backstage tour walt disney world

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Backstage Tours and Experiences • Walt Disney World

Want to experience a different side of the Walt Disney World Resort? A variety of unique Backstage Tours and Experiences are available. Reservations are required for most tours. Unless noted otherwise, tours can be reserved 60 days in advance with a credit card. Full payment is due at the time of booking . Cancellation must occur 48 hours in advance so you avoid forfeiting the entire price of your tour. Park admission is also required for most, but not all tours. A photo ID will usually be required when checking in. Many tours have a small number of guests touring each day, so book early to get the date you desire. Photographs are prohibited in backstage areas. Use the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app for reservations, unless otherwise noted.

Magic Kingdom Tours   Epcot Tours   Animal Kingdom Tours Disney Springs   Multi-Park Tours   Resort Tours

Magic Kingdom Backstage Tours and Experiences

Disney’s keys to the kingdom tour.

Highlights the fascinating history of Walt Disney World Resort and also provides backstage access to secret areas of Magic Kingdom theme park. Includes stops at backstage facilities and a variety of favorite attractions, plus a trip below Magic Kingdom theme park into the service tunnels known as the Utilidors. Guests will be provided with Disney issued listening devices.

Days & Times: 4 tours daily at 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am and 9:30 am

Duration: 4.5 – 5 hours

Price Range: $129-$149 per person, plus tax; includes lunch at Pecos Bill.

Park Admission: Required but not included

Restrictions: Ages 16 and up. Photo ID required. Also, cameras, video equipment and cell phones may not be used throughout the duration of this tour. Photography is prohibited during the tour–even in the park.

Starting Location: Report to Town Square Theater 15 minutes prior. Walking tour is primarily outdoors.

Discounts: Disney Visa (15%), DVC (15%), Annual Pass (15%)

To Reserve: Use the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World website. Same-day bookings are on a walk-up basis only, based on availability.

EPCOT Backstage Tours and Experiences

Epcot dive quest.

Description: A unique scuba diving experience inside the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater tank at the Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion in EPCOT theme park. Scuba-certified Guests can swim with over 2,000 sea creatures, including sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, eagle rays and sharks. All diving equipment is provided. Please bring a swim suit and, if you wish, bring your own dive mask, particularly if you have a prescription mask.

Days & Times: Daily at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Duration: 3 hours, of which 40 minutes are underwater

Price Range: $229-$249 per person, plus tax

Park Admission: Not Required (or included)

Restrictions: All Guests must be SCUBA-certified and 10 years of age or older to participate. However, guests 10 to 16 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years of age or older). You will need to provide proof of certification, such as a C-card or verification from a certifying agency.

Starting Location: Report to EPCOT Guest Relations window outside of the park main entrance 15 minutes prior

To Reserve: Use the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World website.

Dolphins in Depth

Guests can learn about and get up close with a school of dolphins at The Seas with Nemo & Friend s Pavilion. First, talk to the expert trainers and researchers who work with dolphins every day. The tour concludes with a very special opportunity for an up-close interaction with a dolphin which is also perfect for pictures. Although not required, please bring a bathing suit if you wish to enter the water. You do not need to swim or be scuba certified to enjoy this program. This experience is limited to 8 participants a day.

Days & Times: Tuesday through Saturday at 10:30 am

Duration: 2 hours

Price Range: $209 per person, plus tax

Restrictions: Guests must be 48″ tall, however guests under the age of 18 years must have a parent or guardian along with them on the tour.

Starting Location: Report to EPCOT Guest Relations window outside of the park main entrance at 9:30 am

Behind the Seeds at EPCOT

See the future of agriculture in greenhouses and labs, release lady bugs and also learn the advanced and often experimental techniques used to grow hydroponic crops with little or no soil. You can preview this tour on the Living with the Land attraction. If you like what you see as your boat cruises through the greenhouse, you will love the this tour. Due to the backstage locations visited on this tour, videotaping is allowed. Read a first-hand report about this tour on our blog . See a special souvenir you can take home from this tour!

Days & Times: Daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, departing every 60 minutes.

Duration: 1 hour

Price Range: $39-$45 per Guest (ages 3+), plus tax

Restrictions: Ages 3 and up however children must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Starting Location: Report to the tour desk on the lower level of the Land pavilion (near Soarin’) prior to your tour. Walking tour is indoors.

Animal Kingdom Park Backstage Tours and Experiences

Wild africa trek.

Wild Africa Trek is an immersive experience offering a unique opportunity to enjoy unexplored areas of the Harambe Reserve while experiencing with intriguing African wildlife. While trained guides lead, begin in the Safi River valley where expedition harnesses allow for crossing precarious rope bridges. Enjoy up-close views of Nile hippos and crocodiles. Continue along the edge of an African savannah, and board a specialized vehicle for an exclusive safari, including a stop at a private safari camp. Guests will use a wireless headset in order to hear the guide at all times. Cameras and video cameras are allowed if securely fastened to the vest but no backpacks are allowed. Lockers will be available for Guest to leave their personal belongings while on the tour. A portion of the Tour price is also donated to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

Days & Times: Daily at select times during the morning and early afternoon. 12 spaces are available each tour, so reserve your spot early. Approximate times are 8:45 am, 10:15 am, 11:45 am, and 12:30 pm.

Duration: 3 hours

Price Range: $219-$229 per person, plus tax; includes African-inspired snack and photographs

Restrictions: Ages 8 and up (however under 18 must be accompanied by an adult); Weight restrictions between 45 lbs – 300 lbs apply with harness gear on; Minimum Height 48″/122 cm. Guests will be required to step on scale prior to harness issue. Also, certain body shapes may prevent the safety harness from fitting properly. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots required due to the rugged terrain on the tour. No flip-flops will be allowed.

Everyone will wear safety equipment that is issued on the tour. Wild Africa Trek is an outdoor physical journey requiring stamina, surefootedness and comfort with heights. Guests should also be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate due to the requirements of the tour. There are no bathroom breaks for 2 hours. Waivers must be completed at check in for all participants.

Guests seeking a less strenuous or wheelchair-accessible trek should contact Wild Africa Trek operations at (407) 938-1373 for alternative programs. Basically, the first 90 minutes is spent with a guide on the Pangani Trail with information, photos and possible special happenings. Guests on the restricted tour then join the regular tour on the Safari Truck and continue to do the remainder of the regular Tour. The price is the same for either version of the tour.

Starting Location: Check in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance approximately 15 minutes prior to tour start.

Discounts: Disney Visa (15%), DVC (15%), Annual Pass (15%) (all discounts might not be available for all tours)

Caring for Giants Tour

Get a closer look at the majestic African elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom—and learn what it takes to care for them.

