Backstage Safari

[ghost1000]

If anyone is not planning on doing the Segway or Yuletide Fantasy tours, and wants to do Backstage Safari, let me know.

Backstage Safari is only held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Monday I'm already committed to coordinating breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe, and a lot of folks are leaving on Friday. That leaves Wednesday and Thursday for Backstage Safari.

[Colorado Belle]

If people want to do both...we could move the Segway tour or the breakfast to another day to try to accommodate the Safari Tour on Monday or Wednesday.
If everyone who is interested (like me) has a later fllight on Friday, we might even be able to do it on Friday.

Did you post if there was a discount on this tour? What time is it over?

[Simba's Mom]

The Backstage Safari tour is over around 11:45 or so. When I did it, we finished in the little courtyard across from Tusker House. For anyone considering it, it's a wonderful tour (but to me, anything at AK is wonderful). We had to meet at AK around 8:15-8:30. I don't know if cars can get in that early (I heard a rumor that they wouldn't let cars in the parking lot then), but I know the buses were running, at least from OKW, by 7:30. The tour guide I had was great-if he didn't know an answer, he got on his walkie-talkie and got the answer immediately. I think there was one question he even got the person's Email address so he could send the answer (no one knew).

[ghost1000]

They let cars in that early. We had a 8:10 breakfast at Donald's Breakfastosaurus back on November 1 and they let us in.

[mickeyndvcfan]

There is a 15% discount for DVC members.

[Colorado Belle]

LOVE those discounts!!!

[ghost1000]

Here's the details--

The tour runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It starts at 8:30 in the morning (I didn't ask, but that probably means you should check-in at 8:15) and runs about three hours. The base cost of the tour is $65. Discounts for AAA, DVC, and Annual Passholders is 15%. Disney Visa offers a 20% discount. The discount are for up to 10 people, and the holder of the discount must be registered for the tour.

Since it's a backstage tour, all guests must be 16 or over.

[Colorado Belle]

Just found out my sis is joining me in October for Food and Wine...so if I can't make the tour in December, I will go with her in October. Either way...think this will be a fun tour and love the 20% discount with my Disney Visa

[Tapestry]

As of last visit, I've taken nearly all of the backstage magic tours around the world. I finally shelled out the bucks and took the daylong tour. WOW! The 20% discount with the Visa is very helpful. What a great tour that was! I think it and the AK backstage safari are by far my favourites. I won't spoil the AK surprise...but...gotta love them "pinkies". lol. :smile18:

[Lisa]

I was looking at my Dec. plans and I remembered the AK or MK backstage tours as a possibility. I was thinking since I was without children this might a good time to go on one. I think the MK one is rather long (5hrs??) so might not fit as well.

Although that 8:30 time keeps staring me in the face, sounds awfully brutal after some evening event. How easy is it to get a bus at that time? Maybe a taxi would be better?

[ghost1000]

Since I didn't get a lot of response about this, Doug and I actually booked Backstage Safari for our October trip.

[Lisa]

I figured there wasn't a group going at this point since I didn't read much response, but if you have any opinions between the two tours and transportation thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

Although if anyone would like to join me, that would be fun too!

[ghost1000]

I figured there wasn't a group going at this point since I didn't read much response, but if you have any opinions between the two tours and transportation thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

I guess you're asking about Keys to the Kingdom and Backstage Safari.

We had a blast on our Keys to the Kingdom tour. It's one of the two tours where you go down into the Utilidors. We went on Jungle Cruise and the Haunted Mansion (the Haunted Mansion will be closed from June 6 through September 12). We learned quite a bit about the themeing in the Magic Kingdom.

Here's some review from All Ears Net about Keys to the Kingdom (http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=241&cat=66) and Backstage Safari (http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=229&cat=66).

I believe Keys to the Kingdom has staggered start times (at least it did when we went on it) and Backstage Safari only has one start time. Also, Keys to the Kingdom is slightly less expensive (although it's longer and includes lunch at Columbia Harbour House).

[Simba's Mom]

I can give you a little personal experience on transportation to the Backstage Safari tour. I'd be hesitant to go with a taxi because I've heard that they keep all cars, taxis, at the toll plaza until about 8:30-8:45. When I took this tour, I decided to go with taking the bus. Some people, no doubt, are eating at the Character breakfast, so bus service is running. I was at OKW, left for the bus stop at 7:25, and got a bus that arrived at the bus stop just as I did. And I was the only passenger all the way to the AK, arriving there before 7:45. Because I just did Backstage Safari, I didn't sign up for it. However, if you're thinking of Wild by Design, let me know. I've never done that tour, but I'd love to!

[ghost1000]

We had an 8:10 reservation at Donald's Breakfastosaurus on November 1, 2006 and had no problem driving to Animal Kingdom in our rental car.