The national park is a highlight of Adventures by Disney’s eight-day Arizona and Utah tour. At the opening dinner in Sedona, Arizona, our two Adventure Guides invited a representative from each family to stand, introduce themselves, and share what they were most excited about. Unsurprisingly, the Grand Canyon was a common answer.
When we arrived at the canyon, our guides had a special reveal planned. We formed a line, hands on each other’s shoulders, and walked from the motorcoach to Mather Point with our eyes fixed on the ground. At the guide’s signal, we lifted our heads simultaneously for our first breathtaking view of the canyon.
There was laughter and smiles as we moved into position, probably appearing as amusing as we felt while shuffling to the edge. But when we finally looked up, the view was mesmerizing. The canyon, with its subtle hues glowing in the late-afternoon light, was more immense and magnificent than any photograph could capture. Sharing that moment together was unforgettable.
Some might call it “Disney magic.” Disney refers to it as the Disney Difference.
Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic Tour is nearing its 20th anniversary, having started in 2005 with a “small but mighty” team, according to Lesley Kay Combs, senior manager of land and cruise operations. The initial tours were in Wyoming and Hawaii, but the company has expanded to 50 destinations, distinguishing itself as an intimate tour provider with the backing of a tourism giant.
Kari Dillon, owner of Marvelous Mouse Travels and a Disney Specialist, noted the high repeat rate among her clients. “We started selling ABD about five years ago, and we’ve grown each year,” she said. “This year, we’ll reach about a million dollars in sales.”
Although Disney does not disclose specific passenger numbers for its tour division, growth has been steady over the years. The original seven-day Wyoming tour remains a top seller, while the Arizona and Utah trip exemplifies what Kyle Raser, senior manager of trip operations, calls “a perfect introduction to what we do.”
Today, Adventures by Disney offers trips as far-reaching as Cambodia, Egypt, and Iceland. In 2016, it expanded into river cruising through a partnership with AmaWaterways and provides expedition cruises with Ponant and GoGalapagos.
The company frequently refines its offerings, placing itineraries in the “vault” and reimagining them for returning guests, Combs noted. Major updates are planned for 2026.
Guest feedback is crucial for Adventures by Disney, but the company also values the insights of its Adventure Guides—the people who know their tours best.
The Moment That Sparked a Dream
Years ago, I met a friend, Emma, whose dream was to work as an animator for Disney. She adored the films, the characters, and the timeless music. But what intrigued her most was the creation process – the hidden art behind each magical frame. Emma would pour over every documentary and DVD featurette she could find. The day she heard about the Backstage Magic Tour, it was like a wish upon a star answered in real-time.
That tour didn’t just let her see the magic – it let her feel it. Through Emma’s stories, I came to understand the true depth of this experience. If you’re a Disney fan (and who isn’t?), buckle up, because this guide will show you why the Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic Tour is more than just a journey; it’s an awakening.
The David and Mike Show
With a friendly grin, David Rainey waved me over to his “office” — a table at the baggage-claim Starbucks in Phoenix Airport.
My daughter and I had just touched down at PHX, ready to kick off the Arizona and Utah tour. Our fellow travelers, soon-to-be friends, were scattered around with bags, gear, and cautious smiles, that look you get when you’re unsure of what happens next.
Rainey’s role in those initial moments was to ease our tension. Alongside fellow Adventure Guide Michael Hage, they were our first points of contact, and that initial interaction was key. Rainey needed to confirm a few meal selections with me, but just as importantly, he had to shift the group’s mindset from the stress of travel to the excitement of what was ahead.
As the trip unfolded, the landscape of towering saguaro cacti and the itinerary we’d reviewed before arriving began to fall into place. This seamless experience was largely thanks to the rapport between Rainey and Hage, who were setting the tone for the journey.
As Combs and Raser shared, guides are trained with the principle of “Show.”
“It’s unique in a theme park and resort environment,” Raser noted. “We’re not just presenting a Disney story; we’re bringing the story of the location to life.”
Though my interview with Combs and Raser was over the phone rather than written, I got the sense that “Show” deserves to be capitalized. It encompasses everything from the practical—like keeping the motorcoach clean—to crafting an immersive experience. But Raser emphasized that it’s not about performance. “It’s about how you tell a story, engage the guests, and bring it to life,” he explained. The key elements, he said, are “What does the destination look like? How does it feel for the guests? And what environment are we creating in these locations across the globe?”
The schedule for the motorcoach was tight, of course, so punctuality was essential (with the humorous penalty for being late being a dance down the aisle to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from The Lion King while the rest of the group cheered you on). But the guides had the added challenge of keeping a group of about 30 guests—who had traveled from all over the country—engaged, informed, and laughing regularly.
After the tour ended, I asked Hage what he thought was the most important quality for a guide. Was it patience? Stamina? Both, he said, but also passion. “You have to be passionate about where you’re going and who you’re going to be with,” he explained.
