Disneyland in a Weekend Advice

[AshaNeOmah]

Let me state first that I am a very experienced WDW visitor. This will be my 5th trip to Disneyland so I am familiar with the layout and what is offered. I just need a few tips.

So I'm from Tennessee/Georgia but have to spend 2+ weeks on December in Phoenix. Obviously, I'm going to spend a Saturday/Sunday in Anaheim. I was last there in 2006 and haven't experienced a few of the newer attractions. The obvious question is this: Can I see Fantasmic and World of Color in one evening? Saturday Dec 4th to be exact. Which should I see first or second and should I do the World of Color dining package? World of Color takes priority but I would love to see both.

Any other advice is appreciated, as well.

 

[unkadug]

DCA closes at 10:00 with WoC shows at 9:00 and 10:15
DL closes at 12:00 with F! shows at 9:00 and 10:30

Go see WoC first, then F!. If you did it the other way around, you could run the risk of getting locked out of DCA before the final shows begins.

 

[AshaNeOmah]

Thanks! I've got a dinner ressie at Steakhouse 55 at 5pm so I'll head to DCA afterward to see the crowd for WoC. Is there anything I should know about fastpasses or priority areas for WoC? I've read a little about the fastpasses but I'm not really sure how that works for such an open area/show. I did the dessert buffet twice when it was available in DL and enjoyed it. Anything similar for WoC? Thanks again.

 

[Nicole220]

Thanks! I've got a dinner ressie at Steakhouse 55 at 5pm so I'll head to DCA afterward to see the crowd for WoC. Is there anything I should know about fastpasses or priority areas for WoC? I've read a little about the fastpasses but I'm not really sure how that works for such an open area/show. I did the dessert buffet twice when it was available in DL and enjoyed it. Anything similar for WoC? Thanks again.

You must have a fastpass to see WoC. Otherwise you'll be forced to watch in less than spectacular places. Go get a fastpass right when the park opens at Grizzly River Run. They start letting guests get fastpasses 30 minutes before park opening. We usually sell out by 1:00 on busy days, so it's very important to get there early. As to what show you'll get, it depends. You won't know what show you're in until you get to the front of the line. The fastpass will tell you what section you're in: blue, yellow, or red. I've seen the show from every section and they're all good.

The FP will also tell you the return time for later that evening. If you're in the 9:00 show, you'll return to the lighthouse type structure in Paradise Park at around 8:00. People start crowding that area waaaay earlier, but there's no point. Definitely don't arrive later than 8:30, though. At 8:15 we start letting guests into the viewing area. You'll see a line of CMs...they will validate your ticket and direct you to your viewing area.

If you're in the 10:15 show, your FP will tell you to queue up in a certain area: blue = the Trattoria, yellow= Grizzly River Run, and red= Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Arrival time is between 9:15-9:45. You'll wait in that area until the first show finishes and the guests clear out. Then the CMs will walk you to your viewing area.

If you don't want to wait in line for a FP, you can do one of two things: order a picnic lunch/dinner that comes with a comp. blue FP for the 9:00 show or purchase a meal at Ariel's Grotto or the Trattoria that comes with a preferred dining FP (you'll have your own viewing section). You can purchase these in advance online. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/world-of-color/dining/

Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm very familiar with the show.

 

[unkadug]

You must have a fastpass to see WoC. Otherwise you'll be forced to watch in less than spectacular places. Go get a fastpass right when the park opens at Grizzly River Run. They start letting guests get fastpasses 30 minutes before park opening. We usually sell out by 1:00 on busy days, so it's very important to get there early. As to what show you'll get, it depends. You won't know what show you're in until you get to the front of the line. The fastpass will tell you what section you're in: blue, yellow, or red. I've seen the show from every section and they're all good.

The FP will also tell you the return time for later that evening. If you're in the 9:00 show, you'll return to the lighthouse type structure in Paradise Park at around 8:00. People start crowding that area waaaay earlier, but there's no point. Definitely don't arrive later than 8:30, though. At 8:15 we start letting guests into the viewing area. You'll see a line of CMs...they will validate your ticket and direct you to your viewing area.

If you're in the 10:15 show, your FP will tell you to queue up in a certain area: blue = the Trattoria, yellow= Grizzly River Run, and red= Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Arrival time is between 9:15-9:45. You'll wait in that area until the first show finishes and the guests clear out. Then the CMs will walk you to your viewing area.

If you don't want to wait in line for a FP, you can do one of two things: order a picnic lunch/dinner that comes with a comp. blue FP for the 9:00 show or purchase a meal at Ariel's Grotto or the Trattoria that comes with a preferred dining FP (you'll have your own viewing section). You can purchase these in advance online. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/world-of-color/dining/

Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm very familiar with the show.

I did not know this. What is you leave the park and arrive back at say 10:05 with a park closing of 10:00 and you have a Fast Pass for the 10:15 show?

 

[cdunbar]

I did not know this. What is you leave the park and arrive back at say 10:05 with a park closing of 10:00 and you have a Fast Pass for the 10:15 show?

The fast pass says to arrive 1 hour early. I actually still have mine from when I went for DL55 this summer as I began to suffer from heat exhaustion and was unable to stay for the show.

 

[unkadug]

The fast pass says to arrive 1 hour early. I actually still have mine from when I went for DL55 this summer as I began to suffer from heat exhaustion and was unable to stay for the show.

Were you able to see F! and WoC in one night?

 

[cdunbar]

Were you able to see F! and WoC in one night?

