[Review] My main issue with World of Color

[DrFink]

I saw World of Color for the first time this past March and I will say that it is a pretty amazing show. I don't think it beat out Fantasmic (personal preference) but it was cool. At least what I could see of it. I did the FastPass to get the viewing area, I think I was in Blue, and the main thing I noticed right off the bat was all the people with giant strollers parked near the front and all the tall people standing in front of me. I'm only 5'5" so having anyone taller than at least 5'8" in front of me really sucks.
While I was sitting and waiting for it to get dark I couldn't help but think how they could have set things up better for the viewing areas. They had all that time to remodel Paradise Pier and could have put in some sort of stadium set-up or stairs so that shorter people, and children, would have an easier time watching the show. I wound up watching most of WOC through my camera LED screen because I could barely see anything and by the end of the show my arm hurt from holding my camera up for a half hour. Most of what I could see with the naked eye was the tops of the high water spouts. I have watched a couple decent YouTube videos of WOC to fill in the gaps.

Definitely the least planned out viewing area, imo. It's not like the fireworks displays where it doesn't matter how tall the people around you are. Anyone agree or have a similar issue?

[Coolwowzer]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

I agree, i was behind a tall guy wearing the glow with the show ears one time i saw it, I ended up leaving and standing in front of Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Surprisingly it was a better view than in the viewing area, and didn't need a showpass. Sure people walk in front of you but the screens are above there heads and i can still see clearly. as for the Fireworks, I don't want Glow With the Show incorporated there, Fantasmic I can deal with but not in front of the fireworks, because kids already have trouble seeing, with people wearing mouse ears doesn't help there chances at seeing the magic.

[swampymarsh]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

I disagree greatly.

While the WoC viewing area could be much better almost every things can with 20-20 vision of hindsight. It's much better than F! and Fireworks. It has a larger pitch built in so more people can see more of the show. This is why it has that multi tier viewing area. If you are short there is a simple solution, show up earlier, just like should be done with other shows.

[ohmyjustin]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

Whenever I see WoC, there's almost always space up front by the water. It is a little awkward to walk past people who are sitting down and settling in front of them, but when everyone is required to stand, tons of room opens up. I've seen pretty large sections get swooped up last second in front, even before the wet zone.

[DannyLand]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

viewing on the railing=GOOD SHOW. 20% of people
Viewing NOT on the railing (everyone else) =BAD SHOW. 80% of people

---------- Post added 08-16-2012 at 11:29 PM ----------

this is true because when i see the show not on the railing, no one seems to be interested or able to see.

[Kevin Noty]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

Im short too, just ask the folk if they wouldnt mind you standing in front of them. I told a guy,"sir would it be ok if i stood in front of you wince im short youll be able to see right over me anyways." His response was " you want on my shoulders instead"

NOPE no thanks i like my feet on the ground, Most people will allow you to go stand in front of them if they are taller, you just need to ask.

[animark]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

I'd have to disagree with the seating arrangements. For me, the idea of having a night time spectacular in an area of the park rather than a giant stadium of bleachers is that it feels more like an experience rather than a show. Fantasmic pulls this off perfectly. During the day, The rivers of America seems like a normal scenic addition to the park, but as night falls you start to see these light fixtures come out of almost nowhere, and notice all these people gathering around the river. For somebody who doesn't know whats going on they might seem curious about the whole prospect. They realize its a nighttime spectacular the moment it starts and one would wonder how something this grand could be played in such an inconspicuous place.

I brought along a couple of friends who haven't been to disneyland since their childhood and never heard of fantasmic. I asked them if they knew what it was but thats all I mentioned about the show. later that night we were lucky to get front row seating areas despite the fact that we came in late. When they say the Peter pan section of the show they were completely blown away by it. They literally cried with excitement at what they were witnessing. after the show they told me how was it possible that they pulled all of that off and that they never even noticed anything during the day. All they could talk about was how they missed out on their childhood missing this show. It made me giggle a bit inside and happy that I was able to show them this. but I'm getting a little off topic.

What I'm saying is. The seating area almost looks like just a regular midway, a place to just rest your feet after walking half the day, then suddenly the whole area transforms at night into this marvelous spectacle. You really don't get that in a stadium like atmosphere like they do in WDW. You know what that stage is for off the bat as soon as you see it, so there really isn't any specatular transformation.

of course the only downside is that you may not get a good view, but because of the wide viewing area you can have different experience every time depending on where you see it from. With world of color if you sit near the front, your practically engulfed by the colors and water around you, while viewing from the back you see how grand and enormous this show is.

[DrFink]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

Now I have a question, I noticed when we gave our passes to the cast member there was a "wet viewing area" and we chose not to do it because we were cold and didn't want to get wet. Is that a better area with less people? I was thinking about doing that in October but I am not positive.

I don't really want to make a reservation at one of the restaurants and buy food just to watch the show.

[emwhysee]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

Now I have a question, I noticed when we gave our passes to the cast member there was a "wet viewing area" and we chose not to do it because we were cold and didn't want to get wet. Is that a better area with less people? I was thinking about doing that in October but I am not positive.

We've always watched from the "wet zone" and had a great view. You get misted, but it wasn't uncomfortably so...there's no soaking or splashing, so it wasn't a problem. We did make sure we had an outer layer, a sweater or a sweatshirt, so our skin layer wasn't damp.

The challenge with stadium seating is that the area needs to function as a plaza during the day. I've read on previous threads suggestions of hydraulic bleachers that rise out of the ground, but can you imagine the mayhem on an evening if there's a technical issue? (inevitable with mechanics of that scale) Plus, WAY more people can see the show at a time this way.

That's not to say that there aren't challenges with visibility from some areas, but they've done a pretty good job balancing the needs of a multi-use space.

I think Kevin Noty had it right, that sometimes all it takes is talking to the people around you...we've seen similar adjustments happening at the moment they ask everyone to stand up, and most people seem to want to do what they can to make it an enjoyable time for everyone.

[DrFink]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

We've always watched from the "wet zone" and had a great view. You get misted, but it wasn't uncomfortably so...there's no soaking or splashing, so it wasn't a problem. We did make sure we had an outer layer, a sweater or a sweatshirt, so our skin layer wasn't damp.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback. I guess I will just aim for the wet zone when I go.

Still regarding the regular viewing, one thing I am happy they do is prevent people from putting kids on shoulders. There was a guy who put his toddler on his shoulders and a cast member asked him not to do it so those behind him could see.

[swampymarsh]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

Now I have a question, I noticed when we gave our passes to the cast member there was a "wet viewing area" and we chose not to do it because we were cold and didn't want to get wet. Is that a better area with less people? I was thinking about doing that in October but I am not positive.

I don't really want to make a reservation at one of the restaurants and buy food just to watch the show.

With the reserved dining viewing, it may not be better. Those areas are near the center of the "stage" so offer good views, but if you are toward the center of the free FP areas you can be right next to above of below those same viewers. IMO if I'm eating at CCT, WCT or previously(no longer an available package) AG, it didn't hurt to get the tickets too.

What I have noticed is the wet area either is extra crowded or uncrowded, it reallly depends on the temperature. The easiest way to get a great view, is to be there early. Take a spot against the railings where nobody stands right in front of you.

[Pirate Lover 68]

Re: My main issue with World of Color

I absolutely agree with you. I have been to this show three times... once with just passes, once with the picnic passes, and once with Dining passes, and each time my family couldn't see a thing. I'm 6'3" and could see fine. But we were not RIGHT on a rail, so they couldn't see at all. It's frustrating, because it means a LARGE number of guests that come to see this, get disappointed.