Rainey and Hage outlined the plans for each stop, made jokes, and showed humility by poking fun at themselves. They also knew when to step back and let the stunning landscape speak for itself. While they provided some historical context, for deeper local expertise, Disney brought in expert step-on guides like William Talashoma, a Navajo guide at the Grand Canyon National Park, who shared his knowledge of the area’s geology and history.
The guides played a crucial role in keeping the fun going. Before Rory Paxman, a local expert from Moab, Utah, joined us at Arches National Park, Hage briefed the group on a little plan: When Paxman mentioned a rock formation called Sheep Rock, we were all supposed to shout “baa.”
And it worked perfectly. As Paxman pointed out the formation, the bus erupted with laughter when everyone followed the cue. A few moments later, as he highlighted another formation called the Three Gossips, the group, following Hage’s instructions, let out a synchronized “yakyakyakyak,” triggering another round of laughter.
Infusing guides with ‘WOO’
“Each year, we have over 1,000 applicants for Adventure Guides,” Combs shared. From there, the company narrows down the pool and invites the most promising candidates to Florida for a full-day audition. In the end, only about 1% of applicants are hired, making the Adventure Guide position even more competitive than getting into Harvard.
Among the qualities Disney looks for, Combs highlighted the “WOO”—the ability to Win Others Over. “When you hire the right person, they can help shape the group and bring together individuals who might not otherwise connect in the same way on other trips.”
Once selected, Adventure Guides head to Orlando for a week-long orientation, where they attend classes like Traditions (again, with a capital T).
“Traditions is the first class that every cast member goes through, no matter their role,” Raser explained. “It’s not about task training; it’s about instilling pride and understanding of where the company has come from and where we’re heading.”
He continued: “It’s not just about saying, ‘Day 1, you’re heading to Arizona and Utah, here’s the itinerary.’ It’s about laying a solid foundation of safety, guest courtesy, and inclusion. And then, we focus on what the ‘Show’ is—the story we’re telling.”
Once the trip-development team finalizes an itinerary, guides are given some flexibility to adapt during the tour. They also receive a small budget—what they call a “magical moments” fund—to enhance the guest experience with unexpected, fun touches.
For example, when we arrived in Moab, just before our rafting adventure on the Colorado River, we stopped at a convenience store for essentials like water shoes and waterproof shorts. Rainey and Hage, however, walked out with armfuls of water guns.
Thus, the rafting trip became a water battle between the four rafts filled with guests. Those without water guns used paddles to splash rival rafts, while our rafting guides expertly navigated us downstream. When we landed at Take Out Beach, the water fight continued, much to the amusement of nearby beachgoers.
The water guns were stashed in the hold of our purple All Aboard America coach (which had no visible Disney branding, although our driver, Theresa, did wear Mickey ears occasionally), along with other items like plastic pistols. These had been used by a handful of guests, handpicked by Rainey and Hage, to stage a “hold-up” on the bus at the Grand Canyon. After the “thieves” boarded, they handed out cotton bandanas for everyone to use against the dust in Monument Valley.
But the magical moments weren’t always about playful antics. They could be deeply personal and meaningful, too. Rainey engaged my daughter in an impromptu game of chess in a resort lobby, and he joined a local kid for a soccer game during a stop to view dinosaur tracks in the Navajo Nation.
One evening at the Grand Canyon, Rainey and Hage invited guests without dinner plans to join them at the Hopi Point lookout for a sunset picnic. About half the group took them up on the offer.
Hage shared that he appreciated the “freedom to think outside the box, be creative, and craft an even better experience for the guests—something that will surprise them.” He added, “I think many guides enjoy that freedom, to make decisions on the fly and come up with ideas as we go. It keeps the tours fresh and different every time.”
According to Hage, guide teams develop a rhythm and learn to play off each other’s strengths. Throughout the tour, they collaborate to share talks, swap tasks, and plan the best magical moments.
Thanks to Rainey and Hage’s professionalism, expertise, and charisma, I felt confident following either of them on our next adventure (my daughter and I were guests of Disney on this trip).
And I’m not alone. Raser mentioned that guests often seek opportunities to travel with the same Adventure Guide again, and Dillon from Marvelous Mouse confirmed that travelers will “follow the guides” and book vacations based on where a favorite guide is leading. “They place huge value on those guides,” she said.
What I found surprising, however, was that Rainey had previously worked as a guide, but this was his first trip with Adventures by Disney. He was paired with Hage, one of the most senior guides in the company and a veteran of the Arizona and Utah tours.
“I think that speaks to the caliber of guides coming into Adventures by Disney,” said spokesman Aaron Wockenfuss, who was also on the trip and witnessed the dynamic between David and Mike firsthand. “I was blown away by David for this being his first trip. If he hadn’t told me, I never would have known.”
The junior dynamic
Part of the training for guiding an Adventures by Disney tour involves learning how to foster harmony within a group, or as Disney’s Combs puts it, “molding the group.” I was curious about how the guides manage to balance the Junior Adventurers (kids 12 and under) with the adults on the bus. About half of our group was made up of couples traveling without children.
