The Keys to the Kingdom Tour is a fabulous “extra-curricular” for any Magic Kingdom fan that wants to add even more knowledge and fun facts to their repertoire. Even the most knowledgable Disney trivia buff will learn something new on this tour. While I won’t give away the secrets about this tour, I will give you some helpful information and insight about it.
Just like ADRs, you may schedule the Keys to the Kingdom tour 180 days out. All tour participants MUST be at least 16 years old. There are 3 tours given per day. Each tour lasts about 5 hours. Lunch is included at the Columbia Harbor House.
Chip’s Tips: Choose the first tour of the day, as it begins before park opening, allowing you the opportunity to get some great pictures of an “empty” Main Street USA and Cinderella’s Castle.
When arriving for your KTTK tour, check-in at Guest Relations. If your tour begins before park opening, your name will be on a Tour List at the turnstiles – they will allow you early entrance. At Guest Relations, you will be given a name tag as well as an ear piece (a clip-on ear phone) in order to hear your tour guide. You will also pre-order your lunch from the Columbia Harbor House menu.
All of the KTTK tour guides have an incredible knowledge of Walt Disney, his ideas, and the details that went into planning the Magic Kingdom park. The tour begins on Main Street USA, where you’ll learn about forced perspective, and the stories behind a few of the names you see written on the 2nd story building windows. You’ll stand in the hub in front of Cinderella’s castle and learn why the entrance to Tomorrowland is nearly twice as wide as the entrance to Adventureland. Your tour guide will even point out certain trees and tell you why they’re important – one reason being, some are strategically placed to hide certain park icons from being seen while in another land. Your tour guide will show you how the details in the park transition as you walk from one land into the next. From the music changing, to the detailing in the walls, even to the changes in the pavement that you’re walking on!
You will ride two attractions on your tour. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, but I have also heard of the KTTK tours riding Jungle Cruise. Your tour guide may tell you a story line that goes along with the ride (here’s the Haunted Mansion story line we were told on our tour), or tell you to look for certain things within the ride – such as Hidden Mickeys, special props, or certain sounds – and they’ll give you the explanation for their importance. They will point out things you have likely never noticed before.
Now to the part you’ve been waiting for – Backstage! You’ll go “backstage” twice during your tour. First, you’ll be allowed to go through the parade route gates near Splash Mountain. What you see backstage isn’t as exciting as you may think it will be. Behind Splash Mountain is essentially a large parking lot. There are parade floats parked there as well as regular vehicles. There are a couple of trailers, and a couple of garage-like buildings that house parade floats as well as areas within them to refurbish floats or other large Disney props. Upon returning inside the Magic Kingdom, you get a look of the back of Splash Mountain – just a boxed in building from behind – no point in sprucing up what guests can’t see! You’ll also learn a few extra fun facts about Splash Mountain though – such as the water is purified with Bromine, because chlorine would turn guests clothing white!
The other backstage site you’ll visit is the Utilidors – often referred to as the “underground tunnels.” Technically, they’re not underground – they’re on the first level and the park is on the 2nd level. And they’re truly not tunnels, but just hallways – lots and lots of drab hallways. It reminded me of school hallways – although there weren’t windows anywhere. It was mostly quiet down there. A few offices, changing rooms and cafeterias are off of these halls. We saw a rack of costumes – Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan “outfits” were hanging up. Guess what they listen to in the Utilidors? Music from the radio (gasp)! Cast Members do need a break from those Disney-tunes every once in a while.
The age limit of 16 is very appropriate, as Disney doesn’t want anyone to “lose the magic” after seeing the things that you may see backstage. For example, I saw TWO Minnie Mouse’s standing together backstage – it was a little surprising to see, but how else does Minnie go powder her nose so quickly and return during Character Meet and Greets? For me, the tour was worth the cost, jam-packed full of great information, and only added to the Magic of Disney despite the “tricks” I saw backstage.
If you’re considering taking this tour – do it! You can even save money on the cost of the tour if you’re an Annual Passholder or Disney VISA card holder – just ask about what discounts you might be eligible for when making your tour reservation!
In addition to writing for Chip & Co., Terri writes for her own blog Walt Disney World Hints. Terri enjoys traveling off the beaten path at Disney World and learning about the lesser known things. You’ll also find extra hints on her facebook page, WDW Hints.
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