VIP Tour Guide Definitely Worth It!

[ali2000]

We just got back from WDW and we had a party of 9 with us. My step-dad paid for everything and he wanted the premium VIP tour guide because he doesn't like waiting in lines
We only had 2 park days planned. Well, we got one the first day at the park and it was so worth it that we ended up booking him for the next day as well. It is a LOT of money, but for us, it was definitely worth it.

 

[Sabbie]

May I ask who your tour guide was?

 

[mom2rtk]

It would really be worth it to me too if someone else was paying!

 

[rie'smom]

It is nice. We booked last year during the Easter break and got to ride all the biggies in each of the 4 parks on our last day. I don't think I'd bother if the crowds aren't bad.

 

[DVCLiz]

Can you explain how you avoided the lines? Was it just getting the FastPasses or did you get to skip a line without one?

 

[mom2rtk]

I believe the tour guides have access to instant fast passes, avoiding the need to collect them and circle back.

 

[Sabbie]

Can you explain how you avoided the lines? Was it just getting the FastPasses or did you get to skip a line without one?

VIP tours have two options: with backdooring, or without. With backdooring rides it's essentially like Fastpass, but unlimited. So yes, you could ride over and over, or do everything really quickly.

Without backdooring, you will have to wait in line with your guild for the rides. Though they will allow you to get fastpasses with your ticket.

 

[doconeill]

The Premium tour includes fast access to rides when possible. How it is done can vary from ride to ride.

 

[rie'smom]

The Premium VIP tour has unlimited rides and doesn't need FP.
The regular VIP tour has the guide actually going to get the FPs for you.
I don't know what the cost is at this time. For us, during the Easter holiday last year, was $2000+ for the day. The cost is less in off times from what I understand.

 

[doconeill]

The Premium VIP tour has unlimited rides and doesn't need FP.
The regular VIP tour has the guide actually going to get the FPs for you.
I don't know what the cost is at this time. For us, during the Easter holiday last year, was $2000+ for the day. The cost is less in off times from what I understand.

Off the top of my head, last I know the regular VIP tour ran something like $175-195/hour, with a six hour minimum, for up to 10 guests.

The Premium VIP tour was about $295-315/hour, and I think you could get multiple parks out of it too with private transportation to/from your resort.

As mentioned, on the regular VIP tour the guide will run to get the FPs for you, using your regular tickets, so you can be in line somewhere else, etc. Occasionally I've heard of a little extra pixie dust thrown in though...

 

[ali2000]

Our guide was Raymond C. - he was awesome!

We met him at 9:00 am the first day and did Magic Kingdom - we had that done (all the major rides and the ones we could go on - adults did Space Mtn a couple of times, etc.) by 3:00. The next day, we met him at 9:00 and did Animal Kingdom (Lion King show, safari, etc.), Epcot, and to Hollywood Studios for another Toy Story Mania and Roarin rollercoaster.

The cost for us was around $1700/day.

We did have to wait in line a couple of times, but nothing past 5 mins. For most of the rides, we got right to the front, he got us in the best seats, front-row for shows, etc. He kept us on a pace that allowed us to do all the major stuff that would have otherwise taken us 3-4 days to do. With the amount of time we had, Raymond was definitely the way to go!

 

[WEDWDW]

So,if I understand correctly,despite popular belief,in effect,WDW DOES have a "Front of the Line Program",AKA Premium VIP.

I don't think this is widely known.

 

[disney4us2002]

Wow, so unless I win the lottery I guess I'll be standing in line every time I visit the World! We spent less than $5000 for the whole ten days, passes, dining and all - I can't imagine shelling out nearly $2000 per day to avoid a few lines. Too rich for me!

 

[Hook's Girl]

So,if I understand correctly,despite popular belief,in effect,WDW DOES have a "Front of the Line Program",AKA Premium VIP.

I don't think this is widely known.

Not quite, the Premium Tour is unlimited fastpass. There is no "front of the line" whatsoever. You may use the fastpass line as many times as you care to! Any ride without a fastpasses requires the standby queue!

Again, the Premium Service is absolutely NOT front of the line, just fastpass, which feels like front of the line, especially when you can ride Toy Story four or five times in a day!

 

[tsa]

Oops didn't see previous posts.
It answered my ???s

 

[doconeill]

Just curious what the price is per person??

It is not priced per person. It is a fixed hourly rate with a 6 hour minimum, which is good for up to 10 people.

And it is SO MUCH MORE than just front of the line/fastpass/etc.

 

[Lou Holtz]

So there is no backdoor? Can the OP be specific on things you saw that a normal guest wouldn't see?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is not per person, it is $295-$315 per hour, with a six hour minimum. The party may be anywhere from one to ten people.

The Guide will be with you. If the attraction has fastpasses, it is as if you had an immediate fastpass for any line you want. If it is a show there is reserved seating and so you can come in one minute before show time and get a wonderful seat.

Normally you will tell your Guide which attractions you want and let the Guide set the sequence. And when you go to lunch, the Guide pays for his own meal, but you will get immediate seating and fast service.

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

And it is SO MUCH MORE than just front of the line/fastpass/etc.

So true!
I used this service in Disneyland (it was cheaper there, and with only a 4 hours minimum) We had a group of 30 or so (three guides) and it ended up being ~ $50 per person for 4 hours.

It was incredible - and we only rode two rides. We used our guide as a fountain of knowledge about Disneyland and Walt - he showed us hidden secrets in the park and shared knowledge with us (including blueprints of attractions from years past, and some that are yet to come) that no book could ever give you. We asked for the cream of the crop guide - one who could share new knowledge with some self-proclaimed Disney experts. And they really delivered - one of the three was Julie Andrew's private guide whenever she comes to the park.

It may not be worth the money for the short waits (though a group of 10 people will only end up paying ~180 per person for the day, definitely not astronomical), but if you're looking for a new way to explore the parks, its definitely worth the extra cost!

 

[appletini]

This sounds incredible!!! Sign me up for the next time I go. In my world time is money and this just sounds so incredibly worth it. Thanx for the info.