World of Color Superthread

[HydroGuy]

I keep seeing 90 minutes as the recommended wait (or 75 with reserved dining), does this hold true only for summer or for off season (October weekday) as well?

Since WOC typically distributes all FPs for the only or first show of each night, then the advice for early arrival applies year round. When WOC has two shows a night then the second show has tended to be only 60 minutes early.

 

[phyllis1966]

WOC is a night time show. In June the days are longest and WOC will not start until at least 9PM or so. Book your dinner early enough. IMO that is at least 3 hrs before the show.

Thanks so much HydroGuy - I figured the earliest the first show could be was 9, so I timed my ADR accordingly. It's kind of annoying, though, that the park hours and entertainment schedule are only available up to mid-June right now...first-world problems, I know...

We can't wait to be back at DLR! I know lots has changed at DCA since we were there in 2005 - we're so excited to be going back!

 

[BandMom1]

Of the dining packages, who has the best fp viewing area - Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria? Also, if my daughter has a DAS card but does not use a wheelchair, will there be anywhere for her to sit? TIA!

 

[taniahappy]

I booked my Carthay Circle dinner for May 23 as soon as it was available and I am so excited!

 

[PowerHouse47]

When can you get WOC fastpasses from ticket booths? During EMH? (its probably somewhere in the thread, but searching didn't help)

 

[HydroGuy]

When can you get WOC fastpasses from ticket booths? During EMH? (its probably somewhere in the thread, but searching didn't help)

It is. In the OP. At park opening.

 

[HydroGuy]

Of the dining packages, who has the best fp viewing area - Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria? Also, if my daughter has a DAS card but does not use a wheelchair, will there be anywhere for her to sit? TIA!

It is not totally clear how much they are enforcing viewing areas but if they are enforcing now then WCT is better than CCR.

 

[czmom]

How early is it recommended to line up for the reserved dining areas? We would like to be at the rail in our section (WCT most likely).

 

[HydroGuy]

How early is it recommended to line up for the reserved dining areas? We would like to be at the rail in our section (WCT most likely).

I would say 75 minutes minimum but 90 is better. But it does depend on how tall you are and how important it is to get a decent spot.

 

[czmom]

I would say 75 minutes minimum but 90 is better. But it does depend on how tall you are and how important it is to get a decent spot.

Wow- that's what we did last year with the general FP. Guess it's the same for dining sections? Our kids are 6 & 8 so we need to be up front.

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow- that's what we did last year with the general FP. Guess it's the same for dining sections? Our kids are 6 & 8 so we need to be up front.

Reserved dining is usually not quite as bad as the regular FP line for early queuing but I would never count on that for any specific night.

 

[nancy drew]

So, in reading the last few pages it sounds like you need to be there 75 or more minutes early to have a chance at a good viewing spot, regardless of whether you have paid for an expensive "dining package" or just pulled a FP. And even if you pay for a dining package and get there early, you still might not get a spot where you can actually see the show. And if one of your kids has to use the bathroom and you are the only adult so you all have to leave to use the bathroom, you lose that spot. Is that correct?

 

[HydroGuy]

So, in reading the last few pages it sounds like you need to be there 75 or more minutes early to have a chance at a good viewing spot, regardless of whether you have paid for an expensive "dining package" or just pulled a FP. And even if you pay for a dining package and get there early, you still might not get a spot where you can actually see the show.

Yes that is the case. From the OP

What are the main differences between World of Color Reserved Viewing (Dining Package) and regular FASTPASSes?

All of the viewing areas are standing only.

o The Reserved Viewing (Dining Package) costs $35-40 per person and gets you a quality meal and entrance to the central viewing area (as shown in the viewing chart above and close-up map later in this post). The viewing spots are central to the show but do not think that if you stand here you will have a guaranteed good view. The quality of your spot depends on how tall you are and where you stand. See advice also below on getting a good spot in the dining package viewing area.

o Regular FPs are for blue or yellow sections. These are free. You cannot choose which color you get. If you go to the WOC (GRR) FP machines they give out one color at a time. If you want a different color section you have to come back later when that color is given out. But there are no specific times when each color is given out so which color is available depends on how busy the day is at DCA and when you happen to arrive. The way to find out which color FP is being distributed is to ask the CMs or just walk up and look at what other FP gatherers are actually getting.

