I’m often asked how many days is the right number for a Walt Disney World vacation. How many days are needed to see EVERYTHING in the Magic Kingdom? This is a tough question to answer, but my typical response: “You could spend a month at Disney and never see EVERYTHING.”
This is one of the things I love so much about Disney. Whether you go once in a lifetime or once a week, there is always something new to discover. Park time is often spent racing from FastPass kiosk to character meal, and many of us don’t slow down enough to see all of the magical details surrounding us.
When my two young daughters and I visited Walt Disney World in February, I was looking for a different way to tour the Magic Kingdom (we’ve been several times and I thought it would be fun to try something new).
I signed us up for the Family Magic Tour at the Magic Kingdom, not really sure what to expect. Our tour was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (that’s the daily start time for this tour), so we slept in and took a leisurely monorail ride from the Polynesian Resort to Magic Kingdom, arriving early enough to buy some new Disney sunglasses, and meet our tour group. Tours begin at the Chamber of Commerce building, adjacent to City Hall on Main Street right near the park entrance. While you wait for your group and guide, you are treated to complimentary drinks (including coffee—happy mom!) and snacks.
We met our perky tour guide Michelle, and the other family on the tour (who also had 2 young girls, so it was a great fit) and started on our adventure. The Family Magic Tour is a guided scavenger hunt through the Magic Kingdom in search of clues to save the park from a Disney villain.
We meandered through the Magic Kingdom, with stops in Adventureland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Main Street USA, on our journey. Be prepared for creative ways of getting from land to land (you will not only be walking on this tour – think silly). My kids (5 and almost 9 at the time) really loved figuring out the clues and racing to the next location.
The clues took us to some places I had never noticed before. There are lots of nooks and crannies in the Magic Kingdom that I had always passed by, in a hurry to get to the next ride.
We all (parents included) had so much fun solving the mystery. And you never know what “characters” you may see along the way! The end rewards were a great surprise!
I don’t want to give away too many magical details of this tour, so you will have to see for yourselves. This tour was perfect for young children, and our guide, Michelle, was just amazing!
The Family Magic Tour is a 2-hour outdoor walking tour and costs $34 per person, plus tax. Note: Disney Visa cardholders get a discount on tours. Magic Kingdom admission is required, and is not included in the price. Walt Disney World offers several tours for families, and adults. Other Magic Kingdom tours include: Keys to the Kingdom, a 5 hour tour for ages 16 and up, offering an in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the park. The Magic Behind our Steam Trains is for tweens and up, and explores the role of the Magic Kingdom’s 4 stream trains. Marceline to Magic Kingdom is a 3 hour tour for teens and older, examining how Walt Disney’s life inspired the Magic Kingdom.
You can book the Family Magic Tour (or any of Disney’s other tours) by calling: 407.WDW.TOUR (407.939.8687). Tours are offered at the other Walt Disney World theme parks as well. More information can be found at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/
Contact me for more information about Disney’s tours and special experiences, and other ways to make YOUR Walt Disney World Vacation magical!!
Stephanie@mickeytravels.com; 1.888.960.1250; www.mickeytravels.com; www.Facebook.com/MickeyTravelsStephanie
Want to plan a Disney vacation, but not sure where to start? Let Stephanie do the work, while you have the fun! As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with MickeyTravels LLC, Stephanie can help with all aspects of your vacation planning for ANY Disney destination – land or sea! Planning services and no-obligation quotes are always FREE!