During the first half of our Walt Disney World vacation, we scheduled a Backstage Magic Tour. The tour was, indeed, magical and so very informative! Seven hours with an award-winning tour guide who took us throughout the Walt Disney World parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. The tour was made up of two tour guides, two drivers, and about forty guests who were split into two groups. This is a tour for grown-ups only, so all guests need to be over 16. We were each given ear pieces and audio sets so that we could hear the guides even if we weren’t next to them.
Now, you might wonder where we were taken. We were taken into the hidden realm of Walt Disney World and visited the area where the costumes are all designed and sewn, the hangar where the ride cars and park props are built and maintained, the storage of the Animal Kingdom parade floats, The Tower of Terror, backstage at The American Experience, the Walt Disney nursery, the utilador under Magic Kingdom, and more. We were taken into the hidden realm of Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, we were not able to take photos in most of the areas as Disney does not allow any “backstage” areas to be photographed. I wish I could show you all the wonders!We were even provided with a full lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge. Whispering Canyon Cafe is a fun, interactive dining experience that is enjoyable
for every member of the family. Check your shyness at the door!
The tour was completed with a front row seat to a parade at Magic Kingdom which, after seeing floats, props, and costuming, we appreciated all the more. The parade was followed by a thorough tour of Main Street U.S.A. where we were told about the window etchings, the reasons for the layout of Main Street U.S.A. and the way that the land was purchased by Walt Disney.
Throughout the tour, we were given Disney trivia, incredible information about the creation and the completion of Walt Disney World and were given limited-edition Backstage Magic Tour Pins, as well as a lanyard. This tour took up the better part of a day, but was worth every moment! The Backstage Magic Tour is perfect for the child in all of us grown-ups.
Lisa Settle is a travel agent with MMP Travel and a lifelong Disney fan. She is an annual passholder at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World as well as a frequent passenger aboard Disney Cruise Line. If you care looking to book your next Grown Up trip, you can Request A Quote and ask for Lisa.