FLDisneyFan
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2010
- Messages
- 203
I signed up for the 9:00 am Keys to the Kingdom Tour, but arrived just after 8:00 am to the Magic Kingdom. I went through the "Breakfast Line" since the park wasn't offically opened yet and went to the Guided Tours desk next to City Hall. I was able to move to the 8:30 am tour. I was given my lanyard with Guest Pass for Backstage Areas, a name tag and offered bottled water and coffee. After they took my lunch order, I waited outside until 8:30 am.
At 8:30 promptly, Steve handed out the audio headsets. I've been on several guided tours in Europe and the Caribbean Islands, and usually stayed close to the guide to hear what was being said. With these, the guide has a microphone and can walk, talk and point out while everyone follows behind.
Steve was excellent! There were about 14 people in our group, and he shared the story of Disney as well as gave us ample time to ask questions. We went through Main Street into Adventureland, and had our own boat for the Jungle Cruise. Steve narrated the Jungle Cruise as the boat captain steered us through. Did you know that when the natives jump out near the end and speak, one of them actually says "I love disco?" Its part of the designer's thumbprint on that particular character.
After the Jungle Cruise, we headed into Frontierland and into the first backstage area. No photos are allowed, and they ask that cell phones not be used backstage. Steve explained a lot about the Friends in Entertainment, what a day might be like for them, and even how they learned to autograph with all the fur. We saw a couple of the floats used in the parades.
We headed through the other side of Frontierland into Columbia Harbor for lunch. Each of us had a place card with our "gift" and the lunches that we ordered earlier. After a 30 minute lunch, we were back on the tour. Steve gave us the "short version" of the Haunted Mansion story, which took quite awhile to tell. Actually, the Haunted Mansion makes a lot more sense to me after listening to Steve's story. We went on the ride through the Servant's Quarters into the Stretch Room. After a restroom break, we went back stage again. This time, we were behind the Main Street shops. We went downstairs to the Utilidoor, and spent about 45 minutes there. We came back up to Main Street on the otherside, behind the bakery.
We headed back to City Hall, turned in our audio headsets and lanyards. The tour began at 8:30 am and ended at 1:30 am. I will never see the Magic Kingdom or any other Disney park in the same way as I did before taking the tour. A funny thing happened afterward though. I had heard of "Dole Whips" before on the Dis boards, but really didn't know what they were. When Steve pointed them out on the way to the Jungle Cruise, I decided to return later to try one out. As I sat there eating my Dole Whip, a lady comes up to me and asked if I worked here. I couldn't figure out why she would ask me, especially since I had jeans and a polo shirt on. I told her no, and then she said, "Oh, I saw your name tag and thought you worked here." Kind of funny way to end a great day.
At 8:30 promptly, Steve handed out the audio headsets. I've been on several guided tours in Europe and the Caribbean Islands, and usually stayed close to the guide to hear what was being said. With these, the guide has a microphone and can walk, talk and point out while everyone follows behind.
Steve was excellent! There were about 14 people in our group, and he shared the story of Disney as well as gave us ample time to ask questions. We went through Main Street into Adventureland, and had our own boat for the Jungle Cruise. Steve narrated the Jungle Cruise as the boat captain steered us through. Did you know that when the natives jump out near the end and speak, one of them actually says "I love disco?" Its part of the designer's thumbprint on that particular character.
After the Jungle Cruise, we headed into Frontierland and into the first backstage area. No photos are allowed, and they ask that cell phones not be used backstage. Steve explained a lot about the Friends in Entertainment, what a day might be like for them, and even how they learned to autograph with all the fur. We saw a couple of the floats used in the parades.
We headed through the other side of Frontierland into Columbia Harbor for lunch. Each of us had a place card with our "gift" and the lunches that we ordered earlier. After a 30 minute lunch, we were back on the tour. Steve gave us the "short version" of the Haunted Mansion story, which took quite awhile to tell. Actually, the Haunted Mansion makes a lot more sense to me after listening to Steve's story. We went on the ride through the Servant's Quarters into the Stretch Room. After a restroom break, we went back stage again. This time, we were behind the Main Street shops. We went downstairs to the Utilidoor, and spent about 45 minutes there. We came back up to Main Street on the otherside, behind the bakery.
We headed back to City Hall, turned in our audio headsets and lanyards. The tour began at 8:30 am and ended at 1:30 am. I will never see the Magic Kingdom or any other Disney park in the same way as I did before taking the tour. A funny thing happened afterward though. I had heard of "Dole Whips" before on the Dis boards, but really didn't know what they were. When Steve pointed them out on the way to the Jungle Cruise, I decided to return later to try one out. As I sat there eating my Dole Whip, a lady comes up to me and asked if I worked here. I couldn't figure out why she would ask me, especially since I had jeans and a polo shirt on. I told her no, and then she said, "Oh, I saw your name tag and thought you worked here." Kind of funny way to end a great day.
