Last year, while I was at Walt Disney World for the opening of Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom, I had the opportunity to cross another item off of my Disney bucket list – the Backstage Tales tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

What You’ll See on the Backstage Tales Tour

Up before the sun (literally), we met our friendly guides at the park’s entrance for this behind the scenes tour. At a little over three hours long, a majority of this tour takes place backstage exploring the animal barns, the park’s on-site veterinarian hospital, the animal nutrition center and includes a few up-close encounters with animals too.

Our tour even included a look at a Komodo dragon and I’m not going to lie, my heart was racing! (No pictures allowed backstage, but it happened – promise!)

Explore the Animal Nutrition Center

My favorite part of the tour included a walk through the Animal Nutrition Center to see how meals are prepared for the animals that live within the park. With over 4.5 tons of food handled daily, the animals each have their own specific dietary needs and it’s definitely a job to keep everyone healthy.

Here’s a look at some fun facts –

** The Animal Nutrition Center creates daily diets for over 1,500 animals.

** When preparing diets, they use the same quality of produce and meats offered in the restaurants at Walt Disney World.

** Every week, orders are placed for over 7,600 meat/prey items including rodents and fish.

** Up to 4,000 pounds of tree foods are provided to the animals each day.

** With 94 acres on property, there are 20 different species of trees.

Things to Know About the Backstage Tales Tour

** As of February 2016, the cost of the tour is $90 and park admission is required.

** Ages 12 and up are welcome on this tour.

** No pictures allowed in backstage areas. Save yourself the extra baggage and leave your camera behind.

** Wear comfortable shoes. While some transportation is used backstage, the majority of the tour you’ll be walking.

** A water bottle and snack is provided halfway through the tour. (The water bottle is yours to keep!)

The Backstage Tales tour was a great learning experience and I enjoyed getting a look at what it takes to care for the animals in the park.

The tour also offered a look at how Walt Disney World helps with conservation around the world, not just here in Florida. If you’re an animal lover, this is definitely a tour for you!

Have you been on the Backstage Tales Tour? 

 

** My participation in this tour was provided by Walt Disney World as part of a media visit for the opening of Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom. Thoughts and opinions here are my own. **