Our VIP Experience

[pgowder]

I have to admit, yes some people talk about spoiling the magic, but my 6 and 10 year olds love shows like “Modern Marvels” and “How it’s Made”. They love when they get to walk behind the main street shops, and the few times we have been able to go around the back of the magic kingdom (World Drive to Floridian Way).

Thanks again.

We did the Backstage Magic Tour. And we appreciate all the effort to make the magic much more now!

 

[SueM in MN]

I think it sounds wonderful! If I had the extra $$$ I would certainly do it just to see what the experience was like.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/vip-services/

Duration:
More than 6 hours

Price:
$175.00-$315.00 per hour. Theme Park admission is required and is not included.


http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/02/vip_tour_at_walt_disney_world.html

If you google disneyworld VIP tours you will find several "VIP tour services"...

I read this blog before going but it is also inaccurate in that the tour guide is your fast pass. They do not need to run ahead to get anything. They just show their badge and get in the fast pass line.

We did not stop to eat a meal bc we thought that would be a waste of time. My kids bought a string shooting toy off of a cart before the parade and immediately broke them. She ran back and got them fixed for us before I even had a chance to try to fix them.

The first part of the blog is describing the level of VIP service where the VIP guide uses their knowledge to get into things with the shortest wait. In that level, the blog describes how the tour guide went around collecting Fastpasses for them while they were on rides.

Further on in the blog, it describes the VIP tour level you apparently got, where the CM showed their card and they got in without waiting.

You certainly got to see a lot in your time!

 

[Mrmohill]

It was explained to me by our guide that they no longer have to run ahead to get fast passes. The guide is now your fast pass.

I know that they regularly do tours for 15 people/ they have a 15 passenger van.

It is my understanding that the price is dependent on the time of year. Christmas being to most expensive. They only have 150 people that are guides and many of those people only come in seasonally. There are 15 that are ranked higher then others and we somehow got one of them.

When we do it again we will bring family to enjoy the experience. It really was wonderful for a family that was not worried about the money.

 

[Mrmohill]

I just wanted to clear up that it was not FOTL access as much as fast pass access. She was our fast pass and when we got to the fastpass line we waited in the line with all of the other fastpass people. We did not skip them.

If we did Dumbo then we would have had to wait like everyone else. We did non fastpass rides on the other days.

 

[Raenstoirm]

we really liked seeing the behind the scenes area. We learned about the vaccuum trash system and saw the outside of the safari. It reminded us of Jarasic Park.

This is one of the reasons I would love to buy the VIP package. I love the backstage stuff!

 

[Mrmohill]

It was amazing to me how there are no signs behind the scenes and at every stop she pulled right up to the side entrance of the ride.

Animal Kingdom was the coolest bc we could see the cages for the birds of prey. I also thought that it was amazing when she pointed out the human paths in the safari. I would never have seen them if she did not point it out. Like someone else said, it just made it all more magical.

 

[Elleshoodat]

People always say, "I'd have done XYZ instead of that..." as if the OP had to choose.

Drives me nuts.

Not everyone says, "Okay, we have X amount of money to spend on vacation." Some people can do all those things. They don't have to choose between them. It isn't a decision - should we do this or that? It's just, What do we want to do?

The OP wanted to ride rides without waiting and was willing to pay to do that. Decided to talk about it on the DIS.

I've seen dumber threads.

So if I have a viewpoint that's different from the OP's -- on any thread, not just this one -- I should just not post it? Good to know.

 

[kaligal]

So if I have a viewpoint that's different from the OP's -- on any thread, not just this one -- I should just not post it? Good to know.

I'm not saying that at all!

I'm just saying that it doesn't have to be a choice.

People don't have to say, "I would rather spend my money on something else."

Doing the VIP tour doesn't mean you can't do that, too. You can do that, too!

It wasn't really an opposing viewpoint. Those people didn't say, "I did it and didn't care for it." They were just offering up alternatives they'd select if they had to choose. Doing the VIP tour doesn't mean the OP couldn't (or didn't) do that other stuff, too.

