Ticket to ride in the Lilybelle?

[Danauk]

I read in one of the trip reports that someone got a ticket to ride in the Lilybelle. Where do you get these from? I would love to ride in the Lilybelle on our trip and thought the ticket would make a nice souvineer. The trip report also mentioned that you can just ask to ride in the carridge but I thought getting the ticket would be quite neat!
Thanks.

 

[bradk]

i got mine (and the ride) for taking the VIP tour back in 2006. back then, i was told it was exclusive to VIP tour guests and actual VIPs. i've since heard that WiWF groups are riding on the liberty belle as well.

well, at least i had the car all to myself and got some decent pics from it

 

[Danauk]

We are taking the tour and should hopefully get to ride it then, but I guess there will be quite a few other people in there with us and I too wanted to take some nice photos! The post I read was that someone collected their ticket from city hall to ride it. Maybe I will just ask vacation planning if they know if this is possible. Although I am already tempted to book a VIP tour anyway. Humm.

 

[bradk]

i would do the VIP tour chance any time I could get from now on. the tour itself was a nice experience, but i did the 3 hour minimum and VIP services set up VIP viewing for me for everything during my entire stay. I got priority viewing for BPB (but didn't use it because I didn't like where it was), the POD, Remember, F! (2nd balcony - no desserts but better view, but i guess this is gone now) and DEP.

no backdooring of course, but even the guide admitted sometimes it helps having that plaid uniform with you. i think it helped with a couple of character meet & greets (snuck in after the line was supposed to close) and rode in the pilot house of the mark twain, which you could normally do anyway, but i think having the guide ask made it easier in this particular case.

here's one of the shots of the car i took

i'm seriously contemplating taking the WiWF tour myself. a few people have tried turning me off to it (including the VIP guide I had) but even so, it's a fairly reasonable price to pay for a little bit extra.

 

[lulubelle]

WOW Brad, very cool pix!
I am impressed . That would be a special memory to cherish. Thanks for sharing with your Diz friends.

 

[ramkam]

Our family rode in the Lilly Belle about five months ago. Just try asking the conductor at the Main Street Station. If you are lucky they will let you ride. A conductor must ride in the car with you the whole time. You can also ask at the Main Street Station if you can ride the tender on the C.K. Holiday or the E.P. Ripley. If you can you are essentially sitting in the locomotive.

 

[bradk]

i've ridden tender too. that was a neat experience (and yes, you can definitely feel the heat)

i've also ridden in the pilot house of the mark twain