Update: BOOKED IT! Giving serious thought to the VIP Tour...

[MacMama0930]

We'll be heading to DLR in December and lately I've been giving serious thought into spending Saturday, the 16th, with a Plaid! It's a huge splurge for us, and I'm not going to ask if it's worth it because that's completely relative, but I did have a couple questions for those who have done it.

1.) even if we did the morning chunk, would we still get preferred seating for parades and/or fireworks later in the evening? And if so, what kind of preferred seating do you get? Benches? Chairs? Or ground spots?

2.) Would you ever consider leaving a child with the guide? Or can you even do that? The reason I ask is because I desperately want to experience Guardians with my husband and my son but I don't think my 6 yr old daughter will even consider it. Would it be appropriate to ask a guide to wait with her? I'm not even sure how'd I feel about that but wanted to ask anyway.

3.) Will it ruin it for all future trips? This is NOT an indulgence I will likely be able to do again. But with things like WOC DP, I realized I had set the precedent for myself that that was the only way I could do it. I wouldn't want to feel that way about the VIP tour?

4.) I know for FP rides, you just utilize the FP line but on other rides, do you get to go through the exit? Rides like Indiana Jones, do you wait in the FP line or go through the exit?

I think that's all I can think of for now. I realize we are going at a busy time, and that is why I am considering it. I want to easily take in the parades and holiday offerings, like Santa meet and greet - and I just want to know these things are included in the cost.

 

[bethwc101]

Sorry, no advice from me, but Im interested because it is something we have been debating for our Nov. trip.

 

[ParkHopper1]

1.) even if we did the morning chunk, would we still get preferred seating for parades and/or fireworks later in the evening? And if so, what kind of preferred seating do you get? Benches? Chairs? Or ground spots?

Based on availability for that night, they can book you into one show even after your tour. It is benches or seats in the VIP section for fireworks, F!, WOC or a parade. Ya know those benches reserved right on front of the castle for fireworks...VIP tour is how you get in there.

2.) Would you ever consider leaving a child with the guide? Or can you even do that? The reason I ask is because I desperately want to experience Guardians with my husband and my son but I don't think my 6 yr old daughter will even consider it. Would it be appropriate to ask a guide to wait with her? I'm not even sure how'd I feel about that but wanted to ask anyway.

Officially no, they will not babysit. Unofficially if you are clicking well with the guide they will most certainly find a "solution" so they you can ride together. Just don't go in assuming that the guide will be your nanny for the day as well.

3.) Will it ruin it for all future trips? This is NOT an indulgence I will likely be able to do again. But with things like WOC DP, I realized I had set the precedent for myself that that was the only way I could do it. I wouldn't want to feel that way about the VIP tour?

Kinda...but the value of the VIP tour is that you can do more in 6 hours than most people do in three days and spend the rest of the time at the park enjoying the little things that you would normally pass up getting to the big attractions.

4.) I know for FP rides, you just utilize the FP line but on other rides, do you get to go through the exit? Rides like Indiana Jones, do you wait in the FP line or go through the exit?

If it is a FP ride, you go and wait in the FP line with everyone else. There are 10-12 non FP attractions that you get "expedited access" to as well. Every one is different. Pirates for example is access through the exit, others are though the handicap entrance.

I think that's all I can think of for now. I realize we are going at a busy time, and that is why I am considering it. I want to easily take in the parades and holiday offerings, like Santa meet and greet - and I just want to know these things are included in the cost.

Yes you can request thing like the parades and meet and greets during the tour...but burning time waiting for parades and shows is not the most efficient use of the guide's time IMO when the hourly clock is ticking. We did a VIP tour with some young kids and they loved going in and meeting Mickey and the Princesses.

 

[whoever]

Sorry, no advice from me, but Im interested because it is something we have been debating for our Nov. trip.

