Some info I learned about celebrity/VIP tours yesterday

[WonkaKid]

While in line for Buzz Lightyear yesterday, I spoke with one of the VIP tour guides. You know: the folks in the plaid vests. She told me that VIP tours run approx. $400-$520 per hour (total, not per person) with a six-hour minimum. Interestingly, she explained that celebrities visiting the park also have to pay that rate. I always presumed that VIP escorts were a courtesy extended to celebrities -- a way to ensure that they're not bothered while in lines, etc. But she told me that they pay for such service -- it isn't simply gifted to them (in most cases, although there are exceptions).

I saw Gwen Stefani on Tom Sawyer Island about 18 months ago and she had a VIP escort. Two, in fact. I presumed that the park provided them for everyone's safety and peace of mind. Can you imagine being in a 30-minute line for POTC as a celebrity while a fan chats your ear off?

Rob

 

[mom2rtk]

Why wouldn't celebrities pay? That's pocket change to most of them.

 

[WonkaKid]

Why wouldn't celebrities pay? That's pocket change to most of them.

I thought perhaps Disney would do it to avoid them being mobbed. If Paul McCartney shows up in Adventureland and causes a logjam, that hurts everyone. And having a celebrity at the park often makes the news (Gwen made papers all over, including London, when she was there), which is free publicity for DL. That's easily worth $2000. Escorting them makes them more likely to come. That was my thinking, in any case.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, Gwen will pretty much always go there. Heck, Tragic Kingdom was written about her experiences growing up in the Anaheim area.

To me, the plaids (especially since they tend to have two with celebrities, but only one with a normal tour group) make the celebrities MORE obvious. If I see two I'm scouting for someone.

And some celebs don't mind. When Sean Astin was there for the Disneyland Half weekend in 2014 he was perfectly lovely to the fans who came up to talk to him, and seemed to relish it. He was happy to talk running and his current projects (not AS happy to talk about LOTR, but his current-at-the-time projects weren't kid-friendly, and DS hadn't seen it...but I understand that LOTR was a long time ago in actor-time). And "his" plaid had gone into the giftshop with Mr Astin's family, who had gotten soaked on Grizzly, so it was just him!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Yes, celebrities (and normal folks) have to pay for the VIP tours, but Disney WILL add additional security at their discretion in addition to the tour guides for the safety and guest experience of both the celebrity and park guests. They will also take high profile guests direct through back doors to attractions where the typical VIP tour guide will just get the non celebrity access to the FastPass lines and exit lines.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Actually, Plaids are provided in certain situations.

For example, when Disney has them to "work", for example, the recent Christmas Parade filming.

Some get the perk as part of the contract with Disney in regards to having a show currently being shown, or produced by Disney. In this case, the internal Disney accounting charges the Production division, even though no real money is exchanged.

Disneyland also has a budget in its Public Relations/Media Relations/Marketing department that covers offering Plaids to escort "special guests" in return to help marketing the park. I have been assigned Plaids a couple of times, and other times, just a Disney CM in the department. It depends on the situation, and how much backstage access is being offered.

But if the celebrity calls, then they are usually charged the current wait.

 

[Rabb it]

Why wouldn't celebrities pay? That's pocket change to most of them.

Probably the same reason they pay less taxes than the rest of America?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Probably the same reason they pay less taxes than the rest of America?

Strange tangent...why would you think celebrities that visit Disneyland pay any less taxes than you and me?

...even though I am celebrity in my own mind!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Strange tangent...why would you think celebrities that visit Disneyland pay any less taxes than you and me?

...even though I am celebrity in my own mind!

Most famous celebrities don't get a paycheck anymore. They form a company such as "Jane Smith Enterprises", and that is the entity that gets paid, and then a lot of expenses can be written off. This is usually handled by their Agent in association with an accountant. One well known one is cosmetic plastic surgery. For most people, it is not an medical expense, and cannot be written of. But a celebrity can claim it is a business expense.

