Backstage Magic - opinions?

[LaurenT]

DH and I will have 3 days to ourselves in WDW in April.
We thought we'd take advantage of being child free by doing one of the tours that DD isn't old enough for.
Has anyone done Backstage Magic?
How about Keys to the Kingdom?
If anyone's done both, which did you prefer and why?

 

[juliebug1997]

Love, love, LOVE Keys to the Kingdom! I've done it twice and it was so much fun!!!!!

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

We have done both and enjoyed both very much. Keys to the kingdom is a little shorter and concentrates on MK. Back stage magic goes to the different parks and is a little longer. You get lunch with both. I would probably pick BSM if I had to choose. Of course KTTK is a little cheaper.

 

[maxaroni]

Just did BSM last week and loved it. Have not done KTTK so can't compare, however, if you have the time and money I'd highly recommend it. Our first adult only trip and we enjoyed it immensely

 

[FBDM66]

They're both fantastic! Like PP said, KTTK focuses on MK and is quite a bit cheaper. Things are pointed out that you've never noticed before. I've done it four times over the past ten years, and I learn something new every time.
BSM is longer and a bit on the expensive side. It's more in depth and you'll see things in MK, Epcot and HS that wouldn't normally get to see. Plus, you'll see a good amount of things way behind MK that are off limits to guests.
Lunch on KTTK was at Columbia Harbor House last year and BSM was at Whispering Canyon in the WL. That was 4 years ago for me, PP who just did it can confirm what it is now. Hard choice, but either way, you'll love it!

 

[DakotaRose]

Took Backstage Magic a few days ago. It was terrific. Guides were long term Disney employees with lots of personality and knowledge. Lunch at Whispering Canyon. Clean comfy air conditioned bus and an ice chest full of water for us througout the day. There is a fair amount of walking and standing. We went to all four parks and then some from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

 

[maxaroni]

Took Backstage Magic a few days ago. It was terrific. Guides were long term Disney employees with lots of personality and knowledge. Lunch at Whispering Canyon. Clean comfy air conditioned bus and an ice chest full of water for us througout the day. There is a fair amount of walking and standing. We went to all four parks and then some from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

We did Backstage Magic last Monday....did you do that tour, or later in the week?

 

[LaurenT]

Anyone know how many participants they can have on the tour? Is it a busload, or just 10 or so?
I was leaning toward the KTTK just because of the time factor - my DH was in an ECV last year, he does have a new knee now, but....
But he wants BSM, I hope he'll be ok being on his feet for that long!

 

[khakismum]

We have done KTTK 5-6 times over 10 years and LOVE it! I want to do BSM but have yet to save enough pennies for it.

I really enjoyed KTTK and I think it is a good 'jumping off' tour. Yes, it focuses on MK but you learn so much. We learn something new every time.

I guess, for you, the deciding factors should should be; can you stand/walk for 5 hours or all day? And, how much do you want to spend? I know KTTK limits their tour groups to about ~12 per tour. That is to keep the crowd small and manageable for the CM leading the tour. Can't have guests wandering off willy nilly now can you? I'm sure the numbers for BSM are kept similarly small. When we did the backstage tour in AK our bus was a passenger van/bus, I would assume the BSM bus would be similar sized?

Anyway, I doubt you can go wrong with either! Just if the physical limitations get in the way.

 

[juliebug1997]

I had about 15 in both groups that I was a part of. I think our guide said that they cap it at 16ish.

 

[DakotaRose]

There were about 20 in my group last Friday. They sometimes split us in two groups, each with a guide. There were two in our group in ECVs. Not a problem.

 

[t_daniels]

DH and I will have 3 days to ourselves in WDW in April.
We thought we'd take advantage of being child free by doing one of the tours that DD isn't old enough for.
Has anyone done Backstage Magic?
How about Keys to the Kingdom?
If anyone's done both, which did you prefer and why?

DH and I were planning to do both...I think we are ditching one for dinner at V&A, though. Hmmm.

Backstage magic seems more appealing!