I found this on the AMEX plat. card website- What the heck!!?

[Threehearts]

The Fixer
Disney World done right
It's a rite of passage for every kid—and too often dreaded by parents. But Michael Hewell's private tour company, Michael's VIPs, will fix the perfect Disney itinerary, one without the torturously long lines. Hewell will get you into the best hotels (usually booked a year in advance), reserve VIP tables at the theme park's top restaurants (yes, there are a few), and make sure your children eat breakfast with Mickey, lunch with Donald, and dinner with Pooh (normally impossible unless you reserve way, way ahead of time). And he knows all the tricks and secret handshakes: You'll get on Dumbo before the hour wait kicks in, ride in the monorail's coveted driver's cab, and sneak into the Epcot attractions through a special side entrance. Hewell and his crew of ten can also accommodate, say, a last-minute birthday party catered by a private chef—with all the Disney characters in attendance. $150 per hour with Hewell; $100 with a staff member; 407-592-1972; www.michaelsvips.com.
—DEBORAH FRANK

Here is the link-


http://www.departures.com/bb/bb_0106_disneyworld.html


I was looking throught the Departures mag. for Jan./Feb. for any platinum deals and I found this "article"/ advertisement. If I'm not mistaken, I've gotten all of these features for free in the past. It's sickening how people can misrepresent the truth. Even for the novice WDW traveler, much of what is advertised would not be difficult at all to get on one's own. What do you think? Threehearts

 

[Rowlf]

I've seen several of these type of "VIP" services, basically for people with more money than planning time. Hmmm - maybe that would be a good new career path!

 

[Matt]

Michael Hewell is Tour Guide Mike. It's a service for rich people and celebrities. I'm sure Kelly Ripa knows her way around the parks by now but who cares how she spends her money?

I'm not sure what the problem is.

 

[Dorisk3]

I don't know if you realize this, but that's the same guy as Tour Guide Mike- look above at frequent banners. The full VIP package would be too much for me- and like you said most of us here on the Dis know alot of stuff. But his regular touring plans on his website are outstanding and they work like a charm!

 

[Threehearts]

I think the VIP tour situation and of course, general WDW planning are wonderful for people who have the money and the need for a specialist but not the time. The problem of misrepresentation IMHO, is when the company claims access to hotels that are "sold out one year in advance" and a special in to dining with the characters. I'm probably just crabby today but this "product" seems to take advantage of people. Threehearts

 

[MareQ]

I was looking throught the Departures mag. for Jan./Feb. for any platinum deals and I found this "article"/ advertisement. If I'm not mistaken, I've gotten all of these features for free in the past. It's sickening how people can misrepresent the truth. Even for the novice WDW traveler, much of what is advertised would not be difficult at all to get on one's own. What do you think? Threehearts

You've had a VIP guided tour of DW for free???? This is an advertisement for a paid GUIDED tour of DW with Conceriege type service. How is that a misrepresentation of the truth?

 

[Threehearts]

my feeling remains the same. My brother hired VIP tour guides for every day for EACH of his four children, stayed in the very best accomodations at the Grand Floridian and had a considerable amount of help from professionals. At no time did anyone(at Disney planning) tell him that his children couldn't eat with Pooh or any of the other common characters unless he booked "way ahead of time" and speaking from extensive experience personally and with family and friends, it is rare to have no choices at the best accomodations in WDW "unless you book one year in advance." I'm not saying that Tourguide Mike isn't worth using. I am saying that the exact claims which I read this morning on the AMEX Platinum website, I feel were not exactly accurate. I certainly respect your decision to disagree with me. Threehearts

 

[Threehearts]

I should have said that I have received many of these features for free, not all. Apologies. Threehearts

 

[MareQ]

my feeling remains the same. My brother hired VIP tour guides for every day for EACH of his four children, stayed in the very best accomodations at the Grand Floridian and had a considerable amount of help from professionals. At no time did anyone(at Disney planning) tell him that his children couldn't eat with Pooh or any of the other common characters unless he booked "way ahead of time" and speaking from extensive experience personally and with family and friends, it is rare to have no choices at the best accomodations in WDW "unless you book one year in advance." I'm not saying that Tourguide Mike isn't worth using. I am saying that the exact claims which I read this morning on the AMEX Platinum website, I feel were not exactly accurate. I certainly respect your decision to disagree with me. Threehearts

You're the one that asked people what they thought about it.......