Likewise

 

[ParkHopper1]

Links to past VIP Tour discussions:

https://www.disboards.com/search/103500171/?q=vip&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=26

 

[MacMama0930]

Based on availability for that night, they can book you into one show even after your tour. It is benches or seats in the VIP section for fireworks, F!, WOC or a parade. Ya know those benches reserved right on front of the castle for fireworks...VIP tour is how you get in there.



Officially no, they will not babysit. Unofficially if you are clicking well with the guide they will most certainly find a "solution" so they you can ride together. Just don't go in assuming that the guide will be your nanny for the day as well.



Kinda...but the value of the VIP tour is that you can do more in 6 hours than most people do in three days and spend the rest of the time at the park enjoying the little things that you would normally pass up getting to the big attractions.



If it is a FP ride, you go and wait in the FP line with everyone else. There are 10-12 non FP attractions that you get "expedited access" to as well. Every one is different. Pirates for example is access through the exit, others are though the handicap entrance.



Yes you can request thing like the parades and meet and greets during the tour...but burning time waiting for parades and shows is not the most efficient use of the guide's time IMO when the hourly clock is ticking. We did a VIP tour with some young kids and they loved going in and meeting Mickey and the Princesses.

Thank you!! I'm wondering though, if our tour ends up at 2pm, can we get seats for the 4:30 Christmas parade? Therefore not wasting time?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Thank you!! I'm wondering though, if our tour ends up at 2pm, can we get seats for the 4:30 Christmas parade? Therefore not wasting time?

Usually you can book one VIP viewing experience for after the tour concludes...I would shoot for F!, Fireworks or WOC. Yes, you can get the parade VIP seats as an option but the others I listed are a far more worthwhile experience IMO

 

[Nonsuch]

1.) even if we did the morning chunk, would we still get preferred seating for parades and/or fireworks later in the evening? And if so, what kind of preferred seating do you get? Benches? Chairs? Or ground spots?...

• Fireworks seating is benches in the "North Spoke" of the Hub
• Fantasmic seating is chairs near the anchor, previously used by the dessert party (pre fastpass)
• World of Color seating is chairs, at the top level (behind the dessert party).

...I'm wondering though, if our tour ends up at 2pm, can we get seats for the 4:30 Christmas parade?...

• Parade seating is in chairs on the "East Crescent" of the hub (northeast sidewalk)
  (there are several other parade viewing locations)

Daytime parades might be accounted differently than Nighttime Spectaculars (fireworks, F!,WOC), so contact VIP Tours for exact restrictions (which may change depending on season or demand).

I don't recommend a tour from 8AM to 2PM, since the VIP Tour is more valuable when the park gets busier.
Our tours usually start at noon, and begin inside the parks (starting at GCH lobby, wastes time with security).

 

[MacMama0930]

• Fireworks seating is benches in the "North Spoke" of the Hub
• Fantasmic seating is chairs near the anchor, previously used by the dessert party (pre fastpass)
• World of Color seating is chairs, at the top level (behind the dessert party).

• Parade seating is in chairs on the "East Crescent" of the hub (northeast sidewalk)
  (there are several other parade viewing locations)

Daytime parades might be accounted differently than Nighttime Spectaculars (fireworks, F!,WOC), so contact VIP Tours for exact restrictions (which may change depending on season or demand).

I don't recommend a tour from 8AM to 2PM, since the VIP Tour is more valuable when the park gets busier.
Our tours usually start at noon, and begin inside the parks (starting at GCH lobby, wastes time with security).

Thank you! That makes sense. My initial reasoning for doing earlier in the day is that my kids tend to need an afternoon break. But I guess we could take our break early and do like a 2-8pm thing.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I did a tour starting at 9am and thought it worked out great. We were able to wake up relaxed, get some breakfast and coffee at a leisurely pace then start the tour fresh and 100% without much pressure to get into the parks first cuz we knew we were gonna do almost everything we wanted that day. I was a bit shocked at how tired we all were after the tour as you are moving pretty quick the whole time vs all that waiting in line you would be doing otherwise with a chance to rest. We were all ready for a good long table service meal for a break to get off our feet at the conclusion.

