VIP tour: need your input, please

[catnik]

We are doing a VIP tour as a family in November. Would love to learn about your experiences and recommendations to make our day memorable. Already know not to take a 75+ minute lunch break

 

[Tri-Delta4Life]

We split a VIP tour with another group earlier this month. In total, we had 4 parents in their 30s, 2 grandparents in their 60s, then 6, 5, 4, & 2yo girls. We started our tour at 2:30 in MK, then hopped to HS, and finally EP. Our guide got us waters frequently (and some Cokes in Star Wars area). He also pushed one of the strollers and volunteered to stay with the 2yo who was too short for the bigger rides. We packed snacks that we munched on while driving between parks. We ended the tour with the guide getting us into the VIP viewing area for Harmonious (in front of Germany) about 30 min before it started. Then we sent some adults out to pick up food - a sausage on pretzel bun with cold beer never tasted better!

 

[holden]

We've done two VIP tours. Both started at park opening. Here's my advice:

Don't stop to eat anything. Bring granola bars or grab something fast (like a pretzel). We didn't want to waste $ standing in line for food or eating. We ate on the go.

Let your guide know what attractions are must do's. They know best how to fit them all in.

We began our tour in AK because we wanted the guide to get us on EE and FOP only. Then we hopped to DHS and then MK. If I was doing it now I'd want to squeeze in EP for Ratatouille, but we skipped EP on our tours.

Meeting your guide at the starting point saves time that the guide would have spent driving you. Could mean one more attraction you fit in that day if you meet the guide rather than get picked up at your resort.

We stopped at the 7hr mark. The tour is exhausting. Afterwards we went back to the room to rest/shower and then to a nice dinner. It was a great way to end the day.

At the time of our tour guides couldn't get you on ROTR. That may have changed. Our guide was able to get us a DHS park pass though, which allowed us to get a boarding pass at 1pm.

You can ride an attraction more than once if you want.

Tip your guide well if they deserve it.

 

[iujen94]

Ignore me! I mis-read your post!

 

[xlsm]

We have done two tours - New Year's Day 2019 and most recently in early June 2021. It was me, my husband and our two teen sons.
For both, we had our guide pick us up at our resort at 1pm. That way we could sleep in and have an easy morning, and eat lunch before going (and for the 2019 trip, it was so we could have the VIP area for Happily Ever After).
We also park hopped and did all four parks both times. Don't forget to budget for a tip.

I did not want to rush the second time - our first new year's VIP tour was go-go-go. We were much more laid back during the tour we did in June. You can tell your guide how you'd like the day to go and they will do their very best to help you have an awesome day. We did a ton both times - in June, our guide picked us up at our resort and we started in MK and did Jungle Cruise, Pirates, HM, Peter Pan, Mine Train, and Buzz. Then we hopped to DHS for Slinky, TSMM, Smuggler's Run, MMRR, and Tower. Then it was off to AK for the safari, then Epcot for Spaceship Earth and Soarin'. When we were done, we said goodbye to our guide and then ate our way through Flower and Garden booths and headed back to the Yacht Club for the night. We also stopped for some quick snacks a couple of times. It was HOT so water was necessary.

This plan worked well for us and I would do it all over the same way in the future. In June fireworks weren't happening, so that would be my end goal normally.

Have FUN! And ask your guide questions - most are very interesting people with a wealth of Disney knowledge. We've had two incredible guides who we really loved.

 

[mars315]

We just went on a 7.5 tour last Tuesday. Tourguide can get you on one ride of Rise. Multiples of other rides is you want. We started in AK having had lunch just prior. We did AK, DHS, and MK, getting dropped at the VIP area of Enchantment. We had a mobile ordered quick meal in DHS before heading to MK. We got waters and ice cream cart treats. We were a group of 3 25-30's and 2 60's and it was lots of fun. I can answer specific questions.

 

[nevergrowup826]

We just went on a 7.5 tour last Tuesday. Tourguide can get you on one ride of Rise. Multiples of other rides is you want. We started in AK having had lunch just prior. We did AK, DHS, and MK, getting dropped at the VIP area of Enchantment. We had a mobile ordered quick meal in DHS before heading to MK. We got waters and ice cream cart treats. We were a group of 3 25-30's and 2 60's and it was lots of fun. I can answer specific questions.

Are the guides still not allowed on the ride with you?

How was your DHS part of the tour now that LL exists? Was it still quick to get on the rides or was there a lot of waiting because of fastpass people?

Thanks for your insight!

 

[rockinrollercoasters]

We just went on a 7.5 tour last Tuesday. Tourguide can get you on one ride of Rise. Multiples of other rides is you want. We started in AK having had lunch just prior. We did AK, DHS, and MK, getting dropped at the VIP area of Enchantment. We had a mobile ordered quick meal in DHS before heading to MK. We got waters and ice cream cart treats. We were a group of 3 25-30's and 2 60's and it was lots of fun. I can answer specific questions.

I was hoping you could tell me what the hourly rate of your tour was. I know it varies but we are planning a trip for this time of year in 2022 and would probably also shoot for a mid week tour so I need to save up! Thanks!

 

[mars315]

I was hoping you could tell me what the hourly rate of your tour was. I know it varies but we are planning a trip for this time of year in 2022 and would probably also shoot for a mid week tour so I need to save up! Thanks!

