As I’ve visited Disney more, I’ve had the opportunity to do some of the more unique things other than just visit the parks, ride the rides, and see the shows. Disney offers a number of backstage tours, which are incredible learning opportunities. Taking 5 Disney tours was something else I got to check off of my bucket list recently!
Some of these go behind the scenes at Disney, and some of them are more out in the public area. They have all different topics, from the history of Disney to specifics about a certain park or area of a park. I’ve had the chance to do 5 different ones and they are some of the most memorable parts of my Disney visits.
While I’ve written full blog posts on each of these tours, I wanted to share some brief info on each of them here!
Backstage Magic
This is one of the “big ones” – a 7 hour tour that goes to numerous backstage areas. You go behind the scenes of an attraction at Epcot, into areas like costuming and prop storage, and into the utilidors at Magic Kingdom. There’s a ton to see and learn about that you would never get the chance to experience normally, so if you’re a diehard Disney fan this is a great one.
Wild Africa Trek
As an Animal Kingdom lover this may have been my favorite backstage tour. You get to go all over the area in Kilimanjaro Safaris, passing over rope bridges and being up close for a hippo feeding. Then you have a private safari ride where there truck stops much more than usual and for longer periods of time to spend more time with the animals. There’s also a delicious meal included.
Walk in Walt’s Footsteps
This is actually a Disneyland tour, so it’s a good one if you’re usually a Disney World person and want to see more on the other coast. I found some of the information to be pretty basic – I’ve read a lot of books and knew most of the history of how Disneyland came to be and Walt Disney’s life. But you also have the opportunity to go into Walt’s apartment where he stayed overnight at Disneyland sometimes, and that is truly something special.
Behind the Seeds
I love this one because it’s one of the easiest and most approachable for any visitor. It’s offered at The Land pavilion in Epcot a number of times a day. It’s only an hour long so it doesn’t take a ton of time out of your visit, and at only around $20 per person it’s a great deal. You’ll go into the Epcot greenhouses and learn all about the plants and what goes on back there.
Caring for Giants
I’m excited to see more smaller tours focusing on different animals in Animal Kingdom, because honestly I can’t learn enough about animals. This one is about elephants and you get to go backstage for an hour to listen to your guide teach you about them and observe the elephants from a private area for a long period of time. They’ve recently introduced a rhino tour as well, and I hope to see many more like this.
I’m excited that I’ve been able to do these tours so far, and glad that there are still many opportunities for others! We’ll be trying Keys to the Kingdom in December and I hope to do more tours in the future.
Want to see more of the items on my Disney Bucket List? Check it out here:
Which of these Disney tours would you most like to try?
These Disney tours sound absolutely amazing! I like the sound of the Backstage Magic tour!
How cool is this?!! I want to take my family on these tours, I’m sure they would love it!
Kileen
cute & little
I bet they would! I’m actually taking my parents on a tour when we go in December, I think they’ll really enjoy it!
While I was unaware of backstage tours like these at Disney (both parks) I wasn’t surprised that they were offered but I WAS shocked at how many different kinds they offer. Everything from plants and animals to costumes and history. So neat!
I want a WDAS tour one day!
Wow! I never knew any of these tours existed. I would love to do one of the animal tours!
The animal tours are my favorite!
Oh fun! I want to do all of these!!!
OY VEY you have me wanting to book another Disney trip, like, yesterday. These all look great!!
Coming Up Roses
I’ve never been to disney!! But I’m DYING to go, and now I want to book all of these tours when I eventually do!!
My husband and I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour the last time we went to DW. It was awesome and well worth the time we devoted to it and the actual cost. I learned so much and got so much insight into the park and it’s underground and backstage magic!! I’m sure you will love it!!