Keys to the Kingdom tour question

[yoda_5729]

Hi, we've been to Disney World several times and we were thinking about trying to do this tour for the first time so we can say we've been in the tunnels, as everyone always seems to ask us.

My father has health issues, and in the parks needs a wheelchair, is it possible for him to go on the tour or not? From what I understand it involves a lot of walking, but I would think there would be someway someone disabled could go on the tour as well. He can get up out of the wheelchair and transfer to other things like ride vehicles, he just can't take the long walk.

Also, does anyone know if there is any discount for DVC members? Thanks in advance.

 

[nepalostparks]

All very good questions, but I'm afraid I don't have the answers! I did a quick search around, but didn't seem to find anything helpful for your situation. Hopefully someone else can give you some details.

I will say having taken the tour, that yes, you do a considerable amount of walking, almost all outdoors. Lunch was served on the second floor of the Columbia Harbor House, and to access the utilidors, we used two different flights of stairs along the back of the shops on either side of Main Street.

Other than at those two points, I don't recall there being any issues that would prevent someone in a wheelchair from being able to do the tour. Depending on what rides they take you on (we did Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion on our tour), transfers out of the wheel chair may be necessary in those cases.

Here's hoping someone has an answer for you!

 

[yensid67]

I would most certainly think that Disney would make accommodations for your father and a wheelchair on the Keys tour, after all it is money for them! As for the utildors and stairs, from being a Cast Member in the Kingdom, I know there are elevators that lead to and from the utilidors...granted a few modifications might have to be made in order to access the elevator but only moving what stairway the group takes down that is near or next the an elevator! If you Father would have a problem with a ride vehicle, just be aware that he knows that he may have to skip this portion, but again I would say Disney would make every effort possible to accommodate his wheelchair!
I would suggest you call WDW and ask ahead of time before your trip so you would know for sure! 407-939-7675 is the number you should call for assistance, just explain you situation and if they are unable to answer you question they can direct you to the right area for more information and hopefully the right answer

Hope you have a wonderful time & hope you find the answers to your question. Once you find out the answer, could you please post it AND send it to me at the address below so I can pass it on to others!? Thanks!

 

[harryk]

Yes - they make provisions for wheelchair guests.
I have taken that tour and there were wheelchair guests and they went everywhere walking guests went. So I would say -- no problem.

 

[Cendure]

Can't help you with the discount part of your question, but your father can certainly do this tour in a wheelchair. We were there last December and my daughter had a cast on and was using a scooter to get around the parks. We took the tour with no problem. The CM member made sure she was at the front so that she could see everything. Lunch was at Columbia Harbour House and she even took the elevator up to the second floor where lunch was being served because stairs were a problem with her cast on. We didn't even know the restaurant had an elevator until then. So no worries about the Keys to the Kingdom tour.

 

[Eyekimore]

I'm fairly certain there is a DVC discount on all tours. There are also AP discounts, too......

 

[wdwmagic]

I'm fairly certain there is a DVC discount on all tours. There are also AP discounts, too......

The AP discounts for the tours are at http://www.wdwmagic.com/Other/Annual-Pass.htm

 

[Brian]

Hi, we've been to Disney World several times and we were thinking about trying to do this tour for the first time so we can say we've been in the tunnels, as everyone always seems to ask us.

My father has health issues, and in the parks needs a wheelchair, is it possible for him to go on the tour or not? From what I understand it involves a lot of walking, but I would think there would be someway someone disabled could go on the tour as well. He can get up out of the wheelchair and transfer to other things like ride vehicles, he just can't take the long walk.

Also, does anyone know if there is any discount for DVC members? Thanks in advance.

I'd imagine there is an DVC discount. 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687) is the line for information about tours and to make reservations for them. They will be able to tell you for sure. When I did it, I used my Disney Visa to make reservations so I got a %20 discount.

As for wheelchairs, as long as he can transfer for the rides, he should be fine. The Columbia Harbour house lunch takes place on the second floor, but I don't remember how the gentleman in the wheelchair in our group got there. They may have an elevator, I was just so happy to be able to eat finally!

It's a long tour and takes alot of you, but it's very fun, and informative.

I will say having taken the tour, that yes, you do a considerable amount of walking, almost all outdoors. Lunch was served on the second floor of the Columbia Harbor House, and to access the utilidors, we used two different flights of stairs along the back of the shops on either side of Main Street.

In the Utilidors, both entrances they used on my tour (and probably all entrances in the Magic Kingdom) have stairs as well as elevators. The gentleman in the wheelchair in my group used the elevator to get down, and later to get back up.

 

[DisneyGator]

I have been on the tour twice (it was so good that I went back and did it again), both times with a good friend who is in a scooter. She had no trouble at all during any part of the tour. As others have mentioned, you do have to transfer onto a couple of rides, but it was otherwise great! And yes, there is an elevator at Columbia Harbor House. We all had a really great time on the tour (both times). It is really cool and very informative. I know a ton of Disney history and trivia and I still learned quite a bit on it...and the cool thing is that if you ever go on it again, you will learn different things because you will more than likely not have the same tour guide!! Have fun!!!

 

[Brian]

Aha, so there is an elevator. Like I said, I was just like "It's food time?!" and dashed up the stairs, the guy who was taking care of lunch was worried I'd trip up the stairs.

 

[nepalostparks]

Glad to hear the two points I thought might be of concern for a person in a wheelchair are non-issues. :wave:

 

[tizzo]

I took the tour a couple years ago, and there was a woman in an ECV in our group, and she went everywhere I went. So on accessibility, at least based on that one experience - check.

I am only 99.99% sure, but I think the DVC discount is the same as the AP discount - which, when we did the tour, was 15%.

Also, just so you know, you don't spend a huge amount of time in the utilidors, or backstage at all in fact. Still well worth it, but our tour guide told us up front that we would be going backstage but that it wasn't the main focus of the tour - evidently some people are disappointed that they don't get to spend four hours in the utilidors.

 

[yoda_5729]

Are cameras at all allowed on the tour, or do we need to store them in a locker?

 

[majorrfb]

Camera's

Are cameras at all allowed on the tour, or do we need to store them in a locker?

You can take your camera on the tour BUT in certain areas you are prohibited from taking pictures (the utilidors for example).

 

[yoda_5729]

Also, does anyone know is wheelchairs are allowed in the Backstage Magic tour. We were considering doing that one too. I know that one focuses more on the backstage stuff. It's true you don't need a ticket to the parks for that tour, right?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brian]

Also, does anyone know is wheelchairs are allowed in the Backstage Magic tour. We were considering doing that one too. I know that one focuses more on the backstage stuff. It's true you don't need a ticket to the parks for that tour, right?

Thanks in advance.

I've never taken Backstage Magic (sounds very fun though!), however according to Disney's website the tour is wheelchair accessable. Theme park admission is not included, nor is it required.

 

[tizzo]

When we took the tour, the rules said no bags and no cameras, so we left our stuff in the car. But others in the group had bags and cameras and no problems occurred. The tour guide just semi-jokingly made everyone raise their right hand and swear not to record, film, or photograph anything they were about to see.