Others report different experiences at times. My experience has consistently been the above. I have seen WOC about 15 times and done the dining package 7-8 times and I would never plan to show up less than 75 minutes early myself. And my kids are grown up so are pretty tall relatively speaking.

And if one of your kids has to use the bathroom and you are the only adult so you all have to leave to use the bathroom, you lose that spot. Is that correct?

You are correct but guests are pretty friendly. I have seen WOC solo a couple times and I just talk to someone around me who seems friendly - and there generally are lots of those at Disney parks - and ask them to hold my spot. If I have a sweatshirt or bag or something I will put it on my spot just to be sure. I do not think a solo adult and a young child will have an issue if you just ask. Guests understand it is a long wait and you need to hit the restroom at some point. I always try and do that 20-30 minutes before the show starts.a

 

[PacoDF]

It is not totally clear how much they are enforcing viewing areas but if they are enforcing now then WCT is better than CCR.

Hi. I understand than the WCT area is better, but is the CCR area good enough? We got ADR for CCR (never been there and we want to try it) and definitely don't want to fight with a CM at the queue.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi. I understand than the WCT area is better, but is the CCR area good enough? We got ADR for CCR (never been there and we want to try it) and definitely don't want to fight with a CM at the queue.

Not sure how to answer this question. First, I do not think any WOC viewing area is worth paying for as compared to the free FPs. If you want to dine at WCT/CCR/AG anyways then that makes it worth it. Otherwise it is not IMO.

Do I think there are many free FP viewing spots much better than the CCR area? Definitely yes. Do I think the CCR is "good enough"? Well, if dining at CCR forced me to go to the CCR WOC area then I would not dine there at all - for WOC. So I guess the answer is "no" it is not good enough. The best spot in the CCR area is at best an average spot to see WOC.

 

[apple9117]

super helpful thread!

 

[catycatcat4]

Im doing a lunch dining package on July 29th do I really have to line up over an hour ahead for reserved seating? Why am I spending money on reserved seating?

 

[HydroGuy]

Im doing a lunch dining package on July 29th do I really have to line up over an hour ahead for reserved seating?

No. Only if you want to make sure you have a good view of WOC.

Why am I spending money on reserved seating?

You're not. There is no reserved seating. There is reserved standing.

I have never seen anyone on this forum tell anyone that had to spend money to see WOC. So I am not sure where you are getting that. Read the OP in this thread for advice on how to see WOC. This advice is standard and has not changed for the last five years. Hope you figure out what is best for your group.

 

[robin2588]

We just went last Tuesday and were first in line for the Reserved viewing area thanks to all the tips on this thread!!! So thank you much!!! We waited near the Little Mermaid ride after dinner around 6:50 and watched the cast members set up all the queues. Then when they were done I walked over and asked which area I would be lining up at for Wine and Country(which is correct on the OP map) and I asked if I could start waiting and they said yes. They let us in the viewing area around 7:30 and we got the front railing not in the wet zone and stood our ground as others crowded in. The one thing that was different than the OP(maybe just on this night though) was the queue line up for CC was not with the same queue as AG and WCT. The queue to line up for CC was between yellow and the AG/WCT queues near the section they are trying to make them go to. The blue and Yellow FP queues were crowded very quickly right after 7 when they started letting people line up. So 90 minutes is correct for a good viewing spot.

 

[robin2588]

Oh and if you do plan to do the WCT WOC package if you don't mind eating too early book your reservation for 5:00 or 5:15 and ask for a seat on the patio next to the railing. I didn't plan for us to catch the Pixar parade, as we were doing so many other things, but lucky for us the parade came right by us at the restaurant around 5:30-5:45 and we had front row seats without having to fight people for a spot on the street. It was an awesome surprise. My son loved it!! Not sure if the parade is viewable from the other two WOC restaurants.