Unique things to do at the parks?

[OP95]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to do something a bit different when going to the parks this time around and having been looking at the tour guides some offer. I was wondering if anyone has done the animal guides at animal kingdom or the underground tunnels at WDW? if so would you recommend them Or would you suggest other activities?


Thanks!

 

[Marthasor]

I have done Keys to the Kingdom and Wild Africa Trek and, yes, I would recommend both especially if you have visited MK and AK multiple times. They definitely give you a deeper understanding of the park (MK) and the savannah (AK). One word of warning, some of the "magic" may disappear after Keys of the Kingdom as the guides will reveal backstage areas during the tour - if you don't want some MK secrets peeled away, I would not recommend going on Keys to the Kingdom.

 

[OP95]

I have done Keys to the Kingdom and Wild Africa Trek and, yes, I would recommend both especially if you have visited MK and AK multiple times. They definitely give you a deeper understanding of the park (MK) and the savannah (AK). One word of warning, some of the "magic" may disappear after Keys of the Kingdom as the guides will reveal backstage areas during the tour - if you don't want some MK secrets peeled away, I would not recommend going on Keys to the Kingdom.

Thanks for the reply, the last part was one of my worries that I wouldn’t be able to look at WDW the same again haha but I’m quite interested in learning about BTS. Did the 5 hours feel quite long or do you think it was the right amount of time?

 

[revdon64]

Thanks for the reply, the last part was one of my worries that I wouldn’t be able to look at WDW the same again haha but I’m quite interested in learning about BTS. Did the 5 hours feel quite long or do you think it was the right amount of time?

My DW and I did Keys to the Kingdom in late June 2016. 5hrs was about right, but be aware that it's a lot of walking and (at least in June/July) it can be hot!

 

[CarolynFH]

Over the years, we have done quite a few of the backstage tours, including Keys to the Kingdom. We have enjoyed every one, and I find that rather than spoiling the magic it increases my appreciation for the creation of the magic.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Over the years, we have done quite a few of the backstage tours, including Keys to the Kingdom. We have enjoyed every one, and I find that rather than spoiling the magic it increases my appreciation for the creation of the magic.

I second this statement.

 

[Marthasor]

Thanks for the reply, the last part was one of my worries that I wouldn’t be able to look at WDW the same again haha but I’m quite interested in learning about BTS. Did the 5 hours feel quite long or do you think it was the right amount of time?

I think 5 hours was the right amount of time. You take a break for a QS lunch in the middle of it, so you do get to relax a little bit. The guide is also willing to answer questions (sometimes out of ear shot of little ones), so go prepared if you are curious about how certain things work in the parks.

 

[revdon64]

I think 5 hours was the right amount of time. You take a break for a QS lunch in the middle of it, so you do get to relax a little bit. The guide is also willing to answer questions (sometimes out of ear shot of little ones), so go prepared if you are curious about how certain things work in the parks.

Little ones? As I recall, most of the backstage tours are 16 and up. I mean, congrats if your teenager still believes in the magical stuff.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Little ones? As I recall, most of the backstage tours are 16 and up. I mean, congrats if your teenager still believes in the magical stuff.

I believe the OP was referring to questions Tour guests may have while onstage but being cautious of children present close to the tour guests. You’re correct that Keys to the Kingdom is for those 16 and up.

 

[Marthasor]

Little ones? As I recall, most of the backstage tours are 16 and up. I mean, congrats if your teenager still believes in the magical stuff.

Yes, little ones. Perhaps you've never been to MK? Just a tip - there are many small children there.

When I went, I had a question regarding Tinkerbell's flight while we were standing in the hub, near the castle. The tour guide said she would answer my question later when we were backstage and out of earshot of little ones - meaning the countless small children surrounding us in the hub in MK. She then answered it when we were backstage, near the spot where Tinkerbell lands - out of earshot of little ones. You've apparently never been on this tour, so have no knowledge of the tour and route. The tour takes place both onstage, surrounded by general guests, including little ones and backstage - any questions that might dissipate the magic for little ones will be answered backstage.

