Private VIP Tours have access to RotR

[PalmettoPath]

Wow, you must be super conving on the phone! I guess Im not pushy enough. You don't want me haggling for you at a garage sale. Never done anything like the VIP stuff before, it's usually way past our budget, cost being subsidized by a generous gift.
What is your secret? Are you a super visitor or influencer in RL?

Well, I wish I had some fantastic secret to share, but, I don't. It's just that over the years I've learned that it's worth continuing to try. I've found that it can be very CM dependent -- the luck of who you get on the phone. I also try to keep it light, respectful and thankful for anything they may be able to do (never pushy, lol, as that will guarantee you get nowhere). But really I think it comes down to timing and the CM. So if you keep trying, you increase your odds of success. It doesn't always work, but quite often it does.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Geese those are some hefty prices with the minimum hour requirement as well. Awesome all of you get to ride RotR!

it’s an absolutely fantastic ride but would it break my vacation if I didn’t get a chance…probably not.

 

[lanejudy]

A little OT, but does anyone know if you can make non-ride requests like seeing Walt's apartment at Magic Kingdom on the VIP tour? Thanks!

Do you mean the Cinderella Castle Suite? As mentioned, it was never "Walt's apartment" -- that is in Disneyland. While I believe that WDW space was originally intended to be a suite for Walt, it was never finalized as living space due to the deaths of Walt and Roy. Initially used as office space, it wasn't until much later that it was turned into a guest suite.

And I have no idea how you can visit it, but I doubt if it's available on a "standard" VIP tour as it's a pretty rare option to get to see it. Maybe that $12K tour PP mentioned.

 

[Marthasor]

Nope, Disneyworld.

As PP's noted, Walt never had an apartment in WDW. There used to be a tour offered in DL (I believe it was called "Walk in Walt's Footsteps) which offered a visit to his apartment. I don't believe it is being offered currently, but I would definitely keep your eye out if it is reintroduced. That was a good way to see Walt's DL apartment at a fairly, reasonable cost. As others have noted, the regular VIP tours don't really offer off-the-beaten path destinations - they act more like human fast passes and access to special viewing areas for fireworks and shows plus easier backstage parking access for rides and park hopping.

 

[CeCe0906]

Well, I wish I had some fantastic secret to share, but, I don't. It's just that over the years I've learned that it's worth continuing to try. I've found that it can be very CM dependent -- the luck of who you get on the phone. I also try to keep it light, respectful and thankful for anything they may be able to do (never pushy, lol, as that will guarantee you get nowhere). But really I think it comes down to timing and the CM. So if you keep trying, you increase your odds of success. It doesn't always work, but quite often it does.

THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING!! Sorry for shouting, but I am so excited! Said they had a cancelation and was I still interested? I guess someone didn't like the mask policy ,) Got the day I wanted and everything. Starting at HS, ending with the fireworks at MK.

 

[PalmettoPath]

Awesome! That is exactly our schedule as well

 

[CeCe0906]

What is the tipping protocol on something like this? A % or $ per hour of tour? Do people tip cash, someone suggested gift card? They didn't say anything about adding to my cc, and I usually don't carry a lot of cash around, so I need to plan ahead.

 

[PalmettoPath]

What is the tipping protocol on something like this? A % or $ per hour of tour? Do people tip cash, someone suggested gift card? They didn't say anything about adding to my cc, and I usually don't carry a lot of cash around, so I need to plan ahead.

We tip cash and the amount depends on the Plaid. Some are much better than others. We always tip...it's just that the amount varies (as a tip should, in my opinion, depending on the quality and level of service received). In our experience, the service and quality received can vary widely among different Plaids (at both WDW and DLR).

 

[GoingSince1990]

What is the tipping protocol on something like this? A % or $ per hour of tour? Do people tip cash, someone suggested gift card? They didn't say anything about adding to my cc, and I usually don't carry a lot of cash around, so I need to plan ahead.

A tip is genuinely not expected; whenever it is, Disney makes sure that you know it (the “We are often asked about gratuities” card in restaurants, for example) and makes it easy to do (by having a line for it on the check). For tours, it is actually quite difficult to tip as there is no way to add it to the credit card, and most people don’t carry much cash these days. We typically bring an envelope with $300 in cash for the tip.

