Keys to the Kingdom

[Tigger22]

We still talk about our tour and walking in the utilidors (post 9/11 also). The funniest thing was seeing the cast members walking around with furry/costume legs and normal clothes up top.

I highly recommend the tour - we had a great guide and a lot of fun.

 

[sames1]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has ever done the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour at Disney? If so how did you like it? We are going in May and my husband and "the boys" as I call them want to take the tour. Any info would be great.

Thanks,

Kim

We did it two seasons ago. It was a nice tour. The biggest surprise was the 90% of the tour was in the park and riding rides. You get the history etc, which is great. Only the last part of the tour was in the tunnels and very short at that.

By the way.. I noticed many "Grumpy" CM's in the tunnels. While on stage they are all smiles and happy, but down there, they are real people. I got the feeling they were a little anoyed at us "tourists" invading their private space.

 

[lizanne]

I've done the tour twice, once pre 911, once post 911.

I enjoyed the pre 911 tour very much. Our guide was informative and entertaining and we enjoyed the tour of the utilidors and the garage that houses the floats that are ( and were previously) used in parades. I couldn't wait to do it again.

The post 911 tour was completely different once we passed Main Street. I think the biggest problem was the tour guide. We spent literally 30 minutes outside the Haunted Mansion listening to her tell a story that the cast members in Disneyland made up about the Mansion, followed by what the cast members in DisneyWorld thought was the true story. I couldn't believe it. We also were not permitted down into the utilidors, we were taken into a small room with pictures from the utilidors on the walls and she would give us info based on the pictures. We walked passed the garage and there was a slight mention about it.

A lot depends on your guide. I guess a good guide could have made the second tour more interesting. I may have enjoyed it more if I didn't have the first tour.

 

[KS Jeff]

We took the tour last Monday (1/16/06). It took about 5 hours, including the lunch at Columbia Harbor House. Our guide was Brick and he was very entertaining. We spent about 20 minutes in the Utilidors and went backstage a couple of times.

DW and I thought it was well worth it, especially so when the DVC discount is applied.

 

[joshsmom]

He even denied the existence of Hidden Mickeys.

 

[Peanut75]

I went on the tour last week -- we spent about 30 minutes in the utilidor/tunnel, which was pretty cool. I enjoyed the tour, but felt like we spent WAYYY too much time on Main Street.

 

[dgaston]

We did Keys to the Kingdom in 2004, I think, with Rae as our guide. It was excellent and Rae was great about telling us which questions to ask again off-stage. We did 2 rides (HM and JC) and learned lots of things that I didn't know (and DH calls me the Disney Queen LOL) We spent a lot of time in the float area, and also in some other backstage areas. AP, DVC, AAA, and Visa cards all provide discounts for the backstage tours. One of my favorites is Undiscovered Future World at Epcot! We had Robert as a guide there.

 

[MICKEEP]

We did the tour last month and spent quite a bit of time in the Utilidors. We were disapointed that we did not see any of the Characters without their heads. But spent a lot of time backstage in various ares, rode a couple of rides. Had a boat all to ourselves on the JC and it was fun to just hear about the ride and ask questions instead of listening to the boat operator go on. Great tour well worth it. Don't forget to get discounted tickets. "The boys" do need to be at least 16.

 

[MICKEEP]

When we entered the Utilidors we were joined by another CM who trailed our group sort of like added security. Did anyone else have this happen?

 

[TAKitty]

What time does the tour(s) begin in the morning?

 

[MICKEEP]

What time does the tour(s) begin in the morning?

There is a tour every half hour I think 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00 or maybe they start at 8:30

 

[dbm20th]

I went for the first time two years ago and it was perhaps the best thing we could have done. When it was over, I coulnd't believe how many times I had been to WDW without bothering with KTTK. If you are interested in the history and workings of that place, or ever wondered "how do they do that?", then take the tour.

 

[Fantasmic303]

We are planning on taking a tour when we visit in July, and I'm torn between the Backstage Magic and Keys to the Kingdom. Does anyone have any experience with both tours who can give us an idea of which to choose?

We did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour at Disneyland last July and loved it. I know BM does three parks and is a bit longer, and I'm wondering if KTTK would be more similar to the tour we took last year, with the addition of the Utilitdors. Obviously, we really enjoyed the Disneyland tour (especially the stops at Walt's special places), but if the history is similar, then I guess we should try something new with the Backstage Magic?

Any advice?

(Price is not a determining factor, unless you really think the BM tour is not worth the price.)

 

[diana13]

I am currently also deciding between the 2 tours: Backstage and KTTK. Time is the only issue and the fact that I might need to go on a Sat. when only KTTK is offered. As far as MK, do both tours cover the same info and do both let you go into the utilidors the same amount?
Thank you for any info...

 

[LJC1861]

I have done both and can honestly say that both tours are wonderful. KTTK gives you a comprehensive look at the MK. The Backstage Magic tour adds Epcot and MGM to it. BM includes an up close and personal encounter with the backstage workings at the American Adventure. After a few more things and a look at some of the cast areas in Epcot it is off to MGM and Creative Costuming. Here you get to see where all of the specialty costumes are made. You tour a few more areas and then it is lunch at Mama Melrose. After lunch it is off to the MK. There is some overlap between the MK portion of BM, but with BM you will not ride the rides like you do on KTTK. If money is not the issue, then I say go for BM. Like I said, both are wonderful. In fact I like both tours so much that I have done KTTK several times....and am taking my niece in June, and BM twice. You will learn SO much about WDW on both tours.

Linda