The way the system is set up, if you have the money to hire the "experts" they can work the system to your advantage.

 

[ParkHopper1]

And that is different that any other business that exists how?

All of those same tax advantages are available to to each and every American. You want them?...go start a business...if you are successful, then you too can have more disposable income to hire a Plaid at Disneyland! I did!

With that reward however comes a much higher risk though and a lack of security of a steady job with predictable income.

 

[Rabb it]

Strange tangent...why would you think celebrities that visit Disneyland pay any less taxes than you and me?

...even though I am celebrity in my own mind!

She asked why celebrities wouldn't have to pay for a plaid escort, and I said probably for the same reason they pay less taxes in America: Big wigs think they're more important than everyone else so they get tax breaks, free rooms/meals/you name it.

 

[minnieralyks]

Yep! Actually, there are a few celebs that go to the parks without plaids. Most of the time, it ends up drawing more attention if they have a plaid than if they don't and people won't even recognize them. A baseball cap, shades, and casual clothes go a long way in disguising. Kim Kardashian and Mariah Carey probably wouldn't get away without a plaid, though! lol

Another interesting thing. Celebrities use the same restrooms as everyone else. We were waiting for the restroom in Adventureland when I saw this one actress (can't remember the name but she's on one of those shows. Pretty Little Liars, maybe?) and there was a plaid with her and this other girl. The plaid waited directly outside the restrooms in Adventureland while the two stood in line like everyone else, and it was a fairly long line (they were a few ahead of me). I thought it was pretty interesting that they didn't have special restrooms away from the "peasants" lol No one noticed them, and I probably wouldn't have even guessed she was an actress until I saw the plaid with them and looked it up.

 

[tarheelalum]

Why wouldn't celebrities pay? That's pocket change to most of them.

Celebrities are accustomed to getting a lot of free stuff. Clothes, dinners etc. I'm sure big stars also get free plaids at dland.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Yep! Actually, there are a few celebs that go to the parks without plaids. Most of the time, it ends up drawing more attention if they have a plaid than if they don't and people won't even recognize them. A baseball cap, shades, and casual clothes go a long way in disguising. Kim Kardashian and Mariah Carey probably wouldn't get away without a plaid, though! lol

Another interesting thing. Celebrities use the same restrooms as everyone else. We were waiting for the restroom in Adventureland when I saw this one actress (can't remember the name but she's on one of those shows. Pretty Little Liars, maybe?) and there was a plaid with her and this other girl. The plaid waited directly outside the restrooms in Adventureland while the two stood in line like everyone else, and it was a fairly long line (they were a few ahead of me). I thought it was pretty interesting that they didn't have special restrooms away from the "peasants" lol No one noticed them, and I probably wouldn't have even guessed she was an actress until I saw the plaid with them and looked it up.

Years ago, I was in New Orleans Square near the train station,and I noticed someone looking for the bathroom, and pointed out the correct direction. Looked familiar, but such is life. Later I noticed him with his young son with 2 Plaids, it was Larry King.

 

[minnieralyks]

Years ago, I was in New Orleans Square near the train station,and I noticed someone looking for the bathroom, and pointed out the correct direction. Looked familiar, but such is life. Later I noticed him with his young son with 2 Plaids, it was Larry King.

WOW!! That's awesome!

 

[Darkbeer1]

WOW!! That's awesome!

OK, a couple of more quick stories regarding Disneylamd...

First, just to let you know, my Aunt was a Talent Agent and having folks over for Thanksgiving and Christmas was sometimes a surprise as to who was sitting next to you. So I learned a long time ago, the best way to deal with a Celebrity is to treat them like anyone else....

Once I came across John Lasseter in DCA, just walking along checking things out, I stopped and said Hi, and asked if he would pose for a picture, which he kindly did. The Plaid was around but not obvious, but came up to me as said that she appreciated that I asked before I did it. (I think she knew who I was).

