VIP Tour-4 parks questions

[fancymouse]

Thank you for the insight. What was the pre-opening event? (In hopes all things return to normal)

We are looking to visit WDW in Feb, so I am anticipating the parks will be more crowed than ever? I’m guessing FP will return (hopefully).

I’m trying to determine how to tackle MK with preschoolers and no breakdowns....

It was like the after hours events, but like an hour before opening. Limited tickets so rides were walk on and I think breakfast was included. It was much less expensive than the VIP tours, but great for getting fantasy land checked off.

Without knowing what will be back I would plan on two days to MK. Rope drop will be your best friend and I’d spend one morning in Fantasy Land and the other morning I would rope drop any big rides that have long waits (Splash, Space). I would just keep and eye out for any announcements about the Semi-VIP tours returning and if they do book them ASAP. They also used to only run on certain days- like Mondays and Fridays, for example, so hopefully they fall within your schedule.

 

[OliviaB]

It was like the after hours events, but like an hour before opening. Limited tickets so rides were walk on and I think breakfast was included. It was much less expensive than the VIP tours, but great for getting fantasy land checked off.

Without knowing what will be back I would plan on two days to MK. Rope drop will be your best friend and I’d spend one morning in Fantasy Land and the other morning I would rope drop any big rides that have long waits (Splash, Space). I would just keep and eye out for any announcements about the Semi-VIP tours returning and if they do book them ASAP. They also used to only run on certain days- like Mondays and Fridays, for example, so hopefully they fall within your schedule.

TY Very helpful.

 

[Honeypot]

Thank you for the insight. What was the pre-opening event? (In hopes all things return to normal)

We are looking to visit WDW in Feb, so I am anticipating the parks will be more crowed than ever? I’m guessing FP will return (hopefully).

I’m trying to determine how to tackle MK with preschoolers and no breakdowns....

I think the pre-opening event referred to is called "Early Morning Magic" https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/dining/early-morning-magic/

We did that with out two boys in 2018, and at the time it actually included less rides than it does now, but we still found it to be worth it! We were able to do Peter Pan, 2 x Winnie the pooh and either 6 or 7 SDMT before park opening. Then we went and had the included breakfast and after walked onto IASW and HM (our breakfast was at Pinocchio village haus) before starting our fast passes. I think in your case, you would be able to do all the rides included, and then have breakfast and still have little to no wait times on dumbo, barnstormer, etc. It was also fun to be in the park with so few people. We definitely thought it was worth the money, especially with breakfast included. Hope it comes back soon!

 

[OliviaB]

[/QUOTE]
TY
I will check the site to see if Early Morning Magic returns.

 

[scili]

Thanks! I was thinking about this for ROTR but that means you’d still need to be in DHS at 1pm to try for 2nd boarding group right? If so, what time did you start there, and what time did you finish at the other parks? Might be too late in the day for us to do that way as we have evening plans.



plans.

If you have evening plans, then this method might not work then.

We usually start our tours at 10 am at HS (or at our hotel). I know the Disney site says you have to be in the park at 1 pm for the second BG, but I personally have been able to join the BG outside of HS. Since we’ve been lucky to be able to ride RoTR numerous times, we could be a bit more risky in our strategy.

My friend didn’t want to risk it so he and his family clocked into HS at the start of the tour, just did RnR since it’s right next to the ToT box where they scan your passes/tickets, then left for another park and then returned to HS before 1 pm. Good luck and hope you have a great time!

 

[scrappinginontario]

If you have evening plans, then this method might not work then.

We usually start our tours at 10 am at HS (or at our hotel). I know the Disney site says you have to be in the park at 1 pm for the second BG, but I personally have been able to join the BG outside of HS. Since we’ve been lucky to be able to ride RoTR numerous times, we could be a bit more risky in our strategy.

My friend didn’t want to risk it so he and his family clocked into HS at the start of the tour, just did RnR since it’s right next to the ToT box where they scan your passes/tickets, then left for another park and then returned to HS before 1 pm. Good luck and hope you have a great time!

