disneyland vip tour review 2022

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Is the Disney VIP Tour Worth It?

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At some point, in hour five of your day at a Disney park, you’re probably tired of standing in lines. The magic of Disney theme parks is undeniable, but when the sweat sets in and your feet begin to ache, you may be wondering if there’s another way.

The Disney VIP tour allows you to skip the lines with a dedicated tour guide and a custom itinerary. But, of course, it’s pricy, so let’s take a closer look at the Walt Disney World VIP tour, how much it costs and whether it’s worth it.

What is the Walt Disney World VIP tour?

Disney offers a variety of enhanced experiences for those willing to shell out extra money. This includes group tours and behind-the-scenes expeditions; however, its most premium product is the personalized VIP tour. The VIP tour isn’t just limited to Walt Disney World — you can also book these private tours at Disneyland and other Disney parks.

The VIP tour at Disney grants you your own Disney tour guide who’ll whisk you from ride to ride without waiting in long lines. In addition to this, you’ll also get special access to restaurant reservations and entertainment seating, including fireworks.

Disney VIP tours do not include park admission. You’ll have to pay for this separately.

You’ll tell your tour guide what you’d like to see and do, and they’ll plan the day. You can even park hop with the VIP tour, which means you’ll be escorted to another park in a private vehicle.

» Learn more: How to plan a trip to Walt Disney World

Disney VIP tour cost

The Disney VIP tour is costly and doesn’t include park admission. The rate for a tour depends on the season and the crowd levels. So just how much is the Disney VIP tour? Prices range from $450 to $900 per hour, and you must book for a minimum of seven hours. The price includes up to 10 people, including infants.

Be aware that cancellation policies differ across parks.

At Walt Disney World, canceling with less than 48 hours' notice will incur a cancellation fee of two hours at your booking rate.

At Disneyland, VIP tours are nonrefundable if canceled less than four days in advance.

» Learn more: How to go to Disney World for cheap

Are Disney VIP tours worth it?

The Disney VIP tour is expensive. Although unlimited front-of-the-line access and guaranteed seating are nice, you’ll really need to budget for an expense like this. Let’s break this down using Walt Disney World as an example.

The cheapest rate you’ll pay for a Disney VIP tour will cost you $3,150. In exchange, you and up to nine of your friends will receive seven hours of unlimited front-of-the-line access, a personal tour guide, premier access to dining reservations and dedicated entertainment seating.

At this rate, the total cost of the tour will be $315 per person. So it’s unlikely that you’ll want to book a VIP tour for multiple days unless you’re trying to squeeze in as much activity as possible.

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If you’re a large group with a relatively limited amount of time, a tour can help maximize your vacation. It’s probably best for family reunions, bachelorette parties or other family group trips for special occasions. These are the kinds of people who will be able to maximize the Disney VIP Tour.

You should probably skip the Disney VIP tour if you're on a budget, traveling in smaller groups or can afford to spend multiple days at Disney.

Disney VIP tour vs. Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane

When comparing costs in the following examples, let’s say you’re booking the VIP tour for just one day.

In October 2021, Disney introduced the paid Genie+ system, which replaced the now-defunct (and free) Fastpass Plus program. Genie+ operates similarly, with the ability to book individual return times on most Disney rides.

At Walt Disney World, this experience costs $15 per person per day.

Sadly, Genie+ doesn’t include some of the most popular rides at each Walt Disney World park, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Space Mountain. Instead, the fast lane for these rides is priced separately and available a la carte via Individual Lightning Lane.

You’ll need to pay per person, per ride, for attractions included in the ILL. Costs vary according to demand but can be as high as $15/person. In addition, you can only purchase ILL access once per ride, per day. So there’s no way to use the fast lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance continually, for example.

» Learn more: How to book the new Star Wars hotel on points

Under the old Fastpass system, a return time didn’t guarantee you a front-of-the-line spot. Instead, you’d experience a shorter, separate line from the main queue.

Now let’s say that your party of 10 has chosen to head to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for the day. Naturally, you want to skip as many lines as possible, so you’ll pay for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane attractions.

Genie+ comes out to $150 for the day for all 10 of you. It’s a little more challenging to predict ILL pricing, but let’s say it’s an average of $11 per ride. Everyone rode all four ILL available, two at Magic Kingdom and two at Hollywood Studios, which means you’ve paid $440 for ILL rides.

Altogether, you paid $590 to take advantage of Genie+ and ILL, which will have granted you shorter lines at most rides.

There’s a massive difference between paying $3,150 for a VIP tour or $590 — one option is five times the price of the other. But, of course, you can also choose not to spend any additional money at all, in which case you’ll pay for park admission and elbow it out with everybody else.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The best benefit of the Disney VIP tour? Time saved

Consider the range of benefits you’ll receive when comparing a Disney VIP tour vs. Genie+ and ILL. Disney VIP tours give you a whole host of special perks, including one that’s almost impossible to find — time.

You’ll save time moving between parks in a private car. You’ll save time waiting for a good seat for the fireworks and save time in the Lightning Lane lines because a VIP tour jumps you past those who have paid for that luxury.

In this case, the Disney VIP tour makes a compelling example for those with limited time, especially if you can max out the tour group with 10 people. If you only have a day or two to experience the parks, why would you spend it waiting in the vast lines?

This is especially true when you consider the already high costs of a Disney World vacation, which can climb into the thousands of dollars for a big family and multiple days at the parks.

» Learn more: Best Disney World hotels to book with points

How to book a Disney VIP tour

You can start booking a VIP tour up to 60 days in advance.

For Walt Disney World, bookings can only be made by phone. So you’ll need to call the VIP tour office at 407-560-4033. The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

If you’re looking to book a Disney VIP tour at Disneyland instead, you can book by email at [email protected] or call the office at 714-300-7710.

» Learn more: How to budget for a family trip to Disney

If you want to book Disney’s VIP tour

There’s no doubt that a Disney vacation can be magical, but you’ll need to pay up to experience all that pixie dust. A Disney VIP tour is undoubtedly a splurge but can make sense for those looking for as much convenience as possible.

Before you book, make sure to do the math on costs and whether it is affordable. Otherwise, stick to options such as Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes to help re-create the experience at a fraction of the cost.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

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Disneyland VIP Tour – Pricing, Details, Tips – We Have Been On!

Disneyland VIP Tours are the ultimate way to experience the theme parks. There are several special tours offered throughout the year at Disneyland, from Walt's Main Street Story Tour which takes you inside Walt's Fire Station apartment to the Happiest Haunts tour offered at Halloween, but the VIP tours are the top offerings.

For Disneyland VIP Tours, you are led by a knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide, sometimes referred to as a plaid for the color they wear, who will share fun information about the parks and tips with the group and accompany you throughout the day. On your Disneyland tour you'll be able to enjoy perks like expedited access to attractions, personalized scheduling for your park day, reserved viewing for entertainment, and more! You'll often see celebrities around the parks enjoying VIP tours with guides wearing their recognizable plaid uniforms, but any guest can splurge on this incredible experience.

The Mickey Visit team is in Disneyland every single week. We have been on a VIP tour and it was an incredibly luxurious experience that gives you great access to enjoy the parks in a completely stress-free manner. Keep reading for everything you need to know about Disneyland VIP Tours, including details on what they include and how to access the best VIP Tour prices through Get Away Today.

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In this planning guide:

Disneyland VIP Tour Offerings

Before we dive into the details of VIP Tours at Disneyland, we will cover an overview of what is included when you book a VIP tour.

• Personalized planning
• Expedited access to attractions
• Expert VIP Tour Guide who will accompany you through the parks
• Reserved viewing for entertainment

Note that the price of the VIP Tour does not include park admission, so you will need to purchase this separately. We will discuss the pricing more for Disneyland VIP Tours below. Guests may decide to splurge on a VIP Tour due to the significant perks it offers and not having to worry about the hassle of long wait times and having to plan out their day. You can truly maximize your time in the parks and soak up the magic, enjoying your personalized itinerary with your expert VIP Tour guide taking great care of your group's every need.

Below, we will share more details about each aspect of the Disneyland VIP Tours we listed above.

VIP Tour Guide

One of the most defining aspects of your VIP Tour experience is your VIP Tour Guide. Before your tour, VIP Services or Guest Relations will reach out to you to get a sense of what you'd like in your tour and match you with an expert guide who will be the best fit for your interests. Depending on what your priorities are (like riding all of the top attractions or learning about behind-the-scenes secrets), they will find a tour guide who will be best suited to that to make sure you have the best day possible.

During the VIP Tour, the Tour Guides will share interesting facts, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories about the parks that really elevate your experience. The VIP Tour Guides are also experts at navigating the parks and always have a good sense of what is going on during the day. Beyond the basic knowledge of what is currently offered and not offered at the parks, they know the precise nuances of all of the park happenings so that they can help you navigate the parks effectively and make the most of your experience.

VIP Tour Guides can also pick up mobile orders for you to help you make the most of your time. You'll still pay for the food, but this can be a great time-saver.

Disneyland VIP Tour Personalized Scheduling

One of the biggest advantages of Disneyland VIP tours is the personalized scheduling that is included with the experience. Once you have booked your VIP Tour experience, a VIP Tour Coordinator will help with details like dining reservations, start times, any celebrations to note for the day, and your party's priorities. The VIP guides will also make Park Pass reservations for your party as well.

You will have a customized itinerary planned for the day that is tailored specifically to your group's preferences and interests. See our Disneyland & Disney California Adventure 1 Day Itinerary for an idea of what you'd like to prioritize. This itinerary can be flexible if there are any spontaneous changes your group may decide on.

VIP Tour guests can express interest in certain experiences, and as long as these don't interrupt the normal flow of guests at the park, Disney will try to make it happen for you on your tour. For example, guests could request to see a certain character and enjoy expedited access to permanent character meet-and-greet locations that have backstage access. 

With so much of the current Disneyland experience revolving around planning, it is a huge benefit to have all of this taken care of for you so you can focus on having fun and enjoying the experience!

VIP Expedited Access to Attractions

Another benefit included in Disneyland's VIP Tours is expedited access to attractions so you can enjoy as many offerings as possible during your park day. For attractions that offer Genie+ Lightning Lane, this will be through the Lightning Lane entrance. This includes some of the most popular rides of the park with Individual Lightning Lanes like Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance. Guests will get the benefit of not needing to make Genie+ reservations or figure out the best time to ride during the day.

For attractions that don't have a Lightning Lane entrance, you will likely enter with your party from the exit, so the wait is shorter than what a Lightning Lane wait would typically be for these experiences. The ability to access rides with significantly shorter wait times, without needing to juggle Genie+ , stand in long lines, and strategize when to get on certain rides, is one of the biggest perks of the Disneyland VIP Tour.

Disneyland VIP Tour Reserved Viewing for Entertainment

During a Disneyland VIP Tour, you'll also be able to enjoy special reserved viewing for entertainment like fireworks, parades, and shows. You don't need to enjoy this reserved viewing during the time of your tour, and we do suggest seeing them outside of that time frame so you can fully enjoy the tour offerings.

This prime viewing is a fantastic perk that VIP guests get to enjoy without needing to stake out a spot hours in advance. Especially for evening shows, it's the perfect way to end a great day after your tour experience. You can see our guides to parades at Disneyland and fireworks at Disneyland for everything you need to know about the current entertainment offered!

Disneyland VIP Tour Pricing and Details—How to Get the Best Prices!

Disneyland VIP Tours start at $500 per hour for up to 10 guests with a minimum of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours (gratuities are not included), so the cost of this experience starts at $3,500. Prices for VIP Tours will be higher during peak times like Spring Break and summer, with the higher end of the current pricing scale currently around $800 an hour.

If you have more guests than 10, you will need another guide. The 10 guests for the tour cannot be changed. Once you book the VIP Tours, these are non-refundable when canceled 48 hours or less before arrival. Strollers and wheelchairs are complimentary with your VIP Tour. VIP Tour schedules are flexible within normal park operating hours.

The price of the VIP Tour does not include park admission, and you need to have Park Hoppers if you are planning on visiting both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. You can book the VIP Tour experience about a year in advance, although the exact hourly rates may not be available until closer to the date of your tour.

While Disneyland VIP Tours are a pricey option, the best way to save money on the experience is to book through Get Away Today . Get Away Today offers a $100 discount off VIP Tours! 

To book this experience through Get Away Today, call their number at 855-GET-AWAY and be sure to mention you heard about them through Mickey Visit get your $100 off. When you call, be prepared with information like when you will be planning your trip and the time you would like your tour to be. Get Away Today can check availability and discuss pricing with you. They'll also be able to follow up about your tour with you over email.

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You can find more information on planning your vacation in our guides:

• Top Five Tips for Getting Disneyland Dining Reservations
• Best Hotels Near Disneyland 2024: Disneyland Hotel Reviews to Help Plan Your Stay
• Here’s What the Private $18,000 Dinner at Disneyland Is Like

Frequently Asked Questions

A VIP tour at Disneyland currently starts at $500 per hour for a minimum of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours (gratuities not included), meaning the minimum cost of the experience is currently $3,500. See everything you need to know about Disneyland VIP Tours in our guide above!

