Walt Disney World isn’t exactly known for being affordable, so when you think of special tours you probably picture three-figure price tags. To be fair, many of Disney’s special tours do fall within this range. However, you might be surprised to find how many tours you can embark on for much, much less. Each of these tours comes in under $100, and they give you access to exclusive Disney magic for between $10 and $24 per hour of fun.
1. Behind the Seeds – $20
Behind the Seeds is a backstage tour of the Living with the Land attraction at Epcot. It’s just $20 for adults and $16 for children. The tour takes place several times throughout the day, so you can often make same-day arrangements. This is a great choice if you find you have a little extra cash toward the end of your visit and you want to do something special with it, particularly since the price of the tour is less than what you’d pay for a sweatshirt. The tour lasts one hour and takes you through the fish farm and four greenhouses of the Land Pavilion.
2. Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour – $30
Image: Disney
The Marceline to Magic Kingdom tour tells the story of Walt Disney and how his childhood in Marceline, Missouri led to the quaint taste of Americana now found on Main Street U.S.A. The tour begins before park opening, so you can take some truly outstanding photos of Main Street sans guests. Your tour guide will give you a sneak peek into the design and operation of several iconic Magic Kingdom attractions. The tour lasts three hours, which makes it just $10 an hour.
3. Disney’s Family Magic Tour – $34
Image: Disney
If you want a Magic Kingdom tour that’s appropriate for everyone in the family, the Disney’s Family Magic Tour is the perfect pick. This tour takes you on a grand quest through the many themed lands of the Magic Kingdom, picking up clues and unlocking new adventures as you go. The activity is geared toward gusts between 4 and 10 years of age, making it a more engaging alternative to tours that are typically educational. The tour lasts for two hours so it breaks down to about $17 per hour of fun.
4. The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour – $54
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If you have a train enthusiast in the family, the Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour is a must. Guests must be at least 10 years of age for this backstage experience. This tour takes you into the roundhouse where Disney’s steam trains are stored. You’ll watch as engineers prepare the trains for the day, learn about the history of the trains, see how Cast Members keep them in working order, and take a ride along the rails. The tour lasts three hours so you’re paying just $18 per hour of behind the scenes magic.
5. Keys to the Kingdom Tour – $79
Keys to the Kingdom is the ultimate choice for guests who want to learn more about the Magic Kingdom. This tour includes a glimpse of the underground Utilidor beneath the park and access to several iconic park attractions. With your tour guide on hand, you’ll see these rides in a whole new way as you learn new facts and trivia about each part of the park. This tour may look like one of the pricier options on the list, but it includes lunch and a special keepsake. This tour is the longest one on the list at five hours. Even without the free lunch factored in, this makes it less than $16 an hour – cheaper even than Behind the Seeds!
If you’re looking for something special to add to your vacation, these tours will truly take your experience to a new level. Please keep in mind that all Disney tours do require separate admission to the theme park in addition to the price of the tour. Since none of the tours last all day, you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the park before or after your tour – and most of these experiences will knock one or more attractions off your to-do list with no waiting.