You may try for a 1PM BG from outside DHS but only if you have tapped into the park at some point that day, prior to 1 PM. If you have not visited the park at all you will not be eligible to try for a 1 PM BG that day.

 

[Boardwalk III]

If you have evening plans, then this method might not work then.

We usually start our tours at 10 am at HS (or at our hotel). I know the Disney site says you have to be in the park at 1 pm for the second BG, but I personally have been able to join the BG outside of HS. Since we’ve been lucky to be able to ride RoTR numerous times, we could be a bit more risky in our strategy.

My friend didn’t want to risk it so he and his family clocked into HS at the start of the tour, just did RnR since it’s right next to the ToT box where they scan your passes/tickets, then left for another park and then returned to HS before 1 pm. Good luck and hope you have a great time!

Thank you! I think I read recently that as long as you’ve entered HS before 1 PM same day you can then try for the 2nd boarding group from anywhere, so maybe that’s why it has worked for you! As part of our party is now taking an evening flight home the next day we may actually have 2 days to pick from. Fingers crossed!

 

[BreezysMom]

In December of 2019 we did a VIP during peak holiday crowds and we did 4 parks in 7 hours. It was amazing! We even got some character meets and finished the evening at the MK with Fireworks in the VIP area. Our tour guide was so cool and told us so much information while driving us through the back areas of the parks. He took pictures of us in the most amazing places and backdrops. For Epcot we only wanted to ride TT so they literally drove up and parked behind TT and we walked in a back way and rode it twice. We did AK, then DHS, EPCOT and finished at MK.

So what I would do differently is to get picked up at the first park (as opposed to the resort) which for our tour was AK. I would also make sure we did take a few moments to eat because we just motored through and hit a wall we were so hungry. It truly was an amazing day. (it was 3 of us, husband, 19 year old daughter and myself)

 

[scili]

Thank you! I think I read recently that as long as you’ve entered HS before 1 PM same day you can then try for the 2nd boarding group from anywhere, so maybe that’s why it has worked for you! As part of our party is now taking an evening flight home the next day we may actually have 2 days to pick from. Fingers crossed!

Good luck! Yes, we make our park reservation for HS, that’s the first park we go to, and get our tickets/MB scanned at HS first. We then continue onto other parks and try for the BG at the later afternoon time. You definitely have to have the ticket scanned properly first at HS for this to work and we make extra sure this happens, we just didn’t have to be in HS at 1 pm to try for the BG. Our tour guide then keeps checking and monitoring the status of the queue for us. Luckily, this has always worked out for us.

Maybe because our trips since RoTR opened had the pandemic social distancing and one party per vehicle at the time, but we always found that RoTR took around 35-40 minutes from the first scanning point to the very end so we didn’t want to spend our tour time on that attraction. It’s an amazing attraction, hope you are able to experience it!

 

[rockinrollercoasters]

Has anyone taken the VIP tour in October? I was just wondering what the hourly rates were. I was assuming Christmas week was at the highest rate but then I saw a review that mentioned weekends in October were also the highest rate. It sounded odd to me but we may try for a week day in October and I just wanted to have an idea of the price before I got myself too excited

 

[sophy1996]

Has anyone taken the VIP tour in October? I was just wondering what the hourly rates were. I was assuming Christmas week was at the highest rate but then I saw a review that mentioned weekends in October were also the highest rate. It sounded odd to me but we may try for a week day in October and I just wanted to have an idea of the price before I got myself too excited

Given the festivities this October, I’m not sure anyone’s past experience will help. Prices may well be higher this year. I would just call and ask.

 

[GeneralTso]

We chose 3. I realize you asked about 4 but in planning our Plaid Day, they really encouraged us to do 3 and really enjoy those 3. Included a meal stop at Magic Kingdom which was so smart.

We skipped Epcot. Did not regret it. We love it there but it's so manageable on our own. It's mostly about walking around the countries anyway.

She had our Starbucks order waiting for us when we exited Flight of Passage. Our lunch table was all set for us to walk in and sit down. She could not have done more to make our day extraordinary. She had a hilarious page by page tip presentation on how to get maximum points on Toy Story Mania. She walked backwards and had illustrated pages detailing where to aim and when. So funny.

