Tours, Tours, Tours........

[Linda]

Hi Everyone,

We are getting close to the big event and it is times to get planning again J Many have expressed interest in the behind-the-scenes tours offered by WDW. We will try to put together a couple of different options for everyone based on interest. Please note there is an extra cost for the tours that I will have on a later date, the costs below are subject to change. Right now I listing some options below and would like some feedback as to who is interested in a tour, and which ones.

<b>Special Note: Tours are designed for Guests 16 years of age or older.</b>

GARDENS OF THE WORLD (3 hrs)
An in-depth study of selected Epcot, World Showcase gardens.
Cost: $59.00 per person. Theme Park admission is required. Must be 16 years of age or older.

INSIDE ANIMATION (2 1/2 hrs)
Discover the history of animation, and the beginnings of the Disney Studio. Then, try your hand at the art of cell painting.
Cost: $59.00 per person. Theme Park admission is not required nor included. Must be 16 years of age or older.

HIDDEN TREASURES OF WORLD SHOWCASE (3 hrs)
Learn about the history and culture of the Epcot’s World Showcase pavilions
Cost: $59.00 per person. Theme Park admission is required. 20 person minimum.

BACKSTAGE MAGIC (7 hrs)
Travel to the Magic Kingdom and explore the famous tunnel system beneath the Park. Plus, examine backstage technology at Epcot and take behind-the-scenes tours at selected attractions. Next, over to Disney-MGM Studios for a very special lunch and more behind the scenes tours.
Cost: $199.00 per person, includes lunch. Theme Park admission is not required nor included. Must be 16 years of age or older.

DISNEY'S YULETIDE FANTASY (3 hrs)
Experience the special magic of the holiday season! Disney's Yuletide Fantasy takes you on a festive 3-hour tour of holiday celebrations around the world.
Cost: $59.00 per person. Offered to Guests ages 12 and older. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Theme Park admission is not included nor required.


INNOVATIONS IN ACTION (3-4 hrs)
There is another Tour only offered to groups call Innovations in Action, I believe this is a 3 to 4 hour tour that features the tunnel system at the Magic Kingdom, the Tree Farm and nursery, and the Waste Water Treatment plant, we maybe able to customize this one and tour something backstage at Epcot instead of the waste water plant – still getting more information, I like this one as it is not all day long like the Backstage Magic tour but you still get to see the tunnels.

CHILDRENS PROGRAMS –PLEASE NOTE: The kids programs are very tentative and may require that several of us also volunteer as chaperones. I have always said that WDW is a very educational spot, for the convention we seem to have a mix of older teens and many 5-12 year olds attending.

Bird Studies
6th - 12th Grade -- Ornithology
Hands-on encounters with Florida native species on a bird-watching expedition in the wild. On a boat ride around Bay Lake, students discover the habits and habitats of wading birds, song birds, and birds of prey and learn about the challenges faced by endangered species.
3-hr Standard Study at Disney Wilderness Adventures Course at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

KidVenture
2nd - 4th Grade -- Wildlife Environments
Explore the wild side of the WDW. Students go bird-watching by boat, participate in marsh ecology activities, learn how to identify animals. They will also make a plaster cast of wild animal tracks, and get hands-on encounters.

3-hr Expanded Study at Disney Wilderness Adventures Course at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground


Ranch Encounter
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade -- Ranch Life
Experience a "day on the ranch" at Disney's Tri-Circle-D Ranch. A hay ride, a pony ride, a barn visit, and hands-on animal encounters highlight this wonder-filled interactive program.
3-hr Standard Study at Disney Wilderness Adventures Course at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground


Disney's Wild by Nature - New!
4th - 10th Grade -- Animal Behavior
Explore the fascinating and surprising world of animal behavior.

3-hr Expanded Study Course at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Synergy in Science
2nd - 8th Grade -- Science & Technology
Take an in-depth exploration of the interaction between creativity and technology. Study lasers, 3-D imaging, fiber optics, and flight simulators, discover the "magic" behind entertainment technology.
3-hr Standard Study Course at Epcot

Disney's Leadership Excellence:
The Inside Track - New!

