VIP Tours?

[saratogadreamin09]

Ive read a few things on these board about VIP tours. Can someone please tell me what they are Ive never heard of them but behind the scene tours intrest me


Are they run by disney?
Do you ride the rides while on the tour?
Whats the price?
Is there a website where I can find out more?
Would you recommand doing the tour at MK?


Thanks in advance for any answers

 

[PictureJumpr]

It is run by Disney. It is something usually only booked by groups or by very affluent guests.

We did one a few years ago during a family reunion trip. The cost back then was $125 an hour, minimum six hours. It was fun, our tour guide was very interactive, and we had a medium-sized group (I think it was 12 of us on that tour? something like that) so it was fairly easy for everyone to keep up and participate. The total tab, including tax/gratuity and all, was about $1000.

We rode a few rides (mostly the classics - small world, Jungle Cruise, POTC, BTMRR, TTA, Carrousel of Progress), we looked at hidden mickeys all over the park (lots of interest in those among my cousins), we stopped for lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus and watched the small world people below us (lunch not included in cost of tour), we went to see Mickey in Toontown after touring his house (we did wait in line behind about four other families, but they let us all in to see him together and we hung out in there with him for a while while everyone got pictures and autographs). No backstage stuff, and no special perks or prizes really, but lots of trivia and history and really it was a lot of fun.

I have heard other people talk about their VIP experiences where they used the tour guide more as a fastpass grantor and/or front-of-line negotiator, but personally I feel like this is elitist and not the true spirit of taking a private tour of MK. I do not think the main motivation to take a VIP tour should be linejumping - I consider it more of a chance to have a personalized experience within the park and enjoy the information from the guide at your own pace and with your own interests in mind.

 

[5littleindians]

My family has done a few days with a VIP tour and we are doing them again on our upcoming trip. We have had a really great experience - they are not cheap, but with a big family or just a special treat - they are really wonderful. With the new VIP tours you do get reservead seating at shows and also unlimited front of line access. It is not something that we would do every day we are there, but it is a great special treat.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Thanks for the info


We have 4 people in our group, maybe 6, and we are intrested in doing a tour next year (KOTK is not an option).

 

[bwilcox]

Thanks for the info


We have 4 people in our group, maybe 6, and we are intrested in doing a tour next year (KOTK is not an option).

From what I've read, to get the premium, front of the lines VIP tour is $275/hr with a 6 hour minimum.

 

[chartle]

Ive read a few things on these board about VIP tours. Can someone please tell me what they are Ive never heard of them but behind the scene tours intrest me


Are they run by disney?
Do you ride the rides while on the tour?
Whats the price?
Is there a website where I can find out more?
Would you recommand doing the tour at MK?


Thanks in advance for any answers

Just so you are clear, its not a "tour" so to speak. You get your own personal Disney CM tour guide and you get to decide where and when to do things. They will help you plan your day and do things like get you regular fast passes.

The regular VIP guide at $175 per hour is not supposed to get you front of the line access. Though some people have reported that their guide can "pull some strings" and get it. They do get you special seating at some of the shows.

You only get FOLA if you get the Premium VIP guide at $275(?) per hour or are a big time celeb.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/vip-services/

 

[blueshog2001]

$1650 is allot of money to spend on getting to the front of the line. But I guess if you go during the busy season, it might be worth it.

 

[JeannieNM]

Are there any shares on this board for VIP tours.
We have done shares for the boat ride watching fireworks and for photopass but I have never seen one for the VIP tour.

I would think if you had two or three families with similar interests you could split the cost. For instance we would need thrill ride junkies in ours while others may need Dumbo fanatics, etc.

WE would be interested in sharing May 30 with thrill ride junkies. 2 -13 year old girls and one mom.

 

[jb01]

Good info. $275/hr is beyond my means.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

$1650 is allot of money to spend on getting to the front of the line. But I guess if you go during the busy season, it might be worth it.

