Our VIP Experience

[Ninnygunk]

OP - sounds like your family had a magical Disney trip! You guys must be troopers - that would wear me out. But I'm up for the challenge

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I wonder how they hire tour guides? I imagine they must have to be fairly personable. I think the experience would be entirely different if your guide was dull or unfriendly!

They don't hire tour guides. To be a VIP Guide you have to have a lot of experience in Guest Relations and know and understand the parks. If you are a Guest Relations Host you have to volunteer for the position.

If accepted will receive additional training and then considered eligible. Once you are eligible, some days instead of being assigned to a GR window or desk you will be assigned as a Guide.

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for the info, it sounds like you had a great trip. We used a VIP guide at Disneyland and had an amazing day and really felt it was worth it. We are considering using a guide when we go with other family members in a few years time. One question, when we used the VIP guide at Disneyland she was able to get us preferred viewing for some parades and firework displays throughout our stay. Were you able to do this?

 

[Ali]

I think this sounds amazingly cool. I don't have the opportunity to use this service but I don't begrudge anyone who does have different opportunities, I love to know what else is out there and do some Disney Dreaming.

I'm not sure what I would have done with the guide,, it would be a challenge to pick the top things off the top of my head and just go for it, but it seems like the OP and her family were ready and knew what they wanted.

Thank you for sharing more information. We were lucky enough to stay in a Concierge MK view room at the GF for one night last Christmas and I wanted to share as much of that experience as I could with everyone who dreamed about that kind of experience but there were snarky jealous responses on different social media so I decided to keep my precious memories to myself.

We all love Disney and we all have different circumstances and dreams... this should be a place to support and share the love

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One question, when we used the VIP guide at Disneyland she was able to get us preferred viewing for some parades and firework displays throughout our stay. Were you able to do this?

Yes. There is reserved seating for all shows and the VIP Guides have the phone numbers to make the reservations. They can arrive at any time up until the show actually starts.

 

[Mrmohill]

For the light parade we had front row preferred seats on the bridge. There is no one on the other side of the bridge so when the characters went by the only paid attention to our side. When we went there were only 2 other families in the area so we got a lot of attention from everyone in the parade. There is VIP seating for all parades and shows.

 

[larryz]

Add the VIP experience to my bucket list, please!

Thanks for posting, OP.

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

I'm surprised more families don't do a VIP guide "share." I've done the VIP experience at DL (slightly less expensive and a shorter time requirement). I was 1 of a group of 30 DISers who were meeting up there - we split into 3 groups with 2 guides in each group. (the tour is 125/hour for up to 10 people with a 4 hour minimum) 4 hours only cost us $30 each. TOTALLY worth way more than that.

We just met beforehand and compared notes as to our "must-dos" (we all wanted less rides and more experience type stuff), broke into groups based on similar interests, shared the list with our guide and we were all happy!

 

[davmill]

Sounds like you had a great time...and for one day it would be really fun....but for that much money..forget about it...unless you can truly afford it....Hope the rest of the time was spent actually enjoying the many other wonders at ...da World.

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

OP thank-you so much for sharing! I got so jealous reading your post, that I am now looking into doing this for our upcoming trip!

 

[myhouseofmouse]

I'm surprised more families don't do a VIP guide "share." I've done the VIP experience at DL (slightly less expensive and a shorter time requirement). I was 1 of a group of 30 DISers who were meeting up there - we split into 3 groups with 2 guides in each group. (the tour is 125/hour for up to 10 people with a 4 hour minimum) 4 hours only cost us $30 each. TOTALLY worth way more than that.

We just met beforehand and compared notes as to our "must-dos" (we all wanted less rides and more experience type stuff), broke into groups based on similar interests, shared the list with our guide and we were all happy!

I can see it now....Just like the fireworks cruises...We are now going to have 'VIP TOUR SHARES" threads on the boards. Not a bad idea and could be worth the price if you are able to find like minded people to do it with.

 

[Micca]

For the light parade we had front row preferred seats on the bridge. There is no one on the other side of the bridge so when the characters went by the only paid attention to our side. When we went there were only 2 other families in the area so we got a lot of attention from everyone in the parade. There is VIP seating for all parades and shows.

Just this aspect alone is worth quite a bit of $$ to me. I can handle waiting for attractions, but none of our party wants to stand around waiting for a parade. How far in advance did you take your place on the bridge?

 

[capegirl]

Back in the day, I did the VIP tour in Disneyland and it was great fun. My guide wore the little plaid skirt with knee socks.... reminded me of my parochial school uniform.

OP, thanks for sharing !

 

[DisneyHardin]

The afternoon sounds fantastic!! I am jealous of your awesome experience.

 

[blessedby3]

I would love to be able to do this...I just dont think I could ever swing the price Thanks for posting so I could see it through your eyes!

 

[Art 1]

Sounds like fun. We did a similar thing at Sea World years ago.

 

[momtosam]

I'm playing the lottery tomorrow. I'd love a VIP tour! Thanks for posting, OP.

 

[Mrmohill]

At 8:30 we walked to Splash Mt, rode it, got the picture and got to the parade at 8:55. The streets were all clear at that time bc most people were already sitting.

 

[gloria1016]

I also booked a VIP tour guide when we were there during the week of Thanksgiving 2011. It was money well spent. My three kids and I rode all the rides we wanted to in all four parks. When my daughter couldn't ride, our guide stayed with her, and entertained her(!) while my boys and I rode the scary rides. She was an older, grandmotherly type woman. My DD loved her. We had this guide for 10 hours. I will do it again when we visit in November 2012.

It was a very busy and crowded time when we went. By having our VIP guide, we were able to ride what we wanted to in one day. For the rest of our vacation, we took it easy. We slowed down and enjoyed every little thing that most people would bypass. We live in California so we do not have the luxury of going often. So if we did not have a VIP tour guide, we would be rushing, every single day to stand in line for rides and not taking the time to see the 'little things.' The kids and I played the Kim Possible game, three times, in fact. When we went to DisneyWorld the first time in June 2011, there was no way we were going to stop to play a game. It was rush, rush, rush for everything.

Having a VIP tour guide was wonderful and well worth it.

gloria

 

[KatieRach]

My husband and I have been thinking about a VIP tour...glad to read about someone's experience. Thanks for all the details OP!!