 

[Beckyb3]

We tipped in cash as well and I agree it depends on the level of the service. Our guide was amazing and we ended up looking more money so we could give her more. Before we did ours I scoured to boards too try and figure this out and it definitely seems like it varies on how much is given. I think we wound up tipping 20% of whatever it cost at the time but we had planned to tip less. We also had a large group. I imagine that’s harder. I haven’t thought yet about what we would do this time.

 

[SkyGuy]

What is the tipping protocol on something like this? A % or $ per hour of tour? Do people tip cash, someone suggested gift card? They didn't say anything about adding to my cc, and I usually don't carry a lot of cash around, so I need to plan ahead.

I always tip my VIP Tour Guide. He or she has spent at least seven hours giving my group an extraordinary experience (and with our itinerary has probably walked at least 20,000 steps). I tip, in cash, at least the equivalent to whatever the per hour rate is for the day of our tour (granted, we have never toured at the higher end of the rate spectrum). It has never been turned down and has always been graciously accepted; however, it has never taken any of them by surprise, so I don’t think it’s unexpected.

 

[CeCe0906]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I've been on some small group tours on other vacations where everyone pitched in an envelope and given to guides at the end, but never something "VIP". This kind of thing wouldn't usually be on my radar, if not for a generous family member,and didn't want to offend someone, especially after being taken care of all day. Whoever ends up being our guide will probably be pleasantly surprised; it will just be me and my granddaughter, and we won't be rushing around because I just can't walk super fast, and we will mostly be interested in the non intense rides. We will probably be taking a few more breaks than they are used to and have an ADR at Hollywood and Vine during tour time. But that doesn't mean I would short them tip wise; all of your suggestions were in the amounts I was thinking. I'll get cash in an envelope ready for that day and can always add to it if they go above and beyond.

 

[Swatchler]

Craziness. Okay, so I guess I'll start my daily calls again to see if we can luck upon a cancellation during the week we're there in August. So far the entire week is booked.

I’ve been calling daily for August too, I got lucky today! Keep trying.

 

[PalmettoPath]

I’ve been calling daily for August too, I got lucky today! Keep trying.

We got one! The last day of our stay So now we will ease off park time before that.

 

[SDKMom]

I always tip my VIP Tour Guide. He or she has spent at least seven hours giving my group an extraordinary experience (and with our itinerary has probably walked at least 20,000 steps). I tip, in cash, at least the equivalent to whatever the per hour rate is for the day of our tour (granted, we have never toured at the higher end of the rate spectrum). It has never been turned down and has always been graciously accepted; however, it has never taken any of them by surprise, so I don’t think it’s unexpected.

This is what we tipped on our tour last month.

 

[eeyoregirl13]

We are thinking of booking a VIP guide for our trip in November (if we can get one!) I have an MK reservation for that day, which is where we would like to start the guide. Are the VIP guides able to let you switch parks before 2 pm or do you still have to wait until 2 pm to get into a second park? Thanks!!!

 

[eeyoregirl13]

Also I was wondering if you are able to go to 3 parks in one day with the guide? We were thinking the headliners at MK and AK, and Star wars at HS.

 

[R&RsMom]

A bit in a different direction, but an FYI that VIP tours can now be booked for those staying at on-site resorts 60 days from checkin. Used to be 60 days from the day of your tour. I booked a tour Monday, which was my ADR day, for a tour 3 days into our trip. Nice advantage for on-site.

 

[SkyGuy]

Also I was wondering if you are able to go to 3 parks in one day with the guide? We were thinking the headliners at MK and AK, and Star wars at HS.

You can hop at any time, and you can go to as many parks as you’d like within the time frame of your tour. We regularly do all four.
Edit: You must have the park hopper option to do so.

 

[eeyoregirl13]

You can hop at any time, and you can go to as many parks as you’d like within the time frame of your tour. We regularly do all four.
Edit: You must have the park hopper option to do so.

Thank you so much!!