Tours

[UMqueen33]

Which tours would you suggest taking? I have heard that the Keys to the Kingdom is a good one. It will just be and my husband on this trip in December, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Sir William]

Which tours would you suggest taking? I have heard that the Keys to the Kingdom is a good one. It will just be and my husband on this trip in December, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

I did the Keys to the Kingdom in June and it was the highlight of my trip. Highly recommended. It's adult only and takes about 4 1/2 hours, with frequent stops to sit in the shade while the guide fills you in on what you're seeing. We learned quite a bit about the "secrets" of Main Street, the construction of the park, went into back lots twice, and toured the "underground". We also went on two rides where the "rest of the story" was explained. Lunch is included (we went to the Columbia House). I was sorry to see the tour end! But I gained a whole new perspective on Walt and his dreams.

Our guide told us that while the tours are all the same, each guide provides a slightly different perspective, so that you can take the same tour with another guide and learn even more new information.

 

[ludari]

I really enjoyed the Segway tour at Epcot. I enjoyed the Segway training and the World Showcase Tour that followed. However my absolute favorite tour was DiveQuest at The Living Seas Aquarium at Epcot but you have to be scuba certified for that tour.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What's your favorite park? Mine is Animal Kingdom and I've done and loved both Backstage Safari and Wild by Design (my years of Wild Africa Trek-type things are behind me). My experience is that if you pick your favorite park, and do a tour there, you'll love any tour you do there.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Last summer I booked the Premium Plan for my solo trip and took Keys to the Kingdom, Undiscovered Future World, Backstage Safari and BOTH Segway Tours. The only one I probably would not recommend is Undiscovered FW. Keys was great, primarily because of our guide "Robert". Even though I knew much of the backstage stuff, there were still several "A-HA" moments. I LOVED the Backstage Safari tour at AK. This was extra special because I was the only guest on the tour, so it instantly became sort of a VIP experience.

I've also taken the Backstage Magic tour, but that was on my first WDW visit in 1997. It was the highlight of that first trip, and I still remember most of it to this day.

 

[mrsclark]

DH and I have gone on the Backstage Magic, Segway at Epcot, UnDISCOVERed Future World, Behind the Seeds tour (twice), and Backstage Safari.

1. Backstage Magic - loved it - the sheer amount of work and organization that goes into running WDW is amazing. We made stops at DHS (behind ToT)to see up close and personal where costumes are made for characters (they were making beautiful holiday gowns for the princesses to wear during the Christmas parade while we were there), the backstage area of the show at the America pavilion at Epcot (really cool) lunch at WL, the we went to the gardening area where they make the parks topiaries (awesome). Then our favorite part - the buildings behind the MK where they repair and refurbish ride vehicles AND the laundry/costume area for the CMs costumes from all over th property - fromthe country-specific costumes for each country at Epcot to costumes for resort workers, etc. I know it sounds boring but you should see the organization it takes! Then we got to go to the "first floor" of MK. Highly recommend if you love Disney and/or like to know how things work.

2. Segway at Epcot - great - we took the earliest (in the day)tour available and it was wonderful to cruise around the closed world showcase and get detailed info on the pavilions from two very knowledgable tour guides. Again, highly recommended!

3. UnDISCOVERed Future World - I know the pp didn't care for it - DH and I loved it! The guide was tremendously knowledgable about all the detail work in Future World - things I didn't notice until he pointed them out but now look at every time. We got to see the sponsor lounge at The Seas - now "owned" by Disney because the pavilion doesn't have a sponsor. The area backstage where they clean and process all the 3-D glasses for every 3-D attraction at WDW. And lots of other good information walking around onstage. Highly recommended IF you are a Future World lover and/or really into design details!

4. Behind the Seeds tour- short (one hour?) tour of the greenhouses at Living with the Land. Great if you are into gardening or have an interest in either agriculture or aquaculture. We enjoyed it both the first and second times, but I think twice is enough for the foreseeable future!

5. Backstage Safari - when DH and I went we were the only 2 people on the tour so it was awesome. We went backstage holding areas for the elephants and giraffes, then (also backstage) to see the vet center and food prep areas. On stage we got some great information about the animals on exhibition the pathways leading up to the tree of life and pagani trail. We also got to take a safari ride with our guide and she spoke about the care of the animals in the safari and how animal feeding and watering areas where built into the safari landscape. Highly recommended for animal lovers!

Hope that helps!

 

[UMqueen33]

Of course the Backstage Magic tour is blacked out for the dates that I am there. Has anyone done any of the holiday tours (Holiday D-lights and Yuletide Fantasy). I love Christmas time at Disney and cannot wait!!

