***The Toys Are Back In Town - Day 12 ***

[Kimber03]

The Cast
Me - Steve 36
DW - Julie 32
DD1 - Kimberley 16
DD2 - Kiera 9
DD3 - Skye 3

Day 12 8th July Keys to The Kingdom Tour and Downtown Disney

Today’s agenda was a rest day for Julie and the two younger girls as Kimberley and I had a reservation for the 8.30am KTTK tour which we were both looking forward to

Kimberley & I head for the Magic Kingdom and arrive at 8.05am, the park is pretty busy already since it’s an EMH morning, we head over to city hall and check in for our tour.



On waiting for the tour we find a spot out of the sun next to some doors beside the train station access ramps, with the park opening just finished it wasn’t long before various characters passed us on the way backstage.

At one point I felt someone tapping me on the shoulder and Kimberley saying “Shift” , looking round I was face to face with the big cheese himself Mickey who swiftly grabbed me and tried to drag me away from the door waving his finger…err sorry.

Anyway with the time approaching 8.20am and all the guests checked in we meet our guide for the tour “Claire. All I can say about Claire is she was very passionate about Walt and his family.

The tour kicks off and I will keep this brief as not to spoil the magic for others, our tour consisted of a walk down Main Street with a history talk about the Disney Brothers and their struggles.





Next we rode the Jungle Cruise before heading towards the Splash Mountain gate and went back stage to see some of inner workings of the park.





Basically we saw some interesting and amazing stuff.

After the first back stage part we were met by Woody and Jessie before we headed back into the public part. We continued up towards the Columbia Harbour House where we had lunch at 11.30am.

Prior to starting the tour we had to choose from a limited menu for our lunch which was sitting waiting for us along with our KTTK pins.

During lunch we sat next to lovely elderly couple from San Francisco and had various topics of conversation which were interesting in their own right.

After lunch we were told some secrets about the Haunted Mansion and rode the attraction swiftly afterwards.

Our tour continued past Cinderella’s castle and headed back to Main Street before we enter the Utilidor Complex under the park and shown some interesting inner workings from security to maintenance to costuming.





After the Utilidor visit we head back towards City Hall where our tour was completed at around 1.30pm.

All I can say is this is a must and only adds to the magic.

With the tour complete Kimberley and I head back to the Blue Heron. We go for a dip in the pool before heading to DTD again for some more shopping.

Whilst the girls are shopping Kiera & I grab a Sea Racyer for an hour but after the Jet Ski the Sea Racyer should be called a Sea Snail.

With the time approaching 7pm we headed back to the Blue Heron and called it for a day.

[pudge]

Another fab day Steve, interesting, never thot of trying that!

[happy bunny]

Snap, I think that the KTTK tour enhances the magic instead of detracting from it

You are having some very interesting days

[amy1511]

hi that tour sounds interesting,how do you find out about that?is it something the whole family can do?and the big question is it mega expensive?

thanks im loving the trip repot by the way

[Kimber03]

You have to be 16 or over and cost around $70 each

[macdonald88]

Sounds you both had a brilliant time.

[mossyflossy]

sounds fantastic, steve. Love the way you switch it up so much.

[Milner]

Another great day Steve - tour sounds good.

[orlandosgr8]

I really like the sound of the KTTK tour, sounds like you both enjoyed it.

[sungiggs]

another great day