2010 Holiday Tour booked! Added: compilation of who's going when.

[Halloweenqueen]

On hold, hoping for tickets.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We are booked! I decided on the 3pm tour on December 11th.

 

[impeyan]

I have booked for Dec. 11th at 3p.m., I am so excited I did this 2 years ago and loved it.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

See you there!

 

[MaiynaMouse]

Just wondering if anyone has been successful in getting the AAA discount for the holiday tour very recently. We'll be booking ours on November 21 for our December visit and I really want that discount!

I booked just a couple of days ago and got the AAA discount. They just wanted my member number.

 

[camouseketeer]

Would anyone recommend this tour for 4 year olds? Or is that too young?

No, I would not recommend it for a 4 year old.

I just took the tour yesterday, Nov 12, at noon. It was the first tour of the year.

I took my 7 and 8 year old DD's. They did very well, but it was a lot of talking by the guide. She talked a lot about the history of Christmas, Santa Claus, and the way Christmas is celebrated around the world. I knew this going into the tour, and I crossed my fingers that my girls would enjoy the information. They did, but they were the only children on our tour, and the youngest ones I saw in the three tours in our time slot.

Basically you walk a short ways, stop, and hear the guide talk. Then you walk some more, and the whole process repeats. Members of the tour need to have good stamina, good listening skills, and patience for the process. We did not ride a ride (you only ride Haunted Mansion and Small World) until at least an hour into the tour.

There are kid friendly aspects such as singing Jingle Bells on the train, getting gingerbread and hot cocoa to eat, and watching the parade in wonderful seats. But those are very small aspects of the two hours we spent touring the park. Plus we were done with the tour about 45 minutes before the parade. We talked, sat, and ate our treats, but that would be a long time to fill with a 4 year old.

You obviously know your child best. Personally, I'm glad I waited until my children were older and could appreciate the information!

 

[NewbieMouse]

No, I would not recommend it for a 4 year old.

I just took the tour yesterday, Nov 12, at noon. It was the first tour of the year.

I took my 7 and 8 year old DD's. They did very well, but it was a lot of talking by the guide. She talked a lot about the history of Christmas, Santa Claus, and the way Christmas is celebrated around the world. I knew this going into the tour, and I crossed my fingers that my girls would enjoy the information. They did, but they were the only children on our tour, and the youngest ones I saw in the three tours in our time slot.

Basically you walk a short ways, stop, and hear the guide talk. Then you walk some more, and the whole process repeats. Members of the tour need to have good stamina, good listening skills, and patience for the process. We did not ride a ride (you only ride Haunted Mansion and Small World) until at least an hour into the tour.

There are kid friendly aspects such as singing Jingle Bells on the train, getting gingerbread and hot cocoa to eat, and watching the parade in wonderful seats. But those are very small aspects of the two hours we spent touring the park. Plus we were done with the tour about 45 minutes before the parade. We talked, sat, and ate our treats, but that would be a long time to fill with a 4 year old.

You obviously know your child best. Personally, I'm glad I waited until my children were older and could appreciate the information!

camouseketeer, this is good information. How about an almost 7 and almost 6 year old?

 

[Halloweenqueen]

This was what I was afraid of, but the CM assured me my almost 7 year old would be fine. I'm sure she will be okay, but we are traveling with a friend and her son. He might have trouble, especially if there isn't much action in the beginning. I wonder if it's possible to leave the tour if necessary and still get your seats for the parade.

 

[uneekstylez]

Camouseketeer...................11/12 noon
raftislander.........................11/12 3pm
Littleprincess2010................11/12 3pm
LV Disney Fan(atic)..............11/13 3pm
DizMe................................11/13 3pm
Ariel224.............................11/13 3pm
IndayMichelle......................11/18 3pm
Spixydust...........................11/18 3pm
kirstenandrick......................11/18 3pm
MattsPrincess.....................11/19 noon
disneymom23......................11/20 3pm
NorCal Mom........................11/20 3pm
LisaCat..............................11/20 3pm
MrsPMC00..........................11/21 3pm
DisneyParkFan.....................11/26 noon
alwaysmb20........................11/26 3pm
nymets..............................11/29 3pm
uneekstylez........................12/3 3pm
kalaheogirl.........................12/3 3pm
greens in WA......................12/3 3pm
PHXscuba...........................12/3 3pm
aussiegirls...........................12/6 3pm
Sally_fan.............................12/6 3pm
Torgue................................12/7 3pm
Peri ....................................12/9 3pm
DLTorgo ..............................12/9 3 pm
Halloweenqueen...................12/11 3pm
impeyan..............................12/11 3pm

 

[camouseketeer]

camouseketeer, this is good information. How about an almost 7 and almost 6 year old?

