Did a private VIP tour at US on 12/20 with wife and 2 girls, first time trying this tour at US. We chose to start tour at 10:00am and were notified in confirmation email to get there 15-30 mins ahead of time.
We got there about 9:35am and checked in at the VIP office, which is to the right at the US entrance just behind the water fountain with the pineapple atop. At check in they verified our reservation and took our tickets (admission to parks is not included in rate). They also validate your valet parking ticket at this time as valet is included in VIP tour cost.
We were then issued our lanyards with the blue VIP cards in them and introduced to our guide, Deanna. She escorted us upstairs to where a continental breakfast was being served. It consisted of cereals, danish, muffins, bottled waters and juices. While we nibbled, Deanna measured the height of DDs and asked if there were any priority rides for us. I came prepared with a list that I marked as favorite on the app. She wrote them all down. She also asked about our plans for lunch. We had our pick of restaurants, but she highly recommended eating at the VIP buffet lunch they set up and we decided to go with that. We requested Mythos at 6pm for dinner. She said no problem. At almost 10 on the dot, we left the VIP office and started our tour.
We hit Despicable Me then walked backstage to IOA and hit Cat in the Hat, One fish Two fish, and the trolley. We were then going to take HE back to US, but it was down (guide gets texts throughout day of any disruptions), so we went to Hogwarts and did FJ. DD5 was not tall enough to ride so I went with DD8 and DW and DD5 stayed behind. Deanna took us through castle to see the inside but we got to the loading area within minutes. For the part where the pictures are talking, there seemed to be nobody else there, so not sure if that was a separate area for tours or not. (never been on ride through line so not sure). After we finished ride, we rejoined DD5 and DW. Turns out they were in the holding area for child swap.
Side Story: DD5 had a certificate with her and was excited. DW told me while waiting DD5 was very sad. Deanna asked her whats wrong and she replied she wished she was big so she could ride. She wasn't making a fuss, just very sad. Deanna explained that it was for safety and one day she would be able to ride. DD5 said she understood but hated always being too little. Deanna told my wife she would be right back and then a man in a school robe appeared and asked DD5 her name. Wrote her name on a certificate and gave it to her. He explained she needed to bring that when she got bigger and she and her family would come right back to the ride. So nice of them!
Back to tour, then did Flight of Hippogriff and then HE back to US. On way to Transformers, DDs said they wanted pizza for lunch, which wasn't on menu. Deanna called restaurant and told them to have a cheese and pepperoni pizza waiting for us. We rode Transformers and then went to LaBamba for the lunch. Time was just about noon by then.
Lunch was excellent, many different offerings (of course DDs pizza was there). Had risotto, medallions, pasta, salad bar, salmon, and much more. All in a buffet type setting. Cost is included in tour.
After lunch, did Shrek, Simpsons, MIB, Woody, Escape (rode twice in a row), HE back to IOA, rode Kong and Spiderman. At MIB we went backstage and were able to visit the two aliens working at their desks and take pictures. She offered to see if there were any other rides we wanted but our list was done. She did have recommendations but since the VIP pass turns into an express pass after tour, we decided to do some others again that have even long lines for express pass. So we walked back to US and did Despicable Me again, caught a part of a parade, back to IOA and did FJ again, then down to Suessland and did Cat in the Hat and Trolley again. By this time it was almost 6 and Deanna escorted us to Mythos were we only waited a minute or so for our table. We were told tour included sodas, 2 appetizers, entrees for each of us, and 2 desserts. At this point we bid farewell to Deanna and had dinner. Table had a nice view of Hulk and Serve Reggie was great. Dinner was very good and speedy (we were done around 7ish).
Also included is a photo pass which allowed us to get the ride pics and the pics of meeting the minions after DM. But unlike at WDW, there just aren't that many US photographers around. I think I ended up with 10 pics total from the pass.
After dinner we used our VIP cards as express passes for a few more rides and then went back to valet. The pass can also be used to get discount at US stores, but we didn't use that perk. We also could have watched the 8pm parade from a roped off area at Labamba, but we didn't. While waiting for car at valet, another family asked us if we were on the tour because they were on one too. We chatted for a bit, they said they saw us at LaBamba during lunch. They asked if we saw Hank Azaria there. I said "No way!" they said yes he was there, even had a little Homer doll next to him. I must have completely missed him. In the car, DW asked what Hank Azaria looked like and she googled his pic and said see saw him too! The chef was talking to him and she wondered who he was. So, just missed a celebrity sighting.
Take home message:
We were taken to just ahead of the express pass line at every ride. If the ride had a "pre-show" like DM, Shrek, etc, we started ride there. We could ride any ride over again, as long as we exited and walked around and got back on. If it was possible, we skipped the "pre show" stuff second time around.
