Is Keys to the Kingdom tour REALLY "not for the faint of heart?"

[travelbug]

In December I'll have 2 days on my own before the rest of my group arrives. One thing I'm considering doing during that solo time is taking the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I was reading about it in the Unofficial Guide. Someone wrote in and said that it is "not for the faint of heart" and that it took her 3 days to recover. They didn't quote anyone else in order to give a different viewpoint.

Now, I'm no wilting lily or anything but I'm wondering if others have felt super worn-out after the tour too. I don't want to start out my vacation exhausted before the others even arrive. Plenty of time to get exhausted later AFTER the others arrive. LOL

So how about it? Who has done this tour, and what did you think? By the way, what time of day do they give the tour?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DawnAK]

My husband and I did this tour in January and we loved every minute of it. We did get to stop for a potty break and again for our lunch break. I think our tour started around 9-ish. She went at a nice pace and made sure everyone was keeping up and stayed together. It was not very crowded when we were there. I would recommend this tour highly! Unless you have anything wrong physically that makes walking especially tiring for you, you will be fine! Have a great time. Make a list of questions that you want answered. Our tour guide was happy to answer any questions and I couldn't think of many. Dawn

 

[cjs1001]

I did this tour back in 1996. It was about a 4 hours tour. And to me it wasn't exhausting at all. As the last post says, your castmember tour guide goes at a pace that fits everyone. I noticed with mine, when she pointed different things out she would stop and talk. So it was like mini breakes. The tour is so fascinating that you don't even notice the time. Before I knew it the tour was over.
I would highly reommend this tour it is absoultely great! However, I will say this....there is a lot of behind the scenes so if you don't want to ruin the magic for yourself I would reconsider. But for myself who has been to WDW a few times, am fascinated with how they do things. So it didn't spoli the magic for me, just made me notice things I might not have noticed otherwise.
Have fun if you decide to go

 

[cjs1001]

Sorry for all the typos. I guess I should proof read before I hit reply.

 

[llfowl]

I have done the tour twice and loved every minute of it!!! I have terrible asthma (and I am overweight) but I never had a problem keeping up or felt like they were going to fast. I have also done a similar tour is Disneyland and didn't have a problem there either. I say go for it!!!!

 

[InstImpres]

I won't worry at all. I haven't done this tour but just did Backstage Magic (8:45am-4:30pm). I was told to expect tp o "totally crash" after. I left the tour and headed to AK for 1 1/2 hours than to my resort for dinner. I did relax with 1/2 hour of tv and than took a fireworks cruise. I too qualify as the "not so athletic" type.

I can't wait to Keys to the Kingdom next solo trip and highly recommend Backstage Magic for anyone who has the time and is willing to spend the money.

Enjoy
Sandy

 

[travelbug]

Thanks very much, everyone! Sounds like I'd do just fine taking this tour. I'm going to seriously think about it, especially because you all seemed to enjoy it so much. Having been to WDW many times, I'm curious about the "how and why" and would really be interested to go behind the scenes.

I appreciate all your replies!

 

[goofyernmost]

I didn't hear the original context of the statement "faint of heart" but I might guess that it could be refering to the fact that you see the "backside" of the magic.

Some people are unable to see the magic again after they see what creates it. I mean, when you get to see where the gargage empties out of the tubes it travels in, the glamour seems to decline. As for myself, knowing how it all works only added to my fascination but some don't deal with it well. My X saw 20,000 Leagues from the Skyway and was never able to enjoy it after that. It all depends on your specific thoughts on the subject.

As far as it being exhausting, I didn't find it challenging physically but it was well worth the time and money. I recommend it for anyone that loves to see what makes it work.

 

[webmomom]

WE just got back from WDW and took the tour. We stopped a lot of times when the guide wanted to tell us infor. Everytime we stopped she found a shaded spot and some even had tables and chairs for us sit in. We broke twice for the bathroom as well as lunch, (which was very good at the Harbour House). The pace that they walk is not bad pace.n We had a woman in a wheelchair and they accomodaed her as well.

