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Keys to the Kingdom
- Thread starter ms7479a
- Start date
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
I took the tour twice and the first time (about three years ago) was better than when I took it last year. The first time we got to go backstage and see the parade floats, this time we didn't. We really didn't do anything backstage except for the utilidors and you don't do much down there since they only let you in one part. The tour is still interesting (as long as you get a good host) and you will learn a lot, but if you are really looking for a lot backstage this tour won't give you much of that...backstage magic is the tour for that.
The rides vary, my first tour was Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. My second tour was Pirates and Haunted Mansion.
The rides vary, my first tour was Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. My second tour was Pirates and Haunted Mansion.
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dr_teeth90210
Active Member
Here's a link for reviews of the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour written by follow WDWMagic members.
http://reviews.wdwmagic.com//censura.php?cmd=details&itemid=606
http://reviews.wdwmagic.com//censura.php?cmd=details&itemid=606
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elle72688
Member
I did the tour in Fall of 04 and I would reccomend. On my tour we rode Jungle Cruise and HM. we spent time outside Pirates talking about the ride, but we did not ride it. We spent time backstage as well (on Main Street both sides, Saw the parade floats, and back of Splash, and the Utilidors). I feel like we spent a fair amount of time in the utlidors (it was basically at the end of our tour) discussing various topics that we could not talk about on-stage for fear that the little princes and princesses might hear. Our group was a lot of fun and the tour guide was really knowledgeable.
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rainfully
Well-Known Member
I had an absolute blast on Keys to the Kingdom! We did Jungle Cruise... and were about to do Haunted Mansion when my heart was absolutely broken when we found out that it was down. 
I still haven't quite recovered from that loss... as the HM is my favorite.
Even the biggest Disney Nerd will learn SOMETHING on this tour... I was amazed with all the little facts about Liberty Square that I had never known before.
We spent a good amount of time in the Utilidors... mostly looking at pretty pictures and stuff. We went back behind Splash and saw someone practicing for the SADCT parade in one of the globes.
But of course, the tour would be nothing without our amazing guide. I can't even begin to imagine the tour with someone else. So, if you go, cross your fingers and hope for Jeff! It's been over a month now, and me and my friend still talk about how awesome he was!
I still haven't quite recovered from that loss... as the HM is my favorite. Even the biggest Disney Nerd will learn SOMETHING on this tour... I was amazed with all the little facts about Liberty Square that I had never known before.
We spent a good amount of time in the Utilidors... mostly looking at pretty pictures and stuff. We went back behind Splash and saw someone practicing for the SADCT parade in one of the globes.
But of course, the tour would be nothing without our amazing guide. I can't even begin to imagine the tour with someone else. So, if you go, cross your fingers and hope for Jeff! It's been over a month now, and me and my friend still talk about how awesome he was!
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mousermerf
Account Suspended
If you have a brochure of the Tours from Disney (you can get it from Guest Services if all else fails) - I'm in the Keys to the Kingdom photo with some friends on the tour 
Anywho.. My tour went backstage to see the water tank for Splash, we rode Pirates and got the talk-through version of the ride (some neat stuff I never noticed before), we went through Liberty Square, talked about the Fry Wagon, lunch was at Columbia Harbor House, we went behind Mainstreet on the Tomorrowland side, we went into the Utilidors.. and think that's about it. It was a nice overview, but my tour was a little rushed for time, as the first part of it was a photoshoot for the brochure.
Anywho.. My tour went backstage to see the water tank for Splash, we rode Pirates and got the talk-through version of the ride (some neat stuff I never noticed before), we went through Liberty Square, talked about the Fry Wagon, lunch was at Columbia Harbor House, we went behind Mainstreet on the Tomorrowland side, we went into the Utilidors.. and think that's about it. It was a nice overview, but my tour was a little rushed for time, as the first part of it was a photoshoot for the brochure.
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ClemsonTigger
Naturally Grumpy
I've done Keys twice, and highly recommend it to all.
I was going to say $65, but just check the site and it says $58 (you do need to pay for park admission). You can also get a AP discount.
As others have said, the tours can change significantly based on your guide, but I would say the guides for this tour are less variable than other park tours. Your group is also affected by those on the tour. We've been on some with people who couldn't find "that castle thing" if their lives depended on it, and seem to ask questions at every stop...stupid questions. But generally, it's populated by Disney affectionatos who enjoy learning a little more.
I always thought I was pretty darn knowledgable until we discussed nuances of Liberty Square...and also the roof of the Tiki Room. Tours do change over the years so it does stay fresh. We were taken on a private Jungle Cruise, went to HM by the handicapped access (got to see some special themeing there). Our one guide after a nice quiet intro before the ride, stood up in his doombuggy and shouted at the top of his lungs "there it is" while pointing out the one "official" hidden mickey of the ride. We went backstage on both sides of Main Street and of course the overrated utilidors (but still neat to say you were there)
If you are to do one tour, I strongly suggest this one.
