Disclosure: I was invited by Disney to experience the Backstage Magic tour at Walt Disney World.
“I’m just very curious—got to find out what makes things tick…” -Walt Disney
The Backstage Magic tour is an exciting peek behind the magical curtain of Walt Disney World. This seven hour tour is for guests age 12 and over. The price is $275 plus tax and includes lunch at a table service restaurant and water and light snacks on the motor coach. You don’t need a park ticket to attend and on this particular tour you don’t experience any attractions. It’s all about what’s behind those exclusive backstage gates and how things tick. In this review, I share what you’ll explore on the tour and my thoughts but don’t spill all the details. You’ll hear neat Disney history stories, Imagineering design tricks, how intricate show pieces work and more. If the Backstage Magic tour interests you, I want you to have the full experience like I did! Here’s how our tour went.
Backstage Magic Tour Overview
Behind the scenes at The American Adventure
We learned about EPCOT and The American Adventure building and some Imagineering magic behind it. We went inside the attraction in a way I could hardly believe. If you like to see how things work this might be your favorite stop.
Creative Costuming
Sparkly things are everywhere and I am totally ok with it! The walls are adorned with magic like a swatch of Beast’s embroidered costume from the Disney Cruise Line production and a varied assortment Pluto’s name tags.
Textile Services
Imagine how much laundry Walt Disney World has to do every day. There is an incredible system that’s pretty interesting to see.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Next lunch is served family style via the skillet at Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. As always Disney restaurants are great at accommodating allergies and dietary preferences. I eat vegan and just let them know in advance.
Central Shops
This stop was the favorite of both of our guides. I totally get it. You never know what you’ll see in this enormous warehouse. It’s the place where everything comes to be fixed! You’ll be in the middle of ride vehicles, audio animatronics and more.
Magic Kingdom Utilidor
Lastly, we toured underneath Magic Kingdom in the famous utilidor. I’m most fascinated by the directional signs! Being in the utilitor under Main Street U.S.A. is pretty neat.
Note that tours may vary and that there are some upcoming changes to this one. Instead of Textile Services and Whispering Canyon Cafe, guests on this tour will soon go behind the scenes at Rivers of Light and eat at Tiffin’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Photography is not permitted backstage but fun photo opps and photos, like the ones here, are provided.
For more information visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/backstage-magic
To reserve spots on the Backstage Magic tour call 407-WDW-TOUR
A Walt Disney World tour sounds fun? Read my The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour review