Hidden Treasures Tour, Epcot

[jaye614]

Do you eat lunch with the tour?

 

[dgaston]

We did the Behind the Scenes tour at World Showcase and traveled around all the pavilions, with bathroom stops, but no lunch break. We finished up about 1:30 pm, and I was ready to eat!

 

[Eljay]

Do they take you backstage in all of the WS pavilions? More info please about this tour!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I did this tour last month, and it was great! I had an awesome CM tour guide named Erin. We started in Canada and went all the way to Mexico. We went behind the scenes a couple of times. I remember in Canada we went behind very briefly to see the backs of some scenery. We also went behind in France to see the back of the Eifel Tower. Our CM had some great jokes - when we walked on the sidewalk from France to Morocco, she said "Hey, we are now crossing the Straits of Gilbralter!"

I highly recommend this tour, it was fun to see World Showcase before it opens. There was plenty of walking and more importantly, plenty of bathroom and water fountain breaks.

<img src="http://home.att.net/~disneysue/hugsmall3.gif">

 

[kathleena]

I did this tour last month with Erin also and I didn't like her at all! I had done it once before with another CM who just did a much, much better job. And she kept repeating - "what-not" - all the time and it was terribly annoying.

Erin just seemed to drift off focus onto some unrelated topics rather than stay on why the countries are built the way they are. I had a lot more information on the first tour that she didn't even mention. Plus she got us way behind and we ended up rushing thru the left half of the world.

I felt bad for my friend, who also didn't like her, and as we would the WS that afternoon, I shared more info with her that I got on the first tour - and it was three years prior.

Anyway, the tour can be interesting and you learn a lot about the countries. I suggest going to www.wdwig.com and reading the reviews there.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by kathleena
I did this tour last month with Erin also and I didn't like her at all! I had done it once before with another CM who just did a much, much better job. And she kept repeating - "what-not" - all the time and it was terribly annoying.

Just wondering, do the tours vary greatly from CM to CM that you would do it twice or was it because of your friend that you went again?

Thanks
Sandy

P.S. Sorry it wasn't a good experience. It is a lot of money not to be happy. I am getting nervous now that I spent $175 for a full day tour and could end up with this type of experience.

 

[kathleena]

Just wondering, do the tours vary greatly from CM to CM that you would do it twice or was it because of your friend that you went again?


Well, we do a tour every trip (once a year we go together while the boys golf) and so now I have done every tour, but she hasn't. So I was happy to go again with her, I figured I might pick up some additional tidbits. This one really didn't add too much to what I had already heard.

I have done the Backstage Safari tour twice also, and was very pleased both times. The second time built on the first time - I think they were refining the tour. And there were new animals etc, so it was different.

I've been happy with all of the tours up until this one, so it was just a disappointment. It was my second favorite tour after the AK one.

The CM who did the first one was with the Disney Institute and was a stage professional. And the other CMs I've had have all just been better and more polished.

I wouldn't hesitate to do the all day one on another trip. We just haven't wanted to spend that much money yet......

I wouldn't be nervous about it!!! I'm sure it will be great.

 

[Bete]

We've been on most of the tours and it does vary depending on the CM. I haven't repeated the same tour; so, it's hard to compare straight up on the CMs.

I like the idea of learning more about the behind the scenes of WDW. Because of that I really enjoy all the tours but some are better because of the CM. I actually knew more then a CM once and it happened to be the 3-park tour (they exclude AK, at least when we did it). Anyway, I caught her misinforming others in the group. Also, I quizzed her on material that was relevant and she fell way short of expectations. In this case I did report the CM. She always had an answer for whatever question was asked but it was wrong I would say 30% of the time.

Also, I go more for photo opportunities then anything else. You get some perks at times, too. I don't want to give that away but you can get lucky with some of these tours.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by Bete
In this case I did report the CM. She always had an answer for whatever question was asked but it was wrong I would say 30% of the time.

Would you mind sharing the name if it was a semi-recent experience (either on the board or via PM)

Also, I go more for photo opportunities then anything else. You get some perks at times, too. I don't want to give that away but you can get lucky with some of these tours.

A post I read a few weeks ago said cameras were not allowed most of the tour, was this poster misinformed or do you think it has changed?

Thanks for the help
Sandy

 

[Bete]

Sorry, I may have mislead you on the picture taking aspect. When you are actually behind the scenes it's very restrictive when it comes to pictures. I just like the idea of being in
Epcot-WS when it's not open to the public and taking pictures when it's practically deserted.


Although my experience was bad with the particular CM that I mentioned in the previous post I will not disclose a name. For most people on the tour being 100% factual is not of prime importance, I believe. Regardless, I won't disclose. This same person may have gotten better since we took the tour in December 2002. That person may no longer being doing tours, etc.