VIP tour

[Tasia]

We are considering doing this, but is it worth the money?? Has anyone done it? what did you cover/do on it?

 

[Malcon10t]

There are 2 types, a "standard" VIP and the premium VIP. The standard is cheaper and the guide will help plan your day, plays your FP runner, sets up reservations, sets up things like seatings for parades/WoC/Aladdin.

The premium is very similar, except s/he is your FP, and you walk on to most rides. There is a 6 hour minimum.

We have found it to be very helpful. It does come at a cost. You are paying for conveniences.

 

[Tasia]

How much is the premium? I only saw information for one. So they just help plan your day? and act as a fast pass?

 

[Malcon10t]

We did this in June. We met our guides in the Grand Californian at 9am. They got everyone's names, noted the various ages, and asked what we were interested in. They asked where we wanted to start (CARS LAND!) and headed us there. We stopped first at Flo's to feed everyone (the guides helped with getting stuff needed ie forks, catsup, etc) When we arrived at Racers, they walked us up the FP line and we boarded. Following that, we headed to Mater's, then off to Paradise Pier. We had a couple toddlers with us, so while some went on Screamin' (walked up the FP line), the toddlers went on the Carousel. We then went on TSMM (walked in the side entrance), then those who didn't ride Screamin' the first time, along with all the "I wanna ride again" groups, went back on Screamin', while the toddler group headed to Ariel's. Sometime during this, the guides asked if we needed any dinner reservations, and we asked about Tortilla Jo's for 17 at 6pm on a Saturday evening. While we were on Ariel's, they called and got this reservation. Then the "big kids" went on Soarin' Grizzley, while the toddlers went to the Redwood Creek. Then it was over to ToT, while toddlers went to Monster's Inc. We all met up at Muppets. It was about noon then, so we headed to Disneyland and to Jedi Academy. The guides went in advance and secured seating to the next show, helped the kids get picked, helped with getting us lunch to the tables, etc... And they day went on. At dinner time, they went with us to Tortilla Jo's, where they joined us for dinner, then back to Disneyland (monorail in) and we did a ton more rides, including a private ride on the Jungle Cruise with a bunch of the skippers!! It was a great day!

 

[coopersmom]

We did this in June. We met our guides in the Grand Californian at 9am. They got everyone's names, noted the various ages, and asked what we were interested in. They asked where we wanted to start (CARS LAND!) and headed us there. We stopped first at Flo's to feed everyone (the guides helped with getting stuff needed ie forks, catsup, etc) When we arrived at Racers, they walked us up the FP line and we boarded. Following that, we headed to Mater's, then off to Paradise Pier. We had a couple toddlers with us, so while some went on Screamin' (walked up the FP line), the toddlers went on the Carousel. We then went on TSMM (walked in the side entrance), then those who didn't ride Screamin' the first time, along with all the "I wanna ride again" groups, went back on Screamin', while the toddler group headed to Ariel's. Sometime during this, the guides asked if we needed any dinner reservations, and we asked about Tortilla Jo's for 17 at 6pm on a Saturday evening. While we were on Ariel's, they called and got this reservation. Then the "big kids" went on Soarin' Grizzley, while the toddlers went to the Redwood Creek. Then it was over to ToT, while toddlers went to Monster's Inc. We all met up at Muppets. It was about noon then, so we headed to Disneyland and to Jedi Academy. The guides went in advance and secured seating to the next show, helped the kids get picked, helped with getting us lunch to the tables, etc... And they day went on. At dinner time, they went with us to Tortilla Jo's, where they joined us for dinner, then back to Disneyland (monorail in) and we did a ton more rides, including a private ride on the Jungle Cruise with a bunch of the skippers!! It was a great day!

Sounds like you had a ton of folks, which I'm sure made it worthwhile. Would you have felt it was as exciting with a smaller group? Also, what kind of your was this ... Standard VIP or premium?

 

[Malcon10t]

Sounds like you had a ton of folks, which I'm sure made it worthwhile. Would you have felt it was as exciting with a smaller group? Also, what kind of your was this ... Standard VIP or premium?

It was the premium tour. We also did a tour with just us (6 of us) and it was great. We had my 3 nieces, and their big desire on the 4th (our last day) was to ride Screamin' several times. They ended up riding it 4 times. We also had seatings to the Fantasmic! VIP seating for the 9pm show, where we stayed for the 4th fireworks, then we were hurried over to WoC for the 10pm show (we walked into the reserved area just a minute before the show started.)

