Backstage Magic Tour...how different is it?

[foxfire]

I've read descriptions of this tour but would like to hear from anyone that has taken it and has also done KTTK tour at MK and UDFW tour at Epcot. Does Backstage Magic repeat parts of those two tours? The description sounds as if it goes to some of the same places....but is it different enough to be worth the cost if you've already done the other tours?

 

[bradk]

i've done all 3.

backstage magic and keys overlap only on visiting the utilidors.

backstage magic overlaps with undiscovered future world in visiting the epcot cast member building - seeing the murals and the wardrobe department

yes, you see QUITE a bit more during the backstage magic tour. in addition to those 2 things, you see behind the scenes at the american adventure, holiday services, central shops, disney florist, the laundry facilities, etc.

 

[foxfire]

Thanks, bradk...it sounds as if you enjoyed the BM tour! I would love to see behind the scenes at AA.

I forgot to mention I've also done the Yuletide Fantasy tour which takes you to the central warehouse where they make/store holiday decorations. Is this what you were talking about when you said holiday services and central shops?

...and I think we stopped someplace where they made floral arrangements, too, but I'm not sure if that was Disney Florist or not.

 

[bradk]

the yuletide fantasy tour (which i've also done) does take you to holiday services. that said, while it's impressive during the yuletide fantasy tour, try taking BM before November and see what that place looks like when it's *filled* to the rafters with everything.

but central shops is a different building where they build and repair a lot of the custom things on site like ride vehicles, audio animatronics (when i was there, i think they were building pooh vehicles for disneyland and one guy was working on an animatronic Hook from Peter Pan). no telling what you'll see going on in there.

it sounds like you might have gone to the disney florist? i didn't on the yuletide fantasy tour, but it's a whole huge building in itself (with an amazing walk-in refrigerator for the flowers). the idea is when the florist department started, it was only 2 people and used for really exclusive events. people kept asking for flowers for their weddings and events and disney would say say no, go somewhere else. then they switched gears and it's an enormous operation now. not to mention all the gift basket services they provide.

 

[foxfire]

the yuletide fantasy tour (which i've also done) does take you to holiday services. that said, while it's impressive during the yuletide fantasy tour, try taking BM before November and see what that place looks like when it's *filled* to the rafters with everything. That is a VERY good point...there were LOTS of empty spots at the time I was there.

but central shops is a different building where they build and repair a lot of the custom things on site like ride vehicles, audio animatronics (when i was there, i think they were building pooh vehicles for disneyland and one guy was working on an animatronic Hook from Peter Pan). no telling what you'll see going on in there.Thanks for clarifying...now, this sounds like a very neat thing to see!

it sounds like you might have gone to the disney florist? i didn't on the yuletide fantasy tour, but it's a whole huge building in itself (with an amazing walk-in refrigerator for the flowers). the idea is when the florist department started, it was only 2 people and used for really exclusive events. people kept asking for flowers for their weddings and events and disney would say say no, go somewhere else. then they switched gears and it's an enormous operation now. not to mention all the gift basket services they provide.It may have been somewhere other than Disney Florist....I don't recall seeing a walk-in refrigerator like that.

I think I would like to take this tour. You've been very helpful. Thanks so much for your explanations!

 

[missesdisney]

i've done all 3.

backstage magic and keys overlap only on visiting the utilidors.

backstage magic overlaps with undiscovered future world in visiting the epcot cast member building - seeing the murals and the wardrobe department

yes, you see QUITE a bit more during the backstage magic tour. in addition to those 2 things, you see behind the scenes at the american adventure, holiday services, central shops, disney florist, the laundry facilities, etc.

So you see the wardrobe dept at both tours? This is something that interests me......

Maybe you know the answer to my lifelong disney question: Since Mickey & Minnie are in different 'outfits' are there already dressed Mickeys and Minnies 'hanging around' or are they all in their skivvies and get their outfits changed?

 

[bradk]

the costuming department (i should say) here is the Epcot one, you might see a few furry shells in a couple of spots, but the vast majority of it is just normal world showcase costumes. you're not likely to see much of what you're asking there.

that said, the utilidors/tunnel at MK is a whole other story. while you won't see the costuming department there, there is a potential to see not completely dressed characters.

i've only seen wendy in.. clothes i can't really describe.. i'd like to say bloomers, but i'm not sure what that means. i have seen tigger in the tunnel, but he was in his altogether.

 

[missesdisney]

the costuming department (i should say) here is the Epcot one, you might see a few furry shells in a couple of spots, but the vast majority of it is just normal world showcase costumes. you're not likely to see much of what you're asking there.

that said, the utilidors/tunnel at MK is a whole other story. while you won't see the costuming department there, there is a potential to see not completely dressed characters.

i've only seen wendy in.. clothes i can't really describe.. i'd like to say bloomers, but i'm not sure what that means. i have seen tigger in the tunnel, but he was in his altogether.

THanks - boy I must sound like a goof! My question was in general on the dressing of the furry guys - do they dress them when they are sent wherever they are going (in a christams outfit, yoamd, chef mickey costume, etc?) or are they on hangers with the outfit already set up? The way my husband always put it was something like, are there hangers of naked mickeys and minnies or are there rows of mickeys and minnies in the various outfits? Hopefully I'm making sense. It's one of those lifelong questions for us....I know - we're not right.

 

[bradk]

speaking of goof.. i shouldn't have said world showcase costumes. future world would be included too.

i think the answer to your question is a matter of 'it depends'

 

[1000th happy haunt]

When we took Backstage Magic, we got to see Mark Twain without his hair.

 

[bbyee]

I just read over the description of the tours....KTTK looks neat, but we're not MK freaks (we actually enjoy Epcot and Studios more). We're also not Disney freaks, we just like to go every 5-10 years. It's my husband and I, late 30s, no kids, and although the husband loves to 'ride rides' (and I enjoy a few myself), I'm looking at something fun for us to do that's a bit different.

So, all that being said, is Backstage Magic worth the cash? Also, since I was skimming the descriptions/reviews to not be spoiled but to get an idea of what it was all about, is lunch longer than the 30 minute lunch with KTTK?

Finally, I use a power wheelchair (NOT an ECV). It seems that the tour is wheelchair accessible (or can be slightly adapted to go wheelchair-friendly routes). For those who have been, is this accurate? I know that most of the transport busses have lifts/ramps, but with proper notice, I'm assuming this could happen with the tour bus for the BackMag tour too.

Thanks!