During this tour, you’ll meet with dedicated animal specialists who provide for the care and wellness of the African elephant herd. They’ll give you a glimpse into their day-to-day responsibilities as they provide fascinating facts about the elephants. In addition, African cultural representatives will share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations. During the tour, Guests will be able to observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away. You’ll have the opportunity to be closer to the elephants than you would during other in-park experiences.

This is primarily an outdoor tour. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Days & Times: Daily from 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm

Duration:  approximately 1 hour

Price Range: $39 per person plus tax

Park Admission:  Required but not included

Restrictions: Ages 4 and up. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

Starting Location:  Check in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance approximately 15 minutes prior to tour start.

Up Close with Rhinos Tour

Get ready for your close-up with the white rhinoceros. In this guided adventure, the rhinos’ keepers will take you backstage to meet these massive creatures as few people ever do. As your guides introduce you to the park’s white rhinos, they’ll offer fascinating insights into the species’ behavior and biology and discuss the challenges that threaten populations in the wild.

Days & Times: Daily at 11:00 a.m.

Price Range: $49 per person plus tax

Savor the Savanna

Excite all your senses with a private tour and experience, starting with a secluded overlook of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, including a sampling of African-inspired cuisine and drink.

Days & Times: Daily at 3:15 pm and 4:30 pm

Duration: approximately 2 hour

Price Range: $189-$199 per person plus tax

Restrictions: Ages 8 and up. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

Disney Springs Tours

Drawn to life page to stage signature experience.

Enjoy even more magic at Drawn to Life with the Page to Stage Signature Experience. Go behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney Animation. You’ll watch the performance from your premium seat location with a non-alcoholic beverage and a snack of your choice. Afterwards, your host will take you on a guided backstage tour for an up close and personal look at show props, stagecraft, costumes, and more. This experience includes the chance to meet a Drawn to Life performer and capture a photo, and you’ll take home a unique souvenir keepsake. Tickets are subject to taxes and fees. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Subject to availability.

Days & Times: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday – Available only on late performances

Price Range: $258 per person plus tax

Park Admission: No park admission needed. Price includes ticket to Drawn to Life.

Starting Location: Check in with your host upon arrival.

Discounts: None at this time.

To Reserve: Visit the Cirque du Soleil ticket page .

Multi-Park Backstage Tours and Experiences

Vip guided tour services.

VIP Tour Services offers personalized tours for up to 10 guests looking for the perfect Walt Disney World Resort vacation. During a VIP tour, from the moment you arrive your personal VIP guide is there to take care of everything—from creating your ideal itinerary to getting you the best seats in the house for live shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars. During your time with your guide, your focus is only on enjoying the experience.

Days & Times: Anytime of day, 7 hours prior to park closing.

Duration: Minimum of 7 hours or more

Price Range: $450 to $900 per hour, plus tax (depending upon time of year and whether guest is staying at a Disney resort or non-Disney resort hotel). Private transportation is available during the tour at an additional cost. Hefty cancellation fees apply (equivalent to 2-hours at the booked rate).

Location: Available for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot

To Reserve: Call (407) 560-4033 up to 60 days in advance. Must be reserved at least 72 hours in advance.

Resort Backstage Tours and Experiences

Wilderness back trail (segway) adventure.

See the the stunning surroundings of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort along back wooded trails on a Segway X2 Personal Transporter. Various terrains are encountered such as sand and wood chip paths as well as various wildlife. Training is provided before tour and helmets are provided. Mid-tour there is also a stop at the Tri-Circle D Ranch. Also, guests should bring cameras. Class size is limited to 10 guests, so book early to ensure availability.

Days & Times: Tues – Sat at 8:30 am . No Disney transportation is provided for the 8:30 am tour.

Price Range: $90-$99 per person, plus tax; includes bottled water.

Park Admission: Not Required

Restrictions: Ages 16 and up. Photo ID required. Weight must be between 100-250 pounds. Signature of parent/guardian also required for ages 16 and 17. Expectant mothers and also those with special needs should forego this tour or check regarding additional restrictions. Helmets provided and required. Flip-flops, sandals or rocker/exercise-type shoes (e.g., Skechers Shape-Ups) will not be permitted as these are not compatible with the Segway.

Starting Location: Report to Meadows Bike Barn in Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground 15 minutes prior. Tour is both indoors & outdoors.

Discounts: DVC (15%), Disney Visa, Annual Passholders (15%)

Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Description:  During your safari, join an Animal Programs cast member on an hour-long safari of the Sunset Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas. Through the use of night vision goggles, guests will see the animals while enjoying resort in a whole new way.

Days & Times: Daily at 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm

Price Range: $75.65-$89 per person.

Park Admission: Not applicable

Restrictions: Ages 8 and up.

Starting Location: Kidani Village

** Walt Disney World Backstage Tours and Experiences are subject to change. **

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Disney World Backstage Tours

Ever wanted to know what exactly goes on behind some of those restricted area gates that are found throughout WDW?  Disney World's Backstage Tours are a great way to find out!  Giving you detailed access behind the scenes in and around the four parks, these tours are a great way to see a part of Disney not readily available to the regular park-going masses.  Being Disney enthusiasts, we've stockpiled our best info on how to get the lesser-known info at your very own tour!

Among the tours Disney offers are the Backstage Magic (7 hours behind the magic at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot) and Backstage Safari (a three hour tour of the Animal Kingdom) as well as Segway tours of Epcot and Fort Wilderness.  You might choose to get up close and personal with Epcot marine life in three separate tours, or choose to get into a holiday mood with a seasonal tour.

Whatever you'd like to discover, we're here to help.  We hope you find make our insider pages your go-to source for WDW info when planning your next Disney vacation!

Read the Washington Post's reviews of many of the backstage tours.

See Disney World a whole new way through a backstage tour and experience.

See Disney World a whole new way on a backstage tour or special experience!

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Yikes! That’s a long attraction. It’s a good thing there are restrooms at the halfway point.

Disney-MGM Studios—built to be both a theme park and an actual production studio—opened to the public on May 1, 1989. The Backstage Studio Tour was the park’s major attraction.

Here’s how USA Today (“Disney-MGM Studio park makes debut,” by Craig Wilson, May 1, 1989) described the attraction:

The Backstage Studio Tour first segment transports you by tram behind the scenes of a set, where you’ll see The Golden Girls’ house, a New York City street and skyline before you endure an earthquake, fire, explosions, monsoons and other near-disasters. The second segment is on foot, to special-effects areas (complete with a battle at sea), editing rooms and sound stages.

