World of Color Show- Disney California Adventure
add photosThe World of Color at Disney California Adventure is a spectacular waterworks show where lights, water, and music are choreographed into a dazzling display. It is free with admission to Disney California Adventure. There are reserved viewing areas that you can get a fast pass ticket to secure a spot in, but it can also be viewed from other areas around Paradise Pier. It's standing room only and outdoors. Fast pass tickets are available for World of Color next to Grizzly River Run right by the entrance from the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. There are two showings and fast pass tickets go fast, so pick one up as soon as you enter the park. Tickets to reserved viewing area can also be secured in advanced when you purchase a World of Color Meal Package online or by calling Disney dining reservations at (714) 781-3463
5 Reviews for World of Color Show- Disney California Adventure
388
206
'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Amazing show"
We were completely thrilled with this water fountain on steroids show filled with our favorite Pixar movie characters: Up, Buzz Lightyear, Finding Nemo and some good (but not well known to us) Disney movie characters: Ariel, Pocahontas, and more. It is well done and spectacular.
We were standing a few rows back and had a great view and did not get wet, although we felt the mist from the high fountains several times.
Tip: Because the wind usually flows from the ocean to inland, I am thinking that the areas around Ariel's Grotto and to the left of Mickey's Wheel (when facing it) have a greater potential of getting splashed. We saw the tops of the fountains flowing that way and I'm glad we weren't in the splash zone on the cold evening.
Downside: My hubby and I had to hold our 3 and 5 year olds nearly the whole time even though we were standing on a set of stairs in order for them to see. Tired arms!
Tip: I recommend trying to find a spot in front of the planters so that there is a railing that little kids can look through on their own, or a potential railing they can stand on.
We purchased the World of Color picnic boxes and were disappointed with the deal. We understood that we could pick up our boxes, get our preferred seating and eat it in the viewing area while waiting for the show (a one hour wait if you enter when it opens). We misunderstood, however, because the ticket for the show is the same as the FastPass tickets that everyone else gets. On our way to the viewing area we were told 3 different things by different cast members and we became quite flustered when we were shuffled into the long line of people entering the viewing area. Because we were in a standing room only area (as everything is) it was quite difficult to eat our food while everyone was coming in and wanting to get into our area. The food was good... but it was served chilled (as described) and didn't feel like a good value for $15.99 a person (kids meals too). The kids did enjoy their light-up bracelets, goldfish crackers and cupcakes though!
Tip: The benefit of pre-ordering the World of Color Picnic boxes is that you don't have to wait in line for your FastPass ticket (free, but required) in order to see the World of Color. This is important because the first showing of WOC tickets get handed out quickly which may mean that families have to stay for the second showing (9:30 pm or later). It also can save you 15 minutes to 1 hour waiting in line for the ticket. In this case, the ticket with the picnic is well worth it. If you don't get the picnic dinners, arrive at CA Adventure early and get to the FastPass station for WOC early. Located near Grizzly River Run.
Tip: If purchasing the picnic boxes, pick them up anytime during the day (after 11am I believe) and enjoy them separate from the show.
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2 families found this helpful
"Well worth the wait!"
I found out a great way to see the show without having to get fast-passes, wait in incredibly long lines or pay for reserved seating.....
We were leaving the park just as the late showing was beginning (9:00 pm-ish). As we walked by the back side, just past the Toy Story Mania ride, I noticed that the show was starting and that the "wet zone" was absolutely empty. My daughter and I walked right up & stood at the rail. We had the best seats in the house. The best part is...we did not get a single, solitary drop of water on us! Awesome view, no wait, no hassles!
The show was magnificent. The colors & water dancing are amazing, as are the pyrotechnics & music. It is loud & the best seating was for the late show. Also, you can really feel the heat from the explosions when you're on the rail, so it's not necessarlily good for very little ones. It is a truly remarkable show, though!
1 family found this helpful
"Disney setsthe bar impossibly high once again"
Instead of telling you just how incredible the World of Color is (because it is) or telling you everything you might see, I figured I would share with you a few tips on how to avoid getting to CA Adventure when it opens to score a Fastpass ticket and then waiting for a long time to see the show.
