Disney World Backstage Tours

Backstage Magic: You’ll feel like a true Disney insider when you explore the backstage areas of both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on the Backstage Magic Tour! Plus you'll visit the Creative Costuming building, the Central Shops building, and the Textile Services building. The secret world behind the “Magic” is yours to uncover during this fascinating tour. Lunch at the Whispering Canyon Cafe restaurant at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort is included.

Special access has been added at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, Rivers of Light. Guests will see the hidden marina where the animal and lotus barges are prepared for the evening performances. Guests on this tour will be among the first to see the inner workings and learn the mechanical and technological secrets behind the show.

Backstage Tales: Taking place at the Animal Kingdom, guests will head backstage to check out the park's Veterinary Hospital, housing for animals and the Animal Nutrition Center (more than 3 tons of food are served each day!). Guests will see the creative techniques Disney uses to promote conservation and perform behavioral studies. They will also see the Animal Programs Administration building and learn about wildlife conservation around the world.

Behind the Seeds: Take a walking tour of the "Living with the Land" attractions. Explore various areas within the greenhouse and learn the techniques used for raising crops. You'll take part in a herb/spice sensory challenge, veggie taste test, lady bug release and don't forget the alligators! All ages are welcome with strollers provided for little ones. ECV users must transfer to a manual wheelchair. Cameras and videotaping are welcome.

REVIEW: Going Behind the Seeds at Epcot

Caring for Giants: Meet with dedicated animal specialists who provide for the care and wellness of the African elephant herd at Disney's Animal Kingdom. African cultural representatives will also be on hand to share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations throughout their homeland.

REVIEW: Caring for Giants Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney Family Culinary Adventure: Spend an evening with Disney chefs working together to learn new cooking techniques and then enjoying the five-course dinner that you helped to prepare. The evening has room for 30 guests, who will divide into five cooking stations.  Each station will teach a different cooking technique:

• Garde manger - French term for food produced in the cold kitchen (farmer cheese, from-scratch butter, how to plate a gourmet salad
• Sushi - rolling sushi and sashimi
• Boucherie - butcher station, learn to trim a beef tenderloin to make a filet mignon
• Pasta - made from scratch with only three ingredients
• Patisserie - work with chocolate, mousse and other desserts

After cooking, spend time with the chefs and enjoy the meal with dimmed lights, background music, and a toast. Each course is served with wine and beer. The evening will end with a molecular gastronomy demonstration and each guest will get to take home a chef's hat and a signed Disney cookbook.

Complimentary transportation will be available for Disney Resort guests. A Disney PhotoPass photographer will be on hand to capture the experience.

Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains: Get an insider’s look at one of Walt Disney's greatest passions, steam trains. You'll join the opening crew as they prepare the Magic Kingdom's steam trains for their daily operation. You’ll visit the backstage roundhouse where these treasured transports are maintained and stored. All aboard for a ride on the Lilly Belle, Roy O. Disney, Walter E. Disney or Roger E. Broggie.

DiveQuest: This three hour tour starts with a behind the scenes look at the operation of the Living Seas followed by a 40-minute dive. You’ll swim amidst the colorful fish, sea turtles, sharks and 65 other species of marine life. It’s always smooth seas at this unique diving venture. PLEASE NOTE: Ages 10 and up. Guests ages 10 to 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Younger guests will need proof of Jr. SCUBA certification. Adults are also required to show proof of SCUBA certification. All equipment is provided including fins, tank, buoyancy compensator, weight belt, mask, and a 2.5mm shorty wetsuit. (You may bring your own mask.) You’ll have access to changing rooms with showers, and you are asked to bring a swimsuit. No cameras/videotaping allowed. Other members of your party may be able to photograph you from inside the exhibit. (Park Admission will be required.) Jewelry is not permitted and expectant mothers cannot participate.

Dolphins in Depth: Here's your chance to get up close and personal with a playful Dolphin. You’ll first explore the backstage areas where these amazing mammals are cared for and learn about the research being conducted at Epcot’s Living Seas pavilion. After this portion of the tour, you’ll enter into waist deep water to interact with these fascinating creatures. You’ll receive a photograph with the dolphin, refreshments and a T-shirt. PLEASE NOTE: No swimming or SCUBA diving is required. No cameras or jewelry are permitted and expectant mothers cannot participate. The dolphin determines the level of interaction.

Epcot Seas Aqua Tour: Time to slip on your swimsuit and slip into the waters of the Living Seas. Your tour begins with a fascinating behind the scenes look at the aquarium. The grand finale is a half hour spent in the water with the inhabitants of this amazing facility. Your tour includes a group photo, refreshments, all of your gear and a T-shirt. PLEASE NOTE: Bathing suits are required. Wetsuits are provided and must be worn. Lockers are provided. Scuba certification is not needed. The water temperature will be in the mid-70s. No cameras/videotaping allowed. Other members of your party may be able to photograph you from inside the exhibit. (Park Admission will be required.) Jewelry is not permitted and expectant mothers cannot participate.

