klp1015
Registered: September 2008
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 19
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Review Date: Wed March 13, 2013
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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My husband and I took this tour on Feb. 28. I had done it many years ago, but it was his first time. Our guide was Mark, a recent grad of Ohio State. His enthusiasm was obvious and contagious. We learned some really interesting things about pest control as well as the gardening methods used by WDW. The tour was supposed to last about an hour, but we ran longer because Mark took the time to thoroughly answer questions from the group.
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melmac82
Registered: January 2013
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Mon January 28, 2013
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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price, length, information
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Cons:
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Did this tour back in October with my mom and sisters (yes we're all adults). I had wanted to check it out for a while but would always forget until going on the Living With The Land ride. Then our day would usually already be full and we wouldn't have time for it. Not this time! I remembered and made reservations ahead of time. I'll say I always really love the boat ride and this tour goes along with it really well. You get to walk through all of the greenhouses, see more of the plants that are in the back that can't be seen from the boat very well, feed the tilapia in the fish section, and get a better idea of everything that they do in those EPCOT greenhouses.
I knocked down the rating a point just because it would be nice to see some newer technology on the tour. It's still the same stuff that I remember them discussing on the boat ride for years.
The price is great and the length of the tour is also a big plus. You can do the tour and learn a lot of new things in less time than it takes to wait in line for Soarin! I highly recommend this tour to anyone whether you are a gardener (I'm not), someone who thinks plants are cool and tasty (I guess I fall into this category), or just someone who has to unwillingly accompany their family/friends. It's informative for those who love it and short enough for those who hate it.
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Sheriff
Registered: December 2012
Posts: 16
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Review Date: Sat December 15, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Tour Guide, Informative, Tasty Cucumber
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Cons:
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Tour ran somewhat long
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We did this tour on Friday 12/14. Our tour guide Nichole was really great Her being a UGA Bulldog was a plus. The tour was very interesting and informative.
We had a few chatty people that made the tour longer, but their questions were relevant to the tour. The only problem was that when it was over the fast passes for Soarin were gone for the day. Nichole saved the day though with that one.
A cucumber slice was provided about half way thru the tour. Me and my son do not eat them so my wife was lucky to get three of them. She loved them.
I would recommend this tour for anyone who is interested in farming.
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Chrim
Registered: March 2008
Posts: 18
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Review Date: Sat July 14, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? No
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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many start times, lower cost than other tours, lots of time for questions
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Cons:
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not much real "backstage" time
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I thought this tour was fairly good, but not excellent. The fact that I am not a gardener, perhaps means I enjoyed this tour less than others.
I had a friendly guide who was happy to answer all sorts of questions and really seemed not interested in ending the tour. She started asking the participants if anyone had any scheduled activities (like dinner) right after the tour and she seemed to want to fill all the time until we absolutely had to leave. This was nice, and the tour was a leisurely event, and included a break at the water cooler (free water in cups or to refill your own bottles with).
All participants (of all ages) were given a cucumber sample, ladybugs to release, food to feed the fish, an instructions for building a home hydroponics setup out of a fish aquarium.
Evidently the research assistants / college interns / tour guides are divided up into different specialties and your tour may be slightly different depending on the guide you have. For example, there are multiple possible ladybug release areas, and your guide will have you release them in "their" area of the greenhouse. I had a guide who worked in the aeroponics area. My favorite area was the fish and alligator area. I don't know if you can ask the day of the tour to book a slot with a guide who shares your primary interest. Unfortunately I didn't think of that possibility until after I had left.
Parts of the tour is in air conditioned comfort, some is in a slightly cooled greenhouse, and a slight bit is outside. The areas we saw were mostly the same as you see from the boat tour, but with more time to look around and at different angles, and some things were available to touch and hold as well.
I took the tour on July 3, 2012, arriving in the Land at around 11am, was able to book a same day tour at either 3pm or 3:45. The cost, per adult, when paying with a Disney Visa card was $15.30. It appears that children in strollers may remain in their strollers during the tour. Although, guests that age might find the tour a bit dull.
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crafts715
Registered: December 2011
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Thu April 5, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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informative, interesting
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Cons:
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nothing
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I really enjoyed this tour. For someone who is not into gardening, I found this very interesting and very informative. I really liked seeing how Disney grows their gardens and their own food. I would highly suggest this tour. I would consider taking this tour again.
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Mousekatourist
Registered: December 2011
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Fri December 9, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Pleasant diversion
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Cons:
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Limited amount to be learned
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My husband and I both enjoy educational experiences, and so looked forward to this tour after enjoying the associated ride. However, we were disappointed to find that the information is no longer particularly cutting edge (being restricted to the limited work that's being done here) and that the tour guide appeared to have the knowledge level of a typical college intern, which left her unable to answer less superficial questions. This is likely due to the fact that it's the backstage area of a theme park, not a major botanical garden. It's pleasant, but not a serious educational experience.
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DanDVC92
Registered: October 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 48
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Review Date: Sun October 30, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fun, informative, nice host
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Cons:
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none
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Hi, my wife Dolores and I always try and do something we have not done in past on our annual trip from Michigan to WDW, and this was this year's choice. It was a very nice tour especially as we are both into gardening, our host Rachel was very informative and very much into her work, so it made for a very interesting and enjoyable hour+ long event. Would definitely recommend it especially for plant lovers.
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lvt
Registered: September 2009
Posts: 35
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Review Date: Thu August 18, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Interesting garden tour.
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Cons:
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We enjoyed the tour and guide. Our leader was capable and expanded on topics if questioned. She worked in the area and seemed to enjoy it.