In planning I looked for some reviews on this tour but didn't find too many so I hope this helps anyone considering it in the future.
drnp
We got there about 9:35am and checked in at the VIP office, which is to the right at the US entrance just behind the water fountain with the pineapple atop. At check in they verified our reservation and took our tickets (admission to parks is not included in rate). They also validate your valet parking ticket at this time as valet is included in VIP tour cost.
We were then issued our lanyards with the blue VIP cards in them and introduced to our guide, Deanna. She escorted us upstairs to where a continental breakfast was being served. It consisted of cereals, danish, muffins, bottled waters and juices. While we nibbled, Deanna measured the height of DDs and asked if there were any priority rides for us. I came prepared with a list that I marked as favorite on the app. She wrote them all down. She also asked about our plans for lunch. We had our pick of restaurants, but she highly recommended eating at the VIP buffet lunch they set up and we decided to go with that. We requested Mythos at 6pm for dinner. She said no problem. At almost 10 on the dot, we left the VIP office and started our tour.
We hit Despicable Me then walked backstage to IOA and hit Cat in the Hat, One fish Two fish, and the trolley. We were then going to take HE back to US, but it was down (guide gets texts throughout day of any disruptions), so we went to Hogwarts and did FJ. DD5 was not tall enough to ride so I went with DD8 and DW and DD5 stayed behind. Deanna took us through castle to see the inside but we got to the loading area within minutes. For the part where the pictures are talking, there seemed to be nobody else there, so not sure if that was a separate area for tours or not. (never been on ride through line so not sure). After we finished ride, we rejoined DD5 and DW. Turns out they were in the holding area for child swap.
Side Story: DD5 had a certificate with her and was excited. DW told me while waiting DD5 was very sad. Deanna asked her whats wrong and she replied she wished she was big so she could ride. She wasn't making a fuss, just very sad. Deanna explained that it was for safety and one day she would be able to ride. DD5 said she understood but hated always being too little. Deanna told my wife she would be right back and then a man in a school robe appeared and asked DD5 her name. Wrote her name on a certificate and gave it to her. He explained she needed to bring that when she got bigger and she and her family would come right back to the ride. So nice of them!
Back to tour, then did Flight of Hippogriff and then HE back to US. On way to Transformers, DDs said they wanted pizza for lunch, which wasn't on menu. Deanna called restaurant and told them to have a cheese and pepperoni pizza waiting for us. We rode Transformers and then went to LaBamba for the lunch. Time was just about noon by then.
Lunch was excellent, many different offerings (of course DDs pizza was there). Had risotto, medallions, pasta, salad bar, salmon, and much more. All in a buffet type setting. Cost is included in tour.
After lunch, did Shrek, Simpsons, MIB, Woody, Escape (rode twice in a row), HE back to IOA, rode Kong and Spiderman. At MIB we went backstage and were able to visit the two aliens working at their desks and take pictures. She offered to see if there were any other rides we wanted but our list was done. She did have recommendations but since the VIP pass turns into an express pass after tour, we decided to do some others again that have even long lines for express pass. So we walked back to US and did Despicable Me again, caught a part of a parade, back to IOA and did FJ again, then down to Suessland and did Cat in the Hat and Trolley again. By this time it was almost 6 and Deanna escorted us to Mythos were we only waited a minute or so for our table. We were told tour included sodas, 2 appetizers, entrees for each of us, and 2 desserts. At this point we bid farewell to Deanna and had dinner. Table had a nice view of Hulk and Serve Reggie was great. Dinner was very good and speedy (we were done around 7ish).
Also included is a photo pass which allowed us to get the ride pics and the pics of meeting the minions after DM. But unlike at WDW, there just aren't that many US photographers around. I think I ended up with 10 pics total from the pass.
After dinner we used our VIP cards as express passes for a few more rides and then went back to valet. The pass can also be used to get discount at US stores, but we didn't use that perk. We also could have watched the 8pm parade from a roped off area at Labamba, but we didn't. While waiting for car at valet, another family asked us if we were on the tour because they were on one too. We chatted for a bit, they said they saw us at LaBamba during lunch. They asked if we saw Hank Azaria there. I said "No way!" they said yes he was there, even had a little Homer doll next to him. I must have completely missed him. In the car, DW asked what Hank Azaria looked like and she googled his pic and said see saw him too! The chef was talking to him and she wondered who he was. So, just missed a celebrity sighting.
Take home message:
We were taken to just ahead of the express pass line at every ride. If the ride had a "pre-show" like DM, Shrek, etc, we started ride there. We could ride any ride over again, as long as we exited and walked around and got back on. If it was possible, we skipped the "pre show" stuff second time around.
In planning I looked for some reviews on this tour but didn't find too many so I hope this helps anyone considering it in the future.
drnp