After the tour we stayed in the park until it closed at 10 p.m. and neither my dh or myself are physically fit.

 

[cindala]

Does anyone know the cost for this tour?

 

[B'rer Karen]

It is in the range of $50 per person, and that includes lunch. When I went last year I got the AP discount, which was either 10 or 15% off and I believe I paid between 45 and 50. The tour I was on lasted about 5 hours.

 

[Goofy4DisneyWorld]

I just booked this tour for September. The cost is $58, but there is a 15% discount with an AP or with a Disney Visa (making it about $49.50). As B'rer Karen said, the cost includes lunch.

 

[tinkerbee]

I highly reccommend this tour. We did the tour August 2002. You stop often so the guide can answer questions and they try to stop in the shade so you are not standing in the sun. Lunch is included and we received a "Key to the Kingdom" pin which was a nice surprise. You learn alot of the "secrets" behind the magic. Have a great time.

 

[tltjet]

Just to let you all know. I booked this tour for our trip in Sept. All of my travel guilds say you can book 45 days out, but the CM told me you can book up to a year out.

 

[doombuggy]

I did this tour in Late September 2001, and we ordered the tix the day before, no problem. We went on the first tour that Saturday, 8:30 am I think. It is great! I don't know why someone would say "not for the faint at heart." I didn't particularly like that guidebook anyway.

Do this tour, you will love it! So you go under the utlidoors, and see where costuming is etc. See the floats and were they are kept, that was really neat. You get to ride a couple of rides too, and learn alot of trivia/info about the park. A friend of mine is one of the guides on this tour - it's one of the best jobs in the park.

 

[travelbug]

Thanks again for the replies. The tour is sounding better and better. I didn't realize that the cost of lunch was included.

I would be taking this tour on Dec. 27. Is there any drawback to going during a crowded time? Or does the tour bypass the crowds somewhat because it's behind the scenes?

I really appreciate everyone's help!

 

[goofyernmost]

I think that due to the nature of the tour, the crowds in the park would mean very little. Most of the tour is behind the scenes where the crowds aren't and you also get in and on the rides as "special" entry. It is great, go and enjoy!

What I found was really fascinating about the tour is how close you are to the "stage". You shake your head and wonder how come you haven't, at least, accidentally seen this stuff. As soon as you leave the tour it surprisingly still isn't obvious. You have to experience it to understand what I am saying. Like I said, it only added to the magic for me.

 

[TravelinGal]

Originally posted by goofyernmost
and you also get in and on the rides as "special" entry. It is great, go and enjoy!

I thought I read on Disney's site that "special" entry is not part of the tour - that you have to stand in queue with all the other guests. Has anyone taken this tour recently and can verify this either way?

Thanks!
Robin

 

[webmomom]

We just did the tour last Tuesday. At the Haunted Mansion you go in the Chicken Hallway. That is basically for children who are scared and need to leave. That took us into the shretch room and we stayed to one side and the rest of the people came in. Before we went in our Tour Guide Rae ( who was great) told us to hang back as there were a couple of things she wanted to show us after evryone else left. We then walked with everyone else to get onto the ride. We also went to the POC ride. She went ahead and told them we were there. Then we proceeded down the same way everyone else does but when we arrived no one else was allowed on the boat we were on. Even with lunch we were seated a section roped off for us only upstairs.

As a previous person said you also get a pin in a shape of a key , each one, which was a nice surprise. Also when you get there in the morning they had coffee or water for you.

I would not hesitate to tell anyone to take this or any of the tours Disney has.

 

[travelbug]

How many people do they take in a group for this tour? Did you feel like you had enough restroom opportunities?

And here's a question that might be silly, but is it customary to tip the person that gives the tour?

Again, I appreciate everyone's replies and all the excellent tips!