VIP Tour Price Change

[DangerMouse]

I just read a post on MP from a Fantasyland CM, who said the price for the VIP Tour is going up, way up:

Here's the info she provided:

Just wanted to let you all know that they've significantly raised the prices for the VIP tour. It is now $125 per hour with a 6 hour minimum. It still says $75 per hour with a 4 hour minimum on the website, but I just called Tour Services to confirm what I heard and she said the website wasn't updated yet and those were the current rates as of March 22. I know a lot of you were interested in doing this over the summer and holidays and it would be a nasty surprise to find out when you go to book the tour that it would be $450 more than you were planning.

Before you ask, I don't know the rationale behind the decision (nor did my friend who told me). I didn't ask when I called. Vent away all you want here, but please don't chew out the poor CM who has to tell you about the change when you make your reservation!

 

[quest4dl]

Are there any other tours that include the Fantasmic seating?

 

[audrabolster]

Yea I saw this on the website yesterday when looking for some birthday activity ideas:


"Tour Length: Six hour minimum.

Price Info: $125 per hour for up to 10 Guests; $150 per hour if booked less than 48 hours in advance
Additional Information

* This tour does not offer expedited access to attractions.
* Valid Theme Park admission is required."

 

[DangerMouse]

Are there any other tours that include the Fantasmic seating?

Nope, not that I'm aware of.

 

[quest4dl]

The Welcome to Disneyland tour - is Fantasmic considerated a sensational stage show?:

Learn fascinating information, hear enchanting stories and discover great tips as you journey through both Disneyland® Park and Disney's California Adventure® Park on a fun-filled introduction to the Disneyland® Resort.
Enjoy priority seating at one of our sensational stage shows or an amazing parade (selected locations).
Discover valuable tips and suggestions to make the most of your visit.
Learn fun facts and trivia about the Disneyland® Resort.
Utilize Disney's FASTPASS® service with expert instruction and receive two bonus FASTPASS® tickets.

Tour Length: Approximately 2.5 hours.

Price Info: $25 per person
Discounts: Deluxe and Premium Annual Passholders receive a 20% discount.

 

[DangerMouse]

The Welcome to Disneyland tour - is Fantasmic considerated a sensational stage show?:

Learn fascinating information, hear enchanting stories and discover great tips as you journey through both Disneyland® Park and Disney's California Adventure® Park on a fun-filled introduction to the Disneyland® Resort.
Enjoy priority seating at one of our sensational stage shows or an amazing parade (selected locations).
Discover valuable tips and suggestions to make the most of your visit.
Learn fun facts and trivia about the Disneyland® Resort.
Utilize Disney's FASTPASS® service with expert instruction and receive two bonus FASTPASS® tickets.

Tour Length: Approximately 2.5 hours.

Price Info: $25 per person
Discounts: Deluxe and Premium Annual Passholders receive a 20% discount.

I would personally call on that. In the past, they have only offered preferred seating at the Parade for the Welcome tour. DLR is changing their tours up a bit. Seems like the website info is being updated.

 

[hlbtimes2]

OUCH! I was planning on booking the tour for our May trip. Guess not. There is no way I'm paying that much.

 

[Cass]

Maybe this is an April Fools thing!? That is quite a jump in price.


I had VIP Services at WDW last December, it was 120.00 an hour (holiday onsite rate) and we had our guide for 13 hours It was the most awesome day at Disney.

 

[trodrigue]

Big bummer

 

[mariezp]

I was planning on booking the VIP Tour in November but guess it is out now. I was told about the price increase and sure enough it was confirmed when I called the tour line. I asked why they had increased it by $50 with the additional minimum 6 hrs. I was told that they were changing it so it was the same as at Disneyworld. To me this really makes no sense. Being as DL is so much smaller I can't imagine that you would need a guide for nearly the same amount of time. Sure at DW it might take longer to cover everything because the entire park is so spread out but I would think 4 hours could cover just about everything at DL. Anyway, I also asked if they added anything with the price increase... like a meal or something... but he said no.

Needless to say I am terribly dissappointed because my DH said there is no way we are going to spend $750 on a 6 hour tour. That's way too much is what he said and I think he really meant the amount of time as much as the money. Am I the only one who thinks 6 hours is just too long for a tour? And $750 a bit much. I was annoyed enough that I sent a letter to Disney. My big question was do they really think the average park guest will be able to afford the tour or are they trying to cater to only the wealthy?

Okay, now that I have vented... feeling a little better now.

 

[bumbershoot]

"Am I the only one who thinks 6 hours is just too long for a tour?"

You're not the only one. When I read that on MC I couldn't believe my eyes. Money aside it's just too long.

