Keys to the Kingdom....PLEASE help!!!

[singjenn]

Someone recently told me that you could take cameras and things but they they needed to be put away during the tour (I know photo/video is not allowed). This note that I got on the confirmation contradicts that. Has anyone been very recently? He also said the price had gone up to $65



"You’ll need to meet at the Tour Garden, which is to the left of City Hall. (Immediately to your left as you emerge from under the train station). Please be there no later than 8:15. You’ll need photo ID and to wear comfy walking shoes. Small purses and fanny packs are allowed, but back packs/messenger bag kinds of personal bags aren’t allowed and you’ll be required to rent a locker to store them. There’s no photography of any sort and cameras of all kinds are not permitted. "


I know I will have my small sling back backpack (it's not anything like a school backpack). I don't want to leave my camera in the room and then have to go back to get it. Has anyone had any problems lately on this tour?

 

[Renysmom]

I carried mine with me last year. We were told that we could use our camera during the on stage portion of the tour but not backstage. No one had a problem with it.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We've done the tour twice and been allowed to have our cameras with us. The guide has always been very clear about where we were allowed to take pictures and where we were not. Whenever we went into a backstage area where pictures were not permitted, the guide would be very clear about announcing this and letting us know that the cameras had to be put away. Everyone honored the request. I expect you would be escorted out very quickly if you did not.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I did KTTK on Jan 8 and had my camera with me. So did nearly everyone. But no one kept it out backstage. And several took pictures of Brick, our guide, with their friends.

 

[Eljay]

He also said the price had gone up to $65

Don't forget to ask about discounts for AAA, AP, DVC or Disney Visa.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

I know I will have my small sling back backpack (it's not anything like a school backpack). I don't want to leave my camera in the room and then have to go back to get it. Has anyone had any problems lately on this tour?

Well, I've heard that they're cracking down on this policy ever since a Guest on the tour was caught taking photos in the Utilidors (last week or so, IIRC).

See, kids? It only takes one bad apple to spoil the pie.

 

[bradk]

it wouldn't be the first time pictures were taken backstage and the ones getting caught aren't the ones to worry about.

the written policy has always forbidden cameras, so it's part of the spiel when you book, but while it's possible the rule has recently changed, cameras are typically allowed regardless (the spiel didn't recently change).

same with backstage magic, although that tour actually is mostly backstage. the spiel when you book is no cameras, but the guides actually want you to bring one, even though you won't be able to use it for most of the tour.

 

[aubriee]

We've done the tour twice and been allowed to have our cameras with us. The guide has always been very clear about where we were allowed to take pictures and where we were not. Whenever we went into a backstage area where pictures were not permitted, the guide would be very clear about announcing this and letting us know that the cameras had to be put away. Everyone honored the request. I expect you would be escorted out very quickly if you did not.

When I took the tour several years ago someone tried to get a picture of one of the Chipmunks backstage. We were just getting ready to go back onstage through a doorway beside of Tony's, when our guide saw Dale shaking his finger at a lady and walking quickly toward us. The guide asked what was wrong and Dale motioned like he was taking a picture, pointed to the lady, tapped his foot, and shook his finger. The guide got rather angry, demanded her camera, deleted the picture, then lectured all of us again on not taking pictures backstage. You could tell he was angry, but did not throw her off the tour. She was really embarassed though.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

the spiel when you book is no cameras, but the guides actually want you to bring one, even though you won't be able to use it for most of the tour.

Then why was the OP told "cameras of all kinds are not permitted"?

 

[bradk]

well i was referring to the backstage magic tour in that quote, where cameras aren't permitted most of the tour since it's primarily backstage (but there is a portion on stage at the end).

but the spiel has always said no cameras. and they won't allow large cameras or equipment that can't be put away, but they have historically allowed cameras on the tour which is primarily on stage anyway. in the worst case scenario, they'll make you store it either at city hall or in a locker, but overwhelmingly, they've been allowed provided they're only used on stage.

as to why the spiel does say it when other tours don't list that restriction even though they have backstage components, i couldn't rightfully say because i didn't write it. i have heard that there were pictures taken when costuming was part of the tour and that caused a real uproar for them.

but offhand, keys and backstage magic are the only ones i can honestly recall that tell you no cameras when booking despite the many tours that do go backstage. (well, the seas tours disallow them too but for other reasons). in most cases, the guide just advises you about the policy backstage, which of course also includes areas that would normally be on stage but are closed off to the public at the time, such as world showcase prior to 11.

in fact, the more i think about it, that written policy probably came into play when the tours visited more interesting areas of the tunnel. it's a lot easier to fight the urge to be able to boast about the photo you took of the human resource office door or whatever.

 

[singjenn]

Well, I've heard that they're cracking down on this policy ever since a Guest on the tour was caught taking photos in the Utilidors (last week or so, IIRC).

See, kids? It only takes one bad apple to spoil the pie.

Speaking of which...I saw a video on youtube that a DISNEY CAST MEMBER took of the Utilidors!!!!! She even showed her face!!! You'd think she would be afraid of being fired for something like that????

 

[travelgirl07]

We took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour on Saturday, Feb 7 and were allowed to have our cameras with us during the tour - just no photos backstage. The CM giving the tour stated that photos were encouraged during the tour in all of the "onstage" areas, but no photos were to be taken backstage.

Hope this helps!

 

[Villainess]

I took the KTTK tour in 2006 and we weren't allowed to use cameras during the tour at all - not even onstage. Once it was over, our tour guide did pose for pics with those who asked.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Speaking of which...I saw a video on youtube that a DISNEY CAST MEMBER took of the Utilidors!!!!! She even showed her face!!! You'd think she would be afraid of being fired for something like that????

I'd say it's likely that CM is no longer with the company -- either as a result of that video or voluntarily. Truth be told, there's not much Disney can do to Former CMs (except change their rehire status to DNR).

I have personally known CMs who were terminated for taking photos in backstage breakrooms. It's never a good idea. And, while I'm on the subject, it's also never a good idea to pester CMs to take such photos for you (yes, I've had Guests ask me).