1. If you eat at Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria near showtime, you can get priority seating.
2. You can purchase special boxed picnic meals and eat dinner in a preferred seating area while waiting for the show. I have added a link with more details to the bottom of this review.
3. If you are not a morning person like me and have never actually been to a Disney park with it opened, you can still see the show and not have to wait forever for a spot. Simply head over to where the swings are and hang out under the covered area below. You won't be able to see everything because you will be viewing the show from the side but it is still very enjoyable. Plus, if it rains like it did on one of our visits, you will be nice and dry during the show!
2 families found this helpful
"Keep the kids up late for this one"
We saw World of Color the summer it opened which meant there were LONG lines waiting to get a fastpass and LOTS of crowds at the show.
We waited in a one hour line to get a fastpass (which guaranteed us a spot to watch), but were then unable to pick our showtime. The machine gave us the last showtime, which meant we had to keep our then 4 & 5 year olds up till 10pm to watch the show. We also had to arrive in the fastpass return line by 9pm to hold our spot. So in total we waited in 2 hours of lines to get our spot.
The show itself was really awesome, although I wished there were more of a plot like Fantasmic. It is truly amazing the way Disney can incorporate music, theme, water, fire and lights to make a truly awe-inspiring show. Our reserved spots were pretty good, although still far away as the close up seats are in a splash zone.
Midway through the show, due to the LATE time slot, my husband had to take our 4-year-old out because she had hit the wall. He walked her back through the lines and lines of people and found that the spot near the restroom was almost as good as the one we had waited 2 hours for via the fastpass process.
Next time we visit, we will just watch the show from whatever vantage point is available to the non-fastpassers and save us 2 hours of free time in the park.
2 families found this helpful
"Disney has outdone itself!"
The World of Color Waterworks show is nothing short of perfection! Disney has outdone itself! If you think you’ve seen plenty of water and light shows but haven’t seen the spectacular that is World of Color at Disney California Adventure, let me just say, this will knock your socks off.
As the sun set over Paradise Pier in preparation for the show, I had no idea what a dazzling explosion of the senses I was about to experience. But as soon as that first blast of water shot 12 stories into the sky and Paradise Pier burst into color and song, our whole family was transfixed. Photos and videos just don’t do this display justice. The fantastic choreography of dancing water and lights all around Paradise Pier was like watching fireworks on steroids. Projected into the spray of water were familiar scenes and a medley of beloved songs from famous Disney movies. Indeed movies are dancing colors, but boy when Disney puts it’s special touch to it, the experience is magical no matter whether you’re sitting - in a movie theatre or outdoors watching lights, water and music playing in perfect unison.
When visiting Disney California Adventure, watching the World of Color is a absolute must see. The show can be viewed from many areas around Paradise Pier, but there are several reserved and preferred viewing areas.
There are a couple of ways to secure a spot in the reserved viewing areas:
1) Get a Fastpass ticket to guarantee a premium spot in the viewing area. Pick one up immediately after entering the park to avoid standing in a long line later in the day. The World of color Fastpass ticket station is right next to Grizzly River Run and the park entrance from inside the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
Or
2) Reserve a World of Color meal package that includes lunch or dinner and tickets to the reserved viewing areas. World of Color Meal packages are offered at Ariel’s Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria. You can also order a World of Color Picnic Meal package online. Reservations for these meal packages must be done before you arrive and preferably weeks in advance.
All viewing areas are outdoors and standing room only, so make sure little tired legs get a rest before the big show or bring along a child carrier so you can lift your child up for the hour long show. In preparation for the show all the Paradise Pier rides and attractions close down about an hour before the first show of the evening. So, be sure to get on those rides before closing time.
Get a taste from this video: http://www.youtube.com/embed/s0J5LPUYHzM
**This review is based on a complimentary visit to Disney California Adventure Park. I received no other compensation and the ranch did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. These opinions are entirely my own.
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