Which tour? Need opinions

[azcavalier]

The DW and I will be going to WDW for 4-5 days in April to celebrate our 18th anniversary. No kids! Staying at either Bay Lake or AKV. We want to take a tour at one of the parks....Keys to the Kingdom is currently what we're thinking, but we're open to other ideas. We've taken the "Behind the Seeds" tour, and loved it.

Suggestions? Opinions? What tours have you done, and did you love it or think it was boring and overpriced? Let me know!

[faline]

We've done the Keys to the Kingdom tour and enjoyed it very much. Another really fun tour is the Segway tour in Epcot.

We've also done a couple of tours of the Animal Kingdom safari area but this tour is no longer offered. It was replaced by the new tour which I have not taken.

[VWL Mom]

We just loved Dine with An Imagineer at the Brown Derby. I did it only because DH wanted to but was so glad I did. The 3 hours went by so quickly and I learned so many new things about MK.

[DreamFinder2]

We've done the Segway tour at Epcot twice and will do it again! It's a great way to spend some time in the park prior to opening, and enjoy the peace and quiet...if only for a couple hours

[faline]

We just loved Dine with An Imagineer at the Brown Derby. I did it only because DH wanted to but was so glad I did. The 3 hours went by so quickly and I learned so many new things about MK.

Somehow I didn't think of this as a tour. We did this as well. It was summertime and I wanted to pick something that would be air conditioned instead of trudging around in the parks so selected this. The food was excellent and we were with a great group of folks so, yes, I would highly recommend this in lieu of a regular tour.

[azcavalier]

Somehow I didn't think of this as a tour. We did this as well. It was summertime and I wanted to pick something that would be air conditioned instead of trudging around in the parks so selected this. The food was excellent and we were with a great group of folks so, yes, I would highly recommend this in lieu of a regular tour.

What happens with this? Is it just eating @ the Brown Derby and interacting with an Imagineer? is it a set time limit, or it just goes until you're done? Does he take you anywhere, show you anything?

[faline]

We didn't go anywhere other than the private dining room in the Brown Derby. Basically, it is a multi-course meal that is served table service. The Imagineer joins you for the meal. There is no guarantee who you will get as an Imagineer and/or what their role in Disney is. It was more of a dinner party with conversation throughout. The Imagineer speaks about their role in Disney World and any of the guests are invited to ask questions. The Imagineer will refuse to answer any that may reveal confidential or proprietary information but, other than that it is a free-form discussion with no set script. At the end of the meal, each participant is presented with a special commemerative plate signed by the Imagineer with whom you ate.

They have a similar luncheon at Sanaa at Animal Kingdom where you meet with an animal specialist.

[Strmchsr]

They have a similar luncheon at Sanaa at Animal Kingdom where you meet with an animal specialist.

Done both and found this one a lot more fun. Personally, I liked the food better, too, but that's mostly because I'm not a real "froo-froo" type eater like what they serve at the Brown Derby.

I would say my favorite tour has been the AquaSeas/Divequest at Epcot. I've done both of those a couple of times and always love it. Aquaseas is for folks who are not scuba certified. It lets you snorkle in the big tank and they give you a complete behind the scenes tour. Divequest is for those who are scuba certified and let's you spend an hour diving in the tank. Really a fantastic experience.

[Crow]

I did dining w Imagineer at AP a few yrs ago. it was good food, as I like AP anyway. The CM was nice and told us a lot, some about Hidden Mickeys one of which he put in a poster in Kringla bakery.
They gave us a souvenir plate also.
I did Epcot tour WS thats not offered anymore. I want to do either Keys to t Kingdom and or Undiscovered Future World. I hear good things about Keys

[TiggeRia]

I have done a few of the tours. Keys to the Kingdom was absolutely fabulous (done it twice) and every person in my family who took it felt the same way. I've done the Backstage Safari (again twice) and found it to be just so-so both times. Like you we have also done the Behind the Seeds tour which I found fascinating. Most recently we did the Wild Africa Trek, which was also an amazing tour and well worth the money IMO. I think if I had to choose the best in regards to information and learning about the parks, I would go with Keys to the Kingdom. There are so many more to try, though!

[Main Street Jim]

I'm kinda partial to the "Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" tour

You'll meet with an Engineer or Conductor outside of the Magic Kingdom (transportation to the park is no problem). You'll learn about how Walt loved his trains, the Carolwood Pacific, and how the Walt Disney World Railroad steam trains came to be found. You'll get to go out to the roundhouse and watch the crews fire up one of the locomotives. Then you'll come back into the park and hear a presentation from your guide at the Main Street train station. About three hours total. At the end of the tour, each guest receives a commemorative Train Tour pin, designed by one of the train engineers.

[PETE FROM NYC]

I'm kinda partial to the "Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" tour

You'll meet with an Engineer or Conductor outside of the Magic Kingdom (transportation to the park is no problem). You'll learn about how Walt loved his trains, the Carolwood Pacific, and how the Walt Disney World Railroad steam trains came to be found. You'll get to go out to the roundhouse and watch the crews fire up one of the locomotives. Then you'll come back into the park and hear a presentation from your guide at the Main Street train station. About three hours total. At the end of the tour, each guest receives a commemorative Train Tour pin, designed by one of the train engineers.

I saw this tour on you tube, and being a retired railroader, I thought it was very interesting.
I think that most of the tours are probably also on you tube for a "free preview".

[Tinkerbella16]

My mother and I did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and we loved it! It was so much fun and very informative, even though I knew much of what was told lol. We got lucky to have such a great tour guide, Matthew.. he was just amazing! I even wrote an email about how great he was and they let him know. You get a lunch that is included in the price at Columbia Harbour House.. which was a plus since its our favorite! The tunnels were neat and going backstage to see the parade floats and riding a couple of rides! It is so worth it. It does take up a chunk of the day.. about 5 hours but it still was great!