be me, DD11 and DD4. I have a package reservation for Ariel's Grotto, but I'm concerned that the menu isn't quite right for me 11yo eating from the adult menu, plus the high cost.

I'm leaning towards just going with the 2nd show FP option. What time will I need to line up for that if it's a 10:15 show?

It's also likely that I will end up needing an EVC due to recent surgery. If so, how does that chance things?

We've done WOC twice before with 2nd show FP, I want to say blue on each, but I honestly don't remember for certain so we understand the basics, but I tend to forget between visits.

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

I would love some suggestions for WOC on Dec 26. It will be me, DD11 and DD4. I have a package reservation for Ariel's Grotto, but I'm concerned that the menu isn't quite right for me 11yo eating from the adult menu, plus the high cost.

I'm leaning towards just going with the 2nd show FP option. What time will I need to line up for that if it's a 10:15 show?

It's also likely that I will end up needing an EVC due to recent surgery. If so, how does that chance things?

We've done WOC twice before with 2nd show FP, I want to say blue on each, but I honestly don't remember for certain so we understand the basics, but I tend to forget between visits.

Thanks!

Hard to say for sure when WOC has two shows the second is in less demand. So 60 minutes early is a good guide. Depends on how good of spot you want.

I am not an expert on ECV or any HC spots at WOC. So I will let others answer this or suggest you check with the CMs.

We have eaten at AG for WOC five times with four very good experiences. Our experience last summer with food and service was so negative I doubt I will ever go back there. If I do dining res for WOC again it will be CCR or WCT.

 

[LisaCat]

Look on the DLR website. For example, here is Carthay Circle:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/carthay-circle-restaurant/menus/

That appears to be the "spring" menu? Travel Plans has a "summer" menu posted that was verified in October. Does anyone have the current menu? Trying to decide between lunch and dinner and between Carthay and Trattoria. Thanks!

 

[BARBARAL26]

I too was wondering about a winter menu.

 

[HydroGuy]

That appears to be the "spring" menu? Travel Plans has a "summer" menu posted that was verified in October. Does anyone have the current menu? Trying to decide between lunch and dinner and between Carthay and Trattoria. Thanks!

I have never heard of the WOC menus changing seasonally. Has anyone else?

 

[figment_jii]

To some degree, I think the WoC menu has to change seasonally. The regular menu at Carthay Circle changes somewhat seasonally (at least it seems like the side dishes change seasonally - summer veggies versus winter squash, for example). I though the WoC menu was a sub-set of the regular menu, so as it changes, the WoC menu should also change.

 

[gmi3804]

Considering that the WoC CCR menu features a "Carthay Salad Celebrating Spring," I think it's safe to assume that at least some of the menu items change seasonally, and that DLR just didn't update the online menu.

 

[HydroGuy]

To some degree, I think the WoC menu has to change seasonally. The regular menu at Carthay Circle changes somewhat seasonally (at least it seems like the side dishes change seasonally - summer veggies versus winter squash, for example). I though the WoC menu was a sub-set of the regular menu, so as it changes, the WoC menu should also change.

I guess it depends on what one means by changing. If the entree's remain the same seasonally (and I believe they do on a prix fixe menu) then the WOC is not really changing to my mind.

 

[dalstitch45]

I'll say it here again since it warrants another comment.

I think the best location for viewing that requires minimal time is at the bridge. Your kids can sit right at the edge and it seems to fill up last. The angle may not be 100% perfect, but its totally fine, and if you're like me and don't want to dedicate 2 hours to the thing, the bridge works great for an unobstructed view.

Plus, if you get a decent CM, they'll often let a portion of your group go under the rope to walk around the pier while the others hold your spot!

Have to agree with you on this one! Plus, you don't have to worry about someone obstructing your view. The other night there were already a couple of rows deep of people, and I couldn't see. Got there early, too. I finally moved right before the show started. This was with the lunch FP at Wine Country Trattoria.

 

[julesann]

I just noticed that this Saturday there is only 1 WOC show. When I booked our dinner reservations there were two, I thought. Now we are eating at WCT at 5:30 for a 9:45 show. What is the impact of crowds when it goes to 1 show on a Saturday night? Does this mean we should line up more than 90 minutes or is 75 adequate for this section. Thank you--we are a large mixed age group and I want to make sure we all get a good viewing.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just noticed that this Saturday there is only 1 WOC show. When I booked our dinner reservations there were two, I thought. Now we are eating at WCT at 5:30 for a 9:45 show. What is the impact of crowds when it goes to 1 show on a Saturday night? Does this mean we should line up more than 90 minutes or is 75 adequate for this section. Thank you--we are a large mixed age group and I want to make sure we all get a good viewing.