I was going to say $65, but just check the site and it says $58 (you do need to pay for park admission). You can also get a AP discount.
As others have said, the tours can change significantly based on your guide, but I would say the guides for this tour are less variable than other park tours. Your group is also affected by those on the tour. We've been on some with people who couldn't find "that castle thing" if their lives depended on it, and seem to ask questions at every stop...stupid questions. But generally, it's populated by Disney affectionatos who enjoy learning a little more.
I always thought I was pretty darn knowledgable until we discussed nuances of Liberty Square...and also the roof of the Tiki Room. Tours do change over the years so it does stay fresh. We were taken on a private Jungle Cruise, went to HM by the handicapped access (got to see some special themeing there). Our one guide after a nice quiet intro before the ride, stood up in his doombuggy and shouted at the top of his lungs "there it is" while pointing out the one "official" hidden mickey of the ride. We went backstage on both sides of Main Street and of course the overrated utilidors (but still neat to say you were there)
If you are to do one tour, I strongly suggest this one.
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We did the Keys to the Kingdom tour in Dec 2002. We rode HM, and got to see a bit of the Utilidors... it was payday. We got to see an example of forced perspective outside Pirates (I volunteered ), saw the parade floats and lots of items I would love to steal as souvenirs and saw the water tank for Splash Mountain, along with the reason you *don't* want your hat back if you lose it on Splash. Lunch was at Columbia Harbor House, and we ended our day behind Main Street, in the offices above the shops, and behind Tomorrowland a little bit (I don't remember much about that).
Oh yes, we did do the Jungle Cruise also, a special ride just for us Tour people.
We got to see an example of forced perspective outside Pirates (I volunteered ), saw the parade floats and lots of items I would love to steal as souvenirs and saw the water tank for Splash Mountain, along with the reason you *don't* want your hat back if you lose it on Splash. Lunch was at Columbia Harbor House, and we ended our day behind Main Street, in the offices above the shops, and behind Tomorrowland a little bit (I don't remember much about that).Oh yes, we did do the Jungle Cruise also, a special ride just for us Tour people.
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Enderikari
Well-Known Member
ClemsonTigger said:
As of January 2006, it's $60. Discounts for Disney Visa Card Members, DVC Members, AAA Members, Annual Passholders, Cast Members...
Tours do change, not only over the years, but based on the knowledge base of the tour guide giving the tour. There is a script for Keys to the Kingdom, its about 47 pages long. However, probably more than any other tour, tour guides are given a lot of freedom of topics, and a little freedom of movement( not as much). Every tour guide had to have come from SOME job at the Walt Disney World Resort, so you may run into a former Horticulturilist who can tell you how the plants are attached to trees, or a former custodial who can give you the grueling details of trash collection at the Magic Kingdom.
In all of the times I have gone on the tour(which has been many,many times) I have learned new things. And, though a lot of it was the same, you can tell that script for the tour is a guideline, much in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean.
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coltow
Well-Known Member
We did it in 2000 and it was great. We rode the TTA and HM. We spent a good amount of time in the utilidors, most of it in the costume and makeup areas. We also got to see the parade floats behind Splash. My personal problem is that we only got 30 mins for lunch and it was at noon, so it took us a good 20 minutes just to get our food and then we had to eat fast in order to meet back up with our group.
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angelfaerie52
New Member
I have not done this tour, but am doing Backstage Magic in May...
Instead of starting a new thread... do you go on any rides during the Backstage Magic tour or is it just touring?
Instead of starting a new thread... do you go on any rides during the Backstage Magic tour or is it just touring?
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ClemsonTigger
Naturally Grumpy
Both are good, Backstage Magic is pretty much a full day committment, which many aren't willing to do. Both cover a lot for the Disney lover, except that Backstage covers much of the property. It's probably not something to bring a novice along. Without looking....I think the cost is around $200, so more than 3x as much.
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joshwill
Well-Known Member
when i took it a few years ago, we went on HM, jungle cruise, peter pan and saw philharmagic (the lines were very short).
we spent a short amount of time in the utilidors, not nearly as much as the backstage magic tour.
i very much enjoyed the tour, it is a good first tour for someone to take if they dont have 7 hours to spend on backstage magic, which is by far the best offered at wdw.
we spent a short amount of time in the utilidors, not nearly as much as the backstage magic tour.
i very much enjoyed the tour, it is a good first tour for someone to take if they dont have 7 hours to spend on backstage magic, which is by far the best offered at wdw.
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