After a quick breakfast at Mara, DH, SIL, and I hopped on a bus to EPCOT for the start of our Backstage Magic Tour at 8:30 a.m. We had a moment of confusion when we accidentally went to the Magic Backstage table (Who knew they had two similarly named programs meeting at the same place?), but we quickly found the correct starting point with the help of a friendly cast member.
All seventeen people in our group were given name tags, lanyards identifying us as tour members, and listening devices so we could hear our tour guides even in areas with a lot of background noise. The tour guides, Monica and James, were amazing! Both had years of Disney experience and truly enjoyed their jobs. They were knowledgeable and kept us laughing throughout the day. We then hopped on a bus to begin our tour behind the scenes at EPCOT.
(Note: The only place we were allowed to photograph was the Walt Disney World Nursery and Tree Farm.)
The best part of our EPCOT tour was going backstage at the American Adventure. This building is another one of Disney’s forced perspective masterpieces. The three story early American mansion is really a seven story theater in disguise. Try taking a picture of someone in front of the front doors; they are huge! Since we were there before World Showcase opened, the engineers and hair and makeup artists were touching up the “performers.” All 35 animatronic characters have hand-woven human hair wigs. We even saw a test of the show and how each scene slides into its proper place on stage. We were very impressed and couldn’t believe that we neglected to see that attraction during our 2008 trip. We knew as soon as the tour was over, we’d see the show.
Next we traveled to Central Shops where they make and refurbish many of the ride components. One of the artists was repainting a carousel horse. The carousel and horses were built in 1917 and most of the horses are solid maple. All they need is the occasional fresh coat of paint and they are good to go. The newer fiberglass horses have to be replaced every so often. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.
Our next stop was the Magic Kingdom. The guides pointed out the significance of some of the window writing on Main Street. Then we visited the utilidors. This part of the tour was also covered in the Keys to the Kingdom Tour that we took in 2008, but I enjoyed hearing it again.
We stopped at the Wilderness Lodge for lunch at the Whispering Canyon Café. The waiter and waitress “brother” and “sister” team, were very funny (and loud, Whispering Canyon must be an oxymoron). “Granny” cooked up the canyon skillet for us and we all shared corn bread, smoked ribs, roasted chicken, sausage, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and beans. Our waiter gave new meaning to free refills. As soon as you took a sip of your beverage, he slammed another one down on the table! I think I had three iced teas in front of me at the end of the meal. We had a great lunch and a few minutes to explore the lobby before we boarded the buses for Hollywood Studios.
Wilderness Lodge
We made two interesting stops at Hollywood Studios. First, was the wardrobe department. We saw costumes in every stage of development, from concept to finished product. The designers and seamstresses are very talented and create beautiful and complex costumes. Unhappy with a fabric sample used to wrap the “knees” of performers on stilts, the designers created their own intricate embroidery pattern. We saw both the original pattern and the embroidered version. The difference was obvious. These small touches separate Disney from other theme parks. After that, we went behind the scenes of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. We learned how the innovative moving elevator cars work and how the ride has evolved over the years. It is much more thrilling now with the random drop sequence and at least one complete thirteen story drop!
Our last stop on the tour was Animal Kingdom and the adjoining Nursery and Tree Farm. Driving around the perimeter of the park it is easy to see that it is the largest of the four parks. We spent most of the time in the parade floats shed, learning how they work and how they were created. Then we stayed for Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade to see the floats in action. The Nursery and Tree Farm was interesting, but felt like the surface of the sun. We were so hot! James and Monica spent a lot of time discussing the topiaries and how they are created. My favorite one was the Mary Poppins topiary that keeps getting struck by lightning. Apparently, the wire structure of the umbrella she holds up in the air is a perfect lightning rod.
Mary Poppins Lightning Rod Convalescence
Our tour ended where it began, at EPCOT. We were given souvenir pins and had one last opportunity for questions. DH, SIL, and I then headed over to the American Adventure to see the attraction from the proper perspective. Parts of the show seemed familiar. I had seen it as a child, but it instantly became one of my favorites. I enjoy the “old school” animatronics, which I notice aren’t as prevalent in the newer attractions. I think by the end of our trip, I saw it three times.
We had some time before meeting my in-laws for dinner at the Magic Kingdom. They spent the morning on the Keys to the Kingdom tour. SIL suggested we get margaritas at La Cava de Tequila in the Mexico pavilion. The bar was packed, but the service was quick. We each tried a specialty margarita. SIL ordered the cucumber, I had the blood orange, and DH tried the jalapeno. They were refreshing and delicious! We enjoyed our drinks on a bench in the Mexico pavilion, lingering in the cool dark building to beat the heat outside. And of course, before we left we had to ride the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.
Enjoying the Margaritas at La Cava de Tequila
We took the monorail to meet my in-laws at the Magic Kingdom for our Cinderella’s Royal Table dinner reservation at 9:30. We made the reservation to coincide with the fireworks so we could watch them out the castle windows. Unfortunately, our seats did not have a great view, but at that point, many tables had emptied and we were able to sit at an empty table to view them. It was neat to see the smaller fireworks launch from the surrounding Fantasyland rooftops. Dinner was tasty. The menu was limited, but we all found something to eat. And it was MIL and FIL’s anniversary, so they were given a special dessert.
DH and I Await our Reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table.
MIL and FIL Blow Out the Candles on Their Anniversary Chocolate Cake.
Notice the Chocolate Cream Cheese Buckle and Strawberry Sorbet. Yay, Dining Plan!
After dinner, we stayed to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade. It was great, and the LED lights looked spectacular. That tune is so catchy! And I liked how Alice and Pete actually talked to the audience. I don’t remember characters talking during Spectromagic.
We had a busy, but amazing second day at Walt Disney World. The Backstage Magic tour got me ready to experience all the four parks have to offer.
Up next: Hollywood Studios, a sunny day and torrential evening! Will we get to see Fantasmic?!
