VIP Park Guides?

[lostatdisney]

My family just returned from DW tonight after a wonderful week of fun. As we flew back, I was thinking about how I saw many more of the Disney guides in the plaid (I think) uniforms who escort special guests through the park, getting them fast pass access to every ride. I don't remember every seeing so many of them, but maybe I just wasn't as aware of it before. Has anyone else noticed this? How much do people pay for this service? Personally, I would not want a stranger hanging out with my family at Disney. We managed all the rides fine with TGMike's tips and fast passes. Let me know what you think!

 

[LarryFmScotland]

Oh I'd never pay for such a serivce.

I always tell them I know Sue Holland, that does the trick.

Cheers Larry.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My family just returned from DW tonight after a wonderful week of fun. As we flew back, I was thinking about how I saw many more of the Disney guides in the plaid (I think) uniforms who escort special guests through the park, getting them fast pass access to every ride. I don't remember every seeing so many of them, but maybe I just wasn't as aware of it before. Has anyone else noticed this? How much do people pay for this service? Personally, I would not want a stranger hanging out with my family at Disney. We managed all the rides fine with TGMike's tips and fast passes. Let me know what you think!

Yes, I also noticed this when we were there over Thanksgiving. I think the fee is very high, but I don't know what it is. I saw tour guides with families at CRT and eating meals with them at Jiko's. I thought it was rather strange. I figured they must be pretty wealthy and I always looked closely to see if they were someone I recognized from TV or movies-still waiting for my first celebrity encounter at Disney. A couple of times I saw fathers with children-there I suspected they might be divorced, wealthy Dads who wanted to be sure their children got to experience the best rides, etc. at Disney.

 

[disneynewbee]

Although it would be great to get on all the rides with no wait I wouldn't want a stranger tagging along with us all wk either. It would be interesting to know how much that costs though. I know it's more than I have.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I found this for another thread last week. I'd never pay for this service.


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/tourDetail?id=MKVIPServicesTourPage

Duration: 6 hours minimum
Cost: $125.00 ◊ per hour. Special discount may apply for Disney Resort Guests, during non-holiday periods.
Theme park admission is required.



Additional Information
Cancellation Policy: If your plans change, please be sure to cancel your VIP Tour 24 hours in advance. VIP Tours cancelled with less than 24 hours advance notice are subject to a fee equal to 2 hours at the booked rate per VIP Tour Guide.

 

[disneynewbee]

Wow! You figure your at the parks for 8-10 hours a day for the duration of your trip. That is alot of money.

 

[hmansure]

We noticed a couple last week as well. One conversation we overheard was while waiting for the parade at MGM. The guide walked up to the family sitting next to us and said she found spots for them up "on the steps in the shade" (it was quite warm last week!). They decided to stay put though. The guide then asked for their resort card and said she'd go buy some water for them. Personally I can walk and buy my own water! I wonder how much of that $125/hour the guide actually sees though?!

 

[lostatdisney]

One of the guides I saw looked so uncomfortable! She was wearing the blouse, vest, and straight skirt, pantyhose, and heels! It was a warm day, and the skirt seemed a little snug, and I could not imagine pantyhose and heels at Disney!

 

[lostatdisney]

I do think it's good that the guides look professional - especially for what they charge - but you would think that slacks and more comfortable shoes would be okay. After all, it is a theme park!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

After all, it is a theme park!

The trump card that demands the professional look is that this particular theme park is a Disney theme park.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

After being on some of the tours, it might be nice to have your own tour guide for the day. The guides know alot about Disney and have been willing to answer any question you might have.

 

[scotthart]

We used a VIP tour guide , Cullen, three years ago and we loved it! It sounds expense but here was our logic. Our family of 9 (Mom, Dad, Meme, and six kids) was able to see the entire MK, everything everyone wanted to see, in eight hours. This cost $1000.00. Normally this takes our family two days. So subtract one night of two hotel rooms $400-500 dollars. Then subract one day off of NINE park hoppers $300-400 dollars. Next take off the two counter service and one sit down meal $250.00 easy. Suddenly its not such a bad deal is it? Now I know that for smaller families the math may not work in your favor, but for our brood its great. Not to mention that we felt comfortable letting our guide take the 13, 10, and 10 year olds to ride Space Mountain, while we took the little ones to ride Pooh and Dumbo. I have to say it was a little uncomfortable at first to have a stranger with us, but after only an hour or so Cullen had won everyone's hearts, even our shy 3YO. The reserved seating for the parades and fireworks means you can enjoy attractions right up until the last minute and still have a great viewing location. We had lunch at LTT and Cullen paid for it! I even tried to tip him when we were done and he would not accept it. Again, the VIP guides are not for everyone, but before you right it off, think about all of the benefits.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Wouldn't that be a fun job, though?! You'd get to share some pixie dust with a lot of families.

We use TGM. It's like having our own tour guide, without actually having Mike there in person. (Though, we'd welcome Mike in person if he would want to join our family for a day! We like Mike.)

 

[lostatdisney]

It does make sense if you don't have much time or have a large group to keep happy. I wonder how large a group they'll take. We're planning - a year or two down the road - a trip with 8 adults and 9 kids! We would probably need two guides at least.