Holiday Tour

[firefly87]

Hi......I have a holiday tour question. Back in Nov 2009, I paid for my parents to go on the holiday tour. We are going back again in Nov 2012 and I was wondering if the tour is something that's worth a repeat? Is it different from year to year or do they basically do and talk about the same stuff? Just wondering if it's worth the time & money to do it again or would they feel like "been there/done that"?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Califgirl]

It's basically the same from year to year, but I do it every year anyway. The parks tend to be more crowded during this time, so it's a nice way to get around the park and get on some of the 'special' attractions, like HM Holiday, and IASW, and then there's the cup of cocoa and treat and a seat for the parade. Makes for a nice day, and if I have someone with me that doesn't get to DLR very often, I feel like the tour gets them a nice overview of the park with some of the highlight attractions.

 

[bhyer]

We did the holiday tour last year and I am booking it again for this year. I was thinking that on our last day at the parks it will be a weekend and busy and the tour would be a nice way to ensure riding a couple of our favorite rides one last time and getting a seat for the parade. Nice way to finish up our trip. But we are going to make sure we ask to NOT have the same guide we had last year. We had a young fellow who seemed very new at it. He was stiff and nervous and our group didn't seem to have nearly as much fun as the other groups doing the holiday tour at the same time. Of course, the fellow may have improved since then!

 

[Priory]

I have been to DLR many, many, times. However, I have never been there at Christmas. Would this tour be worth it? I am mostly interested in the decorations (and Small World Holiday) so I am thinking it may be.

 

[aidensmom31]

For the parade seats alone I say yes it is totally worth it.

 

[Sally_fan]

We absolutely LOVED the Holiday Tour & would do it again in a heartbeat! Was fun & informative plus the front if the line for the rides as well as the reserved seating parade during the busy holiday season was priceless!!!

 

[NewbieMouse]

I always seem to be the only one who doesn't like this tour. I liked the parade seating and hot chocolate & gingerbread man, but I found the tour to be a real slog.

 

[focusondisney]

I was planning on booking the Holiday tour for my DH & myself for early Dec. The parade viewing was the big draw for me. Since I heard the newly revised Walk In Walt's Footsteps tour will include Walt's apartment, I decided to do that instead. This will be our 4th trip to DL & we had done the Walt's Footsteps tour about 8-10 years ago, so didn't really plan to do it again. But I really want to see the apartment. I fugured we can see the parade on our own, but can only see the apartment on that tour.

Maybe your parents be interested in that tour instead?

 

[lulubelle]

For the parade seats alone I say yes it is totally worth it.

This. You really do feel special.
I do it every year. Love it!

 

[tanyaewa]

Do you pre buy tickets? How long is the tour

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

Do you pre buy tickets? How long is the tour

I've been researching it to do this year. You can book it over the phone 30 days out from the day you want to go. From what I've read it's 2 1/2 hours.

 

[Sherry E]

I have not done the tour yet, though I keep telling myself I am going to do it. With the Candlelight Processional taking place on 20 nights in December this year, it will surely affect the parade time(s) a bit. So I don't know if this will be the year that I do the tour, but from all the photos I've seen and the reviews I've read, I know I want to do it at least once.

I can say that the seats for the parade that you get through the tour are much better than VIP seats. Last year I had VIP seats for the parade (which were free). I was sitting with another DIS'er (Laurie/DizNee Luver) who was also doing the holiday tour the next day, so she could easily compare the seating situation for both nights. Her tour seats were much, much better than our VIP seats. With the tour seats, you are right there, up close to the action.

 

[ballarinamom]

This will be our 4th time doing the tour. The info and decorations are the same every time. But we still love it. Front of the line for HM and IASW plus the parade seats and treats AND the special pin are more than worth the price. We do it the Sunday before Thansgiving at night. The park is packed but we get a lot done

 

[mommyto3boys]

Hello!!!

I just want to know a little about the holiday tour. My husband and I are taking our kids for their first trip to DL over Christmas. I was thinking of doing the Holiday Tour, but not sure if the kids would enjoy it. They are 14, 12, & 9.

I guess I just don't know enough about it. I looked at Disney's website, but it doesn't give to many details. I have seen some posts on here, but they are a few years old.

I guess what I really want to know is 1- Is it worth the money? 2- Will my whole family enjoy it? 3- Is this something that can be booked for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

Danielle

 

[ballarinamom]

My family has done this 3 times and plan on doing it again when we go for Thanksgiving. We really enjoy it. Our daughter is 11 and cant wait to do it again. What you have to consider is more than just the tour inof. We do the late tour so we are on it when the lights turn on. The park is usually truly crowded but you get front of the line on HM and IASW and nice seats waiting for you for the night parade. They also give you hot cocoa in a keepsake mug, a gingerbread Mickey and a special pin for the tour. Considering the time the tour actually takes and the time it takes to ride the rides, the tour is really a slow stroll throught the park from ride to ride.
So for us? It is absolutely worth the cost to not have to wait for the two rides and the parade.

 

[mommyto3boys]

Thank you for the in put....if I can convince hubby (who tends to be a little bit of a tightwad) how amazing this will be, then I will definitely schedule it for in the evening.

 

[Priory]

That later/evening tour sounds wonderful... But with 2 candlelight processionals each night this year, I think everything is going to change. I hope they release details soon.

 

[Sherry E]

mommyto3boys -

I'm not sure which posts you saw that were a few years old but the tour has not really changed in a few years, by most accounts - so what was applicable 3 years ago was still basically applicable in 2011, with the exception of maybe the color of the cookie and the actual cost of the tour. This year things may differ slightly because the Candlelight Processional will affect parade times.

Anyway, here are fabulous tour posts with either info or photos from DIS'er areweindisneyyet:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45375371&postcount=2484

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2820066


And more fantastic tour posts from DIS'er tksbaskets, which include the 2011 tour and the 2009 tour:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45062555&postcount=2365

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45062533&postcount=2364

 

[Sherry E]

I've merged the two Holiday Tour/Is It Worth It/Is It Worth a Repeat threads together.

 

[disneymum58]

We will be there from December 29 - Jan.4. Does anyone know if the holiday tour will still be offered during our dates?