Which backstage tour should I take?

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Thinking about taking another backstage tour whilst on my trip in February. I've already done Keys to the Kingdom last year, but which of the following would you recommend/choose and why?

- Backstage Magic
- UnDISCOVERed Future World
- DestiNations Discovered

Or another one?

 

[bookgirl]

Thinking about taking another backstage tour whilst on my trip in February. I've already done Keys to the Kingdom last year, but which of the following would you recommend/choose and why?

- Backstage Magic I haven't been on this one and it is not on my list. I think it's a rehash of other tours (including KttK) and has too little original content. The behind the scenes look at American Adventure is the only unique thing I see.

- UnDISCOVERed Future World I've done this one and it was very enjoyable. I thought you got a lot of good trivia and it had some unique places to visit like the eyewash station, where they disinfect the 3D glasses and the VIP lounge in The Living Seas. There are huge glass windows that look into the aquarium. While we were there the fish were right up in our window. Very cool.

- DestiNations Discovered This is on my list and it's the one I will probably do on a trip next year. (Dec trip is short and I'm already doing MVMCP and probably the Starlight Safari) This looks like a really good information/trivia tour which is what I really like.

Or another one?

I did the one that was the precursor to The Backstage Tails (AK behind the scenes and that one was awesome for the sheer fact that one of the Rhinos came right up with to the divider and her handler was there and we got to talk to him and watch him interact for like 15 minutes). But it might not appeal to someone who is not into animals, because it was a lot of animals and animal stuff. Not much Disney trivia.

I've done the Magic Behind the Steam Trains which was pretty cool even if you weren't a train enthusiast. Lots of talk about the mechanics, the background both with the actual trains and Walt's passion for them. Honestly the only thing about this that is a turnoff, you have to be at the park at 7am. Really freaking early and in the case of my trip in Feb. REALLY cold.

Notes above.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Notes above.

Thank you! Leaning towards the UnDISCOVERed Future World at the moment. Have a magical trip in December!

 

[DizMomAndWife]

We did Marceline to MK about 2 years ago and loved it. You go backstage at HM, that was a seller for us. Have fun!

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

We did Marceline to MK about 2 years ago and loved it. You go backstage at HM, that was a seller for us. Have fun!

That was another I have just been looking at. But had a couple of questions if you don't mind?
1) When you go backstage at HM, is it just a ride through with the guide & guide talking through the stretching room (like KTTK is)? Or is it actually backstage?
2) Is it primarily history based? And do you go backstage on any rides besides HM?

 

[DizMomAndWife]

That was another I have just been looking at. But had a couple of questions if you don't mind?
1) When you go backstage at HM, is it just a ride through with the guide & guide talking through the stretching room (like KTTK is)? Or is it actually backstage?
2) Is it primarily history based? And do you go backstage on any rides besides HM?

1) Backstage! We rode, wearing the ear pieces, while she talked. Then we walked around by the Rapunzel bathrooms and were led backstage. We went 'under' the ride to see how they do the ballroom scene. It was very cool.

2) Not so much history, but definitely Walt based. A lot about his life growing up, about his influence over certain rides/attractions, and his legacy. We also rode Winnie the Pooh and Carousel of Progress with the guide pointing things out along the way.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

1) Backstage! We rode, wearing the ear pieces, while she talked. Then we walked around by the Rapunzel bathrooms and were led backstage. We went 'under' the ride to see how they do the ballroom scene. It was very cool.

2) Not so much history, but definitely Walt based. A lot about his life growing up, about his influence over certain rides/attractions, and his legacy. We also rode Winnie the Pooh and Carousel of Progress with the guide pointing things out along the way.

That's it, i'm sold! Backstage at HM is a dream come true!!

Thanks for answering my questions

 

[bookgirl]

Thank you! Leaning towards the UnDISCOVERed Future World at the moment. Have a magical trip in December!

Thanks, it will be my first Christmas in the World and I'm really looking forward to it. So much so that I think I'm going to dump the Starlight Safari and do the Yuletide Fantasy tour instead. Around $100 3 hours backstage at Epcot and Magic Kingdom to look at the mechanics of decorating WDW and also up to Two resorts to see the mechanics of decorating them. Plus a special commemorative gift which I'm thinking may be an ornament. Cool!

Have fun on yours. The best thing is it's Disney so I really think there is no BAD choice in tours.

 

[bookgirl]

1) Backstage! We rode, wearing the ear pieces, while she talked. Then we walked around by the Rapunzel bathrooms and were led backstage. We went 'under' the ride to see how they do the ballroom scene. It was very cool.

2) Not so much history, but definitely Walt based. A lot about his life growing up, about his influence over certain rides/attractions, and his legacy. We also rode Winnie the Pooh and Carousel of Progress with the guide pointing things out along the way.

Cool This one was not even on my radar. Sounds like my kind of tour.

