Behind the Seeds Tour at EPCOT Review: Is Disney’s Greenhouse Tour Worth It?
Wondering if EPCOT’s Behind the Seeds tour is worth it? Here’s my honest Behind the Seeds Tour review, what to expect, who will enjoy it, and tips before you book.
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes
If you’ve ever ridden Living with the Land at EPCOT and found yourself wishing the boat would slow down just a little longer through the greenhouses, you’re probably the exact person Disney created the Behind the Seeds tour for.
I finally booked this one on my most recent trip, and I walked away thinking, “I’m really glad we did that.”
Now…was it exciting?
Not really.
Was it fascinating?
Absolutely.
Behind the Seeds isn’t one of those Disney experiences that’s packed with thrills or magical surprises. Instead, it’s a one-hour walking tour that takes you behind the scenes of the famous Living with the Land greenhouses, where Disney experiments with innovative growing techniques and produces thousands of pounds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and fish that are actually served in restaurants throughout Walt Disney World.
If you’re expecting entertainment, this probably isn’t your tour.
But if you’re naturally curious—or if you’re the type of person who refuses to skip Living with the Land every trip—I think you’ll really enjoy it.
If you’re deciding how to spend your day, check out my ranking of every EPCOT ride.
What is the Behind the Seeds Tour?
Behind the Seeds is a one-hour guided walking tour through the working greenhouses inside The Land Pavilion at EPCOT.
Instead of floating past everything in a boat, you’ll actually walk through the growing areas while a Disney horticulture guide explains what you’re seeing.
During the tour you’ll learn about:
- Hydroponic growing systems
- Vertical gardening
- Biological pest control
- Aquaculture and sustainable fish farming
- Plant propagation and tissue culture
- How Disney grows produce that’s served throughout Walt Disney World
The tour is offered several times throughout the day and requires a separate ticket in addition to EPCOT admission.
If your family is trying to decide how to spend a day at EPCOT, I’d prioritize the major attractions first. But once you’ve experienced the rides and shows, Behind the Seeds is a wonderful way to discover a quieter side of the park.
What Happens During the Behind the Seeds Tour?
If you’re wondering what you’ll actually do for an hour, here’s a general idea of how the tour unfolds.
After checking in at The Land Pavilion, you’ll meet your guide and receive a headset so you can easily hear the narration throughout the tour, even while everyone is spread out in the greenhouses.
From there, you’ll head backstage into areas that regular Living with the Land riders never get to see.
The first few stops focus on Disney’s research and growing techniques. Our guide explained how Disney uses biological pest control (think beneficial insects instead of pesticides), showed us the tissue culture lab where tiny plant samples are propagated under specialized grow lights, and talked about some of the research projects happening behind the scenes.
Then comes what was easily my favorite part of the tour—walking through the actual greenhouses.
Instead of gliding past everything in a boat, you’re standing right next to the plants, with plenty of time to stop, take photos, and ask questions. We saw everything from tomatoes and squash to bananas, vanilla, tropical fruits, edible flowers, and giant gourds. Our guide explained the different hydroponic systems, vertical growing methods, and how Disney is constantly experimenting with new ways to grow food more efficiently.
Along the way, you’ll also get to smell different herbs and spices, sample a fresh cucumber grown in the greenhouse, and see some of Disney’s famous Mickey-shaped produce.
The tour wraps up back near the greenhouse entrance after about an hour, and by that point you’ll probably find yourself wanting to ride Living with the Land again—you’ll notice so many details you never paid attention to before.
My Overall Thoughts
I honestly enjoyed this more than I expected.
I’m not a gardener.
I can keep a few houseplants alive, but that’s about the extent of my expertise.
So I wasn’t sure whether an hour-long greenhouse tour would really hold my attention.
It did.
What surprised me wasn’t necessarily the plants—it was learning how much research Disney is doing.
I always knew Living with the Land showed different growing techniques, but I assumed it was mostly for guests to look at while riding through.
Instead, Disney is actively experimenting with ways to grow food more efficiently, reduce pesticides, conserve water, and develop farming methods that can be used in places where traditional agriculture isn’t practical.