Unless you are already a rope drop person typically, especially with kids...an earlier Tour, mid day break then parades on your own than nighttime spectacular is not a bad plan at all IMO

 

[bethwc101]

Anybody know what the current rate is?

 

[StormyCA]

Anybody know what the current rate is?

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

From the link:

• Starting at $2,400, you and up to 9 other Guests can enjoy a customizable VIP Tour, with a minimum of 6 hours.

My understanding is that rates differ depending on the season. I'm sure the rate shown in the link, which works out to $400.00/hr, is a 'base' or 'offseason' rate and obviously doesn't include gratuity. I'd expect it would be higher during summer and holiday seasons.


This is a dream of mine, too, but not something I'll ever be able to afford unless I can get 9 other people to 'share'. And can you imagine the 'No, I don't want to do that, let's do this' involved in those logistics? Yikes!

 

[jenbright]

I checked into it last year and it was $550 per hour for the holidays. I believe it was a 6 hour minimum (going from memory though so I could be off).

 

[MacMama0930]

Anybody know what the current rate is?

Yes, I called and on my desired day it was $550/hour with 6 hr minimum.

 

[MacMama0930]

I need to probably have a more in depth discussion with the specialist in order to determine the value. I had already intended on doing WOC DP one night. We are staying at GCH so have early entry and ARE morning people. I feel like I'm good at fast passes and planning our days. The most attractive thing to me is that I thought I'd get seats for the Christmas parade AND seats for the fireworks plus the unlimited FPs. But if I can only choose one, I'd be disappointed in the perceived value.

 

[Nonsuch]

...The most attractive thing to me is that I thought I'd get seats for the Christmas parade AND seats for the fireworks...

I expect you will be able to do both. It would be cheaper to get parade viewing with the Holiday Tour, but there is no (relatively) inexpensive way to get seating for Fireworks or F!

I have heard (but not personally confirmed) that Signature Suites (generally suites with names) include access to VIP viewing.

 

[MacMama0930]

I expect you will be able to do both. It would be cheaper to get parade viewing with the Holiday Tour, but there is no (relatively) inexpensive way to get seating for Fireworks or F!
I have heard (but not personally confirmed) that Signature Suites (generally suites with names) include access to VIP viewing.

I did the holiday tour last year with my dad and quite frankly, I was bored to tears. I LOVED the seats for the parade and the cookie and pin but there's no way my kids could do that tour, especially since they took the rides out. I did consider doing it for the seating but my kids would just be complaining...

 

[MacMama0930]

One other question I thought of!

Can a tour guide simply "put" someone in the FP line and then leave? Or do they need to be with the person all the way through? I was just thinking of a scenerio where he/she would take us to GotG and put my husband and son in the FP queue and then walk my daughter and I over to Fliks Flyers? I realize these lines aren't typical long but we are going the first weekend of Christmas break so I do expect increase wait times. I'm just wondering if that scenario is doable?

ETA I mean fliks isn't typically long. I know GotG is....

 

[Steven G]

If you click well with your VIP guide, they can usually work something out with you or may have better suggestions.

I went last Christmas Day on the VIP tour from 12 to 6 pm. We got VIP seating for both parade and fireworks, different parts of the hub as mentioned above, and both were after our tour, also got to meet Mickey Mouse too. We got stuck in Indiana jones since it was shut down for a while, that was the longest wait.

The park was insane that day, when the parade and fireworks were done, it was almost impossible to move to get out, just utter chaos. Those moments were the only time I felt worried for me and my son.

I probably would not do the VIP tour again, but that's only because I'm pretty used to the park now. I don't really miss it enough to want to pay again.

I wish DL had the VIP tours that Disneyworld does, I would do those.

 

[MacMama0930]

May I ask what is the difference at WDW?

Welp, I went ahead and booked one. Someone should be calling me in a couple of days to go over our basics and what we hope to do during our time. I am very excited about this trip!!