11th - 12th Grade -- Business
Tomorrow's business leaders see how effective leadership produces innovation. Discover proven management strategies employed within the WDW company and help identify tactics that you can adapt to help promote your own personal and professional success.
3-hr Expanded Study Course at Epcot

Millennium Cultures
5th - 12th Grade -- Social Studies
Visit the culturally authentic pavilions of World Showcase for an interactive study of people and places from all over the world. Discover how cultural barriers and gateways have been created through technology, communication, and commerce. “Learn that while people are all different, all share similar needs and interest in the global community”
3-hr Expanded Study Course at Epcot

Backstage Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom®
11th - 12th Grade -- Conservation
Go behind the scenes at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Visit with scientists and animal-care staff to learn about animal care, nutrition, conservation, and behavioral studies.

3-hr Expanded Study Course at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Team Up for Wildlife
6th - 12th Grade -- Natural Sciences
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, learn to use the scientific method and problem-based learning to “develop an action plan for a real-life conservation dilemma. This hands-on program takes place backstage and inspires students to play a more active part in the preservation of wildlife and wild places.”
3-hr Expanded Study Course at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

 

[luvdsny]

Wow! I'll need to look these over and think about it.

Thanks Linda.

 

[RaySharpton]

Thank you, Linda.

And has anyone told you lately how much I appreciate all the hard work it must take to organize the DIS meet. I can't imagine. With 28,000 members, I can't imagine that many e-mails if everyone decided to make a request or a change from you. And double that if you had to respond to everyone.

These all look neat. I'm going to need some time to look over these, too. I wonder if there might be a less expensive MK tunnel tour if I already have an annual pass?

Sincerely, Ray

 

[lowellsdad]

Hi Ray,

You might consider the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at the MK. It takes around 5 hours,
includes lunch, and takes you through the Utilidoors (the tunnels under MK) as well.

Last I checked, it cost $58 per person.

Frank

 

[luvdsny]

Hey Hey Frank! That's the tour I want to do.....I doubt we'll have time this trip though.

I just can't imagine those tunnels...I want to see them for myself.

 

[RaySharpton]

Well, hello Frank, my friend.

Thank you so much for the information.

I really enjoyed meeting you Saturday at the Atlanta DIS meet.

Ray

 

[Linda]

The tunnels at the MK are on the top of my list also, I also think it is best to keep the tour to no longer then 3-4 hours as we all have a lot to squeeze in during the trip.. The costs above are from disney.com I'm not sure what the group rates would be for any of these yet.

thanks!

 

[Barb]

The Keys to the Kingdom and the utilidor tour is one I've wanted to do for a long time. I would be interested in doing that tour during the convention, if I can fit it in! Then, again, the Yuletide tour sounds good, too.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I like Innovations in Action and the Yuletide one.. decisions, decisions..

 

[Smee]

tunnels.......holidays.......tunnels.......holidays.......tunnels.......holidays..
Oh darn,.....I can't decide!!!!! Gotta think about this some.....

 

[Sandra B.]

I'd like the Keys to the Kingdom and the Yuletide tour!

 

[disneycub]

I'd like to do the Yuletide tour.....

 

[luvdsny]

The keys/tunnels tour sounds like fun....but 7 hours is waaaaaaay too long to NOT be DIS meeting. 3 hours sounds more reasonable...as posted above by Linda.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I did Backstage Magic last Dec, Keys to the Kingdom in Feb and Undiscovered Future World in MAy......all were great. I will probably do the Yuletide one this time. Remember, there are normally great discounts for AMEX, DC, DVC and AP holders.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Can anyone tell me about the DISNEY'S YULETIDE FANTASY tour? Where does it go, what do you see, is it a walking tour?

Do you think this wil be timed to end with the GF Tea?

So many questions, so many decisions! I definately want to do the Yuletide tour, Christmas at Disney! So many plans to make!

 

[luvdsny]

Okay, I feel the need to make a decision...teeheehee...and I think that since it will be the holiday season, I would like to tour the WDW decorations. I can do the MK tunnels during another trip.

 

[CarolA]

I want to do the Yuletide tour. Assuming I ever get registered! (Don't ask! I am trying to get Linda's award for most difficult!)

 

[Smee]

Okay, my niece and I would like to do the Yultide Tour as well.
Luvdsny's logic holds for me too, the tunnel tour IS available
at other times, but I may not be down there at Christmas
for another 5 years!