I've been to wdw more times than I can count on my hands but have never been on any of the backstage tours offered throughout "the world". (Keys to the Kingdom, Undiscovered Future World, Etc...) So this year I've decided to give one a try. Which one(s) would you suggest for a first time tour-goer? Thanx in advance. :wave:
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Which Backstage Tour?
- Thread starter TrevEG
- Start date
DMC-12
It's HarmonioUS, NOT HarmoniYOU.
Depends... which park you are really into/like the most?....
I am an Epcot geek... so I took the Undiscovered Future World tour this past March... I wrote a rather long report on the tour and posted it here on the forum... I will look for it later....
I might do Keys to the MK, next trip, maybe... :wave:
I am an Epcot geek... so I took the Undiscovered Future World tour this past March... I wrote a rather long report on the tour and posted it here on the forum... I will look for it later....
I might do Keys to the MK, next trip, maybe...
:wave:
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BRER STITCH
Well-Known Member
Hey TREV!!! :wave:
My buddy and I did the Backstage Magic Tour in April and LOVED it!!!
It is the longest (and most thorough) tour they offer. Our tour guide was AWESOME and it took almost 9 hours from start to finish!
We started out in Epcot, then went to MGM, then finished up the day at Magic Kingdom. Saw TONS of backstage stuff and were given a GREAT family style lunch at Mama Melrose's to split up the day.
It was expensive, but defintely worth doing once. I still think of lots of stuff we saw and were told when I go back to the parks.
I can tell ya more specifics if you are interested.
My buddy and I did the Backstage Magic Tour in April and LOVED it!!!
It is the longest (and most thorough) tour they offer. Our tour guide was AWESOME and it took almost 9 hours from start to finish!
We started out in Epcot, then went to MGM, then finished up the day at Magic Kingdom. Saw TONS of backstage stuff and were given a GREAT family style lunch at Mama Melrose's to split up the day.
It was expensive, but defintely worth doing once. I still think of lots of stuff we saw and were told when I go back to the parks.
I can tell ya more specifics if you are interested.
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
Like DMC-12 said, it depends upon which park you enjoy and want to know about.
I've taken quite a few now: Backstage Magic, Gardens of the World, Treasures of the World, Backstage Safari, Wild by Design.
This year, we'll be picking up Undiscovered Futureworld.
They all have something to offer, but it's up to you decide what you want to learn about.
If you're into animals, I would sugest Backstage Safari at AK. If it's plants and gardening, Gardens of the World is excellent at Epcot. And if you want to "see it all", check out Backstage Magic, it's 7 hours long, cost $199 a person, and your feet will be screaming at you by the end of the day, but it is the most informitive of them all. You will get to see all the cool stuff like the shops, utilidors, behind the sceens stuff at MK, Epcot/WS, and MGM.
Good luck in your choice!
I've taken quite a few now: Backstage Magic, Gardens of the World, Treasures of the World, Backstage Safari, Wild by Design.
This year, we'll be picking up Undiscovered Futureworld.
They all have something to offer, but it's up to you decide what you want to learn about.
If you're into animals, I would sugest Backstage Safari at AK. If it's plants and gardening, Gardens of the World is excellent at Epcot. And if you want to "see it all", check out Backstage Magic, it's 7 hours long, cost $199 a person, and your feet will be screaming at you by the end of the day, but it is the most informitive of them all. You will get to see all the cool stuff like the shops, utilidors, behind the sceens stuff at MK, Epcot/WS, and MGM.
Good luck in your choice!
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
I'm not Brer Stitch, but I'll give you a rundown of what we did on the tour last October...
The tour began at 10 AM. Big group, I think it was 21 people, plus the guide and bus driver. You get a small Mears bus that takes you around to the three parks (EPCOT/MGM/MK). Our tour guide was Bonnie.
I'm sure I'll miss a few things we did here, it was a 7 hour tour.
They start you out with EPCOT. We visited the American Adventure, and went behind the scenes to show you how the show works. Very impressive, then on to Body Wars, we got to see the ride in action from backstage. Let me tell you, most people would think twice about riding BW if they would see how far that platform really moves.
Then on to MGM where we had lunch at Mama Melrose. Nice spread of food. Then we went to the costuming department. They gave of little pieces of Prince Charmings costume, and we got to see how they desing and create all the costumes. This is the building you see on the tram tour ride through the windows.