That’s pretty cool.
By the end of the tour, I had a whole new appreciation for one of my favorite EPCOT attractions.
Much of the produce grown inside these greenhouses eventually makes its way into Walt Disney World restaurants, including nearby Garden Grill.
Who Is This Tour Actually For?
I think this is probably the biggest question people have before booking.
And honestly…
I don’t think this is really a kids’ tour.
Yes, children as young as three are allowed.
But would most kids enjoy it?
Probably not.
Unless your child is genuinely interested in gardening, science, or agriculture, I think they’d be pretty bored after the first fifteen or twenty minutes.
This really feels like an adult tour.
On our tour we had a few younger adults who were obviously really into gardening, quite a few grandparents, and then my friend and me.
Everyone seemed genuinely interested in learning.
If you’re traveling with teenagers, I think it depends entirely on the teenager. A teen who loves biology or environmental science might think it’s fascinating. One who’s only thinking about Guardians of the Galaxy probably won’t.
Honestly, I think this would be a wonderful experience for grandparents while younger family members are off riding thrill rides.
Don’t Expect a Ride
One thing I want to mention because I think it’s easy to misunderstand…
Living with the Land is one of the most relaxing rides at Walt Disney World.
Behind the Seeds has that same laid-back feeling…
…but you’re standing and walking almost the entire time.
I wouldn’t call it strenuous.
You’re not hiking.
But you are simply walking from greenhouse to greenhouse with lots of stops along the way while your guide explains everything.
Disney even mentions in the FAQs that you should expect to be on your feet for about an hour, and I think that’s a fair description.
If you have mobility concerns, that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
Walking Through the Greenhouses Was My Favorite Part
This was easily the highlight of the tour for me.
When you’re on Living with the Land, you’re floating past these incredible growing areas for maybe thirty seconds before moving on.
Here, you actually get to slow down.
You can stop.
Take pictures.
Ask questions.
Really look at everything around you.
At one point I found myself laughing because I’d ridden Living with the Land so many times over the years, yet standing there in the greenhouse, I realized I had never really appreciated what I was looking at.
There were towering tomato vines, banana plants, hydroponic vegetables, giant gourds, edible flowers, herbs, tropical fruits—you name it.
And seeing everything up close is completely different than seeing it from a moving boat.
If you enjoy Disney’s educational tours, I’d also recommend Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom.
The Little Things Made It Fun
This definitely isn’t a hands-on tour from beginning to end, but there are a few fun interactive moments.
We got to smell different herbs and spices while trying to guess what they were.
We sampled fresh cucumbers that had been grown right there in the greenhouse.
Yes…
It’s cucumber.
I know that doesn’t exactly sound like a Disney snack worth writing home about.
But it was incredibly fresh, crisp, and honestly really tasty.
We also got to see some of Disney’s famous Mickey-shaped produce, including the Mickey cucumbers that have become something of a greenhouse legend.
Those little Disney touches kept the tour from feeling like a college lecture.
I Loved Learning About Biological Pest Control
One of the biggest surprises for me was learning about Disney’s approach to pest management.
Instead of relying heavily on pesticides, Disney uses beneficial insects to naturally control harmful bugs.
It’s one of those things I never would have thought about before taking the tour.
Our guide explained how tiny insects become the greenhouse “security team,” protecting crops naturally.
I left thinking, “That makes so much sense.”
It was fascinating.
Our Guide Made a Huge Difference
A tour like this completely depends on having a good guide.
Fortunately, ours was fantastic.
She clearly loved what she did and wasn’t simply rattling off facts she’d memorized.
She encouraged questions, shared stories, and seemed genuinely excited to explain how everything worked.
That enthusiasm made the entire experience better.
Summer Visitors Should Know This
One thing our guide mentioned that I think is worth repeating…
The greenhouses are exactly that—greenhouses.
They’re designed for growing plants.
Not for keeping guests cool.
We visited in April, and the temperature was perfectly comfortable.
Honestly, it felt really pleasant.
But she told us that during July and August, the greenhouses can get pretty warm.
