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bennette
06-09-2010, 01:17 PM
Okay, let’s see, my longer review.

Let’s dispense with the caveats. This was not a normal show, as it was both an early run; there was ticket/wristband distribution managed by non-Disney staff; and there wasn’t a “full” crowd. (We estimated 3,000.)

Our instructions (that we received from the radio station) told us not to come to the viewing areas before 9:00, with a show start time of 9:30. I heard several comments from different radio staff about the times and why no fastpass (which we’d originally been told we’d receive). The most common comment was that they had more than enough room for everyone and no need to use the fastpasses. (Not saying that’s true, just what was stated. I’m also not sure why they wouldn’t have tested the fastpasses with a large, less functional crowd than CM’s, given the opportunity but I’m just a casual observer. I’m sure they had a good reason.)

We had dinner reservations in DTD and actually didn’t end up back near the viewing area until about 8:50. People had already been allowed in, presumably for some time. We asked where to go and where told anywhere we wanted.

My savvy friend escorted us as close to the front of the blue (center) section as possible but the splash zone and area just behind it were full. She determined we would be better off standing a little further back but next to a roped off walkway, as it would minimize the number of people standing directly in front of us.

My biggest issue with the show was and probably will remain, the lack of truly tiered or appropriately sloped seating/standing area. If you are not at a railing or the front of the next sloped section, you will not see the entire performance, because the people in front of you will obstruct your view. Yes, we saw kids on shoulders (we were told that wouldn’t be allowed when the show went live but I have no idea how Disney will stop it in a standing room only crowd). Surprising, a worse obstruction for me was the vast number of people holding a camera or other device straight in the air overhead, filming the entire show. People do this for the fireworks, I know but for some reason is seemed much worse in this venue, probably because the fireworks are much higher in the air than WOC.

Yes, much of the show is high in the air (like fireworks) but there is some action going on on the surface of the lake. If you can’t see it, well, you miss out on certain elements and I think very few people will get a good view of this. Specifically the splash zone, folks right at the rail in other areas (I’m not sure it matters which area you are in if you are at the rail) or on the bridge overlooking the lake are areas I suggest for viewing. Not that you won’t have a good time elsewhere (my husband had ZERO complaints) but I like an optimal experience.

I’m not going to discuss the show itself, so as not to spoil it for anyone. Certainly it is unique and impressive. There is much to like. Sorry to be short, but I couldn’t describe it well anyway.

Anyone who is wondering about whether blue 1 or blue 2 is a “better” spot; we were told by our CM (who got extensively queried by my savvy friend) that those designations are only useful for security CM’s, they don’t designate prime and subprime, anything like that.

I can’t quite figure out the handicapped thing; I’m not sure they have either. In the blue section, between the first and second “tiers” they had an area roped off with benches and I saw some folks in there with wheelchairs and some people sitting on benches but no scooters nearby. Not sure how they would have seen over the bodies of the people in front of them. Our CM was not able to provide full specifics when asked about various other seating arrangements for the show when it went live. So not to say there isn’t an option, I just don’t know where or how it will be set up.

I think they must have been selling picnic dinners somewhere. We saw quite a few people come through with black clamshell boxes, which I guess they ate standing up? I know we had the broom brigade come through several times during the show, which I found distracting.

Timeline for waiting:

As I said, we got there at about 10 minutes to 9:00 for a 9:30 show start. At 9:00 they started the warm up with the large Carnivale-type puppets. Last night was their first appearance. Several of them are really great puppets but I can’t say I got all that charged up by the preshow.

The preshow ended about 9:20 and we waited. At 9:25 the fireworks came on across the way and we waited some more. Some folks have posted that we were waiting for the fireworks to finish; I don’t know but we did keep standing until 9:50 when the show started.

The show lasted 25 minutes? A half hour? When it was over we examined some of the other standing areas. Our best recommendation is the splash zone. While level of “splashness” will vary depending on weather, last night’s group mostly reported minimal wetness, much of which dried off when the extensive fire elements were used. They did report that a few times, they got a splash of moisture that was enough to cause them to cover their faces and miss brief glimpses of the show. I think everyone should probably pack a poncho. You just don’t know where the breeze will send the water.

It was fairly misty last night and I felt some of the images weren’t as clear on the water screens as I was expecting, and some of them seemed to be truncated at the top of the water screen. Savvy friends felt this was a reflection of the weather and the breeze so your mileage will vary.

