Behind the Seeds Tour – A Different Side of Epcot

Mickey Mouse shaped tomatoes? Pumpkins resting in hammocks in the air? No, it’s not the dream I had last night after spicy pizza and too much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. These are just two of the interesting things that you can see on the Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot. The first thing that most of us think of enjoying at Epcot is that coveted Fastpass for Soarin’, Mission Space or Test Track; however, Epcot has even more to offer, especially if you are a Disney nerd like me!

This tour, which is located in the Land pavilion, is something that I had wanted to try for many years and it was even better than I had hoped for. If you have ever ridden the Living with the Land attraction, then you have seen a small portion of one area that you will explore during this hour-long walking tour. It is a great experience with several unique highlights.

• Price:While wonderful and interesting, some of the tours at Disney World can be rather pricey; especially if you have a large family. This tour is much more reasonable at $18.00 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $14.00 per child (ages 3-9 years old) currently.  15% annual passholder, DVC, Disney Visa, and military discounts are offered.

• Age Requirements: Many of the tours that are available at Walt Disney World require that guests be at least 16 years old. However, Behind the Seeds is available to guests as young as 3 years old; making it something that families with younger Princes and Princesses can enjoy. 

• Learning: (Shhh…)Behind the Seeds can possibly sneak a little bit of education into your vacation. From learning about hydroponic growing methods to aquaculture and much more, the tour guide made learning fun and interesting. It was an interactive, hands-on experience which can help make learning fun! The fruits and vegetables that you see during the tour are used in many Disney World restaurants. So the salad you enjoy with your dinner may have started its journey as a star on the Behind the Seeds tour. This can be a great opportunity to talk about where our food starts before it ends up on our plate. 

• Ladybugs and Cucumbers: Don’t worry-they aren’t together! During the tour, children are given an opportunity to release a small vial of ladybugs onto some of the plants. It was also another learning moment as we all learned about insects that are beneficial to plants. During a water break, we were also given a chance to sample a Mickey Mouse shaped cucumber. I’m not even a big fan of cucumbers but somehow being Mickey shaped made it taste better! 

• Animals: If your children are anything like mine, they adore animals of any kind. One of my children’s favorite parts of the tour was the visit to the aquaculture center. Some of the animals we were able to see were small alligators, the largest shrimp I have ever seen and we also had a chance to feed fish. At the beginning of the tour you are also taken through what our tour guide referred to as the “Bug Room”. It can be very interesting if you like creatures like spiders and their friends. However, if you are squeamish around bugs, this may not be your favorite part of the tour. 

• Hidden Mickeys: Coiled hoses, inside fish tanks, peeking out of lab windows just to name a few; spotting Hidden Mickeys was something fun and unexpected to enjoy during our time exploring behind the scenes. 

• Behind the Scenes Peek: Over the years, I have seen guests enjoying this tour while I rode through on the Living With the Land attraction. It was really fun to be on the other side of this and watch the boats floating by me this time. Learning something new about our favorite park and seeing what is going on behind the scenes was a great opportunity. 

You are welcome to bring your camera and take photographs; a difference from some of the other tours. Theme park admission and reservations are required for this tour. Making your reservations well ahead of your vacation is recommended. However, the Cast Member I spoke with at the check-in desk, which is located near Soarin’, did say that same-day reservations are sometimes available.

This was a very interesting, different side of Epcot than we normally experience. It even inspired me, who is definitely lacking a green thumb, to try some gardening at home. Now, if only I could get my  pumpkin to be  shaped like Mickey Mouse.

Heather L is an avid Disney fan and has been visiting the parks since she was 4. She is a homeschooling mom and is happiest with a Mickey  balloon in one hand and a Mickey bar in the other.

Related articles

• Guest Review: Sunshine Seasons in Epcot (disneyfoodblog.com)
• Disney World Training: Around The World Segway Tour In Epcot (couponingtodisney.com)

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