Christmas Tour - With or Without the Kids?

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I've been reading some pretty glowing reviews about the Christmas tour and am definitely planning on making it part of our visit. My dilemma is, do we do the tour with our DD7 and DD3 so they can enjoy prime seats at the parade? Or do we do the tour when the girls are spending the evening with their grandparents because DD's would be bored by the tour?

 

[karylrocks]

I have done the tour and personally I think they would be bored. I loved it, learning about different Christmas decorations and traditions and sitting waiting for the parade, but I think that most kids would not really enjoy it.

 

[ballarinamom]

We did it with DD when she just turned 7. She loved it. She had her own earphones and I pushed her in the stroller. She loved the music and sang along. We wlaked right onto HM then took the train to Toontown. Wlked right onto IASW and then picked up our hot cocoa and ginverbread mickeys. She loved it and we have it booked again for this trip. Keep in mind that the parade seats are two rows deep. You are not gauranteed a front row seat. We had three front rows and DH sat behind us.
If you think they will like the parade and you have no plans to see it at another time- take them. If you want to save $ and plan on seeing the parade again- leave with the grands.
FWIW, we did the later tour as we wanted to see the lights on and the night version of the parade

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My kids enjoyed this last year. We didn't have head sets (which is really my only complaint) so that was a problem but otherwise it was great! The parade chairs were wonderful for them.

I bet Gma & Pa would enjoy it too.

 

[XTinabell]

We did it with DD when she just turned 7. She loved it. She had her own earphones and I pushed her in the stroller. She loved the music and sang along. We wlaked right onto HM then took the train to Toontown. Wlked right onto IASW and then picked up our hot cocoa and ginverbread mickeys. She loved it and we have it booked again for this trip. Keep in mind that the parade seats are two rows deep. You are not gauranteed a front row seat. We had three front rows and DH sat behind us.
If you think they will like the parade and you have no plans to see it at another time- take them. If you want to save $ and plan on seeing the parade again- leave with the grands.
FWIW, we did the later tour as we wanted to see the lights on and the night version of the parade

I agree with this. We did the tour just dh and I and it was awesome but there were little kids there who got enjoy the rides, the gingerbread cookie and hot chocolate as well as great seats for the parade. Many of the characters came over to interact with the children during the parade. So I think they would certainly enjoy parts of it, and the parts that might be boring aren't very long as there is a lot to accomplish and not much time.

 

[godalejunior]

We did the tour last year without DS and I was really glad. We did not have headphones (not happy about that) and it was so crowded during the tour and after the parade. I even told DH I was so glad DS was not with us because having to try and wade through all the people was insane and then to have a kid in tow would not have been a lot of fun.
With that being said, if we would have had headphones AND it would not have been crowded I think DS would have enjoyed it.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Well, that answers my question! Okay, maybe not!!! I really do appreciate everyone's input on both sides of the issue, though. From what I'm gathering so far, it sounds as though my DD's would enjoy the rides, the cookies and hot chocolate, and the possible interactions with characters at the parade (if we're seated in the front row, not the second).

However, if my DD's (or even if DH and I) don't have headphones, the tour becomes iffy in it's enjoyment factor. So, how do you ensure headphones? Do you have to rent them as an "extra" to the tour? Do they go to the first few people to request them? Are they only pulled out for some tours, but not others?

Also, with the two rows of seating for the "VIPs" from the tours, is there any way to ensure getting a front row or is just pretty much luck of the draw?

Thanks!!!!

 

[ballarinamom]

We did 2 tours on our November- Holiday and Wlaking in Walt's- and had headphones for both. When you check in at the tour desk, request headphones.
As far as front row, don't be at the back of the pack after you get your cookies and hot cocoa. Stay as close to the tour guide as possible. When you cross the street you take your seats. So if you are in the back of the group, you get the second row

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We would've & should've had head phones but they weren't working for some reason.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

We did 2 tours on our November- Holiday and Wlaking in Walt's- and had headphones for both. When you check in at the tour desk, request headphones.
As far as front row, don't be at the back of the pack after you get your cookies and hot cocoa. Stay as close to the tour guide as possible. When you cross the street you take your seats. So if you are in the back of the group, you get the second row

Yeah! We totally would have been lagging, especially if we decided to have the girls do the tour with us. Awesome tip, thank you!

 

[godalejunior]

We would've & should've had head phones but they weren't working for some reason.

Same here, it is my understanding that the tour is supposed to have headphones. In hindsight I think I would have rescheduled our tour when we found out they were not working at our time slot. It was our first tour so I did not think it was going to be a big deal.