Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #3!- HOLIDAYS BEGIN 11/12/13!!

[Sherry E]

I'd love some input on a rough schedule, as here is what I'm thinking.
Sun: Arrive; dinner at Storyteller's; hit DLH to get my Photo+ card near Goofy's before the next day.
Mon: Make the RSR dash! perfect intro to DLR for DS. Do the Carsland thing, grab a snack. Hit Little Mermaid and TSMM and boardwalk area. Hopefully can do Bug's Land and the Disney Jr. Show. Maybe Soaring before lunch but we'll see. Lunch at Flo's or Pacific Wharf. Head back to the room for a little rest. When kids are up, off to DL! Thinking we can start by picking up FP for HMH, then hit Jungle Cruise and PoTC. Then walk over to Tomorrowland if there is time, see about Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear and check the lines on Autopia. Hit HMH. Will have to get in line to get the F! dessert seating assignment. Hoping we can make it to dinner without issue because of that! Thinking dinner at BTRBBQ and that would be a nice break to see the animals there. Then F! dessert seating and off to bed after that. Whew!
Tues: Kids will be up and raring to go. This will be our DL day (mostly). Figured we'd do a morning in DL. This is when we'll try to do some of the slow loaders and IASWH. Hopefully get in the M&G with the Frozen gals and catch the Rapunzel show. If time permits, check out Toontown. Lunch at AG as DD will be in princess regalia! Small rest in the room. Back to DL to catch the parade if kids are interested. Tour more of rides in DLR like carousel and tea cups and maybe check out the wait with the fairies and princesses, if DD's appetite is not sated. Dinner at Blue Bayou.
Wed: I think we'll let the kids drive this day generally and see where they really want to go. I will likely go and see if I can get the kids on a tender ride for the train sometime this day. One thing we will shoot for is Jedi training academy. If we decide on trying to catch the WOC, thinking Carthay Circle lunch. If not, might be CC or Plaza Inn or just QS somewhere. Dinner that night will be adults at NR and kids get to eat in the room with a sitter. After that, we can grab them for the fireworks or WOC.
Thurs: Minnie & Friends, which I'll likely schedule for slightly later in the morning so we could do a few rides first. DS can meet his beloved Captain Hook! Definitely some shopping for me too. I figured the night before they can each pick a "must do" ride for their last day. To ease the pain of departure, might let them do B-a-B or pick another souvenir. Will leave that afternoon to drive to IL's home.

Will that work or too much? Appreciate you vets letting me know if I'm being unrealistic!

Pesky --

This seems like it would be a great question for tksbaskets or Bret/mvf-m11c (who may not pop in again here for another couple of days), as they are good at touring with very busy agendas. Your schedule/plan looks OK to me at a glance, but I don't usually tour with a plan so I am not the most equipped to advise on that. It seems as if you have all the bases covered -- lots of Princess time! -- and are getting a lot done. You even have NR scheduled for the adults.

I think that building a bear or having a souvenir run through World of Disney might ease the pain of departure quite well!

Nope, never seen NBC. I have heard some of the music though and do enjoy that.

I have seen Toy Story and Toy Story 2, but never saw 3. I heard how that ends and didn't think I was up to the task. But I DO have Toy Story of Terror set to tape on my DVR this week too. It will sort of kick off our Disney research for this year, where we make it a point to watch some of our favorite movies again to get us in the mood for our trip.

We're really more about the classic Disney stuff. We're not really even into Pixar stuff all that much. I know..... I know...... We're going to Carsland and all. We did see both Cars movies last year before staying at the Art of Animation resort and they were fine, but didn't really grab us. But like you pointed out in an earlier post, I'm counting on LOVING that area of the park. I LOVE LOVE LOVE red rock country in the southwest and can't wait to see how Disney brought it to life!

Janet --

I remember you mentioning that you hadn't seen TS3 in another thread quite a while back, in which I was drawing the comparison that our side of the board was like the sweet, cuddly room featured in TS3, as opposed to the room with all of the wild, unruly, out of control toys!

