Is two days of VIP tour excessive?

[FSU Girl]

I've never splurged on something like the VIP tour before. It's really expensive and not something I'd normally do. BUT, my possibly only trip to Disneyland is for my boyfriend's birthday and he get's very stressed out by crowds. We are going on President's day for three days and from what I've been reading it's going to be really crowded. Will it be shoulder to shoulder crowded like when fireworks end?

So in anticipation of the crowds and wanting to do everything we possibly can, I booked a VIP tour for our second day. Now I'm wondering if I should book a second one for our third day and final day. The lady I spoke with said we won't be able to do everything in the 6 hours we have booked, so this could help getting everything else done. Also, she mentioned they'd be able to book the dining we want, will this show up in my Disney account? It makes me nervous not planning everything.

If I do this I'd probably make our first day (which falls on President's day) a little more leisurely and we can enjoy more of the shows and food instead. I really don't want my boyfriend stressed out since it's a gift for his birthday.

What are your recommendations?

 

[jenbright]

FSU Girl- Rather than adding a second day (which I'm assuming has a minimum number of hours required for the tour), maybe you could add hours to your existing tour day. I've never done the VIP tours myself but traveled last year with my 2 kids during the Christmas Holidays. The parks were quite busy but not unbearable. If you focus on doing your high priority items during the tour, I think your other days will go well.

 

[az4boys]

If the extra money is of no concern, then by all means have a grand time. However, even if you have a VIP tour guide, you still have to walk through the crowded parks. I haven't done a VIP tour either, but I think with a combination of Maxpass and getting there before rope drop you can get quite a bit done on your own on the other 2 days. If the crowds become too much you take some time off at a quiet spot or the hotel, or watch a show.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I agree with the PP. I think if you utilize early morning hours on the non-tour days you can get A LOT done. The first few hours of the morning are much less crowded. I used MP for the first time during our trip last week, and even with crazy Gay Days + Columbus Day crowds we still got a lot done. During an afternoon break you can book FPs for later in the night.

 

[hlbtimes2]

$4800 for two days of VIP tour, plus park hoppers? I'd rather just book a 2nd and 3rd trip, then lay out that kind of cash for a tour guide. Especially for 6 hours, when you have a good 12-18 hours a day in the park.

When I did VIP it was only about $400 for the 6 hours. It was worth it for the extra service for our party that included some elderly folks and young kids. At 6 times the cost, not worth it.

 

[Nonsuch]

I have done a few VIP tours, and even done 2 tours during one trip -- so I can share a little insight.

Short answer: VIP tours can be exhausting, so tours on consecutive days might leave you wanting a vacation from your vacation

Long answer: Your plan of touring on the second day of a 3 day trip is a good idea. Rather than booking a second tour, you might consider a few other add ons:

• Stay onsite, my preference is GCH
  
• Upgrade to Club Level
• Take advantage of EMH
• Purchase MaxPass
• Included with VIP tours is seating for night shows (Fireworks, Fantastic, WOC)
• WOC Dessert package
• Frozen Lunch package

 

[Malcon10t]

I agree with Nonsuch. And it can be exhausting. (My kids love them, but also call them a commando march of the parks.) I would suggest doing perhaps 8 hours of tour on your second day when you are relaxed, then you can go back on your own and do things at your pace. We do tours on NYE and while it is VERY crowded, we can get everything done with a guide.

 

[lcp9]

I haven't done the VIP tour, and unless I came into Powerball type money I don't think it would be worth it for us, but FWIW I met someone the other day works for a travel concierge service that offers disney tour services for a lot less. They have to hustle quite a bit more than official Disney tour guides, but they're the ones hustling and putting the fast passes, etc., together more efficiently instead of you having to do it yourself. She said they're $160/hr.

That said, if you're already doing the VIP tour one day, with a bit of planning and strategy it's really not too hard to accomplish what you want to accomplish by yourself on the other days.

 

[Malcon10t]

I haven't done the VIP tour, and unless I came into Powerball type money I don't think it would be worth it for us, but FWIW I met someone the other day works for a travel concierge service that offers disney tour services for a lot less. They have to hustle quite a bit more than official Disney tour guides, but they're the ones hustling and putting the fast passes, etc., together more efficiently instead of you having to do it yourself. She said they're $160/hr.