Escape to Walt's Wilderness: Meet at the Contemporary Resort's Marina. Hop aboard pontoon boats for an eco-history tour of Bay Lake as you travel to Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. From there, go to the shore of Marshmallow Marsh for breakfast on the beach. After you've had your fill, a horse-drawn wagon will take you to Settlement and Pioneer Hall, then you will hike into a clearing in the woods for an archery lesson. Once you've mastered the bullseye, head to Tri-Circle-D Ranch horse barn to meet the Walt Disney World horses. A PhotoPass photographer will be available and the photos will be available on Memory Maker.

Family Magic Tour: A fun-filled scavenger hunt at the Magic Kingdom that the entire family can enjoy. You’ll follow clues in pursuit of a Disney villain to thwart his evil plan. Lots of fun surprises and character interaction are in store as your detective skills save the park from dastardly deeds.

The Floral Experience: Create your own Disney themed floral arrangement to take home with you. The arrangements will vary by season. The Floral Experience is offered at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. Call (407) 827-3505 to book.

Gardens of the World - Spring Edition:

This is your chance to tour and learn about the World Showcase’s gardens with one of Disney’s horticulture experts. You’ll hear how the gardens are designed and how each plant is incorporated into the pavilion’s landscape. You might even learn some tips for how to use some of these techniques in your own yard! This tour is only offered on select days during Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival.

Gardens of the World - Fall Edition:

Learn about the World Showcase’s gardens with one of Disney’s horticulture experts. You’ll hear how the gardens are designed and how each plant is incorporated into the pavilion’s landscape including learing about edible trees, shrubs, and flowers. You might even learn some tips for how to use some of these techniques in your own yard! This tour is only offered on select days during Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival.

Keys to the Kingdom: Your “key” opens the doors behind the formation of the Magic Kingdom. You’ll feel as if you’re walking in Walt Disney’s footsteps as your tour guide shares stories of the “man behind the mouse.” You’ll learn of what led to the parks creation and the vision that inspires its continued growth. Both backstage areas and attractions are visited during this tour. Lunch at Columbia Harbour House is included. Large bags and cameras are prohibited.

Mickey's Magical Milestones: The focus is on Mickey Mouse as you tour the Magic Kingdom. While visiting the attractions and locations that highlight his career, you'll delve into the enchanting world of everyone's favorite mouse. This tour features the development and achievements of this world famous icon.

Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience: As the “evening awakens,” guests ride in a private safari vehicle with a guide and a group limited to 12 people. An African-inspired tapas menu and regional beverages, such as beer, wine, and specialty drinks, is served from a private viewing area on the savanna.

Photos are taken during the experience and at the end, guests will receive a photo code they can use to download all the images. A commemorative keepsake is given as well.

Sense of Africa: This tour at Animal Kingdom Lodge allows guests a close-up experience with the animals. The tour begins with breakfast at Boma, before the restaurant opens to the public. In addition to the regular breakfast buffet, there will be some exclusive dishes as well. The details of the restaurant are explained by one of the cast members from Africa. After breakfast, a safari truck takes the group backstage on a safari truck for up-close animal encounters with giraffe, ostrich, and okapi.

Starlight Safari: During this nighttime safari, guests will use night vision goggles to search out the animals on the Sunset Savanna. 

Star Wars Tour: This seven-hour guided tour will include a ride on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, a meet and greet with Chewbacca and Kylo Ren, an insider tour of Launch Bay, reserved viewing for "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away" and "March of the First Order", a viewing of “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi,” and a Star Wars-themed meal at Backlot Express. Guests will then enjoy reserved viewing for the nighttime fireworks show. During the day, guests ages 4-12 will get to take part in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Guests will also take home a personalized souvenir from the day.

Taste of the Magic Kingdom: Step behind the counter of the food and beverage experience at the Magic Kingdom. During this 3-hour experience, you'll enjoy VIP tastings of some of Disney's most iconic menu items and hear stories from some of the chefs that bring the meals to life.

REVIEW: Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour: A Disney Dining Show Review

The Ultimate Day of Thrills - A VIP Tour Experience: This VIP tour will last for 6-7 hours and give you access to thrill rides at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The tour starts out in the Magic Kingdom, where guests will ride Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Next up is a table service lunch at one of the Disney resorts. After lunch, head over to Hollywood Studios for Toy Story Mania!, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and Star Tours. Animal Kingdom will be the last stop on the tour for Expedition Everest and Dinosaur!

