On each trip to Disneyland, we try to do one new and special event.  For this trip, we decided to make a reservation for the World of Color Dining Package at Ariel’s Grotto.  Each World of Color Dining Package includes a three course meal and non-alcoholic beverage.  It also includes a voucher for a preferred viewing area for World of Color in Paradise Park.  The cost depends on the restaurant selection and whether you are enjoying lunch or dinner.  Our cost was $48.48 for adults and $26.98 for children, tax included.

Let’s start with the dining experience.  Our reservation was for 7pm.  When we arrived we were checked in and given a pager.  We were seated within 10 minutes, but the waiting area was on the small side and many guests had to stand.  Upon being seated we were presented with our menus.  The starters were a choice of house salad or crab chowder.

Salad option with World of Color package

My salad was great and the crab chowder my husband chose was also good, just not for me on a 100-degree day!  The table was also presented with sourdough bread and the kids were given veggies and dip for their appetizer.

Crab Chowder option with World of Color package.

Adults had 6 choices of entrees and we both went with the Grilled Lobster Tail and Red Oak-Smoked Honey-Whiskey BBQ Tri-tip.  The kids were able to choose between Ursula’s Octo Dog (Hot dog served atop Mac and Cheese) or Whozits and Whatzits (Fries and Chicken Nuggets).

Whozits and Whatzits kid’s meal option with World of Color package

My son’s choice of the Ursula’s Octo Dog definitely won the night for presentation!  Who wouldn’t want a hot dog cut up to look like an Octopus on a bed of shell mac and cheese garnished with Goldfish crackers!?

Ursula’s Octo Dog kids meal option with World of Color Package

All of the food was served hot and quickly … too quickly.  I had taken one bite of my salad when the entrée arrived.  Although our servers were very friendly, they could probably use some training on service timing.  Our lobster and tri-tip meals also came on a bed of mashed potatoes with perfectly cooked squash and asparagus on the side.

Tri-tip and Lobster option with World of Color Package

Both kids’ meals also came with a fruit skewer and a veggie skewer.  Thank goodness more time was taken before dessert was brought and we were able to enjoy our entrees.

Dessert consisted of a mini crème brulee, s’mores tart and a chocolate covered strawberry for the adults.

Adult Dessert with World of Color package.

The kids also got the chocolate covered strawberry, a jello with whipped cream cup and a rainbow chip cookie.  All of our plates were cleaned, but I would say the s’mores tart was my favorite.

Kid’s dessert with World of Color Package

The Cast Member then came with our bill and our FastPasses, double checking which World of Color showtime we wanted.  It was nearly 8:30 and the show we wanted was at 9pm.  She assured us we would still get a good spot in our preferred viewing area and gave us perfect directions on how to get there.

We couldn’t have had a better view.  We were front and center!  This is considered the splash zone, but you are really just hit with a light mist.  I have to say that this incarnation of World of Color, World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney, is by far the best one yet.  I definitely teared up a few times at the magic of it all. Seeing this from the great vantage point we did is really what made the World of Color Dining Package worth the cost.  Unfortunately, some of us were just too tired to enjoy it!

Too tired!

DIStracted Tip:  Advance dining reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance.  You may book online or by calling (714) 781-DINE.

Contact me for help booking and planning your next adventure to the Disneyland Resort or any other magical destination.