What is everyones favorite tour and why?

[BostonDisneyKid]

I was just wondering what everyone's favorite tours were and why. I was going to do a poll for this but figured the "why" is probably more important than the answer so I opted to go this route instead. I look forward to your responses as I am trying to decide which ones to reserve during my next trip home. Segway [Epcot] and Illuminations Cruise are tops on my list currently.

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon what you like - gardens - there are many garden tours - BC offers one for free - it is very good.

Epcot also offers a garden tour of the WS again excellent

Epcot also offers an architecture tour of WS - I haven't done this but I have heard it is good.

If you just want to learn about the MK - Keys to the Kingdom is good.

what do you want to get out of it?

 

[pod2314]

Last summer DS and I did the Aqua Tour (which is a snorkel tour inside tank) at the Living Seas pavilion at Epcot. They give you a backstage tour of the pavilion, supply the equipment (wetsuit, mask fins, etc.) and give you 20 to 30 minutes in the water. We actually become part of the attraction because everyone trying to see the fish sees us.

They also have the Sea Quest Tour. This is for certified divers (which prompted my DS to get his open water certification), and is a 1 tank dive. Again they supply everything. We have already made reservations to take this one in December.

 

[WDWLVR]

We try and do a new tour every year. This year we did the Segway and loved it! It was great fun learning how to ride the Segway and then getting to go into World Showcase when no one else was there was an added bonus. They really take you around to World Showcase and I saw things I had never seen before! Love the DVC discount we got on it too!

We hope to do the Aqua tour the next time we go - that sounds great!

 

[Kelly&John]

My vote is for the Segway Tour. We had a great time zooming around World Showcase before it opened to the public.

Great fun!!

 

[Patty3]

I tried to get ressies for the Segway Tour but they were totally booked. I am glad that you enjoyed this tour. How far out did you make these ressies?

 

[Deep-Thots]

During our honeymoon just a few weeks ago (!), we did the following tours: Keys to the Kingdom; Aqua Tour; Backstage Animal safari.

The Keys to the Kingdom tour was about what we expected: good, but not outstanding.

The Aqua Tour was our favorite, by far. Although it is a "non-touch" tour, meaning that you can't touch the fish, they certainly can touch you. It was absolutely thrilling to have these huge grouper swimming by you and through you and around you. And the little kids in the observation area were thrilled when you waved to them. As a result of going on this tour, we, too, are going to get our open water SCUBA certification.

The Backstage Animal Safari was great, too. My favorite part was petting a baby rhino in the rhino barn: Very cool! You also get a fast, fast, fast pass to get on the safari, along with your own private tour guide. So, I'd recommend this tour, too.

We're going to try to do the Segway tour and the Dolphin Tour (Disclaimer that appears on the forms: "Dolphin participation is voluntary.") next time.

 

[ceejay13]

We did Backstage Magic a couple of years ago and loved it. It is pricey and takes all day but we went behind the scenes at the American Adventure in Epcot. How cool to see the entire set as it moves. We also saw Body Wars from the back. We went to wardrobe and costumes at MGM and were given a piece of Cinderella's dress. As with the Keys to the Kingdom they take you backstage at the MK to the utilidoors. It was a wonderful day for a couple of Disney fans like us.

 

[lsutigger2]

We did "Wild by Design" at AK. We loved it. It gives you a whole new appreciation of the park. As our wonderful guide Paul kept saying, "You've got to quit running from one attraction to the next." Really cool!

We, at least DH, are very interested in the Segway tour. When can you book? Cost?

 

[Patabel]

If anyone in your group is into trains, then I highly recommend the Railroad Tour at the MK. My DH really, really loves trains, and we took the tour. As a train buff, he just loved it. And me, as someone who "tolerates" trains because of my DH, I just loved it, too! It takes place before the MK opens, ending with with train pulling into the Main Street Station as the park opens. It really is fun.

 

[WDWLVR]

Here is a link to Deb Wills site that has info on the tour. Segway Tour

For the Segway tour book as early as you can. They only do one tour a day for 10 people.

As for other tours - we've done the Stream Train Tour and Dolphins in Depth. Loved them both!

 

[JimFitz]

A friend told me that there is a tour at WDW, that takes you behind the scenes of everything and that there are tunnels underground where trucks pull equipment in and everything.

Anyone heard of this tour?



Jim

 

[JimC]

We have done Backstage Magic and it was fabulous. It is all day, includes lunch, fabulous insights, and a few surprises along the way.

I don't know if this is considered a tour, but sunrise and sunset safaris, available to AKL concierge guests, get consistently high reviews. We are doing the sunrise safari in August.

There is also one for the steam trains that enthusiasts say is very enjoyable -- Magic Behind the Steam Trains.

We also did Walk in Walt's Footsteps at DL, which is the only theme park Walt actually did walk in!

 

[Cobra B.]

We did the Keys tp the Kingdom before. Just remember what happens in the Utilidor stays in the Utilidor. I am scarred for life. It is something I always wanted to do and now wish I never did. I am a purist. Just keep an open mind. You are backstage!

 

[MDonley]

JimFitz, You heard correctly. We took the behind the scenes tour back in the '90s. I believe that they no longer offer it though. We started out at EPCOT and saw some behind the scenes stuff there, including behind the Living Seas and the quarrantine tanks and explanations of how things are hidden with landscaping. Then we were bussed over to MGM for stuff over there, including an excellent lunch, coloring our own movie cell, and the costume shop (we even got fabric samples that are used for costumes). Finally, over to MK where we saw where the parade floats are kept, much much more, a tour of the utilidor ended as we conveniently popped up for the 3pm parade in an area reserved exclusively for us. It was the best 6-7 hours we ever spent on a tour.

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by MDonley
JimFitz, You heard correctly. We took the behind the scenes tour back in the '90s. I believe that they no longer offer it though. We started out at EPCOT and saw some behind the scenes stuff there, including behind the Living Seas and the quarrantine tanks and explanations of how things are hidden with landscaping. Then we were bussed over to MGM for stuff over there, including an excellent lunch, coloring our own movie cell, and the costume shop (we even got fabric samples that are used for costumes). Finally, over to MK where we saw where the parade floats are kept, much much more, a tour of the utilidor ended as we conveniently popped up for the 3pm parade in an area reserved exclusively for us. It was the best 6-7 hours we ever spent on a tour.

There are many behind the scenes tours. The two most commonly talked about are Keys to the Kingdom (half day at Magic Kingdom only and it goes to the utilidors) and Backstage Magic (full day at MK, Epcot and MGM and it also includes the utilidors at MK). MK is the only park to have utilidors.