https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/backstage-magic/
My family of 4 (adults) did Keys To The Kingdom and enjoyed it. How does this compare!
My family of 4 (adults) did Keys To The Kingdom and enjoyed it. How does this compare!
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Backstage Magic tour - anybody done it?
- Thread starter ToyStorygirl
- Start date
kelknight84
Well-Known Member
I've only done the backstage magic tour. This was also probably 15 years ago. But it was really good. We started going behind magic kingdom and saw where they did ride and aa maintanence, the christmas warehouse, train and monorail shops, then behind main street into the utilidors, tour of the parade warehouse, then drove to epcot and saw the american adventure and body wars. Then off to hollywood studios to see costuming and lunch. Lots of spots gave us souvenirs. Gold leaf from the carosel horses and fabric from aurora's dress.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I've done them both, but, apparently they change it from time to time. It is much longer and much more detailed then Keys to the Kingdom. At the time we did some World Showcase including backstage in American Adventure, DHS and MK, but, not DAK. Maintanence facilities as mention before, but, I only remember the Parade storage on the KttK tour. We even toured the laundry facilities which I thought would be crashing bore, but, turned out to be quite interesting.
When I took them Behind the Magic was more expensive, longer and basically better then KttK. We were also brought up from the Utilidors to see the 3 O'clock parade which was held at... anyone, anyone, anyone? 3 O'clock. After that we could either go with them to check into the Magic Kingdom via your ticket to the park or go back to the starting point, the parking lot at (Epcot). KttK required park admission, BtM did not unless you decided to stay in Magic Kingdom at the end. That may have all changed since I did them. Hopefully someone that has done both recently will help out.
When I took them Behind the Magic was more expensive, longer and basically better then KttK. We were also brought up from the Utilidors to see the 3 O'clock parade which was held at... anyone, anyone, anyone? 3 O'clock. After that we could either go with them to check into the Magic Kingdom via your ticket to the park or go back to the starting point, the parking lot at (Epcot). KttK required park admission, BtM did not unless you decided to stay in Magic Kingdom at the end. That may have all changed since I did them. Hopefully someone that has done both recently will help out.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
When I did the tour a couple years ago it was backstage at American Adventure, backstage at DHS including the Tower of Terror maintenance bay, horticultural sevices areas behind AK, central shops and laundry facility backstage at MK, utilidors, and then watched the afternoon parade with commentary on some of the behind the scenes parade stuff.
I understand that more recently that have dropped the laundry facility and the tour now end at AK where you see the afternoon parade there.
I understand that more recently that have dropped the laundry facility and the tour now end at AK where you see the afternoon parade there.
Zummi Gummi
Pioneering the Universe Within!
This is pretty much what they do now.
The current itinerary begins at Epcot, where you head into World Showcase and watch American Adventure from below the stage. Then off to DHS where you go into the Tower Maintenance bay. Then it was on to MK to see central shops and the utilidoors. After that was lunch at Whispering Canyon. After lunch you went to the horticultural facility behind DAK, then watched them set up the afternoon parade. The final piece of the tour was watching the parade from onstage. On your way out, you're given a special pin then driven back to Epcot.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
The backstage magic tour is also fun if you enjoy meeting other Disney fans. The tour group is pretty small, you spend the day together and eat lunch together so you have time to get to know some of the other people on the tour if you wish.
WDW 3
Well-Known Member
We've done both tours. Loved Backstage Magic! Our tour was similar to Nick_A except MK & HS were switched. We did MK before lunch and then HS & AK after lunch. We aslo saw a costume shop at HS. We took the tour in November right around Veteran's day and the costume shop was busy with Christmas costumes. I booked the tour when it was 3 parks and they added AK the week we were there! What a great surprise!
Thanks for all your responses 
Bairstow
Well-Known Member
I did the Backstage Magic tour last September. Here's a quick rundown:
1. Bus tour of the perimeter road around the west side of EPCOT. Got an interesting look at the backsides of Mexico, Test Track, etc.
2. Disembarked to walk in front of the American Adventure for a bit be lectured on things like forced perspective, etc.
3. Went behind and into American Adventure to watch the machinery move the animatronic sets around during the morning shakedown show. This was one of the reasons I really wanted to do the tour, though it was almost too dark to see anything back there. Wish I had brought a flashlight.
4. Rode over to MGM while being lectured about the company's rocky history during the late '70s, early '80s.
5. Tour of the costume plant behind Midway Mania at MGM. Kind of interesting to see all the seamstresses and designers.
6. Over to the maintenance garage behind/under Tower of Terror to get a look at one of the ride vehicles being serviced.
7. Bus tour of the backside of Animal Kingdom, where the Avatar construction zone will be now, near the cell tower.
8. Walking through/among the Jammin' Jungle Parade floats in their huge hangar. Interesting to see just how worn out they all are.