Toy Story 3 is a great movie -- probably my favorite of the 3 TS films. Yes, I wiped away tears at the end of it, but for the most part it was a happy ending...and a new beginning. And the good part was that it didn't close the book on the TS characters forever. The way it was left was such that another movie could come from it somewhere down the road. Or a Halloween adventure!

I can't stress enough how silly of an idea I thought Cars Land was when I first heard it was coming. I thought that any other Pixar movie would have been a better theme for a land than that one, but it won me over. The land is so well done because Disney took time to do it right and really apply the attention to detail for which they are famous.

It's funny -- you mentioned the red rock country of the southwest. Last year I discovered the series Breaking Bad (4 years into it) and became a huge fan. It was set in New Mexico. Now, this was a very un-Disney type of show, mind you, but the landscapes in it often reminded me of Cars Land! There were many scenes in BB that were filmed out in the desert somewhere, or in the middle of the red rocks. Towards the end of the series, in fact, there were a couple of episodes with big, dramatic scenes shot out in the red rocks. Any time I saw the red rocks I thought of Cars Land. I guess we can find a little bit of Disney in anything if we try hard enough!

I actually just tried to schedule Surf's Up for our departure day of 12/11. But it appears they don't have any tables loaded yet. Because I doubt they are completely booked already. We're going to have to be efficient so we can pack, eat, check out and make it to the airport in time.

Any suggestions on when we need to leave the hotel for SNA to make a 12:40 flight?

Janet --

Surf's Up won't even be booked up on the day you go, I'm pretty sure. People can easily walk up and get tables even without reservations. That's a Wednesday, correct? So I doubt that a lot of people would be eating there on a Wednesday morning.

I have no clue about the timing of leaving the hotel and getting to the airport.

I don't know? lol. I think I have the instructions from someone on what bus to take, but I'm a suburban girl and don't really "get" bus routes, etc. So I'm guessing we'll end up having to ask the conceirge (I'm guessing Anabella has one) for help on figuring that all out. my daughter is 2 1/2 and we are flying and won't have a car seat, otherwise I would just take a taxi for the shorter drive. Not looking forward to doing the bus thing with a stroller (considering going sans stroller that day, but then there is ZERO chance of a stroller nap for the kiddo sooooo. yeah.

I don't really want to go to Knot's it was the one request from my Dad. After several trips of only hitting DL I caved and chose Friday since I figure it will be busy at DL anyway once the afternoon hits. He really wants the chicken dinner too so that is a must do for our Knot's trip.

egritz --

I've never stayed at the Anabella, but I'm sure they must have a concierge or someone who can help sort out how to get to and from Knott's.

I think that's very sweet, though, that you're making sure your dad gets the chicken dinner at Knott's! I think it will be a fun time, even though it's not your preference to go there. That chicken dinner is very popular. It's been so long since I've eaten it, but I remember going there as a child and eating the chicken only -- because back then I refused to eat mashed potatoes -- and whatever pie came later (probably boysenberry and some sort of apple). And then we left with a couple of jars of Knott's preserves!

Are you actually going into Knott's as well, or just to Mrs. Knott's?

Oh, yes.....maybe we'll do the express window at Jazz Kitchen. Should be cheaper too........

So, another question.......
which "nicer" meal do you prefer at DLR/DTD/DCA? We're already doing the Carthay Circle WOC package......and Blue Bayou. Would it be between Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55? Which would you choose?

I loved all the movies you mentioned. I needed to rewatch Cars because I wanted to be familiar with all the characters and places in the movie so I could really immerse myself in Carsland. I just know I'm going to love it.

That makes sense. Hopefully we'll get the FP from the Holiday Tour if that all works out okay......I have a feeling we'll want to ride Radiator Springs more than once!

Hm....it IS Edy's here......and I think it was Peppermint Wonderland. I guess I need to go buy some quick-like!

