50th anniversary VIP tour questions

[Steven G]

I'll be in WDW in June, and I scheduled this tour (we've done VIP tour in the past).
I know it's not like a regular VIP tour in that it's a set schedule, and that it isn't focused on attractions so much as the history and locations.

My main questions are:
1) Has anyone done it, and how did you like it?
2) It's supposed to be between 7 to 8 hours long. The description of the tour doesn't really sound like 7 to 8 hours, but I assume that it goes slow. I got a very brief list of things from the phone CM that are going to happen (which was similar to what was on the website), but that didn't make it sound like 7 to 8 hours worth. I don't necessarily want spoilers, but I do want to make sure it really has the content for that long. I am taking into account the lunch at BOG and snack at Space 220.
3) Is it possible to make any requests at all during the tour, or are we really locked in? My only real change I'd like is to go on the Guardians ride instead of Ratatouille, but I know that is a long shot. I'm perfectly fine not being able to do it, I just wanted to know if they would be flexible.

I did see one two part youtube video of the tour, I'd like additional opinions if available.

 

[Chrisizzle]

I'll be in WDW in June, and I scheduled this tour (we've done VIP tour in the past).
I know it's not like a regular VIP tour in that it's a set schedule, and that it isn't focused on attractions so much as the history and locations.

My main questions are:
1) Has anyone done it, and how did you like it?
2) It's supposed to be between 7 to 8 hours long. The description of the tour doesn't really sound like 7 to 8 hours, but I assume that it goes slow. I got a very brief list of things from the phone CM that are going to happen (which was similar to what was on the website), but that didn't make it sound like 7 to 8 hours worth. I don't necessarily want spoilers, but I do want to make sure it really has the content for that long. I am taking into account the lunch at BOG and snack at Space 220.
3) Is it possible to make any requests at all during the tour, or are we really locked in? My only real change I'd like is to go on the Guardians ride instead of Ratatouille, but I know that is a long shot. I'm perfectly fine not being able to do it, I just wanted to know if they would be flexible.

I did see one two part youtube video of the tour, I'd like additional opinions if available.

I was looking for information on the 50th Tour and it still seems slim.

What was your experience like?
Highlights? Worth while?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I did this tour a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it. It's very $ but as a huge Disney fan and lover of the history and behind the scenes stuff it was well worth it to me as a splurge. There isn't a lot of info about the tour "out there" so I'm happy to answer any questions.

Some tour restrictions: ages 12+ and if you/your party use mobility devices (scooters, wheelchairs etc.) need to talk to VIP tours as it may impact some activities.

To OP - we rode Guardians vs. Ratatouille. This was early August.

Highlights for me were the private boat ride in Bay Lake learning about the history, behind the scenes of the Haunted Mansion ballroom scene (AMAZING), Cinderella castle suite tour, time in the utilidors (not unlike what you see in Keys to the Kingdom tour).

Again, happy to answer any questions if anyone is considering this.

 

[Chrisizzle]

Highlights for me were... Cinderella castle suite tour...,

Seeing the Cinderella Suite is pretty exclusive.
- How much time do you spend in there?
- Are you allowed to take photos and video?

General Questions:
- How long was the entire experience?
- Did you get a souvenir after it was over?

 

[happiest in Disney]

I did this tour a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it. It's very $ but as a huge Disney fan and lover of the history and behind the scenes stuff it was well worth it to me as a splurge. There isn't a lot of info about the tour "out there" so I'm happy to answer any questions.

Some tour restrictions: ages 12+ and if you/your party use mobility devices (scooters, wheelchairs etc.) need to talk to VIP tours as it may impact some activities.

To OP - we rode Guardians vs. Ratatouille. This was early August.

Highlights for me were the private boat ride in Bay Lake learning about the history, behind the scenes of the Haunted Mansion ballroom scene (AMAZING), Cinderella castle suite tour, time in the utilidors (not unlike what you see in Keys to the Kingdom tour).

Again, happy to answer any questions if anyone is considering this.

Hi Are you talking about the private 7 hour min VIP tour or a different one? I didn't think there was an age limit on the Private VIP tour... also I didn't realized on that tour you could tour the castle...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Seeing the Cinderella Suite is pretty exclusive.
- How much time do you spend in there?
- Are you allowed to take photos and video?

General Questions:
- How long was the entire experience?
- Did you get a souvenir after it was over?

