Anyone Take The Behind The Scenes Disney Tours

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Just wondering if anyone has been on these tours. They look very interesting especially when they show how things work at Disney.

Any opinions?

Andy

 

[miste76]

I've done the KTTK tour and the BSM tour. Both were great!!! KTTK was great for the MK information... really enjoyed seeing the parade floats (I don't think they show this part anymore though) and going into the tunnels. Seemed like the KTTK tour had more time in the tunnels and we saw more characters.
The Backstage Magic Tour was great, all day long. My favorite from this tour was ... do I have to choose just one thing? We learned how animatronics work at the American Pavillion... saw some of the animatronics getting their hair/wardrobe fixed up. Lunch was great at Mama Melrose's in MGM and then when we went to see the x-mas storage area... where the CM's work year round to get ready for the next x-mas season...
Let me not forget seeing the flowers that were being prepared for the weddings that weekend... wow, it really was magical!!!
Now, if I could only choose which tour to take this summer!!!

 

[estnh]

I've taken the KTTK tour, and it was fantastic. There were many things that came up during the course of the tour that stay with you on every visit thereafter! The tunnels were fascinating, and the brief glimpse at thte inner workings or the Park were enlightening. There is a lot of walking, but really no worse than a typical day at the park. Lunch is at Columbia Harbour House, and is very good.

We did it two years ago, and at that time were taken to the area that had the parade floats--we even saw some characters come into the area without their heads on!

I would highly recommend the KTTK tour--I've heard people say that it takes the magic away, but in my opinion, it makes you even closer to Disney.

 

[estnh]

I've taken the KTTK tour, and it was fantastic. There were many things that came up during the course of the tour that stay with you on every visit thereafter! The tunnels were fascinating, and the brief glimpse at the inner workings or the Park were enlightening. There is a lot of walking, but really no worse than a typical day at the park. Lunch is at Columbia Harbour House, and is very good.

We did it two years ago, and at that time were taken to the area that had the parade floats--we even saw some characters come into the area without their heads on!

I would highly recommend the KTTK tour--I've heard people say that it takes the magic away, but in my opinion, it makes you even closer to Disney.

 

[#1 Mickey Fan]

I just thought I would throw our experience in here, to give you a different perspective. We have been to WDW several times, and so when we booked our August, 2003 trip, we decided to do the KTTK tour, as something new and different. I researched the tour beforehand, so I knew what to expect.

Our tour guide was great! (I think his name was John). He was full of interesting facts and little known secrets about the MK, which I truly enjoyed hearing. I also LOVED seeing the parade floats up close. However, I have to say that in the end, I was a little let down by the whole experience. I think that seeing the "inner workings" of the MK sort of took away some of the magic for me. It really reminds you that the CM's are "at work" and that the MK is a place of business. I didn't think that seeing the characters backstage would bother me, but it did.

My fiance had a great time and thought I was crazy for being disappointed, but it's something to think about before booking. If you're a die-hard WDW fan, you might want to think twice before doing it.

Just my opinion...

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

My husband took the tour last year. I'm not sure of its official name but it was alittle over a hundred dollars & it included a lunch. HE LOVED IT!!!!
At the end of the tour, he received a pin. For fun we looked for the pin on e-bay & found it selling for $2.00 under half the price of the tour! WE QUICKLY LISTED IT! It was like getting a half price tour!

Just a little hint if you decide to do it!

 

[iLoveEeyore2]

If you don't book in advance, what are the chances of getting a reservation during the week we are there?

 

[barblue]

Not sure if you're looking for input about the MK tours only, but we took the Backstage Safari tour of AK last month and absolutely loved it. We had been to Disney several times previously but only discovered the tours after I discovered the DIS boards when researching this trip (thanks!) - and we said several times that we wished we'd known about the tours sooner. The AK tour was first rate - great guides, interesting info, and some unique experiences. I'd assume that the other backstage tours are just as good. We're certainly looking forward to doing another!

While we found that the tour didn't take away any of the Disney magic at all, that may be a function of us taking the AK tour rather than a MK tour. The animals at AK have always been the "magic" for me there. In that respect, seeing the backstage areas and how well the animals are cared for only added to the magic of the park.

iLoveEeyore2 - we discovered the tours on Tues March 1, called, and got tour reservations for the following Monday (March 7). Our experience shows that there's last-minute availability relatively close to the tour date. I'd assume that the chances of getting a last-minute reservation like we did depend on how generally busy the Disney parks are in the week you go, though.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

I have done most of the tours, and I enjoyed every one of them!

Here's some links to some info, as well as discounts:
General Info on Tours Including Discounts

I like this link, as it gives you reviews about the tours:
Tour Descriptions & Reviews

Some tours go backstage; some do not. Some offer a pin at the end; some do not. There's something for everyone at WDW!

 

[miste76]

I've visited WDW over 30 times... and the backstage tours only enhanced my love for Disney. I've decided to take a new tour every year now.
Last summer (end of July) we called the same week for a backstage magic tour (the 7.5 hour tour with lunch). The summer before when I did the KTTK tour, I made the reservations during the same week as well.

I'm sure you'll enjoy whichever one you choose!!!

 

[kandeebunny]

I walked up for KTTK tour and loved it...well minus the elevator breaking down and getting stuck in the building for a couple hours lol

 

[Momof6]

I really want to do the kttk tour. dh has very little (ok almost no) interest. My girls are both too young, 12 and 14. I don't usually do things like this alone on vacation. Are there a lot of solo tour attendees?

Denise

 

[orangeblossom]

I took the behind the scenes one of World Showcase....I loved it.

 

[tifandjim]

We did the KTTK tour, and LOVED it!! We had a small group, so we were able to ask tons of questions and take our time looking at everything! Our tour guide was wonderful and very informative!! We would definately recommend this tour to everyone!!

 

[lulu71]

KTTK tour is great! It's a little tiring because there is a lot of walking and standing, but well worth it!! It's a half-day which I think is perfect because it's not too much of a time commitment. Good luck deciding!

 

[athenna]

I'll be taking the Hidden Treasure of World Showcase tour next month. I am sooo looking forward to it. It will be my 1st tour. I love WS

 

[addlema]

I hear now with the KTTK tour you get earpieces so you can always here what your guide is saying.. Is this true?

We our taking our first tour this next trip!

 

[aubriee]

I really want to do the kttk tour. dh has very little (ok almost no) interest. My girls are both too young, 12 and 14. I don't usually do things like this alone on vacation. Are there a lot of solo tour attendees?

Denise

I'm making my first solo trip to WDW in May and have three tours scheduled (KTTK, Backstage Safari, and Around the World on a Sedgway). I also wondered if I would feel out of place as a solo, so posted the question on another forum and got back LOTS of replies from solos who had done them. The KTTK tour does lunch at Columbia House and they said seating is preassigned and that I'd probably be sitting with other solos, as well as the tour guide. All said they never felt out of place as a solo. Go for it and have fun!

 

[eblondie]

I hear now with the KTTK tour you get earpieces so you can always here what your guide is saying.. Is this true?

We our taking our first tour this next trip!

When we went on our KTTK tour in November we were told that as there was only 7 of us then they didnt need to use the ear pieces. It appears that they only use them for the larger groups.

 

[Momof6]

I was so happy to read your reply, Aubriee! The more I consider the tour the more I want to do it - but the solo lunch thing was on my mind. DH and I are so rarely alone (with such a big family!) Thanks again!

Denise