World of Color .... Dining Package...Worth it?? - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Disneyland Resort California > DL: Planning Your Disneyland Adventure
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-13-2011, 03:17 AM   #16
mechurchlady
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
mechurchlady's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,001

Post Thanks / Like
I would do it so as to avoid the fastpass hassle. There is no disabled seating and viewing can be hard for guests who are short. Last time I laid down next to a pair of service dogs as I was tired and that was the only place to sit. down with the dogs, lol,

Viewing is a gamble as you might get great spots or bad spots. There are the people who stand there with one arm in the air to tape the show and the parents with kids on their shoulders. They used to make the front row stand, packed, for 3 hours at least.

I love Ariel's dining as they usually can accomodate my special dietary needs. The Tratatoria has an excellent spaghetti Bolognose for lunch that we both love, her with wheat and mine without. Dinner was so rushed because of Mom so I did not get much time to take notes. I like Ariel's better as I can get tri-tip, fish and a wide variety of meals except that spaghetti, it is calling me right now. I love the desserts at Ariel's as there is a variety to chose from. I nibbled on white chocolate but Mom tried several items and liked most of them We have a dessert menu at home because dessert is so special so we know good desserts, Ariel's has great desserts.


The picnic is not something I can eat due to diet. If one cannot get fastpass tickets then it is a cheap option. That is what trash cans are made for.
__________________
Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".

She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
My Countdown Counting down to: Laurie's Birthday
Happy Birthday and may you have a grand day.
My Previous TripsWDW, DLR for 50 years, NYC, San Antonio, Midwest, Catalina Island, San Diego, Vegas, lots of places I have been. I have seen the Atlantic Ocean over 20 times and never been in it.
mechurchlady is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2011, 02:49 AM   #17
marriedtoeeyore
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
marriedtoeeyore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alaska
Posts: 73

Post Thanks / Like
I'm really debating whether to do Ariel's Grotto for the WOC dinner pkg now...it sounds like it's a hit or miss with people just getting FP's and no meal as to where they will end up. My niece's family didnt do meals at all, she said they had a pretty decent spot, but it might depend on how early you get there, time of year, crowds, etc. not sure.

I'm short too, and I would hate to spend all that time standing and not have a good view. The dinner sounds delicious and the desserts look great too!!
marriedtoeeyore is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2011, 10:23 AM   #18
nikkilovesmickey
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
nikkilovesmickey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190

Post Thanks / Like
A group of us did the pinic lunch. Which was nice to be able to sit and relax eat, and then go to the show. We got a WOrkd of Colour reusable bag. And the drink we each got we just took with to the show. One lady in our group had a scooter so we got great seats up front. This was in September...middle of the month and there was tons of people. Leaving was a zoo, cause we had to stay on one side to leave the park, cause the people for the late show were standing in line waiting already.
__________________
Alaskan Cruise June 14-21
Disneyland September 2010
Disneyland September 2008
My PassPorter Bookshelf
nikkilovesmickey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2011, 11:16 AM   #19
marriedtoeeyore
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
marriedtoeeyore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alaska
Posts: 73

Post Thanks / Like
thanks nikkilovesmickey...I wonder if it was great because you got to sit up front though, and if you hadn't, would the experience would have been as good? I wonder where you would have been with the regular picnic meals normally? I'm so torn...my kids would probably like the picnic meals better, my husband and I would like the sit down meal. Maybe we'll split up since they are teenagers, I'll have to ask them...I'd like us to all be together though!
marriedtoeeyore is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2011, 11:36 AM   #20
nikkilovesmickey
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
nikkilovesmickey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by marriedtoeeyore View Post
thanks nikkilovesmickey...I wonder if it was great because you got to sit up front though, and if you hadn't, would the experience would have been as good? I wonder where you would have been with the regular picnic meals normally? I'm so torn...my kids would probably like the picnic meals better, my husband and I would like the sit down meal. Maybe we'll split up since they are teenagers, I'll have to ask them...I'd like us to all be together though!
I think with even not having the view up close it would of been good. We would of been a few sections back,but they have it set up where the view is great no matter where you stand. Everything is up in the air, so you miss nothing being back. Well you miss getting hit with the mist, but thats about all.

I don't know about the meals. But the one ariels meal you are off to the side to see the show, and I don't know if that is a good spot or not. Hopefully someone who had seen the show from there can help you out.
__________________
Alaskan Cruise June 14-21
Disneyland September 2010
Disneyland September 2008
My PassPorter Bookshelf
nikkilovesmickey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2011, 03:10 PM   #21
Tink and co.
 
Tink and co.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern NV
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 12,516

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikkilovesmickey View Post
I think with even not having the view up close it would of been good. We would of been a few sections back,but they have it set up where the view is great no matter where you stand. Everything is up in the air, so you miss nothing being back. Well you miss getting hit with the mist, but thats about all.