Photos and videos were allowed in the suite but not in backstage areas like behind the scenes of the ballroom scene or the utilidor. I would have liked more time in the suite, to be honest, but it's also really small. I think 600 sq feet total or something close to that. A separate suite concierge takes you up and explains all about the different features and points out some fun details.

I think overall our tour wound up being close to 9 hours. We received 50th VIP tour pins (same as if you reserved one of the private VIP tours) and there's also a special souvenir --

Spoiler

a framed replica of a Main Street window

-- that was one per group. Not sure how it would work if your group of six consisted of multiple parties. Also got glow cubes from drinks at lunch and VIP lanyards.

Hi Are you talking about the private 7 hour min VIP tour or a different one? I didn't think there was an age limit on the Private VIP tour... also I didn't realized on that tour you could tour the castle...

Different. This is a structured tour (i.e. very set agenda). Other than raising your hand to indicate you need to visit a restroom you really don't have much input in terms of where to go/what to do. That said, because it's a small group (6 people) you have incredible access to your guide and the ability to ask a million questions. Only a fraction of the VIP tour guides are trained and authorized to do this tour. This is the only tour, to my knowledge, that gets to access the castle suite. I don't believe there is an age limit for the individual 7-hr VIP tours. I think (purely my speculation) in this case, it's because there's so much backstage they set a limit in an effort to preserve the magic. It's also a very intense tour. I was tired and sore the next day like I haven't been after a day in the parks in a long time ... but it was SO worth it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I hope this is allowed. This ~1 min Tik Tok video gives you a bit of any idea of the 50th Anniversary tour. Not sure if true but saw somewhere earlier today that this tour is being discontinued as of 9/29.

 

[pirate33]

Can one book this for just one or two people (i.e., a group tour with others up to six total) or does one have to book a private guide at the full hourly rate?

 

[glocon]

I hope this is allowed. This ~1 min Tik Tok video gives you a bit of any idea of the 50th Anniversary tour. Not sure if true but saw somewhere earlier today that this tour is being discontinued as of 9/29.

That TikTok was awsome!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Can one book this for just one or two people (i.e., a group tour with others up to six total) or does one have to book a private guide at the full hourly rate?

You could do for one or two people but you’d pay the full rate — its not like other tours where Disney just fills up to capacity.

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

I did this tour a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it. It's very $ but as a huge Disney fan and lover of the history and behind the scenes stuff it was well worth it to me as a splurge. There isn't a lot of info about the tour "out there" so I'm happy to answer any questions.

Some tour restrictions: ages 12+ and if you/your party use mobility devices (scooters, wheelchairs etc.) need to talk to VIP tours as it may impact some activities.

To OP - we rode Guardians vs. Ratatouille. This was early August.

Highlights for me were the private boat ride in Bay Lake learning about the history, behind the scenes of the Haunted Mansion ballroom scene (AMAZING), Cinderella castle suite tour, time in the utilidors (not unlike what you see in Keys to the Kingdom tour).

Again, happy to answer any questions if anyone is considering this.

How much does this cost? I don't see it on the website. Thanks!

 

[Steven G]

Hi,

I am the OP, I did the 50th anniversary VIP tour in June, and I see there is some interest, so here is my review.

1) The guide was excellent, and it was a great time overall.
2) There was a lot of time spent on the history of Walt and the parks, which was great.
3) The highlights were:
a) Haunted Mansion Behind the scenes. Couldn't take pictures, but it was eye opening to be sure.
b) Cinderella Suite, especially because of the special guide we had (our VIP tour guide said it was not always that she was available), an older woman who was so kind and knew so much about the suite and the parks in general. We were able to take as many pics as we wished.
c) The boat ride was very informative, and interesting in that we docked at Magic Kingdom in that small boat, which was usually not allowed outside of the tour.

4) We went like 2-3 weeks after the Guardians ride opened, and the guide asked us near the beginning which we would rather ride (Guardians or Remy). We chose guardians of course. That was pretty much the only real choice we had, everything else was predetermined.
5) It was my first time in the utilidoors, and although it was interesting, I wouldn't call it a highlight.
6) I think the only lowlight was the food. We had some drinks at Steakhouse 71 lounge area, lunch at Be our Guest, and some appetizer like meal at Space 220. Nothing bad, just nothing amazing. We had dinner after the tour at Steakhouse 71, which was amazing.
7) We did get a special souvenir at the end, which was awesome.

The cost, after taxes, is about $7000. You have to factor in a tip in addition as well to that. Our tour was around 8 hours.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

How much does this cost? I don't see it on the website. Thanks!

It’s $6,500 before tax or tip.