The Ultimate Day for Young Families - A VIP Tour Experience: This tour is designed for families with children under age 10. Start out in the Magic Kingdom  for Magic Carpets of Aladdin, it's a small world, Peter Pan's Flight, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Barnstormer, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Next up is a table service lunch at one of the Disney resorts. After lunch, head to Hollywood Studios for a showing of Disney Junior Live on Stage! and a ride on Toy Story Mania! Animal Kingdom will be the last stop on the tour with a performance of Festival of the Lion King and a ride on the Kilimanjaro Safaris. 

The Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour: This tour is perfect for kids of all ages and includes at least 10 classic Magic Kingdom attractions. Guests will enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, "it's a small world", Peter Pan's Flight, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, and more. The tour also includes a chance to meet Mickey Mouse!

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour: This tour is perfect for those looking for a wild nighttime tour of Animal Kingdom park riding attractions and exploring lands with expedited access via FastPass+. Signature snacks and a specialty beverage (non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage—for Guests 21 and older) along with a souvenir lanyard and other surprises are included as well.

The UnDISCOVERed Future World: Explore areas of Epcot that are restricted to park visitors and learn of Walt Disney’s plans for this “City of Tomorrow.” As you visit behind the scenes, you’ll share in the vision that led to the creation of Epcot.

Up Close with Rhinos: In this 60-minute guided experience, the rhinos’ keepers will take you backstage to meet these massive creatures as few people ever do. As your guides introduce you to the park’s white rhinos, they’ll offer fascinating insights into the species’ behavior and biology and discuss the challenges that threaten populations in the wild.

REVIEW: Getting Up Close with Rhinos!

Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom: Walk through the Magic Kingdom and see how it is a timeline to Walt's life. Events in his life helped shape his view of the world around him, which in turn, inspired him to create his own "World." This walking tour will also give guests an inside look at operations and design of the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions.

Wanyama Safari: This tour is exclusively offered to guests staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. This three-hour experience gives guests an opportunity to tour with members of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge's animal programs team. You'll learn of the development of the resort's safaris and what goes into maintaining the animals in a resort environment. Bring your camera for unique photos taken from the resort's Savannas. Following your in-depth tour, you'll have dinner at Jiko - The Cooking Place, the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge's award winning restaurant. This tour is limited to 12 guests and can be reserved 90-days in advance through the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Itinerary Planning Office at (407) 938-4755.

Wild Africa Trek:  The Wild Africa Trek takes small groups on a guided hike with animal experts into some of the undeveloped areas of the “Harambe Reserve” of the Kilimanjaro Safari. You will experience up close views of Africa's wildest animals, clip into a harness allowing you to step to a cliff's edge and see the hippos and crocs below! You will then board a special vehicle to explore the rest of the Savannah. The tour concludes with a "Taste of Africa" experience where guests can continue to view animals from a special private safari camp above the savanna.

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure Segway Tour: This tour takes you along the trails of Ft. Wilderness. Meet at the Meadows Bike Barn area. After receiving instructions in the use of this futuristic vehicle, you're off on your 'wilderness' adventure. You'll head to the Fort's Settlement Post where there's a covered pavilion nearby. Here you'll get a helmet and mandatory instructions. Cameras and video are allowed. If you book the 8:30 session, you'll need to provide your own transportation to Ft. Wilderness, making it very important to plan ahead. They don't allow vehicular traffic within the grounds. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes to take the internal bus from the Day Guest Parking Lot. For the later session, if you take Disney transportation from a theme park or Downtown Disney to Ft. Wilderness, you'll still need to transfer to the internal bus. You're required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your session. If you're late, no tour for you. PLEASE NOTE: The maximum weight is 250 lbs. Helmets are provided and are mandatory. Expectant mothers may not participate. Guests with special needs should discuss the requirements with the Disney Tour department to see if they’re able to take part in this tour.

Wildlife Discovery Excursion: An animal expert is your guide for a safari ride onto the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. You'll visit special observation and photo ops exclusive to this tour. This can be booked 90-days in advance and must be booked through the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Itinerary Planning Office at (407) 938-4755.

World Showcase DestiNations Discovered: This tour of Epcot's World Showcase pavilions will take guests both onstage and backstage, showing them how the pavilions were created and some special behind-the-scenes surprises. Guests will also have the opportunity to watch one of the pavilion's cultural demonstrations. Lunch is included at a World Showcase restaurant.

Yuletide Fantasy: Get a behind the scenes look at how holiday Magic is created at Disney World. You'll see how the Magic Kingdom is transformed into a scene from Currier & Ives, how Epcot captures the international flavor of the different cultures and their traditions, and how the Disney Resorts are transformed during this special time of year. You'll get an insiders look at the "tricks of the trade" and the enormity of this annual undertaking. At the conclusion of this walking tour, you'll receive a special holiday gift.

REVIEW: Yuletide Fantasy Tour Review