Park Escorts

[lostatdisney]

Does Disney offer a paid escort of WDW parks? We just got home 3/19 from a weeklong trip, and on three occasions I observed CM dressed in the traditional plaid uniforms walking with families. The first was a young woman CM watching two toddlers at the play area near Splash Mountain, and I heard her explain to someone that she was watching the children while the parents rode a ride. The second was a young male CM who was leaving Mickey's Toontown Fair just ahead of myself and DD with a family and a young child, and he was telling the parents that if they were interested, he would get them a reservation (to what, I don't know). The third was a CM walking with a guy who looked just like Kiefer Sutherland and a child. They were headed to THunder MOuntain - this was Friday.

I just wondered if Disney offers this for those willing to pay. Do they get front line access? What other perks can they help with? Is this all just my imagination?

I'm just curious! Personally, unless I were an easily-recognized celebrity, I'd rather hang out with my family at Disney. No escort needed!

 

[HaleyB]

I think you can get a guide if you are willing to pay, but I have no other info on that.

 

[heathrow42]

Yes they do-- It is called a V.I.P. tour and it used to be $75/hour with a 4 hour minimum. Anything over 4 hours must also include a meal.

The only perk *may* be multi fastpassing-- and I am not even sure that they even do this.

Years ago, we had taken the Keys to the Kingdom tour and liked our tour guide so much we arranged to have her be our guide. Every time we went back we would call in advance and arrange this.. Disney even went so far as scheduling her shifts around it. Most of this was before fastpasses, but on one of the last trips she asked us what rides we wanted to go on.. then she went ahead while we were in the tiki room and got fastpasses for everything.

Not long after this trip, she moved on from Guest Relations and into Guest Communications.. we haven't done a VIP tour since! Just haven't found any tour guides who had as much knowledge as she did.

We loved it because, everywhere we went she explained things, told us us stories and all about the history. However, this is not the case with all tour guides... my fiance arranged one when we were getting engaged (it was the only way he could get me to the Rose Garden without arrousing suspicion) ... the guide was pretty bad from our POV-- I was telling him things!

The only ones who get front line access are the celebs... and it is mainly a safety issue, both for guests and the celebs. However, it is the same group of tour guide cast members for celebs and non celebs.

--Heather

 

[lostatdisney]

Thanks for the info! I wondered how much something like that would cost. I can definitely imagine situations where it would be a huge benefit!

I sure wish I knew if it was really Kiefer Sutherland or not!!!

 

[cheerdaddy]

just a matter of words: but Im sure Kiefer's wife would be happier to hear he hired a "guide" as oppossed to an "escort" while at the world! please dont flame me! That was a "cheap" effort at some humor...

 

[lostatdisney]

Definitely a "guide" at G-rated Disney!

 

[madalex]

Not really responsive to the question, but related to the guide issue: we were going to FF for dinner one night several years ago when we ran into Jodie Benson (the voice of "Ariel" in the original Little Mermaid movie) and her guide outside the restaurant. My wife chatted with her for a few minutes. Apparently, she was on property for some Disney work related reason and Disney provided the guide in case she wanted some company during her stay (in this case, for dinner). She is there alot, she said, and Disney always provides this service to her.