 

[mousekeKATE]

I've only done the Keys to the Kingdom Tour but I would highly recommend it! I toured with 3 of my friends (all huge Disney geeks) and we all learned lots of new info. It really changed my perspective on Magic Kingdom and especially Main St. Our guide Patrick was passionate, knowledgable, personable, and a fabulous storyteller. We used the Disney Visa discount and I think we all agreed it was the best "bang for our buck" out of our 2 week trip. I want to try the other tours but this experience set the bar REALLY high!

 

[TJDisneymama]

DH and I are doing the KTTK tour in 2 weeks! Its what im most excited about. !
I agree with PP that if you book withe DV, its a great deal. Basically $60/pp for a 5-hour tour and includes lunch!! Sounds to me like the best deal in all of WDW

 

[UMqueen33]

My husband and I booked the Keys to the Kingdom tour and we are going to book the Yuletide Fantasy tour, once Disney has it in the system. I cannot wait. December cannot get here soon enough!!

 

[Sagginit]

My husband and I booked the Keys to the Kingdom tour and we are going to book the Yuletide Fantasy tour, once Disney has it in the system. I cannot wait. December cannot get here soon enough!!

what is this yuletide fantasy tour you speak of? my mother loves christmas so we are going the week before thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. we are doing MVMCP but that sounds more interesting.

 

[BwoZoo22]

If you can swing it (it's a pricey tour if you go during the popular times/season), I highly recommend the Wild Africa Trek. Being so close to the animals, in their space, was amazing! The lunch was wonderful as well. If you are certified, DiveQuest (again pricey) is a once in a lifetime experience. Keys to the Kingdom is a must do (IMO) if you haven't done any of the tours before.
AKL and WL have some nice free tours as well, if you are interested in the lodges.
We will be doing the AK Wild By Design in November. Can't wait!

 

[mrsclark]

I posted earlier on this thread about other tours I have taken, but we got back from WDW last week and while there made a last minute decision to do the Wild Africa Trek. It was an amazing experience experience especially for me because I am a huge animal lover! Our two highlights: being harnessed in and going onto a "cliff" overlooking the male hippo enclosure. One of the hippo researchers came out and threw lettuce to the hippos while talking to us about them. The two hippos stood in the water below us holding their mouths open just waiting for their "treat." It was breathtaking. Our other favorite was sitting in the open air safari hut drinking Jungle juice and watching all the animals on the open plain. Tucked in alongside the hut is a long elevated pathway so you can walk back there and look at the rhinos and ostriches too. I could have sat there all afternoon in the shade with the breeze blowing just watching the animals.

The "famous" part of the tour where you are harnessed in and walk over a suspension bridge was fun and very memorable but not a ton of animals viewing while on the bridge so while we enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite part.

 

[Goofy'sPal]

I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour back in 2008. I loved it for the most part. If u have any questions send me a private message on here

 

[Dani C]

I've done Backstage Magic and Behind the Seeds so far.

Backstage Magic was ok, but it also felt too rushed. There were great things to see, but if you know a good deal about Disney World already, don't be surprised if you don't learn that much. Note: This is partially because there are many things that they can't disclose. However my tour guide was fabulous.

 

[cassie]

If you like dolphins there is a great tour at Epcot. You learn about the research they do on the dolphins. Not a SeaWorld adventure where the dolphins do tricks. When I did the tour, it included t-shirts and a video of the encounter with the dolphins.

I've also done backstage at AK twice, a couple years apart and both were a little different. Got to touch a rinho the last time. Very interesting to learn how the animals are cared for.

The KTTK is also wonderful.

 

[LindaBabe]

Did Yuletide fantasy a few years back. It was fun, and I still remember some of the things I learned. I think it enhanced my appreciation for what had previously been only "decorations".

 

[swcolleen]

We have the premium dining plus tours, etc for our trip in the spring. The names of the animal Kingdom tours is see are Disney’s Wild By Design Tour, Disney’s Backstage Safari Tour and Disney’s Wilderness Back Trail Adventure. I didn't see one called Animal kingdom Trek....is it one of the ones I listed? I am trying to decide which one we should do since I think we will only have time for one on our trip.

thanks!

 

[mrsclark]

We have the premium dining plus tours, etc for our trip in the spring. The names of the animal Kingdom tours is see are Disney’s Wild By Design Tour, Disney’s Backstage Safari Tour and Disney’s Wilderness Back Trail Adventure. I didn't see one called Animal kingdom Trek....is it one of the ones I listed? I am trying to decide which one we should do since I think we will only have time for one on our trip.

thanks!

I believe that the Platinum Plan does not include the Wild Africa Trek - if you want to do it, you would have to buy it separately outside of the Platinum Plan.

 

[katt789]

Keys to the Kingdom is fantastic!! I'd vote for it because it isnt super long, but is super informative & an awesome tour!! We did it last month & absolutlry loved it!