Tours at the Parks

[Love That Stitch]

My husband and I are considering taking a tour at one of the parks. I have been going to WDW all my life and have never even thought of taking a tour. I know.... what were we thinking???!!!

Anyway... we need some advice.

Which ones are best?
Which park has the better tours?
Is there anyone who has taken every tour?
Are they worth the money? (I have an AP so I get a discount on some tours)
Are there any that are not worth the money?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[travelbug]

I'm no expert on tours, since I've only done one. But I really enjoyed the Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK. It was really fascinating, and well worth the money and the time IMHO.

Some day I'd love to do the Segway tour at Epcot.

 

[FigmentGuy]

We did the Keys To the Kingdom Tour and LOVED it. We stayed for 2 weeks and it was my sisters first time to disney. We did this tour towards the end of our vacation. My sister saw how magical Disney can be, and I was afraid this tour would take away from her magic. At the end of the tour I asked what thought, and she pretty much said "it really makes you appreciate the work that goes into the magic". We all felt that way. It was neat. We did see Pooh with his "head" off while in the utilidors. That was interesting haha. It actually reminded me that there are great human beings inside that costume that bring magic into my life, and how thankful I am that they can do it. I dont want to give to much away about this. We oathed not too. lol But as long as you dont think it will ruin the magic, I'd suggest this one.

We also did the "Discovering Future World" (I think that was the name of it) at Epcot. This was way wicked too. Got to see alota behind the scenes stuff. Had many things pointed out that I didn't know (I know lots of disney "trivia"). They also reserved a section in front of italy for our tour group to view Illuminations. We had Anthony as a guide there. He was real wicked. We got to see the illuminations barges/storage area. Got to see the underside workings of Test Track, went 'backstage' to mission space. IT was fun watching people stare at us like "where is that group going?" as we entered special areas. Not so much a spoiler, but something that makes you appreciate Epcot more.

I hope this helped a bit... Good luck in deciding!

(when we return we may do other tours, but prolly will repeat the Keys To the Kingdom tour. Since it will be my parents first visit and I want them to see why I "appreciate" disney so much.)

 

[Love That Stitch]

Thanks for your opinions. It seems everyone suggests the Keys to the Kingdom tour. That may be the one we take.

Keep 'em coming!

 

[The Duchess]

We loved the Backstage Tour at Animal Kingdom. We also did Keys to the Kingdom and thought that was great, too.
Our problem now is DS is 8 and most of the tours have a minimum age of 16 on them. I wish they had more Family tours other than the Family Magic Tour.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have taken ten of the various tours, ALL have been EXCELLENT.

 

[Meriweather]

Love the tours!!

I am taking Keys to the Kingdom tour in Jan. for the second time.
Just took the Backstage Magic tour in Oct. WONDERFUL!!
Haven't been disappointed in any of them.

 

[FigmentGuy]

I would really like to hear more about the AK backstage one, could we please have a synopsis?

 

[Pooh's Pal]

I'm going with a friend in early December and we are doing the "Hidden Treasures" tour in Epcot. We hope it's good...will let you know when we get back...anyone else take that tour?

Question: Is the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour the one where you go down in the utilitors(spelling?)?

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm seriously thinking of the Keys to the Kingdom tour in early Dec.

 

[Brocktoon]

I'd highly recommend the SEGWAY Around the World in Epcot Tour. You get to learn how to ride a Segway, and then head out and tour the World Showcase on the Segway before the park opens.

It's a 2-hour tour that cost ~$80. I'm pretty sure there are AAA and AP discounts available.

 

[Eljay]

allearsnet.com/din/dine_imag.htm allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm

Here is everything you need to know about tours, including reviews from people who have taken them.

I can also highly recommend the Lunch With An Imagineer program.

 

[mlill]

We just got back last week and we did the Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour in Magic Kingdom. It was very good and lasted over 4 hours. Everything you ever wanted to know about Walt and his trains will be answered in this tour! Going back to the roundhouse (which is actually not round) where they keep the trains and monorails was very cool! We even got to go into the cab of one of the engines. At the end of the tour you get a special train tour pin. We all loved it!

-Michelle

 

[Eljay]

We just got back last week and we did the Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour in Magic Kingdom. It was very good and lasted over 4 hours. Everything you ever wanted to know about Walt and his trains will be answered in this tour! Going back to the roundhouse (which is actually not round) where they keep the trains and monorails was very cool! We even got to go into the cab of one of the engines. At the end of the tour you get a special train tour pin. We all loved it!

-Michelle

I must admit that I'm surprized that they can fill 4 hrs. with the train tour!
Sounds cool, I might just have to take it!

 

[Meriweather]

I'm going with a friend in early December and we are doing the "Hidden Treasures" tour in Epcot. We hope it's good...will let you know when we get back...anyone else take that tour?

Question: Is the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour the one where you go down in the utilitors(spelling?)?

We took the Hidden Treasures tour in Feb. Great fun!!
Ver interesting. We have not been disappointed with any of the tours we have taken. I think we have done 5 or 6 now.

 

[Love That Stitch]

Which one is the best? (considering we are Disney enthusiast and know alot about Disney)

 

[Love That Stitch]

We just got back last week and we did the Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour in Magic Kingdom. It was very good and lasted over 4 hours. Everything you ever wanted to know about Walt and his trains will be answered in this tour! Going back to the roundhouse (which is actually not round) where they keep the trains and monorails was very cool! We even got to go into the cab of one of the engines. At the end of the tour you get a special train tour pin. We all loved it!

I must admit... this tour sounds like the least appealing to me. No disrespect... but I dont' have much interest in Walt and the trains. However, I am interested in backstage area where they keep the monorails.

This is exactly why I am asking this question because you just never know what you might like.

If you have anymore info about the tour I would appreciate it.

 

[Lucky82061]

DW dragged me to take the Behind the scenes greenhouse tour at "living with the land" last trip. I protested loudly since I didn't really want to walk around for 1.5 hours looking at foliage Well to my surprise I ended up really enjoying it. It was really interesting seeing the different growing methods they use and how they manage pests without pesticide's and such... all in all a fairly interesting tour.

I have also done the key's to the kingdom tour which is absolutely great... planning on doing backstage magic on this next trip

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would really like to hear more about the AK backstage one, could we please have a synopsis?

I took the Backstage Safari at AK in November, 2005. That one and Wild By Design were only offered on certain days, and Backstage Safari lined up with when I could do one. We met at around 8:15, outside the gates, then went through the gates together. We all got little headsets so that we could hear our guide all the time. We rode little vans over to the animal houses, saw and petted a white rhino, then went to the food building, where they prepare the food for the animals. I thought that was so neat-it was so huge, so clean! And the vegetables I saw looked like such excellent quality. Mid-morning we took a break inside, got breakfast bars, water, potty stop, saw a little film, and visited with a lizard. After break we went to the Avian building. Now, that part of the tour (where you go then) seems to vary with the group's interests. I specifically asked to see that area because I'm a birder and was real interested. I heard another group that got to see veterinary work, because someone in the group expressed that interest. Last, we went on a tour of KS with our own jeep and not the "Big Red/Little Red" spiel, but the guide pointed out not so well known things. At the end we filled out a form and got a pin. I loved it, but then I love AK, so I'm somewhat biased. Our tour guide was terrific-if someone asked a question he didn't know the answer to, he got right on his walkie-talkie and got the answer.

 

[Evil Genius]

We have also done Keys to the Kingdom and Undiscovered Future World. We enjoyed both. DH and I love Epcot, so Undiscovered Future World was our favorite. Be advised though that while you get lunch on Keys, there is not a lunch stop on Future World.