Before the end of 1989, guests were allowed to walk on New York Street. The two-hour tour quickly became shorter.

The 1991 Guide Book listed the Backstage Studio Tour featuring Catastrophe Canyon as a “30-minute shuttle ride.” The walking portion was billed as a separate attraction, Inside the Magic: Special Effects and Production Tour .

The walking tour limped along, with guests often looking down into empty soundstages. The Walt Disney Theatre, which originally showed a preview of the newest Disney movie as the final part of the walking tour, was transformed into a short-lived stage show, Here Come The Muppets , and then into the long-running live show, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid .

Guide Maps in 1994 listed the Backstage Studio Tour as a “25-minute shuttle ride” and Inside the Magic as a “35-minute tour.” The park had grown into a much more complete theme park, especially with the July 1994 opening of Sunset Boulevard and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror . At the same time, the production facilities failed to take off as a “real movie studio.”

In 1996, the Backstage Studio Tour was renamed the Studio Backlot Tour and its entrance moved to the far end of Mickey Avenue, where the walking tour had previously begun. The water tank special effects stage became the opening act for the tram tour.

The entrance to the walking tour moved next door. Inside the Magic was renamed Backstage Pass (often appended with a movie name, such as Backstage Pass to 101 Dalmatians ). The television series Mortal Kombat: Conquest was filmed at Disney-MGM for its one-season run (1998 - 1999). When the series was canceled, Disney bought the sets so that walking tour guests would have something to look at.

In 2001, the Backstage Pass walking tour closed permanently.

Four photos by Allen Huffman, 1998

The walking tour entrance repurposed as the tram tour entrance

Four photos by Allen Huffman, 1996 and 1997

Water tank special effects stage

Four photos by Allen Huffman, 1998 and 2001

Residential Street

Boneyard vehicles

Two photos by Allen Huffman, 2001

Washington Square Arch and backlot church

The Studio Backlot Tour began with a modified version of the water effects tank from the walking tour. Then, instead of continuing to the special effects workshop and soundstages, guests went through a prop warehouse and onto an abbreviated tram tour.

The residential street was removed in 2003 to make way for the huge Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show , so the tram tour only had the costume department, scenic shop, Catastrophe Canyon, and miscellaneous boneyard props along the route.

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007

Modified water effects tank in 2007

Costuming—for the parks, not for movie production

Catastrophe Canyon, always the big scene of the tram tour

In it final years, the whole tour was just 35 minutes.

Did you ever wonder why there is such an imposing studio gate at the entrance to the Animation Courtyard?

Studio gate with Disney-MGM Studios signage (1989 - 2007)

It’s because it originally served as the entrance into the “movie studio” where the Backstage Studio Tour began. The idea was that you were leaving the public street (Hollywood Boulevard) and entering a movie studio complex. Real movie studios in Hollywood had entrance gates from city streets.

The Magic of Disney Animation tour—featuring the film Back to Neverland (with Robin Williams and Walter Cronkite) and a working animation studio—had a modest entrance to the right of the Backstage Studio Tour . The Soundstage Restaurant contained sets from the 1988 Bette Midler comedy Big Business . On the second level of the Soundstage Restaurant, guests could drink at the Catwalk Bar, a full bar overlooking the sets. Nearby, the studio’s production facilities turned out movies and television shows, including The All New Mickey Mouse Club (or MMC ). Guests on the walking tour might even see filming in progress.

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2009

Studio gate with the Disney’s Hollywood Studios signage (2008 - )

Gradually, the focus of the plaza inside the studio gate changed to animation. The Soundstage Restaurant was rethemed so the guests sat among “sets” from the animated Aladdin instead of the live-action Big Business . (Later, the former Soundstage Restaurant became the home of live shows based on Disney television programs for young children.) The former Catwalk Bar became a character greeting location. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid is based of the movie that launched Disney’s “Second Golden Age of Animation.” What had once been the tram tour entrance became the grand entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation . With the new focus came a new name for the area—Animation Courtyard.

Surprisingly, when the name of the park changed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the beginning of 2008, the Imagineers did not use it as an opportunity to retheme the studio gate as an appropriate entrance to the Animation Courtyard. Instead, they simply replaced the old logo with the new logo.

Click here to post comments at MiceChat about this article.

© 2014-2020 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks

Updated February 28, 2020.

Go Behind-the-Scenes at Walt Disney World Resort on the Backstage Magic Tour

by Amanda Adler , Public Relations Manager, Adventures by Disney

Have you ever wanted to go backstage to see just how the magic is brought to life here at Walt Disney World Resort ? On the Walt Disney World Resort Backstage Magic Tour , you can do just that, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind VIP look at the inner workings on an amazing 7-hour journey through The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Here are my four favorite experiences you’ll enjoy on the Backstage Magic tour:

1. Peek behind the curtains at The American Adventure , where you’ll learn how engineering and artistry come together to create this truly historic show.

2. Unravel the secrets behind creating the dazzling costumes for Disney Characters, as well as show and parade performers, at Walt Disney World Resort’s own Creative Costuming department.

3. From the smallest details to the most ornate sets, get an up-close look at the unparalleled talent and craftsmanship at work in the Walt Disney World Central Shops.

4. Last, but definitely not least, you can navigate the legendary underground tunnels or “utilidors” used by Cast Members located beneath Magic Kingdom Park .

Backstage Magic isn’t the only tour that gives you an inside look at popular Walt Disney World locales. Later this year, you can embark on the Gardens of the World Tour during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival , or even learn how wintery fun comes to life in the theme parks on both the Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy and Holiday D-Lights tours.

Which of these behind-the-scenes tours are you most excited to experience?

Destinations: Magic Kingdom , Epcot , Walt Disney World Resort

We enjoyed the Marceline to Magic Kingdom tour.

My daughter was not yet old enough to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour, so this one was suggested.

We loved it! Spoiler alert, you may not want to do this tour if you do not want to learn how the Friendly Ghosts do their thing in Haunted Mansion! The focus was on the wonderful dining hall scene.

My mind was blown.

Great information on Mr. Disney as well.

Fun just being in the park before “showtime.”

I have done the Backstage Magic Tour twice. I learned something new even on the second trip. I would so do it again. I am very much into the behind the scenes tours and getting to see how everything works. I wish they had an overnight tour so you could what happens third shift. You also never know who will run into. I met the Vice president of Epcot and he was very gracious and even gave me his business card. I highly recommend the tour. It is an all day event though.

I love the backstage tours and have done several both at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. I did the Backstage Magic Tour about 3 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very interesting to see how the American Adventure show works. There are several backstage tours that I think are well worth the time. Keys to the Kingdom is definitely a favorite. I was on the first Holiday D-Lights tour and it has changed since them. May have to try it again this year.

