Keys to the kingdom

[Julylady]

We did the KTTK tour two weeks ago. I agree with all the positive comments. Only thing I wanted to add is that my Mom used a wheelchair for this tour. I had to push her but it was very handicapped accessible. When we went down to the Utilidors we had to take the elevator while the rest of the group did the stairs.

This tour was the highlight of our trip!

Donna

 

[TuppenceABag]

Hi! I went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour in April 2006 and I just wanted to let everyone know it is a must-do! Our group guide was Claire. She was a sweetheart. I've included her picture that I took the next day. I didn't bring a camera to the tour itself, but the next day I went and re-traced the tour's steps and took photos of things that Claire told us about. Naturally, I encounterd Claire and that day's tour group. So I hung back a little and did my own thing, then ran into them as they were coming out of CHH. I asked Claire if I could take her photo and told the group they were in for the best part, the Utilidors! Anyway, my DP, who was in conference when I went on the tour has said he wants to go on the tour on one of our visits.

Here is Claire. BTW I have other pics that I took when I retraced my tour's stops that I can post if anyone wants to see. They are mainly just the windows on Main Street.

 

[AdventureGuru]

pls do post more photos!!!
Thanks!

 

[NancyinCt]

Hi Julylady,

I will be in a wheelchair also, there is a way to get to the second floor for the lunch for those in wheelchairs? Also did your mom have to give up any backback that holds the extra things that are necessary for those who are handicapped?

Thanks in advance. Nancy in CT

 

[Julylady]

Hi Nancy:

My Mom parked her wheelchair outside of the Columbia Harbour House and walked up the stairs. I am not certain if they have an elevator there or not. (If you posted that specific question on the restuarant board, I suspect someone would check for you.) She had knee replacement surgery in February and walks pretty well. Her problem is standing for more than a couple of minutes at a time. As long as she keeps moving she is fine, but she thought that the tour would include a lot of standing time while listening to the guide and she was right.

I suspect that if you could not go up to the 2nd floor, they would just bring your lunch downstairs. We sat at a table with two of the other guests on the tour, but all we did was eat. You wouldn't miss anything if you ate downstairs and then rejoined the group.

I forgot that we had been told that we couldn't take backpacks or cameras. So we showed up with a backpack bag on the back of the wheelchair and I had a messenger bag. No one said a thing. We took lots of pictures on the "public" part of the tour and then just put our cameras in our bags when we went back stage. Both of our bags were bigger than the average "purse," but not huge.

I hope this answers your questions. If you have more, just ask.

Donna

 

[LoveDoc143]

Now, I have a question about the KttK tour. I've read a lot about it but never found this questions asked. My wife and I don't go on a lot of rides for the fear and nausea factor. So, assuming our tourguide brings us to a ride that we don't want to go on do we have an option to not ride the ride or is there a "walk-through" section or anything? I'd hate to plunk some cash down on the tour for two people, just to be "frowned upon" when we're entering something we wish to KNOW about but not actually ride. I've read a lot ofposts about how the tour has gone to 'Pirates' and 'Mansion' and those are fine with us, but anything else ... well ... probably isn't. Has anybody been in this situation before?

 

[NC State]

I would think if you tell your guide, she/he would have you to wait at an exit to meet back up with the group.

Our guide would explain the ride before we loaded; after the ride we then regrouped and moved to the next location.

 

[Julylady]

Our KTTK tour in July included rides on Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise. At Haunted Mansion we entered and exited the ride at the same spot so you could easily wait for the group.

On the Jungle Cruise ride our tour guide pointed out special features of the ride. We also went through the tunnel with the lights on. That was pretty neat as we saw a lot of the detail that we usually don't see.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi Julylady,

I will be in a wheelchair also, there is a way to get to the second floor for the lunch for those in wheelchairs? Also did your mom have to give up any backback that holds the extra things that are necessary for those who are handicapped?

Thanks in advance. Nancy in CT

People who have taken the tour have posted in the past that there is an elevator in a backstage area that the CM will take you to get upstairs. (Sin ce it is backstage, it is not visible to the general public, so don't be worried if you post on the Restaurants Board and people say there is no elevator).

If you need the backpack with you to carry things related to a disability, there won't be a problem. Over the years, we have taken DD's backpack on the back of her wheelchair into many, many things where there were signs saying "no backpacks" - places like theaters, etc. No one questions it.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

We took this tour & loved it. It was my birthday & they gave me a pin that said, "Today's my Birthday" & every CM we walked past yelled - or sang - Happy Birthday to me. It was embarassing, but a lot of fun.

Our tour guide was very nice, but really not very good. Quite a bit boring & a couple that had taken the tour before said that their previous guide was much more knowledgeable & better. I think she was just starting out. Still, we really enjoyed the tour & learning about all of the behind the scenes info & will probably do it again sometime.

The guide didn't give us any headphones, but after reading about them here, I wish she had, because we had a lot of trouble hearing her in certain areas.

I think you'll really enjoy the tour. It gives away some secrets, but not too much to ruin the magic, just enough to make it interesting.

 

[Ears2You]

Hi Julylady,

I will be in a wheelchair also, there is a way to get to the second floor for the lunch for those in wheelchairs? Also did your mom have to give up any backback that holds the extra things that are necessary for those who are handicapped?

Thanks in advance. Nancy in CT

When I went on the tour in June a lot of people on our tour had backpacks and no one said anything. I do not think it will be a problem.

 

[NancyinCt]

Thanks for all the info about elevators being there for those in wheelchairs while lunching at CHH during the KTTK tour, and also for letting me know that I will be able to take a back pack on the back of my chair during the tour.

You are all so nice to respond. Thanks again

Nancy in CT

 

[AdventureGuru]

can you plug your own head phones into their dohickous to hear the guide??? It kind of grosses me out to use something that has been in someone elses ears. that and I prefer ear buds so that my ears dont get hot! thanks