Backstage Tours..Which One is Best???

[heidijot]

Good Morning,

My dh and I are heading to WDW in August and would like to try a Backstage Tour. Has anyone been on one?? What are your suggestions????

Thanks,

Heidi

 

[Captain_Hook]

My family and I went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour (Magic Kingdom) a few years ago. I thought it was a lot of fun and very informative. We were afraid that it might ruin the magic to know some of the Disney "secrets," but it didn't. If anything, everything is that much more magical since we can appreciate the effort Disney goes through to creat it!

We are going in Sept and planning on taking at least one more tour (if not two!). We are definitely planning on the Segway in Epcot! Now I just have to save up in time so it isn't booked!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Last August I did the Epcot Dolphins in depth. It was the best time. Well worth it. And I got DVC discount aswell!

 

[NotTooGoofy]

A few years ago I did the Backstage Magic tour. It about a seven hour tour that started at EPCOT, then over to MGM (lunch was included at Mama Melroses) and finished at MK which included going underground to their Utilidors. We also toured the workshops and storehouses "hidden" behind MK. The cost was $199 but it was worth while. The tour doesn't require park admission and I believe you have to be 16 years old to go on the tour.

 

[Feigned]

Last summer, my family went on the Backstage Safari at Animal Kingdom. If you like animals, this tour is great. The tour was almost completely backstage. We visited several different areas, all by use of a van. We went to the elephant's sleeping pens (you're supposed to pet a white rhino here we were told, but due to an elephant needing surgery that day, we didn't get to), the food preparation area, the avian area (ARC), the vetinary rooms, and a classroom where we got to pet a chinchilla and talk about environmental conservation. We also got to go on a special version of the Kiliminajaro Safari, without the whole storyline and a lot of info about the ride, animals, the layout of the land, etc. It was very interesting. We got a cute little pin to commemorate our experience. During the visit to the classroom, we also got free snacks, including water and either granola bars, cookies, etc. I had a great time and our guides were very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had about animals or the park in general.

 

[Bev J]

Keys to the Kingdom! My DH and I took this last June and loved it! Only Adults over 16 can take the tour, don't want to spoil the magic for those under that age...
Lunch at Columbia Harbor House is included in the cost.

We are going to take the Futureworld Tour at Epcot in October, hope it is as good!

Bev

 

[Evil Genius]

We really enjoyed undiscovered future world at epcot. It was very interesting and alot of behind the scenes stuff.

 

[Disney1992]

Over the years, DH & I have taken three of the many tours available. We've taken the Backstage Magic, Keys to the Kingdom, and the Magic Behind the Steam Trains. This year, we're going to try the UnDIScovered Future World tour. We have enjoyed each one of them and would recommend them all. Backstage Magic is definitely the most comprehensive tour you can take. You see a lot of "backstage" areas and, in some ways, it may destroy the magic for you. Keys to the Kingdom does cover a lot of the same ground the Backstage Magic tour does (at least it did 4 years ago). On the Steam Train tour you take the first train ride of the day before the park opens. You arrive in Main Street just after opening. You also get to see the Roundhouse.

I think it boils down to what you want to see. Read the descriptions of the tours and see what appeals to you. In my experience, I've never been disappointed with any of the tours I've taken.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have taken ten different tours, all have been great. My first, Backstage Magic, was probably the best. Very in depth, all day. Another good one (they all are good) was the train tour. Both AK ones were super also. hard to say, they are good. Here is info. http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm Make sure to get any discounts available to you, can save you quite a bit. Also make sure to have photo ID, now needed, post 9/11.

 

[heidijot]

Well thank you for all of the info!! I especially thought the AllEars web info was the best!! We booked the Keys to the Kingdom for 8/17!!! Hope to see some other Dis'ers there!!!


Is it possible to be too excited????
Heidi and Bob

 

[heidijot]

Okay...so I called back and booked the Steam Train Tour for our July trip (7/27) with my 13y/o train buff!!!!

See you all at Disney,

Heidi