Behind the Scenes Tours

[jajt6106]

We are going in another month or so and as frequent visitors we always try to do something new on each trip. This time I am considering a tour but our children are 15 and 12. From what I can find online, the only tour they seem to qualify for age-wise are the Family Magic Tour, Mickey's Magical Milestones Tour, or the Yuletide Fantasy Tour. I was going to do the Wild By Design tour at Animal Kingdom but it says 14 is the age limit...does Disney ever bend a bit on that...my daughter is mature enough to go and would enjoy it a lot.

I'm seeking advice from anyone who has any suggestions or has taken these as to how kids the ages of mine might enjoy any of these. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rob562]

Disney is very strict about the age limits on the tours. They check IDs. So unfortunately your children won't be able to go on the backstage tours.

I think the age minimum for the Steam Trains tour is younger than 16, but I know it's not 12, so unfortunately that excludes your younger child.

-Rob

 

[jajt6106]

Thanks for the info. I don't know how they would check an ID for her though...she doesn't have anything other than a SS card. They don't have school ID's until high school.

Guess I'll have to look for something else new to try and do. Thanks again for the info!

 

[lilclerk]

Thanks for the info. I don't know how they would check an ID for her though...she doesn't have anything other than a SS card. They don't have school ID's until high school.

Exactly, most 16 year olds will have a high school student ID or a license.

 

[H20Babie]

You still have some options ...

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From Allears.net[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mickey's Magical Milestones is a new two-hour tour in the Magic Kingdom. Tour-goers age 10 and up visit attractions and special locations that retrace Mickey Mouse's fabled career. The tour, which costs $25 per person, is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m., starting at the Guided Tour Garden adjacent to City Hall (just inside the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance). There is a 15 percent discount available for DVC Members and Annual Passholders. Arrive at least 15 minutes before tour start time (theme park admission is NOT included in tour price). For more information and reservations call 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687).[/FONT]​

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Behind the Seeds. Take a one-hour walking tour of the LAND greenhouses and labs. Tour greenhouses to discover over 60 crops from around the world, and see some of the latest techniques used to grow and improve plants. Watch as beneficial insects used at The Land battle pests that can destroy our food supply. Venture through the fish farm to see thousands of fish and alligators, too! Bring your cameras, and have fun! [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tours are led by a member of the Epcot Science Team. Flash photography and videotaping are allowed. Children are welcome, but must be supervised; strollers are provided for small children. Wheelchair accessible (guests in electrical wheelchairs need to transfer to push type). Safety and sanitation rules are strictly enforced in the greenhouses and labs. Covered, non-alcoholic drinks are allowed during the tour. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$14/per adult and $10/per child (3-9). Reservations can be made up to one year in advance. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Same day tour sign-up downstairs at The Land pavilion, near the entrance to Soarin'.[/FONT]​

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Epcot Seas Aqua Tour, is now available to persons aged 8 and above. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adults.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Program is offered daily at 12:30pm. The 2.5 hour experience includes 30 minutes in the Living Seas aquarium. The $115 includes all your gear, a T-Shirt and group photo. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Park admission is NOT required. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bring a bathing suit! You will be given a wetsuit to wear. No special certification required. I've done this tour personally and it was the best money I ever spent![/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains, a Magic Kingdom park tour, explores Walt Disney's passion for steam trains, while giving Guests the opportunity to join the opening crew as they prepare for the daily railroad operation at the MAGIC KINGDOM. This tour also offers the rare opportunity to visit our backstage "roundhouse". The tour highlight is the train trip back to the roundhouse with an up-close and personal look at one or more of our locomotives, but the experience is also rich in history about Walt Disney's lifelong fascination with steam trains, how we acquired our four old locomotives, and the operating procedures we follow to serve our annual ridership of over 3 million. You will received an exclusive pin, designed by one of the engineers, at the end of the tour.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays at the MK turnstiles at 7:30 am and ends approximately 10:30 am. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The cost is $40 plus tax and theme park admission is required. Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate. [/FONT]


BTW, I also got an AAA discount on my last three tours, so ask if you book one!​

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Cancel what I said about Yuletide...you need to be 16 to go.

 

[wdwmagic]

Check out http://www.wdwmagic.com/tours.htm for all the info and reviews.

 

[Courtman]

Does anyone know if Gardens of the World tours are still done at Epcot? It looks like a good tour for my in-laws who we are taking for their first Disney trip in January, but can't find anything about it on the WDW website. We've already got them booked on the Behind the Seeds tour!

 

[H20Babie]

Courtman, unfortunately Gardens of the World was discontinued on June 9, 2007. As an alternative, my parents (in their mid to late 50's) did the Undicovered Future World tour and loved it. My mom is really into costumes and such, and during one part of the tour they were shown the place where the cast member costumes are held. She said it really was unbelievable. Apparently, everyone also gets an Undiscovered Future World pin and VIP seating for Illuminations the night of the tour.