VIP Tour--worth it?

[dietgingerale]

my husband is really pushing for us to do a VIP Tour one day. I'm concerned that it's a lot of money for an experience that I'm not so sure we 'need.' We are only a group of 4 with one 5 year old kid. We are really not worried about a lot of the bigger rides that aren't 5 year old friendly--so we don't need space mountain or anything that isn't for the littlest ones. Of course there are a lot of rides/attractions that we do want and I was way late in figuring out what FASTPASS plus was so I missed out on several things that I would have done better if I had known to get on 2 months ago. Kid probably will be most into the character meet n greets-and I dont know how hard it is to get a lot of meet n greets in normally. I know Anna and Elsa is a virtual impossibility---if we did a vip tour guide deal would they get us in to see that elusive ice duo?

I'd love to hear what booking a VIP tour is like. Looks like the minimum is 6 hours so we'd do that. This may sound silly, but do they drive you around on a golf cart or anything? Kid has some special needs including gross motor issues--he can certainly walk but doesn't have nearly the strength or stamina that I'm guessing zipping around MK for many hours can require. But he's a big 5 year old so I don't think putting him in a stroller would work--although I have no idea how big the park strollers are so maybe I'm wrong.

 

[bryanb]

I've read on the Disney website that the minimum is now 7 hours.

The VIP Tour is priced in such a way that most people would not find it a good value. For years it was available only to celebrities and foreign dignitaries, but now is aimed at an ultra-high spend consumer. Roughly speaking, higher than the top 0.5% of guests visiting WDW on a given day. I'd think of it as the Disney equivalent to the VIP tables at a casino, suites at luxury hotels, the Centurion Card from American Express, or private jets that let you bypass the hassles of commercial travel. All of these things are elusive to the common consumer, but they are in high demand by clientele who are willing to pay.

Compared to any of the examples I listed above, you might find a VIP tour (priced at $400-$600 per hour) to be a downright affordable luxury, and a nice way to enjoy WDW with personalized attention and premium access that the average person will never experience. You'll get a private black car to whisk you between your resort and between parks, though I don't think they'd give you a golf cart. But if there was any way to buy into the Ana and Elsa experience, I'm sure this would be it -- and would definitely ask before booking to make sure.

If you do decide to book the VIP Tour, please let us know how it went! If you decide to pass, I'd probably give Disney a call for some alternative ideas for your 5-year-old (such as an assistance pass for special needs), and I'm sure there is a thread on here with tips from fellow guests. And I wouldn't worry about getting FastPass+ late. You can still have a great time even if you have to jump in a few standby lines to check everything off your list.

Have a great trip!

 

[Karin1984]

There are some reports on this board with a VIP tour-day. Also wait times for Anna & Elsa are not as long as they were a while ago, but as I understand it, a VIP guide can get you in anywhere without (much) wait. Otherwise keep your eyes open for A&E fastpasses, people change/cancel their plans and things can become available. If not for the whole group, try two for an adult and the child.

If money isn't an issue, and you wonder if you need it, I would first ask when are you going and for how long. I think the best use is during high season on a busy day, if it's low season and wait times are manageable, do you really need it? If you only have that 1 day, have never been to WDW before and you want to make the most of it, then it could be worthwhile. But if you have 10 days and you have visited more often, I do not really see the need.

I go with previous poster, look into the assistance cards first.