My DL VIP tour experience versus WDW

[whoever]

I think a big part of the issue is the relative lack of FP at DL compared to WDW. If they increased the FP access, the guide would have entry to more. I don 't know why there is such limited exit access at DL compared to WDW given their lower # of FP rides. My guide said we couldn't do the ones that weren't on her list because they were "too popular". Isn't that meant to be the point?

There's no reason they shouldn't be able to load you through the exits on nearly every ride. Its bogus because you can get on pretty much every ride through the exit (HM excluded)

 

[MouseEXP]

Great info... Thank you

 

[BriannaRuth]

I agree -- I've personally ridden PP through the exit one time when it went down one time after we'd been in line for a while and they gave us passes to come back in that way.

Looks like we'll be doing EMH for Fantasyland before doing the VIP.

Kemorr - do you recall the name of your guide?

 

[707MickeyGirl]

There's another thread called Our VIP day with a "Plaid" that gives a very different account of the VIP tour at DLR. I'm tentatively planning on doing a VIP day next spring, but after reading the OP, I think I need to give it further consideration.

I did email Disney and I received a "canned" response listing details for each type of tour. Below is the section of the email related to the VIP tour. It does clearly state * Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available. This contradicts what I've read in other threads. It seems like the VIP guide can give you FastPass access to some rides, and then if they know the CM on duty, they will speak to them and get you access to whatever else they can.


Email response from Disney:

VIP Tours
---------
Disney's VIP Tour Services enables Guests to experience the DISNEYLAND®
Resort in a new and carefree way. Imagine discovering all the magic and
adventure awaiting Guests at both theme parks with a VIP Tour Guide as
their personal ambassador. VIP Tour Guides will customize your visit by
arranging special seating for parades, live stage shows and at the
distinctive restaurants at the Resort. Professional and knowledgeable,
VIP Tour Guides will also share their personal insight and experience
throughout the tour.

Availability:
* VIP Tour arrangements may be made by calling Disney Special Activities
at (714) 300-7710.
* VIP Tour Requests may be taken up to 90 days in advance. To ensure
availability, a minimum notice of 72 hours is suggested.
* Tours are available during normal Park operating hours only.
* Note: Tours may not be available during certain holiday periods. Call
for details.

Pricing:
*The cost of Disney's VIP Tour Service ranges from $315 up to $355 per
hour.* This rate is based on level of service and time of year.
* One VIP Tour Guide can host up to 10 Guests. If the party size is
larger than 10 Guests, a second VIP Tour Guide will be provided at an
additional cost.

Cancellations:
* Advance notice of 48 hours is required to avoid a cancellation fee
equal to two (2) hours at the booked rate per VIP Tour Guide.

Tickets:
* Park admission is not included in the hourly rate, but can be arranged
by the Guide for an additional charge.

Meals:
* Priority seating for all DISNEYLAND® Resort restaurants may be
arranged by the VIP Tour Guide.

Notes & Restrictions:
* Standard DISNEYLAND® Resort transportation will be utilized. Private
transportation is available at an additional cost.
* Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available.
* A maximum of 10 Guests may be assigned to one VIP Tour Guide.
* The tour is conducted in On Stage areas only; there are no Backstage
tours.
* Any questions or concerns should be directed to a coordinator by
calling Disney Special Activities at (714) 300-7710.
* All information is subject to change without notice.

 

[maggiemayhem]

Do they typically state externally in marketing, etc., that they don't offer expedited entry, but then do it anyway?

 

[Kemorr]

There's another thread called Our VIP day with a "Plaid" that gives a very different account of the VIP tour at DLR. I'm tentatively planning on doing a VIP day next spring, but after reading the OP, I think I need to give it further consideration.

I did email Disney and I received a "canned" response listing details for each type of tour. Below is the section of the email related to the VIP tour. It does clearly state * Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available. This contradicts what I've read in other threads. It seems like the VIP guide can give you FastPass access to some rides, and then if they know the CM on duty, they will speak to them and get you access to whatever else they can.


Email response from Disney:

VIP Tours
---------
Disney's VIP Tour Services enables Guests to experience the DISNEYLAND®
Resort in a new and carefree way. Imagine discovering all the magic and
adventure awaiting Guests at both theme parks with a VIP Tour Guide as
their personal ambassador. VIP Tour Guides will customize your visit by
arranging special seating for parades, live stage shows and at the
distinctive restaurants at the Resort. Professional and knowledgeable,
VIP Tour Guides will also share their personal insight and experience
throughout the tour.

Availability:
* VIP Tour arrangements may be made by calling Disney Special Activities
at (714) 300-7710.
* VIP Tour Requests may be taken up to 90 days in advance. To ensure
availability, a minimum notice of 72 hours is suggested.
* Tours are available during normal Park operating hours only.
* Note: Tours may not be available during certain holiday periods. Call
for details.

Pricing:
*The cost of Disney's VIP Tour Service ranges from $315 up to $355 per
hour.* This rate is based on level of service and time of year.
* One VIP Tour Guide can host up to 10 Guests. If the party size is
larger than 10 Guests, a second VIP Tour Guide will be provided at an
additional cost.

Cancellations:
* Advance notice of 48 hours is required to avoid a cancellation fee
equal to two (2) hours at the booked rate per VIP Tour Guide.

Tickets:
* Park admission is not included in the hourly rate, but can be arranged
by the Guide for an additional charge.

Meals:
* Priority seating for all DISNEYLAND® Resort restaurants may be
arranged by the VIP Tour Guide.

Notes & Restrictions:
* Standard DISNEYLAND® Resort transportation will be utilized. Private
transportation is available at an additional cost.
* Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available.
* A maximum of 10 Guests may be assigned to one VIP Tour Guide.
* The tour is conducted in On Stage areas only; there are no Backstage
tours.
* Any questions or concerns should be directed to a coordinator by
calling Disney Special Activities at (714) 300-7710.
* All information is subject to change without notice.

I also read that other "plaid" thread. I'm not sure that that poster has ever done a VIP tour at WDW to compare it to. I don't want to give the wrong impression, the VIP tour at DL was good (far better than waiting in lines!) it just pales in comparison to the WDW one. So, if you've never done one at WDW I think you would be very happy with the DL one. It is just when you compare the two that the DL one starts to be less value for money. If I had to CHOOSE between the two, I would do the WDW one 100%. If the DL one was the only option or if you can do both, I would still recommend doing it at DL. I don't want to give the impression that it was a waste of money (just less bang for the buck than at WDW).

That canned email is bizarre. My guide had a little plastic laminated card that she constantly kept referring to and even showed me at the beginning of the tour and said that she had "access" to these rides plus the ones that have FPs. Obviously expedited access is a pretty important part of the tour or they wouldn't give the guides those little laminated cards. My guide didn't seem to know any of the CMs at the rides. She had to show her guide ID at almost every ride to get us in.

In comparison to that email from DL, this is the description of the VIP tour from the WDW website. It clearly states expedited entry. I wonder why they are so coy about it at DL but open about it at WDW? Perhaps this also has something to do with getting into more at WDW.

With special perks like door-to-door transportation, preferred event seating and expedited entry to select attractions, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time soaking up the magic of Walt Disney World Resort.

Your day begins when your Disney VIP Tour Guide meets you at your door in a private vehicle and whisks you effortlessly to the park of your choice. As part of your personalized service, you’ll enjoy:

A flexible start time of your choosing
Visits to multiple theme parks in a day, if desired
The ability to experience some of your favorite attractions efficiently, even repeatedly
VIP seating for parades, select stage shows and nighttime spectaculars
Shared insight from your highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout your tour
A completely customized experience based on your preferences