Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[marivigi]

$85, I think? I got an AP discount so mine was $72, I believe. I think with when you're going it would totally be worth it! Except I think the tour itself might get boring for young kids. How old are they?

They are young, 6 and 8 ... hmmm...

 

[mom2rtk]

They are young, 6 and 8 ... hmmm...

There were some younger kids on the tour we had and they seemed to do fine. That said, I really think it would vary a lot by kid. There's a lot of Disney history to go along with the rides and parade, so they would have to be able to stand and listen sometimes. I'm not sure if mine would have cared to do that at 6.

Clear as mud, huh?

 

[MacMama0930]

They are young, 6 and 8 ... hmmm...

Mine are 5 and 8 and tend to bore easily. With that said, some kids I'm sure love it!

 

[marivigi]

There were some younger kids on the tour we had and they seemed to do fine. That said, I really think it would vary a lot by kid. There's a lot of Disney history to go along with the rides and parade, so they would have to be able to stand and listen sometimes. I'm not sure if mine would have cared to do that at 6.

Clear as mud, huh?

Hahaha, I totally get it. My 8yo can stand no problem, now my 6yo gets bored everywhere and with everything!

 

[gallandro]

So thinking about Christmas Dinner... last year we ate the traditional Christmas Dinner at Carnation, and it was quite good. Any other good suggestions for Dinner on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Yancy

 

[kylie71]

So thinking about Christmas Dinner... last year we ate the traditional Christmas Dinner at Carnation, and it was quite good. Any other good suggestions for Dinner on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Yancy

Storytellers at the GC, their buffet is very good! Reservations are needed!

--Lori

 

[kirstie101]

They are young, 6 and 8 ... hmmm...

We did the tour 4 years ago when DD was 5 and DS was in a stroller. DD is very outgoing and loved it. The CM leading the tour held DD's hand the entire time and rode each ride with her. DD loved the special attention she got. Now DS is 5 and I want to go again but he's a different personality and I don't think he'd do as well as she did. Like many his age, I think he'll get bored. I'll probably wait a few more years to go on the tour again. So basically I said all that to say it depends on the kid I think!

 

[marivigi]

We did the tour 4 years ago when DD was 5 and DS was in a stroller. DD is very outgoing and loved it. The CM leading the tour held DD's hand the entire time and rode each ride with her. DD loved the special attention she got. Now DS is 5 and I want to go again but he's a different personality and I don't think he'd do as well as she did. Like many his age, I think he'll get bored. I'll probably wait a few more years to go on the tour again. So basically I said all that to say it depends on the kid I think!

Do you remember which rides you got to ride while on the tour?

And yes, It really does depend on the kid!!

 

[kylie71]

I had heard they take you on the Holiday covers..
IASW Holiday, The Jingle Cruise, and the Haunted Mansion Holiday.....

--Lori

Do you remember which rides you got to ride while on the tour?

And yes, It really does depend on the kid!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I had heard they take you on the Holiday covers..
IASW Holiday, The Jingle Cruise, and the Haunted Mansion Holiday.....

--Lori

Those are the 3 we did.

 

[marivigi]

I had heard they take you on the Holiday covers..
IASW Holiday, The Jingle Cruise, and the Haunted Mansion Holiday.....

--Lori

Well then even if my kids find it boring, going on rides without waiting 60mins to ride each one might make up for it!

 

[MacMama0930]

Well then even if my kids find it boring, going on rides without waiting 60mins to ride each one might make up for it!

And the awesome seat for the parade - with a big ol'e cookie and hot chocolate!

 

[marivigi]

And the awesome seat for the parade - with a big ol'e cookie and hot chocolate!

That's like the cherry on top!

 

[gallandro]

That's like the cherry on top!

Yup... our family is so there.

 

[kirstie101]

Do you remember which rides you got to ride while on the tour?

And yes, It really does depend on the kid!!

I think the others have the list right for recent years. When we went, JC didn't have a holiday overlay so we didn't do that one. We did HM, IASW and if there was a 3rd I dont remember it. I know we rode the train, stopped at the candy store on main street and got our hot cocoa from toon town before sitting for the parade. It was our first Christmas visit and it was the weekend most schools got out for the holiday break so it was packed. Without the tour we would not have gone on IASW or HM so it was well worth the price. Getting to sit in chairs while seeing the Christmas parade for the first time, sipping on hot cocoa and eating my gingerbread cookie was magical.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the others have the list right for recent years. When we went, JC didn't have a holiday overlay so we didn't do that one. We did HM, IASW and if there was a 3rd I dont remember it. I know we rode the train, stopped at the candy store on main street and got our hot cocoa from toon town before sitting for the parade. It was our first Christmas visit and it was the weekend most schools got out for the holiday break so it was packed. Without the tour we would not have gone on IASW or HM so it was well worth the price. Getting to sit in chairs while seeing the Christmas parade for the first time, sipping on hot cocoa and eating my gingerbread cookie was magical.

We did ours on a very busy weekend day as well. It was a great way to avoid some lines and staking out a spot for the parade.

It will be interesting to see if they run PTN on some nights if that's the parade the seating is offered for later tours. If I could afford to give up half a day I would almost do it just for that.

Just be aware that not everyone gets front row seats for the parade. There are several rows of chairs set up.

 

[MacMama0930]

We did ours on a very busy weekend day as well. It was a great way to avoid some lines and staking out a spot for the parade.

It will be interesting to see if they run PTN on some nights if that's the parade the seating is offered for later tours. If I could afford to give up half a day I would almost do it just for that.

Just be aware that not everyone gets front row seats for the parade. There are several rows of chairs set up.

It seems that the tours are timed for the Christmas parade. Like, my tour is at 2:00pm (the only time that day), for the Christmas parade at 4:15pm. If there is any kind of preferred viewing area for PtN, it'll likely be the BB and possibly Alladin's like it was last year. But again...who knows!!

 

[mom2rtk]

It seems that the tours are timed for the Christmas parade. Like, my tour is at 2:00pm (the only time that day), for the Christmas parade at 4:15pm. If there is any kind of preferred viewing area for PtN, it'll likely be the BB and possibly Alladin's like it was last year. But again...who knows!!

That's too bad. When we did our tour it was timed so that we were at Small World just as the lights went on. Then our view of the parade was against the backdrop of the lit up attraction. 4:15 is too early for the lights to be on.

 

[TraderCharlie]

That sounds great. Was it crazy first thing Christmas morning or were the first few hours not that bad? Did you do any special meals? Thanks for the help. It is so different than planning WDW, I can do that in my sleep.

Christmas morning was pretty slow for the first few hours. By the afternoon it was packed!
I would do Christmas eve every year if I could. It was truly magical.

 

[mershell]

Hi all! I've done just about every other holiday at DL, including Xmas Eve, but never Xmas Day. The tour sounds great. Hoping to snag a spot for that, but what are the best dining options? Do they offer a Xmas feast similar to the Thanksgiving dinner? I was thinking Blue Bayou, but any other stand outs? Thanks