I don't know about the meals. But the one ariels meal you are off to the side to see the show, and I don't know if that is a good spot or not. Hopefully someone who had seen the show from there can help you out.

When you do the dinner at Ariel's you don't watch the show from the restaurant. You recieve access to the reserved (I think it might have another name) section. We met up at the wine bar area at a specified time, relaxed for a bit, some folks enjoyed a glass of wine, and then we were led over by CMs to an elevated section. It was a great view and an easy way to see the show, if you don't mind the cost of the meal. We've also done fastpasses (we were staying at the Grand at the time and we had early accesss), and had just as good a view, but from a different location. We also had to do quite a bit of crowd jockeying. It was not too bad considering it was Christmas night. We lined up about an hour before the show.
__________________

Fantasyland Fun!

Rebecca Guide DL Feasting and Snacking:The Eateries and DL Touring the Lands: Disney Parks
My Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland 10k
Running for Fun!
My Previous TripsToo many DLR trips to count! WDW Nov. 2004, July 2005, Jan, Mar, & Nov. 2006. DCL Nov. 2004 & Nov. 2006
Tink and co. is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2011, 05:38 PM   #22
marriedtoeeyore
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
marriedtoeeyore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alaska
Posts: 73

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikkilovesmickey View Post
I think with even not having the view up close it would of been good. We would of been a few sections back,but they have it set up where the view is great no matter where you stand. Everything is up in the air, so you miss nothing being back. Well you miss getting hit with the mist, but thats about all.

I don't know about the meals. But the one ariels meal you are off to the side to see the show, and I don't know if that is a good spot or not. Hopefully someone who had seen the show from there can help you out.
I've just read about short people not being able to see, and that's what I'm worried about...that would be me! I don't mind being farther back, as long as I can see! Thanks!
marriedtoeeyore is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2011, 12:40 PM   #23
Shunasee
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
Shunasee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 88

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by marriedtoeeyore View Post
I've just read about short people not being able to see, and that's what I'm worried about...that would be me! I don't mind being farther back, as long as I can see! Thanks!
I found, with the dining package (Ariel's Grotto), that I was able to get close enough to see. I am am all of 5'4", that is a concern for me.

We have done the fastpasses, and got the Red section, which at the time was over by the Golden Zephyer, not the best view, and there were a ton of people in front of us, so I could really only see the top half of the show.

From a short person prospective, the dining is worth it.

Plus, all the fresh sourdough rolls you can eat!! That in itself made my night.
__________________
My Countdown Counting down to: WDW - French Quarter - 10th Anniversary
My Previous TripsDLR to many times to count!; WDW POFQ July 2010; WDW POFQ Feb. 2011
Shunasee is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2011, 12:58 PM   #24
ShellingConnie
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Georgia
Concierge Level: 5
Posts: 2,065

Post Thanks / Like
I sure hope it's worth it. It's the kids and my first time at DL so I booked the WOC dinner package at Ariel's Grotto.

My husband hasn't been to DL since WOC started so I figured he'll enjoy it too.
__________________
Me, DH, DS19 and DD15



My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips6 Trips Offsite, Jun05 ASMo, July 07 RPR for SW and US, Sept08 CR, Nov08 Pop, Mar09 CSR,Apr09 CBR, May09 POR Solo Trip, Jun09 WL, May10 POFQ and HRH, Dec10 BWI Solo Trip, Feb11 WL, May11 AKL Solo, Sep11 POFQ Solo Trip, May12 POR solo, Jun13 ASMu, May14 AoA and AKL, Disneyland Jun11
ShellingConnie is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2011, 04:00 PM   #25
marriedtoeeyore
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
marriedtoeeyore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alaska
Posts: 73

Post Thanks / Like
ShellingConnie, I think it will be worth it! I made reservations for my family for 6:30p, I hope that's a good time (anyone?) we've never been to WOC before, this is our first time, so I wanted to have an excellent vantage point!
marriedtoeeyore is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2011, 04:16 PM   #26
LoriMistress
Community Rank: Trekker
 
LoriMistress's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,194

Post Thanks / Like
I'm going to make WoC Picnic Dining ADR, because when I'll be seeing WoC, it will be on Labor Day. The crowds will be absolutely crazy. By the time we arrive in the parks, all the FPs will be gone.
__________________
WDW: Dec 2011 (bringing first timers)
My Previous TripsWDW: November 9-15th 2003 *HoneyMoon* ~All-Star Music Resort ~Broadway~ DLR/DCA: Sept 5th-9th '05 (Please note I've been to DLR countless times. Just posting recent trips.) WDW: Dec 8th-18th '07 Pop Century DLR/DCA: Nov 20th-22nd '09 (Magical Gathering/Party of 12)
LoriMistress is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2011, 12:52 PM   #27
MyRapunzal
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
MyRapunzal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,695

