My review of the Holiday Time Guided Tour at Disneyland Resort. Here’s a complete recap, what’s included and more! I went last week on this holiday tour and LOVED it! Your guide for this 2.5 hour walking tour will share favorite Disneyland holiday traditions from around the world. The walking tour takes you into both parks. Along the way your tour guide points out different holiday stuff, shares stories and fun bits of history through an ear piece.
What’s included on the Holiday Tour
The tour starts at the Tour Gardens check-in area next to City Hall. When you arrive you’re given a lanyard and an ear piece. You begin in Disneyland and quickly head over to Disney California Adventure. Follow your guide through the center of Buena Vista Street listening to holiday information. Learn more details about the large Christmas tree and toys surrounding the bottom.
Next you’ll make a stop at Trolley Treats where you’ll receive a cake pop from one of the cast members. Eat it or save it for later.
Now it’s time to hop back over to Disneyland and learn more about the giant Christmas tree as well. And if you’re on the 4:30 p.m. tour you arrive just in time to see the tree lighting in Town Square, very cool. 
The rest of the walking tour takes you down Main Street then over to Adventureland where you get a short break. Now it’s off the explore in New Orleans Square, over by the Haunted Mansion and cross over to Frontierland. When the guide is not talking through the earpiece you’ll enjoy holiday music playing to match the theming of the area you’re walking through.
It’s a Small World holiday attraction walk on
Just before the walking portion ends you head over to It’s a Small World holiday. Your guide walks you right on to the attraction, no waiting in line. You’ll experience this fantastic holiday ride overlay. Don’t forget to smell as you ride through the attraction. There are scents like pine, candy cane, cherry blossom and coconut to name a few.
“A Christmas Fantasy” parade reserved seating
The tour concludes with a reserved viewing area for “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. The viewing area is in front of the Jolly Holiday at the end of Main Street. Here you’re given a fun holiday tumbler full of hot chocolate, a special commemorative pin and a gingerbread loaf made only for tour guests.
The parade viewing area does not have chairs but you can sit down in the area to watch the parade along the sidewalk. There is standing room as well.
The views of the parade are fantastic! I highly recommend this tour for the parade seating plus everything else included with the tour. 
Tour details and how to book
The Holiday Tour costs $110 with no Magic Key discount. A park ticket is not included and must be purchased separately. You also need a park reservation for the day. There are different times to book this tour. If you book the tour earlier in the day you’ll have seating for the first parade at 3:30 p.m. which is during the day. If you book the later tours you’ll see the second parade at 6:30 p.m. during the night. The tour is available until January 8, 2023. Book your tour online ahead of time here. They do offer same day purchase if space is available. Check at the Tour Gardens in the morning next to City Hall.
My review of the Holiday Tour
I really enjoyed this tour. It includes a lot of fun facts and history. I’d say this tour is for holiday fans and Disney history fans. I did it with several Disney friends and we had a blast. It was worth the money for everything that’s included! It’s not something kids would probably enjoy cause it’s a lot of walking and listening. If you’re looking for reserved parade seating with kids I would check out the Plaza Inn parade dining package. Read all about my experience with that dining package here.
Wear comfy shoes because as you can imagine there’s a lot of walking. And note that this tour is ECV friendly! The tour is a fun way to see a lot of the parks decked out for the holidays. Plus you get to ride an attraction and end with reserved seating for the parade. It doesn’t get more magical than this during the holidays at the Disneyland Resort. If this tour is in your budget I would definitely add it to your plans for this season.
For a complete list of all the other holiday happenings be sure to check out my HOLIDAY GUIDE. There is so much to see and do this holiday season. Enjoy your time and don’t forget to stop and soak it all in! Let me know if you have any questions about the tour or traveling during the holidays to Disneyland!
Thank you so much for sharing this information! I made reservations to do this with my daughter next week. We are so excited! We’ve been to Disneyland 100 times and would love to hear all this information about little known facts. I can’t wait!
You’re going to have the best time. So glad you get to do this with your daughter!