We paid $425/hr. This was the cheapest by far. It was a Tuesday. Friday, 10/29 would have been $775/hr. Crazy!

 

[rockinrollercoasters]

We paid $425/hr. This was the cheapest by far. It was a Tuesday. Friday, 10/29 would have been $775/hr. Crazy!

It really is so insane to have that much disparity in rates for dates three days apart. I'll shoot for a Tuesday too

 

[mars315]

Are the guides still not allowed on the ride with you?

How was your DHS part of the tour now that LL exists? Was it still quick to get on the rides or was there a lot of waiting because of fastpass people?

Thanks for your insight!

You know, our guide did not go on Rise with us, but I didn't think anything of it. She went on many rides with us, but not Rise, Space or Splash. DHS was great, but when we went to Rise, it had been down earlier so the LL was pretty backed up. We circled back a couple times, with our guide checking in with another VIP guide who had been in line ahead of us. I think we waited about 20 minutes in that line. But all the others were pretty quick. In one ride there is a side door you can go through to gain quicker loading after the preshow, but other than that, you're in the LL. Our tour was on the 5th day of the new Genie+ system, plus it was not too crowded, so maybe the LLs were not quite as busy as they could be once more people figure it out? But almost always you are in line with LL users, and if they are backed up, there is no magic way around!

 

[nevergrowup826]

You know, our guide did not go on Rise with us, but I didn't think anything of it. She went on many rides with us, but not Rise, Space or Splash. DHS was great, but when we went to Rise, it had been down earlier so the LL was pretty backed up. We circled back a couple times, with our guide checking in with another VIP guide who had been in line ahead of us. I think we waited about 20 minutes in that line. But all the others were pretty quick. In one ride there is a side door you can go through to gain quicker loading after the preshow, but other than that, you're in the LL. Our tour was on the 5th day of the new Genie+ system, plus it was not too crowded, so maybe the LLs were not quite as busy as they could be once more people figure it out? But almost always you are in line with LL users, and if they are backed up, there is no magic way around!

I'm worried about that happening with Rise - I have been on it 4 times the last two trips and only once has it not broken down while I was in preshow or about to get in line!

That's good that they can ride with you again, I was hoping for some TSMM tips!

Thank you!

 

[mars315]

I'm worried about that happening with Rise - I have been on it 4 times the last two trips and only once has it not broken down while I was in preshow or about to get in line!

That's good that they can ride with you again, I was hoping for some TSMM tips!

Thank you!

As a matter of fact our guide rode with me on TSMM and she attempted to pass on some wisdom. It was pretty wasted on me, I should have had my daughter ride with the guide!

 

[quandrea]

We paid $425/hr. This was the cheapest by far. It was a Tuesday. Friday, 10/29 would have been $775/hr. Crazy!

That rate I could handle. I’m aiming for a Tuesday or Wednesday, but it will be following the Columbus Day holiday. Probably not that low.

 

[quandrea]

We just went on a 7.5 tour last Tuesday. Tourguide can get you on one ride of Rise. Multiples of other rides is you want. We started in AK having had lunch just prior. We did AK, DHS, and MK, getting dropped at the VIP area of Enchantment. We had a mobile ordered quick meal in DHS before heading to MK. We got waters and ice cream cart treats. We were a group of 3 25-30's and 2 60's and it was lots of fun. I can answer specific questions.

Starting just after lunch is a good idea. If we did it, I was thinking park opening, just because we are morning people, but ending at 7:30 or so is not bad. I’m just cringing at the thought of the hourly rate, but maybe for a milestone birthday with my friends coming from all over the world, it’s worth it once?

 

[nevergrowup826]

As a matter of fact our guide rode with me on TSMM and she attempted to pass on some wisdom. It was pretty wasted on me, I should have had my daughter ride with the guide!

I have an ongoing competition with my fiance for 6 years! This past april was the only time he beat me, I have to learn some tricks!

 

[GeneralTso]

#1 Tip: Request Kelly Ball!!!

 

[MiketheGrate]

For anyone who has gotten the VIP tour, I have a question. When I booked my upcoming tour, the person on the phone said that there really wasn't anything we could do for a better seat for fireworks at MK because of the VIP tour. However, from some of the tips above, it looks like people were able to get a VIP seating for fireworks because of their guide. Has anyone used this recently and gotten a preferred spot for the MK fireworks? If we want to do that, we'll need to start our VIP day later, since we're currently scheduled to start at 10am.

 

[nevergrowup826]

For anyone who has gotten the VIP tour, I have a question. When I booked my upcoming tour, the person on the phone said that there really wasn't anything we could do for a better seat for fireworks at MK because of the VIP tour. However, from some of the tips above, it looks like people were able to get a VIP seating for fireworks because of their guide. Has anyone used this recently and gotten a preferred spot for the MK fireworks? If we want to do that, we'll need to start our VIP day later, since we're currently scheduled to start at 10am.

yes, you need to end your tour close enough to the fireworks start time.

 

[MiketheGrate]

yes, you need to end your tour close enough to the fireworks start time.

Thanks. Is it an area specially designated for VIP tours, or are they just getting you into the dessert party area (without the benefit of desserts, of course)?