Unofficial Disneyland tour guides

[mrqster]

We will be coming to Disneyland over the Thanksgiving period. I know it will be crowded.

I wanted to have an unofficial tour guide help us navigate the park to get fast passes, help us find the shorter lines, and help us with seating for shows (firework, fantasmic, WOC).

I reach out to mouse expeditions (great reviews), but they were booked. Some on disboards have said that they were just as good as the "official" Disney VIP tours. The only other ones I have found online are Stone VIPS and Magical VIP guides.

Any experience with them?
Any other you recommend?

 

[Rubygoose]

I don't know anything about the unofficial tours, except that they are illegal, in that they should not be making money on Disney's turf.

With careful planning, and going early enough, you don't need to hire anyone to show you around. And you can't load up on Fastpasses anymore, and it really isn't difficult to send a runner from your group to get them.

Have you looked into the guided tours through Disney? We did the Discover the Magic tour with our kids and they loved it. Did the tour on a Sunday in July and it was a great time to do it because it was pretty crowded. They took us through the exit of Pirates, Jungle cruise and Buzz, and saw Mickey in his house by coming through the back door. The tour guides were amazing and this was the highlight of the trip for my kids.

 

[DarthMole]

Is Mouse Expeditions "illegal"? If so, why are they discussed so openly?

 

[CaptainEIEIO]

I would think if I wanted to pay someone to show me around Disneyland it would be legal. They of course couldn't get you anything extra and are just showing you the ropes and how to navagate around the park that it would be totally legal. Now as far as getting a disabbled pass or something in that neighborhood would be illegal, but just to show me around and make sure I don't miss anything should be okay. If I want to pay them and all admissions were paid what would Disney care, its not like its an acutal tour, its just showing you around, and that's what mouse expeditions is.

 

[SuperRob]

I think you might be confusing "illegal" with "against Disney policy." Disney's powerful, but they can't make laws.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

I don't see the benefit of hiring an outside company. They can not get you the perks that an official guide could get, such as quick access to rides. All they can really do is show you around. With a little research and a map you can do that without spending any money at all. You can very easily obtain fastpasses without paid help. This board is great for tips on getting around!
Now, if you are hiring someone who is using their handicap to get into rides faster, like what's been in the news, I would hope you reconsider this! Its not allowed and a terrible idea!
If I guide is a must for you, absolutely go through Disney. It may be more expensive but you know you are getting a great value and legit experience!

 

[Mommy26]

Have you looked at Ridemax or Touring plans?

 

[DarthMole]

I don't see the benefit of hiring an outside company. They can not get you the perks that an official guide could get, such as quick access to rides. All they can really do is show you around. With a little research and a map you can do that without spending any money at all. You can very easily obtain fastpasses without paid help. This board is great for tips on getting around!
Now, if you are hiring someone who is using their handicap to get into rides faster, like what's been in the news, I would hope you reconsider this! Its not allowed and a terrible idea!
If I guide is a must for you, absolutely go through Disney. It may be more expensive but you know you are getting a great value and legit experience!

I will say, on our first trip to DL, even with a bunch of research, it would have been nice to have some onsite help the first day.

Mouse Expeditions also holds spots for shows, parades, fireworks. Huge time killers for many families. Not that I necessarily agree with the practice or endorse their legitimacy, just saying they do more than just show you around.

Very few can afford what DL charges for a guide and the value is certainly debatable, especially if you have a typical size family of four.

 

[Rubygoose]

I think you might be confusing "illegal" with "against Disney policy." Disney's powerful, but they can't make laws.

Guess I used the wrong choice of words. But what I meant was that they are "selling" something to you on Disney's property that is not sanctioned by Disney. Just as I'm sure I couldn't set up my own churro cart in Disneyland!

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

Guess I used the wrong choice of words. But what I meant was that they are "selling" something to you on Disney's property that is not sanctioned by Disney. Just as I'm sure I couldn't set up my own churro cart in Disneyland!

That's a good way to look at it.
I wouldn't want to do anything that would get myself thrown out of DLR or banned from there. And Disney does have that right.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

I will say, on our first trip to DL, even with a bunch of research, it would have been nice to have some onsite help the first day.

Mouse Expeditions also holds spots for shows, parades, fireworks. Huge time killers for many families. Not that I necessarily agree with the practice or endorse their legitimacy, just saying they do more than just show you around.

Very few can afford what DL charges for a guide and the value is certainly debatable, especially if you have a typical size family of four.

I guess it depends on what's important to the PP. I can see hiring Mouse Expeditions to hold a spot, if it is really important to you, but they still won't get you onto rides faster ect...
I agree that the value is debatable for a DL tour guide, I would never hire one and could not afford it if I wanted to. I would not hire something like Mouse Expeditions either. I just think if it is that important to the PP then they should save as much as they can (if it's a money issue keeping them from using DL guides) and go with a Disney guide. Then they get the access to a few faster queue times and you know you are getting a quality (though over priced) tour.

