VIP Tours. Was it worth it?

[Czardas]

I’m thinking of booking a VIP Tour for next April (last week). This will be for my husband, myself and my 30 year old niece. We are coming from Australia and as we get one go at this every year or so, I want to make the most of our trip.
My niece has never been to Disneyland before and I’m hoping this makes it even more magical.
what are the highlights/lowlights etc, of doing this tour? I want to get great seats for fireworks, so what happens if they’re cancelled, do you get seats for the next night, or is it one and done chance?

 

[Steven G]

The highlights are pretty obvious. the guide will do whatever is in their power to make your day the best it can be. they also tend to be honest with you, for example if a ride breaks down, they will be able to tell you in more detail what happened, and when it might be back. When a ride did break down, I got magical fastoasses for our group, that could be used on almost any ride at any time, even not on the same day. This included rides that were not fast pass, like pirates. Also, when they do screw up, they usually will make it up to you in some way. In my case, they were promised to help us get desert party tickets for world of color On a non vip day. They messed up on that, and none were available, so instead we got free vip seating for it, and it was not our vip day.

they also tend to know a lot about the parks, so it’s nice to chat about various parts of the park.

I never had fireworks not show during a tour so I am not sure what happens, but typically, your tour ends before the fireworks start, and You don’t need to be with your guide, unlike disneyworld, so I am Not sure if they could do anything.

The main downside is obviously the cost.
the other downside is that it can be exhausting. Going from one ride to another with almost no downtime can be tiring. try to take a day off right after the tour.

is it worth it? That is only something you can decide. For me, yes it is.

 

[Malcon10t]

We believe it is worth it. If the fireworks cancel, they will attempt to get another night for you. They can also get parade seating for you. And can assist with dining reservations for Blue Bayou and Napa Rose. Make the reservation as soon as you can, so they can work on things like reservations for you. Don't plan a dining during tour time (don't lose tour time with a sit down meal.)

 

[BriannaRuth]

Well that’s pretty subjective, but we thought it was worth it. We did it as a family of four with two teens.

The highlights for me were chatting with the plaid who was super friendly, getting to ride in the wheel house on the Mark Twain, the pictures that we have on rides such as Space with our plaid (they are super funny on pictures), VIP area for Fantasmic, and just the number of rides that you’re able to do, including several that my kids did multiple times.

I absolutely agree with the poster above on how tired you can get though. With no waiting in line you don’t really have a lot of rest time. It was really hot while we were there, mid afternoon I had to take a break at a restaurant while my kids and husband continued on with our plaid.

We did lunch at French market and our plaid had lunch with us. We enjoyed that and it was nice because he grabbed a table for us while we were inside getting food. They do not always have a meal with you, sometimes they use that time to take a break on their own. And they don’t go on all of the rides. Ours took a break while we were on the MarkTwain, for instance.

 

[Malcon10t]

Currently, VIP tour guides cannot eat with you (COVID protocols.). That said, they will help you grab tables, help pick up food and get it to the tables, make sure you have everything you need. We generally take a break for food and rest about 3-4 hours in, and prior to Covid, we had guides with us (we buy their lunch/dinner/snack.).

They always have some great ideas for photos.

And don't forget a tip. We usually tip around $200-250.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Currently, VIP tour guides cannot eat with you (COVID protocols.). That said, they will help you grab tables, help pick up food and get it to the tables, make sure you have everything you need. We generally take a break for food and rest about 3-4 hours in, and prior to Covid, we had guides with us (we buy their lunch/dinner/snack.).

They always have some great ideas for photos.

And don't forget a tip. We usually tip around $200-250.

Good point about the tip, and bear in mind that there is no way to tip via a credit card, so we bring cash in an envelope.

 

[Czardas]

Thank you for the great responses. Also thanks for the reminder of the tip, it’s not second nature for us Aussies to tip and I always forget.