A VIP tour at Disneyland will get you personalized planning, expedited access to attractions, an expert tour guide to take care of your party throughout the day and help you navigate the parks, reserved viewing for entertainment, and more. You can see details about everything that is included in a Disneyland VIP Tour above.

You can book a Disneyland VIP Tour about a year in advance, though the exact hourly rates for the experience may not be available until closer to the time of your tour. See more details about booking the best prices for Disneyland VIP Tours above.

Many who are able to splurge on a VIP Tour consider it worth it due to the unparalleled experience it offers. The personalized planning that allows you to sit back and truly enjoy your park day, the expertise of the incredible VIP Tour guides sharing knowledge and helping you to navigate the offerings of the park, and the ability to save time by skipping long attraction lines and enjoying reserved viewing areas for entertainment make this the ultimate way to experience Disneyland.

Up to 10 people can be on a VIP tour at Disneyland. These 10 guests cannot change, and if you have more than 10 guests, you will need another guide. 

It is customary to tip between 15-20% for a VIP tour guide at Disneyland. Remember that these expert tour guides go above and beyond to ensure you have the best experience possible and take care of your every need. 

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About Emily Midgley

Emily Midgley is a writer from San Diego, California. She was introduced to Disneyland when she was two and has been in love with all things Disney ever since! At Mickey Visit, she will keep you updated with the latest news from the Disney Parks and provide helpful planning content for your vacation. Her favorite rides at Disneyland are Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Space Mountain, and Rise of the Resistance. She loves Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) and lives and breathes anything to do with Star Wars.

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Disneyland VIP Tour 2024 Service Review and Guide

Disneyland VIP Tours provide for easy access to all of the Disneyland Resort attractions and special treatment at shows with reserved seating.

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On one day of our trip we were with a large group of close friends and family touring both Disneyland and California Adventure. We went on every single attraction that we wanted to and the most that we waited for any attraction was 20 minutes. How did we do this you are wondering? With the amazing Disneyland VIP Tour service!

Disneyland VIP Tour 2024

The Disneyland tour guides, often called plaids by the public, are a Disneyland staple. Walt Disney first established the tour guide program in 1958 to help welcome Disneyland park guests into what was then a revolutionary foreign idea to them. Since then the types of tours have greatly expanded and the VIP tour was introduced.

Disneyland VIP Tour Guide Benefits

I am sure that you are thinking, “that's great, but why should I get it?” Well here is why. The VIP tour guide will cater for your every need. You will be VIP for the day, being waited on hand and foot. Your tour guide acts as a “concierge” as many of us adoringly called our guides. Anything was possible with a phone call.

The biggest perk of the guide is the special access to the Lightning Lane line and skipping the line all together. When you are with a tour guide they will almost immediately escort you on every attraction. It was really cool to see them join us on the rides (I'm sure that this a huge perk to the job)…as seen above.

Another benefit of the tour program was we had our choices of reserved seats for the fireworks, World of Color, Fantastmic!, and both parades. At meal time your guide will find and reserve perfect restaurants for your family or group.

VIP tour guides are able to get access to a ride on the Lilly Belle, an exclusive train car on the Disneyland railroad that is very hard to get a spot on.

You also get unlimited PhotoPass downloads from the day! This includes any attraction photos, character dining experiences, and magic shots!

Tour guides can also show off the Disneyland Pet Cemetary located behind the Haunted Mansion. Regular Haunted Mansion Cast Members can sometimes take guests out to see it like in the video below, but it is so much nicer with your guide.

Once you book your tour (details below), your tour guide will get in touch with you to figure out the details of the day or entire trip and decide on what attractions your family should ride and where to eat.

Disneyland VIP Tour Details 2024

Your Disneyland VIP tour includes a few perks that start before you even enter the park! Make sure you're prepared with what you want your day to look like when you talk to the VIP Tour Coordinator. Make your reservation as far in advance as possible because these tours are quite popular!

Planning Details

• The VIP Tour Coordinators will contact you to help you plan your day including start times,  special celebrations, specific family priorities for the day and special dining needs.
• They will also book your Disneyland dining reservations and get your VIP reserved seating set up for the shows you select.
• The minimum length of your VIP tour is 7 hours and allows for flexibility for any spontaneous decisions along the way.
• Tours are available only during normal park operating hours.
• Complimentary strollers, wheelchairs, and lockers are offered to VIP tour guests.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult throughout the entire tour.

Reservations 

• Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Disney Special Activities at [email protected] or (714) 300-7710.
• Tours in other languages besides English may be available with advance notice.
• Starting at $3,500, this cost covers the tour for you and up to 9 other guests with a minimum of 7 hours. Additional guests past the maximum of 10 will require a second tour guide at an added cost.
• Theme park admission to either park is not included in this price. If you plan on seeing both parks on your tour then you must get Disneyland park hopper tickets.
• Cancellation notice of 48 hours is required to avoid a cancellation fee equal to 2 hours at the booked rate per each VIP Tour Guide.

Disneyland VIP Tour Tips

While in line or walking around, the guides will provide back stories and interesting factoids about the park if you ask….make sure to ask, the stories are really fun and enhance your entire day. It is customary that if you stop for a snack to offer to buy the guide food. Often times they will refuse anything, but still offer. At meal times it is your choice to decide if you want your guide to join your or not. Also, throughout the day guides may slip away while you are on an attraction or having a meal. Don't worry, they just went off to “clock in” and check on other pieces of your day. Final super important tip, make sure to tip about 15-20% for your tour guide. It makes sense since they just spent the day catering to your every need. 

Our Experience

As we said above, the tour guides made our Disneyland vacation. The ability to cut lines and sit in areas with perfectly unobstructed views is simply amazing. The only problem with the experience is that it is highly addicting. It was a very special experience that I am very happy to have enjoyed.

If you end up deciding to have a Disneyland VIP tour guide make your day magical at Disneyland then you will be the envy of all of the “regular” Disneyland visitors . Remember not to gloat to much when you are cutting them in line, you have been there too. 

Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience

Universal Studios Hollywood offers a VIP Experience that rivals the Disneyland VIP tours in both cost and content. At Universal Studios you'll pay less than $400 for the entire day and receive tons of great extras with the experience.

Everyone has been raving about this new tour. You can learn more and get a discount on my discount Universal Studios tickets page .

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22 comments add your comment.

I wonder what guests would pay WED Graduates and ITF Veterans for an Inside Knowledge Tour of attractions they have worked on? One way to employee our Disney Seniors and Veterans. I remember my first Tour Guide in 1958, on my 3rd visit to Disneyland. The price was much lower back then, as was everything else.

I don’t know, but boy would that be awesome. I have friends in the VIP Tour/Guest Services department who have received special tours of the Haunted Mansion and other attractions. They have a chance to win these tours by winning raffles in their department.

I think 355 per hour is way too much. Then you ask for a20$ per hour tip. Who gets the 355 per hour? Disney will not get my season pass money next year wither. Shiesters

Kindly contact me to arrange conceirge services at Disneyland from the 13th to 17th August 2014

Regards Farzana

Sorry for the late reply, but we aren’t the people to ask about that. Contact Disney directly as said above.

I was pretty much horror stricken while reading this review. Had my former beloved overlords at the Mouse House finally taken one shortcut too many and gone to the Dark Side? Of course profit is important, but the guest (all guests rich or not) should enjoy the parks in equal fashion. See, back in the late 80s early 90s I worked in Guest Relations as a V.I.p. tour guide and so much of this article was contrary to Disney S.O.P. (standard operating procedure). Tips??? No Disney theme park employee is allowed to accept tips. The exception: if a guest offers 3 times despite your refusal, you can accept the tip, if you explain it will be donated to the United Way. But that’s a minor detail. I knew it has been over 20 years. A lot can happen in that time. I was hoping that Disney hasn’t gone through a huge shift in policy since the early 90s, but I’d learned from my Grandmother, to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised if/when it doesn’t happen. So I called Disneyland Guest Relations to find out what in the name of Walt was going on! Guess what I learned? Disney policy hadn’t changed at all. You can rent a V.I.P. Tour Guide, but that doesn’t entitle you to backdating attractions! EVERY tour I had thought a guide could backdoor them onto rides and thought the person booking the tour was not bein

Thanks for the comment. We never “backdoored” any attraction except for Toy Story Midway Mania if I remember correctly.

Thanks for clarifying Gavin! Disneyland and WDW offer very different guided tours and I was very nervous that Disney had finally fallen to allowing guests to buy their way to the front of the line. I hope you read the continued comment. I hope its clear that I didn’t think there was.any intent to misinform readers (I can’t say that about all sites). I wish I hadn’t used my Kindle to post the comment. Some of.the autocorrect words are laughable and worse, it posted the portion you commented on before it was completed. My own fault for not writing in a traditional format. That premature posting meant that I wrote the 2nd half was a mad dash to clarify not only my initial point but explain my own intent as well as express my admiration for the work done on this site. I had hoped to have it posted before it was read by the editors. I know that typos abound, but it was a calculated risk as I hoped that if read as a whole my comments wouldn’t sound too snarky and I especially hoped it wouldn’t sound like I was scolding you. If I did, I hope you’ll accept my apology. I’ll be writing in external word processing programs and pasting the completed text from now on!

Continued…. Truthful when they were told so over the phone. I had a White House Press coordinator and her family that had to stand in line with the unwashed masses. Ironically, Jamie Lee Curtis refused a guide and any other perks her celebrity status would afford her. She explained (turning a truly horrible day into a magical one for a jaded tour guide whose pixie dust was way past its expiration date) that she wanted to have a “normal everyday guest experience in the park” with her daughter. She assured me that she could blend into the crowd, I asked her jokingly to prove it, she put on sunglasses and her entire look changed. I could’nt stop smiling and agreed she could blend. I said something about having a lot of experience considering her father is Tony Curtis and she was raised in the spotlight… (why use one.word when 50 will do just as well). She smiled.and said simply, “actress”. Btw-when I saw the pirates movies, I wondered if someone I told the story to .was on the cast of writers when Jack Sparrow simply says “pirate” when Elizabeth Swan gets angry when he behaves piratical – lying, stealing etc. See, celebrities get a VIP Guide who can backdoor them onto a ride, but it’s NOT for the celebrities benefit, it’s for the safety of the guests in line. Imagine Michael Jackson standing in line for the Haunted Mansion for a moment. No, imagine him standing in line when he was still alive! I saw him walk through the utilidors next to the cast member’s cafeteria. He was with body guards, Disney execs, record company execs and there was a mad dash to get to him! By Disney employees who are taught to never approach celebrities and never ask for autographs etc..if that had been in the park itself, I’d be concerned for his safety and.the other guests. It was that moment that MJ went from freakishly to tragic figure. He was a man trapped.in a prison of fame, a tower of isolation created not by him, but by Joe Jackson and Barry Gordy. Anyhow… Ive distressed enough… So back.to the.article.- I called Disneyland Guest Relations and asked about this article and the nice host I spoke to.assured me that Disneyland had not gone.through a change.of philosophy regarding guest experience. He assured me that no amount of money will buy a backdoor pass. HOWEVER, they offer a guided.tour called Walking in Walt’s Footsteps. The tour includes some backstage experiences. It sounds like the reviewer simply misidentified the tour as being a VIP Tour. While it may seem to be a minor error, it’s one.of.those errors that make cast members cringe when told “…but I read on the internet/in the newspaper/in my guidebook that..”. As a Guest Relations host, one of the main duties was distributing information and correcting misinformation the guests had gathered when planning their trip. I’d never heard of us being called Plaids, but had heard the term “Grounded Sky Witches” more than once. I was told that the term came from the fact that the G.R. costume resembles a flight attendant uniform. Some of us had a reputation for being “cranky” which was caused by our inability to fly. I’m sorry to tell you that a great deal of this review is incorrect, however I’m pleased to say the rest of the site is fantastic! I’ve read many of the other articles which seem to be examples of solid reporting, fact collection and summation/conclusion. This article’s errors seem to be an anomaly in an otherwise fantastic website. I can’t imagine that the author was motivated by malicious intenet or desire to mislead readers. It seems that the site is maintained by kindred spirits, and even located in The City I call home. I’m sorry rather selfishly because I had hoped to approach the web masters about writing some articles for this blog. I don’t know how receptive they will be to the idea of me contributing articles after I assaulted one of their posts. I wrote this directly in the comments box on the site, using a kindle and the on-screen keyboard so it’s not as polished as I would like.. it’s in two parts because I accidentally submitted the article before I intended. I really love this site. I visit several on a regular basis and this site often has material I haven’t seen elsewhere. More than anything, I enjoy the passion for the parks.and.all things Disney. It’s infectious and it really does deliver my doctor’s recommended Disney Dose.

I was at Disneyland for the 4th of July weekend and I just want to tip my hat off to Andrew, our guide for doing such an excellent job. He covered everything and kept a smile on his face the entire time.

Wow Lonnie, that is worth mentioning. The 4th of July Weekend was crazy in the parks this year.

You need to update the costs…

The cost of Disney’s VIP Premium Tour Service varies between $360-500 per hour depending on the season. Please call Disney Special Activities at 714-300-7710 for the current pricing.

