Cast member in plaid vest riding with a family.

[pammypooh]

We were at MK on 2/23 and in line for Dumbo I noticed a castmember in a plaid vest in line with a Mom, her three young kids (maybe 5,4, & 2 years old), and someone else that might have been Mom's sister. The castmember was at times holding the kids and went on the ride with them. Then I saw them on the Carousel. I didn't recognize any of the family and I so wanted to just ask are you famous? Anyone know why the castmember would have been escorting this family around? He seemed happy to be riding with them.

Pam

 

[campingcorgi]

Probably yes. I've seen that with a NBA basketball player (I didn't know the name but my nephew did) and some other people, too.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I once saw something like that on the Boardwalk. It was 2 cm in white shirts, then the plaid vested cm carrying this briefcase all around and some japanese businessmen. I asked our server at espn who were they. They went in and out all over the boardwalk but never stopped to eat anywhere, just to look. Our server said, oh they are vip's and they are getting a vip tour. So I am sure the people you saw might be vip's too. Hmm...now to figure out who they were.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Any one can have a VIP tour guide. You just have to be willing to shell out big bucks! It is very expesive, you are charged by the hour and there is a minimum amount of time. My understanding is they can't get you to the front of the line, but they can help you get the most out of your time. One of the guide books mentions the VIP tours, I just don't remember which one.

 

[tjkraz]

From allearsnet.com:

The VIP Tour Guide can host up to 10 Guests. If your party size is larger than 10, we will provide an additional VIP Tour Guide at an additional cost. VIP Tour requests may be taken up to 90 days in advance. Please note that reservations may not be accepted during certain holiday periods. To ensure availability, we recommend you call at least 72 hours in advance. Existing WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort transportation will be used. Private transportation is available at an additional cost.

The cost of Disney's VIP Tour Services is $85 per hour when scheduled more than 48 hours in advance, with a minimum charge of five hours. Any tour scheduled with less than 48 hours notice, will be charged $95 per hour. Should your plans change, we require advance notice of 24 hours to avoid a cancellation fee of $170 per VIP Tour Guide.

Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available.

Customizing your VIP Tour is easy. Simply call Disney Special Activities at (407) 560-4033 and speak with a Disney Special Activities Coordinator; also available via e-mail at WDW.VIP.Tours@Disney.Com.

 

[JaxCon]

Crazy for the money I thought but - you get to break in line for ride and attractions. Allowed them to do twice as much in less time.

 

[tjkraz]

Crazy for the money I thought but - you get to break in line for ride and attractions. Allowed them to do twice as much in less time.

Disney's typical tour services do NOT include any sort of front of the line access. Disney only does that for the "biggest of the big" VIPs--guests who are immediately recognizable and be the source (and victim) of disruption wherever they went.

Even if your boss thought he was getting some sort of special services, I'm 99% certain it was simply a case of the tour guide getting FastPasses for the group. Don't get me wrong--the unknowledgable Disney guest would certainly benefit from a guide. The guides can help people maximize their time by steering guests toward rides at the most advantageous time, and by grabbing FastPasses for one attraction while they are experiencing another.

But, to people who frequent web sites like this, it's not rocket science.

 

[tobias sampson]

I saw a family with sextuplets and two castmembers at AK last time! They were incredibly cute little ones!

 

[jenjersnap]

I saw a family with sextuplets and two castmembers at AK last time! They were incredibly cute little ones!

Maybe this was the same set of sextuplets ... we sat next to them at LTT on February 3. Their family is going to be on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They had two CMs with them too, along with their parents and older sib. They were adorable! I thought it was amusing that a majority of the sextuplets sat at another table with the CMs - who did a great job of entertaining - while mom, dad and sib sat at a whole other table. Bet they were grateful for the break!

 

[rcraw45425]

The sextuplet show is on right now!

 

[eeyore0062]

Those castmembers are VIP tour guides, if they have the vests with the red, blue and green plaid. They are available for tours by getting in touch with Disney Special Events to anyone who wants to pay for their services--- no, you don't HAVE to be a celebrity.

If the vests were a blue and grey plaid, then they are the tour guides for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[eeyore0062]

From allearsnet.com:

The VIP Tour Guide can host up to 10 Guests. If your party size is larger than 10, we will provide an additional VIP Tour Guide at an additional cost. VIP Tour requests may be taken up to 90 days in advance. Please note that reservations may not be accepted during certain holiday periods. To ensure availability, we recommend you call at least 72 hours in advance. Existing WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort transportation will be used. Private transportation is available at an additional cost.

The cost of Disney's VIP Tour Services is $85 per hour when scheduled more than 48 hours in advance, with a minimum charge of five hours. Any tour scheduled with less than 48 hours notice, will be charged $95 per hour. Should your plans change, we require advance notice of 24 hours to avoid a cancellation fee of $170 per VIP Tour Guide.

Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available.

Customizing your VIP Tour is easy. Simply call Disney Special Activities at (407) 560-4033 and speak with a Disney Special Activities Coordinator; also available via e-mail at WDW.VIP.Tours@Disney.Com.

The amount per hour has increased since this information was printed on AllEarsnet, so please call to get current rates.

 

[Mich Mouse]

One of my husbands cliients is a very well known celebrity. When their family travels to Disney, they are required to have a VIP escort...Their presence would create too much of a spectacle, and cause chaos for Disney. I am not 100% positive, but I do not believe that this is paid for by the family. Rather, it is a service provided by Disney, to benefit Disney. Could you imagine the problems Disney would encounter if an A list celebrity just walked around?