Ah, heck.......I'm just going to do the three I have mentioned. Don't really feel the need to do Storytellers Cafe (i just had a friend come back from that meal a couple weeks ago and she did not rate it a favorite)......and we did both Cinderella's Royal Table AND the Princess Breakfast at Epcot last December.....so Ariel's Grotto isn't necessary for us this time.

Kathy --

Did your friend do the Critter Breakfast at Storytellers Cafe or just a regular, non-character lunch or dinner? I really like eating there for lunch or dinner, but the character breakfast is not necessarily my favorite because I am not that interested in Koda and Kenai. Chip and Dale can be found at Goofy's and at Minnie & Friends, so I don't need to see them at the Critter Breakfast too.

In any case, make sure to pop in to Storytellers and catch a whiff of the gingerbread house near the front of the restaurant!

Let me know if your Edy's Peppermint Wonderland ice cream is the Slow Churned kind, or if it does not say Slow Churned on the carton at all. Disneyland and California Adventure sell Dreyer's/Edy's in their ice cream shops (except for at Ghirardelli, of course).

Oh that's right! I keep forgetting you're doing the holiday tour! Yes, the tour will get you right on IASWH and HMH without much of a wait, as well as the parade seats, cookie, pin, cocoa, fudge sample, etc.

As for the "nicer" meals... Personally, I would choose Steakhouse 55 -- just because that suits my tastes more. Steakhouse 55 also gets pretty good reviews of its breakfast as well, which I have never tried.

However, I will say that Napa Rose almost always gets rave reviews from everyone who eats there. There are rarely any bad NR reviews. So if you are a foodie and you like fine dining, I think NR would be a good choice for a nice meal.

Thanks for all your suggestions Sherry...answering all our queries must take up so much of your day!

No chance of them being bored generally...but I was worried they might get a bit bored doing the tour when they hadn't much chance to experience the parks beforehand...so they might have almost been straining to get on some rides rather than be shown around!

Anyway, I chatted it over with them, and I think we'll do Fantasmic the first night... and maybe just grab a few Fps as we do our own 'orientation' tour!

farmfresh --

You're welcome! It's my pleasure to help if/when I can, and when I have time. Sometimes I have to leave the thread alone for a few days as I do other things! Fortunately, we have a lot of great people here who will pitch in and help. There are also people in this thread who have experience with certain things that I don't have (like the F! dessert package/seating and the holiday tour, for example), so it's great to have their responses.

Yes, I agree -- as kids, I think they will definitely be eager to get on a lot of rides and the tour might have made them feel too restrained. I know that when I was a kid a tour probably would not have been at the top of my list of things I wanted to do! I was all about getting on as many rides as possible back then.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'd love some input on a rough schedule, as here is what I'm thinking.
Sun: Arrive; dinner at Storyteller's; hit DLH to get my Photo+ card near Goofy's before the next day.
Mon: Make the RSR dash! perfect intro to DLR for DS. Do the Carsland thing, grab a snack. Hit Little Mermaid and TSMM and boardwalk area. Hopefully can do Bug's Land and the Disney Jr. Show. Maybe Soaring before lunch but we'll see. Lunch at Flo's or Pacific Wharf. Head back to the room for a little rest. When kids are up, off to DL! Thinking we can start by picking up FP for HMH, then hit Jungle Cruise and PoTC. Then walk over to Tomorrowland if there is time, see about Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear and check the lines on Autopia. Hit HMH. Will have to get in line to get the F! dessert seating assignment. Hoping we can make it to dinner without issue because of that! Thinking dinner at BTRBBQ and that would be a nice break to see the animals there. Then F! dessert seating and off to bed after that. Whew!
Tues: Kids will be up and raring to go. This will be our DL day (mostly). Figured we'd do a morning in DL. This is when we'll try to do some of the slow loaders and IASWH. Hopefully get in the M&G with the Frozen gals and catch the Rapunzel show. If time permits, check out Toontown. Lunch at AG as DD will be in princess regalia! Small rest in the room. Back to DL to catch the parade if kids are interested. Tour more of rides in DLR like carousel and tea cups and maybe check out the wait with the fairies and princesses, if DD's appetite is not sated. Dinner at Blue Bayou.
Wed: I think we'll let the kids drive this day generally and see where they really want to go. I will likely go and see if I can get the kids on a tender ride for the train sometime this day. One thing we will shoot for is Jedi training academy. If we decide on trying to catch the WOC, thinking Carthay Circle lunch. If not, might be CC or Plaza Inn or just QS somewhere. Dinner that night will be adults at NR and kids get to eat in the room with a sitter. After that, we can grab them for the fireworks or WOC.
Thurs: Minnie & Friends, which I'll likely schedule for slightly later in the morning so we could do a few rides first. DS can meet his beloved Captain Hook! Definitely some shopping for me too. I figured the night before they can each pick a "must do" ride for their last day. To ease the pain of departure, might let them do B-a-B or pick another souvenir. Will leave that afternoon to drive to IL's home.

