Backstage Magic Tour...Question for those that have done the tour.

[ZoZo]

We did Backstage Magic in May, and we loved it. We started at Epcot, got to see how American Adventure works, some info about the architecture back there and a great look at the backstage area behind Epcot. At Hollywood Studios they took us through costuming which was absolutely amazing. We got an upclose look at some amazing dresses and costumes that were being worked on, and it was really cool. I think it was one of my favorite parts of the tour. Just the details on the dresses and costumes were unbelievable. We also got to see one of the ToT cars being worked on which was really interesting also.

We also went to the shops behind the MK and saw various ride vehicles being painted and repaired- when we were there they had the possum from BTMR out on one of the tables for surgery and it was really interesting. Everytime we see the possum now one of us points it out and mentions the tour We also saw one of the props from Little Mermaid being worked on too.

At AK we saw the building with the parade floats and got to see them up close. That was pretty cool as well.

At MK we saw the tunnels and some trivia out on main street. Using the backstage entrances was pretty neat. My only gripe was while going over the Main Street trivia, we were standing in the sun and dripping sweat.

We also stopped at the garden area which was amazing. Our tour was during the flower and garden show, and we got to see many half assembled topiarys, and they allowed photography back there.

Lunch was at Wilderness Lodge, and I think they went over some basic trivia while we were on the bus, but it seemed more like a pit stop than a point of interest.

Our high points were the shops, the garden area and the costuming department. It was really surprising how much we liked the costuming part, I did not expect that.

Overall, we thought the tour was worth every penny and it really changed the way we look at a lot of things. There's a lot of things we point out to each other at the parks now and say "hey remember..." with.

This was our experience in February this year. When you go behind the American Adventure, I recommend that you try to stand toward the front of the group. I was pretty disappointed that, because I was standing in the back, I couldn't see anything. Had several tall people in front of me, and couldn't see a thing!

My favorite thing was the costume shop at DHS. Fascinating! And I really like the parade floats at AK; they explained the "theming" and all sorts of details you normally wouldn't notice. And the lunch at WCC was really good.

I do recommend this tour, but thought it made for a very long day. In fact, I actually preferred the KTTK more than Backstage Magic.

 

[ZoZo]

Is it possible just to go back to our hotel after backstage magic tour finishes at MK? We are staying at the GF and it would make sense to go back via boat! thank you for help.

Yes, the tour guides let you choose whether to leave from MK, or you can take the tur bus back to Epcot, if you want. Several people ended the tour after the MK portion on our tour in February.

 

[BethA]

any recent experiences? Do you miss much by leaving after MK?

 

[dtauer]

I agree with previous posters, we really enjoyed it as well.

Everyone has mentioned the great parts of the tour and I'm glad we did it as well.

You've heard the good, here are a couple of things we didn't like as much, just to provide another viewpoint.

If you are somewhat new to WDW the information in some cases is fantastic. However, if you've been there several times, are a reader of Disney websites, and have looked up some of the history, there's really no earth shattering information. For instance, we talked a lot about forced perspective, but anyone familiar with the way WDW was designed is already familiar with this. Of course it's different when you're standing in the park discussing and seeing it, but nothing really "secret".

I think the tour guides are trained to be intentionally vague. For instance, someone on our tour was asking about all of the land clearing going on in Animal Kingdom that we could see from the backstage area. The response from the guide was "I'm not sure what you're talking about, I don't see anything different in that area". It's common knowledge on the internet about construction starting on the Avatar attractions but it seemed they could discuss very little that wasn't in their script, even things that are widely known.

I was very excited when I learned we would be visiting Tower of Terror. I love the ride, the theming, the entire concept. However, the visit was to a back garage door where they had a sample ride car that they talked about. Sure it was neat to see it up close and not in the ride, but I was really hoping for something new to learn about the history, the development, the mechanical aspects. There was a little discussion but not much.

I'm very glad we did the tour, but if you're expecting "inside" information you won't get anything real unique or new.

 

[ZoZo]

We did Backstage Magic in May, and we loved it. We started at Epcot, got to see how American Adventure works, some info about the architecture back there and a great look at the backstage area behind Epcot. At Hollywood Studios they took us through costuming which was absolutely amazing. We got an upclose look at some amazing dresses and costumes that were being worked on, and it was really cool. I think it was one of my favorite parts of the tour. Just the details on the dresses and costumes were unbelievable. We also got to see one of the ToT cars being worked on which was really interesting also.

We also went to the shops behind the MK and saw various ride vehicles being painted and repaired- when we were there they had the possum from BTMR out on one of the tables for surgery and it was really interesting. Everytime we see the possum now one of us points it out and mentions the tour We also saw one of the props from Little Mermaid being worked on too.

At AK we saw the building with the parade floats and got to see them up close. That was pretty cool as well.

At MK we saw the tunnels and some trivia out on main street. Using the backstage entrances was pretty neat. My only gripe was while going over the Main Street trivia, we were standing in the sun and dripping sweat.

We also stopped at the garden area which was amazing. Our tour was during the flower and garden show, and we got to see many half assembled topiarys, and they allowed photography back there.

Lunch was at Wilderness Lodge, and I think they went over some basic trivia while we were on the bus, but it seemed more like a pit stop than a point of interest.

I took the tour back in February with a friend, and these are the things that we did, as well. I have a little different take on it, though. While I absolutely loved the KTTK tour, I only liked the Backstage Magic tour.

There were several things that I enjoyed (the costume shop, the tour of the parade floats at AK, lunch at Whispering Canyon), there were also some things that I didn't find too interesting. There were so many people in our group, it was too crowded for me to see anything during our stop at the backstage area at American Adventure (too many people blocking our view). The workshop area at MK was sort of interesting, but not worth 25 minutes of the tour (in my opinion). The MK pieces (on Main Street) and utilidor area were sort of a repeat of the KTTK tour. Because it takes quite a bit of time to get from park to park, a lot of time is spent on the tour bus going from place to place. Spending 15 or 20 minutes looking at a "sample" ride vehicle for Tower of Terror wasn't very interesting. And as another poster has said, if you've been to WDW many times, most of the information isn't new.

It's an expensive tour at over $200, and it was very long. We were pretty tired out by the end of the day. I hate to be negative, but of the three tours I've taken, KTTK and the Backstage Safari were great, but I thought Backstage Magic was only okay.

 

[BethA]

well I hope our tour is not over crowded. Disappointing that no extra information is given. We are big Disney fans and are looking for something different and informative. Already paid so will hope for the best. We have done KTTK twice and really enjoyed it- one guide better than the other.

Does the guide give any information while you spend do much time on the bus?

Will we miss anything if we do not go back to EPCOT- we are at Bay Lake Tower, so easier to stay at MK.

 

[ZoZo]

well I hope our tour is not over crowded. Disappointing that no extra information is given. We are big Disney fans and are looking for something different and informative. Already paid so will hope for the best. We have done KTTK twice and really enjoyed it- one guide better than the other.

Does the guide give any information while you spend do much time on the bus?

Will we miss anything if we do not go back to EPCOT- we are at Bay Lake Tower, so easier to stay at MK.

Our guides did give info about WDW while we were on the bus. And you won't miss anything if you decide not to all the way back to Epcot; the guides asked folks at MK who planned to go to Epcot, and who was planning to end the tour at MK. Several folks stayed at MK, so they got their pins there. Nothing missed if you end at MK.