Has anyone used a non disney VIP service?

[Jennygt]

I was interested in reading more about the disney VIP service, in my research I came upon a few non disney companies offering tour guides for the parks.
Has anyone ever used one of these companies?
Just curious

 

[sharonabe]

I haven't used either one, but the biggest difference I would assume is the non-Disney services have no authority or ability to get you past the lines. They can't take you into the back entrances of the parks. They can't get you in FP lines without a FP, and they are just as limited as you are in getting them. So what are the non-Disney tours offering you?

 

[soar2014]

I'd love to hear from someone about that too!

 

[Jennygt]

I really don't know for sure.
Shorter waits, ease of touring?

 

[Jennygt]

Double post

 

[shpooey]

I really don't know for sure.
Shorter waits, ease of touring?

I can see ease of touring in that if you tell them what you want to see, they can make a touring plan for you to try to get in the things you want, so you don't have to think about it yourself. But how would they get you shorter waits? Maybe just by using an efficient touring plan? But that's something you could do yourself for free with a bit of research. If that's the case, and you didn't want to make the plans yourself, you could probably just ask someone (or pay someone) to make you a touring plan to follow.

I'd be interested to know what they advertise/offer as part of their packages.

 

[baler31]

I called and confirmed that they utilize same day FP's. They have a guide go to the kiosk with loads of magic bands and book the FP's for their tours for the day. So they receive plenty of FP's but only what is available that day and I was told they do not guarantee certain attractions for FP.

I also asked Disney VIP tours when booking our Spring tour about the difference and was given the same answer. YMMV

 

[shpooey]

I called and confirmed that they utilize same day FP's. They have a guide go to the kiosk with loads of magic bands and book the FP's for their tours for the day. So they receive plenty of FP's but only what is available that day and I was told they do not guarantee certain attractions for FP.

I also asked Disney VIP tours when booking our Spring tour about the difference and was given the same answer. YMMV

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info!

And also, yet another reason the "loophole" of being able to book FP+ on a MB that wasn't used to enter the park should be closed (in my opinion, of course).

 

[Jennygt]

I called and confirmed that they utilize same day FP's. They have a guide go to the kiosk with loads of magic bands and book the FP's for their tours for the day. So they receive plenty of FP's but only what is available that day and I was told they do not guarantee certain attractions for FP.

I also asked Disney VIP tours when booking our Spring tour about the difference and was given the same answer. YMMV

Hmm that's interesting

 

[baler31]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info!

And also, yet another reason the "loophole" of being able to book FP+ on a MB that wasn't used to enter the park should be closed (in my opinion, of course).

Yes, Disney obviously knows about this and the tour companies are utilizing the loophole.

 

[baler31]

Wanted to mention that I called one tour co. that I ready reviews for, they may not all operate this way.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I read somewhere else that some of these companies are loading tickets into MDE, and they can prebook extra FPs and not rely on same-day, without even having to redeem them.

 

[baler31]

I read somewhere else that some of these companies are loading tickets into MDE, and they can prebook extra FPs and not rely on same-day, without even having to redeem them.

I am sure they do this as well. They prominently stated that they did not use disabled guides to gain entrance to fastpass.

 

[kaetra]

The one company I saw charges $150 an hour, minimum 6 hours. For that price I guess they could afford to buy multiple tickets for pre-booking. If you're willing to spend that kind of cash, why not buy your own multiple tickets, a touring plan and completely skip dealing with the "VIP" company?

 

[nugov2]

We used one. It was not someone who used a DAS or GAC at the time(and it was still paper FP). It was someone who had connections as we were able to get into the parks before RD for a photo shoot. He had connections and we got some special character meets. He knew pretty much everyone there, was very knowledgable about the parks(tons of stories which my dad loved hearing about) and we rode everything very quickly. He definitely knew what he was doing, pushed our stroller around and did all kinds of little extras that just made the whole experience worth it for us. He was very entertaining, the kids wanted to spend all of our park days with him. We were unsure if we would like it and even tried to add more days with him but he was booked solid. We probably would be interested in a park VIP in the future, but with little ones I wasn't sure if it was worth the price yet so this was a great alternative. Would use the service again, but I can see where some wouldn't want to spend the money.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I am sure they do this as well. They prominently stated that they did not use disabled guides to gain entrance to fastpass.

I don't think a disabled guide would help that much anymore since the disability program involves waiting and coming back.

The one company I saw charges $150 an hour, minimum 6 hours. For that price I guess they could afford to buy multiple tickets for pre-booking. If you're willing to spend that kind of cash, why not buy your own multiple tickets, a touring plan and completely skip dealing with the "VIP" company?

If they buy an extra set of tickets and keep them on MDE/Magicbands, they could prebook FPs, have people use the FPs, but not redeem the tickets. So they could use the tickets over and over again. (Anyone could do this not just tour groups, if you were willing to shell out the money)