Will that work or too much? Appreciate you vets letting me know if I'm being unrealistic!

When you do the F! dessert package on the night of the event, you will have to go to Guest Services to pickup the tickets. I would get the tickets later during the afternoon so you won't have to be in GS in the morning.

"A Christmas Fantasy" parade that will be running during the Holiday season is a classic parade which has a lot of Disney characters is a good parade to watch. To avoid wait time, I would watch the parade from IASW Plaza since it has the least wait amount time to see the parade. I would say about 15 to 30 minutes wait time until the parade starts so you can get a good viewing area.

For the tender ride on the DLRR, I would get to the MS station early in the morning to find out if the C.K. Holliday Engine #1 or E.P. Ripley Engine #2 (the two engines that offer tender rides around the park) are available. There might be times that they won't offer the tender rides due to weather. I would go first thing in the morning and you can also asked if they offer rides in the Lily Belle parlor car if it is out on the track and they are offering rides.

If there was something that I would change on the itinerary, I would change this.

I would go with World of Color Winter Dreams' on Monday since you will be at DCA in the morning to ride RSR or get FP's for RSR when the park opens. During the day, you can get FP's for WoC at GRR so you are guarantee to watch and see it that night.

On Tuesday, I would go with the F! Dessert package since you will be in DL for most of the day. When you are done with BB, you can head on over to see F!.

 

[egritz]

egritz --

I've never stayed at the Anabella, but I'm sure they must have a concierge or someone who can help sort out how to get to and from Knott's.

I think that's very sweet, though, that you're making sure your dad gets the chicken dinner at Knott's! I think it will be a fun time, even though it's not your preference to go there. That chicken dinner is very popular. It's been so long since I've eaten it, but I remember going there as a child and eating the chicken only -- because back then I refused to eat mashed potatoes -- and whatever pie came later (probably boysenberry and some sort of apple). And then we left with a couple of jars of Knott's preserves!

Are you actually going into Knott's as well, or just to Mrs. Knott's?

We are going to spend the day inside Knott's, trying to get there for opening & trying to leave by 4pm at the latest. He hasn't been there in probably 25+ years.
I'm really looking forward to the Anabella...we have the Casita Suite which has a separate small room with a daybed so DD2 will be able to be in there and we don't "have" to go straight to bed when she does.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I read that AP holders get 20% off on tours. I assume this included the holiday tour? And do I have to have it in hand when I book or is getting it before we take the tour enough? I had planned on getting the AP on our first day.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I read that AP holders get 20% off on tours. I assume this included the holiday tour? And do I have to have it in hand when I book or is getting it before we take the tour enough? I had planned on getting the AP on our first day.

That is correct. You get 20% off the Holiday Tour with the AP. You can also get 20% if you are a AAA member or a Disney Visa card holder. I haven't done the Holiday Tour since 2009 but I did have to provide my AP number in order to get the 20% discount on the Holiday Tour.

