Tours and Other Experiences

Tours and Other Experiences
Descriptions

Curious about how the Magic is Made at Walt Disney World? Want to learn more about your favorite park?

Then perhaps you want to take one of the special tours or other special experiences offered at Walt Disney World.

For a price, you can spend hours learning about the art and architecture of World Showcase in Epcot, take a full-day tour of the theme parks and backstage areas, learn about the Magic Kingdom and more.

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION:

RESERVATIONS are required for most tours. They can be made by calling 1-407-WDW-TOUR (1-407-939-8687) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. You will need to reserve your tour with a credit card. Most of the tours DO NOT include park admission -- you'll have to provide your own. Be sure to ask about this when you call.

NOTE: There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for a full refund.

DISCOUNTS of 10 percent to 20 percent MAY be available. See individual tours for details and always inquire when you make your reservation, especially if you belong to the Disney Vacation Club, have an Annual Pass or a Disney Visa, or are a Cast Member.

NOTE: Some WDW packages may include options to include a tour.

AGE REQUIREMENTS: Unless noted in the description below, tour participants must be 16 years of age or older.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

    -- Unless noted, these tours and many of these experiences are outdoors and require a good deal of walking. Most tours and experiences are accessible for those with special needs; inquire when you call for reservations.

    -- Bring Photo ID with you for checking in to the tour.

    -- Some programs MIGHT NOT be offered at certain times of the year, or may require itineraries and prices to change without notice.

    -- Photographs are NOT allowed while in backstage areas.

All tour and price information is subject to change without notice. Call Disney directly to confirm.

Brief descriptions of the tours currently offered follow with links to tour reports, where available. Tour reports reflect the opinions of individual tour participants and are here with their permission.



Wild Africa Trek

Wild Africa Trek, is a new three-hour, expert-led wildlife experience scheduled that began January 16, 2011. Participants can explore the most remote reaches of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Highlights:

* Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren't explored during regular Animal Kingdom experiences.

* Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk.

* Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.

* Experiencing the thrill of "over-landing" in customized open-air vehicles.

* Unwinding at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, savor sample tastes of Africa as the adventure draws to close.

Wild Africa Trek is offered several times daily at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Groups will be kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari. Reservations for Wild Africa Trek can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Guests who reserve a booking from Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2011, may take advantage of an introductory offer starting at $129. Park admission is required for participants.



DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS TOURS

Inspiration: Through Walt's Eyes

Inspiration: Through Walt's Eyes is a new (2010) three-hour tour offered at 9 a.m. Sundays, Mondays and Fridays, except on holidays. Your tour host will share stories about how Walt Disney was inspired to pursue his dreams, and how his desire to succeed influenced those around him. The tour starts along Sunset Boulevard in Disney's Hollywood Studios, where you'll be reminded that Walt earned a record number of Academy Awards, including 59 nominations and 26 Oscars. Later, you'll travel backstage to see Event & Decorating Support, then will enter the Magic Kingdom's Utilidoor system and discover the hidden corridors that originated from Walt Disney's vision of a multi-layered city. Each guest will receive an exclusive pin. The tour is $99 per person ($105.44 with tax); theme park admission NOT required. Guests must be at least 16 years old. To make reservations, call 407-WDW-TOUR ( 407-939-8687)


UNDISCOVERED FUTURE WORLD

Learn about the history and creation of Epcot and the legacy Walt set forth for the Walt Disney World Resort. See how each pavilion in Future World celebrates human accomplishment and presents the challenge of the future.

This outdoor walking tour covers all of the Future World pavilions and gives you a glance at how each area celebrates man's accomplishments and challenges. Visit a VIP lounge area, get a backstage peek at Cast Services and the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth barges at the Epcot marina to see how the Epcot show is put together. Visit with one of the International Ambassadors and learn more about the program.

There are some fun "perks" associated with this tour, one is a special Limited Edition Undiscovered Future World pin given to participants.

The 4 to 4.5 hour tours are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Meet 15 minutes prior in the Guest Relations Lobby (to the left of Spaceship Earth as you enter the park).

    NOTE: Guests are able to arrive before the 9 a.m. opening in Future World by identifying themselves as being on the Undiscovered Future World tour. There is a guest list at the turnstiles. Use the same far right queue the Princess Storybook breakfast (Norway) guests use.

$49 per person, plus your Epcot admission.



MAGIC KINGDOM TOURS

FAMILY MAGIC TOUR
Magic Kingdom

A tour the whole family can enjoy is offered at the Magic Kingdom. Family Magic Tour takes you on a one-of-a-kind interactive tour through Main St, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. During the 2 hours, you are taken through the park's themed lands in search of clues (like a treasure hunt).

Offered daily at 10 a.m.

Disney Family Magic Tour is open to everyone.

