Disney California Adventure World of Color Dining
World of Color is California Adventure's most notable and breathtaking entertainment option. This colorful show features many beloved Disney characters and songs featured in a colorful water display in Paradise Bay in front of Pixar Pier. Our ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about the show, how to get the best seats, and the dining packages available for this display of color.
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World of Color Returns Spring 2022
World of Color will return to the Disneyland Resort Spring 2022 after being on hiatus since Disneyland reopened after an extended closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot wait to see this beloved nighttime spectacular return! You can keep up to date on all the returning entertainment and changes in our guide to Disneyland right now.
About the World of Color
World of Color debuted at California Adventure in 2010 after a few years of construction and much anticipation. The show takes place in Paradise Bay in front of Mickey's Pal-A-Round and the Incredicoaster. The show uses nearly 1,200 fountains that are capable of shooting water 200 feet up into the air. These fountains are equipped with LED rings that help create the colors we see. The show uses similar technology to that of Fantasmic! in terms of creating the visual water screen Both Mickey's Pal-A-Round and the Incredicoaster are equipped with lights that synchronize with the show. Guests can watch the water dance along with perfectly timed pyrotechnics and momentous music as they enjoy memorable scenes from their favorite Disney and Pixar animated and live-action films. The World of Color is one of Disney's most impressive extravaganzas that features around 22 minutes of color, magic and imagination.
During the show you can expect to see classic Disney characters and songs such as The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, Aladdin, and more. Recent Disney films such as UP!, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Tangled also make appearances in this colorful show. For a full synopsis of the show, click here.
And for a full video of the performance, see this video here:
I recommend not spoiling it though by watching the whole video, simply let it surprise you and take your breath away.
Season of Light
Season of Light is the seasonal overlay of World of Color that typically accompanies the Disneyland Resort's holiday season. This show is extremely popular like most seasonal shows at Disneyland so make sure you prepare in advance to get the best seats.
For this show you can expect to see classic songs and characters that you'd see in the typical World of Color show accompanied with classic holiday songs.
Check out the full show for Season of Light here:
For updates on entertainment during the holiday season at Disneyland including dates to see Season of Light, see our full guide to the holiday season here.
How to Get the Best Spot
There's three different options for viewing World of Color at California Adventure. Reserving a dining package, obtaining a FastPass, or using the standby option. All have different pros/cons associated with them. Obtaining a FastPass for this show is free and included with your park admission so standby should be a last resort to ensure the best view.
Dining Packages for World of Color
A great way to guarantee a seat for this spectacular performance is to purchase a dining package. Carthay Circle Restaurant and Wine Country Trattoria both offer World of Color dining packages.
Carthay Circle
The Carthay Circle Restaurant is located in Disney California Adventure Park and is a popular restaurant options for many guests. If this restaurant is already on your list, you might as well book a dining package for World of Color! The vibe of this restaurant is a retro, Hollywood movie feel which transports guests back to the golden age of Hollywood.
The menu for the World of Color dining package includes a 3-course meal (starter, entree, and dessert) from a prix-fixe menu for lunch and dinner plus a non-alcholic beverage. Included with your meal is a voucher that reserves your spot for the World of Color viewing area (see the image below to view your seating area). Please note that this viewing area is separate from the dining location. Prices for lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant start at $56 for adults and $25 for children, ages 3 to 9. Dinner prices start at $74 for adults, and $25 for children, ages 3 to 9.
Wine Country Trattoria
Wine Country Trattoria is located in Disney California Adventure Park on the Pacific Wharf. There are both indoor and outdoor dining with a Napa Valley or Tuscan Villa atmosphere.
The menu for the World of Color experiences includes a 3-course meal (starter, entree, and dessert) from a prix-fixe menu for lunch or dinner plus a non-alcoholic beverage. Included with your meal is a voucher (per person) for your viewing for World of Color in the area reserved for dining packages. Please note that this viewing area is separate from the dining location. The price for lunch starts at $49 for adults and $25 for children, ages 3 to 9. Dinner starts at $49 for adults, and $25 for children, ages 3 to 9.
The World of Color Dessert Party
The World of Color Dessert Party Package is the only dining package that offers seated viewing! This may not seem like a huge deal before your arrive at the parks but when it's time to watch World of Color your legs will thank you for thinking ahead.
This is also the only package that offers dining during the actual show. You will sit by the waterfront with a great view while you enjoy premium desserts. Your package includes two drinks (alcoholic or not), a bread basket, and a plate of desserts. Each person gets their own plate. Everyone in the party must purchase a ticket to the World of Color Dessert Party except those 2 and under.
Your viewing area is located in Paradise Gardens Park in the World of Color preferred viewing area. Arrive an hour before the show starts to secure your spot and reservation. (Disney's request)
The cost of this World of Color Dessert Package is $84 per person including tax and gratuity and must be prepaid in advance. Sorry, no annual passholder discounts apply.
Be sure to check out our full honest review of the World of Color Dessert Party!
FastPass Viewing for World of Color
Similar to Fantasmic!, pulling a FastPass for World of Color is 'disconnected' which means it won't interfere with your other attraction FastPasses. Even if you have purchased MaxPass, you will still need to walk to the World of Color FastPass distribution which is located to the right to Ariel's Undersea Adventure.
There are two different colors of FastPasses for World of Color: blue and yellow. Blue will be distributed first until it runs out and then the color will change to yellow. If there are two shows for the evening the machine will start distributing for the first show (blue and yellow) and then once they run out it will switch to the second show. I recommend going here first in your morning strategy plan to get the best Fastpass. Ideally, you want the blue ticket for either show you plan to see.
I recommend getting to your spot an hour prior to showtime for either FastPass section. If you get a blue ticket you have two options of standing on the bridge to Pixar Pier or to the far left of the area in front of Ariel's Undersea Adventure. I recommend going for a spot on the bridge- these spots tend not to fill up as fast and it's more likely you will get a front row spot.
Getting a front row spot is extremely helpful for allowing little ones to see the show. If you're in the blue area on the bridge, they can peer between the railings and even sit to watch the show. If you're in the yellow area, try to move as close to the water as you can to get the best spot.
*Because World of Color is standing room only, smaller children that are too heavy to be lifted up might have a hard time seeing the show. This is even more reason to make sure you get to your FastPass section in advance so they can have a good view.
Standby
This is definitely a last resort option but sometimes guests decide to watch World of Color on a whim or they don't get to the FastPass distrubtion before they run out.
If you find yourself in either situation your best bet is to watch from in front of Ariel's Undersea Adventure. From standing far in the back of the viewing areas, you can still get a view of the show.
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Disney California Adventure World of Color Dining
Source: https://mickeyvisit.com/world-of-color-guide/