Hey, Courtney-
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I agree this is a really tough choice because both tours will open your eyes to Walt Disney’s vision for making “…a family park where parents and children could have fun- together”.
While both tours give you wonderful history, the
Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour (3 hours) is special in that it takes you to “regions beyond” inside the Haunted Mansion. The tour is more “on stage” and you’ll learn about the history of three very special attractions and the life influences that led to the design of Magic Kingdom Park.
The
Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour (5 hours) will touch on many more aspects of Magic Kingdom Park such as the Utilidors, an in-depth knowledge of the Imagineers who created Magic Kingdom Park and a special tour of the Jungle Cruise attraction. A meal is also included. Essentially it’s a “backstage” tour with lots of “secrets”.
Disney Dad Tip: If you want the history, moderate details about the Haunted Mansion, see the Utilidors, are fine to ride the attractions in the afternoon then Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour is for you. If you want history focused specifically on Walt Disney (as opposed to the complete history), a Grim Grinning Ghosts view of the Haunted Mansion and more time for attractions then Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour is the best tour. Personally, I have done both and recommend both at different times. For shorter trips I suggest the 3-hour tour and longer visits, the 5-hour tour because we like attractions and we miss time on attractions to do the tours.
Courtney, enjoy making many Magical Memories!
~Jason ºOº