My other primary issue with the show was more personal. Yes, I think the lack of seating areas are a mistake. The vagueness of the lineup at this time and whether or not you will have to queue extensively for a “good” seat is also troubling. I have a back issue that prevents me from standing or sitting in comfort for long periods of time. Last night was about as much as I could handle. I would be happy to pay for a really good spot and a last minute walkup—that’s the only way I can manage to see Fantasmic—but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards right now. I actually said last night that I could see myself getting a wheelchair for this event because I don’t know how else I could get through a longer wait. That’s assuming I’m happy with the wheelchair seating they work out.

This is a lot of fussiness and quite a few negatives, I know. Please don’t let it detract from your potential enjoyment of the show. The show isn’t live yet. There is a lot about it that is spectacular and much that I think Disney will figure out how to improve in the next few weeks/months. The single big problem I see is the setup. (Not immediately fixable, but no doubt they could do something about it in the long term or maybe the majority of people will be like my husband, who really enjoyed it and had no complaints.)

Happy viewing!

AVP
06-09-2010, 02:46 PM
Cast members, media and lucky KOST fans have all seen the show, and starting Friday night it's YOUR turn. This is YOUR thread to tell us what you thought of the new show - the good, the bad, and the soaked.

I'm copying Bennette's review here to get the conversation started, and we're looking for feedback from anyone and everyone.

CMHusband
06-09-2010, 05:27 PM
Beautiful Show!
Not only the visuals but the music and sound system were really incredible too. We went on rides right up until they started closing them down and then wandered over to get in line for the show. It took about 10 minutes to get into the Park and find a place to stand (sit for about 30 minutes until showtime) and we selected a spot right in the center on the top step so no-one could possible stand in front of us to block our view.

Some of the stuff they did with water, motion, lights, lasers, mist, fire & video etc will blow your mind. It is like NOTHING I have ever seen before. At one point they make the water shooting upward look as though it just goes up ONLY, you can't see it dropping, I think its done with lights and I was mesmerized for a moment by that effect. Everyone has or will have their favorite parts and mine was the Pirates of the Caribbean near the end, all the red lights, fire and video worked perfectly and that part seemed the most memorable for me.

Overall I give the show an A and think the creative team, the engineers, sprinkler experts, editor's what-ever should get to have a standing ovation from the crowd! I'm still clapping and can't wait to see it again.

Here's a few show facts I haven't really seen posted anywhere;
Nearly 1200 programmable water fountains, streaming 30 to 200 feet high
Nearly one full acre of engineered superstructure (longer than a football field)
More than 36 flame effects
One of the World's Largest water screens (380 feet wide by 50 feet high, 19,000 square ft of projection surface.
More than 100 musicians and a choir of 100 voices are featured on the soundtrack.

Go! See! Enjoy!!!

KarenW2
06-10-2010, 12:01 AM
Was it better than LUMINARIA??!!

lowfidelity
06-10-2010, 05:50 AM
I'm copying and adding some thoughts from the contest thread for my review. I'm probably going to echo bennette a little too.

The show itself was spectacular. We went right to the front (just to the west of the stage) into the "splash zone". We were told by the CM close to us said that even though the signs said you may get wet he told us that we will get wet and he was right. Its not a splash but more like a infrequent thick mist.

The Carnivale of Color was hard to see from our vantage point also. From where we were standing though it was difficult to see the two "hosts" and some of the characters. We decided that if we had been up a level we would have had a better vantage point and been able to see the WOC show better also.

Even though I have been following the progress of WOC for some time the rest in my party weren't. They were dancing to the music having a really good time. They were also surprised about the fire, which for some reason I never mentioned, and seeing the surprise on their faces when it happened was worth it.

The KOST event was not what I expected. That is to say that the e-mail instructions I received and the execution of the event differed. First there was no assigned seating or Fastpass for the event so it was first come first serve as far as where you got to stand. Second the instructions I had told me to bring all this paperwork with me. When I went to get my wristband I was told they didn't need it. Inconvenient but not a big deal. Also the slightly poor planning (fireworks conflict) had the show start about 20 minutes later than we were told which I wouldn't have minded so much if it wasn't a Tuesday night. Next, it felt a little like we were guinea pigs with all the people walking around with hand counters walking around taking counts. And lastly, getting asked by every CM if we liked the show was one thing but having them ask how it compared to Fantasmic felt like they had show envy or something ;).