We go during presidents day week so getting to the front of the lines would be a nice treat


thanks everyone for the info

 

[JeannieNM]

I called and spoke with VIP services.

It is unlimited Fast Pass access. So they can get unlimited fast passes but I believe you still have to wait in the Fast Pass line.

They also provide a car to park hop with special parking backstage.

 

[inkkognito]

Drool....this is so totally what I want for my birthday. Hard to justify the cost tho', but dang that would be great!

 

[saratogadreamin09]

So a VIP tour is like the advanced tickets at Universal?

 

[chartle]

So a VIP tour is like the advanced tickets at Universal?

I don't think so. As I posted before its primarily Disney providing you with either an expensive Live Uniformed Personal Tour Guide or a very expensive Live Uniformed Personal Tour Guide . They will help you plan your day and lead you around the park.

The fast passes are a bonus. Unless something changed (and it may have) VIP tour guides did not get you fast passes any better than you could get them yourself i.e. all rules apply. Of course they could get them for you while you were on a ride.

Then there was talk of a more expensive premium VIP tour guide that did get you all the fast passes you wanted.

But its not the same as either the special ticket you get as a on site Universal hotel or the higher cost tickets that anyone can buy.

 

[praline3001]

The $275 an hour includes transportation. The guide will park back stage. The $175 and hour does not include transportation BUT you can purchase it as extra if need be.

The $175 VIP tour abides by all FP rules. They do get you VIP seating for any shows, parades and fireworks... their VIP seating is THE BEST EVER!!!!! They handle all dining and usually can get you anywhere you want. While your riding a ride, they will go and grab you drinks or snacks if you would like as well as anything you might need. The VIP guides are Disney cast members and have access to back stage. They will get you in the parks before opening also. The $175 package must start at the beginning of the day (rope drop)

The $275 includes all of that and they do not abide by the FP rules so you can ride many of the rides over and over again with no wait. There is a VERY limited amount of these packages so if you want this one you MUST book very early. This package can start at anytime during the day. You can sleep in until 11 and then meet your guide at lunch for the day.

In all cases, the guide will eat with your family and become a family member! Disney pays for their meals.

If your wanting a romantic time, they do know how romance goes and can be totally ghost like and set up some of the most romantic special things ever!!!!

If there is a ride that a child would like to ride but the adult will get sick (exp... me and mission space) the guide will take your child on the ride so she can experience it without mama puking

If you check out my trip report in June, we used the Disney VIP guide for 3 days. The package was different last year and a heck of a lot cheaper! But it can give you an idea of some of the things they do. I did not do the $275 and hour tour.... but you can at least get an idea for those who are thinking of using a guide.

 

[praline3001]

The fast passes are a bonus. Unless something changed (and it may have) VIP tour guides did not get you fast passes any better than you could get them yourself i.e. all rules apply. Of course they could get them for you while you were on a ride.

Well yes and no...
We were able to ride TT before park opening.

During park hours here is an example of what would happen:
She would send us on our way to ride TTA.... (we had an toddler with us too) ... when we came off of TTA, she had a set of FP for SM collected, cold drinks for everyone in hand, a box of popcorn for the kids and the stroller right THERE waiting and ready to go. We didn't have to wade through the stroller parking area~ we came right off the ride grabbed our drinks and were off again that fast.
Same thing goes for Tiki Room, while we saw Tiki room, she was off changing our dining to LTT (we had Tonys), FP for splash and had drinks for everyone when we exited Tiki room... stroller in hand.

 

[tink22]

Is the OP talking about backstage tours? Not the VIP tour guides. Right? Or am I missreading something?

 

[gareths]

Good info. $275/hr is beyond my means.

Yes indeed, very expensive :-(

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Is the OP talking about backstage tours? Not the VIP tour guides. Right? Or am I missreading something?

I wanted to know what the VIP tour guides where, I thought they were a backstage tour but I ws mistaken