 

[egritz]

That is correct. You get 20% off the Holiday Tour with the AP. You can also get 20% if you are a AAA member or a Disney Visa card holder. I haven't done the Holiday Tour since 2009 but I did have to provide my AP number in order to get the 20% discount on the Holiday Tour.

Is it just the Holiday Tour or is it all Tours that Disney Visa gets 20% off? That discount makes doing a Tour more attractive for sure!
I may have asked this before but I'm assuming the Holiday Tour is appropriate for a Toddler to go on with us?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

That is correct. You get 20% off the Holiday Tour with the AP. You can also get 20% if you are a AAA member or a Disney Visa card holder. I haven't done the Holiday Tour since 2009 but I did have to provide my AP number in order to get the 20% discount on the Holiday Tour.

To clarify, I have to have my AP number when I call to book. Having it when we check in/pick up tickets isn't enough? I have AAA & a Disney Visa, so I guess I'll just use one of those. Thanks for the info.

Is it just the Holiday Tour or is it all Tours that Disney Visa gets 20% off? That discount makes doing a Tour more attractive for sure! I may have asked this before but I'm assuming the Holiday Tour is appropriate for a Toddler to go on with us?

Looking at the Disney website it's all tours. And yes, the Holiday Tour is appropriate for a toddler. We did it back in 2006 with two toddlers and we will have a toddler with us this time around, too.

 

[egritz]

Looking at the Disney website it's all tours. And yes, the Holiday Tour is appropriate for a toddler. We did it back in 2006 with two toddlers and we will have a toddler with us this time around, too.

Thank you...yet another thing to try & fit in ;-) Might try to do it our first full day in the park.

Are the lines for the Haunted Mansion & Small World typically long mid week in early December? (My definition of long is more than 20 minutes)...that is one of the factors (along with the seating for the parade) in deciding whether to fork over the $ for the Holiday Tour.

 

[albertamom]

I don't know? lol. I think I have the instructions from someone on what bus to take, but I'm a suburban girl and don't really "get" bus routes, etc. So I'm guessing we'll end up having to ask the conceirge (I'm guessing Anabella has one) for help on figuring that all out. my daughter is 2 1/2 and we are flying and won't have a car seat, otherwise I would just take a taxi for the shorter drive. Not looking forward to doing the bus thing with a stroller (considering going sans stroller that day, but then there is ZERO chance of a stroller nap for the kiddo sooooo. yeah.

I don't really want to go to Knot's it was the one request from my Dad. After several trips of only hitting DL I caved and chose Friday since I figure it will be busy at DL anyway once the afternoon hits. He really wants the chicken dinner too so that is a must do for our Knot's trip.

Hi there! We visited Knott's about 5 years ago. I remember researching bus routes online, and then asking at the Carousel's front desk for more help. We are country bumpkins, who have rarely ever taken a city bus, but we had absolutely no trouble at all. The bus that we took was the "Downtown L.A." bus. We spoke with the driver upon boarding, and she was wonderful. She announced when our stop was up next, and told us exactly where to pick up the return bus (it was at a different stop across the street). The bus was practically empty, too. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again! You'll be fine! (I can practically taste that chicken dinner right now!)

 

[egritz]

Hi there! We visited Knott's about 5 years ago. I remember researching bus routes online, and then asking at the Carousel's front desk for more help. We are country bumpkins, who have rarely ever taken a city bus, but we had absolutely no trouble at all. The bus that we took was the "Downtown L.A." bus. We spoke with the driver upon boarding, and she was wonderful. She announced when our stop was up next, and told us exactly where to pick up the return bus (it was at a different stop across the street). The bus was practically empty, too. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again! You'll be fine! (I can practically taste that chicken dinner right now!)

thank you! My plan was to let the Anabella people help us figure it out. Good to know the bus stop for pick up is on the other side.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Are the lines for the Haunted Mansion & Small World typically long mid week in early December? (My definition of long is more than 20 minutes)...that is one of the factors (along with the seating for the parade) in deciding whether to fork over the $ for the Holiday Tour.