It kind of seems like sour grapes.

 

[Elleshoodat]

I see what you're saying, and I agree. I don't mean to sound jealous or petty; if I came across that way, I apologize to the OP. My thinking was more "If I had an extra $1,500, where would I spend it?"

 

[kaligal]

I see what you're saying, and I agree. I don't mean to sound jealous or petty; if I came across that way, I apologize to the OP. My thinking was more "If I had an extra $1,500, where would I spend it?"

And I'm sorry if I came across like you aren't entitled to a viewpoint or like I think I rule the world.

 

[duffy]

Sounds like an awesome visit! I am seriously jealous.

 

[Elleshoodat]

And I'm sorry if I came across like you aren't entitled to a viewpoint or like I think I rule the world.

Hahahaha! No worries.

 

[Groomer Gal]

Thank you so much for posting this!!!

My DH is VERY interested in doing this. BUT, we have decided to maybe take a quick trip with all adults next year so that might be better. I'd hate to ruin anything for my little ones.

I'm not saying you did anything wrong....please don't take it that way...but I think for us we might get more out of it with all adults.

Again, thanks for sharing and I'm thrilled you had a great time!

 

[Mrmohill]

Glad it helped. Have a great time.

 

[miprender]

The reason that I posted our experience is bc while we were looking into doing this VIP tour I could never really find out accurate information. There is very little info out there.

For my family it was amazing and if we are lucky enough to be financially able to do it again then we absolutely will. With little kids, I loved that she drove us right up to the rides and we really liked seeing the behind the scenes area. We learned about the vaccuum trash system and saw the outside of the safari. It reminded us of Jarasic Park.

We did spend two other days doing the parks without the guide and found ourselves looking at the map constantly to find our way and trying to figure out what rides to do in what order. For rookies like my family it was a way to relieve the stress of planning. We went to all four parks and never felt rushed plus the other days of our trip we got to walk around.

To answer some questions:
She did not accept a tip.
There was no plaid on our guide. She said it smelled bad when it rained bc it was wool.
We were driven around in a suburban.
We loved the cabins and will stay there again. Staying there did not impact our decision to use the guide.
It does not include other tours. We were asked what we wanted to do though so maybe it is possible.

Lastly, our guide was the nicest lady on earth. She was like a part of the family and we exchanged emails at the end. She stayed with our daughter while we went on a "scary" ride and I was very thankful that she was so nice.

Hopefully this helps someone else decide if this is for them. It made our day Magical!

I'm jealous. I would love to do that someday. You must have felt like a celebrity going backstage.

And just to have someone hold your bags when you go on a ride...priceless

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Glad you had a great time! Sounds like money well spent for all you got to do.

I have a friend who is this level of tour guide. She has been with the company over 25 years now. I wonder if she was your guide.

 

[1Jackpot]

OP, thank you for posting about your experience! We have thought of using this service for a few days during our trip.

I understand that some people think the OP was wasting her money, but I urge you all to look at what you spend just on a normal Disney vacation. Some people might think that spending thousands to go see a mouse is a waste. To each their own. I wouldn't want someone judging my vacation choices, would you?

Thanks again OP!!

 

[spel]

sounds awesome! thanks so much for sharing! i always wondered what it was like. glad you had a blast.

 

[Luvscrappin]

Sounds awesome! I had read about the VIP tours and thought it would be really cool to try. It's not in the cards for us, but I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[DaisyD3]

Thanks for posting your experience! I don't think I would ever do it (I work for a non-profit, it's probably out of my price range), but it sounds fun! Even though you did stuff that you may have covered at some point anyway, what a exciting and unique way to do it! I think it sounds like it was a memorable family experience being escorted from one ride to the next and at multiple parks! I love doing stuff like that sometimes, that one doesn't NEED to do, but that is a bit of a luxury!

I think also, it's not quite what I pictured. I think I pictured it more like a school field trip with a tour guide leading you from one ride to the next.

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!