DISNEY VIP Tour Guide Service

For all those wondering about the Disney’s VIP Premium Tour, I searched endlessly and found very limited up to date or recent info and chose to write this informal but informative review for those considering it. This post will focus on the Disney Owned and Operated VIP Premium tour that only they offer. This is not referencing the many knock off tour companies in Orlando and California that use “VIP tour” in their titles but can NOT offer direct unlimited priority access to attractions, shows, and Disney reserved seating. Please forgive spelling typos and grammatical errors (not proofreading) as this is not meant to be fine poetry but useful information for those interested. My goal will be to provide info on what to expect and what not to expect as well as make comparisons between VIP Premium tours at Disneyland (Anaheim) as well as Walt Disney World (Orlando). I have participated in both of these and recently completed my first Disneyland trip this Christmas 2015 for which I booked a Premium VIP tour. I have gone to WDW in Orlando over 100 times with my family since we have family in Orlando and did the premium VIP tour there approximately 2 years ago so some procedures may have changed at WDW but the Disneyland VIP tour info is as recent as it gets! We also chose to stay on property even though we have family in Orlando and for those with family and in-laws know why! I will try to address certain topics and compare the two when appropriate. The first thing to remember is this review is referencing the Disney VIP Premium Tour Only and not the other hundreds of tours Disney offers. This is the ultimate premium VIP experience and as you can imagine is NOT CHEAP but is convenient and every person who reads this review will need to determine if the experience is worth the money. This info is not meant to be gospel but the info presented here is based on my personal recent experiences and may not reflect current offerings but is current for me. Here we go…

COST: This will vary depending on the time of year you visit and obviously the holiday times are the most expensive and you do pay by the hour (6 hr minimum at both DL and WDW). I paid $550/hr on our recent Disneyland (DL) Christmas trip and about $400/hr on our past WDW Christmas trip. However, like all things at Disney, prices change and usually if not always go UP!. The WDW website now lists the cost to vary between $400-$600/ hr. This buys you and your group of up to 10 people a private VIP guide (wearing plaid) . If you have more than 10, a separate guide will be required and same costs apply for each guide! So if you like someone enough to share a tour guide that may average out cheaper per person but you may not get as much done having a full group of ten or separate families who may not agree on what to do next. Either way it’s beyond EXPENSIVE, but to me worth it for my family of 5 to do alone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said standing in a 2hr line for a 2 min ride “Oh what I would pay to get priority access”, but it has to make sense for you.

SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED?: YES, in both DL and WDW separate admission is required and is in addition to the cost of the tour, so buy those park tickets. If you plan on park hopping you better buy park hopper tickets and not single park, single day tix or you will be stuck in that one park. Be aware.

RIDE ACCESS: Be aware this is not instant “front of line” access despite the cost. As a general rule, most if not all attractions that offer Fastpass (FP) access allow you priority access. This means your guide can get you through the fast pass line as many times as you want to go. Know however, there may still be a short wait, but my recent experience at DL took a 110 minute standby wait to 5 min with our VIP guide. Ride access also varies between DL and WDW. In DL, most of Fantasyland is not available for premium access due to size of exits we were told and for $550/hr this was disappointing. (we could not get premium access to some of our favorites like Peterpan, Snow white, Mr. Toads, Winnie the pooh, Dumbo etc. mostly the small kiddie rides. ) At WDW, most of Fantasyland was accessible) This was a big difference between the two parks. All of the big rides at DL and WDW (FP access) are included and save a ton of time. Some rides you just enter the FP line with your guide where other rides you and your guide enter through the exit (even faster access) It really depends on the particular attraction.

RESERVED SEATING: This is another nice feature which is included in the VIP tours at both DL and WDW. There are special reserve seating areas for the Nightime Fireworks and other BIG shows specific to each park as well as the Parades. The key to this is to remember you have to arrange this seating for the specific shows you want to see when you call the Disney VIP number to book your tour. The reserved seating of the VIP tour is a nice perk for several reasons…first- since it is reserved seating you don’t have to start finding a viewing spot along the parade route or in front of castle for fireworks an hour and a half or longer before the show!! This gives you a ton more time to continue to ride attractions with your guide… second- in many cases the Disney cast members and characters know where the VIP sections are and tend to acknowledge you and make an effort to wave or smile at your kids or party. third… if certain shows involve picking someone out of the crowd to help or participate in a show, you can bet it usually is a VIP tour party individual that is selected. (coincidence? I think not)This may not always be the case but still another great photo opportunity if it happens. REMEMBER to book or at least request this reserved seating at the time you book the tour.

WHEN TO BOOK: As with Dining reservations or FP reservations, it pays to call or reserve as much in advance as possible to ensure availability. DL books VIP tours 90 days in advance and last I knew WDW books 6 months in advance. Confirm these dates on the websites as this may have changed. I called exactly 90 days out to book our Christmas DL VIP tour since Christmas can be so crazy. Also reserve seating is on a first come first serve basis so you don’t want to book a tour a week before Christmas and then act surprised or worse get upset that all reserved seatings are booked! PLAN AHEAD.

HOW LONG IS TOUR? There is no set time as far as a maximum number of hours but there is a minimum for each day. Current minimum is 6 hrs at both DL and WDW.

IS FOOD INCLUDED? No, food and beverages are NOT included with the VIP Premium tour. It is also up to you whether you want your guide to join you or not while eating. If they do, you are not expected to pay for their meals but we chose to do that since we considered them more a part of the family for the day rather than just a human FastPass ticket. One thing to keep in mind, especially during the busier times of year and holidays is that even with Dining reservations it can take at least an hour to an hour and a half to eat a sit down meal. Keep this in mind if rides are your priority. It can wind up being the most expensive sit down meal you’ve ever had at $550/hr plus the cost of your food and the meter keeps running while you eat. I’m lucky in that our kids are picky with food and one has a Gluten allergy so we usually hit the quick service or counter ordering locations to avoid wasting time sitting for a long meal on the clock. I’m not suggesting to NOT make dining reservations and if the princess dinner or lunch in the castle is a must for you then by all means, do it…after all, you dictate the pace and priority of the day. It’s your tour and you’re paying a lot of good money for it.

CHARACTER GREETINGS: Nothing eats up more time if you have young ones wanting to meet, take pictures or get autographs with the Disney Characters . Thankfully, many of the more popular characters now offer a FP meet and greets or are present at “character” meals. The character meals are nice because you kill two birds with one stone. You feed yourselves and the characters come to you!!! No waiting in a random line that suddenly appears where the character is standing. On our recent DL trip, we had a private meeting with Mickey and Elsa and Anna. This was nice and did not feel rushed through. No other characters were accessible on the tour. Thankfully my kids are getting tired of the meet and greets and have started and never finished about a dozen autograph books. Parents know what I am talking about here. WDW seem to have better access to characters and bypassing lines than DL. If there is a certain character you must meet and don’t want to wait in the endless line, ask the VIP cast member when you call to book the tour.

OTHER VIP TOUR PERKS: Even though WDW and DL now offer a Disney Photopass service which is where their photographers take the shots and then give you a card to view them later is convenient, you are at the mercy of where these photographers are located. Plus you don’t own the pics and have to pay for them. For me, family photos and memories are priceless and the more , the better. Having a VIP guide allows me to actually be in the pics with my family rather than looking at years of photos where I only exist behind the lens and not in the picture!!! Your guides can also assist with having purchases you make in the park get stored at the exit to pick up or transported back to your hotel. Beats carrying them around all day. VIP Guides can not get you employee discounts on items and meals so don’t ask.

CLUB 33: For those Disney Veterans and those who know about it, the highly coveted reservation or ability to eat at the exclusive private club 33 in DL is not accessible from the tour. Sorry, I tried too. I did not ask to see the Cinderella suite in WDW Cinderella castle or Walt’s private apt in DL, or the Disney Dream Suite in DL so I can’t say if the guide would have accommodated. I doubt it but it never hurts to ask.

TIPS FOR GUIDE: This topic continues to be a confusing one. When at WDW, our VIP guide said tips could not be accepted. This was NOT the case this Christmas trip to DL. Our guide was happy to accept one and in my opinion earned it. We had him for a full day tour for 2 days back to back. What is appropriate? Up to you, but I heard a one hr rate tip is good and a 2 hr rate tip is for an excellent experience. I went between and paid a 1 1/2 hr rate tip for our guide. Yes, this can be a $500 -$1000 tip but if you’re fortunate enough to be booking the Premium VIP tour, just go with it and reward your guide..

At the end of the day, each person has to decide if this VERY EXPENSIVE VIP experience is worth it. We were able to ride everything we wanted to in DL and had reserved seats for all the shows and parades at Peak Christmas time. This would have never been possible without our VIP guide. A prime example of this is where we completed three of the big rides and were done in 25 mins. Total wait time otherwise would have totaled over 270 minutes without our guide.!!!! Is it worth it? You decide! Hope this was helpful and informative. Walt and his creations are timeless and truly amazing. Enjoy them how you wish and Thanks for reading.

Visited December 2015

Awesome addition with new information! Thank you for taking the time.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive and informative review. It is really hard to find accurate information about the VIP tours.

Happy to help. This information is always changing though, so be sure to ask lots of questions at the time of your booking.

Say you book a VIP tour from 9 am to 3 pm. You want to watch the parade at 3:30 pm and the fireworks show later that night. Will the plaid worker still be able to make arrangements for preferred seating for these shows or must you be with the plaid worker during that time in order to enjoy that perk? TIA

This is a good question. You should be able to have them make the reservations for you, but this is a question better answered via their phone line.

As a former Tour Guide from the 1970’s I am really disappointed in the expectations of those posting on this site. I am guessing none of you ever heard Walt’s words…”everyone is a VIP, no one should receive special treatment”. It is a sad day when dollars and cents will allow anyone to move into a position before another guest. Then again, the 10-ride ticket book (including admission) was less than $10 in my day! I do wonder how you feel when you step in front of a child or international guest standing in line for an hour to see It’s a Small World for the first time?

My goodness. Bless your heart

Pricing is incorrect for 2023. I just took a VIP tour and the price range is now $500-900 per hour (with the high end applying to peak times such as Christmas), with a 7 hour (NOT 6 hour) minimum. So, no, you are not getting a VIP tour for anywhere near $2550.

Currently $500-900/hr in Fall 2023

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Private transportation, backstage parking and skipped lines: What it's really like on a Disney VIP tour

As once smirked by "The Lion King's" villainous lion, Scar, "Life's not fair, is it?"

You see, even though all are welcome in the happy place that Walt built, not everyone waits in the same lines to ride Dumbo or Space Mountain. In fact, some barely wait in lines at all.

There's a way to experience Disney World without a hot trek through the parking lots or long waits for rides, but with perfect fireworks-viewing areas reserved just for you and with almost zero advance planning required. And on top of that, there's a way to get all-day access to a Disney expert with pockets full of pixie dust and keys to backstage shortcuts, who can guide you and troubleshoot any problems that arise.

This magic isn't a fictional fairytale or reserved for A-list stars. All of this (and more) is available to anyone willing to pay for the very real Disney VIP tour guides.

This small army of top-tier magic-makers is employed by Disney and can be spotted around the parks in their signature plaid vests whisking small groups of very fortunate guests into back entrances and to the front of the lines.

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After waiting several hours to straddle a banshee and ride Avatar Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom, you may be desperate to know how you can have one of these Disney "magicians" whisk your group out of the sun and into the fun.

While I've done the three-hour wait to ride a banshee myself, I've also now experienced the magic of not waiting. Here's how the Disney VIP tours work and exactly how much magic you can actually squeeze out of the day when you say goodbye to the long waits.

Related: These are the best hotels at Disney World

What's a Disney VIP tour?

A private Disney VIP tour is kind of like having your own assigned Mouseketeer and personal set of keys to the kingdom.

While I'm sure they could give you a more traditional tour of Disney World if that's what you wanted, it's really not exactly a tour.

When you are on a Disney VIP tour, you've got your own official Disney guide who can plan your day, serve as your own unlimited human FastPass, drive you to and from your Disney resort and from park to park with cool and efficient backstage parking. Most people who buy a Disney VIP tour do it to skip the bulk of the lines and experience as much of the parks as possible in a short amount of time. This is why TPG's founder Brian Kelly purchased the VIP tour with his nieces and nephews for a one-day visit to Disney World.

But it's not just the quicker ride access that is special. Even before you know you need it, the guides can also make bottles of water, rain ponchos and Mickey bars seemingly appear out of thin air.

These tours must be booked for a minimum of seven hours and you can have up to 10 people on the tour for the same hourly rate. Just don't have an 11th person because then you need a second guide and your cost doubles.

Related: What it costs to visit Disney World

What we did on our Disney VIP tour

We gathered up exactly 10 Disney-loving friends and family members and booked a seven-hour VIP tour.

In the end, we went a bit over those initially planned seven hours as we had a few more things we wanted to do when the original time limit expired. In total, our tour was about eight and a half hours from start to finish.

We lost about 15 minutes on the front end when we couldn't find our youngest daughter's MagicBand as we were walking out the door and then had some forms to sign when we met up with the tour guide. In hindsight, we should have skipped looking for the band and done the forms in advance. We also lost some time for lunch -- more on that below.