The queue wait times for HMH and IASWH can be in the 20 minute range of the day. There are times during the day that the lines can be less then 20 minutes. You can always go on these rides first thing in the morning where it is a walk-on (when the park opens at 8am) and you won't have to wait to get on those rides. When I did the tour, it was worth the money to go around the park and hear about the holiday history and cultures at DL. Getting priority boarding on HMH and IASWH is nice along with seating for "A Christmas Fantasy" parade is great. If you don't want to wait in the lines in the afternoon or later, the Holiday tour is a fun option to do.

 

[siskaren]

I don't know? lol. I think I have the instructions from someone on what bus to take, but I'm a suburban girl and don't really "get" bus routes, etc. So I'm guessing we'll end up having to ask the conceirge (I'm guessing Anabella has one) for help on figuring that all out. my daughter is 2 1/2 and we are flying and won't have a car seat, otherwise I would just take a taxi for the shorter drive. Not looking forward to doing the bus thing with a stroller (considering going sans stroller that day, but then there is ZERO chance of a stroller nap for the kiddo sooooo. yeah.

I don't really want to go to Knot's it was the one request from my Dad. After several trips of only hitting DL I caved and chose Friday since I figure it will be busy at DL anyway once the afternoon hits. He really wants the chicken dinner too so that is a must do for our Knot's trip.

I haven't been to Disneyland since 2005, but I did go to Knott's and I remember taking a shuttle bus, but I couldn't remember the details, so I googled and came up with it (although I bought my ticket for KBF ahead of time and I don't recall reserving the bus; I thought it just showed up at a hotel a few doors down from mine and I just bought a ticket from the driver, but since that was eight years ago I could either not be remembering correctly or they could've changed the procedure):

http://www.graylineanaheim.com/toursParks.cfm

Another option is Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART). Just take route 18 right to the the KBF Marketplace.

 

[mom2rtk]

What is your transportation - private car, rental car, super shuttle, disneyland bus?

I don't have transportation set up yet, but thought we might take a shuttle from the airport on arrival day, then probably get a taxi back. I saw someone post you can get a $35 flat rate voucher at the Disney hotels and I'm thinking it's worth it to maximize our time that morning. I'm thinking of doing Surfs Up that morning around 8. Our flight is at 12:40 from SNA.

Our flight is at 12:55 on our last day and we're probably doing the Surf's Up breakfast too.......oh gosh, now I feel like I should make a reservation. ARe you planning on going into the parks at all that day? I'm undecided if we should make one last dash for the parks THEN eat, or eat early and dash to the parks....or just skip the parks.

That doesn't help you with your travel times, does it? SNA is closer than LAX and I figured we should leave the hotel 4 hours prior to our flight......just to make sure we allowed for traffic/problems. I guess I need to make those transfers scheduled too......are you taking the Disneyland Express? I wish it were free like Magical EXpress

As Sherry mentioned, I'm sure there will be openings even day of at Surfs Up. But I just feel better having a time reserved so we won't have to wait, especially on departure day.

We have 5 day tickets but don't plan to use them on arrival or departure day. I still feel like we're going to be really rushed.

And as an FYI.....there still aren't tables loaded past 12/8. I'm not in a hurry to get in before they all get booked, as I'm sure they won't..... but I want to just do it before I forget!

Janet --

I remember you mentioning that you hadn't seen TS3 in another thread quite a while back, in which I was drawing the comparison that our side of the board was like the sweet, cuddly room featured in TS3, as opposed to the room with all of the wild, unruly, out of control toys!

