The Behind the Scenes Tours at the Walt Disney World Resort

Another Sneak Peek Behind the Scenes

All of us that have visited the Magic Kingdom, at the Walt Disney World Resort, have enjoyed the sights, the sounds and the special magic of this special theme park. We have enjoyed the attractions and watched the parades. We have listened to the bands and watched the shows. We have waited for Tinker Bell to descend from the Cinderella Castle and wooed and awed as the fireworks filled the sky with imagination. We even enjoyed a meal or simply grabbed an ice cream without giving much thought to how it all happens.

Have you ever wondered just how all of the magic just seems to appear out of nowhere. Just where did all those floats come from? And how do all of those sights and sound that make up a parade come from and how does it all happen.

Recently I was apart of a group of excited and wide eyed guests who spent nearly five hours looking, listening and learning about the effort and preparation that goes into all that we experience at the Magic Kingdom.

I will share with you now some of the highlights of this tour, but not everything we experienced that morning. It would be difficult to describe the special feeling you have as you walk down into the Utilidors below Main Street U.S.A. or explore some of the backstage areas.

So follow me as we take a peek at some of the secrets behind the creation and growth of the Magic Kingdom and discover some of the remarkable history of this park.

So here are my notes from my glimpse Behind the Magic.

One by one our group arrived just outside City Hall and checked in. After surrendering their reservation number each guest was given a lanyard, which displayed their name, and a radio operated receiver with an earpiece. The small receiver allowed guests to listen to the tour guides comments and instructions throughout the tour. In addition guests were given a lunch menu from which we pre-selected our lunch that would be served later at the Columbia House restaurant. As the group waited for all to arrive and register we were invited to help ourselves to coffee and bottles of ice water that had been laid out.

Once everyone had arrived and check in our tour guide directed us to the flag pole that located prominently at the entrance to Main Street U.S.A. It was there that we all introduced ourselves, announced where we were from and we were also encouraged to tell who our favorite Disney character was. With the introductions completed our tour began with an explanation of the four keys that all cast members at Walt Disney World Resort are taught. This was followed by an explanation of the presentation of “the show” and how it begins at the park entrance.

Proceeding down Main Street we were shown examples of forced prospective and how it is employed, as well as, the various tributes on display all along Main Street to those that had contributed to the design and operation of the theme park.

We made our first stop at Center Street where we were invited to sit down as a further explanation of the four keys that guide all cast members regardless of their particular responsibilities was given.

We then headed into Adventureland and discovered how the transition from one themed land to another is accomplished. Inside Adventureland we were treated to a behind the scenes guided tour of the Jungle Cruise attraction.

Our next stop was at the back stage area called Productions and Attractions. Over the next 30 minutes we were given a detailed explanation about parades, as well as, some operational procedures for the attractions Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain.

We next headed for lunch that was being hosted at the Columbia House restaurant. We were escorted upstairs to a private dining area where each of our lunches was already waiting for us. Each person’s lunch was marked by a place card that displayed our name and also held a special commemorative “Keys to the Kingdom” pin.

After lunch we were then led to the Haunted House attraction. There a detailed explanation of theme, as well as, the story line that is followed throughout the attraction was given. I must confess that even after having enjoyed this attraction on innumerable occasions over the years I was unaware of most of this story and how it plays out during the ride.

From there we headed to Main Street USA and following our guide as we made our way through the back of one of the shops into the backstage area directly behind Main Street. There our guide discussed the purpose of the backstage areas and some of the responsibilities of the cast members that work there.

Our next stop was upstairs behind the shops on Main Street. There on display were some historic pictures of the park, as well as, maps and artist renditions that showed early depictions of what the imaginers had in mind.

We then boarded an elevator, which took us down into the utilidors. An explanation of how much of the parks operations and maintenance is managed from this maze of corridors.

Our tour concluded with a question and answer sessions that was conducted on the other side of Main Street behind the shops that line the street.

So, were we able to “Walk in the footsteps of legends and immerse ourselves in fabled tales that have made this kingdom so magical”, as the brochure said we would?

I think a better question might be did we learn things about the “Most Magical Place on Earth” that we had not know previously and enjoy ourselves at the same time? The answer to this question is yes!

Things to know before you go

Duration: 4 1/2 - 5 hours
Cost: $58.00 per person
Additional Information
All prices include tax.
Program itinerary, content and prices are subject to change without notice.
Theme Park admission is required.
Guests must be at least 16 years old to attend.
Lunch is included.
This is an outdoor walking program.
Guest are required to have a photo ID in their possession during the program.
Large bags and cameras are not permitted on this tour.

TIPS & FUN FACTS
Walt Disney wanted to be sure that the "business" of the Park would never intrude on the "show." So he built approximately 1.5 miles of "utilidor" access tunnels beneath the Magic Kingdom® Park.