 

[tink too]

I am so and a bit too! It's a very considerable jump both to the hourly rate and the minimum tour length. I was going to book a VIP tour for our first trip to DL in May to make our time there a bit more special, but that is out of the question now.

 

[Cass]

Am I the only one who thinks 6 hours is just too long for a tour?

Hi there,

I have never been to DL so I am not going to disagree with what you say here, but when I had my guide for 13 hours at WDW the only park we did was MGM. Later she came to dinner with us at the GF.

I want to make sure we are talking about the same thing... this wasn't a tour, it was more like a Disney host accompanying you through the parks. They do point out things of interest and know the history and trivia, but basically they lead you around, get you on to a ride and then while you ride they may go get fast passes for the next ride or sometimes ride with you.

They have an itinerary planned for you based on the the information you submit on your application. What characters you might want to see, what shows you want to do, what rides you want to do. They may take you through a backstage short cut to save time as they get you around.

They take to you the shows where you get preferred seating, or the parade were you have a VIP area to watch. They have lunch with you, our guide would ride with the kids sometimes while the adults shopped. Ours took us to private meets with Mickey and with Belle and Prince Vincent.

Our guide picked us up at our hotel in a Disney SUV and took us in the backstage area of MGM to park, we didn't enter the main gates of the park.. we came through a sort of hidden opening in a fence that took us right into the middle of the park.

So just making sure I'm not mixed up - are you talking about this? or some other tour that I am not aware of. IMO 6 hours wouldn't be enough to see all the shows and do all the rides on a busy day at any of the WDW parks, but I don't know about DL.


Our day at MGM was the best ever, we really felt like VIPS, it was so much fun to have our guide along looking after everything. The kids absolutely loved her, which is why she ended up staying with us so long... we were supposed to have her from 9am - 6pm and she was with us until 10pm.


I am disappointed with the price increase, but I really had expected it to be the same at DL as WDW, I had been surprised to see it was so much less expensive.

 

[quest4dl]

On another board (micechat?) there is DL VIP tour operator who has been posting in the thread about he VIP tour price increases. PP's description of the VIP tour in WDW sounds like the service they also offer at DL. It seems really more like a concierge who accompanies you on your park day.

 

[mariezp]

On another board (micechat?) there is DL VIP tour operator who has been posting in the thread about he VIP tour price increases. PP's description of the VIP tour in WDW sounds like the service they also offer at DL. It seems really more like a concierge who accompanies you on your park day.

Yes, it's true that is does sound a lot like concierge. I did want to make my family feel like VIPs. However, I would like for it to be a special part of the day, not take up the majority of our day. I probably still might have considered doing the 6 hours if the price had not jumped to more than double with their new changes.

Anyone going in November that might like to split the cost? There are 4 of us . It might be worth it to share the cost with another group.

 

[trodrigue]

That's a great idea! VIP tour sharing thread...

I am traveling with a group in Feb. and so far none of them have said they would do the tour at $350. Can't imagine they will step up with the new price. We'll see. I keep hoping that it is just because they can't commit 11 months out

 

[Cass]

Sharing is a good way to keep costs down but you have to be really in sync with what you want to do and see - you can't rip the guide in half and go separate ways!

You would have to somewhat agree to an itinerary and interests, or you could luck out and book with people who are really easy going and don't care either way.

They send you a questionaire to complete with questions about your expectations (ie) is Disney History important to you? are character meets a must? do you want to shop, are there certain rides that are a must.

With our small group of 2 ladies, 2 girls we split a few times with the guide taking the kids on ToT and RnR and the ladies shopping.

If you have 2 paying parties though, both will want to get their monies worth with the guide.

 

[Princess Aurora45]

Wow, that is a hike up in price. Im going for the first time in August for my mum said I could do this tour for my birthday pressie - all I can say is thank goodness for the pound being so strong at the moment otherwise I doubt we would be able to do it.

Does anyone have any other info about what happens during the tour?

 

[keeperofzoo]

I booked ours for next Monday before they announced the price increase (and have the paperwork from them with the non-raised pricing on it) so I hope they don't try to pull anything on us.

$350 I can do but $750 - no way!

 

[audrabolster]

Wow, that is a hike up in price. Im going for the first time in August for my mum said I could do this tour for my birthday pressie - all I can say is thank goodness for the pound being so strong at the moment otherwise I doubt we would be able to do it.

Does anyone have any other info about what happens during the tour?

From what I gather, they basically take you around the park. I don't really understand what the hoo-ha is for that much money...

Now if they let you eat at club 33 for lunch or something, I might consider it..