Post Thanks / Like
wow! im so glad i found this thread! i have been back and forth about our meals for our upcoming 2 day trip in DLR! I am thinking the WOC package and Ariels Grotto sound perfect for me and my hubby! I didnt realize that it was so similar to the Fantasmic Dining Package in WDW (which I also think is DEF worth it)! Thanks all!
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW: All Star Movies- Jan 2006| WDW: Caribbean Beach- July 2007| WDW: Boardwalk- August 2008| WDW: Polynesian- February 2011| WDW/US: (Off-prop) Rosen Plaza- April/May 2011| DLR: Disneyland Hotel- August 2011| WDW: Boardwalk- October 2011| WDW: Contemporary- December 2012
MyRapunzal is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 11:00 PM   #28
disney777
Community Rank: Trekker
 
disney777's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: So. California
Posts: 1,676

Post Thanks / Like
I enjoyed my Ariel's Grotto meal well enough. The appetizer was fun to eat, and I had a good beef dish. But got what I felt was the best view of WOC through the regular fastpass kiosk, orange section.
I got the preferred view "seating" with the Ariel's meal, and a blue section seating with a picnic meal (got the salmon meal and enjoyed it. I'm not a real fish person, but actually liked this. And I liked getting the souvenir bag.)
I'm short, so I'm willing to wait longer to get a spot where I won't get blocked. With the preferred section, I picked a spot by the stairs so I had a chance to be a bit above people. This worked out ok, and also stood near a handrail so I wouldn't get pushed out of my spot. This was close to the water, so I felt maybe too close to the show, didn't see everything that was going on.
From the Blue section, I also chose a spot near the fencing so no one would be in front of me. It was off to the side, so didn't see everything at the best angle.
For the orange section, I found a spot on the bridge, up against the fence. I felt this gave me the best view of the whole show, I saw things I missed when I was closer to the water. Of course getting the orange section was totally random. and I think it's not considered one of the best views. But I liked it the best for the overall experience, plus it was less claustrophobic. I got the Annual Pass rate for both types of meals, so it was an added bonus.
__________________
10/1999 ASMu, 10/2001 ASMo. 9/2003 ASMo, 9/2004 Pop, 1/2005 Pop/AKL, 9/2005 Pop, 1/2006 Pop/ POFQ, 9/2006 POFQ 10/2006 CSR,
1/2007 Pop,9/2007 WL/BWV, 1/2008 POFQ,8/2008 POP/CR, 1/2009 POFQ, 9/2009 Saratoga Springs, 1/2010 POFQ, 8/2010 POP/BCV, 1/2011 POR/ POFQ. 8/2011 POP/BCV, 1/2012 POFQ, 8/2012 AKL/AKL CL , 1/2013 POFQ 8/2013 YC, 1/2014 Pop/POFQ, 8/2014 GF
TOT hiding in Morocco
My Countdown Counting down to: 2 weeks @ Grand Floridian
WDW here I come!
disney777 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2011, 06:51 PM   #29
Dlandmom2
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: California
Posts: 3,021

Post Thanks / Like
I think I'm going to try to finally see World of Color with my daughter next week. I'm leaning toward doing the dinner at Ariel's with the late show.

Please help me understand if I've got it all right. If I choose to do the Ariel/WoC option, I don't have to get a fast pass. I can arrive at the park in time for dinner, and then at a set time before the 10:15 show, meet where I'm told and then get directed to our "reserved" spot? And, since my daughter is about 5' tall, I should probably try to stand on the steps with her so she can get a better view?
__________________
Huge Disney Fan...Always Have Been...Always Will Be!

Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration TR here!
2013 WDW trip here!
2011 trip to Hawaii here!
My Countdown Counting down to: Hopefully My 3rd WDW Trip with the Kids!
My Previous TripsWDW Nov 2013 OKW and POR; Jan 2009 Offsite at HGVC then Beach Club; not listing DLR...I don't think I can count that high!
Dlandmom2 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2011, 08:07 PM   #30
mechurchlady
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
mechurchlady's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,001

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2 View Post
Please help me understand if I've got it all right. If I choose to do the Ariel/WoC option, I don't have to get a fast pass. I can arrive at the park in time for dinner, and then at a set time before the 10:15 show, meet where I'm told and then get directed to our "reserved" spot? And, since my daughter is about 5' tall, I should probably try to stand on the steps with her so she can get a better view?
that is correct, but do get there a little early for dinner so you can have a little extra time afterward for other things like bathroom and getting snacks.
__________________
Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".

She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
My Countdown Counting down to: Laurie's Birthday
Happy Birthday and may you have a grand day.
My Previous TripsWDW, DLR for 50 years, NYC, San Antonio, Midwest, Catalina Island, San Diego, Vegas, lots of places I have been. I have seen the Atlantic Ocean over 20 times and never been in it.
mechurchlady is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:26 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger