Keys To The Kingdom Tour Of Magic Kingdom

Our wonderful tour guide, Gwen, worked hard to find shade when we stopped to talk.
Keys to the Kingdom Logistics
Keys to the Kingdom is a five-hour walking tour of Magic Kingdom. There are breaks, but you will definitely get your steps in!
Pricing- With tax, the tour is $152.99 per person. If you have any discounts, such as AP or DVC, you can make those adjustments when you arrive.
Age Restrictions- You must be 16.
Timing- There are multiple tours each morning. Starting times range from 8:00-9:30 am. Try to arrive well before your starting time. Remember, Disney transportation or using the TTC can add a good half hour. And if you are on the 8:00 tour, you have to wait in the opening crowd queues. (They used to let you in early if you had a tour, now they let everyone in earlier, so there’s no reason to)
Arrival– When you arrive at the park, head to Tony’s Restaurant. They will have name tags, audio receivers with earpieces, and water all ready for you. You’ll also select your lunch menu choices.
The audio device that allows us to hear the guide has an earpiece. You may ask for over-the-head headphones if that’s more comfortable.
Meeting Your Guide- Just before the tour begins, the guide will gather everyone, introduce themselves, and make sure everyone’s audio equipment works. You do not have to introduce yourself or speak to the group.
They will explain that they really would like you not to be on your phone, but to be in the moment. I promise I only took a couple of pictures during the tour, then went back after the tour to get more shots. And absolutely no photos of backstage.
Accessibility: The tour is fully ADA-compliant. And if you need mobility assistance, you know, any sentence that begins this way means adjustments will be made, but you will probably only notice them if there are multiple guests with mobility devices.
After the Skipper cleared us safely from the dock, our guide took over the audio and shared fun facts and history.
Attractions- Typically, the two attractions you ride are the Jungle Cruise and the Haunted Mansion. If the weather is a challenge or the ride is down, they pivot. Plan B for Jungle Cruise is the Tiki Room with the guide teaching throughout. I have been told that plan B for Haunted Mansion (less likely to happen) is Pirates of the Caribbean, but this is not confirmed.
On the Jungle Cruise, you’re in a boat, and the tour guide takes over for the skipper and shares the history. During Haunted Mansion, the guide shares fun facts and history before the ride, and you experience it without interruption. And of course, there’s no waiting in lines.
Lunch is ready and waiting with real plates and silverware. On this tour, we ate at Columbia Harbor House.
Lunch- Lunch is provided with the tour. You choose your meal before the tour, and at lunchtime, an area of the restaurant is reserved for your tour. You’ll find your place card, a meal with real silverware and a napkin, and a bottled drink. On this tour, we ate at Columbia Harbor House; in a previous tour, our meal was at Pecos Bill’s.
I was on a 8:00 tour, and lunch was at 10:30. If lunch at 10:30 isn’t ideal for you, I suggest booking a later tour.
Backstage and Utilidoors – There are two opportunities to visit backstage. The first one is the parade area, where the floats are stored. Then later you will visit the utilidoors, also known as the tunnels, and you get to spend almost an hour down there.
So, What Did You See and Learn??
I’m excited to say, even though I have taken this tour before, I learned and saw new things! In 2019, my family took this tour, and this time we got to go through the costuming room in the utilidoors. Previously, we were allowed to just look through the door’s window.
The Frontierland door led us to the parade float storage and practice. The Fantasyland shop door led to the utilidoors.
There was also a lot going on in the parade area. We got to see actors practicing on the floats, and they are rehearsing for “Boo-to-You right now, so there were floats for three different parades. At one point, I was right in front of Maleficent, in awe of being head-on and so close. I also really wished I was allowed to take a photo!
Is This Experience For Everyone?
Besides the fact that you must be 16 to join the tour, I would say Keys to the Kingdom is for true Disney Parks fans. There is a lot of history. Not everyone needs to be brought to tears by the Roy Disney story, like I am, but if you aren’t interested in the history of the park and the Disney Company, I’m afraid your time would be better spent on the attractions.
I also believe every guest considering this tour should decide whether they can stand and walk for most of a 5-hour tour, especially in the hot months.
The Surprise!
Everyone gets a souvenir at the end of the tour. Check the header picture on this article for a hint.

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