Is my friend being scammed.... private tour?

[Disneysince82]

Please let me know if this isn't allowed & I will delete it immediately.

This is something that has eaten at me for the last week. I actually written it out with all the details a few times and deleted. I have I tried to do some research on my own and figure this is the one place I could get a straight forward answer.

Long story short I have a a friend that told me she was planning her 1st trip to DL -- I was of course was ecstatic for her! When I start rambling off about about excited I am for her and things they should check out & I would be happy to help her with..... she tells me its OK everything is going to be taken care of because she is going to book a VIP Tour!! I screech out loud in excitement!! I tell her I need to know EVERYTHING that has happen so far. She says that the VIP dept is telling her they should actually look at WDW instead DL because it is superior and way easier to plan.... I keep quiet and listen to her talk & a few things are going through my head #1 Why would DL VIP dept say to go to WDW #2 Am I being a hater in the DL vs WDW I can understand why someone would like WDW but its no DL! #3 Southern CA Weather >Florida Weather

It's than she says, 'I can give you their number! You will save a bunch of money and wont have to stay onsite if you use them.' I start to defend why we are staying onsite and how I've done my research and I've done the offsite thing & I'm perfectly OK with spending the $$$ for onsite but I didn't think it was needed -- but for WDW she really should not go offsite! Then it hit me....
THE MOUSE WOULD NEVER TELL YOU TO NOT SPEND $$$ AT ONE OF THIER PROPERTIES!!!

It was then I found out it was a independent VIP tour that is going to be her host for the day and 'without the restraints of DL is able to give a experience that isn't possible with booking directly with DL or doing it yourself' That she is going to pay $250 hr but hasn't booked yet because now she is considering WDW because its cheaper vs Family of 4(2 kids under 10) 3 DL and staying at most likely a $250-300 max daily hotel....I think she could sense my skepticism and started to get really defensive so I a changed the topic and thankful shortly after I had to get off the phone.

Is this a scam? I had never even heard of 3rd party tours in the park. I know there is some outside of the park and one I really want to go on and if I don't do it soon I might never be able to experience so if its available when we are there I need to make it happen. I am willing to have a hard conversation with her if it is a scam -- I dont want to see a video online of my friend being escorted out of DL and her trip ruined.

 

[Redheadprincess]

1000%, yes, this is a scam. These types of things are not allowed at Disney and you can get kicked out for it.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Yes its a scam. Its a very well known scam. Basically its people who have Annual Passes and advertise as "VIP Tour Guides" Disney knows about them and when they get caught they get their annual passes revoked and are banned from the park.

In the last few years Disney has been very pro active in trying to stop them, but its like whack a mole.

These "VIP Tour Guides" are the reason why the old disability pass was changed to DAS and are the reason why the DAS has changed last year and become so much harder for genuine people who need it.

What they do in the park is wait in the standby line and then will contact the family to join them. Im sure you have had times in the park when people appear out of no where to join their "family" at the top of the line.

They will also book up Dining Reservations and "sell them" as part of the "VIP Tour"

Annual Passes have discounts for food and merch so these ""VIP Tour Guides" will also tell people they can get a special discount.

Some of these "VIP Tour Guides" are CM's and Disney employees who risk their job by doing this as a side hustle.

$250 an hour is so much cheaper than the genuine Disney Official Plaid Tour , so of course it seems like a bargain for first timers who dont know anything about the parks.

 

[maleficent55]

So so very much a scam

Real VIP tours are much much more, and you are correct, Disney would NEVER suggest staying offsite vs on site
Weird that this fake person would, I wonder what their gain is there?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

So so very much a scam

Real VIP tours are much much more, and you are correct, Disney would NEVER suggest staying offsite vs on site
Weird that this fake person would, I wonder what their gain is there?

Most likely getting a kick back commission from the offsite hotel. There is probably some sort of code that people have to use when booking the hotel.

