Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World to Offer Free Shop Tours to Annual Passholders
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Walt Disney World has sent an email to Annual Passholders advising them of a new experience being offered at the Resort, the Richard Petty Driving Experience Shop Tour, which is free to annual passholders for a limited time (regularly priced at $15).
The thirty-minute tour, which runs at 8:30 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, includes a behind-the-scenes look at the track’s design and maintenance shops, a history of the track and a van ride around the one mile tri-oval.
Annual passholders are able to bring up to four guests with a maximum group size of about 20 guests. The free RPDE shuttle, which is available at the Transportation and Ticket Center, will be available.
The tour is also available to non-passholders for $15 per person.
The track, which used to be used as a NASCAR race track, is currently home to the Richard Petty Driving Experience as well as often used by professional drivers for test runs throughout the racing season.
To book the new tour, which begins on March 16, call 800-237-3889 or click here for more information.
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Richard Petty, RPDE, Tours
It’s Official: ADRs for Walt Disney World Return to 180 Days in Advance Beginning October 27
Disney has made the official announcement today, the ADR period will return to 180 days after being shortened to 90 days from 180 days from 90 days (and so on, and so on, and so on). The change will take effect beginning October 27.
This goes for all reservations which have been affected by the last 90 day change with the introduction of the new dining reservation system, A La Carte (which stands for Application for Celebrations, Activities, Recreation, Tours and Events (but not dining)). So all tours (which used to be up to a year) will then be available for booking 180 days out, as will items like specialty cruises (which used to be at 90).
Categories: Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Dining, Reservations, Tours
How I Went Backstage at the American Idol Experience (and How You Can Too!)
Since its debut in February, the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been wowing guests with its faithful re-creation of one of television’s most popular shows. On-stage, audience members get to sit in on several shows a day where other park guests perform live on the set patterned after the American Idol season seven finale stage. The show’s daily finale always fills to capacity as hundreds who couldn’t get in grab a nearby seat outside and watch the performances on the giant Diamond Vision screen.
For guests who opt to perform, the grueling audition process begins ‘backstage,’ in Studio 2B (essentially the on-stage and ‘backstage’ portions are treated as separate attractions, 2A and 2B on the park’s map respectively). At stake is a ‘golden ticket’ which grants the holder the ability to ‘FASTPASS’ their way through real-live auditions for the actual show (for those ineligible to use the ticket, it can be transferred once).
So one way to go ‘backstage’ at the American Idol Experience is to audition — and to make it all the way through. And as you’re about to find out, it’s easier said than done. Fortunately, there’s another way to see everything the performer gets to see and more and it’s called The Ultimate Backstage Experience.
Categories: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: AIE, American Idol, American Idol Experience, Attractions, Tours
New Backstage Segway Tour at Epcot Takes You Through the Air, Land and Sea
Using the Segway x2 off-road personal transporter (PT), guests are now able to experience Future World pavilions and attractions in an all new way. Called the Nature-Inspired Design tour, guests tour through the Land and the Seas pavilions. The official description of the tour is as follows:
Discover the wonder of nature-inspired design as you glide through land, sea and air at Epcot®. This 3-hour backstage tour allows you to experience the symbiotic relationship between nature and the nature-inspired designs incorporated into Epcot® pavilions and attractions. Glide over California on Soarin’™, tour the greenhouses at The Land pavilion, explore The Seas with Nemo & Friends® and visit Life Support scientists to learn how technology helps us maintain a better balance with nature.
After completing a required product overview and training, you will be equipped with a helmet and a Segway® Personal Transporter X-2 to experience this unique off-road tour. Epcot® Cast Member scientists share how their work environments are inspired by nature’s own design and how they use evolving technologies to maintain a balance with the world around them. After experiencing “air, land and sea” you will have the opportunity to ride your Segway® X-2 in a designated off-road backstage area at Epcot®.
The 3-hour tour currently runs Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8:15 am and costs $124 per guest. As with most backstage / Segway tours, there is an age minimum of 16. Call 407-WDW-TOUR to book up to 90 days in advance.
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: future world, Segway, Tours, x2
Magic Kingdom’s ‘The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains’ Tour On Hold Until October
A photo taken backstage during the Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour. © Brad K. All Rights Reserved.
For reasons unspecified, although presumably because of the proximity of the Monorail barn during the tour, ‘The Magic Behind our Steam Trains’ tour has been canceled through at least October 12, after which it will resume a Monday – Saturday schedule.
Guests who have already booked the tour are currently being notified of the change by Disney.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Magic Behind our Steam Trains, Tours, Trains
SeaWorld Orlando Announces New Tours to Bring Guests Closer to Their Favorite Animals
ORLANDO, Fla. – (2009) SeaWorld Orlando seamlessly blends adventure and education into a treasured experience with all-new tours that connect guests to amazing animals in unique ways.
ALL-NEW TOURS
Elite VIP Tour
SeaWorld rolls out the red carpet for private groups during the Elite VIP Tour. Accompanied by a SeaWorld expert, unforgettable memories will unfold as guests fly, glide and soar headfirst like a ray aboard, Manta, SeaWorld’s new flying coaster opening May 22. The fun continues as families and friends get splashed by an 11,000 pound killer whale, encounter amazing animals and meet one of SeaWorld’s “coolest” residents, a tuxedo clad penguin. Topping off the day guests dine in the company of some of the toothiest dwellers of the sea at Sharks Underwater Grill, a full-service restaurant.
Categories: SeaWorld, Theme Parks Tags: Tours
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