HydroGuy
A Pirate's Life For Me
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2005
This question is asked frequently on this forum. Some posters get frustrated by the responses given because there is such a wide range of opinion and so many variables. Other posters get scared away by others who have had a negative experience. My intent here is to cut through all of this, explain some of the nuances, and give some practical advice.
Before I get started let me point out that this thread is not an FAQ on World of Color. I have already written that thread and here is a link to the World of Color Superthread. As discussed in the Superthread you need a FASTPASS or dining reservation in order to see World of Color.
Also before I get started let me say that I am not a World of Color expert - as in having seen WOC 25 times from every conceivable viewing area. I have seen WOC from all color sections, up close, far away and in between. There is room for debate on viewing areas and I hope other responders to this thread post their opinions.
World of Color has three color sections (blue, yellow and red) plus the preferred dining section (often given a green or light blue color on charts). People often ask which section is best.
It is critical to understand that every section has good viewing spots and every section has poor viewing spots. Hence a good viewing spot in any color section is better than a poor one in a different section.
So the whole question of which color section is best is really not a good question. A better question is which are the best viewing spots within each color section. In general there is no reason to try extra hard to get into any particular color section. What is much more important is how early you show up to get in line before the show - coupled with knowledge of which spots are good.
Further, there is some debate even among knowledgable DISers over what viewing spots are truly best. Some people like to risk the wet zones so they can be up close. Others like to be further back to take in the whole show. Others still like to only have to wait the minimum amount of time in line and just want to get a decent spot with a minimal wait.
I am far from an expert but have had the benefit of having seen WOC from all four sections both up front and at the back. Moreover on one night I saw WOC twice - once from the very, very front of the red section dead center, and then later from the very back of the blue section by the "fire hydrant". Both views were excellent but gave you a very different feeling - almost like you were seeing two different shows.
The front of the red section felt immersive and overwhelming. Almost like you were inside the show. The back of the blue section felt like you could take in the whole show at once. It was much more all encompassing. Each section allowed you to see effects that could be easily missed or underappreciated or just plain appeared different from the other section. That night more than anything convinced me how much the viewing spot affects one's experience with World of Color.
Of all the times I have seen World of Color my favorite was the front of the preferred dining. I talked about it in my WOC review. It was close to center and it was up higher than the spots down below but still close to the front.
So what are the best viewing spots?
The viewing chart shown below identifies what I think are the best viewing spots. Note that if you cannot get to one of these spots then get to a front rail in your section. Most front rails are elevated above people in front of you.
The wet zones down front really mean "potential wet zones" and not "probably or certainly wet zones". I have seen the show in the wet zone four times and got only a little mist on me - except for once when I got quite damp. Depending on the wind you can get wet though.
If you have a chance you should try the front dead center wet zone in the red section. It is marked with green stars in the picture below. When the CMs allow guests into the Red area, many avoid the wet zone and it is not too hard to get a spot down there - as long as you are lined up early enough. Be aware though that other than the front rail spots the red section is probably the worst section overall.
If you have a preferred dining section reservation then go straight down to the elevated rail there and that spot is my favorite as I mentioned.
The blue section fire hydrant is a great spot and it is not that hard to get that spot. Kids can see from here too. This spot allows you to better take in the entire scope of the show.
The bridge in the blue section offers good views from a further back perspective. The blue section probably has the highest percentage of good viewing spots. Although yellow is close. Red has the lowest number of good viewing spots. But the best spot in red is probably better than the best in either blue or yellow.
In general any section where you can get to a front rail with minimal fixed obstructions are good bets. Note that in some viewing spots there are light fixtures in front of you.
Be aware that the only way you can avoid having someone tall move in front of you or lift a small child onto their shoulders and block your view is to be at the front at the rail and on the water. Anywhere further back can potentially be blocked at the last minute by other guests.
Here is another idea for first timers. Print out this thread and map - preferably in color - and take it with you to DLR. Then do what we did before we saw World of Color the first time. We went down to the viewing area in the middle of the day when it was empty of people and checked it out. Further, I took my kids down there and explained to them what to expect that night as far as crowds and scope of show.
In summary there is no best color section from which to see World Color. Some sections have a higher percentage of good spots than others. Some sections are easier to get to a good spot - even if you show up a little late. All sections have poor spots. To get a good viewing spot for World of Color you should be aware of the best spot areas within each color section and show up early so you can be one of the first into a good spot.