Counting transportation to and from our resort and the transfer between the two parks, we spent probably a little over an hour in transit. That means we had a bit under seven hours of true park experience to work with that translated into 16 attractions.

Here's how the time on our Disney VIP tour played out.

• 10 a.m. Official start time.
• 10:19 a.m. Depart Disney's Wilderness Lodge for the Magic Kingdom.
• 10:26 a.m. Clear security through side-gate entrance with no line and park in a backlot to the side of Main Street, U.S.A.

• 10:29 a.m. Officially walk into the Magic Kingdom.
• 10:33 a.m. Watch a cavalcade (aka a mini-parade) as it passed by the castle.
• 10:40 a.m. Try to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, but it was down and would stay down much of the day.
• 10:49 a.m. Ride No. 1 -- Magic Carpets of Aladdin.
• 10:56 a.m. VIP guide got waters for everyone and "pixie dusted" my youngest with Dole Whip since her favorite ride, Pirates, didn't work out.

• 11:09 a.m. Ride No. 2 -- Splash Mountain.
• 11:35 a.m. Ride No. 3 -- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
• 11:55 a.m. Ride No. 4 -- Haunted Mansion.
• 12:19 p.m. Ride No. 5 -- Peter Pan's Flight.
• 12:26 p.m. Bathroom break and hunt for hidden Pascals near the "Tangled"-themed bathrooms at the request of my daughters.
• 12:49 p.m. Ride No. 6 -- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
• 1:03 p.m. Ride No. 7 -- Mad Tea Party.
• 1:21 p.m. Ride No. 8 -- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
• 1:42 p.m. Ride No. 9 -- Space Mountain.

I ordered lunch in the Disney app by 1:10 p.m. but it wasn't actually ready until about 1:50 p.m. We weren't all done eating until about 2:10 pm., so while some in the group kept riding rides during that time, it also was a pretty inefficient part of the day for those who were scouting for tables and waiting for food. Waiting 40 minutes for chicken fingers and fries and fighting for a table isn't a great use of time when you are paying for a guide by the hour.

• 2:17 p.m. Depart for Hollywood Studios.
• 2:39 p.m. Arrive at Hollywood Studios and park in backstage parking near Tower of Terror.
• 2:56 p.m. Ride No. 10 -- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
• 3:11 p.m. Ride No. 11 -- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
• 3:57 p.m. Ride No. 12 -- Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.

• 4:21 p.m. Ride No. 13 -- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
• 5:02 p.m. Ride No. 14 -- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
• 5:28 p.m. Ride No. 15 -- Slinky Dog Dash.
• 5:44 p.m. Ride No. 16 -- Toy Story Mania!
• 6:24 p.m. Arrive back at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

As you can tell by some of the time gaps between rides, you don't always have a zero-minute wait to ride. Some rides, such as Runaway Railway and Rise of the Resistance, still had a bit of waiting involved.

At other times, such as with Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Aladdin and more, you essentially got to walk right up to the start of the ride.

It's worth a mention that we didn't need to compete with thousands of other guests at 7 a.m. for a Rise of the Resistance boarding pass, as one ride without a pass is included with the tour.

The VIP tour is really at a huge advantage right now as waits for most rides on this day were over an hour. And since FastPass has not yet returned to Disney World, there weren't many others in the FastPass line.

The guide, Annie, and I chatted about what we would do next and adjusted plans on the fly.

As the afternoon Florida rain came and some attractions were temporarily unavailable, we'd adjust plans again. When she'd pose a ride that we didn't want to do (like "It's a small world"), it was no big deal and we kept on going to the next thing. She was available to go on rides with us (which was really fun as she knew some awesome "secrets") and she was also available to skip the ride and do other things while we rode, such as order water or hold a bag.

While we did our tour during the day, the tour guide can let you access special, reserved VIP viewing of fireworks if you do it in the evening. And while we only went to two parks in one day, you can go to all four if you want. It's essentially your time to use however you please.

Related: Why you might want to think twice before a theme park trip right now

What does a Disney VIP tour cost?

Here's the bad news. A Disney VIP tour costs $425 to $750 per hour, depending on the season. And that's on top of your park admission tickets, which aren't included withe the tour.

There's no way to know exactly what your tour will cost without calling 407-560-4033 or working with a Disney vacation planner as we did. You can only book the tours 60 days in advance and they do sell out, so plan ahead. Remember, you need to book at least seven hours, so the minimum price for a Disney VIP tour will be $2,975 for up to 10 people. You can do a tour for up to 10 hours, so while the minimum price is $2,975, a 10-hour tour in super peak season could set you back a staggering $7,500.

On our July date, the tour was $550 per hour and we spent a total of $3,850 on the initially planned seven hours. (And sadly, this did not code as a travel charge, so use the credit card that awards you the most on everyday spending -- I went with my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to earn 2 miles per dollar on the charge.)

With our added time, the grand total came to $4,675 before the tip. That's $467.50 per person on our tour, if you want to think of it that way. ( In terms of the tip, while it is at your discretion, this is a Disney position that can accept cash tip. It's common to go with 15 - 20% of the amount of your tour or tip the equivalent of one hour. )

While not all 10 people did every single ride, I'm going to assume they did here for simpler math since they all had the opportunity.

At $467.50 per person, given that we did 16 rides, that's kind of like spending $29.21 per "FastPass" access. That's not exactly a fair way to look at it as there were plenty of other perks to the tour including the door-to-door transportation, awesome insider knowledge from the guide herself, etc., but it's a decent starting point.

Additionally, throughout the tour, our group was given about 25 bottles of water ($3.50 each), 10 Mickey bars ($5.50 each), 10 rain ponchos ($12 each), one stroller rental ($15) and a cup of Dole Whip ($5). We were also each given a special Disney VIP tour pin which you technically can't buy, but we'll put the price at about $12, which is in line with the cost of other Disney pins.

The retail price for buying those goodies on your own at Disney is around $402.50, or $40.25 per person. If you factor that out of the total cost, the cost for quick access drops a little from $29.21 to $26.70 per person per ride.

Obviously, if you didn't stop for lunch, started right on time and moved at a quicker pace than our group, then you probably could have a higher ride total. You could even start right in the park if you don't want transportation and squeeze in more rides that way, too.

Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World

But our goal wasn't to rack up ride totals for the sake of impressive math, it was to enjoy the heck out of the rides we love the most with the friends and family we've missed too much over the last year and a half. And while you could argue using time getting picked up and dropped off at our resort was a waste, with 10 people ranging from 6 to 70 years of age, it sure didn't feel that way.

Bottom line

There's absolutely no way we would have done those 16 rides in eight and a half hours on our own. Given what crowds and wait times were like at Disney during our trip , it's unlikely we would have done half that number on our own. Even if we had, it wouldn't have been predominately the headlining rides.

It's not necessary to spend a small fortune on a VIP tour to have a great time at Walt Disney World.

I've successfully been to the park dozens of times and never before had a Disney VIP tour guide at the ready. Timing your visit during the less busy days, being at the park when it opens (which is before it says it opens), doing rides during fireworks and close to closing time are also great ways to pack more attractions into your day without spending more money.

However, right now with the high crowd levels and no other FastPass options, if there was ever a time to rally a group of friends and go for it on a planned upcoming trip, there's no doubt the VIP treatment dramatically increased the enjoyment factor for our group.

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Family Travel Disneyland Private VIP Tour Review + Cost (Worth It?)

Disneyland Private VIP Tour Review + Cost (Worth It?)

Ok. Let me start by saying we are not the type of family who travels extravagantly. I hate paying full price for anything, and I live for travel bargains!

So how did we find ourselves spending the day at Disneyland escorted by VIP tour guides and bypassing every line? Well, it’s a long story. But I’m here to tell you that if someone ever volunteers to pay for your VIP tour at Disney, take them up on the offer!

However, if you’re considering splurging on a VIP tour of Disneyland with your own money, read on and decide for yourself whether it’s worth the cost.

What is the VIP Tour at Disneyland?

The Disneyland Resort VIP Tour gives your family or group of up to 10 people a personalized day at the park. Your tour guide will meet you in the morning and discuss what types of rides and experiences your group prefers.

Then, they will escort you around the park for the day, magically cutting lines, and taking care of your every need. Before you arrive, your VIP tour guide will even make Advanced Dining Reservations for you.

Um, Ok… let’s try the Disneyland VIP Tour!

How the VIP Tour Works:

Our day started bright and early, and we met our guides (or, “ Plaids ,” as they’re called) in the lobby of the Grand Californian. Because we had 17 in our group, we actually had two guides, Lindsey and Diane. The tour guides introduced themselves to the kids, took our pictures, and we were on our way.

Maybe money can’t buy you love, but it can buy a pretty magical day at Disneyland!

At first, I felt a little awkward; here were these two women at our beck and call, ready to spend their day doing whatever we wanted. But I’m embarrassed to say how quickly we all became comfortable with this celebrity treatment.

We spent 7 hours blindly following Lindsey and Diane around the park. The guides lead us through the Fastpass lines for rides, (or, skipped the line altogether ) and into hidden rear entrances to meet Mickey and the Princesses. My cousin wanted iced coffee, so they went and got it for her while she waited in the shade. The whole thing was so bizarre, in the most incredible, decadent way .

Tip : The VIP tour offers a lot of flexibility. While we had ADR (Advanced Dining Reservations) for lunch, we decided on the fly that we didn’t want to waste time eating. So, they canceled our reservation and showed us to the closest quick-serve restaurant.

The Disneyland VIP Tour “Plaids” (Guides) Were Amazing

Our group had 9 kids ranging in age from 2-12, and the guides did a great job of keeping everyone happy. Sometimes we all went on rides together; sometimes one group went on a ride with Lindsey while the other group had a snack with Diane.

A number of times we split up. Diane took older kids on a thrill ride, while Lindsey took the younger ones on a more mellow one. Our Plaids joined us on some of the rides and also revealed some cool historical Disney facts and secrets to us.

Did you know that Main Street is modeled after Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri ?

VIP Seating for the Fireworks:

One of the highlights was having reserved VIP seating for parades and fireworks . Any normal person would have to stake out a curbside parade spot at least an hour ahead of time.

But 5 minutes before the parade started, we leisurely walked off Splash Mountain and strolled over to our reserved VIP seats. Which were actual chairs. Behind a rope. Directly in front of the Castle!

And as if it couldn’t get any better, Lindsey and Diane collected our money and went to buy Dole Whips for all of us so we wouldn’t miss any of the parade.

As the day went on, we all became oddly attached to Lindsey and Diane. Our kids held their hands, skipping down Main street, and bickered about who got to sit with them on the rides. Our guides seemed to truly enjoy their jobs and can be seen smiling and having fun in a number of our photos. Speaking of photos, we have plenty of great ones that capture our magical day thanks to Disney PhotoPass , which is included with your tour.

Afterward, we made a photo book of our day, and gave a copy to each of the families in our group!

Tip : As long as you have proper park admission, you can choose to visit Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure, or both with your guides.

Disneyland VIP Tour Cost:

There’s nothing “Minnie” about the price of all this. In fact, a Disneyland VIP guide will cost you about $3000 for the day! (Cough, cough!)

That breaks down to about $425 per hour or $7 per minute! If you have more than 10 in your group, (like us) you’ll need two guides, which doubles that cost!

Plus, Disneyland park admission is not included , and costs an extra $100+ per person, per day. Food is also not included and can cost an extra $15+ per person, per meal. That’s a lot of money!

Tip : You’ll also want to tip the plaids at the end of the day. From what we learned, a tip of about $20 per member of your group is adequate. So, if you have a group of 10, plan on forking over another $200 cash at the end of the day!

*Walt Disney World also offers a number of VIP Tour experiences at their 4 parks in Orlando, priced by the hour.

Is the Disneyland VIP Tour Worth It? Let’s Review:

Ok. This is a hard question to answer.

I will say that having the two VIP guides cost us about the same as our entire 2 1/2 week Southwest road trip , including airfare. Seriously.

But, we had a huge group and it made our day at Disneyland super easy. The best part was that we didn’t have to think about anything! I’m normally a big planner, and you need to be in order to have a smooth Disney Day.

However, on this day, I planned nothing. I just showed up and followed our guides; it was the most freeing experience. I have to admit, it was kind of nice to feel like a true VIP all day.

Everyone has a different opinion on what is “worth it” and what isn’t. For some, the idea of not having to think or plan might make the tour worth every penny. For others, just affording a “normal” Disney vacation is hard enough, so the VIP tour would never even be an option.

But that’s what makes Disney, “Disney.” They can make a vacation seem “worth it” to everyone; from the families staying at the Value Resorts, to the families who want to pull out all the stops, and don’t mind paying for convenience and luxury.

So, if you have to take out a loan to afford the Disneyland VIP tour, please don’t buy it! However, if you just got your annual bonus and want to do something decadent and fun , then it’s worth considering!

As for our experience with the Disney VIP Tour?

Well, after relaxing back at the pool, we headed back to the park for the fireworks. We had already said goodbye to Lindsey and Diane, but we still moseyed up to the roped-off VIP seating area, gave the bouncers our names, and were promptly let in.

