Anyone do Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK?

[daisyx3]

Thinking about booking this for me, DH, and DS who will be 16. Have never done it before because I've always had a kid that was too young, until now! I read there was a 15% DVC discount. Any feedback on the tour is welcome before I book it!
Daisyx3

 

[MouseMomx2]

It's a great tour! There is a bit of backstage touring...including the Utilidors under the MK, however, so if you would rather not go into those areas (some feel it spoils the Magic) this wouldn't be the tour for you.

I have been going to WDW since the year it opened and am a former CM. Even I learned something on this tour and I was thrilled to do so. Usually I'm the one who is giving all of the WDW history/info to my group so it was nice to learn some new things.

 

[abdgeek]

I really enjoyed this tour. It did make for a long day, about 4 hours of standing(there are very few places to sit during the tour while you listen to the narration). Lunch was nice and a welcome respite from the summer heat. Even with that, I learned a lot. Check out reviews of the tour on Allears.net and Tripadvisor.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Thinking about booking this for me, DH, and DS who will be 16. Have never done it before because I've always had a kid that was too young, until now! I read there was a 15% DVC discount. Any feedback on the tour is welcome before I book it!
Daisyx3

We enjoyed it. I did a few college programs and have dine traditions and the MK tour and still learned several new things. Enjoyed that one ad the Wild Africa Trek

 

[csharpwv]

I have been on this tour in the winter and the summer. I HIGHLY recommend taking this tour in the winter months.

Having taken the tour when the sun wasn't scorching, and when it was... you would be yourself a HUGE disservice by booking this tour in the summer.

It is an enjoyable experience either way, however, when you consider how much more you can enjoy the tour when you don't have to jockey for inches of available shade and few available seats at time when you do get to sit down.

Also, touring the backstage areas is so much more fun when you don't have to clear out of the way every minute for traffic clearance.

I suggest taking the very first tour time in the morning. You get in the park a little early, and you get to spend more of your day in the park after the tour.

The Keys To The Kingdom Tour covers 1 topic, how Disney does business. Courtesy, Safety, Show, and Efficiency. Those are the 4 Keys To The Kingdom.
That's the topic of the tour - everything that you see times back in to how those principles are applied from design, construction, staffing, emergencies, etc etc etc

If you are looking a more 'exhaust-ing/ive' backstage experience, I suggest the Backstage Magic Tour. You will get to see far more on the Backstage Magic Tour VS. the Keys To The Kingdom Tour. You will see how magic is made in all four parks, and MANY MANY MANY other areas.

We have done MANY Disney tours, and have enjoyed all of them.
Here are the ones I can remember we have done...

Behind The Seeds Tour (I suggest this for anyone with late elementary-late teens kids - it is a great short tour that gives you a few moments of behind the scenes time, it is a very affordable tour, and it makes you want to give gardening a try!)

Yuletide Magic

Keys To The Kingdom

Backstage Magic

Undiscovered Future World

Magic Behind Our Steam Trains

Marceline To The Magic Kingdom

Tours are an awesome way to dive a little deeper in to the magic!

 

[daisyx3]

Thanks for all the responses! The trip advisor responses seem a little hit and miss--some people are really bored. But I think I'll give it a shot. The day we are going has the early tour open. It's my 28th anniversary and we will be having dinner later that day at the California Grill!
I wish I could do it in the winter. However, until I retire from teaching (could 2021 come any faster?) I am limited to summer and/or spring break, which is probably worse than summer. I can't get dehydrated so I will make sure I have a couple of waters, and if it's unbearably hot I'll even spring for one of those mister fans. They are probably like $20 now!
Daisyx3

 

[Goofy DVC]

I really enjoyed this tour about 4 years ago. At that time Disney Visa was offering a better discount than DVC. I'm not sure if it's still the case.

 

[vek239]

We've taken 3 of the WDW tours so far and each one has been worth every penny! Just wish I could retain all the info they provide. Looking forward to another one in September.

 

[fishermouse]

loved it

 

[MSUmom]

My family just went in February. We loved it. My DS is 17 and he enjoyed it. It lagged a little at the end but I would highly recommend it.