So in reading another recent thread I noticed discussion around FP for WoC and how people were "planning" around it. As such I did a little digging on some other sites and found that this is quite a hot topic.
I was wondering if any of the regulars here have any tips that they have found particularly useful.
I understand that FPs for WoC are given out at Grizzly River Run in the morning. Can you choose which show you want? (if there are two on that night) or do you just get what is given out? How quickly are the FPs running out these days? (most of what I'm reading is from last summer so it's hard to get a good indication of what's currently happening.)
Is it worth getting the picnic?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
BTW: Arriving May 26th - 65 days away.
You cannot choose which show. Once the first show books out, they go straight into the second show. You can ask the CM what show they're currently on. The same goes for colored section. You do not get to choose, but you can ask a CM in case you want to hang around for a particular section. Blue and yellow are good sections, avoid red if you can.
FPs run out fast. If there's bad weather or it's an unusually slow day, they'll book out slower. The first show tends to run out by 11am and the second in the early afternoon. Definitely get a FP right at park opening (they let people in at 9:30 to go and get a FP) to ensure that you get a FP, especially if you don't want to wait around for the second show.
Assuming things don't change, this is how everything will work: If you get the 8am show, you'll arrive at Paradise Park at 7pm (the time it says on your FP). Arrive right at 7 for better viewing spots. Don't be late or you'll have a bunch of people standing in front of you. Lighted signs will be up telling you where to enter. If you're in blue, go to the blue sign...yellow, yellow sign, etc. Ask a CM for help if you're confused, they answer those questions hundreds of times every night.
If you're in blue, the bridge is a great spot to view from. There aren't a lot of people up there and you have a nice overview of the whole show. If not, find a spot anywhere along a railing. That goes for any section. If you're along a railing, you won't have people standing in front of you obstructing your view. Front row offers you a neat view that really shows you how massive those fountains are. Standing further back isn't bad viewing at all, it gives you a great view of the whole show.
If you get the second show, your FP will tell you to return to a specific spot. Yellow goes to Grizzly, red to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, and blue to the Wine Country Trattoria restaurant. Arrive back at 8:15 (again, the time it says on your FP). You'll line up there while the first show is going on. Once it ends and everyone clears out of the viewing area, you'll be walked into Paradise Park for your show.
I've never done the picnic before, so I can't really say much about that. You'll either get a blue or yellow FP with the food.
This is all current info. If you have any other questions, just let me know.
