Anyone Done The Backstage Magic Tour?

[goofyernmost]

I have done the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and I spotted this tour that I am pretty sure I would really like. I love to see what makes it all happen. It doesn't spoil the magic for me, it enhances it.

It is quite expensive so I was wondering if anyone has already done the tour and can tell me if it is worth the cost. Hurry with your answers because as you can see below, I'm running out of time. Thanks!

 

[bradk]

first, i'd have to wonder if the tour will even have openings 4 days or so out.

i've done this tour along with most other tours WDW offers. while i did enjoy the tour very much and would advise anyone to take it, I have heard more recent reports that even have me re-thinking my plans to take it again. evidently they either cut a lot out fairly recently or this was just a tour in particular gone in bad.

the tour does take you behind the scenes of the american adventure and discusses the technology used for the stage/theatre, you will visit the utilidor/tunnel system in the MK. it also includes a visit to the central laundry facility. what may be up for debate are other places it used to visit including central shops, holiday services the disney florist and the cast member building at Epcot.

 

[Eljay]

We took the tour last week and enjoyed it very much.
I dragged my husband, who was not at all interested, since he's not a big Disney fan (gasp! ) But, at the end, he admitted that he really enjoyed it and had a new appreciation of how hard Disney works at creating the magic! I was able to reserve 2 spots, 5 days in advance. We were told that the tour will take up to 32 people, although there were only 24 of us and 2 tour guides. Even though our tour wasn't totally booked, we did see them turn away 2 walkups. Apparently, they have rules against taking people unless they go through the proper channels to reserve in advance. Note that the price has increased to $219, but I did get a 20% discount by reserving with my Disney Chase Visa card, which brought the cost down to $350.40 for the 2 of us. I think 15% off is offered for AP, DVC and AAA. In our opinion, it was worth the money. If you do go, be sure to be on time! They ask you to arrive at 8:45 and the tour starts at 9:00 on the dot. We arrived at 8:30 and were glad we did. It takes a while to check in all of those people. They provide you with a hearing device that is about the size of a typical camera, along with an earpiece with a wire, that attaches to it. You clip the device onto your belt or waistband and it allows you to hear everything your guide says, even if they have their back to you and you are at the back of the pack. I was very glad to see this, since I have been on other tours where I couldn't hear everything the tour guide said, especially when we were walking. Lunch is still at Wilderness Lodge Whispering Canyon and is very good.
In conclusion, 2 thumbs way up!

 

[msmickminn]

We took the tour when we were there 2 weeks ago...Fantastic!! Well worth the $$.
You go backstage at Epcot to see innerworkings of American Adventure. When we arrived, the "cosmetologists" were there checking on all the "performers" ...very fun to see and very interesting to learn about the mechanics. At the cast member building, we arrived just as WS was getting ready to open so there were a lot of CM's milling about and it was neat to see everyone together. Also a quick peek at where CM's pick up their costumes and break area.
On to DHS for a look behind TOT...we were able to see them working on modifying the restaints on one of the ride vehicles. Then on to costuming/wardrobe where we saw from concept to finished product the brand new princess dresses for the Celebrate parade. That area is huge and you do walk through it rather quickly, I would have liked to spend more time there.
By this time it was lunch time. Whispering Canyon family style, the only thing you order is your drinks.
Magic Kingdom is next. We got to see the road behind the castle, central shops which was very cool. Everything from woodworking, painting, ride vehicle upkeep, and some animatronics. Here is also where you visit the laundry facility. I thought that would be totally boring...but it's not! The millions of pieces of costuming and linens that go through there...WOW!
Then it's on to what most of us were waiting for...the Utilidors. It does end up being a quick peek but we got to see a break area and the pin trading layard "restocking" window.
We finished off the day watching the new Celebrate parade. The guides were great and as PP stated you do wear ear pieces.
One thing I did ask...I noticed we were not going on any rides or spending much time "in" the parks as I was thinking we were going to get a little more of ride backstage info. Our guide told me that our tour was "backstage only" and that we didn't really pay to be "in" the parks. Interesting!
You will enjoy it....Have fun!!

 

[Robindianne]

I'm interested in this tour as well. How far in advance can you book it? I assume you can't take pictures? Is there a locker where you can leave your camera and such, or should we just leave it in the room that day?Thanks

 

[goofyernmost]

Thanks that is exactly the information I was looking for. I am going solo so I will only need one space. I am still waffling due to the cost of the tour. I have the money but I was born completely miserly. I will wait till I get there and try and make ressie's at the resort. If I can, I will go...if not I will consider it karma and go on another trip.

Thanks again, I would almost take the tour just to see the inner workings of American Adventure. That show absolutely fascinates me.

