Hi Kerry, welcome to planDisney!
You've asked a thoughtful question about one of my absolute favorite Walt Disney World Resort experiences of all time -
Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour. A ride on
Jungle Cruise infamously shows you "the backside of water." Similarly, Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour shows you the backside of
Magic Kingdom Park. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring questions for your experienced tour guide. For me, this tour's highlight was getting a chance to walk through the "Utilidor" tunnels that serve as Magic Kingdom Park's foundation. Most Guests know how magical it is to walk down Main Street, U.S.A. Now you'll get to experience what it's like to walk
under it.
For an 8:00 a.m. Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour, you are asked to check in at 7:45 a.m. at Town Square Theater, just to the right as you enter Magic Kingdom Park. On days that Magic Kingdom Park opens at 9:00 a.m., Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resorts Collection hotel Guests begins at 8:30 a.m. and complimentary bus transportation from Disney Resort hotels officially begins at 7:45 a.m. Without the help of a Fairy Godmother, I'm afraid you can't catch a bus to Magic Kingdom Park from Disney's Beach Club Resort and enter Magic Kingdom Park at the same time.
To avoid being late to a very important date, Kerry, I recommend using Disney's
Minnie Van service to get from Disney's Beach Club Resort to Magic Kingdom Park the morning of your tour. This service, which operates via the Lyft app, boasts experienced Cast Member drivers that will drop you off right by the entrance to Magic Kingdom Park. A 7:30 a.m. pickup is recommended. Other rideshare services are also an option but will drop you off at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Another mode of
transportation (Monorail or Ferryboat) is needed to get to the entrance of Magic Kingdom Park. As such, 7:00 a.m. pickup is recommended.
In October, I, too, had an 8:00 a.m. Keys to the Kingdom Tour. I took a rideshare from the Walt Disney World Dolphin to the Transportation and Ticket Center at 7:15 a.m. I was on the ferry by 7:30 a.m. and entering Magic Kingdom Park by 7:45 a.m. with no trouble. I checked in for my tour at Tony's Town Square Restaurant desk, where I was asked to show a photo ID and place my lunch order for
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. I was also given a nametag and an audio pack, which allowed me to hear my tour guide clearly.
I can't wait for you to have this Enchanting Extras Collection experience, Kerry. If you happen to have Alex as your tour guide, please tell him his planDisney pal says, "Hi!"
Plan magic; planDisney.
Jennifer