That said, MaxPass handles most of this. With VIP, you aren't using FP, your guide is your human FP, and if you want to ride Dumbo or Pirates or several other non-FP rides, they can access those rides also.

It is worth it to us on occasion.

 

[lcp9]

That said, MaxPass handles most of this. With VIP, you aren't using FP, your guide is your human FP, and if you want to ride Dumbo or Pirates or several other non-FP rides, they can access those rides also.

It is worth it to us on occasion.

Agreed. I am super type A and part of the value not being there for me is that I feel like I can do most of it myself...and maxpass adds a lot to that. I would be way more inclined to consider if it we still had to chase FP all over the parks.

 

[DizMe]

For me, yes, it would be excessive. Not because of how exhausting it might be and not because of the cost, but more for the fact that I could never justify throwing out that kind of money for something I would consider frivolous. I'm not putting down those who might do it, but for *myself* it would feel wrong.

 

[FSU Girl]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll keep it to just one day. Adding extra hours to the existing day, is that something I'd tell them about in advance, or at the end of the 6 hours if I want to do more could I ask for more hours then? My plan for the VIP day was the go on a lot of the rides that don't use fast pass at all and then rides that are only in California and not in Florida. We are staying at the Grand Californian and they said they'll be meeting us there. I just want to make sure my boyfriend has a good time and help eliminate any stress he might feel. I also bought tickets with Maxpass so the other days we can use that. I'm just hoping I figure out how it works since I'm so used to the WDW fast pass way.

Anyone who's done the tour before, for the restaurants I asked for them to book for me, will they contact me when this is done? Should I call them a few days before the booking window opens to double check everything?

 

[cruisehopeful]

We are staying at the Grand Californian and they said they'll be meeting us there.

I did read that it is better to meet in the park because you "waste" some of your VIP time walking to the parks and going through the turnstiles. I really don't think it would amount to too much time, but it is something to consider.

I think you will have a great time doing just one VIP tour. You may be overthinking the visit. I know it may be a one and done visit for you, but 3 days is really good amount of time to see/do everything, especially now with Maxpass and having a VIP guide for one of the days.

Think about doing WOC dessert party or a Fantasmic dinner package for your first night. Those are both fairly chill, even when it is extremely crowded and chaotic in the parks. You just show up at your designated time.

 

[FSU Girl]

I did read that it is better to meet in the park because you "waste" some of your VIP time walking to the parks and going through the turnstiles. I really don't think it would amount to too much time, but it is something to consider.

I think you will have a great time doing just one VIP tour. You may be overthinking the visit. I know it may be a one and done visit for you, but 3 days is really good amount of time to see/do everything, especially now with Maxpass and having a VIP guide for one of the days.

Think about doing WOC dessert party or a Fantasmic dinner package for your first night. Those are both fairly chill, even when it is extremely crowded and chaotic in the parks. You just show up at your designated time.

Thanks, they were the ones to suggest meeting at the hotel. That could be a good idea to meet inside the park. They said we'd get priority seating for the WOC show the night of our VIP Tour. I did want to have dinner at Blue Bayou on Monday which is a holiday so I'm thinking Fantasmic will be showing. I could do the dinner package there. I probably am over thinking it, but it's a big birthday for him so I want everything to be magical. And he has no idea so I'm planning all alone which makes it tougher

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks, they were the ones to suggest meeting at the hotel. That could be a good idea to meet inside the park. They said we'd get priority seating for the WOC show the night of our VIP Tour. I did want to have dinner at Blue Bayou on Monday which is a holiday so I'm thinking Fantasmic will be showing. I could do the dinner package there. I probably am over thinking it, but it's a big birthday for him so I want everything to be magical. And he has no idea so I'm planning all alone which makes it tougher

They generally prefer to meet at the Grand Californian Fireplace or the Grand Valet drive. You could ask to meet at the Guide Tour Gardens which is inside DL. There is a limitation as to where they will meet you. I've had them meet me at the DLH. I've also had a guide who knew us call to let me know she would be meeting us and I told her we were at the French Market, so she came there (but she had had us tour before and could recognize us.)

You can request longer now, or you can request longer while on tour. We typically do 8 hours. We start after lunch, and go til they drop us at the nighttime show.