Before I get started let me point out that this thread is not an FAQ on World of Color. I have already written that thread and here is a link to the World of Color Superthread. As discussed in the Superthread you need a FASTPASS or dining reservation in order to see World of Color.
Also before I get started let me say that I am not a World of Color expert - as in having seen WOC 25 times from every conceivable viewing area. I have seen WOC from all color sections, up close, far away and in between. There is room for debate on viewing areas and I hope other responders to this thread post their opinions.
World of Color has three color sections (blue, yellow and red) plus the preferred dining section (often given a green or light blue color on charts). People often ask which section is best.
It is critical to understand that every section has good viewing spots and every section has poor viewing spots. Hence a good viewing spot in any color section is better than a poor one in a different section.
So the whole question of which color section is best is really not a good question. A better question is which are the best viewing spots within each color section. In general there is no reason to try extra hard to get into any particular color section. What is much more important is how early you show up to get in line before the show - coupled with knowledge of which spots are good.
Further, there is some debate even among knowledgable DISers over what viewing spots are truly best. Some people like to risk the wet zones so they can be up close. Others like to be further back to take in the whole show. Others still like to only have to wait the minimum amount of time in line and just want to get a decent spot with a minimal wait.
I am far from an expert but have had the benefit of having seen WOC from all four sections both up front and at the back. Moreover on one night I saw WOC twice - once from the very, very front of the red section dead center, and then later from the very back of the blue section by the "fire hydrant". Both views were excellent but gave you a very different feeling - almost like you were seeing two different shows.
The front of the red section felt immersive and overwhelming. Almost like you were inside the show. The back of the blue section felt like you could take in the whole show at once. It was much more all encompassing. Each section allowed you to see effects that could be easily missed or underappreciated or just plain appeared different from the other section. That night more than anything convinced me how much the viewing spot affects one's experience with World of Color.
Of all the times I have seen World of Color my favorite was the front of the preferred dining. I talked about it in my WOC review. It was close to center and it was up higher than the spots down below but still close to the front.
So what are the best viewing spots?
The viewing chart shown below identifies what I think are the best viewing spots. Note that if you cannot get to one of these spots then get to a front rail in your section. Most front rails are elevated above people in front of you.
The wet zones down front really mean "potential wet zones" and not "probably or certainly wet zones". I have seen the show in the wet zone four times and got only a little mist on me - except for once when I got quite damp. Depending on the wind you can get wet though.
If you have a chance you should try the front dead center wet zone in the red section. It is marked with green stars in the picture below. When the CMs allow guests into the Red area, many avoid the wet zone and it is not too hard to get a spot down there - as long as you are lined up early enough. Be aware though that other than the front rail spots the red section is probably the worst section overall.
If you have a preferred dining section reservation then go straight down to the elevated rail there and that spot is my favorite as I mentioned.
The blue section fire hydrant is a great spot and it is not that hard to get that spot. Kids can see from here too. This spot allows you to better take in the entire scope of the show.
The bridge in the blue section offers good views from a further back perspective. The blue section probably has the highest percentage of good viewing spots. Although yellow is close. Red has the lowest number of good viewing spots. But the best spot in red is probably better than the best in either blue or yellow.
In general any section where you can get to a front rail with minimal fixed obstructions are good bets. Note that in some viewing spots there are light fixtures in front of you.
Be aware that the only way you can avoid having someone tall move in front of you or lift a small child onto their shoulders and block your view is to be at the front at the rail and on the water. Anywhere further back can potentially be blocked at the last minute by other guests.
Here is another idea for first timers. Print out this thread and map - preferably in color - and take it with you to DLR. Then do what we did before we saw World of Color the first time. We went down to the viewing area in the middle of the day when it was empty of people and checked it out. Further, I took my kids down there and explained to them what to expect that night as far as crowds and scope of show.
In summary there is no best color section from which to see World Color. Some sections have a higher percentage of good spots than others. Some sections are easier to get to a good spot - even if you show up a little late. All sections have poor spots. To get a good viewing spot for World of Color you should be aware of the best spot areas within each color section and show up early so you can be one of the first into a good spot.
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We have bought picnics and will discuss our plan for spots and back-up spots 
based on what we have ready 
How early do we have to get there? (We ALWAYS go to the late Fantasmic at HS in WDW because we refuse to stand in line for 3 hours. So much more to do!) 
