For my sister’s 16th birthday, my mom and I took her on a birthday trip that included a Keys to the Kingdom Tour. This is a 5-hour tour that includes seeing parts of backstage in Magic Kingdom, entering the famous utilidors underground, and learning more about Walt Disney World’s history. While I won’t ruin the whole tour for you, I will hit some highlights. 

Our tour started at 8:00 am, so we left our resort around 6:45 am via a Minnie Van, and got to spend some time on an empty Main Street, Starbucks coffee in hand. We went in October, so the weather was crisp, and the Halloween decor was illuminating. At 8 o’clock we reported to our meeting location to meet our guide and other tour members. During check-in we submitted our lunch order.

The tour began with some key points on Main Street starting by the entrance and making our way towards the castle, before turning into Adventureland. We spent a good portion of time seeing backstage in this land and learning history about a fan favorite attraction. We made our way to Liberty Square, and stopped for lunch at Columbia Harbour House, where our order was ready for us as we arrived. Lunch was included with the price of the tour and included an entree, side, drink, and dessert, which were two chocolate covered Oreos boxed nicely and almost too cute to eat. 

After lunch, we hopped on our second attraction for another history lesson before heading to what people seem to be the most interested in- the utilidors, aka “underground tunnels.” We spent a good bit of time here learning more about how and why they were built, the directions they go, and more Disney history. This was a great time to “people watch” as we were in a busy hallway with cast members coming and going through all exit doors. The tour ended as we entered Main Street via the utilidor, where we gathered to say goodbye to our guide and new tour friends. 

It is important to keep in mind that this is a walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes. You also are not allowed to have your phone out during the tour, and absolutely no pictures backstage. We were given headsets so we could better hear our tour guide as we walked around the park. Participants must be 16 years or older to take this tour. 

I personally thought the Keys to the Kingdom Tour was not only a great experience, but also a great value, as it included two rides during the tour, lunch, and a keepsake gift. If you are fascinated with Disney history, this is an excellent option to enhance your day at Magic Kingdom.