 

[Eljay]

I assume you can't take pictures? Is there a locker where you can leave your camera and such, or should we just leave it in the room that day?Thanks

Bring your camera, but they will tell you that you must NOT take pictures behind the scenes. You are welcome to take pictures of any areas that would be open to a regular guest.

:debswalk:

 

[Eljay]

Thanks that is exactly the information I was looking for. I am going solo so I will only need one space. I am still waffling due to the cost of the tour. I have the money but I was born completely miserly. I will wait till I get there and try and make ressie's at the resort. If I can, I will go...if not I will consider it karma and go on another trip.

Thanks again, I would almost take the tour just to see the inner workings of American Adventure. That show absolutely fascinates me.

Please consider doing it now, the weather was lovely for the tour. I wouldn't want to try it in the summer! Hey, you only live once, you won't regret it!
Why don't you call them, just to see if a spot is available, no obligation?
407-WDW-TOUR


:debswalk:

 

[goofyernmost]

Please consider doing it now, the weather was lovely for the tour. I wouldn't want to try it in the summer! Hey, you only live once, you won't regret it!
Why don't you call them, just to see if a spot is available, no obligation?
407-WDW-TOUR


:debswalk:

Hey...is that just another way of saying I'm old? Don't put it off? Just kidding, of course, I may just do that. Thanks.

 

[aubriee]

Thanks again, I would almost take the tour just to see the inner workings of American Adventure. That show absolutely fascinates me.

I am taking this tour in May, just for this reason . Thanks everyone for the responses.

 

[Eljay]

To anyone who plans to take the tour, I'd like to make a quick suggestion.
In the days leading up to your tour, as you think of questions you'd like to ask, write them down. That way, you will have a list to refer to. During the times that you are riding on the bus between locations, the tour guides are chatting and taking questions. They can really speak freely on the bus, since there is no chance of being overheard. We learned the most incredible things each time someone asked a question.

For you guys who are particularly interested in the American Adventure, you won't be disappointed!


:debswalk:

 

[Dan Murphy]

This was my first tour, back in 2000, and also redid the tour last May. And it was totally a different experience, and as excellent and worth it as the first time. It is a wonderful tour. Make sure to get one of those discounts if appropriate to you, good savings.

 

[goofyernmost]

OK, all you folks convinced me...I called and booked the tour for Friday. Amazingly, everyday that I am there had openings. I had to make the decision as to which day I wanted. Guess I would have gotten in even if I had waited. Anyway, it's a done deal and with the Chase "Rewards" Visa I got about $50.00 off.

I'm off to see the magic! Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Eljay]

OK, all you folks convinced me...I called and booked the tour for Friday.

Excellent!
When you get back home, please come back to this thread and let us know how you liked it.

Have fun!



:debswalk:

 

[DWFan4Life]

We are planning for that, hopefully this year in our next trip. We haven't tried it yet, so I'm excited about that.

Have a nice day everyone.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's a good tour that has changed quite a bit from the beginning. Once our lunch was at tables in front of the Golden Girls house! The trams would roll on by and people were waving and taking photo's etc--thinking perhaps that we were some sort of important people that they Should recognize, but didn't.

Wonder how many back home later took those and pointed out "LOOK--we actually saw Uncleromulus!!"

 

[bjakmom]

I just booked this tour!!
Decided to stay two nights following an Orlando convention I'm attending so I could do it. First time in 37 years of Orlando/WDW trips that I will be alone and I have always wanted to do a behind the scenes tour- so I am going to take full advantage of the day!

Anyone going prior to June, please update us here about your tours!

OT: brainstorm with me here: If I move over to the Dolphin (have a couple of nights available on spg points) from the convention hotel and don't activate my AP (in other words, no park ticket), what are my best options for getting to the front of Epcot without a rental car? I don't remember any buses to Epcot from the B'walk resorts - are there any buses to TTC and then I could jump on the monorail? At the end of the tour I"m thinking I could get the bus back from MK if they would let me. Ultimately I would LOVE to stay at Poly for two nights (one of the few resorts I haven't had a chance to) - but can't justify the cost for just myself.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If you are booked for the tour, just go to International Gateway in the AM, they will have your name on their list and let you in. Walk to the front of Epcot then, via UK, Canada, Future World.

 

[Eljay]

If you are booked for the tour, just go to International Gateway in the AM, they will have your name on their list and let you in. Walk to the front of Epcot then, via UK, Canada, Future World.

Are you sure that will work, since bjakmom won't have a ticket?
When I have entered early to take the Segway tour or UnDiscovered Futureworld, they let me in with a tour confirmation number, but they also scanned my ticket (AP).

If you are at the Dolphin, you could take the boat to the Studios, then catch a bus to Epcot. Or, you could take a taxi from the front of the Dolphin to the Epcot gate. They meet for the tour right across from the Guest Relations window on the outside of Epcot. In other words, if you are facing into Epcot, on the right.

Have Fun!



:debswalk: