Tours

[Terk-1]

Was thinking of maybe doing a tour on this upcoming trip, but was wondering which one to do. This will be a solo trip. Which one is the best & why? Which one did you do and were disappointed with? Has anyone done the Undiscovered Future World one? How was it? Do they still offer the guest services seating in the VIP area for Illuminations?

 

[hauntedmansion]

Lat year we did the Keys to the Kingdom tou in MK. It was amazing, we called ahead to reserve it was 4 1/2 -5 hours with lunch included at the Columbia Harbor house. It told us secrets of Walt Disney world, behind the scenes and a tour of the utilidor(underground tunnel system) and we rode the Jungle cruise,pirates,haunted mansion I think that was it. We would do it again.

 

[aubriee]

I went solo this past may and did three tours (KTTK, Around the World on a Segway, and Backstage Safari).

KTTK was the most informative of the tours. We had a really great guide (Cory). There was a young girl on the tour celebrating her 16th birthday that day (finally old enough to take the tour and was so excited) who was a Disney Trivia fanatic. Cory had the barbership quartet sing Happy Birthday to her. She and Cory were constantly trying to stump each other and teaching the rest of us in the progress. We only got to ride Pirates of the Carribean and Haunted mansion, but Cory told us alot of stuff about the other rides. I've heard that with some guides you don't get to see that much of the utilidors, but Cory didn't rush us and took us all over down there. We saw quite a few characters half dressed, including the group of Pooh characters that were getting ready to go up to the CP. Cory did make a comment that the first tour of the day was always his favorite because it nearly always has fewer people in it, so he can have more interaction with everyone. He really loved his job and it showed. He also showed us alot of hidden Mickeys.

The Segway tour was ALOT of fun. There is only about 10 people in each tour. You spend an hour learning to ride it and then the second hour going around World Showcase. In Italy you get a break and can either get off the Segway or can ride around on your own. The guide told us a few interesting facts about each country, but the tour is mainly about riding the Segway. The Segway is not that hard to ride and we all were comfortable within about 45 minutes, so got to spend a little extra time in World Showcase.

Backstage Safari was just OK. I would not repeat it. We did get to pet a white Rhino (named Harley, because he was born during Harley Davidson week) and also a spiny lizard. We also got a personal tour on Kilamanjo Safari without the Big Red/Little Red spiel and the driver stopped a couple of times (or at least slowed to an almost stop) so we could get alot of pictures.

Again I was solo for that trip and surprisingly never felt out of place. In fact on all three tours there was at least one solo.

 

[Terk-1]

I've never done one and thought it would be fun to do one this trip. I keep leaning towards either the Segway one, as it seems like a blast to do or the Undiscovered Future World one. Will a cm take a picture of you on the Segway? Can you take pictures during the UFW one? How far in advance can you book these?

 

[aubriee]

I believe you can book any tour a year in advance. I know it's more than 90 days, because I booked all of mine 4 1/2-5 months out. I'm afraid I don't know anything about the Undiscovered Future World Tour. With the Segway tour you are not allowed to take any pictures while you're on the Segway, however once you get to Italy the CMs take several pictures of each person if you want them to. I got two of me on the Segway with the lake and Spaceship Earth in the background and another one with me beside alot of flowers and some of Italy's buildings in the background. With the other two tours I was on, both CMs made the same spiel almost word for word that we were welcome to take any pictures while on stage, but was not allowed to take any backstage and anyone who attempted to do so would be asked to leave the tour, so I think it's probably pretty well standard for all the tours. By the way, if you have an AP or AAA you get a discount for any of the tours.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You also get a 20% discount if you use your Disney Visa card.

Loved the KTTK tour. We're doing the Aqua Seas tour in October.

Bobbi

 

[Terk-1]

The more I read about the Segway tour, the more fun it sounds.

 

[MonkeyPants]

hmm I am down in Oct with my sister who will be in conference all day for most of the days we are there..may have to look into a tour