WDW Tours

[youngdizluva18]

Has anyone been on any of the tours at WDW? If you have, how were they?

 

[snowglobe girl]

I did the Dolphins in Depth at EPCOT and Keys to the Kingdom at MK. Both tours were great and well worth the money. I'll probably do Dolphins again sometime. While you learn a lot of neat info on KTTK, it was worth the money just to get to go in the Utilidors.

 

[Tinkaroo]

DH and I did the KTTK tour last Sunday, and DH did the DiveQuest tour last Monday. KTTK was some of the best $$ we ever spent - so intriguing, and our tour CM, Jonathan, was just great!!!! DH enjoyed DiveQuest, but was bummed that the sharks are not currently in the tank, as they are treating the water with copper, and apparently they don't tolerate it well. He plans to do it again on our next trip to get his shark fix.

Also, if you have a Disney Visa, or an AP, you can get discounts. 20% off with the Visa, or 15% with the AP.

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

There is plenty of info, including several reviews, over on AllEarsNet.

Here's what I've gotten to go on:

Yuletide Fantasy - A great way to learn the stories behind the World's Christmas decorations. Every beautiful piece of decor has it's own story and reason for being. It's a great experience, and had the most enthusiastic guides I've ever seen.

The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains - My companions were not exactly enthralled, but did enjoy it. I've always loved trains and really appreciated this look at all the work that goes into one of the least appreciated attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

Undiscovered Future World - An informative look at how Epcot came to be. I loved seeing the huge costuming area and Pride Hall as well as the former play area for Journey Into Imagination. Seeing an animatronic dino was very cool, as was seeing the control room for Mission: Space (and even getting to flip faux switches.) Probably best for an Epcot lover, but should be interesting enough for all.

Keys to the Kingdom - An in depth look at the best park around. Learn the methods behind the magic. See the parade storage area, the backside of water at Splash Mountain, ride a couple of rides with a commentary track from your guide, even see the famous utilidor. This is my favorite tour, but the next one is close.

Backstage Magic - The grand prize of backstage tours. This 7 hour tour takes you through Epcot, MGM, and the MK. Go backstage at the American Adventure, Epcot's costuming storage and distribution building, MGM's costume construction building, MK's Holiday Services & Central Shops. There is so much to see on this one. It's expensive, but well worth it. See a great review here. My only complaint is that it was pretty long, but then that's also the best thing about it! I rate it # 2 only because Keys focuses solely on my favorite park and is a better length. But this is the most comprehensive tour and definitely one worth doing if you get the chance.

All of my tour guides were very courteous and knowledgable. I can't get enough of these tours, and can't recommend them enough. They all require a fair amout of walking, please wear comfortable shoes! My only real concern is that I wouldn't suggest them to a first time visitor. At least wait until the the tail end of the trip. I think one component to Disney being so magical is that they go to extremes to surround you in the story and hide all the backstage. To see the reality so early into one's Disney experience might reduce the magic for someone. Making it feel more like all the average theme parks out there. But for those who know how magical Disney truly is, a backstage tour should only increase your appreciation for the hard working Cast Members and detail oriented Imagineers who make it all happen.

 

[jimmiej]

We've done KTTK & Around The World On A Segway. Both were great fun, but the Segway tour is the best thing we've ever experienced at WDW. Hoping to do it again next trip. See pic below.

 

[helenk]

My mother and I did the Kings to the Kingdom tour in MK and the backstage Safari tour in AK.
Both were great and very informative.