One of the must-see shows exclusive to Disneyland Resort is the World of Color nighttime spectacular. There are several ways to get a great view of the color fountains and projections from the viewing areas, but today, we are talking specifically about the World of Color Dining Packages and World of Color Dessert Party. These optional add-ons guarantee you a spot for the show, but they do come at an extra cost. (You can still use the virtual queue to score an awesome viewing spot for free, BTW.) Read more about the viewing areas in our World of Color viewing post. But if you're celebrating a special occasion, a dining package or dessert party might be just the splurge!
Keep in mind that this show will be in high demand during the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration, which kicks off May 16, 2025. The celebration marks the debut of an all-new show, World of Color Happiness! It features many classic and new Disney characters, including the emotions from the "Inside Out" films and characters from fan-favorite films such as "A Goofy Movie" and "Turning Red." Until then, you can catch World of Color — One. This show was created for the Disney 100 celebration in 2023 and features scenes and music from movies such as "Star Wars," "The Avengers," Moana," "Pocahontas," "Soul," "Coco," "Encanto" and more.
World of Color Dining Packages for All Guests
The World of Color Dining Package meals take place at a different location from the viewing area. Any guest can reserve one of these World of Color Dining Packages at a restaurant. You actually just make a normal dining reservation for the appropriate meal on the day you'd like to see the show. Then, at the restaurant, tell the host and your server that you'd like to upgrade to the World of Color Dining Package. Your server will give you a voucher for the standing viewing area for the show. Then, you'll arrive 10 minutes before the time on your voucher. All the dining packages have the same viewing area.
The only issue with these dining packages is that they are subject to availability. Also, the viewing area is nice and centered, but the crowd level in the space can vary based on how many people choose the packages that day. Can you get just as good or a better view with the virtual queue? Also, yes.
Dinner Buffet at Storytellers Cafe at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
This hotel restaurant is located right next to the hotel's dedicated theme park entrance, so it's actually pretty close to the park.
The dinner buffet costs $69 for adults and $46 for kids 3 to 9. The price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol.
If you want to watch the first show, reserve to dine from 5 to 6 p.m. (On days with only one World of Color show, the suggested dining time is 6 to 7 p.m.) For the second show, reserve to dine from 6 to 7 p.m.
The buffet offers a carving station, several salads, nice berries and an assortment of desserts. You get a nonalcoholic beverage and a sweet treat. When we last dined there, we got a box of macarons to enjoy during the show. No characters appear at dinner through May 15 — however, we have some hoppin' news!
A new character dining experience opens May 16, 2025. At Donald's Tales of Adventure, dinner comes to Storytellers Cafe. We do not yet know how that affects the availability of World of Color Dining Packages or pricing for that location yet. Hop back for updates.
Lunch or Dinner at Wine Country Trattoria
Wine Country Trattoria is an Italian restaurant that gives Napa wine country vibes. It's located inside Disney California Adventure. The lunch and dinner packages cost the same: $69 for adults ($10 upcharge for those ordering the rib eye steak) and $41 for tadpoles 3 to 9. The package price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol. You do get a 3-course meal (starter, entree and dessert) and a nonalcoholic beverage. Kids get an entree, dessert and drink.
Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. Dinner is served from 4 to 7:50 p.m.
World of Color Dining Packages for Magic Key Holders
This World of Color Dining Package is for Magic Key holders and their guests. Magic Keys are Disneyland annual passes. The Magic Key Terrace is located above Wine Country Trattoria in the park. Magic Key Holders can reserve the World of Color Dining Package in the Disneyland app or online. (Look up "World of Color Dining Package" to reserve.) Same-day upgrades are subject to availability. The Magic Key holder must present a Magic Key to dine here and to get the package (at least one Magic Key holder per table).
Lunch and dinner packages cost the same: $69 for adults ($10 upcharge for those ordering the beef short ribs) and $41 for tadpoles 3 to 9. It's a 3-course prix fixe meal (starter, entrée, dessert) with a nonalcoholic beverage. Price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol. The menu does change seasonally here.
Reserve for lunch between 1 to 3:55 p.m. For dinner, reserve from 4 to 7 p.m. You'll select the viewing you want and the meal type when reserving, and it will offer you the appropriate meal times available for it.
World of Color Dessert Party
We've saved the best for last! What's better than watching the amazing World of Color nighttime spectacular at Disneyland? Watching the show while sitting on a chair in the viewing area, sipping on drinks and eating desserts, cheese, crackers and fruit at the World of Color Dessert Party. Since this show takes place after 9 and 10 p.m., it's toadally nice to relax in a seat and have a great view of the projections and colorful fountains. (Our flippers are pretty tired by the end of the night, especially after a long day in the theme parks!) Here's what comes with the World of Color Dessert Party.
Food and Beverage at World of Color Dessert Party
The food may vary each season and may include crackers, cheeses (three kinds of cheese), grapes and sweet desserts. The desserts include a macaron, a raspberry-filled shortbread cookie, triple chocolate cheesecake, bundt cake and Mickey crispy. You can get a to-go box to take home any remaining treats.
There's a new presentation for the treats in the World of Color Happiness! Dessert Party for the Disneyland 70th (starting May 16, 2025).
There are alternatives for people allergic to chocolate or on gluten-free diets. You can also request plant-based options as well! Be sure to look for the prompt to add any special dietary or allergy-friendly requests when booking your reservation online or via the Disneyland app. They cannot guarantee accommodations for same-day requests.
Drink options include bottled water, coffee, tea, Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite, plus specialty beverages. Specialty beverages include nonalcoholic mocktails, sparkling wine, beer and seasonal cocktails.
Cost of World of Color Dessert Party
The World of Color Dessert Party costs $94 (including tax and gratuity) per person. The price is the same for adults and children. Adults can choose a beverage with alcohol. Tadpoles get sippers with glow cubes or glow sipper (the actual glow option may change seasonally).
Reservations for World of Color Dessert Party
You can reserve online or through the Disneyland app up to 60 days in advance. The time listed for your reservation is an hour before the show starts. The show times can vary but are usually at 9 and 10:15 p.m. A reservation at 9:15 is for the second show.
Reservations for the new World of Color Happiness! Dessert Party open on April 10, 2025.
Check-in for World of Color Dessert Party
Arrive to check-in early. The check-in area is across from the Eureka building near the back of The Little Mermaid. You'll receive a wristband and you can select your table from the seat map at that time. We recommend choosing a seat toward the center of the World of Color viewing area. Both the high-top and low-top tables have great views. Choose the type of table that is more comfortable for you. Do you want your feet on the ground, or do you want to be seated just a little higher above the crowd? Then, you'll line up to be seated at the World of Color sign across from The Little Mermaid when it's time to be seated.
Viewing Area for World of Color Dessert Party
The viewing area is toward the back but up higher than the crowd. You can reserve online or through the Disneyland app. There is a planter or roped buffer area between the dessert party and other guests, so you get an amazing view of the show. The tables have four seats, so if you are a party of two, you may get seated with another party. One good thing about the viewing is that you stay much drier than the people down in front. On chilly SoCal nights, that really helps a lot.
Is the World of Color Dessert Party Worth It?
We always really appreciate having a seat at the end of the day with space around us to enjoy and see the show. We enjoy the food and beverage. The process is less stressful than wondering where to watch. If you are not entering a park before the virtual queue opens at noon, this provides another way to secure a good viewing area. It makes for a great date night or a way to mark a special occasion.
Related: Best Ways and Places to View World of Color at Disneyland, Plus a New Show
Related: Disneyland Dining Packages — Where to Splurge & Where to Save
Hoppy planning!