9. Walking tour of the topiary gardens/botanical center. They were working on a bunch of stuff for Wine and Garden. Not terribly interesting, but we could take pictures here.
10. Lunch at Whispering Canyon. Kinda wish our fellow tour takers had been more interesting to talk to.
11. Brisk walking tour of Central Shops behind the Magic Kingdom. THIS was the highlight of the day. Saw lots of ride vehicles/animatronics being, built, repaired, and painted, especially for Jungle Cruise and the upcoming Mine Cars. Could have spent all day in there.
12. Quick peak into the Magic Kingdom near the Tomorrowland Terrace to view the tail end of the stage show at the castle and use the restrooms.
13. Down in the utilidoors. Saw very little of them, but it all seemed alike. Crossed underneath Main Street.
14. Popped out near City Hall and had a quick walking tour of Main Street, focusing on forced perspective and the 2nd floor windows, park philosophy in general. Turned around once we got to the hub.
15. Watched the Make a Dream Come True parade near the Fire Hall.
16. Back in the bus, dropped off in the Epcot parking lot.
Overall it was very cool, though I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but the most extreme Disney nerds.
I had heard a lot of the information through other sources over the years, and if it wasn't for all the cool stuff I was able to see in Central Shops I wouldn't have thought it was worth the money.
1. Bus tour of the perimeter road around the west side of EPCOT. Got an interesting look at the backsides of Mexico, Test Track, etc.
2. Disembarked to walk in front of the American Adventure for a bit be lectured on things like forced perspective, etc.
3. Went behind and into American Adventure to watch the machinery move the animatronic sets around during the morning shakedown show. This was one of the reasons I really wanted to do the tour, though it was almost too dark to see anything back there. Wish I had brought a flashlight.
4. Rode over to MGM while being lectured about the company's rocky history during the late '70s, early '80s.
5. Tour of the costume plant behind Midway Mania at MGM. Kind of interesting to see all the seamstresses and designers.
6. Over to the maintenance garage behind/under Tower of Terror to get a look at one of the ride vehicles being serviced.
7. Bus tour of the backside of Animal Kingdom, where the Avatar construction zone will be now, near the cell tower.
8. Walking through/among the Jammin' Jungle Parade floats in their huge hangar. Interesting to see just how worn out they all are.
9. Walking tour of the topiary gardens/botanical center. They were working on a bunch of stuff for Wine and Garden. Not terribly interesting, but we could take pictures here.
10. Lunch at Whispering Canyon. Kinda wish our fellow tour takers had been more interesting to talk to.
11. Brisk walking tour of Central Shops behind the Magic Kingdom. THIS was the highlight of the day. Saw lots of ride vehicles/animatronics being, built, repaired, and painted, especially for Jungle Cruise and the upcoming Mine Cars. Could have spent all day in there.
12. Quick peak into the Magic Kingdom near the Tomorrowland Terrace to view the tail end of the stage show at the castle and use the restrooms.
13. Down in the utilidoors. Saw very little of them, but it all seemed alike. Crossed underneath Main Street.
14. Popped out near City Hall and had a quick walking tour of Main Street, focusing on forced perspective and the 2nd floor windows, park philosophy in general. Turned around once we got to the hub.
15. Watched the Make a Dream Come True parade near the Fire Hall.
16. Back in the bus, dropped off in the Epcot parking lot.
Overall it was very cool, though I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but the most extreme Disney nerds.
I had heard a lot of the information through other sources over the years, and if it wasn't for all the cool stuff I was able to see in Central Shops I wouldn't have thought it was worth the money.
What a great rundown, thank you so much
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I took the tour a few years ago for the express purpose of seeing how the American Adventure worked. The week before someone had broken from the line climbed over the short wall and attempted to check out the units up close. So when we got there they were no longer doing the run through for the tour. Damn tourists.
I found the tour worth it though.
I found the tour worth it though.
midwest_mice
Well-Known Member
We've done both tours. It's been about 5 years since we did Backstage Magic. We had a not so great tour guide, she normally didn't do that tour but did that day. We spent over an hour in the florist shop and got only a sneak peak in Central Shops. We visited the Christmas warehouse as well. We ate at Mama Melrose at DHS.
I really enjoyed Keys to the Kingdom. We have done it 2 times now. It is really a great tour and a lot cheaper and does include lunch at Columbia Harbor House. If you take the later of the tours you get to see the afternoon parade line up
I really enjoyed Keys to the Kingdom. We have done it 2 times now. It is really a great tour and a lot cheaper and does include lunch at Columbia Harbor House. If you take the later of the tours you get to see the afternoon parade line up
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
That's true, but, you have to account for the fact that you have to use a park admission to get to it, so it really isn't that much less expensive in my opinion.
