key to the kingdom tour-- worth it?

[mhingher]

My family and I have been to WDW many times, and we were thinking of doing some "different" things during our trip in May. I read a little about the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. It sounds like it might be interesting, but is it worth the time? Isn't it about 4 hours long? I know it also includes lunch. Our group will just consist of me (27), DH (32) and my parents. Any input would be appreciated!!

Thanks!
Melissa

 

[GrimGhost]

It depends. I have done it, actually a couple of times. The experience really depends on which CM you get. It's alot of fun and you actually get to go on Jungle cruise and probably Pirates(or Mansion) with no wait. You'll also go down in the utilidors ( Underneath the Magic Kingdom). Some people say it 'ruins' the Magic. I personally don't think so. It offers alot of insight and special stories about how The Disney Company creates wonderful Magic thru story at their theme parks.

 

[DMRick]

We loved it..we're in our 50's. My sister and her friend did it and were very tired out..wished it had been shorter. It is a lot of walking.

 

[disneyaggie]

Absolutely loved it! Our CM was fabulous and very informative. I had no idea all of the hidden pleasures and interesting history WDW has. I felt layers more informed about WDW, and it made me even more appreciate the Imagineers, Walt and all those involved (past, present and future) even more than before.

Go! Go! Go!

 

[jimmiej]

Our family of two adults, two older teens loved it! We're WDW veterans like you. Our lunch was at Columbia Harbor House. It was good & we enjoyed visiting with the CMs.

 

[jbird327]

I enjoyed the tour and am going again this December. I did not find the walking to be strenuous.

 

[mickeymom55]

We took the tour in May of this year. We had a wonderful tour guide and the time flew by. It didn't seem like 4 hours. Between the tour, rides and lunch, it goes by very quickly. We enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for something different to do at WDW.

 

[princessarielle]

We went on it almost 9 years ago on our honeymoon and LOVED it! My DH still talks about it and quotes things the CM told us. I'm still trying to get over the shock of seeing a CM walking around with Pooh's feet on and not the rest of the costume I think you would enhoy it. Someday I want to do the Backstage Magic tour that's 8 hrs. long. But I guess I'll have to wait until DD is 16 or not with us.

Have fun!

Lori

 

[Dan Murphy]

It was great, I will do it again. Here is some info from Deb's site...........

http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm

 

[NCRedding]

I did it this past January after walking in the 1/2 marathon, so my legs were sore. I didn't mind the walking, but there is alot of standing.

I loved the tour, and ours lasted longer than 4 hours. We met at 9:15 for the tour, started about 9:30, and finished the tour just as the 3 parade was beginning. I thought it was well worth the money--loved the lunch at Columbia House. We rode Jungle Cruise and HM.

 

[InstImpres]

I loved it....that said, I think you have to love Disney to love the tour. If you don't care how/why a hidden Mickey is put it and where it exists, this tour won't mean much to you. Like wise the detail in the windows on main street, etc.

I would do it again as our guide was definetly lacking but we were lucky and had an Epcot CM that had just been transfered to Manage Toon Town that we hung out with which made our tour better for us (Her husband does the fireworks for WISHES, how cool is that ).

I also did Backstage Magic and loved it. The two are very different in content so don't rule one out once you have done the other,

 

[twocat]

It's a great tour. You get to see 'behind the scene' things like the utilidoors, garbage handling, etc. But that being said, I already knew much of the stuff the guide was telling us (and he was VERY good) after spending so many hours on these boards and being a guide book junkie.

If you already know a great deal about Disney, I'd skip it and go on the Segway tour at Epcot. An incredibly unique experience. So great i'm doing another one in a couple of weeks

 

[wld]

I had this as a secret plan for my DH on his birthday. Our youngest was finally 16. When we got to the tour both teenage DDs were complaining that everyone else was so old Turns out they had a wonderful time. Of course I was the dummy that asked the wrong question "on stage" Geez.....Lunch was fun and we were joined by another cast member and got to ask all kinds of questions. When we first went back stage I was kind of sad and thought "I don't want to see this" but then it was just too interesting. Seeing Eeoyre without his head was a bit of a shock though. Not sure why I mean, come on, I knew, yet I don't know. When we go to MK we still will look for the things are wonderful CM told us about.
Anyway I would recommend it. And we are going on Segway in 2 weeks......