I'm disappointed in that too given that Saturday is a Candlelight Processional night and the hotels have been sold out for months. It just seems crazy that they are only doing one show. We are doing CC dinner and WoC that night.

 

[HydroGuy]

I just noticed that this Saturday there is only 1 WOC show. When I booked our dinner reservations there were two, I thought. Now we are eating at WCT at 5:30 for a 9:45 show. What is the impact of crowds when it goes to 1 show on a Saturday night? Does this mean we should line up more than 90 minutes or is 75 adequate for this section. Thank you--we are a large mixed age group and I want to make sure we all get a good viewing.

No impact on crowds. Since everyone needs a FP anyways then there is no way for "extra crowds" to have an impact.

What could be impacted is the duration of how long regular FPs last. Obviously, if there are two shows then there are twice as many FPs to distribute so it will take longer to get them all out. But even if there is one show, my experience is the FPs for that show will last about the same as the first show on a night with two shows.

 

[julesann]

Thanks Hydroguy--that makes sense! So your 90 minute suggestion holds then doesn't it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, we did WoC Tuesday night...just the one show, in the rain. We ate lunch at Carthay Circle. It was nice. About 5 mins before they opened the viewing areas, we double checked to see where we were supposed to be. It was a nice spot, dead center...had a light pole in the middle of the area, but no biggie. The couple we were with didn't want to stand and wait (although they were the ones who complained about having iPads and such blocking their view...saying it was really impossible to get a good view), even though we could have gotten a spot on the front railing. So we left do do some attractions. Returned about 30 mins prior to state time. Got a spot behind a bench, in the top tier area. It was a good spot, could see over the umbrellas below us. The show was delayed 10 or so mins. I can understand hydroguy's comment about the holiday show not being as good as the regular one. There's just soooo much Frozen around. I don't think it needs to be added to everything.
The weather probably kept the crowd level down...that was nice.

So thanks for the advice. I seemed to know more about WoC than our friends who have done DL many times!

 

[HydroGuy]

Well, we did WoC Tuesday night...just the one show, in the rain.

So you were in the "wet zone"?

 

[WeCampDisney]

I just wanted to say thanks to HydroGuy for your great work on this thread. I am a multi trip veteran at WDW but have never been to DL. We just finished a quick 3 day trip with only a week to plan. I got on the Dis and quickly learned that getting a good viewing spot for WOC is the biggest concern. We had so much to do in only 3 days, we could not commit 90 min waiting for a prime rail spot. We did get our fast passes for the blue section first thing at park opening. We walked up just 30 min before show time. I noticed that even though it had been raining for 2 days and the crowds were very light, there were a lot of people down I the viewing area. I knew that the few good spots were taken. But wait, nobody was at the fire hydrant spot so we just happily took that. The show looked great! My uncle made a great video with his Sony HD camcorder. So glad I read this thread during my crash course on DL.
Otherwise, we would have walked on down to get closer only to find we would be struggling to see over people. WOC Winter Dreams is just beautiful. Thank you HydroGuy any others who contributed to this thread. Sadly, our 3 day trip is over and we are in LAX waiting to go home

 

[joyfulDisneytears]

I see the entry points for the various sections on the map, but if I wanted to get down front, what is the best/quickest way to do so? I imagine they have all manner of ropes strung up, I don't want to walk into one and then miss my chance lol

 

[mom2rtk]

We are doing CC for dinner tomorrow night. Can someone confirm if the entry point for reserved viewing for the dining package is still number 4 on the map? Are we allowed to line up there? I seem to recall at one point people saying they weren't allowing a line to form, but that might have been a while. We are aiming for 60-90 minutes early.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are doing CC for dinner tomorrow night. Can someone confirm if the entry point for reserved viewing for the dining package is still number 4 on the map? Are we allowed to line up there? I seem to recall at one point people saying they weren't allowing a line to form, but that might have been a while. We are aiming for 60-90 minutes early.

It was when I was there on November 13.

Also just to the left of the #4 there is a sign for Carthay Circle Dining entry - a separate entry point for CCR diners to the rear reserved (green) viewing. I advise strongly not to use that point but to use the other point at #4. As the OP outlines for some reason CMs direct CCR guests to the rear section and insist it is a better viewing area even when it clearly is not. I think maybe Disney is trying to have CCR guests not have to fight crowds as much down towards the front and being in the back is just less of a hassle for CCR guests.

Right along the #4 area to the left along the railing there a queue does form for reserved dining. That queue starts 75-90 minutes before the show. CMs will discourage the queue from forming but it does form. Just stay close to the #4 area and move into the queue as it starts to form.