tour have gone backstage at the Haunted Mansion , which I personally would have loved . Be advised again , not all tours are created equally .
UNLOCK HIDDEN AREAS What really interests me most about any Disney tour are the backstage areas ; the Keys to the Kingdom tour did not disappoint . In addition to the Utilidors later in the tour , our group went behind the scenes between Splash Mountain and Adventureland — exactly where the parades and cavalcades begin .
That area , which is as expansive as you might imagine , holds most , if not all the vehicles and props for the Magic Kingdom parades . Even for the Christmas and Halloween versions . There are workshops for building and repair , with Cast Members actively working , and several huge storage hangers holding past floats no longer in use , as well as props , parts , and tools .
If you ’ re lucky , you may even catch parade rehearsals here . It ’ s almost like peeking into Santa ’ s Workshop , only in 95-degree weather . How I wish photography was allowed backstage ( it ’ s not under any circumstances , in case you were wondering ).
We spent a decent amount of time backstage here , about 30 to 40 minutes , before checking our look in the Cast Member mirror ( in place to ensure they are stage-ready ), crossing that yellow sight line on the ground ( indicating where Cast Members can be seen by guests so they don ’ t break character too early ), and heading back into the park .
There will likely be a constant stream of information coming through your earpiece while walking through the lands as your guide points out what most people overlook . The kind of information you can impress your friends and family with on your next trip . Like why the ground in Liberty Square is brown . Google it .
While backstage , you may get a glimpse of the parade rehearsals . PHOTO BY CLIFF WANG
For anyone concerned , there were three breaks during the 5-hour tour , two bathroom breaks and one 30-minute lunch , which were plenty . If the timing is right ( and it usually is on Disney tours ), your preordered food is magically waiting for you at a table with your name on it , along with a special commemorative souvenir .
Now onto the final portion of the tour , the Utilidors .
A souvenir memento from your tour . PHOTO BY KAT WOLFE