I was VERY explicit that we wanted someone high energy and a true believer. We wanted lots of Disney history and facts. We really wanted someone with fantastic enthusiasm and sense of humor. I have seen many types of Plaids all over the parks and knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want. They delivered. Can't wait to do this again. Have the best time. Those backstage drop offs with cold water and snacks are great. Enjoy.

 

[firstmickey]

Is this a VIP tour booked through Disney? Is that what you are all talking about?

 

[KerryCM]

Is this a VIP tour booked through Disney? Is that what you are all talking about?

Yes, it is! Expensive, but so worth it.

 

[WonderfulLife]

I have to share my first experience with the VIP tour on 4 parks. This will not be the last VIP tour we take. We did one on June 14th. Our guide picked us up at the Yacht Club at 9am. Party of 8. DH, DS28, DDIL28, DD27, DBF24, DS21, DGF21, and myself. We only had intentions to do 3 parks but we were walking fast and getting a lot of things accomplished. I added the wait times just to see the impact. We got so much done. Our guide talked with us the entire time telling us fun facts, park facts, even the inspiration of the different lands and how we should approach them. My husband was not sold on the VIP tour at first simply because of cost now..........he said next time we will do 2 VIP tours and cut our time shorter at Disney. Glad I married this man....

First park HS (9-1130)
Parked behind RNRC

• MMRR -- posted wait 55
• MFx2 -- posted wait 40,55
• SDD -- posted wait 90
• TSMx2 -- posted wait 60,65
• TOT -- posted wait 40
• RNRC -- posted wait 65

Second Park AK
Parked behind the bathrooms at Pandora

• FOP (1130-1230) -- posted wait 60

Third Park MK (1230-230)
Parked behind Tomorrowland

• Buzz -- posted wait 30
• Stopped for snack of egg rolls and ice cream. ICE CREAM LUNCH!!!! -- about 20-25 minutes.
• Splash Mtn -- posted wait 60
• BTM -- posted wait 25
• POC -- posted wait 45
• HM -- posted wait 30
• 7DWF -- posted wait 50

At this point we still had extra time about an 1.5hrs. so off to the 4th park.
Fourth Park (230-4)

• TT -- posted wait 95
• Frozen -- posted wait 50
• Margaritas in Mexico Pavilion

Our guide got us into the Pavilion so we could get a celebratory margarita. Much needed at this point. Our guide left us here. We then jumped a bus to the Grand Floridian to do a drink and appetizer at the Enchanted Rose, monorail to the contemporary for a drink at the Wave, monorail to TTC, walked to the Polynesian for a drink and appetizer at Tambu. Here is where I hit the proverbial wall. DH and I went back to the Yacht Club. The kids on the other hand proceeded to Disney Springs until late. Ah to be young........

 

[SDKMom]

We chose 3. I realize you asked about 4 but in planning our Plaid Day, they really encouraged us to do 3 and really enjoy those 3. Included a meal stop at Magic Kingdom which was so smart.

We skipped Epcot. Did not regret it. We love it there but it's so manageable on our own. It's mostly about walking around the countries anyway.

She had our Starbucks order waiting for us when we exited Flight of Passage. Our lunch table was all set for us to walk in and sit down. She could not have done more to make our day extraordinary. She had a hilarious page by page tip presentation on how to get maximum points on Toy Story Mania. She walked backwards and had illustrated pages detailing where to aim and when. So funny.

I was VERY explicit that we wanted someone high energy and a true believer. We wanted lots of Disney history and facts. We really wanted someone with fantastic enthusiasm and sense of humor. I have seen many types of Plaids all over the parks and knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want. They delivered. Can't wait to do this again. Have the best time. Those backstage drop offs with cold water and snacks are great. Enjoy.

Can you share the name of your guide? We have a tour scheduled for 7/6, and she sounds amazing!