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Go 'backstage' at walt disney world resort.

By Carrie McLaren

If you've ever wanted to take a peek at what it takes to make Walt Disney World Resort  come to life, try a backstage tour.

Here’s a look at some of resort's most popular, and revealing, tours:

Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour

Visit the roundhouse where Magic Kingdom’s steam engines are stored and serviced. Guests see engineers preparing the trains for a day in the park and discover what it takes to keep the trains in working order.  Ages 10 and up.

Behind the Seeds

Take a one-hour tour of Epcot’s four greenhouses and fish farm in The Land pavilion. Gardening and science buffs will especially enjoy this tour and leave with tips for their own home garden. No age restrictions.

Disney’s Family Magic Tour

Gather clues and go with your family on a guided scavenger hunt through Magic Kingdom Park . Don’t forget your camera to capture the fun. Ages 4 and up.

Backstage Magic

Go ‘backstage’ at all four parks during this seven-hour tour, revealing the secrets of what it takes to produce Disney magic. From a behind-the-scenes look at attractions, costuming and even horticulture – it’s the top tour for a look behind the curtain. This tour is for ages 16 and up.

In this guided tour at Magic Kingdom Park , discover tidbits along Main Street U.S.A., learn hidden secrets of the park’s legendary rides and even tour the underground ‘utilidors’ tunnels underneath the park. Ages 16 and up.

Some tours have age restrictions, so as to not spoil the magic for children. Tour prices vary. Reservations are available by phone and are available for booking 180 days in advance. For more information on these and other tours, call (407) WDW-TOUR.

Insider Tip:   If you’re an annual passholder, be sure to ask about the passholder discount when booking a tour.

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Disney World’s New Backstage Tour Is Nearly $300 — Is It Worth It?

By Lydia Storks 1 Comment

There’s a BRAND-NEW behind-the-scenes tour in Disney World!

Disney Springs

If you’ve ever taken one of Disney’s backstage tours, you know how intriguing they can be! You’ll often get the chance to learn fun facts and the history of the parks while visiting areas that regular ticket holders don’t get to see. And if that sounds like fun to you, then you need to know about Disney World’s newest tour!

Cirque du Soleil in Disney Springs is offering a brand-new VIP tour — the Page to Stage Signature Experience . This offering will include tickets to the show, commemorative souvenirs, snacks, and a backstage tour of the theater.

Let’s go to Cirque du Soleil!

In honor of the new VIP offering, Cirque du Soleil invited us out to try the whole experience . My visit began with a first look at the two souvenirs included with the Page to Stage Signature Experience. First, there’s a commemorative Drawn to Life pin for each person in the group.

Commemorative pin

Each participant will also get the exclusive Cirque du Soleil popcorn bucket ! When you pick this up at concessions, you’ll be able to get the snack and beverage of your choice, included in the price of the ticket.

Popcorn Bucket

The Page to Stage Signature Experience is only offered following the late performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets are $285 for adults and $225 for children , and with your ticket, you’ll get premium seating. Only 9 spots are available for each tour , and the seats are located on the back row of this front section in the theater.

Due to the timing of the media preview, we were able to watch part of the Drawn to Life training and rehearsals. This will not take place during the regular Page to Stage Signature Experience.

Tour guests will sit on this row

The tour begins right after the show, and your guide will begin by giving you a history of Cirque du Soleil and Drawn to Life as a show, which pays homage to Disney Animation. 

©Cirque Du Soleil

From there, you’ll head downstairs to the basement, where your tour group will have the opportunity to meet, greet, and interview some performers from the show . These performers will vary depending on the show, but we got to meet Mr. Pencil and the violinist!

Meet and greet!

The next stop on the tour was the wall of signatures , which is signed by every performer, technician, and manager who has worked on this show. Signatures in gold are the performers who originated their roles . You might also spot some celebrity signatures from people who visited Drawn to Life!

The wall of signatures

Other highlights in the basement hallway included the incredible costume department ! All the costumes here start completely white and are then screen-printed or dyed to create the looks you see on stage.

Costume Department

To wash all those clothes takes dozens of loads of laundry , but none of the costumes are thrown in the dryer! Afterward, they hang them up on drying racks in one of the training rooms so that they’re ready for the performers.

Drying Racks

From there, we entered into my favorite part of the tour…under the stage! We got to see several of the desk props and the lifts that carry the set pieces and performers onto the stage.

The lifts underneath the stage

Seriously, this was the coolest thing ever!

The desks under the stage

We wrapped up our tour with a visit backstage, behind the curtain . There, we spotted everything from props to costumes to safety harnesses.

More props backstage

We even got to learn a little bit about the motion tracking technology that allows images to be projected onto some of the performer costumes . It was truly fascinating!

These giant paper “sheets” use motion tracking

So if you’re a big theater fan or you just love a backstage tour, I would highly recommend this experience for your next visit to Disney Springs. I learned so much and left with an even deeper appreciation for the talent and skill that these performers, technicians, and stage managers have.

Cirque du Soleil

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Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Cirque du Soleil to attend their preview of the Page to Stage Signature Experience. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy . Thank you for reading. — AJ

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May 4, 2024 at 9:02 pm

This tour sounds great! I’d love to do it, but not sure if anyone would want to go with me. 😆

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Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour

Magic Kingdom Park

Walt Disney World® Resort

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

Age Interest

Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog

Accessibility

• May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV

Behind the Scenes

An in-depth, 5-hour look at the most iconic theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Magic Kingdom to the Max

This 5-hour walking tour explores the creation and remarkable growth of one of the most beloved parks at Walt Disney World Resort! Explore secret locations you’ve always wondered about and get the inside scoop on some of your favorite attractions.

During your tour:

• Uncover the hidden secrets of classic attractions at Magic Kingdom park.
• Access the famed underground “Utilidor” tunnels that allow people and supplies to travel beneath the park unseen.
• Discover little-known facts, trivia and other exciting tidbits about the park.
• Enjoy a delicious lunch—included with your tour.
• Take home an exclusive keepsake!

Experience an Urban Legend

The Guest-accessible areas of Magic Kingdom park are actually on the second floor of a massive structure. The "tunnel" below, known as the Utilidor, allows Cast Members, deliveries and even rubbish to be unknowingly transported below Guests’ feet as they wait in line for their favorite attractions. You’ve got to see the Utilidor for yourself!

Learn About the Man Behind the Mouse

Hear the intriguing story of Walt Disney and how his vision, innovation and creativity brought the theme park to life. You’ll gain insight on Walt’s thought process as he was designing the park, learn fun trivia and little-known facts, discover hidden Mickeys and other often-overlooked details, and more.