 

[cruisehopeful]

There was a very popular couple that were permanently banned from the parks for doing those tours. They even opened a lawsuit to get their park visits back and lost. I'm sure there are still plenty of people doing this as an illegal business. They might get away with it or they might get caught. It's an expensive gamble.

 

[Wesley815]

"If you have to ask, it's a scam."

Hopefully she takes your advice but as a grown adult I know some may not listen.

 

[Mommb]

This is either a scam (against park rules) or a waste of money, or both.

There are some things that a "private planner" could do that are useful but nowhere near $250 per hour useful. With access to My Disney Experience, they could help with planning that people don't know how to or don't want to take the time to do themselves, such as:
Making dining reservations and keep checking for availability
Making special event reservations and keep checking for availability
Making Lightning Lane reservations in advance at WDW and during the day at WDW and DL
Plotting out a suggested order of attractions based on personal preferences and typical wait times (similar to Genie but more personalized)
Simply booking and planning for clients would be overpriced but not a scam. On the other hand, if the company books reservations "on spec" and then sells them to clients, or uses Annual Pass or DVC discounts its employees have, it would be against the rules.

I can see some value in having a guide who recommends where to go next, watches kids while parents ride coasters, picks up food, provides facts about the parks, and so on, but having a private guide in the parks is against the rules: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/11/disney-world-third-party-tours-banned/ Any agency offering this is competing with Disney's own service and may be asked to leave at any time.

If the tour company is in any way implying that they can get quicker access to rides beyond what people can get for themselves (especially people staying off-site who can't do early or late hours), they are scamming.

OP, you could pretend to be interested in this service and ask your friend exactly what the company is offering.

 

[disneychrista]

Non-Disney tours are NOT allowed. She needs to walk away from this NOW.

What exactly is she getting for this $250/hr? Many of the things a VIP tour includes are not available to anyone who is not a Disney CM.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Not so much a "scam" but in no way a Disney or Disney affiliated person/company...it is just a random person that knows the ins and out of how all the systems work for the most efficient day but no way no how worth $250/hour!

They have zero accessibility or perks over what any other guest has other than knowledge which is accessible to anyone.

...plus their services are probated at Disneyland and subject to ejection should then be discovered.

 

[Disneysince82]

Yes its a scam. Its a very well known scam. Basically its people who have Annual Passes and advertise as "VIP Tour Guides" Disney knows about them and when they get caught they get their annual passes revoked and are banned from the park.

In the last few years Disney has been very pro active in trying to stop them, but its like whack a mole.

These "VIP Tour Guides" are the reason why the old disability pass was changed to DAS and are the reason why the DAS has changed last year and become so much harder for genuine people who need it.

What they do in the park is wait in the standby line and then will contact the family to join them. Im sure you have had times in the park when people appear out of no where to join their "family" at the top of the line.

They will also book up Dining Reservations and "sell them" as part of the "VIP Tour"

Annual Passes have discounts for food and merch so these ""VIP Tour Guides" will also tell people they can get a special discount.

Some of these "VIP Tour Guides" are CM's and Disney employees who risk their job by doing this as a side hustle.

$250 an hour is so much cheaper than the genuine Disney Official Plaid Tour , so of course it seems like a bargain for first timers who dont know anything about the parks.

Your post actually made my blood boil when I read it -- I had to just close the page. It's nothing you did but a lot of things just made a lot of sense and it just to be frank pissed me off.... especially about the DAS.

I never really thought much about DAS. I was familiar with the program, and had heard about people complaining once and in awhile about people taking advantage. I figured there was a 'few' people out there taking advantage but it helped so many it didn't matter.