 

[jcsbama]

I understand what the OP is saying. The article makes it sound like you can't get any of those things unless you book a year plus in advance when in fact I have never booked my vacation more than 3-4 months out and always get the hotel/room I want and all my ADR's. Granted, I have no desire to eat at the castle so I haven't tried that battle yet.

This article is not meant for the average middle class family planning a trip to see the mouse. Anybody on a budget has to learn all these things through lots of research, like the Dis. IMO, I would imagine that somebody that has the money to pay for that service does not have the time needed to learn how to do all this stuff themselves.

 

[Threehearts]

"You're the one that asked people what they thought about it......."

Yes.

 

[rie'smom]

I took the " booked a year in advance " to mean certain holidays,etc. As for the character meals, at one time, we would walk into any of them with no reservation. Now, we do need reservations made several months in advance for the seating times we prefer. TGM does advise particular seating times to fit the tour schedules he recommends. For people who chose to use his service, most of these questions need
not be asked as they are paying him to take care of the details.

 

[troy mcclure]

This is simply some creative marketing to a select market niche willing to pay to have someone else make all the arrangements for them. Of course, a certain degree of intensity and creative wordplay is needed to attract these customers -- guarantees of exclusive service and extras would be expected by many who purchase the service. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[patsal]

It's a rite of passage for every kid—and too often dreaded by parents

Must really bite to have kids you don't want to spend time with!

 

[Hedy]

I've seen several of these type of "VIP" services, basically for people with more money than planning time. Hmmm - maybe that would be a good new career path!

Me too!

 

[Quinn222]

I think it sounds fantastic. If I had the money I'd do it a heartbeat. Someone else to take care of all the planning, to run around getting fast passes. To know all the best seats to see things and places to view fireworks etc. Sure I can research it all but I'd love to have someone meet me in a limo and shepherd us around without my having to think through every detail. Of course I'd have to win a pretty hefty lotto to afford another $800 a day so I joined TGM and am getting the knowledge without the actual guide for $3.25 a day for my four day trip.

 

[abner1776]

I friend of mine just returned from WDW and spent a day in Tampa at Busch Gardens. He bought a special pass at Busch Gardens that allowed he and his family faster access to the rides, so he did not have to wait in the lines.

Maybe some people are thinking that these VIP tour guides can offer the same level of access for WDW as you can get at Busch Gardens.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I took an advertising class way back when and this ad clearly uses the ploy of "fear of ... crowds ... not having a good time ... etc..."

Whew ... if you have the $$ and don't want to plan and are afraid of transportation issues, etc... I guess this would be the way to go!

Because it plays on the fear issue, and for those who are novices or don't want to plan or think they NEED to do this to have a fun vacation, I guess it would be a valuable service. I have to read more on this website, especially the endorsements.

Can we stop flaming other posters ....

All advertisements have an ELEMENT of deception in them. That is the way they suck you in ... if wearing the right cologne made you irresistable to another person, there would be no loneliness ... if you drink the right slimming drink, you would be thin and life will be better .... (yeah right!) .... if you use the right VIP tour, you will have an even more Magical time without any hassle .... (life is unpredictable -- that's part of the fun!).

There are different ways to view this! May start a new career for others --

 

[canwegosoon]

If you read the FAQ's in the web site...it clearly outlines everything. If I had to guess I bet the tour guide has passes and then plus the customers passes, I bet they double up on the FP, and possibaly with a few tricks I know- you can have FP all day long to any ride in any park. Is that worth it for someone who is loaded, and makes more than $200-300 an hour at their jobs-probably yes. The last thing they want to do is wait.

As far as the blurb about hotel-again there is probably very limited availbility as to the accomodations that would suit their needs. Lets face it they are not getting a room at POR, PC, or even WL. They probably want the top of the line suites with the best view during peak travel.

Dining-Like another poster mentioned, Mike probably need specific seatings at CRT or other limited seating inorder to utalize the plan most efficently. Yeah I could probably get them to see Pooh on any night...but let's not fault him on that. Many things you must be ready months in advance with plans-Dining at Christmas is not easy in the last month.

If I was loaded I would love to do it for 4 days...3,000-4,800 is not that huge(if you are making big money). Only problem is -I'm not making the big money(DH does). And I don't think any of these big spenders don't want anything to interfeer with their trip, and the fun with their children. If they didn't want to be with their children-they would live them with the nanny and go off alone.

 

[Allison]

I don't see the problem at all. It's called marketing and advertising.