Know Before You Go

• Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour. Guests must make their own theme park reservations.
• Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour is an outdoor walking tour. Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately.
• Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made . Same-day reservations can be made on a limited basis and are subject to availability.
• No cameras, video equipment or mobile phones may be used throughout the duration of the tour.
• Locations and attractions visited on your tour are subject to change without notice. 
• Guests must be 16 years of age or older and have a valid photo I.D. 
• Please check in at Town Square Theater 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.
• Lunch is included as part of the tour.
• Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members qualify for a 15% discount.

Monday, May 20, 2024

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The Backstage Magic Tour: What You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered how certain attractions work? Or wanted to get a peek at how Disney creates the magic behind the scenes? Whether you are a newbie or Walt Disney World expert, there is something for everyone on the very special Backstage Magic Tour. This seven-hour long tour is perfect for those who want to receive an up-close look at the artistry, technology, engineering, and backstage secrets that are behind the magic of Walt Disney World. We recently enjoyed this tour. Catch all the details below.

1 – The Basics

The Backstage Magic Tour, operated by Adventures by Disney, is a one of a kind experience where guests go “backstage” and get a glimpse at what goes into creating the magic. The cost is $275 per person, though a table service lunch is included in the price. Bottled water is also included on the tour. There is no price discount for children since guests need to be twelve and over to experience the tour. The tour is seven hours and guests should expect to stand during most of the tour. The tour can accommodate ECVs and wheelchairs; however, be sure to mention you have a mobility device when you make your reservation. There is a strict no photos policy when you are backstage. You will check in at Epcot and be returned there when the tour concludes. Since you will not be riding any attractions, park admission to Epcot and Magic Kingdom is not required. Per the Disney website, note that the tour is provided in English only. Simultaneous translation is not provided, nor is it allowed.

2 – The American Adventure

After checking in at Epcot, you will board a motor coach and drive to The American Adventure. World Showcase is closed to guests at this time, so you will see lots of Cast Members working to ensure the area is all set for guests when it does open at 11:00 am. We learned about the history of Walt Disney World—from Walt’s vision for Disney World to Roy Disney overseeing construction and making sure his brother’s vision became a reality. We also learned about how Epcot became the theme park it is today, instead of the living community that Walt envisioned.

Standing outside of The American Adventure, we learned about the tricks of forced perspective used by Imagineers to make a five-story building appear to be a three-story building. Inside, we learned secrets about the rotunda (it is not as round as you think), and how Imagineers hide functional aspects of a space behind certain decorations. We were told over and over, how every detail has a purpose. Pieter, one of our guides, said it best when he said, “Magic happens in the details.”

Finally, we were brought behind the curtain and learned how the show operated. When created, the show system was very technologically advanced for the late 1970s. We were surprised to learn that the system used to operate the show components is still run with the large computers for the era (like you see in Spaceship Earth). When asked about it, they said, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!” The Audio-Animatronics were the most complex at the time, and it was great to see Ben Franklin up close! If you’re a fan of Epcot and The American Adventure, you’ll really enjoy this portion of the tour.

3 – Creative Costuming

Our next stop was Creative Costuming. When traveling from Epcot to this building, we were treated to more history and facts about the Walt Disney World Resort. You will learn a lot about the resort during this tour! The costuming department was very cool to visit. We were taken through the process of how costumes come to be. We learned about the differences between front line costumes, costumes for entertainment performers, and finally, costumes for audio-animatronics. It’s a fascinating process, and the database that is used for tracking costumes is impressive. We were also able to see Cast Members in the process of sewing costumes and had a photo opportunity for a keepsake.

4 – Textiles

After that, we headed to the Textile Services, which is a huge 200,000 square feet building. While visiting a laundry facility sounds like it wouldn’t be interesting, this laundry facility is like none you’ve ever seen. The system used to launder items used at the Walt Disney World Resort is amazing. The washers wash 150 pounds of laundry at a time, and the dryers dry 300 pounds at a time. We also saw the folding process. This facility alone cleans 2.5 million pounds of laundry every week, which is about 30,000 resort rooms! There are four plants on the property. The facility we visited was for the Deluxe resorts, the water parks, and all of the pool towels. We ended our visit with a unique photo opportunity! It was a fascinating part of our tour.

5 – Lunch at Whispering Canyon Café

Next, we traveled to Wilderness Lodge for lunch at Whispering Canyon Café. We had a little over an hour to enjoy the family-style barbeque lunch. Lunch here is always great. At this point in the tour, we had been standing all morning, so it was nice to sit down and relax. I sat at the table with Amber, one of the tour guides, so I was also treated to more fascinating facts and secrets!

6 – Central Shops

After lunch, we traveled to the Central Shops building where Imagineering builds and maintains props, ride vehicles, etc. On our way, we passed the building that houses the locomotive trains on the bottom, and the monorails on the top. Our guide said it perfectly when he shared, “We build our future on top of our past, but both remain important to us.”

The Central Shops building was the highlight for many on the tour. It was a very cool place to visit. We learned that the shop can build items from scratch but spend most of their time on maintenance. They usually have up to 3,000 orders a day to complete. We learned about preventative, corrective, and cyclical maintenance performed on ride vehicles and auto-animatronics. We saw carousel horses, a Big Thunder Mountain train, Expedition Everest wheels and lap bars, a giraffe from the Jungle Cruise, and more. We learned about the molding process used for skins for auto-animatronics and got a chance to touch the material!

Finally, we had a chance to see in action the first auto-animatronic—a bird from The Enchanted Tiki Room from Disneyland. We learned about the history of the auto-animatronics and how complex they are today.  We ended with a photo opportunity-standing in front of the large polar bear that was once in The Maelstrom attraction at the Norway Pavilion.

7 – The Utilidors of Magic Kingdom Park

Our last stop of the tour was at Magic Kingdom where we had a chance to walk the famous “utilidors” under Magic Kingdom. This part of the tour was my favorite because it was my first chance to walk these halls and it was so cool. We learned about how Magic Kingdom was built and why the utilidors were necessary. There are 1.5 miles of tunnels, using 9 acres of space underneath the Magic Kingdom Park. There has never been an expansion of the original utilidors. We learned more secrets behind the magic during this time, but we won’t spoil it for you! This part of the tour will be a highlight for many, and perhaps worth the cost of the tour itself!

8 – Back to Epcot

After exploring the utilidors, we headed back to Epcot. As part of the tour, you’ll receive a card that has a unique code so you can access the photos that were taken on the tour. You’ll also receive a unique Disney trading pin for your tour. These also get changed from time to time, so you’ll have a special one of a kind souvenir for your time on the tour.

