Happy Thursday Main Streeters! What an exciting week thus far! Lots of news this week; particularly incredible coverage of a super fun and great event called Disney After Hours, which Michele talked about on TMSM Weekly; the Monday Night Live Show. This event is in full swing on select nights at the Magic Kingdom, but did you know there are other ways to experience extra magic? I’m going to let you in on a little secret, a hidden gem on the Walt Disney World website, and the stuff which gets you some serious Disney street cred. Are you ready? It’s called the Enchanting Extras Collection.
This collection is nested in the Things to Do tab on the website, and features a whole list of Events and Tours you can experience. In this series, I am hoping to cover each of the tours available at Walt Disney World Parks and select Resorts. First up; the Backstage Magic Tour.
This is a separate ticket tour, just like Disney After Hours. The price of participating is $275 per person, but you get your money’s worth because Backstage Magic is one of the longest tours clocking in at 7 hours of unrestricted magic, which also includes a delicious family-style barbeque lunch at Whispering Canyon Café. With this tour, you’ll be visiting Epcot and the Magic Kingdom Park, plus get an up close and personal look at the talented professionals who design costumes for park festivities. You also get to meet with artisans who are the craftsmen of magic incorporating all those tiny details that make Disney magic special. Finally, you will tour one of the world’s largest laundry facilities, because you know all those resort sheets don’t wash themselves.
Backstage Magic gives you plenty to explore, and you leave with a special commemorative gift as well as unique photo opportunities. If you were ever curious as to what the “utilidor” tunnels look like, this tour will walk you through Walt Disney’s brainchild to keep Disney Cast Members and delivery vehicles undetected from park guests enjoying the magic above. For people who are into engineering and Audio-Animatronics, you’ll get a treat behind the scenes of The American Adventure. So the tour is quite a diverse and immersive experience all around.
According to Disney’s website, here are a few “Know Before You Go” tips if you plan on adding this tour to your Disney bucket list:
- Transportation during tour is provided. If anyone in your party will be utilizing a mobility device, such as an ECV or a wheelchair, please call (407) 566-3352 prior to booking to ensure space is available for the device.
- Bottled water will also be provided during the tour.
- This tour is delivered in English only. Simultaneous translation is not provided, nor is it allowed.
- For safety reasons, closed-toe and closed-heel shoes (such as sneakers) are required for this experience. No sandals, open-toe or open-heel shoes will be permitted.
- No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage. However, photography is allowed and encouraged in all non-backstage areas.
- Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
- Guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour.
- Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour.
- Guests under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian permission to call or book.
- Please check in next to the blue-and-silver “Epcot Guided Tours” sign posted outside and to the far right of the Main Entrance.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
- No-shows will forfeit the entire price of the tour unless canceled at least 48 hours prior to the start of the tour.
So tell us Main Streeters, has anyone done this tour? What was your favorite part or parts? We would love for you to share! Until next week friends!
Erika is excited to be on the TMSM team and where Disney Parks are concerned, you won’t catch her dead on It’s a Small World. If she asks to ride that, this is a clear indication that she is in danger and you must send help. You will, however, catch her performing Random Acts of Disney (R.A.D’s), park hopping with her amazing group of impressively talented and kind friends (usually in some themed attire), hanging out by The Haunted Mansion, and ugly crying during fireworks… then begging for a Mickey Premium Bar to eat her feelings…this is a judgment-free bio.
Otherwise, Erika works for the State of Florida and is actively involved in her community. Erika believes in empowering others and spreading kindness to people from all walks of life. Erika also makes custom designed Disney inspired ears, etched glass, gifts, and accessories. You can check out, like or follow her work on FB, which also links to my shop’s Instagram: www.facebook.com/imagineering.emporium. She looks forward to getting to know everyone and sharing the magic of Disney!
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- Walking in Walt’s Footsteps - May 9, 2019