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

[wiggles02]

It is a great tour and we learned a lot. The afternoon part in the tunnels was a little long and my back hurt from standing during the afternoon part (I think they could cut that part back). We had Claire as a tour guide and she was very informative. We saw her giving the tour a few weeks ago and wanted to say hi, but they were off too quick. It is worth the time and money, but I would agree with a previous poster, let yourself have another day in the MK. We didn't do much after the tour and were ready for a nap. We did our other MK stuff a few days later!

 

[Jillpie]

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.

What is the difference between the Backstage tour and Keys to the Kingdom?
Do you get headphones so you're not straining to hear every word?
Are rides part of the tour at all?

 

[DizzKneeGeek]

We just booked the tour for Nov. 16th. We're very, very excited. And we don't anticipate losing any Magic at all.

What are the rides you go on with this tour? I've heard they vary by day. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[TravelGrl]

I wanted to add that I don't recommend this tour to someone on their first trip. You should already know the park pretty well in order to get the most out of the tour. It is assumed that you know the different attractions and the different scenes there.

 

[firsttimemom]

I know you can't take pics of the backstage areas, but if you're there and planning to spend the rest of the day at the park, could you bring your camera in your purse and just leave it there during the tour?

Liz

 

[wiggles02]

We went on Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion with our tour guide. But when my parents went they did those 2 and something else. I can't remember.

 

[wiggles02]

We carried our camera the whole time, but just didn't use it when they asked us not too. They don't make you store it or anything. We just took the Undiscovered Future World Tour on 9/27 and DH carried his new camera the whole time. In fact, during one part we actually used it backstage, but we were told we could.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I think they rides to vary. On our tour we went on POTC and Haunted Mansion.

Yes you are given a headset so you can adjust the volume and hear everything the guide is saying.

 

[B'rer Karen]

What is the difference between the Backstage tour and Keys to the Kingdom?
Do you get headphones so you're not straining to hear every word?
Are rides part of the tour at all?

Keys to the Kingdom just goes behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom. Backstage Magic starts at Epcot, goes to MGM, and then ends at the Magic Kingdom. It's also about 3 hours longer. Lunch is more substantial (Columbia Harbor House for KttK and Mama Melrose's for BM). Both are good tours, BM just covers more.

No, there aren't headphones, but the tours are pretty limited (I'm thinking 20-25 people) and I never had a problem hearing. If you have any hearing difficulties you could just make sure to stay towards the front of the group, but you can also let the guide know that he/she needs to speak up if that were the case.

Yes, rides are a small part of the tours. For KttK we rode the Jungle Cruise and Pirates. I think normally it includes Haunte Mansion, but that was closed for refurb when I went. Backstage Magic...gosh I can't remember what we rode. We went behind the stage for American Adventure (my favorite part of the tour) and then we came back later and sat through some of the show, but not all of it. We also went to Stitch's great escape, but that wasn't planned. They were having AP/DVC/CM previews and someone asked if she could get us in and she checked and did that for us as the very last part of our tour. I can't remember if we went to other attractions now or not.

 

[B'rer Karen]

I

Yes you are given a headset so you can adjust the volume and hear everything the guide is saying.

That is new then. I did KttK in 2003 and BM in 2004 and there weren't headphones then.

 

[Jillpie]

Karen, thanks so much for all that info, that was great! Someday I'd love to do one of them. How do you get from each park, bus?

 

[B'rer Karen]

Yes, they have one of those luxury coaches that takes you around. They have it stocked with water and sodas if you get thirsty. Not only did we go to the three parks, we also went to where they store all of the holiday decorations (you would not believe how huge that place is) the floral department, and Central Shops. This was during the time that small world was being refurbed and they had the new boats in there being worked on and they had a bunch of the dolls too. That was also a really cool part of the tour.

 

[travelgoddess]

We are doing this tour 10/28....I can't wait!!!

 

[MelanieC]

We are doing Keys to the Kingdom in July next year. I can't wait!!!

 

[KCMiller]

Keys to the Kingdom just goes behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom. Backstage Magic starts at Epcot, goes to MGM, and then ends at the Magic Kingdom. It's also about 3 hours longer. Lunch is more substantial (Columbia Harbor House for KttK and Mama Melrose's for BM). Both are good tours, BM just covers more.

.

Wow, Backstage Magic sounds awesome! I went on the WDW official website and couldn't find it - do they still offer it?

(keeping my fingers crossed!)

KC