Anyone done Tours?

[mom_rules]

Has anyone done any of the Tours lately? If so, please review for us.

 

[dgaston]

I gave DH a tour of WS as a Christmas present in 2001. We met outside Epcot and surprise! another couple on the tour was from a church we had belonged to before a move! IASW

The tour actually began in FW and we looked at some Disney plans for Epcot near Innoventions. The WS part of the tour began at Canada and we walked around the entire lagoon.

We learned about forced perspective, how Disney changes plants and blooms to create moods, hidden mickeys, and something interesting in each of the Pavillions, including the letter signed by Goerge Washington in the Moroccan restaurant. There was a little bit of backstage info (no utilidors). It didn't finish until about 1:30 and we were pretty hungry by then. Good thing we were near the Margaritas in Mexico!

I'm think of surprising DH with a KTTK tour in August when we celebrate our anniversary.

 

[Synonymous]

We did Keys to the Kingdom in November. It was very interesting, although, at 5 hours, it was a bit long. We learned alot of little tidbits about the design of MK and some of the rides, and got to see some backstage areas. See the parade floats in storage was very cool.

 

[two-foxes]

We have done KTTK (02/01) and Backstage Safari (02/01, 10/02). We really loved KTTK, and although it was long, it points out so much amazing information and shows you all the hidden mickeys in MK! I also found it so cool that all the storefront window signs in MK represent Walt's "scheme" to get WDW going with out everyone knowing it!

However, our favorite of the two was the Backstage Safari at AK. When we took it in 01, they had some college interns do it, and they seemed a bit timid speaking, although the sights were amazing. In 02, Disney had hired an old HS teacher to give the tour and he does a great job. We had the lucky treat both times to be able to touch a white rhino. On the second tour we also met a giraffe and we were able to hold (only if we wanted and I sure didn't) a wee tiny alligator. I also noticed that on the second trip, the tour guide was really pushing Disney's role in conservation...almost to the point of being overdone, perhaps. Regardless, we found both Backstage tour to be informative and sooo interesting!

 

[wld]

I planned Keys for my DH's birthday this past December. It was us plus our dd's 20 and 16. Initially the DD's thought it would be boring as there were too many "old" people. They ended up enjoying it as much as we did. When we first stepped off stage I was a little disappointed because I thought Oh I don't want to see this!!! But it was all really interesting and we didn't find it too long. For us it was a big success.

 

[skuttle]

DH and I did KTTK earlier this month. It was our first tour and we loved it...can't wait to do another! We learned lots of neat information, both onstage and offstage. Getting to go "down" into the utilidors is also really neat! We rode Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. Lunch, which is included, was at Columbia Harbor House. The tour does require a lot of walking....I am pregnant so towards the end I had to push myself, but it was worth it.

You can read about all of the tours and some reviews on Deb's site right HERE

 

[donmil723]

DH, DD, age 16, her BF, age 18 and I did the KTTK tour in the summer of 2001. We were very disappointed in it but maybe it was our guide. Anyway, we don't plan on wasting our money on another tour.

Donna

 

[Dan Murphy]

I did Backstage Magic about two years ago. My thorough enjoyment of that one has led me to Wild By Design, Hidden Treasures, Undiscovered Future World, Keys to the Kingdom, Magic Behind the Steam Trains, Yuletide Fantasy and my eight one coming up next week, Backstage Safari. I have loved every one of them and try to do one each trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

dgaston, I can't believe there's someone else on the boards from Woodstock, CT! I went to Woodstock Academy there, DF still substitutes at the Academy. Since I moved, I desperately miss the Woodstock Fair at Labor Day. It's been a family tradition for over 25 years. Since I moved down here, no one from this area seems to frequent the DIS boards.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Dan, could you please explain what you did on the Yuletide Fantasy tour? It's $59-was it worth the money? How hard is it to book? I'm considering that one for my next trip in December.

 

[mom_rules]

I wold like to know if anyone has done the Family Magic Tour? Can you describe?

 

[minivan3]

To mom_rules:
My family and I did the Family Magic Tour in Dec. 1999. We had a blast! My children were 2, 6,and 7. It was just enough to keep the kids interested . We were searching for Captain Hook's golden hook. Our guide had a map that Tinkerbell left for us to follow. We meandered through several lands following tracks. Once, we had to "sneak" through a restuarant without being noticed . We crawled from the entrance to the exit! Yes, we got a lot of strange looks. Another time we had to do a rain dance while others in our group played the bongos. It was soooo fun. At the end, where the hook was supposed to be, Peter Pan jumped out from behind a bush with the hook in hand. He congratulated us all, and allowed all to pose for pictures with him. He then led our troop up to the front of the line at the Carosel and we got to ride. Well worth the money for this one.
Kim

 

[thymed]

My ds who is 4. Dresses like Captain Hook, has 4 Hook movies and knows them all by heart...he is a Hook fanatic! His birthday party was themed around Hook and his cake was the map of Never Land complete with Hook's ship, Hangman's tree, Mermaid Lagoon...etc. So I am thinking that if this tour is still based on finding the missing Hook...I may HAVE to take it. Please let me know.

 

[minivan3]

To thymed:

Check out the thread "What New Characters Do You Want To See?", under InstImpres' reply. Sounds promising that this may be the tour for your DS!!

Kim

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
Dan, could you please explain what you did on the Yuletide Fantasy tour? It's $59-was it worth the money? How hard is it to book? I'm considering that one for my next trip in December.

Hi mom. Here are some writeups on Deb's site that are good. I have used the info on her site for most of my planning on the tours I have taken. http://wdwig.com/tours.htm#yul

As with all the tours I have taken, I felt it well worth the money. Visits to several of the parks and a number of the resorts, along with backstage visits and a neat visit to the main, full time Christmas workshop backstage of MK. Should not be hard to book, I never had a problem with booking any of my tours, but I would say to call early, as most of my tours have had a full group when I took them, usually around 20 guests. Make sure to get available discount if any are appropriate for you. Enjoy.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Recent -- we did the World Showcase tour.
It was okay. But I would recommend another, unless you have taken all of the others and want something different.

January '01 -- KttK
Memorial Day 02 -- UnDISCOVERed FW

I would suggest these two.
I think I would like to bite the bullet and take the full day magic tour in January.

 

[The Duchess]

We've done Keys to the Kingdom, Backstage Safari, Family Magic and Dolphins in Depth.
KTTK was very cool, seeing the backstage areas and the tunnels and hearing trivia about MK was very interesting.
Backstage Safari is really neat, especially if you're interested in how they care for the animals. Kind of takes away the thrill of seeing them on the savannah, though. The kitchen area was not for the faint of stomach.
Family Magic is great for kids, I would say, under eight or nine who know the Pete Pan story. Our four-year-old had a lot of fun, and still talks about Captain Hook five months later.
DH and I really enjoyed DID. It was very exciting to be able to be in the water with the dolphins even though the spectacle of putting on wetsuits and waltzing through The Living Seas was something I could have done without. I would do DID again, though.