After the full VIP treatment two days earlier, this will provide a reminder what getting VIP treatment is like. I am really looking forward to this tour, which will allow me to enjoy all the highlights of the Holiday season with minimal waits.
I know that the Halloween tour has changed a little this year insofar that this year it only included
Disneyland so this may be the case for this tour, too. If the reviews from last year are anything to go by, after checking in at Tour Garden at Disneyland and meeting the guide and the rest of the group, the first stop was actually at California Adventure where the guide explained a bit about Buena Vista Street and the tree there. Then the tour stops at Trolley Sweets for a sweet treat before heading back into Disneyland. I have heard different versions about what happens during the bulk of the tour ranging from learning about holiday traditions around the world to learning about holiday traditions around Disneyland. I suppose this is not why people do this tour. All the reviews that I have read commented about a window on Main Street decorated for Christmas though.
The reason most people book this tour is the VIP treatment that comes with it. According to most information, the tour includes priority access to Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's A Small World Holiday. Last year it also added Jingle Cruise. As this is back this year, I assume it will be included again.
The highlight for many people and I have to admit one of the reasons why I am doing this tour is VIP seating for the parade. I am not normally a parade person, but I usually enjoy the Christmas parades. Getting front row seating definitely appeals to me, too. The seating is near It's A Small World and therein lies a certain problem. The parade takes place twice a day and the tours are arranged that they finish with the parade. The first parade takes place at 15:00 and therefore during daylight. The second parade is at 17:45 and apparently you can see It's A Small World Holiday lighting up just before the parade starts. I have also heard that the parade is more magical at night. As long as I had planned on doing this parade, I always thought that I would go with the early tour. My eyesight is not too wonderful in the dark and I just did not think I would get the full effect out of the parade after dark. However, with a little over a week to go before I could book this, I started to second guess this decision. In the end I decided to stick with the original plan.
During the parade, there will be some more treats. We will be given some hot chocolate in a souvenir cup and a Mickey Gingerbread cookie to enjoy while we watch the parade. I think I will probably be too busy taking photos to eat and drink, but I am sure the treats will taste just as nice after the parade. At some point we will also be given a special pin. I am really looking forward to this tour.