 

[loislane]

Something that isn't a tour that my daughter and I enjoyed in HS is the Disney historian activity you can do in the Walt Disney Presents experience/museum. You just let the cast member when you walk in know that you want to become a Disney historian and they will give you a pencil and a little quiz sheet. Then you explore the exhibits to find the answers. Give your completed sheet to the cast member at the end and you get a little certificate and get to sign your name in a special book.
NOTE - we did this in 2019 before COVID and I'm not sure if anything has changed since then. Luckily, it was a free activity and it doesn't cost anything to ask.

 

[_19disnA]

We did the backstage tour of the Land @ Epcot and really enjoyed that. Was reasonably priced and very interesting, I don't know if it is still offered. Several years ago we did a backstage tour that Disney no longer offers. I would imagine all adults realize there are backstage areas where things are prepared/organized and operated so we found that very interesting as well.

If money is no object, there are also those VERY pricey personal tours you can take.

 

[revdon64]

Yes, little ones. Perhaps you've never been to MK? Just a tip - there are many small children there. You've apparently never been on this tour, so have no knowledge of the tour and route.

You've apparently not read my first post in this thread where I said I did KttK with my wife in 2016. It's really not necessary to be rude - see the post just before yours in this very discussion.

 

[loves to dive]

Through the years we've done a number of them, including the Keys to the Kingdom and the Wild Africa Trek and the Behind the Seeds at the Land (have done that one multiple times). We enjoyed them all, I think I enjoyed Wild Africa Trek the most but that might be because I love AK. We also did the Wanyama Safari at AKL, at the time we did it you had to be a guest at the Lodge but afterwards it was open to everyone. I'm not sure if they have reopened it since the Trying Times but it is well worth the money if they have.

 

[OP95]

sound like for options, this is probably a stupid question ideation but what is the wild Africa trek like ? Is it literally a trek or Do you get to see any of the animals? I may have to do a AK one as it’s one of my favourites as well.

 

[genejr]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to do something a bit different when going to the parks this time around and having been looking at the tour guides some offer. I was wondering if anyone has done the animal guides at animal kingdom or the underground tunnels at WDW? if so would you recommend them Or would you suggest other activities?


Thanks!

Interested here too. We've been 3-4 times but haven't been since 2010 and going with the grown kids now. Excited for cooler, older kids stuff.

 

[chicagodisfan]

We love doing new unique things inside the parks. Two that we recently enjoyed are the Pirate Adventure Scavenger Hunt in Adventureland and the new Ducktales World Showcase Adventure in Epcot (replaced Agent P). My kids are 9, 13 and 16 and we all loved them (myself included)! The effects are really cool and fun! We really enjoy looking for Hidden Mickeys in the parks and resorts too. The Hidden Mickey book with the yellow cover is our favorite.

sound like for options, this is probably a stupid question ideation but what is the wild Africa trek like ? Is it literally a trek or Do you get to see any of the animals? I may have to do a AK one as it’s one of my favourites as well.

We did Wild Africa Trek last year. You go on a short hike on a trail backstage where you learn about Animal Kingdom and then go to the hippo pool for an enrichment activity (the hippos weren’t feeling it on our tour), you then get harnessed in and walk one at a time on a suspension bridge over the crocodile or hippo pool (they have a Photopass photographer that takes great pictures), there is another animal encounter or two and then they board you on a small open air truck to go on the Savannah. You get closer to the animals than on the safari ride and learn about AK’s conservation efforts. They then take you to a Boma (hut) on the Savannah where you have African appetizers made by the chefs at Tusker House while watching the animals. This was my favorite part! It’s incredibly peaceful and relaxing. They then take you back on the truck to the check in point. We enjoyed it but I would say it’s light on the actual “trekking.”

 

[Pyxie]

I think 5 hours was the right amount of time. You take a break for a QS lunch in the middle of it, so you do get to relax a little bit. The guide is also willing to answer questions (sometimes out of ear shot of little ones), so go prepared if you are curious about how certain things work in the parks.

I don't mind 5 hours of walking, but do you feel like if you did this tour on your only MK day, that it took too big of a chunk out of your day that you could have spent doing other things? This is my dilemma. I really want to do it, and this next trip would be the perfect opportunity because my kids won't be there, but I am concerned about losing so much ride and attraction time for a tour.