Backstage Magic Tour

[Tom]

In January, I'll be taking my wife on her 4th trip to WDW (my 20th). I've taken the Backstage Magic tour twice (with different people) and love it. I'm mechanically minded and work in technical theater - I love anything "backstage".

I've been reading crappy reviews on other sites, and search hasn't come up with the results I want on here, so I'm starting my own thread.

Has anyone taken BSM in the last, say, 6 months? The last time I took it, they were still going to Body Wars (yeah, that long ago).

I know it still goes to American Adventure, but is there anything else in Epcot?

I know it still goes to the Wardrobe Shop at DHS, but I also hear that it goes to ToT, but NOBODY elaborates on that stop. Going backstage would be worth the price of admission alone for me (I've ALWAYS wanted to see backstage there, since it opened). So, can anyone tell me details about this stop on the tour?

Also, it used to go to Central Shops and the Christmas Warehouse, but now I hear it goes to the Laundry Building instead of the Christmas Warehouse...but still goes to shops. Is this true?

And at the MK, it takes a very quick dip in the utilidors, and still goes to backstage west and the parade barn. Anything else?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

I hate to break this to ya, but the good version of Backstage Magic closed way back in January 1994. :lol:

 

[Tom]

I hate to break this to ya, but the good version of Backstage Magic closed way back in January 1994. :lol:

You are SO right! I saw that show/tour with my parents when I was a kid. I actually think it was the late 80s.

Back then they actually showcased Epcot's "DACS", but now it's almost as if it doesn't even exist. Everyone knows about MK's famous "tunnels", but nobody knows that this place exists. Such a shame.

What's that area look like now, in the age of tiny computers? Is it still a giant computer room like DACS at MK?

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

You are SO right! I saw that show/tour with my parents when I was a kid. I actually think it was the late 80s.

Back then they actually showcased Epcot's "DACS", but now it's almost as if it doesn't even exist. Everyone knows about MK's famous "tunnels", but nobody knows that this place exists. Such a shame.

What's that area look like now, in the age of tiny computers? Is it still a giant computer room like DACS at MK?

It's a mess, there's clutter all over, equipment, filing cabinets, Segways, etc. The windows are still there, blocked off, and the screens and model of EPCOT Center up above.

 

[Tom]

It's a mess, there's clutter all over, equipment, filing cabinets, Segways, etc. The windows are still there, blocked off, and the screens and model of EPCOT Center up above.

That "show" was in CommuniCore, right? East or West? We saw it one time, and it was late at night and I was tired and had a headache - but I was adamant about seeing it - even at that age. Then it was gone.

I thought it was AMAZING how that narrator lady was projected on the glass and looked like she was walking around on the computers. High tech then.

 

[jzimm]

We are booked for the Backstage tour in December, but I am also thinking of switching to the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I think I will like either tour, but my wife and brother-in-law might get bored with the length of Backstage. I have heard the tour of the laundry facility is a bit long.

I hope someone else who has been on it recently can respond

 

[Horizonstta]

I know it still goes to the Wardrobe Shop at DHS, but I also hear that it goes to ToT, but NOBODY elaborates on that stop.

It was a huge letdown for me. Basically, you go through a back entrance and see a ride vehicle that is set up as a prop. You get some basic information and leave about 5 minutes later.

Also, it used to go to Central Shops and the Christmas Warehouse, but now I hear it goes to the Laundry Building instead of the Christmas Warehouse...but still goes to shops. Is this true?

I've gone twice in the last 18 months and I have always visited Central Shops and Holiday Decorations. I've never been to the laundry building, but other locations I've been to include the waste disposal area and the tree farm, but not both on the same tour.

And at the MK, it takes a very quick dip in the utilidors, and still goes to backstage west and the parade barn. Anything else?

Neither one of my recent tours went to the parade barn. The utilidors visit is very short.

 

[Tom]

It was a huge letdown for me. Basically, you go through a back entrance and see a ride vehicle that is set up as a prop. You get some basic information and leave about 5 minutes later.

I've gone twice in the last 18 months and I have always visited Central Shops and Holiday Decorations. I've never been to the laundry building, but other locations I've been to include the waste disposal area and the tree farm, but not both on the same tour.

Neither one of my recent tours went to the parade barn. The utilidors visit is very short.

Thanks for the report. It sounds less than stellar these days. The ToT part is especially depressing.

So, if you don't head backstage west at the MK, what did you do beside head down to the tunnel for a few minutes?

 

[Horizonstta]

Thanks for the report. It sounds less than stellar these days. The ToT part is especially depressing.

I still think the tour is entertaining and informative. But it's certainly not as good as it was 10+ years ago.

So, if you don't head backstage west at the MK, what did you do beside head down to the tunnel for a few minutes?

Most of the time at the MK is spent walking down MSUSA, while learning about the park, and exploring a very small portion of the utilidors. I would say you spend 30 - 40 minutes in the ultidors and another 30 minutes on MSUSA, but I never timed it, so that's just a guess on my part. I wish they would add one or two backstage attraction segments to this part of the tour.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

That "show" was in CommuniCore, right? East or West? We saw it one time, and it was late at night and I was tired and had a headache - but I was adamant about seeing it - even at that age. Then it was gone.

I thought it was AMAZING how that narrator lady was projected on the glass and looked like she was walking around on the computers. High tech then.

East side. Computer Central is behind the back wall of what was previously the Fantastic Plastic Works, and soon to be Sum of All Thrills.

 

[Tom]

East side. Computer Central is behind the back wall of what was previously the Fantastic Plastic Works, and soon to be Sum of All Thrills.

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[WDW 3]

We are going mid November and are really excited regardless of the comments. We really wanted to do this tour and this trip everything fell in place for us. DD is now 16! Getting the free 5 day military ticket so we have a couple extra days and this tour does not require park admittance.
I found a 2009 review online http://distantcreations.com/insidet...p?t=8894&sid=1dff2f447500d359d2c4871c9361850e
Enjoy