Sitting in our chairs, with a front-row seat to the magic that is Disney, I looked around and realized that we had all just experienced a day we would never forget. Maybe it was because we did the VIP Tour.

But, I think it was really because we were with the people who we love the most. Seeing the cousins together, wearing their matching Mickey Ears, making memories they’ll always share- that’s what made the day so special. No VIP tour guide is necessary. (but having one is pretty sweet !)

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

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Disneyland Resort VIP Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

Top ways to experience Disneyland Resort VIP Tours and nearby attractions

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Disneyland Resort VIP Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Disney Private VIP Tours

Are disney world’s vip tour services worth the cost .

Back in 1965, Walt Disney started something called the Disneyland Resort Ambassador Program. The idea was to personalize Disneyland’s in-park experience and make a trip to the park as memorable as possible.

This Disneyland program served as a forerunner to Disney VIP Tour Services, a division of Disney which offers exclusive in-park experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. Each of these Disney VIP Tours has its own dedicated tour guide to give you a personalized experience.

Yes, Disney Tours are pricey. But they do give you expedited services onto the most popular rides, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what makes Disney World so magical, and special treatment that you can get anywhere else in the park.

With that said, let’s first discuss the benefits of Disney Private VIP Tours and why they are considered the crème de la crème of Disney World experiences. Then we’ll examine the cost of Private VIP Tours cost and ways you can make VIP Tours more affordable. We include a breakdown of the 4 other VIP Tours that Disney currently offers in order to help you decide if one of these tours may be a better fit for your family vacation.

And finally, once you decide that Disney VIP Tours are something you wish to participate in, then it’s time to contact The Vacationeer ( https://vacationeer.com/private-vip-tours ) to make your arrangements.

So let’s get started!

What are Disney World’s Private VIP Tours?

As part of the VIP Tour Services  program, Disney offers Private VIP Tours as a way to fully maximize your Disney World experience.

Think of them as the ultimate Disney choose-your-own-adventure: you customize your own multi-park itinerary and then embark on your personalized dream adventure with practically no wait times at all.

You will receive an array of special perks including expedited door-to-door transportation to the parks, expedited entry onto most attractions of your choosing, and a knowledgeable Disney tour guide to accompany you at every step.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Pre-arrival planning and customization
• Explore the theme parks with your own personal Disney VIP Tour Guide
• Expedited access onto your desired attractions for everyone in the group
• Ability to visit multiple theme parks per day
• VIP treatment including private vehicle transportation to and from your hotel
• Special reserved viewing areas for parades, select stage shows, and nighttime spectaculars
• Flexible start and end times (7-hour minimum)

Disney’s Private VIP Tours – Cost, Reservations, Services

Cost of Disney Private VIP Tours

Disney VIP Tour Services offers several tours that are priced on a per-person basis. These include The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour , Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour , Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tours ), and the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour . We will discuss these tours later.

Disney’s Private VIP Tours , on the other hand, are not priced on a per-person basis. Instead, the cost of Private VIP Tours is based on an hourly rate for a group of up to 10 people.

Private VIP Tours Details

Here are some details of Disney World Private VIP Tours:

• Depending on the season, tours will cost is between $450 and $900 per hour, per group ( not per person) — subject to change
• A maximum allowance of 10 guests per Private VIP Tour
• A minimum of 7 continuous hours is required per day
• Valid admission is required for each theme park (not included as part of tour cost)
• VIP Tour Services allows you to book up to 180 in advance (recommended)

While Disney’s Private VIP Tour s are the ultimate way to spoil yourself at Disney World, they’re also an easy way to spend cash.

Cost-Effective: Share a Private Disney VIP Tour w/ Friends and Family

As we mentioned, Disney allows your group to include up to 10 guests . This is an important detail because the 10 guest allowance opens up a lot of possibilities. By sharing Disney VIP Tours with other interested couples and families, you could effectively reduce a $3000 or $5250 overall expense down to as low as $300-$525 per person.

Sounding good! But how do you go about forming a group of up to 10 people?

For safety concerns, Disney doesn’t allow Disney travel agencies   (or any other organization) to match you up with random people to form a group of 10. In this day-in-age, these types of policies make sense because you never know who you will be matched up with!

That said, you can still form your own group – comprised of friends and family members – to reduce the cost per person.  So ask your friends, your aunt, your nephew, your favorite neighbor, or your co-workers. Who knows – they may just love the idea of taking a Private Disney VIP Tour with you…and saving money in the process!

Even if you don’t come up with a full 10 people, you will still save a significant amount of money if you just add a few more friends and family members to your Private VIP Tour.

Other Disney VIP Tours

Private VIP Tours aren’t the only Disney VIP Tour Services option. Here is a summary of the other 4 other VIP experiences that Disney World offers:

1. The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

The Ultimate Day of Trill VIP Tour is a 7-hour experience that gives you expedited access to Disney’s top attractions.

This tour has a good mix of fun, fantasy, and fast-paced thrill rides. Guests start their day at Magic Kingdom Park where they benefit from special access (ie, you don’t wait in the normal line) on select rides such as:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Splash Mountain
• Haunted Mansion

Then you will take a break to enjoy your lunch at a quick-service restaurant (included in the cost!) before embarking on a few exciting Epcot attractions like Soarin’.

During the afternoon, guests are whisked over to Hollywood Studios to experience some of  the best Hollywood Studios rides such as:

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Toy Story Mania!
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

2. Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

The Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour lets guests experience the Magic Kingdom’s most beloved classic attractions. The small-group tour is lead by a Disney VIP Tour Guide to make sure your experience is hassle-free, relaxing, and fun!

During the tour, you will receive special access to Magic Kingdom’s iconic attractions, which may include:

• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

This tour is great for kids of all ages because there are no height restrictions for any of the attractions on this tour.

3. Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour is a wild, 4-hour guided group tour of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park at nighttime. Guests receive expedited access so that exploring the lands and riding attractions is a breeze.

The Animal Kingdom rides   on this tour include the following attractions:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Avatar Flight of Passage (44” height requirement)
• Na’vi River Journey
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (44” height requirement)
• DINOSAUR (40” height requirement)

As well as the following show:

• Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular (select nights)

Guests will also receive signature snacks and a specialty beverage (alcoholic (21+) or non-alcoholic).

4. Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour

Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour is a brand new experience where guests have the opportunity to go inside the kitchens of several Magic Kingdom restaurants and sample several of Disney’s most iconic menu items.

During this 3-hour tour, guests will interact directly with Disney’s chefs and learn of the rich food history of the park. Guests head backstage to experience what goes into the production of Disney’s busy restaurant scene.  Guests will sample an amazing assortment of sweet and savory food items along the way as their VIP Guides make sure your experience is as enjoyable and informative as possible.

Cost of other Disney VIP Tours

Cost of other Disney VIP Tours 

Here is a breakdown of the cost of Disney’s 4 other VIP Tours:

The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

• $349 per person (plus tax)
• Valid admission for each theme park is required (not included as part of the tour cost)
• The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is currently offered on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
• Tour begins at 8:30 AM and lasts around 7 hours
• There are blackout dates, especially during holidays and other busy periods

Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

• $249 per person (plus tax)
• Lunch is included in this price!
• Valid admission ticket to Magic Kingdom is required (not included as part of the tour cost)
• Tour begins at 10:00 AM and lasts around 4 hours

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

• Valid admission ticket to Animal Kingdom is required (not included as part of the tour cost)
• Tour begins 4 hours before that evening’s first Rivers of Light performance and lasts around 4 hours
• The tour operates 7 days per week, except on blackout dates

Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour

• $99 per person (plus tax)
• This tour is currently offered on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, except during blackout periods
• There are blackout dates, especially during holidays and other busy periods.

Contact The Vacationeer to Book your Disney VIP Tour

The Vacationeer is our preferred Disney Travel Agency and we recommend contacting them today if you are interested in Disney’s Private VIP Tours or one of the other VIP Tours currently offered at the resort. Here is what to do next:

✔️ Fill out the contact form HERE to request more information

✔️ A Disney travel planner will contact you with a price quote

✔️ Do you have any questions? Concerns? Your Vacationeer is there to assist you with your Disney World VIP tour

✔️ When you book, The Vacationeer will handle all of the leg-work of your VIP Tour and make all of your Disney World trip reservations (tickets, hotel reservations, dining reservations, Disney Genie+ , Lightning Lane Passes , and more)

✔️ As part of booking through The Vacationeer, there are absolutely no fees for this service and you get the lowest price

We hope our Disney VIP Tours page is helpful.

Are you ready to book your Disney VIP Tour? Please contact the Disney Travel Agents at The Vacationeer .  They will explain how you can participate in these unique experiences!

For more useful Disney World information, please review some additional pages on  MagicGuides  like our   Disney Dining Plan Calculator ,  Disney World Map , Disney World for Adults , Why Use a Disney Travel Agent , Disney World Payment Plan , Free Disney World Photos , and Disney World Weather articles.

Thank you for reading our page, and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!

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Disney VIP Tours – How To Book and What To Expect

If you’ve come to this page you’ve undoubtedly heard about Disney VIP tours for their theme parks and are interested in learning more. You’ve come to the right place. In this guide I’m going to break down everything about a Disneyland and Walt World VIP Tour including who can book them, how much they cost, are they worth it and what to expect from one. I’ve mae this very personal as I’ve had the opportunity to experience VIP tours over 15 times in my travel career. I also book VIP tours for clients (including you) and have a lot to offer to help you make the most of your experience should you choose to do one.

Let’s start off with some of the most basic questions:

How Do You Book a Disney VIP Tour?

With me of course! Guests who are interested in booking an VIP Tour for Disneyland or Walt Disney World should use the form below to contact me. Once the form is submitted I’ll go to work getting your quote. Once I have this I’ll get back to you and let you know the price and everything included. When you’re ready to book just let me know and I’ll confirm it. 

Why book with me? As I mentioned before, I’ve been on over 15 VIP Tours and know how they work. I have guides to recommend, reserved seating suggestions and in general, how to get the most out of your tour. My services are very fast, friendly and professional. I’ve booked tours for families, businesses, and even celebrities. Whatever your needs are, I will accommodate. Plus every guest who books with me receives a $100 Disney Gift Card to use at the parks while on their tour. A special thank you from me to you!

I can also book your admission for the theme parks at a discounted rate.

What is a VIP Tour at Disneyland and Walt Disney World?

If you’ve even been to the parks and seen a Cast Member in Plaid walking around the parks with a group of guests and taking them on rides, you’ve probably seen a VIP tour. They are private tours for park guests that include a guide for a predetermined amount of hours, typically 6 or more. The guide (a specially trained Cast Member) accompanies your group and is able to provide several services including quick access to attractions and shows, reserved seating for entertainment, dining reservations and more. 

Over the years however, VIP Tour guides have become known as human FastPasses. The idea being that most guests book a tour so that they can skip the lines at all the attractions and experience more without waiting. And to be completely honest, this is 80% of it. It’s the biggest perk you’ll get out of a VIP Tour and really the dream everyone wishes they could experience. 

Tour guides however do also provide a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the parks and are an amazing asset to you when you have questions or concerns. Nobody knows more about the parks and how they run than tour guides. This is very useful, especially for guests who have never visited the parks before.

Who Can Book a VIP Tour at the Parks?

I have great news! Anyone can book a VIP Tour at the Disney Parks. It’s just a matter of setting one up for the time you plan to visit. Most people think that these tours can only be done by celebrities or connected people at Disney. This is not true. In fact, most tours that you see are being done with regular people who want to take advantage of the tour perks. 

There are currently three categories of tours that Disney offers and one is for any guests who want to do one:

• Premium VIP Tour – For Celebrities who are visiting the parks.
• Club 33 VIP Tours – For Club 33 members and their guests.
• VIP Tour – Available to anyone who wants to book.

Despite there being 3 “different” ones, they are all pretty much the same. You’ll have a guide who will take you around the parks, get you on rides, and help in anyway they can. The only difference for a Premium VIP Tour is that they are only for celebrity guests (a decision made by Disney) and typically move guests from one are to another via backstage or corridors so that they don’t get bombarded with fans. Otherwise that tour is also the same as the other two.

I have personally booked my own VIP Tours for several years as well as experienced ones through Club 33 and I can tell you they are exactly the same.

How Much Does a VIP Tour Cost?

The biggest question of them all: Pricing. I hope it doesn’t come as a surprise that VIP Tours are expensive. Consider what you’re getting for your group plus the personal attention for a Cast Member dedicated to your wants and needs for the day. Having said that, tours start out at $2,975 and go up from there. Several factors will decide your total cost:

• The day your visiting
• Availability
• How many hours you need

There is a cost per hour but nothing that’s set in stone as it changes based on the day you want to do the tour. For instance, a tour on New Year’s Eve will cost you much more per hour than say a Wednesday in February. Same goes for weekends. They are typically pricier than a weekday. The lowest cost per hour is going to $425 and can go all the way up to $600+ per hour.

The average cost for a VIP Tour is about $4,000 with 7 hours of tour time.

Disneyland VIP Tours

Tours at the Disneyland Resort include quick access to all attractions, reserved seating for parades and fireworks (based on availability), parking, dining reservations and more. Your tour group can have up to 10 guests and can last for as many hours as you want with a minimum of 7 hours each day. Keep in mind that every BODY counts toward your party number, including babies and infants that don’t require tickets. This means you can’t have 4 adults, 6 kids and 2 babies as that puts your group count at 12 which is over the 10 that’s allowed. 

VIP Tours at Disneyland can include both Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park if you have a park hopper ticket. Since the Tour does not include theme park admission, whatever ticket you buy is what you can do on the tour. So if you purchase a 1 park per day and choose Disneyland as your park, you can only do the tour in that park. 

Guests may request reserved seating for the fireworks and/or parades that may be happening the day of their tour. Dining reservations may also be made in advance for places including Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle Restaurant, Lamplight Lounge and more. 

Guests can expect to experience both Disneyland and California Adventure Park in a single day while on a tour. This includes most attractions and entertainment. Typically the tour length for this is 8 hours but with the right group could be done in 7. Guests on tour do receive Lightning Lane access to both Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and WEB-SLINGERS along with every other major attraction with Lightning Lane. 

You also receive quick access to all non-Lightning Lane attractions as well including Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and more.

Walt Disney World VIP Tours

Walt Disney World is a very unique place to do a VIP Tour and, in my opinion, the best place to do one. With four parks to experience, there are several ways to attack your day and get a lot done. Like Disneyland, tours in Orlando also include quick access to major attractions via Lightning Lane as well as exit access to smaller attractions. Essentially there’s no waiting for much. 

VIP Tours include all four parks including Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. You can visit all or one or two or however many you want during your tour as long as you have the Park Hopper option with your ticket. Also remember that theme park admission is not included with your tour. If you do purchase a 1 park per day ticket, your tour will be in that one park for the entire day.

Tours can include up to 10 guests with a minimum of 7 hours booked. Every BODY counts towards that number including infants or babies so be aware of that when booking.

The other thing that I love about Walt Disney World VIP Tours is that they include a lot of backstage access which is always fun for the Disney lover. 

• Disneyland Resort

Disneyland VIP Tours Are Back! Here’s Everything You Need To Know

by Melissa Roden · October 26, 2021

Here at MickeyBlog, we are so excited to share the news that bookings have resumed for Private VIP Tours at Disneyland Resort.  It doesn’t get more magical than having your very own private Disney expert take you through the theme parks and to the front of the lines of some of your favorite attractions!

What’s Included in a Disneyland VIP Tour

For those unfamiliar, the Private VIP Tours run for 7-hours at Disneyland Resort.   Included in the booking is hassle-free white-glove service and hospitality. There’s also some additional premium benefits worthy of mention: 

• Theme Park Reservations – Guests are still required to make theme park reservations for the day of your VIP tour. But, don’t worry, if you don’t already have a reservation the VIP tour office will help you out! 
• Private VIP Tour Guide – One VIP guide is assigned per group of ten. If a group of more than 10 you will need to purchase 2 tours providing you with 2 tour guides. 
• Front of the Line Access – Enjoy your favorite attractions without the wait times! 
• Complimentary Disney PhotoPass- Guests booking a VIP tour will get unlimited PhotoPass downloads to capture your experience as a Disney MVP. 
• Parking is Included – Guests arriving from off-property will be able to park at Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa as part of your package! 

How Much Does the VIP Tour Cost? 

This depends on the time of year you book. Prices start at $425 per hour and go up to $700 per hour per tour.  Guests should remember that there is a 7-hour daily minimum per tour. 

Guests should note that park admission is not included in the rate. Cancellation fees may apply when tours are canceled with only 4-days of arrival. 

UPDATED: Health and Safety Recommendations From The State of California 

If you’re planning on booking a VIP tour in the near future, it’s good to be up on the latest health and safety recommendations.  According to a piece published by Disney today, Private VIP Tours will be required to follow the healthy and safety measures at Disneyland Resort.  

At the moment,  the State of California is recommending that all guests be fully vaccinated or that you must obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering Disneyland Resort. For more information on Disneyland’s health and safety policy and procedures please visit: Disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr to view important details. 

Image Credit: Disney

For more information on Disneyland VIP tours or to start planning your Disneyland getaway, you can fill out my form below for your FREE no-obligation quote. 

For other VIP Tour information, including valuable know before you go details, click here .  Readers are also encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Disneyland news and updates!

Thinking about a visit to Disneyland? Getting started is easy! Simply fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.  

Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner?  As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical.  Best of all my services are absolutely  FREE .  Get in touch at  1.800.801.4025  via email at  [email protected]   or follow along on  Facebook

Melissa Roden

As an agent with MickeyTravels and a Blogger with MickeyBlog I enjoy sharing, tips, tricks and advice to help readers and clients get the most out of your time with Disney. When I'm not helping clients plan their perfect holidays or nab those hard-to-get discounts you can find me enjoying a Dole Whip at Disney World with my daughter! Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1.800.801.4025 or find me on Facebook !

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• Smart Living

Is the $2,975 VIP Tour at Disneyland Really Worth It? We Asked Someone Who's Done It Twice

When visiting the happiest place on earth , you go in accepting the fact that you'll be standing in line longer than you'll be enjoying the attractions. But how much would you pay to have your group cut straight to the front? With Disneyland's VIP Tours , guests can enjoy the most magical day ever free of lines, alongside their own "personal concierge," and with many other perks — but with a hefty price tag, of course.

For up to a group of 10 and a minimum of seven hours, a VIP Tour reservation starts at $2,975, and that doesn't include admission to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure . To see if the insane ticket price is really worth it, I spoke with a family friend who's done the experience twice with her family and paid $3,200 for their Christmas-Day trip.

"The biggest perk is not waiting in line!" Stefanie Howarth told POPSUGAR. "Your guide will escort you through the FastPass line."

In addition, VIP guests also get to enter the park one hour before it opens to the public — which is pretty awesome — as well as preferred VIP parade seating.

Your Personal Guide

From start to finish, your guide will take you through the park and every ride and even help customize an itinerary for you beforehand.

"The guides are really your personal concierge," Stefanie said. "They will escort you to both Disneyland and California Adventure if you have passes for both. They organize the day and tailor it to your specific wants and needs; they can make lunch reservations and recommendations ."

Stefanie shared that the best guides are also park historians who are knowledgeable about every detail, down to the hidden messages in design left by Walt Disney himself, so your experience really depends on who you get.

"I must say all guides are not created equal," she said. "Our first year, all our guide did was get us on the rides. Last year, the guide was fantastic and was a park/ride historian."

Is It Worth It?

"Yes, it is worth it, especially if it's a crowded time of year. If we went during an off time, we would not use one, but on Christmas, it's a must."

When you break it down, $2,975 for a group of 10 comes out to $298 per person, a little over $150 more than normal admission during busy season. If you and your friends are paying individually, the cost seems more manageable, especially for all the benefits included in the package. There are also plenty of ways you can save at the parks , including bringing your own food. While it's not financially realistic for every group or family, it is an option to explore if you're willing to drop some cash to avoid those lines.

— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes

8 Reasons $8,000 Disney VIP Tours Are Worth It

There’s no doubt about it, Walt Disney World is a mission.

It takes time, it takes money, and sometimes this theme park even steals your sanity.

When I imagine the perfect fairytale Disney vacation, I see myself skipping over the steps of the theme park castle, singing Disney songs after a restful sleep at a Disney resort . What I get is a crazy 25,000 steps on my FitBit , heatstroke, dehydration, and a whole lot of patient practice.

And that’s just one park, forget about doing any more than that would be the definition of insanity.

So when Visit Florida asked me to do a Disney private VIP tour visiting 3 Disney parks in one day, I thought they were insane. But always up for a little insanity, I pulled on my runners, got custom lanyards made, ensured my FitBit was charged, and pulled up my big girl panties. Let’s do this!

Does Disney World have VIP Passes?

I was greeted in front of a sparkling clean white unmarked can by bright, bubbly, vivacious Emily. She wore a red plaid skirt with matching suspenders and a crisp, white blouse with ginormous gold buttons.

What stood out was her long, luscious red hair, like The Little Mermaid stepped outside of the movie and into real life. Our very own Disney park princess turned out to be our very own Disney World tour guide.

How Much Is A VIP Tour At Disney World?

Can you pay to skip lines at Disney World ? Well, our guide shared in a conspiracy-like tone that ‘YES’ you can with Disney VIP tours .  

We were about to take the almost-secret Disney World Premium VIP Tour . And how much does a VIP Disney tour cost? The Disney VIP tours cost anywhere from $450 – $700 per hour, with a minimum of 7 hours.

If I had been drinking coffee it would have been sprayed on the back of her head. What?! Who pays that for a Disney World private tour?

Turns out plenty. It’s the type of people who don’t want to spend months planning, parents who don’t want to stand with crying kids for hours in long queues under the hot sun, CEOs who have executive jobs to get back to, and folks who have more important things to do, people who have done Disney before and just want to re-live their favorite rides… Or people who just want to see 3 Disney Parks in one day… like our group.

This Disney World VIP pass can take a group of up to 10 people. So if you throw a couple of families into the mix, it might even be considered an excellent value.

Once booked, your Disney World tour guide takes care of everything. Just let them know your favorite rides, restaurants, and parks and they will orchestrate the entire day to make sure everything fits in, in the most sensible amount of time.

What does that mean? Ultimate ease. You’ll spend less time waiting and more time soaking up Disney’s spectacular magic. The way Walt intended.

So what did I think of my Disney VIP tour guide? Well, keep reading as I spill the secret in my Disney World VIP tour review.

Perks To The Disney VIP Pass

Want a ride to the door .

Our Disney tour guide picked us up and escorted us right to our chosen Disney park, and then using employee-only backroads, to the front door of the actual ride. Often we would leave our van parked behind the scenes and walk through a non-descript door that opened up where we wanted to be.

Outside the Tower of Terror, beside California Soarin’, or next to the Animal Safari. No long walks, no dehydration, and no heatstroke. Perfect air-conditioned comfort! How many times did I go on Space Mountain ?

Want a FastPass+ expedited entry to rides?

No more waiting. On our Disney VIP tour , we simply walked straight to the FastPass+ queue.

And bonus you can ride as many times as you like. Regular Walt Disney World visitors can obtain a maximum of 3 FastPass+ tickets per day, but not with your Disney tour guide . Ride as often as you like.

But don’t confuse your FastPass+ as a front-of-line pass, but it is just as good. Especially when it comes to meeting Walt Disney World characters . Those lines can be intense, but we managed to hug Chewbacca pretty quickly.

And because the Disney VIP tours are allowed to go as many times as they like, we enjoyed rides like Mount Everest at Animal Kingdom four times. Screaming every single time.

Speaking as a tourist who has been on a Disney vacation and has not taken a single ride because of the ridiculous wait times and hordes of kids, this Disney VIP tour cost is worth every penny.

Want the best seats?

We didn’t need to race to any shows at the Magic Kingdom with our VIP tour guide Disney World , there was always a seat ready for us. We watched “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” nighttime show at Animal Kingdom in fabulous saved VIP seats. And by the way that show was awesome, highly recommend it.

Stop by the Tree of Life afterward – it’s simply stunning.

Want to know Disney secrets?

The guides have extensive training about all of the theme parks, as well as Disney ‘s history. You’ll be amazed at the backstage magic they are privy to.

Our Disney VIP guide was full of knowledge. Knowledge of working at Disney , knowledge of celebrities who visit, knowledge of the Magic Kingdom rides, and Disneyland Resort restaurants.

She never seemed to run out of answers to our endless list of questions. If you ever wanted to know about the inner workings of Disney , this is a real plus.

Want to do three parks in one day?

Doing one park is hard enough, but on Disney VIP tickets we had plenty of time to do three parks, plus enjoy a delicious, laid-back meal at one of Disney’s fine dining restaurants. More about that further down.

Getting between the Magic Kingdom and the Disneys Animal Kingdom can normally take up to 45 minutes by shuttle, let alone walking through the parks. This door-to-door Animal Kingdom VIP tour means you can maximize your time in the park. And take your time eating.

Want to ride the newest and longest rides?

One of my favorite perks was that Emily knew exactly what was happening at the Disney park that was worth showing off. The brand new Frozen ride had been added to Epcot the day before we arrived. Not to mention the Avatar flight .

The California Soarin’ had just changed to “Soarin Around the World”. No research is necessary. She had us heading to brand new attractions and, of course, old favorites as well. How many times did I go on Space Mountain ?

Want booked meal times?

Of course, your Disney guide can book you a great meal. We had lunch at the aptly named Nomad Lounge in the Disneys Animal Kingdom. The food was impeccable and I loved the travel theme. The bar had hundreds of travel stories pinned to its walls.

But the best part? We had so much time to sit and enjoy it, because we knew afterward we could jump in our air-conditioned van to any ride and hop in the FastPass+ lane.

Want to feel like a VIP rockstar?

Oh, and did I mention there is the ultimate rock-star feeling that goes with these Disney World VIP tickets? It’s pretty special.

You might want to keep a big pair of dark sunglasses handy to hide from all the wistful stares or curious bystanders trying to work out who you are as your tour Hollywood Studio . Total glam life! It is the ultimate day .

