Would you rather...

[DLgal]

But are they going in front of the LL folks? If not, why would anyone consider it?

No, they are not. They have to join the LL at the end, wherever the end happens to be. We had a VIP group in front of us recently at RSR in a LL line that ended up being 30 minutes long. The guide SPECIFICALLY SAID "we used to be able to bring guests in through the exits, but we can't do that anymore."

I honestly don't know why anyone would pay for it. It's always been a ripoff in MY opinion, but now it's even more so.

 

[Wilcojoe]

No, they are not. They have to join the LL at the end, wherever the end happens to be. We had a VIP group in front of us recently at RSR in a LL line that ended up being 30 minutes long. The guide SPECIFICALLY SAID "we used to be able to bring guests in through the exits, but we can't do that anymore."

I honestly don't know why anyone would pay for it. It's always been a ripoff in MY opinion, but now it's even more so.

Yeah, that’s beyond ridiculous. I would have been a male “Karen” had I paid those prices. I am sure the video of my outrage would still be going viral. Lol

 

[mom25kiddos]

For those that are invested in my decision, here is what I heard back: The VIP Tour guide would be utilizing primarily lightning lane entrances to board the attractions, for those attractions that do not have a lighting lane, we have alternative ways to board. Priority access is not immediate front of the line access, however, it will significantly reduce your wait times per attraction.

 

[StormyCA]

There's no point in a VIP tour if you don't get FOTL access. If the LL lines constitute 'priority access' that's not much of a VIP experience if it means waits of 30+ minutes. That's a lot of wasted time and wasted money at $425/hour with 7 hour minimum (priced off the DLR website). If you have to wait 30 minutes for, say, 3 rides that's 1.5 hours and $635 right down the loo. And 21% of your 'VIP' time and money wasted. No, thank you.

I find it hard to believe that a truly famous, instantly recognizable person will be standing in the LL for an hour. Think about it, can you really see Disney making George Clooney & family or a passel of Kardashians wait in line with the Hoi Polloi? I doubt it. I wonder if they're trying to downgrade the experience for 'regular' people, those for whom it would be a 'once in a lifetime' deal or for people who 'pool' resources to afford it. The rich will still use them despite the wait, they could care less how much they throw away in 'waiting time'.

 

[StormyCA]

For those that are invested in my decision, here is what I heard back: The VIP Tour guide would be utilizing primarily lightning lane entrances to board the attractions, for those attractions that do not have a lighting lane, we have alternative ways to board. Priority access is not immediate front of the line access, however, it will significantly reduce your wait times per attraction.

In other words, if there's an LL, you will wait in line. But they'll take you up the exit for the non-LL rides.

I've seen long-ish lines at PotC (no LL) for DAS boarding. I've even seen lines for Peter Pan and the other FL dark rides, waiting at the exit. I have a feeling the 'alternative boarding' doesn't mean skipping those waits either.

 

[Wilcojoe]

For those that are invested in my decision, here is what I heard back: The VIP Tour guide would be utilizing primarily lightning lane entrances to board the attractions, for those attractions that do not have a lighting lane, we have alternative ways to board. Priority access is not immediate front of the line access, however, it will significantly reduce your wait times per

So basically you’re paying an exorbitant fee for the convenience of not having to be on your phone booking LL’s for seven hours. Hard pass.

 

[mom25kiddos]

Super appreciate all of the responses. I think you have helped to solidify the decision-now I am moving on to whether it is worth it for Universal instead!

 

[Wilcojoe]

So to answer your original question, stay on site, upgrade to club level, buy Genie Plus and $LL, book the Chef table at Napa Rose, but try not to smirk too hard at the tour folks behind you on Rise.

 

[Wilcojoe]

Super appreciate all of the responses. I think you have helped to solidify the decision-now I am moving on to whether it is worth it for Universal instead!

We ended up booking the VIP tour for our upcoming trip as its price point is much more in our wheelhouse. I think that’s the way to go.