 

[ZoZo]

I may be in the minority, but I did NOT enjoy Backstage Magic at all. I found most of it pretty boring. (In comparison, I did love both KTTK and the old AK "safari " tours). Plus the cost of Backstage Magic was very high (around $200), not worth it at all IMO. And it eats up an entire day!

Can you tell I didn't like it? : )

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Thanks, it will be my first Christmas in the World and I'm really looking forward to it. So much so that I think I'm going to dump the Starlight Safari and do the Yuletide Fantasy tour instead. Around $100 3 hours backstage at Epcot and Magic Kingdom to look at the mechanics of decorating WDW and also up to Two resorts to see the mechanics of decorating them. Plus a special commemorative gift which I'm thinking may be an ornament. Cool!

Have fun on yours. The best thing is it's Disney so I really think there is no BAD choice in tours.

Yuletide Fantasy tour looks fantastic, definitely up my street, but unfortunately its not year round Otherwise, no doubt i'd be doing that one! Enjoy

 

[Micca]

MTMK is fantastic, especially if you love HM (and who doesn't?) When we did this tour we had no idea we'd get to experience HM the way we did. We've been going to WDW for 40 years and this was probably the coolest thing we've ever done. The rest of the tour was tons of fun too! Other upsides--it's more economical that some of the other tours, and it doesn't eat up the whole day. In my experience there aren't any bad tours but this one was a gem.

 

[sunny_stace]

Personally, I loved the Backstage Magic tour, but I did it a few years ago now so it may have changed since then. I will say too, that the guides we had were incredibly enthusiastic and fun, and probably added more fun and charm to the experience to the bones of the tour itself. It is longer (which I liked about but some may not) and some parts weren't crazy exciting, but I found it all fascinating and would love to do it again! I've also done the KTTK tour which I thought the Backstage Magic tour expanded on (repeated some spots but more in-depth.) Honestly, I would love to try all of the tours!

Enjoy your trip and I hope you love whichever tour you choose!

 

[SorcererKelly]

I would love to try Savor the Savanna. Anyone experienced that one?

 

[momtwoboys]

MTMK is fantastic, especially if you love HM (and who doesn't?) When we did this tour we had no idea we'd get to experience HM the way we did. We've been going to WDW for 40 years and this was probably the coolest thing we've ever done. The rest of the tour was tons of fun too! Other upsides--it's more economical that some of the other tours, and it doesn't eat up the whole day. In my experience there aren't any bad tours but this one was a gem.

We did this one in April and LOVED IT!!!! IT was so awesome and we were so glad we booked it!

 

[Micca]

We did this one in April and LOVED IT!!!! IT was so awesome and we were so glad we booked it!

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I have recommended this so much that WDW probably owes me a freebie When DW & I did this we nearly had our jaws dropping on the floor--we love HM so much and what we saw was mind blowing. I hope anyone who does this tour will feel the same.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Personally, I loved the Backstage Magic tour, but I did it a few years ago now so it may have changed since then. I will say too, that the guides we had were incredibly enthusiastic and fun, and probably added more fun and charm to the experience to the bones of the tour itself. It is longer (which I liked about but some may not) and some parts weren't crazy exciting, but I found it all fascinating and would love to do it again! I've also done the KTTK tour which I thought the Backstage Magic tour expanded on (repeated some spots but more in-depth.) Honestly, I would love to try all of the tours!

Enjoy your trip and I hope you love whichever tour you choose!

Thanks, would you say it is worth the price? That is the only thing that concerns me, it is very expensive, but if its worth it - i'd love to do it at some point! I would also love to try all of the tours at one stage!

Thank you, i'm sure I will!

 

[mindeola]

Wild Africa Trek is one of the coolest things I have ever done ! It was a top notch operation from start to finish. The meal on the boma was a highlight. We had a beautiful view of giraffes.

I am doing Marceline to Magic is November with my sister. I can't wait! HM is my favorite.

 

[snowybelle]

I would love to try Savor the Savanna. Anyone experienced that one?

Yes, I did this with my husband in January. Really loved it. We are both animal lovers (especially my husband) and so getting to talk to the cast members who work with the animals was awesome. Our guides were so friendly and there were only 5 of us on the tour. Things to be aware of: the meal, while tasty, is small. (Enough for me, but not for DH.) And it's not really "backstage" -- it's more like an extended safari plus a meal on the Savanna. I honestly LOVED it, but if you are looking for "backstage" or a big meal, this isn't that.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Wild Africa Trek is one of the coolest things I have ever done ! It was a top notch operation from start to finish. The meal on the boma was a highlight. We had a beautiful view of giraffes.

I am doing Marceline to Magic is November with my sister. I can't wait! HM is my favorite.

Wild Africa Trek is definitely on my list of tours to do, I actually watched a vlog from it yesterday! Think I am going to save that for a family trip rather than the solo trip i'm going on in February though.