Have you always wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the Magic Kingdom? The Keys to the Kingdom Tour offers you a backstage pass to the Magic Kingdom, and the good news is that this tour is finally going to be returning to Walt Disney World next year. Let’s take a look at what you can expect if you sign up to do this tour on your upcoming visit to the parks.
What is the Keys to the Kingdom Tour?
The Keys to the Kingdom Tour takes place at the Magic Kingdom park and offers you a five-hour exploration of the first park at Walt Disney World. It costs $114 per person, and you’ll need to have valid theme park admission and reservations on top of that to enjoy this experience. The tour is a walking tour, so you’ll need to be prepared to be on your feet the whole time. You’ll learn more about some of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom and head back in time to learn how this park came to be.
One of the highlights of this tour is when you receive access to the Utilidors. These tunnels are located underneath the park, and it’s where the cast members travel to get between work locations. The tour guides for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour are some of the best at Walt Disney World, offering you facts and trivia about the park. Included in the tour are lunch and an exclusive keepsake, so it’s one of the best value for money tours on property.
When Does the Keys to the Kingdom Tour Restart?
Fans were excited to learn that Disney is slowly reintroducing some of the pre-pandemic offerings as we head into 2022. The Keys to the Kingdom Tour will resume from February 6, 2022, and is available for booking now. Call (407) WDW-TOUR to book today and try to book for your trip as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In the past, the tour was offered four times a day, starting in the morning each day. It’s a great option for a last-minute addition to your upcoming trip or a surprise for the Disney fans in your life. The tour is offered most days, but check out the schedule on the Disney website to plan your upcoming visit. This is a tour that no Disney fan should miss out on doing at least once during their Disney trips.
What are the Utilidors?
As we mentioned, one of the highlights of this tour is a trip through the Utilidors. If you didn’t know, the area that guests spend their time in the Magic Kingdom is actually located on the second floor. Below, you’ll find the utilidors, which allow cast members to travel to and from work, and transport trash and supplies without the guests seeing them. Cast members in the Magic Kingdom won’t walk between different areas in the costumes that are designed for one land, and that’s all thanks to the Utilidors. It’s fascinating to see behind the scenes of the park and understand just how much time and effort went into designing this incredible theme park.
The Story of Walt Disney
Another highlight of this tour is learning about how Walt Disney inspired the park we know and love today. You’ll learn more about his innovation and vision, which worked to bring the Magic Kingdom to life. You’ll hear some little-known facts about the park and spot Hidden Mickeys on your way around. By learning more about how the park came to be, you’ll be sure to have more of an appreciation for the park in the future during your vacations.
Who Can Enjoy The Keys to the Kingdom Tour?
There are certain things to keep in mind if you plan on booking this tour for your next trip. You need to make sure you go online and book a park reservation for the Magic Kingdom for the day of your trip, as you are likely to meet inside the park for the tour. You’ll also need valid park admission for the day, as this is not included in the cost. The tour spends most of its time outdoors, so make sure you are dressed appropriately. If it’s a rainy day, the tour will still go ahead. Be prepared with an umbrella, coat, or poncho to keep yourself protected.
It’s critical that you book for this tour in advance. While there are sometimes same-day reservations on offer, you are best to book the tour online or on the phone before your trip. During the tour, you can’t use video equipment, phones, or cameras, as you are going into areas that are otherwise off-limits to regular guests. Disney works very hard to keep the magic of their parks hidden and asks all of its guests on this tour to respect that as well. While there are certain attractions that you usually visit on the tour, these might change due to refurbishments or changes to the schedule.
Guests need to be at least 16 years or older to enjoy this tour. Pack photo I.D. with you on the day of the tour, which you may be asked for to verify your age and booking. You’ll check in 15 minutes before your start time at the Town Square Theater, and if you don’t show up or cancel within 48 hours, you’ll lose the full cost of your tour. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Members are offered a 15% discount, so take advantage of these if you can to reduce the cost of your tour.
Meeting for Your Tour
On the morning of your tour, you’ll need to arrive bright and early to the Magic Kingdom. If your tour starts before the park opens, you’ll enter through a special reservations entrance. You then need to head over to the Town Square Theater, where you are offered headsets and water. At this time, you’ll be asked what you would like for lunch. There are some vegetarian options on offer, so make sure you mention any dietary requirements upon booking or check-in to avoid issues when you sit down for lunch. Expect your group to have a mix of ages and nationalities, but most people are keen Disney fans who’ve visited the parks many times before. You’ll have the chance to ask questions during your tour, so think about these ahead of time if there’s something you’ve always wanted to know.
Who is the Keys to the Kingdom Tour Best For?
Out of all of the Disney park tours, this is one tour we recommend any Disney fan does at least once in their life. It’s not as long as some of the other tours they used to offer and comes at a very reasonable price point for the length of the tour. While you will be on your feet most of the time, you’ll enjoy a couple of attractions, where you’ll head straight to the front of the line. You also get a break for lunch, which is something you’ll really appreciate by that point in the tour. If you don’t have the funds to splash out on a Disney VIP Tour just yet, it’s a great introduction to what these services offer.
The tour is suitable for individuals ages 16 and above. If your older teenagers love Disney and the parks, they will enjoy this tour a lot. However, the length of the tour means it’s not ideal for anyone who isn’t a huge fan of the parks. That being said, many people find the behind-the-scenes aspect of the tour to be incredible, and it greatly increases their appreciation of the parks. Many people turn into lifelong fans of the parks after this tour, as they are just blown away by the time and effort that goes into the parks.
Is The Keys to the Kingdom Tour Worth It?
For the price of the tour, we think this is an excellent tour for anyone visiting Walt Disney World to enjoy. Many of the other tours on offer are much more costly, which is why we recommend doing this one first as an introduction to their offerings. One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t do many attractions on this tour. If it’s your first time visiting the parks or you are very short on time, then think twice before doing this on your upcoming trip. This tour would be best for anyone visiting the parks for five days or longer, where you have an additional day to spare after visiting the parks. It’s a great option as well for locals and anyone who’s visited dozens of times before, who may be looking for a unique addition to their next trip.
One of the top questions we receive is whether doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour will ruin the magic of the parks for you. For the most part, we absolutely think it won’t, and in fact, you’ll probably find that it enhances your experience. Most people are fascinated by the Utilidors, which are well worth seeing. You might find that they aren’t as glamorous or exciting as you expect, but keep in mind they are a backstage location. However, learning how things are transported from A to B in the parks is just incredible to see. The guides on these tours are also some of the best Disney cast members you’ll ever meet. Their passion for the parks is incredibly obvious, and they’ll be happy to chat with you and answer questions about the park.
The Keys to the Kingdom is returning to the Magic Kingdom in February 2022, and we can’t wait for this tour to return once again. If you’ve never had the chance to enjoy this tour before, make sure you get booked in for your upcoming vacation. You’ll go behind the scenes and learn more about the parks to increase your appreciation of all Walt Disney did upon founding the Disney parks and company. It’s a great way to enhance any trip and create new memories for you and your family, which you’ll look back on fondly for many years to come.