To cater to adult travelers, Disney has introduced adults-only versions of its tours, which feature events like wine tastings and offer fewer kid-centric activities such as scavenger hunts.
Many of the adults on our tour were also Disney Vacation Club (DVC) owners, and Combs explained that this is quite common. DVC members can pool their timeshare points to book Disney vacations, including Adventures by Disney tours. However, Dillon from Marvelous Mouse noted that DVC members often pay out of pocket for the tours as well.
At the start of the trip, I wondered whether it might be a challenge for adults traveling without children to commit to a tour knowing that there would be kids around. But thanks to Rainey and Hage, the Junior Adventurers on our bus became the stars of the show. They sat together at meals, swam together at the resort pools, and swapped iPads during long bus rides. They eagerly joined every trivia game and were always the first to raise their hands when Rainey or Hage asked, “Does anyone have any questions?”
During a cookout dinner in Monument Valley, accompanied by the Navajo band Dark Sky, the Junior Adventurers sprang into action, playing instruments and leading dances around the campfire. One special perk for parents on an Adventures by Disney trip is that one evening, the kids get their own dinner party, supervised by the Adventure Guides, while the parents enjoy a night out. The kids were excited about this night, which included a Disney movie and a glow-stick party. Afterward, even the typically shy teens were hanging out together, creating memories of their own.
“It’s incredible to see how much children grow and how their confidence blooms over the years,” Combs remarked about the Junior Adventurers, recalling a welcome dinner during an Adventures by Disney “Backstage Magic” tour where all the kids stood up to introduce their parents (the same happened during our trip’s welcome dinner). “I certainly wouldn’t have done that at six years old. It’s wonderful to watch them become so empowered.”
Raser added, “The Adventure Guides create a safe space where kids are treated as guests—because they are.”
One interesting dynamic I noticed was how the kids formed connections with the adults, which, in turn, made it easier for the adults to connect with one another. The adults genuinely seemed to enjoy the kids, and despite the wide age range, the group as a whole felt youthful.
Raser continued, warming to the topic.
“I’ve seen trips where kids help adults reconnect with their inner child,” he said. “Whether it’s kids asking questions that the adults might be hesitant to ask, or trying new foods and experiences, there’s something about travel that brings out that sense of wonder, as if you’re discovering something new for the very first time.”
“It makes you feel younger, right, Kyle?” Combs asked.
“Yeah, who wouldn’t want that?” Raser agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic Tour?
The Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic Tour is an immersive, guided vacation experience that offers exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes magic of the Disney parks in California. It provides an in-depth look at the creative processes, hidden gems, and special areas of Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios, with expert guides leading the way to places that regular park guests may never see.
Who are the guides for the Backstage Magic Tour?
The guides for the Backstage Magic Tour are specially trained Disney Adventure Guides who are experts in the history, storytelling, and logistics of Disney parks. They help guests navigate the tour, ensuring a seamless experience while offering insights into Disney’s history, magic, and operations. Some tours may also feature guest speakers from the Walt Disney Company or special access to Disney professionals.
What kind of experiences and locations are included in the Backstage Magic Tour?
The Backstage Magic Tour includes visits to iconic locations such as the Walt Disney Studios lot, where guests can explore the heart of Disney’s animation history. You’ll also visit the Disneyland Park to see some of its behind-the-scenes areas and experience exclusive access to places not available to regular park visitors, such as the Disney Imagineering Campus. The tour also includes interactive experiences like meeting Disney artisans, seeing rare collections, and learning about the technical aspects of the theme parks.
Is the Backstage Magic Tour family-friendly?
Yes! The Backstage Magic Tour is designed to be family-friendly, with activities and experiences suitable for a wide range of ages. While some of the content may be more engaging for older children and adults (especially Disney fans), the tour also features fun, kid-friendly elements. Junior Adventurers (children under 12) are encouraged to participate in various activities, such as trivia games and hands-on learning experiences.
How long is the Backstage Magic Tour and what is included?
The Backstage Magic Tour typically lasts 3 days, packed with behind-the-scenes experiences, meals, and activities. The package includes transportation between locations, admission to special events, exclusive tours, and access to select Disney parks and attractions. Some tours also include meals, snacks, and special Disney “magical moments” to enhance the experience. Be sure to check with Disney for detailed itineraries, as the schedule may vary.
conclusion
The Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic Tour offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience for Disney fans of all ages. With exclusive access to behind-the-scenes locations, expert guides, and magical moments throughout, this tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to delve deeper into the magic that makes Disney so iconic. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney enthusiast, a family looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation, or a traveler eager to discover hidden aspects of Disney’s rich history, the Backstage Magic Tour delivers an experience like no other. By blending storytelling, creativity, and immersive experiences, it brings guests closer to the magic and enchantment that defines Disney, leaving them with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the company’s legendary legacy.