The Welcome to Disneyland Tour?

[GoofySon'sMom]

I am wondering about The Welcome to Disneyland Tour. We are WDW Vets that are making our first (and possibly only) trip to DLR in July. We are planning 3 full open to close park days and at least 2 half park days. I keep going back & forth on whether it would be worth it to do this tour on our first full day which will be a Sunday. DS14 says he just wants to "wing it". I think it just sounds fun and isn't all that expensive so why not? DH is ok either way but leaning towards the tour.

Anyone done it? Thoughts?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

How does it compare in price to the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour? Since you are familiar with Disney parks, I would recommend that you take the WiWFT for a special look at his original Magic Kingdom.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

The Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour is a bit more expensive but that isn't really an issue. It is longer and I honestly think DS would be bored. He isn't as interested in the history of the Park.

 

[Dobie]

I was actually thinking of doing this myself. We arrive probably around 2 on a Sunday in August--I am anticipating that the parks will be jammed. The tour might be a nice way to start our holiday, and I believe they throw in some fastpasses.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Yes, I read that you get two FPs. But I think I also read that the tour is only offered at 10am and it is about two hours. I am thinking it would be a good intro to DLR for us so we get a good "lay of the land" so to speak. But I hate to take the time if it ultimately isn't worth it.

 

[planaholic]

*bump*

I'm planning a first time trip to DLR in December 2010 and am also interest in hearing about the Welcome to Disneyland tour. It seems that $20 (AAA price) to go on a 2-3 rides and receive 2 extra fastpasses and preferred seating for a show seems like a good deal...but I've had trouble finding anyone who as actually gone on the tour.

I'm already looking into Walk/Walt tour on a different day. I'm traveling with my sister, who has a conference in Anaheim. She would be willing to go on the Welcome tour one day, but I would probably do the Walk/Walt another day without her if possible.

 

[planaholic]

*bump*

surely there is someone who has been on this tour!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I'm going to bump too.

We're also thinking strongly about doing this tour. But we want to allocate our $$ well and with Trick of Treat party tickets to buy, and considering WOC dining package and F! dessert package. I just don't know what to do.

 

[sarshamom]

It has been a few years since I went on this tour. Took my then 16 year old daughter. We had a great time. Learned some new things, got the fast passes and priority seating. They also gave us honorary citizen buttons. The tour includes both DL and DCA. Our tour guide was a veteran with lots of information and connections, too. She got us a ride on the Lilly Belle, although it is not usually part of this tour. I thought it was well worth the cost and although it was not my first visit to DL I still got a lot of information out of the tour. Hope this helps.

 

[QueenDoOver]

I went last year. I was with 3 adults and two kids age 6ish. It was too boring for the kids. I loved it. I knew most of the stuff, but our tour guide Diane was such a doll. A true Disney fan. I pretended that I didn't know because she was so enthusiastic about sharing her passion. The fast passes we got were not really usable for us according to our itinerary. We chose Aladdin for our preferred seating and then missed it. In general, that stuff didn't enhance our trip much. But over all the experience was well worth the $20. I would even do it again

 

[planaholic]

thank you both! i was wondering how the whole priority seating/fastpasses worked out. what events were available for you to choose priority seating for? and how many fastpassess did you receive - were the good in only one of the parks or could you use one at DL and one at DCA?

 

[QueenDoOver]

thank you both! i was wondering how the whole priority seating/fastpasses worked out. what events were available for you to choose priority seating for? and how many fastpassess did you receive - were the good in only one of the parks or could you use one at DL and one at DCA?

The tour was from 10 until 12 or 12:30 maybe? If you read the trip report in my signature, I do tell all about it. It seems like they just gave us the fast passes. One set was for Buzz and it was not until after 6:30 at night and the other was for Soarin, I think and was for late also, and DCA closed early for the Halloween Party that night. We didn't use either set!

 

[djh]

Has anyone done this tour recently? It says that you ride 3 attractions while on the tour and then receive 2 fastpasses for other attractions. We are disneyworld vets and will be making our first trip to disneyland in August. This tour looks good for us especially if we are able to ride 5 attractions.

 

[mom2dzb]

Thanks to sarshamom and QueenDoOver for their reviews.

I, too, am curious about recent tours. What are the rides they go on? What fast passes do they give? Which shows can you get preferred seating for? How does the preferred seating work?

 

[QueenDoOver]

Going by memory, so bear with me. We did ride Pirates, and we also rode Bugs Life (is that a ride?) We did also have the opportunity to grab fast passes at Tower of Terror. The only other attraction that I remember was the train ride.

Again, I thought this was well worth the time and money both. I look forward to hearing someone elses perspective from a recent visit.

 

[mom2dzb]

bump

Anyone been on this tour lately?

 

[Scribble Kitty]

I haven't taken this tour, but I have had preferred seating tickets. It was a generic ticket that you surrendered like a fast pass for either Aladdin or MuppetVision. I chose Muppets and got to sit in the roped off section a few rows from the front, great view of the show.

 

[mom2dzb]

Thanks for sharing, Kitty.

Does anyone know where the preferred seating for Aladdin is? Can one use the preferred seating ticket for a parade?

Thanks!

 

[MenchieMan87]

I did the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour in '08 at WDW and it was some of the most fun I've ever had there. I did the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour last year and it was 'meh' at best, and I can't imagine the other Disneyland tours being any better. Disneyland doesn't seem interested in letting guests 'backstage' for any reason (I think because the backstage areas are much smaller) so I don't think the tours are as fun. I'd recommend winging it.


(for a quick look backstage, ride Big Thunder Mountain and look over your right shoulder as you go up the second hill)

 

[MeganAnne]

So, has anyone gone on this tour recently? I'd love to hear some fresh opinions on the tour.