Toy Story 3 is a great movie -- probably my favorite of the 3 TS films. Yes, I wiped away tears at the end of it, but for the most part it was a happy ending...and a new beginning. And the good part was that it didn't close the book on the TS characters forever. The way it was left was such that another movie could come from it somewhere down the road. Or a Halloween adventure!


I'm sure I'll watch TS3 one day. I'm just not ready for it yet. Just too close to home with the leaving home stuff.

I can't stress enough how silly of an idea I thought Cars Land was when I first heard it was coming. I thought that any other Pixar movie would have been a better theme for a land than that one, but it won me over. The land is so well done because Disney took time to do it right and really apply the attention to detail for which they are famous.

It's funny -- you mentioned the red rock country of the southwest. Last year I discovered the series Breaking Bad (4 years into it) and became a huge fan. It was set in New Mexico. Now, this was a very un-Disney type of show, mind you, but the landscapes in it often reminded me of Cars Land! There were many scenes in BB that were filmed out in the desert somewhere, or in the middle of the red rocks. Towards the end of the series, in fact, there were a couple of episodes with big, dramatic scenes shot out in the red rocks. Any time I saw the red rocks I thought of Cars Land. I guess we can find a little bit of Disney in anything if we try hard enough!


I do love watching movies with scenes in the desert southwest. We visited for the first time in 2005 and I absolutely fell in love with the area. I guess I just love all those wide open spaces! But mostly I just love those red rocks. We went back in 06, 07 and 2010 as well. Put me in front of some red rocks with my camera and I'm just happy as a clam. Combine that with Disney and it's sure to be a huge winner for me.


Kathy --

Did your friend do the Critter Breakfast at Storytellers Cafe or just a regular, non-character lunch or dinner? I really like eating there for lunch or dinner, but the character breakfast is not necessarily my favorite because I am not that interested in Koda and Kenai. Chip and Dale can be found at Goofy's and at Minnie & Friends, so I don't need to see them at the Critter Breakfast too.

In any case, make sure to pop in to Storytellers and catch a whiff of the gingerbread house near the front of the restaurant!

Sherry, is it usually Koda and Kenai there? We're back and forth on whether to eat there, but don't necessarily car about Koda and Kenai either. Do they mix it up much?


Oh that's right! I keep forgetting you're doing the holiday tour! Yes, the tour will get you right on IASWH and HMH without much of a wait, as well as the parade seats, cookie, pin, cocoa, fudge sample, etc.

We're thinking of doing the holiday tour on Sunday the 8th. We're taking Saturday off and figured we'd do as much scheduled stuff on Sunday, expecting the parks to be really busy from the CP. The parade seating would be awesome to have that day. Any feedback yet that the November folks have started scheduling tours?

 

[beckykarstetter]

Looking at the Disney website it's all tours. And yes, the Holiday Tour is appropriate for a toddler. We did it back in 2006 with two toddlers and we will have a toddler with us this time around, too.

When you say appropriate, do you mean he'll love it? Or, appropriate, he'll crouch down and try to pick up random pieces of popcorn that have fallen out of souvenir holders trying to entertain himself, but not quite throwing a fit? My guy is pretty high energy, and the walking alone may do it for him. I just have no clue how interactive it would be for a three year old.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Actually, my favourite resorts as far as Christmas decorations are at Walt Disney World are not the once that go all out with gingerbread houses, etc, but the ones that just have a huge tree and specifically Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge so I think I will adore the decorations at Grand Californian.

We have yet to visit Napa Rose, but had dinner at Steakhouse 55 twice and loved it. We also had breakfast there once and this was amazing and quite good value, too.