 

[SDKMom]

I have to share my first experience with the VIP tour on 4 parks. This will not be the last VIP tour we take. We did one on June 14th. Our guide picked us up at the Yacht Club at 9am. Party of 8. DH, DS28, DDIL28, DD27, DBF24, DS21, DGF21, and myself. We only had intentions to do 3 parks but we were walking fast and getting a lot of things accomplished. I added the wait times just to see the impact. We got so much done. Our guide talked with us the entire time telling us fun facts, park facts, even the inspiration of the different lands and how we should approach them. My husband was not sold on the VIP tour at first simply because of cost now..........he said next time we will do 2 VIP tours and cut our time shorter at Disney. Glad I married this man....

First park HS (9-1130)
Parked behind RNRC

• MMRR -- posted wait 55
• MFx2 -- posted wait 40,55
• SDD -- posted wait 90
• TSMx2 -- posted wait 60,65
• TOT -- posted wait 40
• RNRC -- posted wait 65

Second Park AK
Parked behind the bathrooms at Pandora

• FOP (1130-1230) -- posted wait 60

Third Park MK (1230-230)
Parked behind Tomorrowland

• Buzz -- posted wait 30
• Stopped for snack of egg rolls and ice cream. ICE CREAM LUNCH!!!! -- about 20-25 minutes.
• Splash Mtn -- posted wait 60
• BTM -- posted wait 25
• POC -- posted wait 45
• HM -- posted wait 30
• 7DWF -- posted wait 50

At this point we still had extra time about an 1.5hrs. so off to the 4th park.
Fourth Park (230-4)

• TT -- posted wait 95
• Frozen -- posted wait 50
• Margaritas in Mexico Pavilion

Our guide got us into the Pavilion so we could get a celebratory margarita. Much needed at this point. Our guide left us here. We then jumped a bus to the Grand Floridian to do a drink and appetizer at the Enchanted Rose, monorail to the contemporary for a drink at the Wave, monorail to TTC, walked to the Polynesian for a drink and appetizer at Tambu. Here is where I hit the proverbial wall. DH and I went back to the Yacht Club. The kids on the other hand proceeded to Disney Springs until late. Ah to be young........

Thank you for sharing! This sounds amazing and very similar to what we are planning to do on our tour 7/6. It will be our first and is a surprise to our kids (20, 18, 14), and now I am feeling a little less guilty about the cost!

 

[JWelch62]

We chose 3. I realize you asked about 4 but in planning our Plaid Day, they really encouraged us to do 3 and really enjoy those 3. Included a meal stop at Magic Kingdom which was so smart.

We skipped Epcot. Did not regret it. We love it there but it's so manageable on our own. It's mostly about walking around the countries anyway.

She had our Starbucks order waiting for us when we exited Flight of Passage. Our lunch table was all set for us to walk in and sit down. She could not have done more to make our day extraordinary. She had a hilarious page by page tip presentation on how to get maximum points on Toy Story Mania. She walked backwards and had illustrated pages detailing where to aim and when. So funny.

I was VERY explicit that we wanted someone high energy and a true believer. We wanted lots of Disney history and facts. We really wanted someone with fantastic enthusiasm and sense of humor. I have seen many types of Plaids all over the parks and knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want. They delivered. Can't wait to do this again. Have the best time. Those backstage drop offs with cold water and snacks are great. Enjoy.

3 parks is our plan, and if we have time, maybe epcot.

Did you make ADR for lunch in DAK?

 

[trivan]

he said next time we will do 2 VIP tours and cut our time shorter at Disney.

depending on how you vacation at disney, you can spend less days and hit all the headliners in a short period of time. there is a cost justification there. May not be a breakeven though. I find the amount of stress having a tour reduces is priceless.

 

[GeneralTso]

Can you share the name of your guide? We have a tour scheduled for 7/6, and she sounds amazing!

She WAS absolutely amazing! We were her last tour though. Of course she got promoted. She's in charge of entertainment at Animal Kingdom now. Her name is Kelly Ball. When I call to book again, I'm going to ask for someone just like her. She's a legend, they'll know. Kelly Ball!