Keys To the Kingdom Tour - Worth the $$$ and Time????

[wdwthanksgiving]

We will be at WDW (yea!) over Thanksgiving and were thinking about the tour - there will be 6 of us - from 17 yrs to 50 years --- is this a good tour? My concern was that it might take away some of the "magic" that we feel when we are at WDW - any info on the tour would be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I took it a couple of years ago when I was about 17. It is definitely worth the money and the time! I loved every part of it, although the tunnel part went on slightly too long. I'm not sure it would ruin the magic for you. It hasn't for me, but maybe you wouldn't like to see what's behind Main Street or behind Splash Mountain.
But our tour guide pointed out a lot of things to us that I remember each trip, interesting facts or things that I'd never have spotted. Those things make my trips a lot more magical for me.

 

[disneyaggie]

I took the tour last year and LOVED IT!

I learned so many interesting facts about Walt and WDW. It is definitely, in my opinion, a "must do"!

I never felt any of the "magic" was lost -- but it sure helped to answer some questions I had.

You will learn some interesting facts about Tinker Bell, learn about the relationship between Walt and McDonalds, ride some of the rides with the CM sharing some fun facts about them beforehand, and you will have a much better appreciation of the Imagineers and how the park is laid out.

Again, I would definitely do it again!

 

[happybratpack]

We did it a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. I learned a lot of little things about the park, company and history that I didn't know. Two

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

I *really* want to go on this tour... but you have to be 16. I've done the lunch with the imagineer twice, seen the backstage books and movies, I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! Oh well, I guess another year won't hurt.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

thanks for the responses - i have made a reservation for an 8:30 am tour - it even includes lunch at Columbia House! Looking forward to it!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We loved the tour when we went on it. It does reveal some things but we have been enough that we felt it added to the magic instead of taking it away.

 

[DanceRC28]

how much is the tour? you guys have made it sound so interesting, i want to book it for dh and I

 

[AdventureGuru]

I enjoyed this tour...but it was the only day I scheduled for visiting MK...So, plan on 2 days for MK...1 for the tour and 1 to visit.
It didint take away from the Magic of Disney...but it does make you more aware of what is going on around you and the changes thru out the world. We spent the rest of our vacation looking for theme/show elements and the little things going on around you.

 

[WEDWDW]

I am in the vast,vast minority,but going Backstage really took away some of the magic for me.I learned that I am the kind of Guest who only wants to see Walt Disney World from Onstage.If you are concerned at all about losing some of the magic by doing this tour,I would seriously give it some thought.I very much wish I hadn't gone Backstage,but,again,most people have a great experience on this tour.I just wanted to tell you about my experience for what it's worth.

 

[disneyaggie]

Also - if you are an AP holder or have a AAA card, you can get a discount! Whohoo!

 

[BankBunny]

Also - if you are an AP holder or have a AAA card, you can get a discount! Whohoo!

There is also a discount for DVC and Disney VISA card holders according to DIS.

 

[phisigprincess]

We're doing the tour in December, and I can't wait!!!

 

[Luv4Disney]

We definitely felt that it was time and money well spent! We're thinking of doing it again! We loved it...and the pin of course! It also introduced us to Columbia Harbour House, which we love now too!

 

[B'rer Karen]

Another 2 thumbs up here. After doing this tour I was eager to do another one. So eventually I did the Backstage Magic tour, which is also awesome. I would like to do Keys to the Kingdom again some time. I really enjoyed learning different behind the scenes type things. Now, your experience will vary with your tour guide, but I definitely recommend it.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I just did this tour at the end of September and I LOVED IT! I don't feel like it took away any magic for me. If anything it only added more MAGIC to my future trips to MK. It was amazing the things that we learned and just makes you look at things in a different light.

Loved the tour and would recommend it to everyone.

 

[becca-becca]

I was thinking of booking this for my DMIL, DFIL and DM. Two of them have some problem with keeping up with a fast pace for a long period of time. Is there a ton of walking, and if so, is it done at a fast pace or leisurely. Are there rest periods built in other than lunch? (One has Congestive Heart Failure and gets winded kind of easily, the other has Multiple Myeloma and his back hurts with too much walking). What are your opinions? Are there any other tours on WDW property that might be better for them?

Thanks!

 

[dawnsb]

DH and I took this tour in November 2005. I enjoy knowing how things work, so taking this tour just enhances the magic of Disney for me.

It was raining the day of our tour, so our guide found covered places to talk. I thought it was done at a leisurely pace, and we even sat down for a bit to get out of the rain.

Dawn

 

[AdventureGuru]

I was thinking of booking this for my DMIL, DFIL and DM. Two of them have some problem with keeping up with a fast pace for a long period of time. Is there a ton of walking, and if so, is it done at a fast pace or leisurely. Are there rest periods built in other than lunch? (One has Congestive Heart Failure and gets winded kind of easily, the other has Multiple Myeloma and his back hurts with too much walking). What are your opinions? Are there any other tours on WDW property that might be better for them?

Thanks!

I'd either rent an ecv for them or look at something different...its 5 hours of walking and not for the faint of heart (no pun intended) I'm an active person and after 5 hours of walking and in the heat...I was whooped! We really only sat at lunch...we had some moments that we sat for a bit here and there...but that was it....

 

[TravelGrl]

I did the tour last Thursday and loved it.

We had Kymberli as our tour guide and she was great. I got a Disney Visa discount and feel it was money well spent.

To me it did not ruin the magic. On the other hand, I learned a lot of new things, even though I knew many fact to begin with.

My group comprised of 9 people plus tour guide. We did walk a lot, but the tour guide was concious of this and gave us resting spots as well while speaking.

I did feel that my boyfriend and I asked many questions compared to other people and I think it enhanced our experience. If you are thinking of going, I recommend thinking of questions to ask in advance, and not to be shy.