The Non-Perks Of Disney Private Tours

It’s expensive.

Ok, so it was expensive. No doubt about it. The Disney World VIP tour price can cost you up to USD 8,000.  But I know what goes into planning a trip to a Disney park and I know how much time is spent in queues.

So yes, your wallet is going to feel a very fine pinch. But the Disney VIP tour guide cost is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Loss of Pizzazz

You might feel like you lose some of the pizzazz of Disney since you won’t walk through the front doors with the music and all the fanfare.

But the good news is, you can book that in with your VIP tour Disney World guide and then skip the rest of the walking.

Is The Disney VIP Tour Worth It?

Probably the most important non-perk is knowing that after you’ve done a VIP tour… you are not sure how you will ever be able to do a Disney park again without it. After the manic of Hong Kong Disney, I can’t go back.

How you will ever stand in a queue, walk thousands of FitBit steps and spend an hour waiting for a show or parade to begin? After all, don’t they know who I am?

The real secret to this secret tour

What makes the private VIP tour pass cost within reach of regular holidaymakers like you and me is this simple economic principle – when you add up the cost of premium accommodation and food for a 5-day stay in Orlando for Disney World , it’s not cheap.

The Disney VIP tour service will save you money because you can squeeze a 5-day vacation into just 1 (or 2) days. If you’re paying upwards of $400 per hotel room per night in a Walt Disney World Resort , and require 2 hotel room s for a large family (or extended family), shaving 3+ days off will reduce your vacation expenses by $2400. Adding meals at your Walt Disney World Resort and your total saving will probably exceed $3000.

So what seems like an extremely expensive and indulgent private VIP tour service will put you in front financially… plus (and this is a big plus) you’ll be much more relaxed and enjoy the whole experience as a family all the more. Bam!

How is Covid affecting Disney Parks?

All Disney parks around the world except one are now open to visitors.

From February 16, Disney announced that all of its resorts in the US would lift mask requirements for vaccinated guests. Those who are not fully vaccinated are expected to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations.

Disneyland has eliminated on-site temperature checks and is allowing guests to “self-determine” social distancing since California has removed distancing requirements. S ome parks have reduced capacity and require temperature checks still.

Some Disney parks have resumed their nightly fireworks shows and parades.

Capacity has been cut in Disney’s theme parks, with numbers further limited in restaurants and in queues to prevent overcrowding.

You can read the latest updates on Disney’s covid operations below:

Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations

Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Alert

Update on Disneyland Resort Operations

So what do you think of my Disney VIP tour review? Would you like to do a Disney park like the rich and famous? I would love to hear your opinion in the comments below.

Check how many Disney World tickets are here! And this is a cheap special offer .

Or get the best deal on Disney resorts right here. 

Use our Universal Orlando Studios guide while you’re in town. Or check out this Orlando CityPASS attraction as an alternative for several tickets throughout Orlando.

This was back in Travel With Bender days. 

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SO HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU GO ON SPACE MOUNTAIN???? Sheesh 😛

HAHAHHA It’s a secret! 😛

Hi Erin, love your article!

I’m travelling by myself this year, and would love to go on the VIP tour. Do you happen to know any travel agency that create groups for the VIP, so I could join other singles or smaller families? Or the VIP is something specifically for a party. My party has me only. Ha ha ha

Hi Karina, So glad it could help. I believe the price is set no matter how many people there are. For instance, you can have up to 10 people in a group so at $500 an hour that works out to $50 per hour per person. Whereas if it was just you, you could still go, but you’ll be paying the full $500 per hour by yourself. I would consider giving the reservation line a call and asking if there are any other groups that might be looking for members – Call (407) 560-4033. But it’s a great idea – maybe a Facebook Disney page could also be a place to grab another 9 people to join you! 🙂

Thanks, lovely! xoxo

whoops… I forgot to write a message! We have taken 3 extended WDW family trips. My youngest son (23) is graduating from college in May. We love Disney, but not the lines and crowds. A Disney trip was not on the radar until I read about the VIP tour. So worth it!! So, WDW is back on the agenda perhaps. My family of four is a huge Star Wars fan and have not been to Disney since 2013, so all of that is new to us. I am not sure if May 20th timeframe is not enough notice but that is what I was thinking. Otherwise, a fall Halloween timeframe is good too. Ideally, I plan a WDW trip a year ahead, so I am way behind so the VIP tour seems fitting.

Oh please do let me know if you do it! I think for a family short on time and planning it’s perfect. They can help you plan so I hope it works out for you.

Erin – good day – when did you go to Disney World and do the VIP Tour, was it during Covid? I have heard mixed reviews during Covid on these tours (mostly negative)… Please expand on your travel dates…

We went preCovid. I cannot say how it would be different now, but I would think it would be better with all the social distancing requirements currently.

OMG I NEVER KNEW THIS EXISTED IM IM Just A KID! And once I Read All Of THIS!!! This Is WOrth The Price Hoping In The Future Ill Buy This AT Least For ONCE IN A LIFETIME PLEASE!!! OMG! BOI!!! SO Worth The Price Ill Be Famous For A Day Living The RICH!!! Heh Heh Style In DIsney World And Etc So Many Other Stuff Oh And Your RIght ABout The Sunglass Part DOn’t Want People To Know Who You Are So Many Good DEALS!!! About This Tour Thing Only Cost 8,000 HAHAHAHAHAHA WOrth It Man Ha Ha Im Excited For This In Future Heh Oh And Also How’d You Create This Website explore with Erin Maybe When Im An Adult I Might Like To Create A Website ABout Disney Or Maybe EVEN! SOmething ELse EHeh Heh ANd Add Comments To Comment Me If They Have Questions Problems Or Liking my Thing And More ETc Ha Ha SO mUch MORE!!! HAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Thank You Alot Erin Ha Ha Ha Ha >=)!!!!!

I hope you get to go Isaac! Thanks for writing.

Hi Erin! Loved your review of the VIP Tour! Hoping to book one in 2022.

Warm regards,

Hi Tara, I really enjoyed it and for a group could see the value. You will have the best time!

Wow….never knew that was a thing! Can see the benefits though! We only had 2 days in Orlando….did 2 parks….Epcot and Animal Kingdom….I felt very stressed with the heat and the crowds and trying to see as much as we can . Had a ball and thoroughly enjoyed it but will try to allow longer next time. Hardly did any rides as couldn’t get any fast passes and waiting in the long lines meant we would hardly see any of the parks. Fun place though!

Disney is so stressful! I’m not sure I’d ever do it again unless it was this way.

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When it comes to  experiencing Disney luxury , there aren’t very many experiences better than a Disney VIP tour. We love to picture ourselves strutting down Main Street, U.S.A., coffee in hand, sporting trendy sunglasses and a handbag, and accompanied by one of the “plaids” — a Disney VIP tour guide and theme park extraordinaire. 

A VIP tour is one of  the most luxurious Disney theme park experiences  money can buy (outside of the super-exclusive Club 33, of course). Available at  Disneyland  and  Walt Disney World , Disney’s VIP Tour Services provide guests with  a private tour of the theme parks , including skipping the line for every ride, backstage access, and as much park hopping as you want. 

But how much does a Disney VIP tour really cost, what are the perks, and what should you keep in mind when booking? We’re covering it all right here.  

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Disney VIP Tour Cost  

Per Disney, a VIP theme park tour offers you priority access to attractions, hassle-free planning of your day at the parks, and VIP service from your own personal guide, which helps with all your needs and entertainment. Tours start at $2,975 for a minimum of seven hours.   

Typically, up to 10 guests can take a VIP tour with one tour guide. You can add more people to your tour, but the price will increase, as a second tour guide will need to accompany your group.  

The price will vary depending on the season, too. At both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, a Disney VIP tour starts at $425/hour for a minimum of 7 hours.  

However, if you’re looking to book a  Disney VIP tour  during peak seasons like Christmas and New Year’s or Spring Break, then you can expect the price to be much higher than the minimum. A 10-hour tour during the busy season, for example, could cost $8,500. Due to popularity, you should book your tour ASAP.  

Even with the steep price tag, valid theme park admission (i.e., a Disney theme park ticket or Annual Pass) is required to take a VIP tour. This is something to factor into your budget if you’re considering booking.  

Disney VIP Tour Benefits  

Without a doubt, one of the best perks of a VIP tour is feeling like a VIP. Have you ever seen a Disney Cast Member dressed in plaid taking a group of guests to the front of the line at an attraction, or even placing a VIP order at Starbucks? The same Cast Members who accompany celebrity guests also accompany guests who book VIP tours. So, if you want to feel like a celeb at Disney and you have some serious cash, book a Disney VIP tour.  

The tour guides are more than Disney park experts — they are some of the kindest, most accommodating Disney Cast Members you will ever meet. Disney hires them for a reason, and when they are not booking tours, many of them are working in Guest Relations to make magic for everyday guests. 

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A VIP tour is also a fantastic option if your time at the theme parks is limited. If you are only planning to be at Disney for one day — or you are taking a quick trip — and you want to get on as many rides as possible, a VIP tour could be a great way to go.  

But even if you’re willing to spend the money and are seriously looking into booking a VIP tour, we wouldn’t recommend it for a first visit to the Disney theme parks. The Disney parks offer an exceptional kind of magic for guests. And because many VIP tours offer backstage access and bring guests through the parks in a rushed, exciting way, they aren’t always great for a first visit.  

A VIP tour is an incredible way to get as much done as possible in a single day, but if you’ve never been to Disneyland or Disney World before, we’d suggest taking everything in on your own before splurging on the VIP treatment.  

Tips for Booking a VIP Tour at Disneyland or Walt Disney World  

Book during the slower season  .

Is there a “slow season” at Disney anymore? We’re not so sure about that, but we are sure about VIP tour pricing.  Disney VIP tour services  start at $425 an hour and can be as expensive as $850 an hour, depending on the time of year you book. If you have flexible travel dates and you want to save as much money possible on a VIP tour, give Disney a call and ask for more details on booking during the “off-season” — or, at least, booking during a time when you can get a tour for the lowest price available.  

Get a big group together  

A VIP tour will cost you the same amount whether you’re a group of 10 or flying solo, so get a big group together if you want to make the experience more cost-effective. This is a convenient tip if going on a VIP tour is on your Disney bucket list, but you don’t have thousands of dollars to burn.  

For example, a seven-hour tour for eight people could cost under $500 per person if divided equally, whereas the same tour for three guests could cost under $1,000 per person. No matter what, Disney VIP tours are expensive, but they can be more attainable the more people you invite to the experience.  

Know your must-dos  

Your  Disney VIP tour guide  will be an expert on the theme parks — that’s a given. They’ll share secrets and history, fun facts, and an all-around great time with you throughout the entire day.  

Extra experiences are bound to come up during your VIP tour, but it doesn’t hurt to have some of your must-dos in mind as you head into your day. Want to ride Space Mountain as many times as possible? Looking to get the full Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experience? Needing a Disney fairytale-themed day? Your Disney VIP tour guide can make it happen.  

Other Tours to Consider  

If you want a tour of the theme parks with a much more laid-back feel, then we’d recommend trying one of Disney’s other tours. At Disneyland, the  “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Guided Tour  allows guests to explore Walt Disney’s life through Disneyland, the original theme park and the only Disney park that Walt himself opened.  

Similarly, Magic Kingdom offers the  Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour , offering an in-depth look at Magic Kingdom’s history and a glimpse at “secret locations you’ve always wondered about. Neither of these guided tours is considered a private VIP tour, so you will likely be with other guests. Still, they are great for anyone who wants a closer, more historical perspective on the flagship theme parks at Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  

Follow for More Disney Tips  

We’re all about splurging on a Disney vacation for luxury experiences that feel truly magical. For more tips on how to elevate your next trip to the happiest place on Earth,  follow us on TikTok  and subscribe to our newsletter.  

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Disney VIP Tours: What You Need To Know: Cost, Perks, and Types

Robin Hutson

February 20, 2023

It’s not just about skipping long lines in California or Florida. Here’s what to expect booking Disney VIP tours.

I had so many questions about hiring a VIP tour guide at Disney World.

• How do private tour companies differ from the official Disney tours? 
• When are the services worth it?
• What is actually included?
• What is the cost of a Disney VIP tour?
• How much gratuity to pay your Disney VIP guide

Here’s my best effort at answering questions regarding Disney VIP tour guides you may be considering for your Disney World vacation , which is definitely the indulgent and desirable “Enchanted Extra” in Disney speak, or “Expensive Extra” in my speak.

Read on for Disney’s private tours, non-Disney private tours and when to use each. There’s a time and place for each kind. Looking for a Disneyland VIP guide ? Read about our experience in California.

Different Types of Disney VIP Tours

I have used both private companies and the official tours from Disney. Disney World offers more options because there are more parks, more group VIP tours, and more unofficial tour companies in the market.

The most exclusive option is the Disney Private Premium VIP Tours where the “plaid vests” escort you around the park like a celebrity. You’ll use backstage areas to maximize your time park-hopping in less time and have access to all Lightning Lanes (the expedited priority line at rides) with your guide. It’s not truly front of the line access, but it’s close, and your wait times will be minimal.

