Looking for something new to do...

[TinkerBella17]

This year during my Disney trip, I would really enjoy doing something a little different. Something along the lines of a guided tour. My only problem is that I am a self-proclaimed Disney fanatic and already know most things about Disney World.(I dont need someone walking me around the park telling me the best rides, shows, etc.) So my question would be...what is the "best" tour for someone who already know Disney's "secrets"? I would like something that would bring us behind the scenes like underground the Magic Kingdom, or the segway tours (I always thought those looked fun) anyway just want to get opinions from people who have done these tours on which would be the best one.

ps. has anyone done the horseback riding at Wilderness Lodge? this is something i would enjoy if the riding was more advanced than just a slow, tandem walk through the woods. Do you go anywhere special being on Disney property? or is it basically the same as riding anywhere else?

 

[Minnie222]

How about a tour of WDW's history? It is not an actual tour. What you do is checking historical pictures and stories on how the attractions came about. For example, check out when HS was built and how that blue hat stands in front of Great Movie Ride.

I find it really interesting when you go and see how the park looks like today, keeping in mind what it used to be.

For other real backstage trips, I suggest the MK backstage tour.

 

[kaybird]

How about Dining with an Imagineer? It's possible they might know something you don't.

 

[kittyab]

How about the Africa Trek Tour at AK?

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

What you think you know and what you know may be quite different. Many of the tours take you "inside" so while you may know some of the information you have never actually seen it in person.

There is a safari tour and an Animal Kingdom one that may be interesting. Also you could go off site and check out Universal Studios.

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

I love the tours!! I also thought I knew it all about Disney but after doing several tours, I realized there was SOOOO much I didn't know. I am not sure of your budget range, but here is what I've done and just a very brief synopsis of my thoughts:

Behind the Seeds at Epcot - This was really cool. It was about 2 hours and it basically "Backstage" of the Living with the Land attraction. It's not really a backstage, secret reveal type tour, but it really showed different methods of growing plants, fruits/veggies and how they do it at Epcot. We got to taste a few things, learned a lot about horticulture, urban gardens, etc. You can read more in my 2011 TR if interested

Keys to the Kingdom - Is at Magic Kingdom. This was 4-5 hours (I forget now) but really, even if you thought you knew it all, I promise you would learn a thing or two. Lots and lots of info about my MK is built how it is, some of their safety procedures that we don't even recognize, Main Street, a couple of hidden gems on a couple rides, how the parades run, their garbage procedure (which I never thought would be interesting, but hey...its Disney), a great lunch, we got gifts and of course we did go "down" into the tunnels but that was last. It was worth every penny and I totally suggest it for even the most well-read Disney fanatic! You can read more in my 2011 TR if interested.

Wild African Trek at AK - OMG! This was probably my favorite tour... for me because I was challenged to do something I could never have done 10 years ago when I weighed over 450lbs but I did it. They closed my TR thread before I could update it with that part of my TR and pics, but I would be happy to share a few if you were interested in seeing what the tour is like. Again this is not really a backstage thing, but they do share some AK secrets along the way. A lot of animal interaction, and then we do these bridge crossings which are nothing like they look in the pics... omg, I was scared but having fun if that makes sense lol. Then we got a light lunch and a Safari from a different view. Totally breathtaking...best part was they take a ridiculous amount of photo pass pics and then mail you your CD a week or so later.

On this trip, I will be doing Dolphins in Depth and Wild by Design. I can certainly tell you about then when I come back.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!! I really do think all the tours are a can't miss.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I've done the horseback riding and wilderness and really enjoyed it. It's a slow walk with the horses but I have never ridden before so going slow was just fine by me. I've also done the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Even though I thought I knew everything there was to know about Disney World our tour guide told us alot of new stuff and was super funny and it was just cool to see all the backstage areas.

 

[DisneyFive]

Not sure this is your “cup of tea”, but the Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour is sure to show you lots of things you didn’t see before, especially since you go back to the round house where they get the trains ready and do maintenance.

A few side benefits of the tour:

1) You are THE FIRST guests into the Magic Kingdom that morning, and get to see Main Street with no guests (only a few CM’s doing various things). Makes for a GREAT photo op.
2)The conductor (depending on who you get), gives a VERY, VERY in depth background of Walt. (almost too long and in depth IMO)
3) You are the very first guests to ride the Steam Train around MK that morning

Another option, while not a tour, is Hoop-Dee-Doo Review. We did this last year for the first time, and it was a riot! One of best ever experiences at WDW.

Dan

 

[cincystamper]

Not sure this is your “cup of tea”, but the Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour is sure to show you lots of things you didn’t see before, especially since you go back to the round house where they get the trains ready and do maintenance.

Just wanted to put in another good word for this tour. And don't count it out just because you're not "into" trains. I'm not either, but wanted to give my dad (who IS) a gift so we did this together. It. Was. FASCINATING! We were paranoid about being on time so we got there SUPER early (the security guards had to open a check-in line for us) and got some fantastic pictures of the sunrise. (Yup, THAT early! LOL) It ends right around lunch time, so you still get plenty of time to tour the park. (Unless you're like everyone else but me in my group...that leaves you plenty of time to go back to the room and take a nap before your dinner ADR!)

Highly highly highly recommend!

 

[dtauer]

As a family who's been to Disney many times we tried the Backstage Magic tour last year. If you have a lot of Disney experience, you may already understand things like how they use forced perspective in the parks, but it was interesting for us to see a couple of real life demonstrations of this with the guide explaining it while in the park.

This tour is expensive, but you do see something unique in all 4 parks. It also includes lunch at Whispering Canyon which is fun. We felt that although we knew about the Utilidors, actually being under the park walking through them is different than reading and seeing pictures on a website.

It's a tour that I would do once, not sure I'd do it again unless they change it so there's new information next time. There is a unique feeling entering the parks via the "back" entrance, it kind of gave us a different perspective.

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

hmmm, you both got me thinking about this one, too.

Just wanted to put in another good word for this tour. And don't count it out just because you're not "into" trains. I'm not either, but wanted to give my dad (who IS) a gift so we did this together. It. Was. FASCINATING! We were paranoid about being on time so we got there SUPER early (the security guards had to open a check-in line for us) and got some fantastic pictures of the sunrise. (Yup, THAT early! LOL) It ends right around lunch time, so you still get plenty of time to tour the park. (Unless you're like everyone else but me in my group...that leaves you plenty of time to go back to the room and take a nap before your dinner ADR!)

Highly highly highly recommend!

 

[pad406]

How about Dining with an Imagineer? It's possible they might know something you don't.

2nd this, we did it last time and was excellent. We were very lucky as we got a really experienced project manager and a new guy who was being trained in for the DWI program. Both had a vast knowledge on all things Disney. The PM had worked on many different rides, attractions, park expansions etc. You might get really lucky and get someone who knows about FP+ plans

 

[Disneytam]

Did the Segway tour in Feb. with my husband and had a blast. You spend about ten minutes practicing in a small area and when they think your comfortable with them off you go around Fort Wilderness and over to wilderness lodge with a short break at the horse barn to give your legs a break. Don't worry if it's raining because they don't cancel unless they are having a thunderstorm. The start of ours was in the rain but they just gave us ponchos and off we went. The cost was about $190 for the two of us and we rode for about an hour and a half. We also were given small headphones so that we could here what our guide was saying.

We did take a taxi from the BWI because we needed to be there pretty early and that seemed like the best way for us to get there. At the end of your ride they gave us each a Segway pin and at the start we received a bottle of water and due to the rain a poncho. Each Segway also has a storage bag on the front that held my purse with no problems.