What tour?

[ClemmyIndyBambi]

Every year my mom and me say we are going to do a tour, and every year we don't. Last year I was determined to make "Behind the Seeds" happen, and alas it did not. So, now we are going in December (which was a surprise because my work wasn't going to allow it, but then it ended up allowing it!!!) and I'm wanting to make this a trip of "new experiences". I'm trying to decide what tour we should do. What tours have others done? What tours would you recommend, and then what would you stay away from?

 

[KeroKero]

I took my mom on the Keys to the Kingdom tour last year and we both really enjoyed it. The tour guide was very knowldgeable, we learned a few things we didn't know before and going behind the scenes at MK was a real treat.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I've taken 12 different tours, several multiple times. All have been excellent, well worth the time and money spent.

For first time tour goers, I suggest taking a tour in their favorite park...MAgic Kingdom, Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Do you and your mom have a favorite park?

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Our absolute favorite tour was Segway in Epcot at 0730 am! But alas, they no longer do that :-(
Our second favorite was KTTK tour. Very informative, great guide, perfect pace.
Each time we go we do something special. This year we're doing an IllumiNations cruise. (I know, not really a tour)
Have fun! I don't think there are any bad choices!

 

[Micca]

We've done two: KTTK, and Marceline To Magic Kingdom, both were spellbinding. KTTK is more elaborate, takes longer, more expensive. MTMK is only about 2.5 hours, but much more economical. If you're fully commited to spending a big chunk of the day on a tour KTTK is the one. MTMK is more like dipping your toe in the water.

 

[loves to dive]

I've done KTTK with my son, we really enjoyed it, back when we did it you rode Pirates, HM and another ride I can't remember. We also did a tour that went to MK, Epcot and HS, you rode a few rides in each park did a bunch of behind the scene stuff and had lunch at WL. They no longer have it, now they have a behind the scenes that goes to all three parks but you don't ride any rides and they have the ultimate thrill ride one, this was sort f a combination of the two. We did behind the seeds last year, enjoyed it, it's not expensive and doesn't take long, it was on a whim we were walking by and just decided to do it. We been diving in the living seas a couple of times, both my son and I are certified divers. We also did the Waynama (sp?) safari that only people who are staying at AKL can do. It was some drinks and snacks then a tour of the hotel savannah then a family style 5 course meal. We really enjoyed that one but my son was just out of the Navy and has severe nerve damage to his spinal cord so the 7 hour drive down added to the bumping of the truck kind of did him in.

 

[cobright]

No question, the train tour. Something for everyone ... as long as everyone l9ves class8c steam locomotives.

 

[kappyfamily]

I've done quite a few but keys to the kingdom and marceline to magic were my favorites! Have fun!

 

[Accident]

I would start with Keys to the Kingdom or Marceline to magic as your first ever tour. If your the type of family that seeing behind the scenes would take away from your love of WDW by knowing how some stuff happens then do marceline to magic instead of keys to the kingdom.

If your budget is higher the larger backstage tour is nice but longer (but a lot of bus between different areas of property so not on your feet the whole time).

BTW, good luck, we started to do a lot of firsts back in 2014 and now we live here. It was part of what made us want to move.

 

[soniam]

We are finally doing Behind the Seeds in December. We also decided to do Undiscovered Future World. We have never done this. It seems like a Keys to the Kingdom for Epcot, which is one of our favorite parks.

 

[DieHardJoe]

We think the KTTK tour is the best tour and the best value. If you decide to try it, go to the earliest time. You get in before the park opens and can walk around and get some great pictures down Main Street. We have also done the Segue tour at Ft Wilderness. While it did take us a bit to get the hang of the Segue (they give you about a half hour of instruction), once we got it down it was awesome and the price wasn't bad either. Don't know your age range, but when we did it a couple years ago, we were both nearing 60, so it's doable even for us older folks! Hope you have a great time.

 

[shh]

Thanks OP - great question. I'm trying to decide the same thing for one of our 2017 trips. If you love animals but also love MK, do you still think Keys to the Kingdom is the best bang for the buck for the first WDW tour vs an AK tour? (If you can only do one that trip.) I'm leaning towards it only because I could always do a behind the scenes tour at a zoo, Sea World, etc, but there's only one MK. But if someone was blown away by their AK tour, please share!

 

[ClemmyIndyBambi]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. We love Epcot and MK. I've never thought about Marceline to MK before, I'll check it out. I'm not sure if we want to lose a whole, day doing KTTK although we are debating dropping HS from our plans. It's never been a "must do" park for us and with all the construction I've heard about it seems even less appealing. So, that might be an alternative choice to the day I had HS planned. My mom is 53 and I'm 30. My mom does have trouble walking all day due to ankle injures in a car accident 20 years ago, but she should be fine for 3-5 hours.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We love Epcot and MK.

I've never thought about Marceline to MK before

I'm not sure if we want to lose a whole, day

My mom does have trouble walking all day

I'd recommend the Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom tour. It is an excellent tour, you guys will enjoy.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/marceline-to-magic-kingdom/

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-walt-disney-marceline-to-magic-kingdom-tour/

Don't forget the discounts if you qualify...DVC, AP and Disney Visa, all 15%

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. We love Epcot and MK. I've never thought about Marceline to MK before, I'll check it out. I'm not sure if we want to lose a whole, day doing KTTK although we are debating dropping HS from our plans. It's never been a "must do" park for us and with all the construction I've heard about it seems even less appealing. So, that might be an alternative choice to the day I had HS planned. My mom is 53 and I'm 30. My mom does have trouble walking all day due to ankle injures in a car accident 20 years ago, but she should be fine for 3-5 hours.

I would look in to World Showcase tour at Epcot. It's rather new. We really enjoyed it and you get a few hours of time to tour before WS opens, which is really wonderful. It's walking but not bad, nothing like the Backstage Magic tour was.

My 2nd favorite is at AK, Savor the Savanna. No walking to speak of for this tour at all.