Yuletide Fantasy Tour

Take a delightful journey behind the scenes to see how Walt Disney World Resort is transformed into an international holiday wonderland. Get an in-depth look into the diverse holiday traditions and the stunningly beautiful array of decorations that add a special touch everywhere you turn.

Every winter, Walt Disney World Resort is adorned with one of the most impressive collections of holiday trimmings on earth. Be taken backstage to places seldom seen by Guests. Visit Holiday Services, a veritable winter wonderland, and meet the Cast Members who create thousands of decorations used to dress up Disney Theme Parks and Resorts.

Explore Epcot theme park, where the profusion of holiday celebrations spans the globe from pavilion to pavilion. Go from Christmasfest in Germany, to Italy for the legend of La Befana. Take in Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at The American Adventure and the New Year festival, O-Shogatsu, in Japan.

On Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom theme park, get an up-close look at the boughs and bells of the traditional Christmas decorations. And before you leave the tour, visit a Disney Resort hotel, cleverly dressed up in holiday finery.

Time & Location: This seasonal tour runs at 9am & 1:30pm outside EPCOT Guest Relations on the far right of the turnstiles.

2011 Dates: M-Sa, 11/28-12/30.  Tour does not run on Sundays or Christmas Day.

Duration: 3-3.5 hours

Cost: $84 + tax (Discounts Available: AAA Diamond, AP, DVC, Disney VISA)

Theme Park Admission: Not included or required.

Parks Visited: Epcot, MK

Includes: Commemorative Tour Pin

Sample Tour Content*:

• Learn about global holiday traditions in Epcot’s World Showcase
• Explore Christmas decorations at the Grand Floridian Resort
• View Christmas decorations at the Magic Kingdom
• Visit backstage at Holiday Services
• Note: This tour focuses on holiday traditions around the world, not how Disney celebrates the holidays.  Disney’s vague tour description has led to numerous underwhelmed reviewers.

*Disney’s tour schedules and content can change at any time due to a variety of factors. Rest assured, if for some reason the tour can’t or doesn’t go to one of the stops you’ve read about here or on other websites, your Tour Guide still has plenty of magic up their sleeves to make sure you have a wonderful tour experience.

Maximum Group Size: 40

Listening Devices Available: Yes

Hearing Disabilities: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Requirements: Guests must be 16+

Photography Restrictions: No photography is permitted during the backstage portion of this tour.

Bag Storage: You can leave your baggage on the bus during all stops if you would like. The bus driver stays with the vehicle at all times.  You may also take your bag/purse backstage with you.

Additional Notes: Disney will not cancel or provide refunds for this tour (or most others) in the event of inclement weather (Disney will cancel for hurricanes, but not average rain).

Book: Call (407) WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687)

Check out our full DTR Review of the Yuletide Fantasy tour here.

Find other DTR posts about the Yuletide Fantasy tour here.

In reading these reviews, it is clear that the Yuletide Fantasy tour has changed over the years.  Starting in 2010, the tour no longer visits Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort.

• Extra Walt Disney World Magic Review by Nora & Nick, from December 2010.  This very detailed review includes tons of spoilers and some feedback on how the tour didn’t meet expectations (this seems to be a pattern for Disney’s holiday tours).

• AllEars.net Reader Reviews 4 reviews, latest from December 2010.

• MousePlanet.com Reader Review, 1 review, from December 2008.

• DIS Unplugged Blog Review by Bob (Bawb) Varley, from December 2007.  Bob also did a podcast review mentioned below.

• WDWMagic.com Reader Reviews 4 reviews, from December 2006.

• AllEars.net Blog Review by Linda Henley, from December 2005.

• MousePlanet.com Review by Andrew Rich, from December 2004.  This detailed review includes spoilers.

• DIS Unplugged Podcast Review by Bob (Bawb) Varley, from December 2007.  Tour review starts at 1:03:17.  Bob also did a written review of this tour available here.

• Know of any more podcasts that discuss the Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy tour?  Let us know at DisneyTourReviews@gmail.com