9 – Future Changes in the Works

While the Backstage Magic Tour has been offered for years, the tour itself changes about every one to one and a half years. The next change will occur in June. In place of the Textiles plant, guests will have a chance to visit the backstage area of The Rivers of Light Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The lunch venue is also changing to be served at Tiffins, which as a signature dining location, is very exciting. Beyond those changes, you’ll likely learn something new during every tour. The tour guides, who are absolutely amazing, are always learning new tidbits and are happy to share them with their groups. So, if you have been on the tour before, you may want to consider signing up again!

10 – Will it Ruin the Magic?

One question that guests ask when considering taking the tour is whether or not it will ruin the magic. It’s a question worth pondering. The tour guides asked us this question at the end of the tour, and not one person raised their hand saying the magic was ruined. I felt that by learning how much time and effort goes into the smallest detail, I came away from the tour with a greater appreciation for the parks and Disney Cast Members. I don’t’ feel magic was lost; in fact, I would say the magic is more special to me because I know how much care went into creating it for guests. We do encourage everyone to try to do this tour at least once. We think you’ll walk away with more love for this amazing company and place. For reservations call (407) WDW-TOUR/(407) 939-8687.

Editor’s Note: The Disney Company provided us with a complimentary pass to the Backstage Magic Tour. However, as always, the thoughts and opinions contained in this article are entirely our own.

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

Chad & Cindy Nykamp

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5 reasons to take the backstage magic tour at walt disney world.

Posted by: Sarah Chapman November 10, 2019

For years I have wanted to do the Backstage Magic Tour at Walt Disney World.  I always decided that it was just too expensive to add to our trips, and I kept putting it off.  With all the announcements of changes coming to Epcot I decided now or never. One of the main things I wanted to see is a backstage look at the American Adventure, and you just never know when things could change.  I am so, so glad that I finally decided to go for it and book this tour, it was amazing.  The Backstage Magic Tour is operated by Adventures by Disney, and it is a 7 hour tour that takes you to three parks and multiple backstage locations.  It also includes a table service lunch at a signature restaurant.  Here are 5 reasons to add the Backstage Magic Tour to your next vacation:

5.  Lunch at Tiffins

Tiffins at Animal Kingdom is a bit of an undiscovered gem.  Those who have tried it really love it, but the intimidating menu turns some guests away.  Dining here during the Backstage Magic tour gives a nice introduction to the restaurant and cuisine.  When you arrive to check in for the tour you are given a menu with several choices to select your lunch entrée.  A pre-selected dessert is also included, along with a non-alcoholic beverage.  Some members of our group did choose to order wine with lunch for which they paid out of pocket.  Our meal was very good, I chose the steak option and it had a very good flavor.  We also enjoyed the dessert.  Having a table service meal in the middle of this tour was a great break since it was a longer tour.  Also, having Tiffins as the dining location continues the theme of the Backstage Magic tour since it is filled with architecture, artifacts, and sketches that Imagineers pulled together to design Animal Kingdom.  At the end of the meal we were each given a card with a work of art from Imagineer Joe Rohde that is exclusive to this tour.

4.  The Experience Itself

On the Backstage Magic Tour you truly feel like a VIP.  Your group is accompanied by two Adventures by Disney Guides (shout out to Pieter & Mindy).  They are knowledgeable, friendly, and fun.  Throughout the tour they do a great job presenting the history of Disney, the present-day park happenings, and tying the two together for what guests see and experience on stage.  You are chauffeured around to each location on a motor coach stocked with snacks and water.  In certain locations backstage the guides take photos of you which you are able to access and download (for free) from a website after your trip.  Between the incredible sights you get to see and the personal touches of the guides it is an unforgettable Disney Day.

3.  Backstage Glimpses in the Park

I don’t want to reveal too much so that those of you who choose to take this tour for yourself will have some of those moments of wonder that I experienced on the tour.  However, it is advertised that you will get to visit the American Adventure at Epcot, as well as the Rivers of Light in Animal Kingdom, so I’m not spoiling too much there.  I have read about how the show at the American Adventure operates many times, and this was the number 1 reason I took the tour.  I love that show, and it is now becoming one of the few remainders of the original Epcot Center.  In fact, I wanted to see this so badly that I was anxious something would happen and we would miss it.  Luckily, it is the first experience on the tour so I didn’t have to wait long, but there were some technical difficulties on the day we visited which our guides and facilitator worked hard to fix.  They handled it well and we were able to go behind the screen after a brief delay.  It was incredible.  I wasn’t expecting to be as impressed with the backstage look at Rivers of Light, but that turned out to be really interesting as well.  We were able to see where all of the barges park, learn how they are driven during the show, and we even got to go into the “command center” for both Rivers of Light and the projection shows on the Tree of Life.  In this location, as in a few others, one of the Cast Members who is in charge of this show met us to tell us all about it and answer any questions we had. 

For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289 Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!

2.  The Utilidoors

The famed Utilidoors at Magic Kingdom are included on a few of the specialty tours offered at Walt Disney World, including the Keys to the Kingdom Tour (which I also recommend).  During the Backstage Magic Tour guests get a bit more of a glimpse at this underground series of tunnels that allow Magic Kingdom Cast Members to travel efficiently around the park.  And, as Walt wanted, help preserve some of the theming in the various lands of the park—no cowboys in Tomorrowland.

1.  The Behind the Scenes Segments

Since I went in to the tour most excited about the backstage look at the American Adventure, I was a little surprised to find that the segments where we got to look behind the scene at the working portions of Walt Disney World were actually the highlights of the tour for me.  Our first “Behind the Scenes” stop was at Creative Costuming.  There was so much eye candy here I could’ve stayed for an entire day and still not have been able to see all of the details.  The walls are lined with idea boards and fabric samples, buttons and ribbons, all put together for costumes for Cast Members, Parade Performers, Characters, and more.  It was overwhelming!  There are also authentic pieces on display that inspired the various costumes, like cloth from Africa that inspired the Animal Kingdom Lodge Cast Member costumes.  We were able to see the professionals working on the costumes, the giant cutting tables, and we learned so much.  It was hard to take it all in with so much to see.  And I will not spoil the surprise, but when we walked into one of the rooms here I almost squealed out loud because my not-so-hidden Disney Geek side got so excited about what I saw there that was totally unexpected.

