First time seeing World of Color...Fastpasses??

[kimbopotamus]

I will be at Disneyland April 24-28. I plan on trying to see World of Color on Wednesday, 25th. I haven't been to DL since 2008 and SO much has changed! I've read and re-read about World of Color dining and picnic and so on, but all I want is to be able to watch the show. Here are my questions....

Do we have to acquire Fastpasses? If so, where do you get them? Does everyone in my party (myself and two daughters) have to be present to get them? How early in the day do I need to get Faspasses?

This show is the ONLY thing that has me stressing about my trip. I'm so afraid we are going to get a horrible viewing location or worse, no location at all. Help please hehe!! Thanks so much!

Kimbo

[Crystalyte]

You get the fastpasses from the FP machine for Grizzly River Run. There will be a sign for World of Color. I don't know how busy the parks will be that day, so I would get there as early as possible.

You're party doesn't have to be present. You just need their passes. However, their passes must have been scanned at the park's turnstile that day.

Plan on showing up for your spot earlier than your FP says to. I've only seen WOC twice, and both times I had bad spots because other people had been there for a couple of hours already.

[sunnydalegirl]

We will be there the week before you, and our last trip was in 2008 as well! I completely agree about the stress this show causes! I am planning on being in line to get into DCA 30 minutes before it opens and go straight to the FP machines (I believe they are near the Grizzly River Run ride). I hope this will be good enough. What I am really dreading is waiting for the show that night. I have a 2-year old who will not enjoy that wait. Everything I have heard is that it is crowded and disorganized and you can't even see because everyone is standing. My Dad will be in an EVC and I was told they will let onlyhim sit but that the area for that has a terrible view. I am wondering if this show is truly worth all the trouble...

[MidwayManiac]

Do we have to acquire Fastpasses?

It's highly highly recommended, although you can watch from Paradise Pier (near Ariel's Grotto) and/or from under the Silly Symhony Swings without passes.

If so, where do you get them?

Grizzly River Run Fastpass queue

Does everyone in my party (myself and two daughters) have to be present to get them?

No only one of you need be present to retrieve passes, however, all of your tickets need to have been scanned for valid entry into a park that day.

How early in the day do I need to get Faspasses?

There's only one show that day (unlike most of April) so I wouldn't mess around. There will probably be FPs available for at least 4-5 hours after park opens but you never know. I'd do it first thing: get in line @ 9:30 when DCA opens prior to rope drop.

[kimbopotamus]

You get the fastpasses from the FP machine for Grizzly River Run. There will be a sign for World of Color. I don't know how busy the parks will be that day, so I would get there as early as possible.

You're party doesn't have to be present. You just need their passes. However, their passes must have been scanned at the park's turnstile that day.

Plan on showing up for your spot earlier than your FP says to. I've only seen WOC twice, and both times I had bad spots because other people had been there for a couple of hours already.

What if my daughter's tickets have been scanned at Disneyland? We are thinking that since DL opens an hour earlier, we will go to DL for an hour and then ideally, I would like to let them stay and play at DL while I run over to DCA and grab our Fastpasses...will that work?

[Crystalyte]

What if my daughter's tickets have been scanned at Disneyland? We are thinking that since DL opens an hour earlier, we will go to DL for an hour and then ideally, I would like to let them stay and play at DL while I run over to DCA and grab our Fastpasses...will that work?

That, I don't know. I've never tried it. Maybe someone else from the board will know. Sorry.

[kimbopotamus]

We will be there the week before you, and our last trip was in 2008 as well! I completely agree about the stress this show causes! I am planning on being in line to get into DCA 30 minutes before it opens and go straight to the FP machines (I believe they are near the Grizzly River Run ride). I hope this will be good enough. What I am really dreading is waiting for the show that night. I have a 2-year old who will not enjoy that wait. Everything I have heard is that it is crowded and disorganized and you can't even see because everyone is standing. My Dad will be in an EVC and I was told they will let onlyhim sit but that the area for that has a terrible view. I am wondering if this show is truly worth all the trouble...

How funny about our trip times! I am concerned about the 'standing room only' as well. My youngest is 8 and tall for her age but I am worried about her staring at butts/backs in front of her and not enjoying this show. And also about tall dads putting little kids on their shoulders and blocking MY view lol. I'm with you, just not sure it will be worth the trouble. But we will give it a try!! Good luck to you, I hope your trip is magical!

[MidwayManiac]

What if my daughter's tickets have been scanned at Disneyland? will that work?

That's fine. She doesn't need to enter DCA for you to get the FPs. For that matter you can also pick up one other set of FPs while you're in DCA before heading back to DL.