Only you can answer that. My girls are 7.5 and almost 9. If we had done this last year, my 7.5 year old would have enjoyed the information, but the amount of walking, stopping, and waiting might have taxed her.

I am guessing that you can leave the tour and then return. You've paid your money for that seat. I would see no reason why you couldn't leave and meet up at the parade if necessary.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Usually my 5 yr old walks the entire day(s) at DL--but if there is a lot of stopping and listening to the guide, he would do better in a stroller.

If we rented a Disney stroller for that day, is the tour stroller friendly? Stairs, etc.?

Getting very excited about our 3pm tour on 11/23!

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

We won't be in the park prior to our tour...we'll arrive with just enough time to activate our AP's at guest services, go through the turnstiles & check-in for our 3pm tour. (On the busy Tuesday before Thanksgiving.)

So...any advice on what time to show up at guest services to get this done and still arrive for our tour 'on-time'?

TIA!

 

[Staceycs]

Thanks to all who have posted in this thread! I am soooooo glad to hear the reserved seating is still available!
I am so keen to do this tour, I will be calling in from Australia at 3am our time
I want to do this on my birthday on Dec 23 as I think it will make my day just that much more special!
Also wanting to do Fantasmic PS on the same day if possible. Can someone tell me if I can book both at the same time as it would save me a phone call!
Also, I have purchased Premium AP's for my family and I. I have them printed via the e-ticket but am wondering if I wll qualiy for an AP discount as we don't actually have the passes yet. If someone could clarify this for me I would appreciate it very much!
Total Disney overload birthday, as we are having breakfast with Minnie and Friends too....................sounds like the best birthday ever!!!
Cheers

Hi Minnie Sue Oz....glad to see I'm not the only person making these early morning phone calls from Australia

We are in Anaheim from the 20th of December to the 1st of Jan, and the Holiday Tour (hopefully on the 21st at 3:00pm) and the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet (hopefully on the 22nd) will be some of our highlights. I am hoping to use our NRMA memberships to qualify for AAA discounts.

I am so nervous about being able to get the dates I want!!!! I made about 5 dining reservations last month and was able to get the dates and times I wanted each time by ringing up at 1:00am our time, so fingers crossed I can get through for the tour times. I really hope that you can get all of yours too...what a fantastic birthday it will be! Best of luck!!

Thanks to everyone on this thread... I have to say I did have a heart attack when I thought seating wasn't included, but I love reading all of your tips, stories, and recounts and am very happy seating is included now!

 

[Ariel224]

First of all, thank you to uneekstyles for updating the tour list.

We were on yesterday's 3pm tour. The recommended check-in time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. The organize participants into 3 groups of about 15-16 people. My group consisted of 14 (us + the 2 families we were with) plus DizMe & her sister. (So exciting to have my first park meeting with another DISer!)

Our tour guide was great at keeping things interesting for the kids. We had a 5 year old, two 7 year olds, a 9 year old & a 10 year old. During the walking parts, they all walked up next to him with the parents following. He talked to them, had them dancing & doing motions to the Christmas music that plays in the headsets, & had them competing with another tour group for the best shout outs of Merry Christmas in different languages (leave it to my silly DH to come up with Pig Latin). I'd say the level of interest for a child on this tour definitely depends on the guide you end up with. We were very pleased!

I'd say the tour is definitely stroller friendly. We left ours at the tour office & didn't miss it, as DD5 was able to walk....but it is a LOT of walking for a small child. Mostly we missed the sweatshirts we had left in it when parade time rolled around.

Being able to cut the lines for the HMH & IASWH was soooo worth it. We wouldn't have been able to ride IASWH otherwise because the whole area is such a crowded mob.

Parade seating was 2 rows. Each tour subgroup has their own section, so we had 8 front & 8 back row seats. The kids loved being so very close. Everyone was comfortable in their chairs.....yeah, the chairs could easily get me spoiled! IASW is so beautiful at night.....and we were sitting right in front of it. I'm so glad we had seats for the nighttime parade because of that.

Great time well worth the money.

