Keys to the Kingdom Tour: General Description and review (with spoilers)

General Description: (NO spoilers)

• Opens daily 8:30 AM, 9, 9:30 AM

• 5 hour tour (lunch included)

• Must be 16 years old or older

• $60 + theme park admission

• To book this tour you must call (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687

• This is a on-site orientation to the history and workings of Walt Disney World’s original theme park, the Magic Kingdom. Guests visit two top attractions and take a peek at the Utilidors (legendary tunnels underneath the park).

My review of Keys to Kingdom tour (SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!):

My fiance and I took this tour on July 9, 2009. We met for the tour in the morning and were given our earpieces, guest badges and name badges.

Our first stop was up Main Street where we were given a brief history and then our first question, which was what were the keys to the kingdom? My fiance who was a former Disney cast member of course knew the answers: Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency. We were given our first Mickey Mouse Sticker!

We then had a detailed look at Main Street USA including lots of hidden gems such as the names of the park designers and the companies Disney used to buy the land being used on the upper windows of the shops. We were also told about lots of interesting details such as forced perspective (makes Main Street look long when entering the park and short when exiting the park) and the fact that Main Street actually slopes up towards Cinderella’s Castle. Disney wanted the guests to not have to feel more tired after a long day at the park. There are also various black rods concealed on top of buildings, which are indeed lightning rods. Florida is the “lightning capital of the US” so those are safety measures. Soon we saw lightning and then there was rain. It was a good thing that we bought ponchos that day.

We then ahead of the line at Jungle Cruise to be taken on a special tour where our guide took over for the skipper in telling us the history of jungle cruise. Some tidbits she shared was that the water is not that deep. To disguise the shallowness, they put in brown dye.

After jungle cruise we got to see the backstage area behind Splash Mountain, where they store gallons of water. Near by was the AVAC system, which we smelled so we knew it was a recyclable waste. We also saw some of the Dream Come True Parade Floats.
The tour guide explained that it was the AVAC system.

We went back “on stage” and had a look at the Liberty Bell, and were told that it is an exact replica of the original bell. She also told us the story about the Liberty Tree, which had to be cut in half to be placed in that spot. They glued it together and it is still alive.

Just as we were getting hungry, it was time for lunch at the Colombia Harbor House in Liberty Square. I had a tuna salad sandwich, potato chips, and an iced tea.

We then made our way towards the Haunted Mansion. We entered through the backdoor of the Haunted Mansion themed as the “servant’s quarters” of the house. This was also the “chicken exit” of the ride, for those people who decided they no longer wished to ride. One interesting trivia is that unlike the Disneyland version of the Haunted Mansion, the Walt Disney World one isn’t an elevator. It actually stretches upward. Our guide also tells us about the variety of hidden Mickeys including: the ballroom scene where there are three dishes in the shape of a Mickey, and in the graveyard scene, to the right of the opera singer, the grim reaper is inside, holding a Mickey.

After the Haunted Mansion, we headed back toward Main Street. We went backstage through the Emporium and into the parking. Finally what we were waiting for. We enter a building and see stairs. We enter the Utilador!!!!!!!! Once inside, we see a huge map of the tunnel system painted on the wall. There were arrows that pointed to all the different lands of the Magic Kingdom. Just as our tour guide warns us to keep our tows close to the wall, we see cast members driving a mini cart. It feels like a mini city! Lining the walls were also pictures that showed the history of the Walt Disney Company and development of the park. Another interesting stop in the tunnels was the Cast Member’s pin station. We spent about a good hour in the tunnels, and finally exited behind Main Street in a VIP parking lot behind Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. The tour wrapped up back at the Magic Kingdom City Hall where we started. Our final treat memorable gold Keys to the Kingdom Pin.

This was a great tour!