Keys Tour questions...

[lenshanem]

Is this about five hours long?

Lunch is included in the price?

Cameras not allowed? Will they hold your cameras for you?

Did I read correctly you get a pin? Is this like the trading pins or a button?

What attractions are typically visited and rode?

Does this book up quickly or can we book this close to the trip? How far out can you book?

Any other comments or experiences anyone would be willing to share?


Thanks a bunch!

 

[Hippychickali]

That's a lot of questions. I'm sure they can all be answered by visiting one web page. Does anyone have a link?

Ali

 

[mudd]

This is copied from http://allearsnet.com/ site. We will be going on this tour May 4th will be home May 11th. Will answer any more questions then if no one else has not done it.


KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
Magic Kingdom


Offered daily this four and a half hour to five hour tour celebrates Disney Magic! Learn about the Magic Kingdom's history, and backstage secrets. Hear stories of Walt Disney, his visions, his philosophies, and his accomplishments. In addition to Disney history, Guests finally get the opportunity to find answers to all of those "neat" Disney trivia questions and get an inside look at how the MAGIC KINGDOM operates by venturing downstairs to the main Utilidor entrance, MAGIC KINGDOM Wardrobe, and Cosmetology. Guests also visit the MAGIC KINGDOM Production Center, where they have the rare opportunity to see parade floats up close.


At the 2 1/2 hour mark, the group breaks at the Columbia Harbor House for a delicious meal which is prepared and waiting for all the Tour Guests. Orders are taken in the Tour Garden, next to City Hall, upon check-in before the Tour begins. Menu choices include a Fried Chicken Strips Basket, Fried Fish and Chicken Combo, Garden Galley Salad (mixed greens with feta cheese, pecans, grilled chicken, and pineapple in a zinfandel vinaigrette), Starboard Deck Sandwich (Toasted bread topped with ham, cheese, tomato, and broccoli slaw), and New England Clam Chowder or Vegetarian Chili served in a bread bowl.

Offered daily at 8:30, 9:00 & 9:30am. Tour starts at City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance.

Cost is $58 AND Admission to the Magic Kingdom

 

[kandmwedding]

Is this about five hours long?
***Our tour was slightly longer than five hours.

Lunch is included in the price?
***Yes, you chose from a preset menu at the start of the tour and have tables reserved upstairs at Columbia Harbour House.

Cameras not allowed? Will they hold your cameras for you?
***You can use cameras when in the actual park, but are not permitted to take pictures while backstage. However, they don't take the cameras from you or make you pack them away... it's just an on your honor sort of thing.

Did I read correctly you get a pin? Is this like the trading pins or a button?
***It's neither really. It's key shaped and has a backing similar to a safety pin. You definitely DO NOT want to trade this pen (though others may want you too) because you can only get it by going on the tour.

What attractions are typically visited and rode?
***Usually you ride two or three rides per tour (depending on the size of the group and tour guide). We rode Jungle Cruise (front of the line access), Haunted Mansion (front of the line access, entered through a side door), and Pirates of the Carribean (waited in regular (short) line).

Does this book up quickly or can we book this close to the trip? How far out can you book?
***It's run several times a day, but will book up during busy periods. I would suggest booking ASAP. You can always change the reservations later if necessary. I'm not sure how far out they book. We booked about 2 months out I believe.

Any other comments or experiences anyone would be willing to share?
***This was great tour!!! Our tour guide Rae was absolutely awesome. But, be forewarned, you do learn a lot about the Disney "magic", and if you don't want to be let in on some of those secrets, this is not the tour for you. Also, as an FYI, you don't spend much time in the Utilidors, and generally don't see much of wadrobing or cosmetology anymore. We did get see the Share a Dream Come True parade floats, as mentioned above.

For some very detailed reviews, check out the tour section of allearsnet.com

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks everyone!

 

[wld]

We loved our tour as well and it did take 5 hours or so. You get to ask different questions based on whether you are "onstage"or "off stage" . Our two teens thought they wouldn't enjoy it at first but they had a great time. Lunch is served in a reserved area and they discuss "off stage" things there too.

I have to admit when we first went offstage I had a couple of regrets seeing it. Only at first then it was fun.

 

[StaceyA]

Originally posted by kandmwedding
Cameras not allowed? Will they hold your cameras for you?
***You can use cameras when in the actual park, but are not permitted to take pictures while backstage. However, they don't take the cameras from you or make you pack them away... it's just an on your honor sort of thing.

Hi there...
When I booked this a week ago for December, they told me that we were not permitted to bring cameras on the tour and that we would have to rent a locker to store the camera's and video camera's.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Stacey. By any chance do you know how far out you can book?

 

[StaceyA]

I read on this board that it is 1 year in advance and you have to call 407 WDW-TOUR (939-8687).

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Thanks Stacey. By any chance do you know how far out you can book?

I booked the tour for DW and I back in early March. Thinking there might be a 60 or 90 day advance limit, I asked how far out one could book the tour. The woman told me that she could book at least through the end of 2004.

Ultimately we ended up changing our travel plans, and I had no problem calling back to change the date of the tour.

I don't think anyone else mentioned this, but note that they do require a credit card at the time of the reservation and your card is IMMEDIATELY charged. They do have a liberal cancellation policy (24 hours?) which entitles you to a full refund. DVC will get you a 15% discount.

 

[StaceyA]

Originally posted by tjkraz
I don't think anyone else mentioned this, but note that they do require a credit card at the time of the reservation and your card is IMMEDIATELY charged. They do have a liberal cancellation policy (24 hours?) which entitles you to a full refund. DVC will get you a 15% discount.

Ohhh yeah...I forgot about that part since we are using wishes from the Silver plan....if you are using wishes they just need your reservation # and then they look it up to verify the wishes.