 

[PHXscuba]

Ariel224:
Thanks for the review. I am hoping our tour is as much fun as yours. As I start to grasp how crowded the park is going to be our weekend, I am thinking the IASWH and parade seats alone would be worth it! Very excited to have our turn!

PHXscuba

 

[camouseketeer]

First of all, thank you to uneekstyles for updating the tour list.

We were on yesterday's 3pm tour. The recommended check-in time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. The organize participants into 3 groups of about 15-16 people. My group consisted of 14 (us + the 2 families we were with) plus DizMe & her sister. (So exciting to have my first park meeting with another DISer!)

Our tour guide was great at keeping things interesting for the kids. We had a 5 year old, two 7 year olds, a 9 year old & a 10 year old. During the walking parts, they all walked up next to him with the parents following. He talked to them, had them dancing & doing motions to the Christmas music that plays in the headsets, & had them competing with another tour group for the best shout outs of Merry Christmas in different languages (leave it to my silly DH to come up with Pig Latin). I'd say the level of interest for a child on this tour definitely depends on the guide you end up with. We were very pleased!

I'd say the tour is definitely stroller friendly. We left ours at the tour office & didn't miss it, as DD5 was able to walk....but it is a LOT of walking for a small child. Mostly we missed the sweatshirts we had left in it when parade time rolled around.

Being able to cut the lines for the HMH & IASWH was soooo worth it. We wouldn't have been able to ride IASWH otherwise because the whole area is such a crowded mob.

Parade seating was 2 rows. Each tour subgroup has their own section, so we had 8 front & 8 back row seats. The kids loved being so very close. Everyone was comfortable in their chairs.....yeah, the chairs could easily get me spoiled! IASW is so beautiful at night.....and we were sitting right in front of it. I'm so glad we had seats for the nighttime parade because of that.

Great time well worth the money.

I agree with all of this! Our guide was very nice, but she did not engage my DD's at all. That would have made it even better.

The only stroller issue you will have is folding it up to ride the train.

Our parade seats were in single row, so no one was behind anyone. We were the earlier parade, however, so I wonder if that made any difference.

I am so glad we took the tour! The ability to ride the two holiday rides and have front row seats to the parade was worth it right there. The lovely guide and interesting information made it even better.

Have a great time, everyone!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Sounds like I don't have to worry. Can't wait!

 

[LisaCat]

Hi NorCal Mom,

We are going on the same tour as you. This will be our 3rd year taking the tour. We love it! I also have a 12 year old daughter, and a 10 year old daughter and a 9 year old son. There will be 7 of us on the tour.

We will be on that tour as well! Me, my friend Trish and her 19yo son. CAN'T WAIT!

I have a lime green Mickey on my backpack!

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Hi Minnie Sue Oz....glad to see I'm not the only person making these early morning phone calls from Australia

We are in Anaheim from the 20th of December to the 1st of Jan, and the Holiday Tour (hopefully on the 21st at 3:00pm) and the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet (hopefully on the 22nd) will be some of our highlights. I am hoping to use our NRMA memberships to qualify for AAA discounts.

I am so nervous about being able to get the dates I want!!!! I made about 5 dining reservations last month and was able to get the dates and times I wanted each time by ringing up at 1:00am our time, so fingers crossed I can get through for the tour times. I really hope that you can get all of yours too...what a fantastic birthday it will be! Best of luck!!

Thanks to everyone on this thread... I have to say I did have a heart attack when I thought seating wasn't included, but I love reading all of your tips, stories, and recounts and am very happy seating is included now!

Well hello there Staceycs

We must just lurve our Disney to be sooooo dedicated to be ringing in at all hours of the morning! I too am nervous about getting my date as this will be the trip of lifetime for our family and with it being my birthday, even more so for me! I have my whole day planned and will be in the park from opening to closing! The tour and the Fantasmic PS are something I have been longing to do and to get to do it on my big day is a dream come true!
We are actually flying to New Zealand the same day I need to make the calls, so am thinking I will sleep well on the way over!
I will certainly post again and let you know how I get on!
Maybe we may see each other.................you never know us Disers, we seem to have a way of finding each other!
Cheers
Sue

 

[Staceycs]

We are actually flying to New Zealand the same day I need to make the calls, so am thinking I will sleep well on the way over!
I will certainly post again and let you know how I get on!
Maybe we may see each other.................you never know us Disers, we seem to have a way of finding each other!

Yes, please do keep us updated and I will do the same! It certainly is a small world... was that too corny lol?? Good luck!