All in all I had a great time and the big bonus was that the tickets we were given were park hoppers so my non-AP guests could head over to DL and ride a ride or two.

When you get a chance you should see it. I highly recommend this show!

jcruise86
06-10-2010, 06:32 AM
Thank you, AVP/Adrienne, for the eloquent review!

I thought it was interesting that you used the words, "artificially sentimental."
All fiction is in a sense artificial, but when successful it seems so real that we forget.

olegc
06-10-2010, 07:10 AM
great review. That's one thing I did not include in my comments when I posted but said to my wife and kids right at the end of the show - there's no cohesive story. They wondered why there had to be one - but I knew that most of the time that's what helps a show endure. It kind of felt like modern television or special-effects laden movies - too many producers?

olegc
06-10-2010, 07:14 AM
here is my review from the contest thread - with an added comment.

"having attended tonight's KOST/MYFM event, I can tell you one thing without spoiling it....

Disney never ceases to amaze my how they can take new technology, music, and images and just make a show an emotional experience. That's the best kind - the kind you remember for a long time. This is one of those. I plan to see this again from a better vantage point - but I tell you this now it will not dissapoint.

I can't say the same for the guy holding the kid on his shoulders, or the person in front of you holding up the simple camera trying to capture every single image and some video- but that's for the rant thread"

AVP pointed it out today about the lack of story. That's one thing I did not include in my comments when I posted but said to my wife and kids right at the end of the show - there's no cohesive story. They wondered why there had to be one - but I knew that most of the time that's what helps a show endure. It kind of felt like modern television or special-effects laden movies - too many producers?

Dazzling, the clarity of the video (if the night sky would be clear and black) was amazing, and the depth of field was really neat - especially for things like the Pocohantas canoe run or the stampede - note the lasers and the small fountains in red creating "hoof dust" across the water as they stampeded rolls on.

My guess? next summer after they tweak the show from the data they gather it will probably be even better (but it's so good now).

The viewing issues, though, are really a problem and I wonder how CM crowd control will be able to contain everyone. Even for the KOST thing I noticed a LOT more security (badged staff) than before.

bennette
06-10-2010, 07:18 AM
As olegc said, spot on, including the lack of a cohesive flow.

I also wish there had been more homage paid to some earlier Disney characters. There was a bit at the end and the few you mentioned in your piece but otherwise there sure was a lot of recent stuff in there. I love the recent stuff, don't get me wrong, but there's a lot more than that in the Disney vault. :)

I won't mind watching it again, that's for sure, but I suspect I will always be a fireworks girl at heart. (My husband, on the other hand, may have gone to the other side!)

Oh, one thing, I do think there were a couple of elements that might frighten small children. The battle with Emperor Zurg and the Pirate scene are pretty loud; one with fire (a lotta fire!). So when you see Buzz and Johnny, you might get ready for some hand holding with your little ones.

Toocherie
06-10-2010, 09:46 AM
ok, admittedly I haven't seen the show, but I was ruminating on bennette's and AVP's reviews and the fact that the viewing area has really not been "optimized" to allow people to see all the effects or have a comfortable time waiting for the show.

And I realized--Disney doesn't care. They know that no matter what they built "people will come." If it's not the thousands of local AP-ers then during the summer tourists will stake out their fastpasses or eat their prix fixe meals or picnic lunches to get the opportunity to see the World of Color. And people will grumble about the lack of seating and the poor views but they will still come. So from Disney's viewpoint it will have been a success.

Of course, then I began to have grandiose fantasies--what if Disney HAD built an area with seating--wouldn't that have opened up the venue to be usable for other purposes? Shows (similar to the ones in Epcot's America) both during the day and in the evening prior to WoC; Food and Wine seminars (I could see a contraption where a platform could be used that came up and over the fountains to allow guest stars to "walk on water"). I really think it was short-sighted of Disney to build what they did--they spent all those $$$ on great effects and fountains; but then "cheaped out" where it came to where the audience will be.

Andrew
06-10-2010, 10:07 AM
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix's review article of World of Color is now live here: http://www.mouseplanet.com/9286/The_Mostly_Wonderful_World_of_Color

The article will be re-published at 9:00 PM (Pacific) with additional video content that is currently under embargo (i.e. we can't show it). Please remember to check back after 9 tonight!

bennette
06-10-2010, 10:46 AM
ok, admittedly I haven't seen the show, but I was ruminating on bennette's and AVP's reviews and the fact that the viewing area has really not been "optimized" to allow people to see all the effects or have a comfortable time waiting for the show.



