Experiences and travel provided by Disneynature & Disney Parks. As always, all opinions stated in Backstage Tales Tour are all my own.
My time at Disney World last week for the Monkey Kingdom Event included a lot of firsts. Those firsts included seeing the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, participating in Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom, and going on the Backstage Tales Tour.
During the Backstage Tales Tour, I learned that there were over 1,500 inhabitants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. And when you go on the Backstage Tales Tour, you’ll get to go behind-the-scenes and tour the facilities where the Disney Cast Members care for 1,500+ animals.
We arrived at Animal Kingdom early in the morning and started the Backstage Tales Tour with two guides. During the tour we were given an ear piece that allowed us hear both of the guides talking during the tour. The tour started at the front of the park, and continued throughout the park as we walked with our group learning about the various animals that live in the park.
We had the opportunity to learn about the birds in the aviary, feed them worms (yuck), and see the huge nests they build. But be careful when you’re in there. The birds may just drop a surprise.
The Backstage Tales Tour is an outdoor tour, so appropriate attire is recommended. Because the majority of the tour is located behind the scenes, there are opportunities for animal interaction, although it is not guaranteed. Be prepared to walk a lot and also get in and out of a vehicle multiple times.
Towards the end of the tour we stopped and had the opportunity to learn about the Gopher Tortoise and the research Animal Kingdom is doing for them. During the brief lesson we were also given a Disney exclusive Rice Krispies Treat in the shape of an elephant and a branded reusable stainless steel bottle. The air conditioned building was a bonus!
Cameras aren’t allowed behind-the-scenes, but it was so neat to see the Disney Cast Members taking care of the animals and the facilities. There is so much that goes on backstage to ensure that the guests have an incredible onstage (in the park) experience.
The Backstage Tale Tour at Animal Kingdom is for guests 12 years of age and older. A portion of the tour proceeds is donated to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and you’ll receive a pin at the conclusion of the tour.
Catherine S says
This is so neat. I have always wanted to go on a backstage tour at Animal Kingdom. I need to do this next time we go to Disney.
Ora Lee Gurr says
The Backstage Tale Tour sounds like a lot of fun. There are so many adventures to be found at Animal Kingdom. You did a great job of describing the event, even the surprises from the birds.
Theresa says
I bet it was an incredible experience to go behind the scenes there! My daughter wants to be a vet, so this is something she would really enjoy have a peek at!
Jeanine says
Looks like so much fun! Would be a really fun backstage tour to take! I am all about this kind of trip!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
What a cool experience! I’d love to get the chance to do something like that one day.
Becky (mysparklinglife.com) says
So much fun! I have been dying to go to the Animal Kingdom!
Jasmine says
my kids love animals! I bet they wouldget a kick out of this
Dawn says
I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I’ve been watching African nature shows since I was little.
Liz Mays says
The backstage tour sounds really cool! I love Animal Kingdom and I can’t wait so see Monkey Kingdom!
Allison says
How fun! I’m totally yearning to get to Animal Kingdom, it seems like being at a zoo, but on a while new level!
Marcie W. says
Wow getting a sneak peek behind the scenes anywhere sounds cool but an opportunity at Disney sounds like a dream. I have a huge fear of birds so I would have to skip the aviary portion.
Christie says
I can’t believe you paused to take pictures of the mealworms in your hands! It was a seriously fun behind the scenes tour, definitely an Animal Kingdom must see!
Liz Mays says
I’m glad you had gloves on because YUCK! I’m not sure I could have done it anyhow!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have always wanted to go and see Animal Kingdom. I am excited to go see this movie with my kids.
Michelle says
That looks like such a cool opportunity! I’ve always wanted to visit the Animal Kingdom.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
What a neat opportunity!! (I feel like I say that on everything you post – but seriously – it’s COOL!) I love the ear piece idea so everyone can hear!
Veronica - Casa Vilora Interiors says
My son would love this! It is great learning about animals and crawly creatures
Debra says
I love the Animal Kingdom! Such a neat place!
Kiwi says
I love your media press tour for MonkeyKingdom! Its on my bucketlist to go on a Disney press trip in the near future Disney is literally the best! I know MonkeyKingdom is gonna be a great docu-film!
Jenn says
This looks like so much fun! We are going to Animal Kingdom this summer, I cant wait.
Jeannette says
I wish I had known about this a few weeks ago when we were in the Animal Kingdom. It was my favorite park and I now see that I missed so much! It sounds like an amazing tour!
Harriet says
That looks like such a cool visit. I bet that you had a fun time.
Kate, aka guavalicious says
My twins would love this tour! One would go just for the cute elephant treat alone. Those are her favorite animals. Putting it on my dream Disney to do list.
Jaime says
What a great experience! We saw Monkey Kingdom last Friday and loved it!
Melissa says
What an amazing experience! I love AK and would love to learn more.
Rosey says
My boy is just a little too young for this yet if it’s 12 and over. It does sound like an amazing once in a lifetime experience though!
Ashley says
Wow how amazing would that be. I have never made it to Animal Kingdom yet, but I would love to take a back stage tour.
LydiaF says
Sounds like a lot of fun. We always enjoy watching behind the scenes documentaries, I’m sure it would be awesome to see it happening right in front of you.
Scott says
The behind-the-scenes tour at Animal Kingdom is something we’ve always wanted to do. Maybe this year!
Toni says
This was such a fun event. I loved getting to learn about Disney Animal Kingdom behind the scenes
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy says
How fun! When I was a kid, my mom signed my brother and I up to do a backstage tour at Disney. It was a lot of fun.
Avry Byington says
Sounds fascinating the birds leaving a nice surprise comment had me laughing!
Julie says
What a fun experience! I didn’t know they did backstage tours like that. I’m hoping to take a trip to Disney soon, I’ll have to remember to look into extras like this!
Becka says
That looks like such a fun and educational experience. I would love to do something like that! I want to take the kids to Disney this year.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
How cool! I had some friends in high school and college that worked at Disney for summer programs and internships. I hear they have a really great career program.
jason nail says
Kinda jealous. Looks like you people had lots of fun. I saw some pics of the food and it all just looked ridiculously good.
Jennifer H says
Wasn’t that elephant snack adorable? I wish I had two to take home to my boys! What a cool experience though!
fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) says
That looks so fun! I’d love to take my boys here.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Too bad my kids aren’t old enough to enjoy the Animal Kingdom. I would love to take them.
Donna says
We’ve never been, but I would love to take our son to Animal Kingdom! I know he would love it, since he loves animals and thinks he wants to be a vet right now.
katrina g says
i can’t wait to see this movie, it looks awesome. looks like everyone had a blast.
Tracey says
This looks like a great time! I would love to see backstage. What an experience!
HilLesha says
Gloves or not, I could never hold worms since they have always made my stomach turn. What an exciting experience, though! 🙂
Shannon Gurnee says
Sounds like you had such a great time. I went there last year with Niche Parent and had a great time!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
That is so cool! It sounds like you had an awesome time!
Betty says
How long was the tour? 90 minutes? Three hours?
Crystal says
Hi Betty,
Thanks for stopping by. The Backstage Tales Tour was about 4 hours. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks!
Karen says
It is always eye opening to see what goes on behind the scenes. I bet it was a very busy scene back there.
Tammy says
What animals did you get to see up close?
Crystal says
Hi Tammy,
From what I gather the Backstage Tales Tour isn’t always the same. However, when I went on the tour, we got to see a black rhino and some elephants up close and we were also able to go backstage in the reptile section to see a Komodo Dragon. Hope this helps some.