Then on to the shops where they make everything. We toured the metal shops, wood shops, painting and fabrications. The area were the make and repair the audio-animatronics, and we even walked through the area were they are putting the new attraction, Mission:Space together. This ride looks like it will be fun! These shopw were great to see. Even after going through them, the magic still exists. It's amazing what they can do.
We also toured the Chrismas building were they were preping all the Chrismas decorations for the parks, resorts, and the two ships. Simply amazing. There is so much they do in so little time.
Then over to MK, where we first saw the 3:00 parade. Then a tour of the Utilidor system. Then we went over to the parade area and saw the parade prep area. Let me tell you, it's un-nerving a bit to see the character "heads" hanging on a wall. I think this is why you have to be over 16 to do this tour.
Then we were taken back to EPCOT and the tour ended. It was after 5:00 PM when we got back, and my feet were killing me. We met a few people on the tour, some that were staying at our resort.
The tour is so full of sights and information, it's almost information overload at times. It doesn't take any of the magic away, and I think it adds to it. Now when I look at something at WDW, I'm always thinking what the imagineer was up to when they built it., 'cos you know there is always a purpose to this stuff. They just don't will-nilly do stuff. It's all planned out.
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There are some good reviews here.
http://www.wdwig.com/tours.htm#bsm
Great way to spend a day. Theme park admission is not required, great lunch is included and you're treated great.
http://www.wdwig.com/tours.htm#bsm
Great way to spend a day. Theme park admission is not required, great lunch is included and you're treated great.
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
You'll like it. It's fun.
We had a big group, but it was nice that by the end of the day we'd made some new friends. A couple of them were staying at the same resort as us. And they were doing multiple tours that week as well, so we saw them a few times that week.
We even ran into some of them at a resturant one night, they were seated at the next table, so we got toknow them a bit.
I say all of this because we normally keep to ourselfves on other vacations, but with the tours and running into the people, we got to interact with others and it was a new Disney experince for us, and we liked it alot. :sohappy:
Just remember to were a good and comfortable pair of shoes. Even though you get to ride a bus, you still do a heck of a lot of walking and standing all day. It will tire you out.
Have fun!!
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BRER STITCH
Well-Known Member
Hey AKIRA! :wave:
Thanks for providing the great reply!
I couldn't have said it better myself!!!
I highly recommend the Backstage Magic Tour to any real Disney Fan!
We had a nice small group (8) and were able to spend a LOT of time asking questions and chatting with the Cast Members at each stop.
The guide can really make a difference and we had a GREAT one!
Make your reservations today!
:sohappy:
Thanks for providing the great reply!
I couldn't have said it better myself!!!
I highly recommend the Backstage Magic Tour to any real Disney Fan!
We had a nice small group (8) and were able to spend a LOT of time asking questions and chatting with the Cast Members at each stop.
The guide can really make a difference and we had a GREAT one!
Make your reservations today!
:sohappy:
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
Yea, our group was huge, filled the little bus they use.
Four of the people were on a courporate tour, i.e. paid by some food services company. They were there to see how Disney does stuff. They were asking all kind of procedure question on how Disney does daily things a buisness would do.
The funny part is at one point in the day one of them somehow ripped his pants. It was torn from the knee to the seat of his pants. The other 3 saw it, but decided to not tell him. Other on the tour saw it too, but didn't say anything either. He finally relized that his rear end was flapping in the wind for all at WDW to see his underpants. He was very embarrisaed. He un-tucked his shirt and wore it that was for the rest of the day.
I heard him tell the other 3 that he'd get back at him for not telling him right away.
The whole group had a laugh at his expense, but he took it well.
:drevil:
Four of the people were on a courporate tour, i.e. paid by some food services company. They were there to see how Disney does stuff. They were asking all kind of procedure question on how Disney does daily things a buisness would do.
The funny part is at one point in the day one of them somehow ripped his pants. It was torn from the knee to the seat of his pants. The other 3 saw it, but decided to not tell him. Other on the tour saw it too, but didn't say anything either. He finally relized that his rear end was flapping in the wind for all at WDW to see his underpants. He was very embarrisaed. He un-tucked his shirt and wore it that was for the rest of the day.
I heard him tell the other 3 that he'd get back at him for not telling him right away.
The whole group had a laugh at his expense, but he took it well.
:drevil:
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