Toward the end of the day we visited Central Shops.  This is where all of the ride vehicles come in for regular maintenance and repairs on a set schedule.  We were greeted by one of the supervisors who went over all of their work detail, and we toured the massive building filled with vehicles from Big Thunder Mountain, Spaceship Earth, Splash Mountain, and so many more.  Then, we were taken into another section of the building where Audio Animatronics are worked on.  There. Standing tall in the middle of the room was the Polar Bear from the Maelstrom attraction in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion (RIP).  This was another geek-out moment for me.  I’m pretty sure I didn’t hear anything the guides said here.  But, I was chosen to activate the Audio Animatronics in this space (a bird and the Polar Bear), and I’m pretty sure that is a moment I will never forget.  I was like a kid in a candy shop.  This was also one of the locations where our photo was taken.

The Backstage Magic Tour was such a wonderful experience for me that I plan to do it again with my 20 year old son—and maybe this time I can retain even more of the information.  Even though the tour is open to anyone 12 years or older, because of the length of the tour I would recommend it to ages 16 and up.  Some 12 year olds, depending on their stamina and interest in Disney may also enjoy it.  The tour is not available from November 28-January 1 for the holiday season.  While the tour is pricey, it does not require theme park admission, so it is something you could add on to a day off from the parks.  There are some discounts available for Annual Passholders, etc. so be sure to ask about those if you qualify. 

Have you taken the Backstage Magic Tour?  Did you love it as much as I did?

About Sarah Chapman

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DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation

Backstage tours returning to walt disney world.

Posted by: Stacy Milford January 19, 2022

If you’re a repeat Guest at Walt Disney World, you’re probably always on the lookout for fresh and exciting ways to experience more magic at your home-away-from-home. 

Did you know that there are dozens of new adventures to discover as part of Disney’s Enchanting Extras Collection?

Perfect for Guests who already know a lot about Disney’s theme parks and hunger to learn about how the magic at Walt Disney World works, these unique tours take you behind the scenes to experience areas of WDW most Guests don’t have access to.  

You might swim with your favorite sea creatures at The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Disney’s EPCOT Theme Park , get up close and personal with a rhino at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park , or even get a backstage tour of your favorite Magic Kingdom theme park attraction.

The Enchanting Extras Collection has been largely unavailable since WDW reopened, but select experiences are returning starting February 6. Here are some backstage tours you’ll soon be able to enjoy at Walt Disney World!

Credit: Disney

Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom

This was the first backstage tour we did, and it was one of the most memorable WDW experiences we’ve ever had. Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom takes you behind the scenes of Disney’s Magic Kingdom for a 5-hour walking tour that explores areas that are normally hidden and inaccessible to Guests.

You’ll venture below Magic Kingdom to explore the famous Utilidors that run beneath the Park, allowing Cast Members (and food, and garbage, and supplies…) to travel wherever they need to go without being seen and ruining the magic.  

You’ll leave the show areas of the Park and gain VIP access backstage at iconic attractions and key staging areas that I REALLY want to talk about, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy as a former Keys to the Kingdom participant!

Credit: Disney Tips

Lunch is included, as are the fascinating nuggets of little-known information about the Park, Walt Disney himself, and the creation of Walt Disney World in Florida.

Savor the Savanna

If you’ve ever ridden Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris and didn’t want to leave your vehicle at the end of the attraction, then Savor the Savanna might be for you.  

This two-hour tour takes you on a private, guided tour of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that goes far beyond the show areas you see as a Guest on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Your guide will take you off the beaten safari path to private viewing areas to experience the savannah’s teeming wildlife while sharing animal facts and information about the care these amazing creatures receive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  

When you’re hungry, there’s a variety of (African, of course!) tapas, beer, and wine to enjoy.  After all, you’ll want to savor the savannah with ALL of your senses, including taste! 

Wild Africa Trek

If a two-hour private tour of the savannah isn’t enough, hold onto your safari hat – the Wild Africa Trek has you covered. Guests will embark on a three-hour safari on this backstage tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.  

You’ll learn about the magnificent animals that call the Harambe Reserve home, and you’ll also be able to leave the safari vehicle to take a stroll through the grasslands and over a rope bridge (we dare you to look down at the hungry crocs below!).

African-style snacks await once you’ve worked up an appetite, and complimentary photo services are included, so you’ll be able to download all the images taken of you by the trained photographer during your tour.

Credit: Disney Dining

Up Close with Rhinos

Rhinoceroses can be elusive, and if you didn’t see as much of them when riding Kilimanjaro Safaris as you’d like, this backstage tour will remedy that – and maybe just tug on your heartstrings too.

Up Close with Rhinos takes you behind the scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park to meet our planet’s second-biggest land dweller: the white rhinoceros. You’ll listen to the rhino keepers talk about these gentle giants, and you’ll be able to see them up close.  

On our (pre-COVID) tour, we were able to pet a baby rhino, but this was not guaranteed even before the pandemic, since you never know what mood an animal might be in on any given day.  

Caring for Giants

Fans of Disney’s classic animated or more recent live-action Dumbo films can enjoy an up-close encounter with the world’s largest land animal at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

Caring for Giants takes Guests backstage to meet the Park’s African elephant herd while learning about their daily care, and conservation efforts to protect their wild counterparts around the globe. You’ll get within 80-100 feet of the elephants, making this the closest possible elephant encounter within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.

At one hour in duration and $35 per person, Caring for Giants is one of the shortest and least expensive backstage tours at Walt Disney World, and a great introduction to the Enchanting Extras Collection.

Bottom Line

With four theme parks, Disney Springs , and Disney Resort Hotel activities to explore, there’s more than enough to keep Guests hopping on a vacation to Walt Disney World, even if it’s a repeat visit. I’ve been to WDW more times than I can count, and there are still so many things that I haven’t seen, eaten, or experienced.

Guests looking for an adventure that’s a little out-of-the-ordinary will be doing themselves a favor by checking out the thrilling backstage tours that will soon be available through Disney’s Enchanting Extras Collection.  

There’s nothing like a glimpse of behind-the-scenes magic to make an unforgettable Walt Disney World vacation!

About Stacy Milford

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Yuletide Fantasy Walt Disney World Backstage Tour

By: Author Kathie Granger

Posted on Last updated: November 21, 2019

What better way to get in the holiday spirit than taking a backstage tour at Walt Disney World, especially one that is hosted by Adventures by Disney! This tour is one of the four tours that is guided by Adventures by Disney at Walt Disney World and is only available during the holiday season. You will go behind the scenes at two backstage locations and have a private cookie decorating experience at Amorette’s bakery shop in Disney Springs. Beware, I will be giving you the details of my three hour tour on November 14th this year, so if you don’t want any spoilers, stop reading now. Also, Disney reserves the right to change the tour elements at any time for any reason. The list price of the tour is $149 plus tax, but you can use your Disney Visa card to receive a 15% discount. Let’s get started on our Adventure!

