Ever Wondered What Happens Behind the Walt Disney World Resort's Curtains?

On the surface, it's all magic. However, are you adult enough to see the inner workings of what makes the magic happen at Walt Disney World? The resort offers an unique, day-long peek behind the curtain at the fantastic entertainment center. It is for adults only. The Backstage Magic Tour goes on for six to eight hours and is restricted to individuals upwards of 16. Lunch is with the package. This tour charges $224 per person.

Can You Take It?

You're an adult now and you can handle it. Who would not wish to look behind the scenes? On Disney's Backstage Magic Tour, you have the chance to look at how the magic occurs backstage at Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Generally, these zones are restricted. And no photos are sanctioned backstage.

The day-long tour commences at Epcot in the morning. Even then it's special because the park isn't even available yet and barely anyone is around. You meet the guide and get headsets so that you can hear the guide without him or her having to yell. Kind of makes you think about what's about to come next, no?

Following a tour backstage at Epcot, you find a private bus waiting for you and your group behind the Seas Pavilion. The bus brings you to World Showcase. Don't worry about how ordinary the backs of the buildings look. You know that on the other side of the building, it is magical. At the American Adventure in the World Showcase, your guide tells you about the building and the attraction, as well as the mechanics of the show.

Costumes and Wigs

From the American Adventure, you go to the Cast Center. Gosh, look at all those costumes! The Cast Center is where the costumes are kept till they're worn out by the cast members. Let us hope you did not think those were all real-life characters wandering around in Disney World. The guide will fill you in on what it is like to be a cast member. You may even catch a glimpse of a character getting dressed for work. Yes, characters have to work, as well. You probably already knew that princesses don wigs. You will see a lot of princess wigs prepared for the princesses to put on. Did you have any idea that there were that many princesses, innumerable individuals working at Walt Disney World?

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the guide will take you through the costuming department where the majority of the cast costumes are made. You likely never imagined that they utilize computers to render the costumes. They do.

Lunch at Whispering Canyon

After Hollywood Studios, the tour group travels to Wilderness Lodge for lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Lunch is included in the price of the tour, of course. The cast members, known as waitresses in the real world, are great characters and could be particularly engaging on the Backstage Tour.

Next up Magic Kingdom

The Backstage Tour comprises of trips to backstage buildings where, for example, the laundry is carried out for all of Disney World. That is a lot of laundry. Another building, Holiday Services, keeps all the trimmings for Christmas and other holidays. At Central Shops, the vehicles for those spine-tingling rides are manufactured and kept in good working order. (You likely believed all that occurred by magic, right?) Just visualize finding logs for Splash Mountain and honey pots for Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh being manufactured. You will also learn how audio animatronic figures function and even have an opportunity to play with a few of them.

Last comes the Utilidors. What's that, you ask? These are the underground tunnels beneath the Magic Kingdom that service Disney World's most well-loved theme park. Here you truly have to use your vision, because what you find is basically painted cinder block walls. But well, how does a treasure cave look? A cave, isn't it?

You wanted backstage, and that is what backstage looks like.

Herb likes to write about Disney World. Please check out his website that contains Disney World Vacation information as well as Behind Scenes Tours Disney information.