If you’re visiting during the hottest part of the year, I’d absolutely book one of the earliest tours of the day if possible.
And definitely bring a bottle of water.
You’ll be glad you did.
Behind the Seeds vs. Living with the Land: Which One Should You Do?
The short answer?
If you only have time for one, ride Living with the Land.
It’s one of my favorite attractions at EPCOT, it’s included with park admission, and it gives you a wonderful overview of Disney’s greenhouses in about 15 minutes.
Behind the Seeds isn’t meant to replace the ride—it complements it.
Think of Living with the Land as watching the highlights, while Behind the Seeds lets you step onto the field.
If you’ve ridden Living with the Land several times and always wished you could spend more time looking at the plants or learning how everything works, I think you’ll love this tour.
On the other hand, if you’ve never ridden Living with the Land before, I’d actually recommend experiencing the ride first. You’ll appreciate the tour so much more once you’ve seen the greenhouses from the boat and have a little context for what you’re about to explore.
For me, the tour didn’t make Living with the Land less interesting—it did exactly the opposite. Now every time I ride it, I notice things I completely overlooked before.
Is Behind the Seeds Worth the Cost?
For me?
Yes.
I wouldn’t necessarily do it every single trip.
But I would absolutely do it again if I were visiting with someone who enjoys gardening or had never experienced it before.
This isn’t one of those Disney tours where you’re constantly saying “Wow!”
Instead, it’s one of those experiences where you walk away realizing you learned a lot and saw something most guests never do.
It also completely changed how I look at Living with the Land.
Now, when I ride through those greenhouses, I notice details I never paid attention to before.
That’s something I wasn’t expecting.
Tips Before You Go
If you decide to book Behind the Seeds, here are a few recommendations:
- Ride Living with the Land before your tour if possible.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Bring water, especially during the summer months.
- Book an early morning tour if you’re visiting in July or August.
- Don’t expect thrills—expect to learn something.
- Ask questions! Our guide loved answering them.
- Bring your camera. There are tons of great photo opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take pictures during the Behind the Seeds tour?
Yes! Photography is encouraged throughout most of the tour, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably leave with way more pictures than you expected. There are some fantastic close-up photo opportunities that you simply can’t get from the Living with the Land boat ride.
Is Behind the Seeds air conditioned?
Not exactly.
Some portions of the tour are indoors, but much of your time is spent inside the working greenhouses. They’re climate-controlled for the plants—not for guest comfort—so they can become quite warm during Florida’s hottest months.
How much walking is there?
Plan on being on your feet for about an hour. The walking itself is easy and leisurely, with frequent stops while your guide talks, but this isn’t a sit-down experience like Living with the Land.
Should you ride Living with the Land before taking the tour?
I definitely recommend it.
You’ll enjoy the tour more because you’ll already recognize many of the greenhouse areas, and afterward you’ll probably want to ride it again to see everything with fresh eyes.
Is Behind the Seeds worth it for kids?
It really depends on the child.
Kids who love science, gardening, or nature may genuinely enjoy it, especially older children and teenagers. For most younger kids, though, I think the hour-long educational format would be a little too slow.
Is it worth the money?
For me, yes.
I wouldn’t necessarily book it every single trip, but I’m really glad I experienced it. It’s one of those quieter Disney experiences that gives you a deeper appreciation for EPCOT, and I’d happily do it again with someone who enjoys gardening or is curious about how Disney grows so much of its own food.
Final Thoughts
Behind the Seeds won’t be everyone’s favorite Disney tour.
If you’re looking for high-energy entertainment or trying to keep young kids occupied, I’d probably spend my money elsewhere.
But if you’re someone who loves Living with the Land—or you’re simply curious about how Disney grows food, researches sustainable agriculture, and keeps these incredible greenhouses running—I think it’s well worth the hour.
It’s educational without feeling like school.
Interesting without trying too hard.
And somehow, Disney manages to make a greenhouse full of vegetables one of the more memorable experiences I had during my trip.
I came away with a greater appreciation for Living with the Land, a better understanding of the work happening behind the scenes, and the feeling that I’d discovered one of EPCOT’s quieter hidden gems.
