Epcot's Secret Greenhouse: Is the Behind the Seeds Tour Worth It?

You've floated past these greenhouses a hundred times on Living with the Land. But what if I told you that you can actually get off the boat and walk right into them?

This was the very first episode of my All Access series, where I find the hidden gems most guests walk right past. Living with the Land is one of my all-time favorite rides, so the second I had the chance to go behind the scenes, I was all in. And honestly? It's one of the best deals in Disney World.

Need-to-know before you go

• Where: The Land pavilion at Epcot. Check in on the lower level near the Living with the Land exit about 15 minutes before your tour.
• Price: $39 to $49 per person plus tax, depending on the day. Park admission required.
• Length: About 1 hour.
• Times: Tours were listed at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30 when we went, with extra evening tours during the holidays (November 27 to December 30).
• Ages: 3 and up. Anyone under 18 needs a paying adult with them.

Insider tip: This is the only backstage Disney tour that actually lets you take photos and videos. That's why you get to come along with me in the video!

What you'll see

The fish farm

First stop: the fish farm, where they raise fish like tilapia and catfish. And yes, you get to feed them.

The record-breaking tomato tree

Trivia time: the famous tomato tree here broke a Guinness World Record by growing more than 32,000 tomatoes in just 16 months. That's a whole lot of salsa.

Real space farming research

Did you know Disney works alongside NASA? The Land has NASA plant-growing chambers and a hydroponic system built for long space missions. Those purple lights you see from the boat are part of research into growing fresh food in space, maybe even on the Moon or Mars one day. Your boat ride goes right past real space farming research!

The buzz button

This one was wild. The buzz button (also called the Szechuan button) makes your mouth tingle and go numb when you chew it. It's the same plant behind the famous fizzy foam drinks at Oga's Cantina. Our guide swears it makes the best margarita.

Coffee cherries

A coffee bean is actually the seed of a red fruit called a coffee cherry, and a plant can take three to four years before it produces anything.

From greenhouse to your plate

The lettuce grown here ends up on real Disney plates at Garden Grill right in The Land and Tiffins over in Animal Kingdom. The Land grows about 30 tons of produce a year. They even raise ladybugs to eat pests instead of spraying chemicals. Some cucumbers and pumpkins are grown in Mickey-shaped molds, and extra produce goes to feed the animals at Animal Kingdom.

Build your own hydroponic garden

One of my favorite parts: they show you how to build a hydroponic garden at home. I think it would be such a fun family project, and it's something I want to do with my little girl.

My verdict: Insider Approved

We highly recommend Behind the Seeds, especially for the price. Most backstage tours cost way more, and this one gives you an hour of hands-on fun, snacks right off the vine, and facts you'll be telling people for years.

Have you done a behind-the-scenes tour at the parks? Tell me in the comments on the video.

Tour prices and times change. Check current details with Disney before booking.