Trip Report Day #4
Backstage Magic
Dinner Reservations: Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Weather: low 80's
TOUR DAY!
Today we did the Backstage Magic tour. I found this description of it... "The 'Rolls Royce' of all tours covers every conceivable area of support and backstage experiences at Epcot, the Disney-MGM Studios, and the Magic Kingdom. The ultimate tour for the ultimate Disney fan!" That pretty much covers it. This is Disney's most extensive tour. It's 7 1/2 hours long. We figured this would be the opportune time to take a tour since no kids are allowed. This tour is pricey, but we did get a discount since we're Annual Passholders.
Our tour guide was "Bobbie" and our driver was "Roger". It began in Epcot, headed to MGM and wrapped up in Magic Kingdom.
In Epcot we got to go backstage and see the inner-workings of "American Adventure" and check out "Body Wars" from below the ride. We also got to see several other areas including Epcot's main wardrobe shop.
After Epcot we headed to the Disney World Florist and see how the team there gets things ready for weddings, parties and other special events. The head florist gave all the ladies a freshly cut rose. (Bobbie claimed it was the first time that has ever happened)
At Disney-MGM Studios we headed to several costuming areas & the tour included lunch at Disney-MGM Studio's Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano.
In the Magic Kingdom area we were taken backstage to see where they keep the floats from their current parades including SpectroMagic. We spent a lot of time in the Central Shops where the magic is built.
The Tour wrapped up on Main Street USA where Bobbie told us the stories of it's creation and we watched the parade.
The tour was very cool and we're looking forward to checking out some of the other Disney tours in future visits.
Dinner was Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (formerly the Polynesian Luau) I haven't done the Luau since I was a kid. When we went to Disney in 2000 I actually made it all the way to the Luau Cove but that's the day I started to feel real sick and I went back to the hotel. A shame because there aren't refunds and I lost like $45 but that sickness actually lead to be quitting smoking so I can't say missing the Luau was a bad thing!
Anyway... the luau was... well let me be honest here... the entire thing sucked except for the fire dancer guy which was saved for last. I hated the food and if you don't like pineapple... go to the Hoop Dee Doo instead!
Tomorrow we're off to Epcot where it's Day 1 of the "Food & Wine Festival"...
