What's the fast pass situation like for World of Color?

[frozman]

I know Fast Passes for World of Color are about as hot of an item as Midway Mania or Soarin in WDW. I saw on another site that someone said they arrived right when California Adventure opened and had to wait about 45 minutes in line for one. Mind you although that was in June when it was newer and the summer season was kicking up, there were 2-3 shows a night back then and on the night I want to go there's only 1. Also, I saw Tinkwests post about the AP shows because it's too much of an issue for some to arrive in the morning to get a FP. Basically, I'll be doing magic morning on that day until 8:00 when DL opens. It will be a Saturday (with one show) in October (but not Columbus day weekend) and California Adventure opens at 9:00. Should I set my watch to be at Cal Adv right at 9:00 so I can count on snagging one? I'm not going for the "best seats in the house" Just a seat so I can see it. Is it still that big of an issue? I know they will sell out, what time does that tend to happen? I'm mainly interested in the last couple weeks if anyone has been as this is the first time the attractions been open for the off season.

[NotaGeek]

I waited 10 minutes for 1 fast pass and no time for another ... this was 2 weeks ago. Crowds are pretty low right now -- just get to the park early, earlier if there's only 1 show. If you don't have a fast pass you can't see the show form any standing area -- so get a fast pass. There are no seats, its all standing, but it's worth it.

Be sure and line up an hour before (or whenever they say they are letting people line up) because you want to be near the front on the upper viewing area -- its a great place to see the show! I am working on a trip report about my visit to see WoC, hopefully I will have it up this weekend.

[Phantod]

Of course, you could always do the picnic or dinner option and then you don't have to wait in the FP line at all.

[2Epcot]

We went on July 5th, so it was still pretty busy. We arrived when DCA opened at were in line about 30 minutes to get our FP tickets. I've heard a lot of mixed and negative reviews on the picnic meals as well as Ariel's Grotto, one of the dining choices.

We booked a dining reservation as a backup. We went early to get our FassPass ticket when the park opened. Once I got our ticket I walked over to the restaurant and canceled our dining reservations. We got to the loading area about an hour before they opened it up and got a great spot right on the railing of our section. You want to be at the very front of whatever section you are in, to get the best unobstructed view.

[frozman]

So I went to WoC last Saturday (about 8 days ago). California Adventure opened at 10:00 that day, but the gates opened at 9:30 for the specific purpose of WoC fast pass distribution (Soarin was open too). Waited in line about 20 minutes for the fast passes between the front gate line up and the actual line for Fast Passes. They had a 2nd auxillary showing at 10:15, but I got the 9:00 one. Well worth it. Although I must say that the lagoon kind of looks like a mess during the day with those pipes, I had hoped that they would fill up the lagoon just above the level of the pipes and then drain a little for the performance.

[NotaGeek]

So I went to WoC last Saturday (about 8 days ago). California Adventure opened at 10:00 that day, but the gates opened at 9:30 for the specific purpose of WoC fast pass distribution (Soarin was open too). Waited in line about 20 minutes for the fast passes between the front gate line up and the actual line for Fast Passes. They had a 2nd auxillary showing at 10:15, but I got the 9:00 one. Well worth it. Although I must say that the lagoon kind of looks like a mess during the day with those pipes, I had hoped that they would fill up the lagoon just above the level of the pipes and then drain a little for the performance.

Something must have been wrong with the platform -- it's hydraulic and during the day it is submerged, before show time it raises above the water.

[BrerGnat]

Something must have been wrong with the platform -- it's hydraulic and during the day it is submerged, before show time it raises above the water.

No, it's pretty much consistently like that now. Every time I go to DCA (about once a week), the pipes are exposed. I've still not seen the lagoon without the pipes sticking up since they started construction on the platform...

Mind you, the platform is not up all the way, but the tops of the pipes (about 6 inches) sticks up out of the water, and you can clearly see the platform submerged just under the surface.

[tinkwest]

I was so excited the first time I walked by the lagoon after the completion of WOC construction and saw just water. No foreign objects above water level. I'm glad I took a picture because I have never seen it that way again. Every time I go there now at least part of the platform or equipment on the platform is exposed above the water level. Not attractive.

[2Epcot]

Something must have been wrong with the platform -- it's hydraulic and during the day it is submerged, before show time it raises above the water.

I was so excited the first time I walked by the lagoon after the completion of WOC construction and saw just water. No foreign objects above water level. I'm glad I took a picture because I have never seen it that way again. Every time I go there now at least part of the platform or equipment on the platform is exposed above the water level. Not attractive.

From what I've read from CMs on other sites they are still doing a lot of tinkering with the equipment on a regular basis. They also had the issue with the water changing colors and have been trying to correct that. This also created the need to clean the projection domes fairly often.