VIP tours

[Babsy]

hello,

Has anyone done all the VIP tours? Is there either VIP tour that includes Pandora/AK?

Are these customizable at all or is that only true for a private VIP tour?

Any tips or suggestions welcomed!!!

Thanks a bunch everyone!

Babs

 

[anomamatt]

There are two fixed VIP tours: classics in MK and ultimate day of thrills, which is MK, EPCOT and DHS. Their itineraries are fixed and cannot be customized. You go with a group of ~20 and 2 guides.

Private VIP tours you can do whatever you want. You generally have a vague plan you work out with the coordinator and when you meet your guide, you tell them what you want to do. Change it on the fly, ride again, etc etc. We've done a couple private VIP tours and they will essentially try to accommodate any request you have (within or outside of reason, they will try -- but won't always be successful).

 

[Blanquita]

i've never heard of that! how much they cost? where can you book that?

 

[anomamatt]

i've never heard of that! how much they cost? where can you book that?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

Classics is $199 a person, ultimate day of thrills is $299 a person (includes lunch), and private VIP tours are $400-600 per hour (7 hour minimum, max 10 people). You also need valid park admission (hoppers for ultimate thrills and private VIP).

 

[gap2368]

I have done the trills tours 2x and LOVED LOVED LOVED it so much fun. I go to Disney a lot and still loved it. I am hoping to do the tour next year ( did it 2x fro my birthday trip) but because of how things are working out it will cost more fro my trip so I am not have the money for it this year. if you have question ask

 

[sfbank]

We did the thrills tour this year as well. It was nice to get on all the rides in a short time and it was fun but DD said she felt like we were in elementary school with waiting for everyone on bathroom breaks, following in line, etc. I thought the analogy was funny because I was ready to book it again!

 

[osopecoso]

A few years ago we had family from out of the country. There were 8 of us. We did the private tour. They have never been to Disney so they did 2 days of the private VIP tour. The VIP guide picked us up at the GF in a van and drove us to the parks. Brought us on all rides, made reservations for us at restaurants and gave us a few behind the scenes tours. Basically whatever you wanted to do ride, they got you to the front of the line.

 

[anomamatt]

Basically whatever you wanted to do ride, they got you to the front of the line.

True, as long as there is a fastpass queue.

 

[Blanquita]

Thats so cool but way over my budget!

 

[osopecoso]

True, as long as there is a fastpass queue.

I never remember waiting in any lines. We didn't even have to wait for characters which was interesting.

 

[anomamatt]

I never remember waiting in any lines. We didn't even have to wait for characters which was interesting.

Not sure if it was different then, but the private VIP tours today do require fastpass entries to skip any lines. We've done a few tours in 2016-2017. Always that way. We once waited in line for the carousel with our guide.

For what it's worth, we've had mixed success with asking about characters with no FP queue (like Merida). And almost always told No. We've been denied skipping the line to Merida on 2 different tours. Each time the guide asked and the character handler said no. The guide said the general rule is not to allow it because everyone can see.

We did get to skip the 7 dwarfs line on a mvmcp which was cool. But in general, the guides can only let you into fastpass queues.

 

[osopecoso]

Not sure if it was different then, but the private VIP tours today require fastpass entries to skip any lines. We've done a few tours in 2016-2017. Always that way.

For what it's worth, we've had mixed success with asking about characters with no FP queue (like Merida). We've been denied skipping the line to Merida on 2 different tours. Each time the guide asked and the character handler said no. The guide said the general rule is not to allow it because everyone can see.

We did get to skip the 7 dwarfs line on a mvmcp which was cool. But in general, the guides can only let you into fastpass queues.

Yea I remember on many of the rides you would go through a side entrance. If we wanted to dine at a particular restaurant for lunch and dinner we would have to tell them in the morning so they can arrange for us to be there at our requested times.

 

[anomamatt]

Yea I remember on many of the rides you would go through a side entrance. If we wanted to dine at a particular restaurant for lunch and dinner we would have to tell them in the morning so they can arrange for us to be there at our requested times.

Yeah, they changed that. Unless you are famous.

 

[osopecoso]

Yeah, they changed that. Unless you are famous.

Now what do you consider famous??? Haha. I remember it being awkward jumping in front of people for a ride and getting really dirty looks. The ride operators knew you were on a private tour so they would be extra nice to you.

 

[Babsy]

Thank you everyone for all the great information!

It looks like it is more than I am comfortable spending (both in time and money) for the private tour. We will wait to do that one when we have the extended family with us which would make the cost worthwhile, IMO.

The regular tours are better in scope and price for the two of us, but there are too many rides on the Thrills tour that DH and I cannot ride. I was really hoping for something under $500 each that would be in the AK.

I expect that now the AK has Pandora, a VIP tour there would be hugely popular!

 

[anomamatt]

We will wait to do that one when we have the extended family with us which would make the cost worthwhile

When you do have a large group of 8-10, the private tour prices really are not that bad.

 

[quandrea]

Not sure if this applies, but I'm doing s private party in October at Animal Kingdom with a Ride mix in on the Safari. I asked my planner for Flight of Passage and she said that park operations is not allowing any private functions to have tie ins with Pandora for at least two years due to crowds.

 

[Babsy]

Not sure if this applies, but I'm doing s private party in October at Animal Kingdom with a Ride mix in on the Safari. I asked my planner for Flight of Passage and she said that park operations is not allowing any private functions to have tie ins with Pandora for at least two years due to crowds.

Good to know.

Thank you.

 

[VrBchJ]

We're doing a private VIP tour in Dec. 2018 I'm wondering about tipping protocol for the guide. I always tip the boat captains when we do a specialty cruise but not sure about the VIP tour. I certainly can't tip a percentage...unless it's 1%! I'm wondering what others have done. No tip? Tip? How much?

 

[NH-to-FL]

Is there either VIP tour that includes Pandora/AK?

There is a tour called Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour. $249 per person. Here is what WDW says:

On this 4-hour group guided tour, discover a landscape shimmering with lights and brimming with life at night. Embark on an expedition through the icy peaks of the Himalayas. Ride in an open-air vehicle on the lush African savanna. Journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest on a river boat. And see a brilliant fusion of water, sound and light at a show that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

Enjoy all this with expedited access via FastPass+ on this brand new, first-of-its-kind tour where you’ll:

Experience Attractions and a Show

• Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (44” height requirement)
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Avatar Flight of Passage (44” height requirement)
• Na’vi River Journey
• Dinosaur (40” height requirement)
• The nighttime spectacular Rivers of Light

Delight in a Tasty Drink and Souvenirs
Enjoy signature snacks and a specialty beverage (non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage—for Guests 21 and older) along with a souvenir lanyard and other surprises.

Edited to add: I have not done this tour.