 

[Tinkaboo]

It’s like every thing with DLnow…we have the VIP tour for you suckers who want to think you’re special (we gladly take your money, wink wink) and then the REAL VIP treatment for celebs. No way is Kim or her sisters waiting in line with us commoners.

If you’re not getting FOTL privileges, what are you getting? Can anyone explain it to me? Unless you’re from another country and don’t speak English, only have one day, and are a serious Disney fan who wants insider info, what would be the point?

Personally, I’d READ some of those guidebooks people were laughing about in another post, use Touring Plans, and plan accordingly. Then, I’d just use all that money I saved to go on down To Sea World, go stay at beach, ride to Catalina.

 

[Kit Jackson]

For those that are invested in my decision, here is what I heard back: The VIP Tour guide would be utilizing primarily lightning lane entrances to board the attractions, for those attractions that do not have a lighting lane, we have alternative ways to board. Priority access is not immediate front of the line access, however, it will significantly reduce your wait times per attraction.

I am really, really, horrible at math, so I am not even going to try to do the calculations. I would suggest that you (or someone who's math skills you trust) figure out how much Genie+ would cost per day, and maybe do that instead of a VIP tour if it's within your budget. Also, with Genie+, you get PhotoPass, which is fantastic.

Thank you for reporting back what you heard. It will help other people who are trying to make the same decision you are.

 

[DLgal]

Celebrities go into rides through either the exit or are "backdoored" in through cast member areas. Seen it happen.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I am really, really, horrible at math, so I am not even going to try to do the calculations. I would suggest that you (or someone who's math skills you trust) figure out how much Genie+ would cost per day, and maybe do that instead of a VIP tour if it's within your budget. Also, with Genie+, you get PhotoPass, which is fantastic.

Thank you for reporting back what you heard. It will help other people who are trying to make the same decision you are.

$425x7 hours (minimum) listed by pp $2975.
Genie for 9x5 days x$15 $675 (but this includes “VIP access” for all 5 days. )

 

[Dug720]

They may not be going to the very front of the LL lanes, but they do cut in front of people waiting to scan in. Happened to me at IncrediCoaster yesterday. I was up next to scan in when here can a plaid putting his group in front of me. And then I took one step forward and here came another plaid and another group. I looked around very cautiously before I stepped forward.

 

[disfan20001]

We are here now and I have seen several VIP tours waiting in the LL lines with everyone else, specifically space and RSR where LL was about 20-30 minutes. I was amazed they’d have to wait in those lines for what was paid.

 

[StormyCA]

They may not be going to the very front of the LL lanes, but they do cut in front of people waiting to scan in. Happened to me at IncrediCoaster yesterday. I was up next to scan in when here can a plaid putting his group in front of me. And then I took one step forward and here came another plaid and another group. I looked around very cautiously before I stepped forward.

That's interesting. Was there an actual line before the scanner? Because that kind of contradicts the 'you will enter via the LL and wait" and makes it 'you will cut the line outside the scanner' then wait in the LL.

Still wouldn't make it worth the price to me.

 

[Dug720]

That's interesting. Was there an actual line before the scanner? Because that kind of contradicts the 'you will enter via the LL and wait" and makes it 'you will cut the line outside the scanner' then wait in the LL.

Still wouldn't make it worth the price to me.

Yes, there was a bit of a line to the scanners. I *think* they were kind of walked down to get right into the loading corrals, but I'm not 100% on that. I know the rest of us were held from going onto the stairs even though there was no one visible in the line I was sent up.

 

[DLgal]

Yes, there was a bit of a line to the scanners. I *think* they were kind of walked down to get right into the loading corrals, but I'm not 100% on that. I know the rest of us were held from going onto the stairs even though there was no one visible in the line I was sent up.

Incredicoaster is the ONE ride I have recently seen VIP guests getting in through the exit. I've seen plaids bring a group up the exit staircase and feed them into the queue up at the top of the stairs. I've seen that happen once.

The strange thing about that was, there was NO real LL line. We walked right in and up the stairs, and this group came into the queue right behind us after they came up the exit staircase. That was weird.