Let us keep in mind that bennette is known to be a little curmudgeonly. :0 Her husband, who is normal, was very happy as were several other posters. Let's see how you like it in July, when some of the kinks are worked out.

Mermaid
06-10-2010, 04:17 PM
It sounds great!! I am a little worried about the sloping issues. I won't be there until spring, so maybe they will have fixed it, or at least enough people will have been and have tips on how to be towards the front. Especially if they let people put kids on the shoulders and people are holding things over their heads. I am SO not confrontational, but if someone did that in front of me, I would say something. I wish I was able to go this summer, but for my stress level, it is probably better I go after the kinks are worked out!

shna
06-10-2010, 05:31 PM
Let us keep in mind that bennette is known to be a little curmudgeonly. :0 Her husband, who is normal, was very happy as were several other posters. Let's see how you like it in July, when some of the kinks are worked out.

I read this post without paying attention to who posted it. I was about to jump in and defend bennette ... then realized it was all ok. :p

Toocherie
06-10-2010, 07:20 PM
Let us keep in mind that bennette is known to be a little curmudgeonly.

I would have never known if you hadn't told me. ;)

Andrew
06-10-2010, 08:19 PM
We have updated the our review with previously-embargoed video, some from Disney and some exclusively by MousePlanet.

Go take a look! (http://www.mouseplanet.com/9286/The_Mostly_Wonderful_World_of_Color)

PanFan
06-10-2010, 10:07 PM
My four month old was fussing before the show (she was exhausted but just wouldn't fall asleep), but as soon as it started she was completely mesmerized the entire 25 minutes!

And I really liked it, too!

F! will always have a special place in my heart--after all, it does have Peter Pan and the theme was my wedding recessional--but WOC was absolutely gorgeous, storyline or not. As AVP said, pure eye candy.

Niwel
06-10-2010, 10:19 PM
I watched the stream... I look forward to seeing it in person in July - but any show that includes "So Close" is tops for me! :D

Andrew
06-10-2010, 11:44 PM
We'll continue our live coverage tomorrow, or later today, for the public premiere. MousePlanet staffers and a few volunteers will be providing updates on our live coverage page (http://www.mouseplanet.com/9279/World_of_Color_premiere_live_coverage) all day.

MeRSiamese
06-11-2010, 07:43 AM
Okay, let’s see, my longer review...
Happy viewing!Thank you SO much for your review... gave me a lot to think about.
I also find it extremely uncomfortable to stand still for extended periods of time and am thinking to be trapped in a large crowd where I am unable to relieve the pain by sitting for a spell might be too much to bear. :-(
Hopefully Disney will figure something out with this... and soon!
Thanks again!

Barbossa
06-11-2010, 08:32 AM
I saw the webcast last night. That version didn't do anything for me, I'll reserve judgement until I see it in person.

Bytebear
06-11-2010, 11:45 AM
I saw the webcast last night. That version didn't do anything for me, I'll reserve judgment until I see it in person.

I agree. I think the angle and wide view of the big rectangle of nozzles made it look more like a big LED screen, rather than a water show. I think at ground level it will look very differently.

As for the story. Meh. It was just a bunch of random clips. I would bet money they will rework the show in a year if not sooner. In fact, I would bet that they will tweak the show over the years, and they could easily do a Christmas or Halloween or even 4th of July show. I hope they get their creative juices flowing.

leota's necklace
06-11-2010, 03:09 PM
I haven't seen the show yet, but I wonder about the need for a story. Two of the most successful attractions in DL, Pirates and the Mansion, don't have an overarching story (or, well, they didn't before Jack Sparrow and Constance got dropped in) and they did just fine without it. (One might argue that their success relied on the absence of a story.) The fireworks shows generally don't have a story (they rely on a theme instead, generally), and they are fine, too.

bennette
06-11-2010, 04:47 PM
It needs a story.

Minimally a few more "connectors." I thought the water sprite might have been used to advantage a few more times.

olegc
06-11-2010, 09:14 PM
mansion and pirates, while a series of vignettes where you sort of evesdrop on the conversation, still are all about one theme. WoC tends to be a lot of little sections. the transitions are pretty good - but there is no single tie except for references to color or water. and on the finale they throw a whole slew of clips and pics at you with about 3 or 4 seconds each on the water screen. that's a lot to take in.

It's a great show - but could use a story to make things at least cohesive.