VIP tours?

3

3kiddos

Member
Original Poster
Hi all,

I have a question about the VIP tours where you basically pay extra to get VIP access to the parks (don't wait lines, etc).

I was informed about this option recently (never heard about it previously even after my 16th visit)! Is this still an option? I haven't been able to get a lot of info about it and before I contact Disney and wait for my call to be answered, I figured I'd ask here.

Anyone know the costs and if children pay the same? I believe the time is for a 7 hour period, correct?

Any details would be great! TIA!
 
networkpro

networkpro

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
3kiddos said:
From that link, I'm seeing that it's $299 per adult? What about children? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info.
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No it Starts at 300 an hour, 7 hour minimum for up to 10 guests. There is not a distiction between child or adult. So at minimum at the slowest parts of the year it would cost $2,100.00 USD . Any difference as to number of guests and time of year will increase the price.
 
3

3kiddos

Member
Original Poster
So I spoke to someone at Disney and was told that there are several VIP tours at different prices starting at $199 per person (children under 3 do not pay). The price doesn't increase depending on the season but they do have blackout dates during major holidays.
 
Courtney6682

Courtney6682

Well-Known Member
My 17 yr old and I just did the Ultimate Day of Thrills Tour in Aug. It was $299 per person with 15% off from our AP discount. The tour included all u can drink water bottles, cooling towels and quick service lunch(drink, entree and dessert) at Sunshine Seasons.

Like you, we've been to WDW about 20 times and because of that fact I really WOULDN'T recommend this. I think this particular tour is more meant for people who are in a time crunch and maybe only have a day or 2 in the parks...OR people who don't get to visit very often. Yes, we jumped to the front of every line for 10 rides in 3 diff parks (no AK), BUT ...we were there for 5 days and had already ridden those rides that week and 6 months prior on our first trip of the year. If you're there all the time, I wouldn't pay the extra money. That being said, I'm glad I tried it.

Now, what I WOULD recommend is the Disney After Hours event if your're heading down this Winter. This even is $119 per per or $89 p/p with the AP disc. This included all you can eat popcorn, mickey ice cream bars, and all 20 oz coke products. I would do this again IN A HEARTBEAT!!! The event was from 8-11, but you're allowed to enter at 7pm. There were MANY times throughout the night that we didn't see any other people for 5-10 mins! We rode rides totally alone and were able to get empty castle shots! You can EASILY do 30 plus rides if not more.
 
3

3kiddos

Member
Original Poster
Courtney6682 said:
Now, what I WOULD recommend is the Disney After Hours event if your're heading down this Winter. This even is $119 per per or $89 p/p with the AP disc. This included all you can eat popcorn, mickey ice cream bars, and all 20 oz coke products. I would do this again IN A HEARTBEAT!!! The event was from 8-11, but you're allowed to enter at 7pm. There were MANY times throughout the night that we didn't see any other people for 5-10 mins! We rode rides totally alone and were able to get empty castle shots! You can EASILY do 30 plus rides if not more.
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I've not heard of this one. Could you tell me a little more about it?

The only reason we are considering a VIP tour at all is because we have 2 infants with us this time and the waiting in line might be an issue for them, especially given that we'll be there during NYE (Dec. 30 to Jan. 6). It's the first time we book this time of year and I am told it's crazy busy. Busier than Christmas.
 
nickys

nickys

Premium Member
Disney After Hours is scheduled for some dates in January to March at the moment.

The VIP tours will likely, but not necessarily, be suspended during the Christmas/ New Year week. However you may get one on Jan 1st. I would phone if you're interested and find out if and when they're running whilst you're there.
 
rk03221

rk03221

Well-Known Member
The vip tours are literally a waste of money unless you are very rich or a celebrity. Seriously why would you dump that much money into something you’ve already done? It doesn’t make sense, heck you could go anywhere around the world for $2,100 instead you’d use that for 7 hours at Disney world just for some bottles of water and towels? That’s just dumb
 
