Keys to the Kingdom

[sueuk]

We're thinking of doing 'Keys to the Kingdom' tour this year - have any of you done this? enjoyed it? hated it? what do you think - or have you any other recommendations? :wave:

 

[Courtman]

We did it this January and it was brilliant. We had a great tour guide who took us around, and even into slightly different areas (we went into Fantasyland for a look-see because Haunted Mansion was broken at the time).

We were all given earpieces for the tour which meant we could hear Sean clearly throughout. We made stops at Main Street USA, Partners statue, Jungle Cruise, Liberty Square, Columbia Harbor House (for lunch), Haunted Mansion (after a short diversion into Fantasyland while they fixed it), then back through Main Street finishing up in the Main Street Station.

I've not revealed any of the secrets here - Sean was very careful to not say anything to spoil the magic if kids were around, which was pretty neat.
Took us a total of 5hrs for the tour, and went in a flash. Excellent tour and well worth the money!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I have been fortunate enough to do this three times, it became a sort of dads treat when the girls reached 16. Each time has had minor differences, and its great having the headsets to hear the guides stories.

Like all these tours it hangs on the enthusiasm and engagement with the guide. This year i just felt that the information was great, and entertaining, but there was a distinct upping of the gratuitous praise of park management. Infact we three times bumped into the main MK boss and if he had stopped suddenly all we would have been able to see sticking out would have been our guides feet, such was the level of fawning. It spoiled the visit for me a bit. Yes of course I want a guide who loves their job and the Disney Company but I dont want to witness kissing.

It is one of the best tours and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has visited before as it will open our eyes to all the secrets hidden in plain sight.

 

[WDITrent]

Wait... no more utilidors?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We did the KttK tour last May and it was wonderful. We loved it. When it was over we were totally eaten up with the warm-n-fuzzies. I can imagine that the tour guide does make or break the experience. We had a sweet young lady named Robin who truly loved her chosen profession and was a fantastic storyteller. I felt like from start to finish she was telling us the story of the park but also opening a little window to peek into the relationship between 2 brothers who's devotion to each other made it all possible. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone who has any interest in Disney park trivia and background of the parks. Even tho I've only done this tour once I can see how it has that repeatability factor. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I also recommend the Lunch w/an Imagineer along with this tour.

And, last May the utilidors were part of our tour. :animwink:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Wait... no more utilidors?

Every time Ive done it inc Dec.

 

[Zip-a-Dee Do Da]

Can anyone tell me about how much it costs and if it runs year round? I would love to do it next time!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I think its almost everyday and has about 3 timeslots each morning

 

[Tom]

Can anyone tell me about how much it costs and if it runs year round? I would love to do it next time!

830, 900 and 930 am departures, daily.

About $60 a person. Includes lunch at Columbia Harbor House and ~5-hr tour.

It's awesome. I've done it about 3 times with different family members and friends. It takes a quick dip into the utilidors, behind Splash Mountain (Backstage West) and behind Main Street.

I've also taken Backstage Magic a few times. VERY pricey at $200/each but WELL worth it.

 

[Zip-a-Dee Do Da]

Thanks so much!

 

[sueuk]

Thanks everyone, this has made my mind up that we will do it in Sept when we go. Do we need to book before, or can we just go and book at City Hall ?

 

[Tom]

Thanks everyone, this has made my mind up that we will do it in Sept when we go. Do we need to book before, or can we just go and book at City Hall ?

OMG, Nice Avatar!!!!!!!!!

You need to book as soon as they will let you. They fill up early.

 

[coasterphil]

You'll need to call 407 WDW-TOUR.

 

[DisneyLindz]

LOVED IT!!! We had Matthew as our tour guide, he was absolutely hysterical and excellent at his job. Us seasoned WDW guests (20+ trips each) learned a lot, as did my husband (only his 2nd trip ever). Book ahead, though!

Have a blast!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

My husband & I did the Keys tour last July on our honeymoon. We also had Matthew as our tour guide - LOVED him! I can't imagine asking for a better guide. We saw the utilidors, the parade floats, had lunch at Columbia Harbor House, and rode a few rides. We both highly recommend it! We thought we knew everything about MK, but we learned so much!

 

[sueuk]

OMG, Nice Avatar!!!!!!!!!

Only the best people have them doncha know:lol:

 

[Tom]

OMG, Nice Avatar!!!!!!!!!

Only the best people have them doncha know:lol:

Yup, good 'ol Snow White and Dopey make the best avatars

 

[hokielutz]

We loved the tour. I believe we had Sean as well. It was a birthday present for our Dad, when we brought them down to Disney to vacation with us.

 

[VT GAL]

We did the tour in December and had Robin as our guide, too!!! It was so awesome!!! She was an amazing guide...I have to admit that I teared up a few times. My favorite part was the ride on the Jungle Cruise (it is a family favorite)!

If you have the opportunity to take the tour, you will not regret it!!!!