 

[DarthMole]

Guess I used the wrong choice of words. But what I meant was that they are "selling" something to you on Disney's property that is not sanctioned by Disney. Just as I'm sure I couldn't set up my own churro cart in Disneyland!

That's a good way to look at it.
I wouldn't want to do anything that would get myself thrown out of DLR or banned from there. And Disney does have that right.

I can't believe I'm getting sucked into this, but I disagree. I don't think it's a good way to look at it. Setting up a cart and selling an actual product is quite a bit different than acting as a consultant and essentially selling your time, which is all ME is doing.

What if someone were to bring their paid nanny with them to the park to help with the kids, save spots for parades, run and grab FPs, and generally make it easier for the family to tour the park? How is that different except you have a prior employer/employee relationship with the nanny?

I think Disney could make a bunch of money if they had a similar offering. A VIP Tour Lite that is more affordable and doesn't include all the line hopping and concierge perks.

 

[bcla]

Obviously tour guides are allowed, as I've seen lots of paid tour groups openly operating in the park. The guide usually carries a flag with a specific pattern, and large groups of mostly Asian visitors follow them.

However, Disney's policy is that anyone with an annual passport is not allowed to use it for a commercial purpose. I suspect that these local tour guides do use annual passes and are probably in violation of these terms.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/apterms/

Additionally, Passports may not be used for commercial purposes and are void if altered or misused.

The tour groups most likely get group rates and I'm pretty sure the guides use non-AP tickets like anyone else.

 

[BrerMama]

MousePlanet just published an article on this subject:

Tour Guides Under Fire

I think there are obviously private tour guides but it sounds like Disney is making it difficult for them. Disney absolutely has the right to refuse entrance to anyone for any reason -- they aren't a government entity, they are a private attraction. If someone is using an annual pass in order to make a profit, that would be grounds enough. It looks like even if the person isn't making a profit, they're not too happy with them.

 

[bbeagle]

I think you might be confusing "illegal" with "against Disney policy." Disney's powerful, but they can't make laws.

Disney CAN make 'laws' inside their own park. Disney can, for any non-discriminatory reason, remove people from their parks. Just like I can make 'laws' that my daughter cannot 'make out' with her boyfriend at home (even though such 'making out' is completely legal), with threat to remove such boyfriend.

If Disney decides that you're wearing an offensive T-shirt, they will remove you from the park. If Disney decides that you're like selling souvenirs or something inside the park, Disney can remove you. If Disney decides to not allow Chinese people in the park one day, THAT is illegal.

Disney CAN make laws and enforce them in their way - by removing offenders from the park.

 

[bbeagle]

What if someone were to bring their paid nanny with them to the park to help with the kids, save spots for parades, run and grab FPs, and generally make it easier for the family to tour the park? How is that different except you have a prior employer/employee relationship with the nanny?

It's up to Disney whether or not this is illegal.

I would think that a one-time Nanny is fine, but a Nanny who goes to the park every day and makes a living off of it, would be frowned upon.

For example, My daughter loved a t-shirt with Chip on it, we bought her it, then 6 hours later, she loves another one with Dale on it more. I sell my Chip t-shirt to another tourist who wants it, and buy the Dale one. I don't see a problem there, but opening up a t-shirt stand and selling shirts is another deal entirely.

 

[CaptainEIEIO]

MousePlanet just published an article on this subject:

Tour Guides Under Fire

I think there are obviously private tour guides but it sounds like Disney is making it difficult for them. Disney absolutely has the right to refuse entrance to anyone for any reason -- they aren't a government entity, they are a private attraction. If someone is using an annual pass in order to make a profit, that would be grounds enough. It looks like even if the person isn't making a profit, they're not too happy with them.

Nice article. I think that about says exactly how Disney feels about it. Paying to have it done they don't like, just doing it for free is okay. Not taking any money out of their pocket so go ahead. Hmmmmm.. well it's their park I guess.

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes, they do frown on it. I happen to know of "Patrick". "Patrick" also has several other guides who work with her. Most are former VIP guides who were fired from Disney for various reasons.

I have also been there when groups have been escorted out after spots were held/bought for Fantasmic!

 

[larina]

Yes, they do frown on it. I happen to know of "Patrick". "Patrick" also has several other guides who work with her. Most are former VIP guides who were fired from Disney for various reasons.

I have also been there when groups have been escorted out after spots were held/bought for Fantasmic!

I'm glad to hear this. I'm sorry, but these "tour guides" really make me angry (so do those who use then knowing its not all legitimate and above board). They prey on families and people who are just trying to make the best memories that they can. You honestly don't need a tour guide at DLR. DISboards can help you have a plan better than any guide!! And I agree it would be nice if there were cheaper touring choices offer by Disney, but that does NOT make it okay to go around the rules and cheat the system. Heck souvenirs are expensive too, but I'm not going to hire someone to shop lift for me.

 

[MillauFr]

You honestly don't need a tour guide at DLR. DISboards can help you have a plan better than any guide.

Agree 100%. There is no need to hire someone to show you the ropes at DL. A few days reading the posts on here can give you all of the information you need. I have found Hydroguy's (and others) posts very informative and helpful. Check them out.