Once I was at the Grand Californian Bar on a busy Sunday evening due to a special event. (Bar was open to the public). The line to get drinks were long, and I struck up a conversation with the guy in line next to me while waiting for the bartender (who I knew). Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lot of pretty young ladies standing around, just watching us. I had no idea in the time, but the person I was shooting the bull with was Dominic Monaghan.

Same weekend, I became friends with George Lopez and his family (ABC Primetime Weekend). I was in the Paparazzi Tent taking photos of the celebrities that were brought to us. George was bored, and had a little fun with us, and I played along... In the evening, after the park was cleared out, I was head out, and George Lopez and his family were nearby, and he said thanks, and could I make sure his "bad boy" act was made public. I am still on his "Comp List", where I can call his people and get tickets or placed on the backstage list.

http://jimhillmedia.com/alumni1/b/david_michael/archive/2004/09/17/1658.aspx

I have worked with many celebrities in my TV role, and while a couple of been primadonna's, the vast majority have been easy to work with. Just like life, treat someone with respect and kindness, and in return you usually get it back.

 

[cruisehopeful]

To me the rate isn't unreasonable and therefore I'd expect everyone to pay it who wants a personal escort.
I was very surprised/disappointed to see a plaid with a family in line for RSR a couple weeks ago. They were in the fast pass line, which is still long by my standards. If I paid out that much for the plaid, I'd expect front of the line and not waiting in the long fast pass line. I guess expect too much.

 

[cinder-ellah]

OK, a couple of more quick stories regarding Disneylamd...

First, just to let you know, my Aunt was a Talent Agent and having folks over for Thanksgiving and Christmas was sometimes a surprise as to who was sitting next to you. So I learned a long time ago, the best way to deal with a Celebrity is to treat them like anyone else....

Once I came across John Lasseter in DCA, just walking along checking things out, I stopped and said Hi, and asked if he would pose for a picture, which he kindly did. The Plaid was around but not obvious, but came up to me as said that she appreciated that I asked before I did it. (I think she knew who I was).

Once I was at the Grand Californian Bar on a busy Sunday evening due to a special event. (Bar was open to the public). The line to get drinks were long, and I struck up a conversation with the guy in line next to me while waiting for the bartender (who I knew). Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lot of pretty young ladies standing around, just watching us. I had no idea in the time, but the person I was shooting the bull with was Dominic Monaghan.

Same weekend, I became friends with George Lopez and his family (ABC Primetime Weekend). I was in the Paparazzi Tent taking photos of the celebrities that were brought to us. George was bored, and had a little fun with us, and I played along... In the evening, after the park was cleared out, I was head out, and George Lopez and his family were nearby, and he said thanks, and could I make sure his "bad boy" act was made public. I am still on his "Comp List", where I can call his people and get tickets or placed on the backstage list.

http://jimhillmedia.com/alumni1/b/david_michael/archive/2004/09/17/1658.aspx

I have worked with many celebrities in my TV role, and while a couple of been primadonna's, the vast majority have been easy to work with. Just like life, treat someone with respect and kindness, and in return you usually get it back.

Fascinating ! I enjoy your posts / info.

 

[ronandannette]

To me the rate isn' t unreasonable and therefore I'd expect everyone to pay it who wants a personal escort.
I was very surprised/disappointed to see a plaid with a family in line for RSR a couple weeks ago. They were in the fast pass line, which is still long by my standards. If I paid out that much for the plaid, I'd expect front of the line and not waiting in the long fast pass line. I guess expect too much.

Personally I find +/-$3,000 for the mandatory minimum 6 hours to be outrageous , especially given that it doesn't seem to come with any perks except just the escort. And even at 2 "plaids" per VIP group, the cost of providing the tour is minuscule compared to the cost. I wonder if anybody but celebrities ever pay for this service and if so, why?

 

[Steven G]

if you can get a group of 10 people, each willing to chip in, it's not as bad. Of course, you would them have to compromise with the group as to what attractions to go on. But yeah, for a family of 4 or less, it is out of reach for most.