I didn't. I saw F! one night and then WoC was suppose to be the next night. My friends that went to WoC that night said that even all the way in the back you get soaked. Could you? I wouldn't think so because people start grabbing seats for F! at 3 in the afternoon for the first show...:shrug:

 

[AshaNeOmah]

So here's my plan: I've got Blue Bayou for lunch on Sat and Trattoria on Sunday. I'll call and attempt to book a Trattoria priority lunch for Saturday and request seating for the 9 PM WoC. Change my Blue Bayou to Sunday's lunch. That way, I'll get a good seat for WoC at 9 and grab whatever view I can for the late F! Think that would work? I'd like to save one for Sunday but I've got to drive the 5 hours back to Phoenix for work Monday morning.

 

[cdunbar]

So here's my plan: I've got Blue Bayou for lunch on Sat and Trattoria on Sunday. I'll call and attempt to book a Trattoria priority lunch for Saturday and request seating for the 9 PM WoC. Change my Blue Bayou to Sunday's lunch. That way, I'll get a good seat for WoC at 9 and grab whatever view I can for the late F! Think that would work? I'd like to save one for Sunday but I've got to drive the 5 hours back to Phoenix for work Monday morning.

Yeah just make sure to call ASAP for Blue Bayou, the other restaurants you can do only a few days in advance w/o a problem but the Bayou is not sucha beast.

 

[cdunbar]

But don't make the same mistake I did and go right into the parks without any prep for the 3 hour time difference under your belt. I did that and it's one of the two things I regret about my trip, the other being ill for WoC night,

 

[AshaNeOmah]

I'm actually heading to AZ on Wednesday. Working at Palo Verde Nuclear Station (I'm a sturctural engineer) on Thurs and Fri and leaving for DL about 3 AM Sat morning. That'll give me nearly 3 days to get accustomed to the change. I don't get to come home till the 18th so I'll have to find an activity for the next weekend. Any suggestions?

 

[cdunbar]

I'm actually heading to AZ on Wednesday. Working at Palo Verde Nuclear Station (I'm a sturctural engineer) on Thurs and Fri and leaving for DL about 3 AM Sat morning. That'll give me nearly 3 days to get accustomed to the change. I don't get to come home till the 18th so I'll have to find an activity for the next weekend. Any suggestions?

You could go into LA and do a studio tour like paramount. I hear that's suppose to be cool, OR you could hope a plane to San Fran for the weekend and see the Walt Disney Family Museum.

 

[Nicole220]

I did not know this. What is you leave the park and arrive back at say 10:05 with a park closing of 10:00 and you have a Fast Pass for the 10:15 show?

If you were running late and showed up then, I would say show the CM at the entrance your 10:15 FP and see if they'll let you in. I'm not too sure...

I didn't. I saw F! one night and then WoC was suppose to be the next night. My friends that went to WoC that night said that even all the way in the back you get soaked. Could you? I wouldn't think so because people start grabbing seats for F! at 3 in the afternoon for the first show...:shrug:

Depends on how much the wind gods like/don't like you. :lol: More wind = more people wet, even in the back.

So here's my plan: I've got Blue Bayou for lunch on Sat and Trattoria on Sunday. I'll call and attempt to book a Trattoria priority lunch for Saturday and request seating for the 9 PM WoC. Change my Blue Bayou to Sunday's lunch. That way, I'll get a good seat for WoC at 9 and grab whatever view I can for the late F! Think that would work? I'd like to save one for Sunday but I've got to drive the 5 hours back to Phoenix for work Monday morning.

Usually the later F! is less crowded, so the chances for getting a nicer view are better. Key words: usually less crowded. Just depends on the night. But doing F! second is the better option.

You could go into LA and do a studio tour like paramount. I hear that's suppose to be cool, OR you could hope a plane to San Fran for the weekend and see the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Or you could go down to San Deigo and explore.

 

[cdunbar]

If you were running late and showed up then, I would say show the CM at the entrance your 10:15 FP and see if they'll let you in. I'm not too sure...

Hey, are you doing front end yet, or are you doing attractions? I can't remember, sorry...

Depends on how much the wind gods like/don't like you. :lol: More wind = more people wet, even in the back.

:lol:

Or you could go down to San Deigo and explore.

THAT's also a good idea.

 

[Nicole220]

Hey, are you doing front end yet, or are you doing attractions? I can't remember, sorry...

Attractions, and with attractions comes WoC guest control, which is where I'm at a majority of the time. I like it.

 

[cdunbar]

Attractions, and with attractions comes WoC guest control, which is where I'm at a majority of the time. I like it.

Well I'm VERY glad you like it! There is nothing like having a job that you actually enjoy! :kiss:

 

[AshaNeOmah]

I want to thank you guys for all your help. I just booked a Trattoria WoC package for Saturday, lunch at 11:30, seating for the early show. That should give me time to get to F! and enable me to watch both. I asked to move my BB ressie to Sunday and they had no trouble accommodating one adult. Looks like I'm good to go. Thanks again!

 

[cdunbar]

I want to thank you guys for all your help. I just booked a Trattoria WoC package for Saturday, lunch at 11:30, seating for the early show. That should give me time to get to F! and enable me to watch both. I asked to move my BB ressie to Sunday and they had no trouble accommodating one adult. Looks like I'm good to go. Thanks again!

Just make sure to arrive like 15 min early to BB and ask for a water table. It's too awesome for words!:sohappy: