I'm looking to surprise my family with a tour or 2 next trip. YEA! 
The planning has officially begun! My dh LOVED behind the Seeds (2008) so we're probably going to do that again, but thinking I might just add another. Which one and why? HELP!!!!!!!!!! THNX!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2016 here we come!
I feel like keys to the kingdom is the quintessential WDW tour, so I would recommend that next. For a slightly less expensive option that will take a little less time, Marceline to Magic Kingdom.
If you'll be at WDW during a seasonal tour offering (garden tour at EPCOT, holiday lights tour), maybe pick up one of those instead because you might not have the opportunity to do those again soon.
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
I did the Keys to the Kingdom tour last year and despite it being unseasonably cold, I had a good time and learned new facts about the MK. The Utilidor sneak peak is a nice part of the tour as you also get to see some rare artwork from past productions...and you also get the feeling that Walt is still alive - they never refer to him in the past, only in the present.
The next tour I want to do is Backstage Magic which will encompass all 4 parks but it will be pricey!
Yes, that's me in the profile pic...kudos for guessing the movie...
Thanks!!!!!!!!!! Just pulled up the info on the keys tour and my younger ds won't be able to do it. He'll only be 14 at the time. Now we'll have at least one reason to go in 2018! Never too early to start planning!
August 2016 here we come!
I would advise you to do the Fort Wilderness Segway tour before Disney gets rid of it. The Epcot Segway Tour was my favorite, but it's gone now.
Dining with an Imagineer could be good depending on the Imagineer you get. You'll at least be guaranteed a very nice lunch.
I haven't done the AK tours so I have no idea.
I know I'm in the minority but I found Keys to the Kingdom and Marcelline to MK painfully boring. I considered bolting in the middle of MtMK but stuck it out. To me it was maybe 1/2 hour of good stuff stretched out over hours. Keys to the Kingdom was almost word for word from the MK Explorers Field Guide. But it seems most people like them.
You could always do the Boardwalk Magic Tour- at least that one is free.
See my Disney Photography at...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rt_images/
DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
I would advise you to do the Fort Wilderness Segway tour before Disney gets rid of it. The Epcot Segway Tour was my favorite, but it's gone now.
Dining with an Imagineer could be good depending on the Imagineer you get. You'll at least be guaranteed a very nice lunch.
I haven't done the AK tours so I have no idea.
I know I'm in the minority but I found Keys to the Kingdom and Marcelline to MK painfully boring. I considered bolting in the middle of MtMK but stuck it out. To me it was maybe 1/2 hour of good stuff stretched out over hours. Keys to the Kingdom was almost word for word from the MK Explorers Field Guide. But it seems most people like them.
You could always do the Boardwalk Magic Tour- at least that one is free.
Boardwalk Magic sounds fun and FREE!!!! Now you're talking my language. I took a few how to cheap lessons from the watchmaker
August 2016 here we come!
If you will be staying at AKL, I highly recommend the Wanyama Safari.
Zz.
No longer an active member.
I know I'm in the minority but I found Keys to the Kingdom and Marcelline to MK painfully boring. I considered bolting in the middle of MtMK but stuck it out. To me it was maybe 1/2 hour of good stuff stretched out over hours. Keys to the Kingdom was almost word for word from the MK Explorers Field Guide. But it seems most people like them.
I think people will get what they want out of a tour. It is a highly scripted tour but with enough leeway to allow the tour guide to inject some of their personal experiences which is normally enough to make it less of a read-thru and more of a guided tour. We could all read everything there is to learn about WDW and find enough little extras to make a tour of our own but could we do it day-in, day-out without treading the same material or making it sound like a read-thru...?
When I took the tour, a lot of what our guide told us I had already read about. There were little bits that I didn't know but it was more about looking behind the scenes where the magic is made that made the tour interesting for me. It was about seeing the bits no one is really interested in - kinda like a live bonus feature from a DVD/blu-ray...
Yes, that's me in the profile pic...kudos for guessing the movie...
"I think people will get what they want out of a tour."
If only that were true. I want so much more than they've got planned. Bonjour
See my Disney Photography at...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rt_images/
DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
"I think people will get what they want out of a tour."
If only that were true. I want so much more than they've got planned. Bonjour
Doesn't everyone! I wanted a lot more out of the Keys to the Kingdom tour (including a blast of Florida heat as it was freezing that day!) but it's catered for those who are interested in scratching the surface but not necessarily as an aficionado as we would be. Obviously, we wanna see more behind the scenes stuff, queue jump different rides to the ones they allow us to jump and basically have more access than the normal visitor would have...I've seen that tour and it costs $$$$!!
Yes, that's me in the profile pic...kudos for guessing the movie...
The Colonel wrote:"I think people will get what they want out of a tour."
If only that were true. I want so much more than they've got planned. Bonjour
Doesn't everyone! I wanted a lot more out of the Keys to the Kingdom tour (including a blast of Florida heat as it was freezing that day!) but it's catered for those who are interested in scratching the surface but not necessarily as an aficionado as we would be. Obviously, we wanna see more behind the scenes stuff, queue jump different rides to the ones they allow us to jump and basically have more access than the normal visitor would have...I've seen that tour and it costs $$$$!!
Those vip tour guides get paid by the hour. If you can get about 10 people together it becomes affordable. Something to think about for the great WDW get-together. I don't think they take you back stage, but you can jump lines and get the VIP treatment.
See my Disney Photography at...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rt_images/
DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
Has anyone done the Backstage Tales at Animal Kingdom?
For my November 2014 trip I went hog wild on tours because I was going solo. I was up to over $500 in tours and activities when I decided to look in to the Disney Premium Dining plan because any tours and activities were included. In my case the premium was worth it. Wild Africa was not included so I did that one out of pocket:
So here are the tours I took in and my thoughts:
1) Keys to the Kingdom. Loved it. Our tour guide was Disney magic personified. He kept it informative and fun with surprises. It is a 5 hours tour so be prepared for it to really cut in to your day. Lunch at the Liberty Tree was included.
2) Fort Wilderness Segway. This was a lot of fun and we even got to see a bit of the defunct River Country. You also get a very rare trading pin that can only be obtained by taking this tour. You might want to couple this with a horseback ride if you're staying elsewhere. The horses are well trained and cared for and the price is reasonable.
3) Wild Africa Trek is worth the cost if up close animal encounters are your thing. A basic fitness level is needed because there are rope bridges and a short rappel. Even with this tour, there's plenty of time after to tour AK. There is also a tasty snack/lunch.
4)The UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour: behind the scenes and history of Epcot. I liked it, but like Keys to the Kingdom, it's mainly for the veterans.
For value and fun factor I'm recommending the Segway tour. Keys to the Kingdom is for the Disney veteran that wants to see how they make the magic. Some might find it boring.
Enjoy
Nets
Sid Man wrote:The Colonel wrote:"I think people will get what they want out of a tour."
If only that were true. I want so much more than they've got planned. Bonjour
Doesn't everyone! I wanted a lot more out of the Keys to the Kingdom tour (including a blast of Florida heat as it was freezing that day!) but it's catered for those who are interested in scratching the surface but not necessarily as an aficionado as we would be. Obviously, we wanna see more behind the scenes stuff, queue jump different rides to the ones they allow us to jump and basically have more access than the normal visitor would have...I've seen that tour and it costs $$$$!!
Those vip tour guides get paid by the hour. If you can get about 10 people together it becomes affordable. Something to think about for the great WDW get-together. I don't think they take you back stage, but you can jump lines and get the VIP treatment.
Benn and I were actually talking about the fact that a VIP tour might be fun during our meet-up. Once we get our dates squared away, we all need to talk about this further!
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
For my November 2014 trip I went hog wild on tours because I was going solo. I was up to over $500 in tours and activities when I decided to look in to the Disney Premium Dining plan because any tours and activities were included. In my case the premium was worth it. Wild Africa was not included so I did that one out of pocket:
So here are the tours I took in and my thoughts:
1) Keys to the Kingdom. Loved it. Our tour guide was Disney magic personified. He kept it informative and fun with surprises. It is a 5 hours tour so be prepared for it to really cut in to your day. Lunch at the Liberty Tree was included.
2) Fort Wilderness Segway. This was a lot of fun and we even got to see a bit of the defunct River Country. You also get a very rare trading pin that can only be obtained by taking this tour. You might want to couple this with a horseback ride if you're staying elsewhere. The horses are well trained and cared for and the price is reasonable.
3) Wild Africa Trek is worth the cost if up close animal encounters are your thing. A basic fitness level is needed because there are rope bridges and a short rappel. Even with this tour, there's plenty of time after to tour AK. There is also a tasty snack/lunch.
4)The UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour: behind the scenes and history of Epcot. I liked it, but like Keys to the Kingdom, it's mainly for the veterans.
For value and fun factor I'm recommending the Segway tour. Keys to the Kingdom is for the Disney veteran that wants to see how they make the magic. Some might find it boring.
Enjoy
Nets
Just a correction here for anyone thinking about Keys to the Kingdom. Lunch is included at Columbia Harbor House, not Liberty Tree Tavern.
January 2020 Trip Report - Riviera Resort
June 2019 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach & Saratoga Springs
October 2018 Trip Report - Contemporary Resort
July 2018 - All Star Movies
April 2018 Trip Report - Art of Animation
Jan 2018 Trip Report - Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge
Nov 2017 Trip Report - Boardwalk Villas
Feb 2017 Trip Report - Port Orleans French Quarter
Apr 2016 Trip Report - Pop Century
Dec 2015 Trip Report - All Star Sports & Saratoga Springs
Sept 2014 Trip Report - Coronado Springs
Oct 2012 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach Resort
Nets wrote:For my November 2014 trip I went hog wild on tours because I was going solo. I was up to over $500 in tours and activities when I decided to look in to the Disney Premium Dining plan because any tours and activities were included. In my case the premium was worth it. Wild Africa was not included so I did that one out of pocket:
So here are the tours I took in and my thoughts:
1) Keys to the Kingdom. Loved it. Our tour guide was Disney magic personified. He kept it informative and fun with surprises. It is a 5 hours tour so be prepared for it to really cut in to your day. Lunch at the Liberty Tree was included.
2) Fort Wilderness Segway. This was a lot of fun and we even got to see a bit of the defunct River Country. You also get a very rare trading pin that can only be obtained by taking this tour. You might want to couple this with a horseback ride if you're staying elsewhere. The horses are well trained and cared for and the price is reasonable.
3) Wild Africa Trek is worth the cost if up close animal encounters are your thing. A basic fitness level is needed because there are rope bridges and a short rappel. Even with this tour, there's plenty of time after to tour AK. There is also a tasty snack/lunch.
4)The UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour: behind the scenes and history of Epcot. I liked it, but like Keys to the Kingdom, it's mainly for the veterans.
For value and fun factor I'm recommending the Segway tour. Keys to the Kingdom is for the Disney veteran that wants to see how they make the magic. Some might find it boring.
Enjoy
Nets
Just a correction here for anyone thinking about Keys to the Kingdom. Lunch is included at Columbia Harbor House, not Liberty Tree Tavern.
Thanks Allie, that's what I thought.
I like the food & wine tours that I usually organise myself.. 
Especially in Epcot. .Starting at Mexico with a Margarita and after I get to France for a cream cake and it's all over my face ( I blame the Grey Goose ) Walking over the bridge to the UK pavilion the looks I get from passers by, I mean, has no one ever seen a man with a white moustache before.. 
Only joking people...If they ever had an idea for a meet & greet, then everyone should have a cream cake stuck to their face..What an awesome photo that would make.. 
I like the food & wine tours that I usually organise myself..
I'd do mine starting in R&C leaping like a leprechaun with a Leaping Leprechaun, feeling like a sultan with a Soltan's Colada and work my way up to being cool as a cucumber with a cucumber margartia
August 2016 here we come!
The Watchmaker wrote:I like the food & wine tours that I usually organise myself..
I'd do mine starting in R&C leaping like a leprechaun with a Leaping Leprechaun, feeling like a sultan with a Soltan's Colada and work my way up to being cool as a cucumber with a cucumber margartia
I better warn my good friend Carl at R & C ...In case he sees a crazy Leprechaun leaping around his station..One of the nicest dudes I've ever met...
The Colonel wrote:Sid Man wrote:The Colonel wrote:"I think people will get what they want out of a tour."
If only that were true. I want so much more than they've got planned. Bonjour
Doesn't everyone! I wanted a lot more out of the Keys to the Kingdom tour (including a blast of Florida heat as it was freezing that day!) but it's catered for those who are interested in scratching the surface but not necessarily as an aficionado as we would be. Obviously, we wanna see more behind the scenes stuff, queue jump different rides to the ones they allow us to jump and basically have more access than the normal visitor would have...I've seen that tour and it costs $$$$!!
Those vip tour guides get paid by the hour. If you can get about 10 people together it becomes affordable. Something to think about for the great WDW get-together. I don't think they take you back stage, but you can jump lines and get the VIP treatment.
Benn and I were actually talking about the fact that a VIP tour might be fun during our meet-up. Once we get our dates squared away, we all need to talk about this further!
That would be fun. I saw several VIP tour groups in DL. The plaids were everywhere. One group included two very very tall guys. I'm thinking NBA players but have nothing to back that up.