Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a huge place — covering more than 43 square miles. The Resort consists of four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are also two water parks — Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach — and more than 25 hotels. Not to mention the huge shopping and dining area called Disney Springs.
Visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you are a first-time visitor. One way to learn more about Disney World and make sure that you see the highlights is to take a tour. However, if you want a private VIP tour offered by Disney, that can cost you between $450 and $900 PER HOUR. And that doesn’t include paying to get into the parks.
Many first-time, and even regular visitors, will turn to third-party tour guides and tour companies. Those companies do not work with Disney and are not given any special privileges, but they will give you a cheaper option than what Disney has.
Technically, Disney does not allow third-party tours in its parks, but for the most part, they have turned a blind eye. However, new reports are indicating that Disney is now taking a hard-line stance on the years-long rule.
There are several well-known third-party tour groups in the Orlando area, and the reports indicate that Disney has sat them down and told them that they are no longer allowed to give tours in the parks. It is also alleged that Disney is issuing year-long bans from the parks for the companies and the guides who work for them.
As far as we know, no unofficial tour guides have been permanently banned from the parks at this time. Disney has also reportedly reached out to tour companies in the area, warning them about continuing to offer tours in the parks.
The Walt Disney World Resort website is very clear that it does not allow third parties to sell goods and services in the parks. The website reads:
Prohibited Activities
- The sale of goods or services, or the display of goods or services, unless prior written approval has been obtained.
- The distribution of printed or recorded materials of any kind unless prior written approval has been obtained.
- Unauthorized events, speeches, or use of any flag, banner, sign or other material for commercial purposes, or as part of a demonstration.
- Photography, videotaping or recording of any kind, or otherwise engaging in any activity, for unapproved commercial purposes.
- Unauthorized solicitations of any kind, whether commercial, religious, educational or otherwise, or conducting any unauthorized commercial activities, including solicitations of money or other contributions or donations.
If you are interested in learning more about Walt Disney World’s theme parks, there are different tours that you can take that are offered by Disney. These tours will give you backstage access, fun trinkets to keep, and maybe even get you on a ride or two.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is currently offering the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. The five-hour tour takes guests behind the scenes, even allowing them access to Disney’s famed underground tunnels, the Utilidors! There is also a stop for lunch, which is included in the price.
Over at EPCOT, there are several tours that guests can sign up for. The Behind the Seeds tour is a one-hour tour that gives guests an up-close look at the fish farm and multiple greenhouses that make up the Land Pavilion. There are also EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth and EPCOT Seas Adventures – DiveQuest. Guests must be SCUBA-certified to participate in DiveQuest.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park has one of the most unique tours offered at the Resort — The Wild Africa Trek. The 3-hour Trek gets guests up close and personal with some animals like hippos and giraffes. There is even a lunch on the Savanna and a walk over a river of Nile crocodiles! Guests can also sign up for Savor the Savanna, Caring For Giants, and Up Close with Rhinos.
To learn more about tours offered at Walt Disney World, you can click on the links or visit the Walt Disney World Resort website.