Corinna

 

[pixleyyy]

 

[lucysmom]

We took the holiday tour last year and are hoping to get reservations to take it again this year. Frankly, the tour was mediocre. The guide was stiff, just reciting the script she committed to memory. There was a lot of walking and standing. There was nothing interactive about it at all. I found it pretty boring myself. But, then we got our parade seats! Wowee!! We sat right in front of IASW, all lit up! And we had real seats! The only reason we want to take the tour again is to get those parade seats. I just hope it doesn't rain because if it does, there goes the parade!! I can't imagine a little guy being interested in the tour at all. But, I bet he will love the parade seats!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We took the holiday tour last year and are hoping to get reservations to take it again this year. Frankly, the tour was mediocre. The guide was stiff, just reciting the script she committed to memory. There was a lot of walking and standing. There was nothing interactive about it at all. I found it pretty boring myself. But, then we got our parade seats! Wowee!! We sat right in front of IASW, all lit up! And we had real seats! The only reason we want to take the tour again is to get those parade seats. I just hope it doesn't rain because if it does, there goes the parade!! I can't imagine a little guy being interested in the tour at all. But, I bet he will love the parade seats!

We had a mediocre experience as well. I brought my friend, her 7 year old son and my 7 year old daughter. The guide did her best to keep us involved, but it felt like a tour of the Alamo with PeeWee. We felt the script lacking...who doesn't know how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish?

We did have a situation that doesn't typically happen. We had a difficult guest who made our tour stop several times while she went to the bathroom. Now I can understand the need to go, but I would never insist that the tour stop. She should of asked for a place to meet. This made us very delayed. We literally ran to Toontown to get our cocoa. The same woman wanted tea and again we waited. Then the guide told us to run to Small World before our route was blocked by the parade. The area was packed and it was difficult to run with our exhausted kids. We make it to the parade seating area and who is sitting in the front seats...bathroom/tea girl and her friends! My friend went crazy, yelling at her for not letting the kids sit in front. I am not one of those types and I was quite embarrassed (our friendship has never been the same after that). A very nice couple gave up their seats for the kids and we sat behind bathroom/tea girl...my friend periodically kicking the seats in front of us!

Luckily I can say that was the only bad experience I have ever had at Disney!

 

[beckykarstetter]

We took the holiday tour last year and are hoping to get reservations to take it again this year. Frankly, the tour was mediocre. The guide was stiff, just reciting the script she committed to memory. There was a lot of walking and standing. There was nothing interactive about it at all. I found it pretty boring myself. But, then we got our parade seats! Wowee!! We sat right in front of IASW, all lit up! And we had real seats! The only reason we want to take the tour again is to get those parade seats. I just hope it doesn't rain because if it does, there goes the parade!! I can't imagine a little guy being interested in the tour at all. But, I bet he will love the parade seats!

The parade seats and the line passes are a big reason I'm considering the tour. An actual seat for the parade sounds so nice for my old bones. What to do, what to do.

 

[DarthMole]

We had a mediocre experience as well. I brought my friend, her 7 year old son and my 7 year old daughter. The guide did her best to keep us involved, but it felt like a tour of the Alamo with PeeWee. We felt the script lacking...who doesn't know how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish?

We did have a situation that doesn't typically happen. We had a difficult guest who made our tour stop several times while she went to the bathroom. Now I can understand the need to go, but I would never insist that the tour stop. She should of asked for a place to meet. This made us very delayed. We literally ran to Toontown to get our cocoa. The same woman wanted tea and again we waited. Then the guide told us to run to Small World before our route was blocked by the parade. The area was packed and it was difficult to run with our exhausted kids. We make it to the parade seating area and who is sitting in the front seats...bathroom/tea girl and her friends! My friend went crazy, yelling at her for not letting the kids sit in front. I am not one of those types and I was quite embarrassed (our friendship has never been the same after that). A very nice couple gave up their seats for the kids and we sat behind bathroom/tea girl...my friend periodically kicking the seats in front of us!

Luckily I can say that was the only bad experience I have ever had at Disney!

The rides and parade seats are what has me considering this for my family. However, my fear is rude people who would hog the front seats leaving my kids stuck in the back. I have no problem sitting in the back myself with my kids in front. Some people are quite selfish in these situations. It would be nice if the tour guides would make some sort of comment about making sure kids and elderly have access to those front seats first.