Walt Disney World's Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot

I’ve been to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, three times. That is to say, I’ve vacationed there in three different years for 7-10 days on each trip. The fact that I went back several times should be a hint as to whether I enjoyed it. Rather than review the entire thing, I’m going to break it down into several parts.  Today, I’m going to discuss the Behind the Seeds Tour at Disney’s Epcot theme park.

The Behind the seeds tour takes you backstage of the Living with the Land ride. On the ride, you see brief glimpses of some of the amazing greenhouse plants that are growing in the pavilion, but you’re riding by at the pace set by the boat in which you ride, and you don’t get the opportunity to linger, ask questions, and see all the stuff that’s hiding behind the curtain.

The Behind the Seeds tour is for those with a little more curiosity. Each tour group walks through the greenhouses and past the aquaculture tanks and gets to see how Disney grows mouse ears on pumpkins among other marvels.  In the greenhouse, for example, they have a giant tomato plant that, our tour guide told us, can produce more than 1150 pounds of tomatoes all by itself over the course of its 18 month lifespan.

Guests of the Behind the Seeds tour will learn how to make basic hydroponics systems in their own home and will learn about the various kinds of hydroponics systems. Much of what Disney grows there is done hydroponically and the vegetables and fruits produced on site are used in the meals prepared by resort’s restaurants.

The tour guides, as you would expect, are very knowledgeable and are willing to take as much time as it takes to make sure everyone’s questions are answered. Guests also get to feed the tilapia in the aquaculture tanks. There is also an alligator pond in the aquaculture area as well.  When you get a little tired of whizzing around on all the rides and want to stimulate your brain and actually learn a little something, The Behind the Seeds Tour is certainly one of my favorite attractions at Disney World.

The tour lasts about an hour and costs $18 per person (on top of your Walt Disney World entrance fee). Children aged 3-9 pay just $14 each, but honestly, those at the younger end of that range should probably skip this tour. Sure, they’ll enjoy throwing a handful of feed to the fish and seeing the Mickey Mouse shaped pumpkins, but learning about nutrient film hydroponics systems is not nearly as exciting as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and their patience will certainly be tested. Teens and naturally inquisitive kids will love it though and it makes a great change of pace for those who are spending several days on their Disney Vacation.