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Sharkfam
Registered: February 2011
Location: Crivitz, WI
Posts: 16
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Review Date: Mon August 1, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Great tour if you like or are involved in horticulture
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Cons:
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None
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We own 4 greenhouses and raise about 250,000 plants a year so we have been wanting to take this tour at WDW. It is fascinating to see what an open budget greenhouse looks like. We learned a lot and enjoyed the tour. Our kids loved it too.
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renee1965
Registered: June 2011
Location: new orleans
Posts: 10
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Review Date: Mon June 20, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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very informative
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Cons:
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not a one!
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Living With The Land is is one of our family's absolute favorite rides. I was thrilled when my girls were finally old enough to take the tour. Our guide, Jenna, was patient with my 8 yr old's bazillion questions. She let both my girls participate in the tour by letting them hold photos of plants. They were so enchanted by Jenna that they asked for her autograph and took a photo with her at tour's end. My husband and I both were itching to get some hydroponic gardening tips and we were not disappointed. Jenna was very, very informative. I'd even take this tour again, just for another chance to walk behind the scenes of one of my fave rides.
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Hilary Scuffell
Registered: June 2011
Location: Montreal, QC Canada
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Sun June 19, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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small group, very nice tour guide
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Cons:
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We took this tour on Monday, February 28th. I was in an ECV for the 1st time and they accommodated me very nicely. The only problem I had was that some of the other guests would stand in front of me making it difficult to see some things but for the most part it was wonderful. Our 12 year old daughter loved the tour and is still talking about it! We would do this again!
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illini33
Registered: June 2011
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sat June 18, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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interesting and informative, great value
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Cons:
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none
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After riding and enjoying the Land boat ride during our last stay, my boyfriend and I decided to try the Behind the Seeds Tour this time. There were about ten people on our tour, all adults. We are in our mid-twenties and were some of the youngest people there. Our guide, Katie, was great. She was friendly and very informative about all of the unique techniques used in the Disney greenhouses. She was knowledgeable and able to answer all of the questions that we and the other tour participants asked along the way. Some highlights of the tour were releasing ladybugs in the greenhouses, tasting cucumbers grown there, and feeding the Tilapia in the aquaculture section. Throughout, we loved being able to see everything up close, and being able to ask questions and hear more details about how each growing system works. Katie did a great job giving us ideas for how to use some of the techniques used at WDW at home. We can't wait to try them! I was thinking about my mom the entire time - she loves to garden and would have loved this tour. I definitely recommend this tour for anyone interested in gardening, farming, or science. Small children probably wouldn't find it very engaging, but older kids/teens who are interested in the topic definitely would! This tour was one of our favorite parts of our whole vacation, especially because it was a very affordable way to do something extra special and memorable. A great value for a wonderful experience!
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kellpooh
Registered: January 2006
Location: GA
Posts: 31
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Review Date: Mon March 14, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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SO MUCH FUN! And really interetsting
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Cons:
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Non
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The Land ride has been my favorite in Epcot since the first time I went on it in 1986. So since DH was at a Braves spring training game, and I was alone at Epcot, I decided to take this tour. Laura was the tour guide and there were only 2 other people with me.
First off, Laura is the sweetest lady: very smart, kind, funny and can explain her "craft" so everyone understands.
It was so cool to walk through the areas in the green houses and aquatic areas that you can't go through unless you're on the tour. One of the things I was surprised by, was how good it smells in the greenhouses. You don't really notice that until you're up close to everything. Laura gave us a sheet on how to set up our own hydroponic "gardens" at home. Laura gave us each samples of fresh cut Cucumbers which were really good. They were a bit sweet and far juicier than your regular store brought ones.
Laura took us through the aquatic area too and we even fed the Tilapia. She took us all the way to the beginning of the greenhouse area where the sunflowers are.
This tour is so well worth the $18 it costs. It was a perfect way to end my afternoon at Epcot. Laura did mention to me that guests should definitely take the tour more than once because the greenhouse is always changing. So even if you do it once, wait awhile and do it again because all guides do it differently, and things change.
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Ripley68
Registered: December 2008
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Sat January 22, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Interesting, great guide
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Cons:
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none
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DS loves "the land" ride, so we decided to take the BTS tour. Wow! Our guide, Katie, was fantastic (we went by the tour right after ours and she seemed less so. This tour I believe all depends on your guide). DS is very talkative and she handled him very well. It was just us and 3 others. The tour was very informative and enjoyable. She gave out ladybugs for us to release. It was nice to get answers to the questions the ride doesn't answer. Learned lots about the different plants and growing tecniques. One of the favorite things we did.
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Keatsreed
Registered: September 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 32
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Review Date: Sun January 16, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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educational, wonderful guide, fascinating
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Cons:
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We've done a lot of things at Disney over the years, but our kids are just starting to get at the age that we can start doing some of the tours, adventures, etc. (they are 8 and 6)
We decided to try this tour because both my children and I love gardening and science. My husband tagged along. The entire experience was fantastic - we all learned so much. Our guide was very knowledgeable and seemed to love her job. At the beginning of the tour, she let my kids and the other little girl in the group have ladybugs that they later released on some plants. It was very sweet and all three kids loved it.
Another great thing about this tour is that it is extremely reasonable in price, especially if you use your DVC or another discount. For how much you learn for the price paid, it's absolutely 100% worth it.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves the outdoors, gardening, or science.
ps - my husband, thinks it was one of his favorite things that we did on this past trip - he really enjoyed it as much as we did
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