The guides really make this worth it. I have had a bad guide a few years ago. Put me off doing a tour for a couple years. But all our other guides have been WONDERFUL.

 

[coopersmom]

If we tried it, would you recommend doing on first day or last? I'm afraid it would spoil us for any other type of touring.

 

[Malcon10t]

Oh man, that is so hard. First, I would try and pick the "busy" day of your trip. Saturdays are less busy than other days, but in my case, Saturday was when "everyone" was going to be there. Otherwise, I would probably pick your first day. It will spoil you.

 

[mama2dutchies]

Does anyone know how many people are in a group and how much it is?

We will be anywhere from 5 to 15 ppl LOL

 

[Malcon10t]

Does anyone know how many people are in a group and how much it is?

We will be anywhere from 5 to 15 ppl LOL

They allow 10 people per guide. So once you hit 11, you need 2 guides. We had 15 people and 2 guides and it was great as they could do 2 things at once. It is a 6 hour minimum, and it is $275 an hour for a premium, and $175 for a standard (last I checked).

 

[mama2dutchies]

They allow 10 people per guide. So once you hit 11, you need 2 guides. We had 15 people and 2 guides and it was great as they could do 2 things at once. It is a 6 hour minimum, and it is $275 an hour for a premium, and $175 for a standard (last I checked).

You have my wheels turning now.. Just need to figure out who all is coming and this might be HUGE surprise..

Does anyone know if this can be paid with gift cards too or just credit?

 

[Malcon10t]

Does anyone know if this can be paid with gift cards too or just credit?

You can do other tours with gift cards, so you should be able to pay with a gift card here too.

 

[TeddiBarra]

So do all of these tours start in the Grand? I sure was wondering why there were SOOO many plaids in the Grand in the a.m. hours..... I always figured the tours originated out of DL park.

So very tempting to book one some day.... I bet your nieces vote you #1 Aunt in the World

 

[coopersmom]

They allow 10 people per guide. So once you hit 11, you need 2 guides. We had 15 people and 2 guides and it was great as they could do 2 things at once. It is a 6 hour minimum, and it is $275 an hour for a premium, and $175 for a standard (last I checked).

Sounds amazing but not really realistic for my family of 3, cost-wise. Now, if you had two or three families splitting the cost, it starts to feel worthwhile. Too bad we don't have more friends.

 

[coopersmom]

-

 

[Malcon10t]

So do all of these tours start in the Grand? I sure was wondering why there were SOOO many plaids in the Grand in the a.m. hours..... I always figured the tours originated out of DL park.

So very tempting to book one some day.... I bet your nieces vote you #1 Aunt in the World

You can arrange to have the plaid meet you where ever. A friend of mine had hers meet them in DCA.

 

[Tasia]

Is there any benefit character wise?
Would you recommend doing a character meal while on your VIP tour? or say Blue Bayou? Could it get you a water side table?

 

[Malcon10t]

I wouldn't spend time on a character meal, but would have them arrange it. I haven't used it for characters. I have used it to do the wheelhouse of the Mark Twain and to ride the Lilly Belle. And I am sure they could arrange a waterside table.

 

[Tasia]

Ok so would my best bet be to figure out the key things I really want to do and just call them and ask for those or about them when booking?

Also should I book dining in advance still or just wait and have them organize all my dining for the rest of the trip?

Were the spots for parade, shows, fireworks etc.. Good?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Malcon10t]

Ok so would my best bet be to figure out the key things I really want to do and just call them and ask for those or about them when booking?

Also should I book dining in advance still or just wait and have them organize all my dining for the rest of the trip?

Were the spots for parade, shows, fireworks etc.. Good?

Sorry for all the questions!

I would book dining I know I want ahead of time. When you book the tour, you can ask for additional places if you haven't had time to book it.

I would figure out what you want to do, and ask about them.

Fireworks and DL Parade - Seats are at the Main St train station.
Fantasmic! - Seating is on the steps between the premium seating. It is ON the steps, as in no chairs, but my kids like it there.
WoC - Seating is in the back, very good view and there are benches.
Aladdin - You are seated first, usually in the orchestra area.
All the ones like Muppets would be where the preferred seating is.

We haven't done a DCA parade, so unsure where that is. We did do the Electrical Parade in DCA, and that seating was where the Carthay is, so no clue now.