Hey howdy hey, Amber and welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I am so glad you are ready to pull back the curtain and see where the magic is created. 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."
There is some minor overlap in information on both tours as they give you a wonderful history of Walt Disney and the life influences that led to the design of Magic Kingdom Park. Personally, I would not do these two tours on the same trip.
Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour is a 3-hour tour takes you through the history of the Disney greats (immortalized on the windows of Main Street, U.S.A) as you learn about
progress,
small worlds and to travel to “regions beyond” with a special visit inside the
Haunted Mansion. The tour is more “on stage” and the highlight is going underground to get a spooky view of the spellbinding magic that Madame Leota has gathered from regions beyond. For the die-hard Haunted Mansion fan, this tour will leave you breathless and dying to “hurry back” to the Haunted Mansion.
Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour (for Guests ages 16 years and older) is a 5-hour tour and will touch on more aspects of Magic Kingdom Park such as the Utilidors, 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" and the ability to ask any question about Disney Parks.
We have found all the tours to be inspirational, educational, and worth our time.
Disney Dad Tip: You asked about other tours. My family did the
Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park when my sons were 12 and 8 years old. It is an adventure unlike anything else. You will explore and learn about the African savanna on your private covered transport aided by binoculars. The most thrilling part for me was walking a suspension bridge hovering over a bask of fighting crocodiles. One of my favorites is the 7-hour
Backstage Magic tour. This is where you really get to see how the Walt Disney World Resort works. From Creative Costuming and Central Shops (where the attraction vehicles are made) to laundry facilities and Utilidors, Backstage Magic shows you how the pixie dust is made and maintained. It was amazing.
Amber, enjoy making many Magical Memories!
~Jason ºOº