[candles71]

A had a hard time seeing (she was 9 in May when we saw it) even though we were at the railing we were too far to the left. Her big brother put her on his back, piggyback style, so that she was as tall as he is but not blocking anyone behind any more than he already was.
Like MidwayManiac said, the passes just need to have been activated for the day. (I think the only exception to this is 1 park per day tickets) Like he also said grab FPs for something else as well, as you can be holding passes for each park at the same time and WOC passes don't count towards that count.
We got there a bit after they let everyone in to grab a spot. There were still places to go but not great locations. At this point you can sit on the ground to wait, they will have you stand closer to showtime.

[Malcon10t]

What if my daughter's tickets have been scanned at Disneyland? We are thinking that since DL opens an hour earlier, we will go to DL for an hour and then ideally, I would like to let them stay and play at DL while I run over to DCA and grab our Fastpasses...will that work?

Yes.

[kimbopotamus]

Yes.

Perfect!! Thank you!!

And thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the info! :-)

[jackieeekitty]

Seems like all the questions have been answered, but thought I'd add this in - I saw World of Color last year and it was very well done and brought a tear to my eye...def worth seeing - get the Fast Passes though - we didn't know when we went last year and ended up standing in a weird spot...(we wriggled in though and got a really got spot just before the show started though)

[candles71]

I will say your days are midweek/off season, you shouldn't have any issue getting a FP anytime before noon.

[letshavefun]

If you don't mind getting misted or even kinda wet we showed up late the area was already filled and just walked up to the soak zone (summer month even) and got a spot on the rail. I don't know if it's always like that but it was really nice for us.

[tea4two]

Since you will be at DLR the day before you plan on seeing WOC, it might help to cruise by the viewing area in the evening before the show (on the 24th) just to check things out. You will be able to see where the different color zones are, where the splash zone is, and where the lines form. At that point, you will be able to ask questions and get info from the CMs (keeping in mind that the answers can/will change from CM to CM and from night to night). You can also check the location of the FP machines by Grizzly Rapids so you will know exactly where to go on the 25th.

[ralfrick]

I will say your days are midweek/off season, you shouldn't have any issue getting a FP anytime before noon.

I wouldn't risk it. Twice this year I've arrived midweek to find them gone between 12-1. Do it first thing , and you'll be fine. Even if they have them at noon, it will be a less desirable location.

It is my understanding that there are now only 2 color sections instead of 3. Can someone confirm that? Thanks,

A bientot.

[tea4two]

... It is my understanding that there are now only 2 color sections instead of 3. Can someone confirm that?...

I read on another board that, due to construction in the area, the red zone has been eliminated and only blue,yellow, and preferred dining remain. But I haven't yet had the chance to confirm this in person.

[bumblebeeonarose]

If you don't mind getting misted or even kinda wet we showed up late the area was already filled and just walked up to the soak zone (summer month even) and got a spot on the rail. I don't know if it's always like that but it was really nice for us.

This was our experience as well. We weren't late, but CM were calling people over to the area. I think our passes would have had us standing elsewhere.

[TTFN92]

So how soaked do you get in the soak zone? Are you completely drenched or just a little wet?

[letshavefun]

So how soaked do you get in the soak zone? Are you completely drenched or just a little wet?

It depends on the wind and which way it is blowing. We were standing in the wind and towards the end of the show we did get pretty wet. But I think if there was no wind we would of just got misted. If there is wind the night you go maybe take one of those cheapie ponchos. It really is a great veiw from the splash zone.

[bumblebeeonarose]

It was kind of like standing in a steady, light drizzle.

[TTFN92]

I guess if we are going back to the hotel after we see it we may as well get wet and have a good seat.

[MadasaHatter]

I really like the picnic lunches especially with kids! You can then eat and get them WHENEVER you want them. Put leftovers in the hotel fridge, eat them by the pool. The veggie is good, the Chicken is good. Fish not so much. The other nice thing about them is that they are pre-bought and you have your tickets. You can then decide to go into DL that day which we have done many times. PLUS you pick up the picnic lunches right next to the wine counter.....coincedence??? I think not. If you are worried about tickets then all the worries are over about getting tickets.

I have seen WOC 4 times and there is NO BAD VIEW unless you are huddled in the LEMMING CROWD up front. THe last time I went to the park with my cousins they were BOUND AND DETERMINED to do Fantasmic/Fireworks/WOC.....So we did Fantasmic close to the hub and left a WEE BIT early. Not much. We watched the fireworks from the FRONT HUB by City Hall and walked right over to DCA and actually RODE LITTLE MERMAID 10 minutes before WOC and exited the ride JUST as the lights were going down and we had a whole tier on a Saturday night to ourselves as everyone was crammed up front. My one cousin wanted to go closer and me and my other said go for it we like our tier and leaning against a railing. She hesitated and stayed with us and at the end claimed we had the best seats of anyone. If my little ones were impatient I would show up 5 minutes before it starts but 8 is your youngest so they should be OK. Be prepared.....the show is long and not well paced at all compared to Fantasmic which has pacing galore. It is beautiful it just needs a complete re-editing. Hello Disney.....this is what I do......I edit. Oh and remember....I am mad.