Keys to the Kingdom Tour

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I recently took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Walt Disney World and wanted to share that experience with you! Note that you are unable to take photos during the tour (so as not to spoil the magic!) so all of these photos were taken before or after the tour.

What is the Keys to the Kingdom Tour?

The Keys to the Kingdom Tour is a five-hour walking tour at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. During the tour, you learn interesting facts about Walt Disney and the creation of the Magic Kingdom and you get the opportunity to go backstage and see some of the behind-the-scenes areas of the Magic Kingdom, including the infamous underground “Utilidor” tunnels. Quick service lunch is included in the tour price.

How Much Does the Keys to the Kingdom Tour Cost?

The tour costs $129–$149 per person (tax not included), which must be paid in full at the time of booking. You must also have a valid theme park admission for that day, which is not included in the price, and if applicable to your ticket type, a reservation for the Magic Kingdom that day.

Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members qualify for a 15% discount. If you are eligible for a discount, proof of eligibility must be presented at check-in.

I paid $129 (137.39 with tax) for a weekday in May. When I checked in, I showed proof of my annual pass and was told to look for a credit back on the card I had used to pay for the discount.

When is the Keys to the Kingdom Tour Offered?

The tour is offered daily with four staggered start times (8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM). You will need to check in 15 minutes before your scheduled start time at Town Square Theater near the front of the Magic Kingdom. Late arrivals will not be permitted to join the tour in progress.

Each tour has a maximum of 20 guests. Tours can be booked starting 60 days in advance of your desired date.

Important to Know

This tour is only for individuals 16 years of age and older. A photo ID is required to check-in. Proof of age and some type of photo ID is required for minors.

This is a walking tour that spends a lot of time outdoors. Check the weather and dress accordingly. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are suggested.

Accessible: Wheelchairs/ECV are permitted, though you may be required to transfer for some experiences. ASL interpreters are available. Tours are only given in English.

No cameras, cell phones, or video equipment is allowed during this experience.

The Keys the the Kingdom Tour Experience

I’m going to avoid heavy spoilers and ruining the magic, but if you want to be completely surprised when taking the tour, you may wish to skip this part.

I was booked for the 8 am tour and on the day of my tour, the Magic Kingdom’s scheduled opening time was 9 am (8:30 am early entry for resort guests). The turnstiles opened at 7:45 am and I headed directly to the Town Square Theater to check in for my tour. My ID was checked, my annual pass was verified, and I was given a name tag, my listening device, and a menu to choose my lunch from. Lunch that day would be at Columbia Harbor House and we had to tell the cast member our entree and beverage selections so that our meals would be ready and waiting when we got to lunch. I chose the lobster roll and a Coke. I had some time to kill, so I was able to use the restroom in the lobby of the Main Street Theater, and then right at 8 am our tour group gathered up outside of the theater.

We met our guide, Scott, were given instructions on how to use our listening devices, and then headed on our way! The tour started on Main Street where we talked about the state of Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse, the Main Street windows, the castle, and the infamous Walt and Mickey Partners statue. From Main Street, we headed into Adventureland where we talked about story and show and rode the Jungle Cruise.

We continued towards Frontierland, eventually heading backstage at the gate next to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. I won’t spoil the magic and talk about what we saw backstage, but I will say that we reemerged next to Pirates of the Caribbean. We headed back into Liberty Square and talked about the infamous poop trail running through it as well as Walt’s Tree, the massive oak tree with 13 lanterns located near Liberty Tree Tavern.

And then it was lunchtime! At 10:40 am. Oddly enough we were all hungry and ready for lunch, even at the early hour. We were seated in a section on the second floor and our meals were on the table waiting for us. Place cards with our names were set out by our meals and inside the place card were our commemorative Keys the Kingdom pins. In addition to our pre-selected entrees and drinks, we also got a cupcake. We were given 30 minutes to eat and use the restrooms before touring resumed.

After lunch, we headed to the dock of the Liberty Belle and talked not only about the boat but also the Haunted Mansion as you get a great view of it from the boat dock. After that, we rode the Haunted Mansion and then headed to Fantasyland. We learned a bit about the Fantasyland expansion and the difference between “old” Fantasyland and “new” Fantasyland.

From there, we headed down into the Utilidor tunnels. Again, I’m not going to spoil the magic, but I will tell you that we spent the last hour (give or take) in the tunnels and eventually resurfaced on Main Street back near the Main Street Theater to conclude the tour.

The tour did require almost constant walking over the five hours, but it didn’t feel tiring or overwhelming as we were constantly seeing and hearing new and fun things. We had a guest in our group in a motorized scooter and Scott did a wonderful job making sure that she was included and accommodated.

Our guide Scott was full of wonderful Disney history and stories, including some fun personal stories from his time as a ride host. I have to imagine that each tour is unique as the different guides likely share their own stories, so I’d love to do it again someday to hear another cast member’s unique perspective.

If, like me, you’re the kind of person who loves Disney and learning about the behind-the-scenes aspects and how things work, I highly recommend taking the Keys to the Kingdom tour!

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