Yuletide Fantasy Tour Need to Know

First logistics – the tour does not actually go into any Disney World park, so you don’t need a park ticket for this experience. The meeting location is at Epcot, on the right front side of the park near guest relations. You will not have to go into the park, but you will need to go through security. Please make sure to plan for travel time, either the bus transportation or driving and parking time.

My tour started at 9:00 am and the suggested arrival time was 8:45 am. Since I was driving, I allowed extra time for traffic and parking the car. I arrived at 8:30 am and was pleasantly surprised by how close to the entrance the parking was and then quickly disappointed to see the long lines at security. Remember, Epcot opens at 9:00 am and all the guests who have taken our advice are arriving before park open.

Once I made it in, I walked to the meet up area and was surprised to see how many of my fellow tour mates had already arrived. Our two tour guides (decked out in holiday attire) were all ready there and advising arrivals of the check-in procedures. We received badges on lanyards that have to been worn at all times.

Once it was 9:00 am we were escorted to our motor coach that would be our transportation for the tour. I want to point out that we had two people on the tour that needed a scooter and a motorized wheelchair and the motor coach was equipped to handle them. I remember the Disney vacation planner that I booked with did ask if anyone in my party would need assistance. Our tour had 30 participants, all anxious to see how Disney makes the magic!

Tour Guides for Yuletide Fantasy Tour

Second tour guides – I have been on more than 10 Disney tours over the years and hands down no matter how interesting the places you will visit are, the tour guides make or break the experience. Once again, Disney didn’t disappoint! I hope that I am not biased, but I feel that the Adventures by Disney guides are the best. We were lucky enough to have Tiffany and Diogo for our guides. They were both knowledgeable but much more importantly enthusiastic. They made sure to answer our questions, tell us personal stories, ask about our holiday traditions and provide us with drinks and snacks.

Yuletide Fantasy Tour Itinerary

Third lets get to the itinerary – The first stop was the Walt Disney World Holiday Services warehouse. In order to get a more personal experience, the tour is divided into two groups. We entered the massive warehouse to see where the holiday decorations are made and stored. Do you know that Disney employees 60 full time employees to take care of all the holiday decorations? Well they do, and with the help of an additional 200 outside contracted employees, they install and take down all the holiday decorations.

Visit the Holiday Services Building

Holiday Services is responsible for all four theme parks at Disney World, Disney Springs, all the Disney resorts, the Disney Cruise Line and the two Florida Disney Vacation Club locations! That’s a lot of holiday. It was fun to walk the aisles of the warehouse and see the boxes of decorations, some with the locations for them on the outside. They also have aisles full of materials to be used too, bins overflowing of all kinds of items, since the decorations can vary greatly depending on the theme they need to support. The entire side wall of the warehouse is called the “ball wall” can you just imagine the entire wall, floor to ceiling, with every color and size of Christmas balls? I could just imagine how much fun it would be to work in this department. We had the opportunity for a photo-op under some garland examples. The tour guides took our pictures since no cameras or photography is allowed backstage. We then made it to the actual work area where the decorations are worked on. The workstations had all kinds of aids to help work with the large items that they decorate. 

How about some interesting statistics about the Holiday Services department:

• 8.5 million lights – with 350,000 of them on Cinderella’s Castle and they are now all LED
• 1700 decorated Christmas trees
• 15 miles of garland
• 1st Magic Kingdom tree was real 

I think that I would be intimidated by the sheer size of all that decorating, especially since I have seen the size of the scale that they have to prepare. The decorations are always so beautiful and detailed and pure Disney magic. We had time to digest all that we had seen while we returned to the motor coach and drove to the Special Events Building.

Inside Disney World Floral Department

Now we got to see the Disney magic being prepared on a smaller scale. Did you know that Disney has a floral department on property that prepared arrangements for the resorts and also for guests special requests? As soon as we walked into the room, the smell of fresh flowers was overwhelming. The florist were busy on many projects and even a decorated Christmas tree for a guest’s hotel room. Yes, if you can afford the price, you can order all sorts of special items for your hotel room.

Side note, several floral service employees teach flower arranging classes at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts and they are well worth the price for the entertainment alone, not to mention the arrangement that you will take home.

Back to our trip – we then walked through to the adjoining area where workers were busy preparing gift baskets with all kinds of items. Disney Floral and Gifts even has its own website that allows you to chose items from flowers to welcome packages. If you don’t find what you are looking for you can use their custom gift builder to personalize your purchase.  

I knew that these services were available, but I was surprised by the size of the operation and how many guests take advantage of these offerings. This building is also where all outside events are planned. Many times in the parks you will notice areas roped off that say private event – this is where that planning and preparation happens. They even have a costume department for requests at those events. I guess any request can be accommodated! We saw the outfits worn by the coachmen driving the Cinderella coaches for weddings.

Disney World Fine Arts Department

Next was with the Fine Arts Department to have our individual pictures taken, in case we needed a personal Christmas card this year. Spoiler alert, they had the printed pictures ready for us by the end of our tour to take home with us.

Amorette’s Cookie Decorating Lesson

Our last stop was at Disney Springs, where we entered Amorette’s through the back side of the main walkways. The bakery wasn’t opened to the public at this time and the tables were all set for us to each decorate a Christmas cookie. We had one of the chefs demonstrate the decorating for us as we did our own cookie.

They provided us with small boxes to take our cookies home with us. While I must say that the cookie decorating is a fun holiday tradition, I would have preferred a personal tour of the Disney Springs Tree Trail or a hotel stop to see there decorations and get the story behind the decorations on a three hour tour. The bakery has amazing items for sale and they allowed us to purchase any we wanted before we left to return to Epcot.

Upon our return to Epcot, we were given our printed Christmas picture from the Fine Arts department and an exclusive Yuletide Fantasy pin. We were also given an access code to Adventures by Disney photos that allowed us to download the pictures that our tour guides took. This is important since we weren’t allowed to use our cameras anywhere other than at Amorette’s. 

Have you taken an Adventures by Disney tour at Walt Disney World, if you have let us know if you would recommend it.

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Is the 7-hour Backstage Magic tour available at Walt Disney World? I have seen information but can’t find a way to get tickets. I am hoping this information is not out of date. We plan to visit in June. Thanks. ”

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Meet the Panelist: Elaine, Florida

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• On 5/21/2023 Naillyn from PR Asked: HI! Any news about Epcot or Hollywood Studios dessert parties returning? I am going in November 2023, and really enjoy them. Thanks in advance for any information. Naillyn

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