Best suggestion for backstage tour

[Jennygt]

I am going to the world in June and I think that I might have a free day, I was thinking of taking a tour, this will probably be the only time I am alone at wdw, I have been a bunch of times and the tour seems like a fun new way to see the park, my only issue is that I am afraid if I see too much it will ruin some of the "pixie dust" for me. Any thoughts?

 

[kab407]

For a walking tour: Keys to the Kingdom in MK.

If you're willing to try something a bit more adventerous, Segway tour of World Showcase in EPCOT.

 

[Jennygt]

For a walking tour: Keys to the Kingdom in MK.

If you're willing to try something a bit more adventerous, Segway tour of World Showcase in EPCOT.

I was thinking ot keys but I was worried about seeing too much "backstage" that might ruin some if the illusion for me, I know the utilidors are there but seeing them might be different.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I am going to the world in June and I think that I might have a free day, I was thinking of taking a tour, this will probably be the only time I am alone at wdw, I have been a bunch of times and the tour seems like a fun new way to see the park, my only issue is that I am afraid if I see too much it will ruin some of the "pixie dust" for me. Any thoughts?

I did the all day Backstage Magic Tour in May and I absolutely loved it.
It is pricey at $200, (I got a AAA discount) but I thought it was well worth it. I was a little worried about the pixie dust part too, but that wasn't the case at all. It was just VERY cool and interesting. We went through the costume shop which was awesome and the LAUNDRY, now, you wouldn't think the laundry would be interesting, but it really was. They take you everywhere on a bus and the guides were awesome. We got to see the Cast Member building at DHS and go down into the tunnels under the MK and the backstage to the show at the American Theatre in Epcot. Lunch was at Whispering Canyon at Fort Wilderness. I went by myself and thought it might be a little strange, but it wasn't at all. Everyone was very friendly and it was all so interesting, the time flew. I would do it again in a minute.

 

[Jennygt]

I did the all day Backstage Magic Tour in May and I absolutely loved it.
It is pricey at $200, (I got a AAA discount) but I thought it was well worth it. I was a little worried about the pixie dust part too, but that wasn't the case at all. It was just VERY cool and interesting. We went through the costume shop which was awesome and the LAUNDRY, now, you wouldn't think the laundry would be interesting, but it really was. They take you everywhere on a bus and the guides were awesome. We got to see the Cast Member building at DHS and go down into the tunnels under the MK and the backstage to the show at the American Theatre in Epcot. Lunch was at Whispering Canyon at Fort Wilderness. I went by myself and thought it might be a little strange, but it wasn't at all. Everyone was very friendly and it was all so interesting, the time flew. I would do it again in a minute.

Sounds cool, I am a little weired out going alone but I think I might give it a try. Have you done Keys to the kingdom?

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have done the Keys to the Kingdom tour and the Backstage Magic tour.

If the time involved and the cost are not a deterrent, the Backstage Magic Tour is by far the better tour.

I reviewed the tour. The review is a couple of years old and some details (Ex. where you have lunch) may have changed but the bones are the same.

The review can be found here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/backstage-magic-tour.htm

 

[kab407]

I was thinking ot keys but I was worried about seeing too much "backstage" that might ruin some if the illusion for me, I know the utilidors are there but seeing them might be different.

Having the knowledge of what went on backstage along with the history made me appreciate the magic and illusion so much more.

I've also done the Backstage Magic Tour and loved it. I've done the Segway Tour solo and never felt uncomfortable. I would do the KTTK and Backstage solo and not think twice. Which ever one you choose, you will enjoy. Disney does a nice job with their tours.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Sounds cool, I am a little weired out going alone but I think I might give it a try. Have you done Keys to the kingdom?

I haven't done Keys to the Kingdom. I did Backstage Magic because I really wanted to see the costume shop and the utilidors. Also the KTK tour is 4 hours of walking and I knew it would probably be hot when I went. I'm saving KTTK for a February or March trip.

Really, really don't be worried about going by yourself. There were 3 of us that were single on the tour I went on. It wasn't weird at all. We were just a big group of Disney fans. At Whispering Canyon I sat at a big table with everyone and we all just talked about where we were from and how many times we had all been to Disney and our favorite resorts, parks, rides, ect...

The only complaint I had was not about the tour itself, but that it doesn't include park admission. The tour goes from 9am-4pm and it ends at Epcot. It would have been nice to be able to get into Epcot as part of the tour. I didn't want to use a day off my ticket just for a few hours, but I would have liked to go into Epcot for dinner. For $200 I think they should let you into Epcot at the end if you want.

