We've read on this site about the Yuletide tour. We decided to take the tour and with the American Express discount it cost $36 per person.

We met at Epcot Customer Relations at 8:45 AM where we met our tour guide for the day, David. To our great surprise there was only my wife Helen and I on the tour. I had hoped for a small number of people, but this was outstanding. David mentioned that the day before there was 26 on the tour.

We went into the parking lot and met our driver Randy. Randy had worked for Disney for about eleven years, while David was there for a little over a year. We headed out on an Institute Van. The first stop was MGM. We started out on New York St. where the Osborne Lights are. David explained the story about Mr. Osborne and also told us that this year they would be giving out 3-D type glasses and with them you would see angels. That night we went and saw a spectacular sight, angels all over the lights. We brought home the glasses and our tree looks great along with all the lights in the neighborhood, but I digress. We walked over to the front of the Great Movie ride; David explained the decorations as we went. We saw the 65 foot tree, and he explained that the decorations where smaller as they reached the top so you got the allusion that the tree was taller. We then stopped at the train decoration.

From there we drove to Epcot, through out the drive David would tell stories about Disney, decorations and Christmas. This was great, because we were able to ask all the questions we wanted without feeling silly. And David asked questions of us also. At Epcot, we drove in back of the World Showcase and stopped in back of Germany. David explained Christmas in Germany, the decorations and folklore. Then over to Italy for the same. On a side note, he showed us a "signature" of one of the Imagineers (sic), on the posts with the sculptures they are holding items. One of them is a ball, on one of the sculptures it's a bowling bowl. Next was America, where they have a Jewish display and he explained about the 8 candles and finally Japan. The Japan story was interesting regarding the traditions. We walked through the French Restaurant and I think I gained 5 pounds just by smelling. One of the great items about being in the World Showcase at this time, was there was no one except a few cast members in the area.

Randy then met us in back of Japan and off to the Magic Kingdom. Again, in the back area right by the Christmas tree. The decorations at this tree were again difference then the others at the other parks. This was more of a candy cane; toy and gingerbread man decorated tree. We walked down Main Street and he explained on one corner the different part of the country decorations. We then started to walk out and there was my buddy Donald Duck. We took some pictures then off to the Wilderness Lodge. I don't think that there is any resort on the property as nicely decorated as the Wilderness Lodge. It was explained to us about the tree, only 50 foot. A spot was originally built for the tree with electrical outlets in the floor. So the tree will always be in that spot. We enjoyed the decorations so much that once home we made our reservations for December 1999 at the Lodge.

Once we finished at the Lodge out to the Van and they had some keepsakes for us. A Mickey hanging that said "believe", a Jewish item, plus a Japanese item. This tour was about 3 hours. It was a great experience and I guess that because it was a Sunday, maybe that is why no one else signed up. Would recommend this tour.

Other Tour Reviews:

Animal Kingdom Backstage Safari Wild By Design

Epcot Simply Segway Experience Around the World --on a Segway Epcot Seas Aqua Tour Behind the Seeds Divequest Dolphins in Depth Gardens of the World - Seasonal Hidden Treasures - Ended 4/27/07 Nature-Inspired Design Segway Tour Undiscovered Future World

Magic Kingdom Family Magic Tour Keys to the Kingdom Magic Behind the Steam Trains Mickey's Magical Milestones Virtual Magic Kingdom Tours - Discontinued

Disney's Hollywood Studios Inside Animation -- Discontinued 2002

Other Tours BackStage Magic Holiday D-Lights Yuletide Fantasy VIP Services Wilderness Back Trail Adventure