I had seen more and more people saying they werent able to qualify anymore because of big changes and several videos on people really emotional who have chronic illness that tend to be invisible. Right before Christmas last year I was hit by a drunk driver. I suffered a TBI/concussion and ended up developing post concussion POTS. I am really lucky that I am able to manage because of pretty drastic lifestyle choices I have made and will the rest of my life. I actually cried in my doctors office talking about and how I wasn't sure I was going to be able to bring our kids to DL because my vertigo was debilitating for the months following the accident. She happens to be really into Disney also & mentioned the DAS or if I had to using a scooter. I have heard different things that I would qualify or I wouldn't for DAS now. I am very lucky that I am able to plan longer trips and stay onsite so I can rest. This isnt a luxury most have and the idea people abusing it ruined it for so many really upsets me. I am still going to be going to DL but the reality is I just wont be going on many of the rides.... and that is OK because I will be there

Don't even get me started on the dining reservations.... is this how those paid apps/services work?!? That alert you and tell you they will find a way to get you reservations? The reservation system is way harder than it should be in a lot of ways & this is probably why.

 

[Disneysince82]

This is either a scam (against park rules) or a waste of money, or both.

There are some things that a "private planner" could do that are useful but nowhere near $250 per hour useful. With access to My Disney Experience, they could help with planning that people don't know how to or don't want to take the time to do themselves, such as:
Making dining reservations and keep checking for availability
Making special event reservations and keep checking for availability
Making Lightning Lane reservations in advance at WDW and during the day at WDW and DL
Plotting out a suggested order of attractions based on personal preferences and typical wait times (similar to Genie but more personalized)
Simply booking and planning for clients would be overpriced but not a scam. On the other hand, if the company books reservations "on spec" and then sells them to clients, or uses Annual Pass or DVC discounts its employees have, it would be against the rules.

I can see some value in having a guide who recommends where to go next, watches kids while parents ride coasters, picks up food, provides facts about the parks, and so on, but having a private guide in the parks is against the rules: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/11/disney-world-third-party-tours-banned/ Any agency offering this is competing with Disney's own service and may be asked to leave at any time.

If the tour company is in any way implying that they can get quicker access to rides beyond what people can get for themselves (especially people staying off-site who can't do early or late hours), they are scamming.

OP, you could pretend to be interested in this service and ask your friend exactly what the company is offering.

That is exactly what I am going to do! I found a couple sites today that offered similar things and I notice they were very 'creative' in their wording. If I thought this one of the many mirco influencers/TA that I see mostly on Instagram it seems that offer itineraries -- I would try to give her simple resources(or offer to help) to do it herself....but for the most part just be quiet. Because I know they are usually not that much and if it made her feel more secure and good about her trip... than that $100ish she spent I guess was not a big deal.

 

[Disneysince82]

So so very much a scam

Real VIP tours are much much more, and you are correct, Disney would NEVER suggest staying offsite vs on site
Weird that this fake person would, I wonder what their gain is there?

I really thought at 1st like you it was just some random person but from what I'm seeing this is something that clearly a lot of people were doing. It seems like a lot of annual pass holders were doing it and getting banned & even a youtube couple who tried to sue when they got banned.... really you think you are going to win against Disney LOL I love Disney.... but if they banned me I am not going to want to come back. You are going to see me over at Knotts eating fried chicken & boysenberry pie.

 

[irlandaise]

if they banned me I am not going to want to come back. You are going to see me over at Knotts eating fried chicken & boysenberry pie.

Not the worst alternative in the world...

 

[Disneysince82]

Not the worst alternative in the world...

Not at all! One of my 1st memories was being brought by my Great Aunt to go get a Chicken Dinner at Knotts for my 4th birthday They had her I guess bring me so they could set up for a party -- I dont remember the party or anything else but I remember the restaurant! I really want to bring the kids to Knotts Berry Farm but I want to do it on a non DL so it doesn't get completely overshadowed. I think if anything we need to just go have dinner there when we are in town. Our 7yr daughter is really into Jurassic Park and we love it too...I think the the soon to be 17 yr old would like it also & I need to do a visit to there. The idea of hitting DL and another amusement park seems like so much, but I probably just need to not be so ultra focused on DL

 

[LAS2AMS]

While there is a known isolated incident of somebody selling access to DAS as a tour guide, admission to the program was modified largely due to abuse. Not that the abuse has stopped, as there’s oodles of blogs and websites that coach people how to fake their way into the revised program, without requiring a doctor to sign off. Sad.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Your post actually made my blood boil when I read it -- I had to just close the page. It's nothing you did but a lot of things just made a lot of sense and it just to be frank pissed me off.... especially about the DAS.