3

3kiddos

Member
Original Poster
rk03221 said:
The vip tours are literally a waste of money unless you are very rich or a celebrity. Seriously why would you dump that much money into something you’ve already done? It doesn’t make sense, heck you could go anywhere around the world for $2,100 instead you’d use that for 7 hours at Disney world just for some bottles of water and towels? That’s just dumb
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If it weren't possible for us to do, we wouldn't do it. Besides, in Canada, you don't go very far internationally with $2100 Lol! With 3 kids, the VIP tour is worth every penny. Unfortunately, there isn't availability during our dates due to blackout dates for the VIP tours.
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
3kiddos said:
So I spoke to someone at Disney and was told that there are several VIP tours at different prices starting at $199 per person (children under 3 do not pay). The price doesn't increase depending on the season but they do have blackout dates during major holidays.
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Keep in mind that the tours you are referencing here are different than the VIP tour guides linked to earlier by @networkpro . You can see info on the tours here -> http://www.wdwmagic.com/tours.htm although I think some of those are outdated now. There are indeed several tours that start at a lower price point than the $400 per hour. However, the tours are priced per person and not by the hour. Also not all of the tours provide front of the line access. Each tour will provide a different set of benefits. Some will be focused on a particular part of a park and provide behind the scenes and history. Others are more general and provide access to multiple rides. But all the tours have a set itinerary are you will be adhering to, and will be with other random guests. If you want specific ride access, then you would want the VIP tour guide with the hourly price that fluctuates by the season and has the 7 hour minimum. They will take you to any attraction at any of the parks. Similar names, but two very different types of product.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
As @dreamfinder pointed out there are two very different types of VIP tours.

There are the ones that are actual tours with a set itinerary and a set per person price. These are the ones most people go on. They will often take you backstage and give you very specific information about a few particular areas of interest. Prices range from about $50 a person on up

The VIP guides are a very different animal. The VIP guides are essentially a golden fastpass to all of WDW. They will not necessarily take you backstage save for when you park hop, but they will be able to get you into the fastpass line for every attraction and to FP reserved viewing areas for fireworks, parades etc.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
rk03221 said:
The vip tours are literally a waste of money unless you are very rich or a celebrity. Seriously why would you dump that much money into something you’ve already done? It doesn’t make sense, heck you could go anywhere around the world for $2,100 instead you’d use that for 7 hours at Disney world just for some bottles of water and towels? That’s just dumb
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Yeah...no.

While they are very expensive, they can make a day in the park vastly more productive. You can fastpass literally everything. Park hopping takes 15 minutes from anywhere to anywhere. You have reserved spots for every parade or fireworks show.

If I had the means, a VIP tour guide would be the only way I would fly.
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Master Yoda said:
Yeah...no.

While they are very expensive, they can make a day in the park vastly more productive. You can fastpass literally everything. Park hopping takes 15 minutes from anywhere to anywhere. You have reserved spots for every parade or fireworks show.

If I had the means, a VIP tour guide would be the only way I would fly.
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It's really the same thing as when someone pays for any service that they themselves can do but pay to have it done so they can save time. For example, we have people come in once a week and clean our house. We pay to have this done. Why, because with the hours we work, we do not want to spend time in the evenings or weekends cleaning our house. That is a choice we make, we spend money to gain free time. By the same token, I cut my own grass. Depending on if I go all out (edge, mow, and leaf blow) or I just give it a quick cut, it can take me between an hour to 3 hours to cut my lawn. Based on what lawn service companies charge, it is not worth it to me to pay to gain those hours back every week.

The VIP tour guides are, to me, the same way. They can save a family a LOT of time. For people that can afford it, and perhaps do not have a lot of free time where they can get away as an entire family, I can see the value. If a family can get away together only for a few days, its worth it (if the price is right) to have a day full of rides and shows and having fun with your family as compared to a day of waiting in queues.

-dave
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Phonedave said:
It's really the same thing as when someone pays for any service that they themselves can do but pay to have it done so they can save time. For example, we have people come in once a week and clean our house. We pay to have this done. Why, because with the hours we work, we do not want to spend time in the evenings or weekends cleaning our house. That is a choice we make, we spend money to gain free time. By the same token, I cut my own grass. Depending on if I go all out (edge, mow, and leaf blow) or I just give it a quick cut, it can take me between an hour to 3 hours to cut my lawn. Based on what lawn service companies charge, it is not worth it to me to pay to gain those hours back every week.

Teh VIP tour guides are, to me, the same way. They can save a family a LOT of time. For people that can afford it, and perhaps do not have a lot of free time where they can get away as an entire family, I can see the value. If a family can get away together only for a few days, its worth it (if the price is right) to have a day full of rides and shows and having fun with your family as compared to a day of waiting in queues.

-dave
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Quite true. The guide we had said they could often do pretty much everything in all for parks inside of 2 days no matter what the crowd level is.
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Master Yoda said:
Quite true. The guide we had said they could often do pretty much everything in all for parks inside of 2 days no matter what the crowd level is.
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I woudl think that the only things crowds slow down is the time to walk from attraction to attraction.

To me, the hardest part would be the scheduling of stage shows. I assume that VIP guids have been trained so that if sombody says something like "we want to see all of the shows in DHS" they know the best way to make it work.

-dave
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Phonedave said:
I woudl think that the only things crowds slow down is the time to walk from attraction to attraction.

To me, the hardest part would be the scheduling of stage shows. I assume that VIP guids have been trained so that if sombody says something like "we want to see all of the shows in DHS" they know the best way to make it work.

-dave
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Pretty much.
 

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