$27 for adults and children (plus tax) AND Magic Kingdom Park Admission.

    SPECIAL NOTE: - The Special Character at the end of the tour does vary.



KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
Magic Kingdom

Offered daily, this four-and-a-half hour to five-hour tour celebrates Disney Magic! Learn about the Magic Kingdom's history and backstage secrets. Hear stories of Walt Disney, his visions, his philosophies, and his accomplishments. In addition to Disney history, guests finally get the opportunity to find answers to all of those "neat" Disney trivia questions and get an inside look at how the MAGIC KINGDOM operates by venturing downstairs to the main Utilidor entrance, see display cases of MAGIC KINGDOM Wardrobe, and Cosmetology Guides. Guests also visit the MAGIC KINGDOM Production Center, where they see storage facilities for the floats.

At the 2 1/2 hour mark, the group breaks at the Columbia Harbour House for a delicious meal which is prepared and waiting for all the Tour Guests. Orders are taken in the Tour Garden, next to City Hall, upon check-in before the Tour begins. Menu choices include a Fried Chicken Strips Basket, Fried Fish and Chicken Combo, Garden Galley Salad (mixed greens with feta cheese, pecans, grilled chicken, and pineapple in a zinfandel vinaigrette), Starboard Deck Sandwich (Toasted bread topped with ham, cheese, tomato, and broccoli slaw), and New England Clam Chowder or Vegetarian Chili.

Offered daily at 8:30, 9:00 & 9:30am. Tour starts at City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance.

Cost is $78.81 (includes tax) AND Admission to the Magic Kingdom!



BACKSTAGE MAGIC
Three Theme Park Tour!

This seven-hour program visits backstage!! Travel to the Magic Kingdom to see the utilidors, examine backstage computer controlled attractions at Epcot, see behind the scenes at the Living Seas, have a special lunch at Disney's Hollywood Studios, plus other surprises. Offered Monday through Friday at 8:45am. Disney recommends reservations at least 2 months in advance.

$243.89 per person (includes tax). Theme park admission is not required.




Disney's VIP Tour Services

The VIP Tour Guide can host up to 10 Guests. If your party size is larger than 10, they will provide an additional VIP Tour Guide at an additional cost. VIP Tour requests may be taken up to 90 days in advance. Please note that reservations may not be accepted during certain holiday periods. To ensure availability, call at least 72 hours in advance. Existing WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort transportation will be used. Private transportation is available at an additional cost.

The cost of Disney's VIP Tour Services is $125 per hour when scheduled more than 48 hours in advance, with a minimum charge of six hours. Any tour scheduled with less than 48 hours notice, will be charged $150 per hour with the same six hour minimum. Should your plans change, we require advance notice of 24 hours to avoid a cancellation fee of $250 per VIP Tour Guide. There may be discounts for Disney resort guests during the least busy times of the year.

Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available. However, tour guests may be offered a special viewing area for some parades or shows.

Customizing your VIP Tour is easy. Call Disney Special Activities at (407) 560-4033 and speak with a Disney Special Activities Coordinator; also available via e-mail at WDW.VIP.Tours@Disney.Com.

Dee writes: There is a new VIP tour available that was just introduced at the beginning of 2009. It's $295 per hour, with a six-hour minimum. There's a cap of 10 people in the group; you can be a larger group, but then they'll add a second guide. This tour can be started at any time in the day, as long as there's at least six hours before park close. We started at 9 a.m. and made it through everything in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland by 12:20 p.m. -- and that's including multiple rides on a few things and a Laugh Floor show. However, if I had it to do again, I would start at 10 or even 10:30, but be in the park at opening, and go on things like Dumbo, Small World and the Carousel on my own, since they can't skip lines if there isn't a Fastpass for it... In our case, we wanted to head from the Magic Kingdom to the Studios, so after a quick lunch (the guides pay for their own) they took us backstage in Tomorrowland, then we went in one of the Guides' official vans over to the Studios, where we again went backstage to park. We actually parked right behind the Narnia area and walked over to Toy Story Mania, and that's where the real value of the guides came in. It was a little after 1:30 p.m., and of course they were out of Fastpasses, but we got to go on through the Fastpass entrance immediately. Three times. It's an indulgence, but if you have a group of three or four families with kids in the 4 - 11 age range who want to do some of the bigger rides but don't have the best waiting ability, then enjoy it, and go on Splash Mountain or Everest five times in a row, or go from Toy Story Mania to Tower of Terror and then take in Beauty and the Beast from the front rows. Depending on the number of guides available, the tour is available every day. I know we'll never do this if it's just us, but we very well may do it again when it's me and two of my friends traveling spouse-free with all our kids. And you learn random Disney trivia and history along the way.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more info call 407-560-4033 or visit:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/vip-services/

NOTE: All information subject to change without notice.