I never really thought much about DAS. I was familiar with the program, and had heard about people complaining once and in awhile about people taking advantage. I figured there was a 'few' people out there taking advantage but it helped so many it didn't matter.

I had seen more and more people saying they werent able to qualify anymore because of big changes and several videos on people really emotional who have chronic illness that tend to be invisible. Right before Christmas last year I was hit by a drunk driver. I suffered a TBI/concussion and ended up developing post concussion POTS. I am really lucky that I am able to manage because of pretty drastic lifestyle choices I have made and will the rest of my life. I actually cried in my doctors office talking about and how I wasn't sure I was going to be able to bring our kids to DL because my vertigo was debilitating for the months following the accident. She happens to be really into Disney also & mentioned the DAS or if I had to using a scooter. I have heard different things that I would qualify or I wouldn't for DAS now. I am very lucky that I am able to plan longer trips and stay onsite so I can rest. This isnt a luxury most have and the idea people abusing it ruined it for so many really upsets me. I am still going to be going to DL but the reality is I just wont be going on many of the rides.... and that is OK because I will be there

oh gosh, big hugs, wow you have been through it.

Unfortunately this is the reality. People have this false sense of Disney Bubble, where everyone is just the nicest of people and everyone has the same morals as you. The reality is very different.

The reality is a lot of people have a me me me, sense of entitlement and will find loop holes and ways to bend the rules, basically the Disney version of white collar crimes, sure why does it matter, its only Disney, no one is being killed mentality.

Don't even get me started on the dining reservations.... is this how those paid apps/services work?!? That alert you and tell you they will find a way to get you reservations? The reservation system is way harder than it should be in a lot of ways & this is probably why.

Yes. They use software to get the dining reservations and then sell them on.

Its also how the Disney resellers make their money. When there is a high demand merch release, they are the ones waiting in lines and buying multiples. The personal shoppers you see advertised on social media, yep thats them, using their Annual Pass to go to the park, buy the merch and then sell it online for profit, at a far higher cost than the original in park price.

Theres so many side hustles which are big business, all finding loop holes to make money from the first time out of town, out of state and international Disney fans.

 

[_19disnA]

Some 3rd party NOT associated with Disney trying to make $$$ off of people selling their 'tours' is clearly against Disney policy. There is no such thing as an 'independent VIP tour'..........that alone should raise red flags. These people also do NOT have access to areas behind the scenes or various other non-public park sites that the REAL Disney VIP people do. She does risk getting kicked out of the park if Disney finds out what they are doing.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Not at all! One of my 1st memories was being brought by my Great Aunt to go get a Chicken Dinner at Knotts for my 4th birthday They had her I guess bring me so they could set up for a party -- I dont remember the party or anything else but I remember the restaurant! I really want to bring the kids to Knotts Berry Farm but I want to do it on a non DL so it doesn't get completely overshadowed. I think if anything we need to just go have dinner there when we are in town. Our 7yr daughter is really into Jurassic Park and we love it too...I think the the soon to be 17 yr old would like it also & I need to do a visit to there. The idea of hitting DL and another amusement park seems like so much, but I probably just need to not be so ultra focused on DL

Just curious...what am I missing? I do not associate Jurassic Park with Knotts. There is Jurassic Park stuff at Universal though.

 

[maleficent55]

Just curious...what am I missing? I do not associate Jurassic Park with Knotts. There is Jurassic Park stuff at Universal though.

Wondering too