 

[exwdwcm]

Sounds cool, I am a little weired out going alone but I think I might give it a try. Have you done Keys to the kingdom?

it is not strange at all. There were tons of individuals on our Keys tour. IN fact, i would say if you are travelling solo, it is the perfect time for a tour! We had on the earphones the whole time, so it wasn't like you had a chance to really chat with your travelling buddies anyhow.

Keys was great and didn't ruin the magic for me at all. But then i did the CP too and felt the same about that. if nothing else, it heightened the magic a bit for me, knowing all the blood, sweat and tears that go into making it all a success and all the incredibly creative minds that make it happen. We weren't in the utilidors as long as I expected to be and didn't travel that far into them.


You guys make me want to do the backstage magic- it sounds fantastic!

 

[disneyholic family]

when i'm there on my own in June (the week before my mom and sister join me), i'm planning on taking at least one backstage tour...
i was thinking of the Backstage Magic, or the one in Epcot - set in future world (can't remember what it's called).
or maybe i'll do both of those...

hopefully, one or both will be available at the last minute, since i'm not going to reserve it in advance..

 

[TeriofTerror]

While not really a tour, what do you think about doing Lunch with an Imagineer? You might learn some great info, and a solo trip might be the perfect time to give it a shot!

 

[Yvet]

We did KTTK and BM both as well and we loved both tours but the BM is worth every penny.

I would say go for the BM tour and you will not be disappointed at all!!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

While not really a tour, what do you think about doing Lunch with an Imagineer? You might learn some great info, and a solo trip might be the perfect time to give it a shot!

i keep forgetting that one - i'll try for that one too! but somehow i doubt it will be available at the last minute..
but i'm going to play everything by ear this trip..
no advance planning...
the non-commando/unplanned trip...scary

 

[WaltD4Me]

i keep forgetting that one - i'll try for that one too! but somehow i doubt it will be available at the last minute..
but i'm going to play everything by ear this trip..
no advance planning...
the non-commando/unplanned trip...scary

I highly recommend the lunch, but it would be hard to get last minute, there are only 8 spots. I've done three and booked them the morning they became available and they were all full. They do have a Dine with Imagineer Dinner though. At Artist's Point, only on Wednesday nights I think and that group is 35, so maybe a better shot at that.

 

[kaligal]

If you don't want to go backstage, don't. Take a tour where you don't go backstage.

The segway tour is fun, but not so much for info purposes, more for "I'm riding a segway!" purposes.

My favorite tour was Wild by Design at the AK. Unlike every other Disney fan on the planet, I did not enjoy Keys to the Kingdom. It's probably my weirdo taste, though.

 

[TSWJan78]

I agree with the others.. we have done but KTTK and Bak Stage magic and they were both worth every penny spent. If I could only do one it would be Back Stage Magic beause you see most of what you would in KTTK plus a whole lot more. They were both fantastic though.. I guess it depends on how much time you want to fill.

 

[WaltD4Me]

You know, if you decide you don't want to do a tour, a day on your own at Disney is great too. I did a solo trip and had the best time exploring Epcot like I had never been able to before. I did every country in World Showcase and really got to explore them. There was alot I had never seen. I watched all the performers and went in all the shops. It was really a great day. The other parks were fun to do solo too, but I liked Epcot the best.

 

[Jennygt]

You know, if you decide you don't want to do a tour, a day on your own at Disney is great too. I did a solo trip and had the best time exploring Epcot like I had never been able to before. I did every country in World Showcase and really got to explore them. There was alot I had never seen. I watched all the performers and went in all the shops. It was really a great day. The other parks were fun to do solo too, but I liked Epcot the best.

I had thought of this too, I think that I am going to play it by ear and see what I have time for, thanks for all the great info, keep it comming!! Hey Kevin, how about a dining review?

 

[Jennygt]

Ok so now my possibility's have changed, my 21 y/o nephew is comming down, this would be a second trip for him, the first very brief when he was around 10, now I am thinking the segway tour or perhaps one of the snorkel tours at Living seas, any ideas now?

 

[GJF323]

I just stumbled on the Backstage Magic Tour by clicking a link in my resort confirmation e-mail . Loved the review that's posted , and I'm sure I want to go. A photo op with Bonnie Appetit seems too good to miss

(BTW - where are all the rest of the AA's from Kitchen Kabaret?!?!? Do they tell you on the tour?)

Which brings up my question - are we allowed to take pictures? I could see some places it's clearly inadvisable (employee locker areas, etc.) but what are the general instructions they give?