If you plan to use a non-Disney tour company, stick with a company that has been around a few years and check their Trip Advisor reviews. We only book the best private companies for our clients that we use for our own families.

Be wary of any tour company that seems too good of a deal or whose promises include things like “Any ride you want” which indicates bending Disney’s rules or worse, exploiting Disney’s disability passes, the lowest of the low.

Disney VIP Tours Cost?

Disney World Private Premium VIP Tours cost significantly more than the non-Disney VIP tour companies.

The official Disney World Private Premium VIP Tours vary from $425 to $900 per hour with a seven-hour minimum. The dynamic pricing surges during three-day weekends and holidays. Best hourly rate is midweek outside of the high cost of Spring Break and Christmas season.

Disney allows guests to tour up to 10 continuous hours, and those hours beyond the first seven can be added while on your tour. You do not have to book your total hours in advance beyond the minimum seven. That brings the total Disney VIP tour cost between $2,800 to $4,200 for the experience, before gratuities.

Disney VIP Tour Tips and Gratuities

It is critical to incorporate your guide’s tip into your tour budget. A minimum of one hour’s rate should be given, and more if you can offer it. It is easy to bring cash, but most guides will share their Venmo account to make it easy to pay at the end of your tour since you cannot use a credit card.

VIP Tour Maximum Party Size?

All Disney VIP tours are designed for parties of no more than 10 people. Disney will require a second cast member guide for parties larger than 10. Infants, unfortunately, are included in that headcount of family members.

That second guide will stay close to the first group, but it offers a change for families to divide up by thrill level, too. Also, the 10 guests registered for the tour must be the same 10 guests throughout the tour. No changing family or friends within the parks allowed.

What is the Disneyland VIP tour cost?

Just like a Disney World VIP tour, here’s what to expect for a Disneyland VIP tour (Read our review of a tour from start to finish). They cost between $425 and $850 per hour with a 7 hour minimum. You can bring up to 10 people, including infants.

Non-Disney companies run from $200 to $350 per hour, typically with a six-hour minimum, bringing the total from $1200 to $2,500. The cost per hour for all companies varies due to the demand of the season.

The holiday week of Christmas and New Year’s Day is the busiest time of year. VIP services are most useful and in demand, so book early. The second busiest time is in March when Florida public schools are on Spring Break. Big states like Texas often share the same week, making it one of the toughest weeks to get hotel and dining reservations.

VIP Disney World Planning Services

Don’t stress, it’s a vacation. Luxe Recess is the leader in planning luxury Disney vacations, especially for those families who aren’t Disney die-hards. Read more about our services and fees. We’ll plan a five-star Orlando adventure for your family.

Disney World VIP Tour FAQs

What exactly does a disney vip tour guide do compared to a non-disney guide.

This is where the experience differs between the official Disney VIP Tours and the non-Disney companies. 

Join the  Luxury Disney World  Facebook group if we can answer questions about your next Disney vacation.

Pre-arrival and dining reservation assistance.

Disney’s Private Premium VIP Disney Tours only offers assistance for the day of your tour. They can assist with park tickets and reservations and dining, but they can only procure a dining reservation that was available on the public site. They also do not begin booking these until 9AM, and you could be booking your hard to get table as of 6AM that day.

Private companies will offer more hand holding in vacation planning, sometimes for an additional fee. This will include ticket booking, as well as park and dining reservations.

The day of your VIP Disney Tour

Your Disney guide can pick you up at your hotel or meet you inside the parks. I usually discuss the advantages of each option with my clients.

The Disney guides have access to all Lightning Lanes and can put you in the expedited lines to reduce wait time. The guides stay with you in line until you board the ride, so we would also get the first seats of each ride. Some rides have secret entrances that the Disney guides use at Magic Kingdom, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

When you are ready to move to the other parks, you can use backstage entrances where a VIP vehicle is yours for the duration of the tour. We were met with a snack basket by another guide outside our van to grab some chips.

After certain rides, our guide would meet us with bottles of water, Mickey bars, and Mickey pretzels. Not all guides do this, but the ones I request do. We did a 10-hour stint this summer in the crazy heat, and those snacks and waters made it physically possible.

People rarely book sit down meals during their tours. It’s a day for ordering quick service meals using the mobile app. There is a VIP fireworks viewing area for Magic Kingdom if you time your tour to conclude when the fireworks begin. I can help you map all of this out.

The Non-Disney VIP Experience

Our non-Disney guide introduced herself by phone and asked us about our ride priorities to create a loose plan for our tour. She offered to arrange private transportation or guide us on the best parking options.

Our non-Disney guide used her detailed knowledge of the rides, their duration, their wait time patterns, and locations to maximize our time so that we saw as much as possible. She asked what we had never done and weighed in one rides we should try at least once.

While she didn’t have Disney’s line access, there are definitely patterns to learn when you do this every day that gives you far greater expertise than a typical Disney park goer, even an enthusiast passholder.

In addition to a park plan, there are several concierge-type experiences that our guide offered. At each ride, she parked our strollers and waited for us with our stroller at the exit. She would go get waters, popcorn, or iced tea while we were on a ride and had them waiting for us.

Our VIP guide took pictures of us with her phone, and she extracted my camera from around my neck a few times so that we now have proof that I was actually at Disney World with my family, a wonderful perk for me that lasts long after the tour.

Towards the lunch hour, she took our orders, set us on rides, and then we met her at the Columbia Harbor House where she waited for us with our plates of salmon and broccoli at the table. My husband thought this service was worth its weight in gold.

The perks of a true Disney World expert

They were, of course, many moments where our guide’s park knowledge surpassed my own, and I loved it. On the Buzz Lightyear ride, we were playfully competitive shooting lasers at Zurg’s various targets.

She sat with me and showed me where to shoot my laser gun. By the time we had gone through the first room, she had maxed out the score at 999,999. Sit on the left side. Now I know. Lots of little insider tricks of hers made the rides more fun.

What if you already know the Disney parks really well?

There were many intangible perks to using a guide, too. I still found Disney VIP Tours different because I was able to enjoy the day without being the family navigator, planner, and boss. I could truly check out and not be in charge. This gave me the opportunity to let the experiences reach my own inner six-year-old much more easily. I smiled a lot more. Worth every penny.

Another benefit is how the dynamics shift when a neutral party is involved and in charge. If you are traveling in a group where more than one person wants to take charge, a tour guide smooths the tension. Especially for multi-generational trips where there may be too many cooks in the kitchen.

After we finished our day with our guide, we pulled into the Four Seasons Orlando , my daughter gave our guide a big hug, and I was so grateful to experience Magic Kingdom park in a way that felt like a real vacation for me.

When to splurge for Disney’s Premium Private VIP tours for ultimate backstage access

Ride access is more challenging now, and even the best Genie Plus users will adit it is harder now to get ride access. So if you are going to ride all of the new rides, ride all of the best rides, or try and combine more than one park in a day, you need a VIP tour.

With the Premium Private VIP tours, you are paying for their VIP Lightning Lane access for any ride (formerly the FastPass line) to avoid long waits. These Lightning Lanes are at most of the rides at all of the theme parks, especially guests’ favorite attractions.

Younger children’s energy will put a ceiling on the special access you have paid for, and some attractions offer no Lightning Lane, so you are still might wait in line for things, even with a VIP escort and the magic access they offer.

If you have small children and you are still traveling with strollers, I think the private guides can give parents a major perk of a much needed break leading the family around Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom with a pro. You’re tired. You deserve it. Make this the best day for all of you.

Which parks and attractions work best with Disney VIP guides?

Truthfully, all parks are on the table now given that Epcot, where guides didn’t use to visit, is now the hot park to take people on the latest Guardians of the Galaxy coaster. (It’s that good!)

Magic Kingdom’s number of rides and roller coasters puts it in its own league compared to the other Walt Disney World Resort parks. It has more Lightning Lane experiences than any other park, and the layout is vast and can be overwhelming for newbies. The timing of all the attractions and crowd formations is not easy to learn if you’ve only been a few times. And Hollywood Studios has many great rides and a very confusing layout, so I never suggest people visit their first time without a guide there, either.

In our four park whirlwind tour with our Disney guide, we got to ride the following rides. Rise of the Resistance, Smuggler’s Run, Star Tours, Flight of Passage, Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Kilimanjaro Safaris, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Expedition Everest, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, just to name a few.

If I were organizing a multi-generational family vacation to Disney World, I would also use the services of a VIP tour. To assign the leadership to a knowledgeable nonmember of the family keeps everyone happy.

People who go to Disney once and hate it simply don’t know what they were doing. It is a complicated trip. The goal is to have fun, and you’ll have a lot more fun and better memories when your kids aren’t seeing you stressed trying to figure out where to go or what to do when you don’t have a clue.

I would also book a tour if I dreaded the idea of going to Disney and wanted the “one and done” approach. Warning : I thought I was going to be one of those people, but several thousand dollars later, Disney has the last laugh.

Need an expert to take over the planning? We  plan your Disney World vacations . I’ll share what VIP experiences are worth every penny and tell you what to skip.

Headed to Universal Studios? Check out why the Universal VIP Tours are worth every penny, and we book those, too!

Disneyland Hotel Club Level: Celebrating Walt In Style

These luxury portugal resorts were designed for families in every detail, 17 thoughts on “disney vip tours: what you need to know: cost, perks, and types”.

A VIP tour sounds like a great way for Mom to be able to sit back and enjoy the time as well and not have to worry about planning or feeling like you are going to miss something. Also like the idea of having one with a group so there is no question of who is in charge!

We are going to Disneyworld Orlando in December and would like a VIP Guide. Do you have a person/company you can recommend please? Thanks

That is all outlined in the above article. ?

I really really enjoyed this article as I have long wondered what these tours did and now finally know. I’d love to try one – sounds so much less stressful than the degree we had to take in Disney Studies for our trip!

Honestly I had no idea these tours existed before reading your article. It sounds like an amazing way to save yourself (and your family) some stress if you can afford it. I know we would have loved this option a few times we went to the park when our kids were younger and when we traveled with my parents. It would have made things a lot easier.

You missed a few perks of using Disney’s Premium service.

We’d love to hear more! What else besides the pixie dust Fast Passes did you enjoy?

One of the best perks for us involved them transporting us around property. We park hopped all four parks going to just the rides on our list. We were loaded into their white vans and transported via backstage to the different locations saving us a ton of time. We maximized our time and never felt rushed.

Yes, that’s true in that it can make a big difference in parking hopping multiple times in one day. I can’t imagine my kids handling more than two parks in a day, but that might be just be my own preference projecting. If getting on rides was my priority, I would probably prefer to do the Ultimate day of thrills and spend the other thousand dollars saved elsewhere on food and spa and extend my stay at the Four Seasons or Waldorf!

So interesting! There is SO much strategy to navigating the parks; I can see why having a Cori could make a HUGE difference. Thanks for sharing!

Yes, Paula! I consider myself savvy but Cori helped us use our time on a whole new level.

I am reaching out to anyone who would like to share with our family a VIP private tour (up to 10 people) we are a family of 3 so 7 of you would like to share $450.00 an hour for 8 hours at Disneyworld – we want to schedule a private tour on 6/16/2017 from 2pm to 10pm somewhere during this timeframe Pandora and elsewhere – Anyone interested email me at [email protected]

Patricia, you should join the Luxury Disney Facebook group and ask there. The link is in the article.

We splurged for a private VIP tour a couple of years ago when we took our kids to Disneyworld for the first time. We started out at the Magic Kingdom and managed to fit in 10 rides in 90 minutes! Many of these rides had wait times of at least 30 minutes. The pace slowed down at the other parks since the rides are more spaced out geographically but it was very stress free having our guide drive us to the different parks and lead us to the fastest routes to get where we needed to go. We were able to get to every ride on the kids’ wishlist in 1 day and ended up the day in a prime reserved section for the night show at Hollywood studios.

That sounds like it was an incredible vacation! Would you do it again?

We decided to take a last minute trip to Disney, taking our niece for her first time. Since we are only 1 month out and have nothing planned, would you recommend Disney Private VIP tour or MyVIP?

How old is your niece? Is the goal to see the most in the shortest amount of time? Or just someone to maximize your time arranging so you can enjoy and not plan?

Comments are closed.

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, reviews of vip tour guide service, {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"breadcrumblist","itemlistelement":[{"@type":"listitem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/","name":"all reviews"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/reviews\/category\/tours-at-wdw-wild-africa-trek-keys-to-the-kingdom\/","name":"tours at walt disney world reviews"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/reviews\/vip-tour-guide-service\/","name":"vip tour guide service reviews"}}]} all reviews > tours at walt disney world reviews > vip tour guide service reviews, recommended by, reviewed by disneyanduniversal4ever review date: 12/14/2022, rating: (10) recommended.

The tour was an amazing experience! I would defiantly recommend it! I would say that my tour was extra amazing because I got an AMAZING tour guide named Matthew Dean (nickname Jellybean)!

Reviewed by BridgetW Review Date: 07/19/2022

We used a VIP guide over President's Day weekend 2022 and it was worth every penny. We were a party of 4 and we rode 19 rides (some multiple times) at 3 parks in one day. This was a weekend when wait times were over 120 minutes for some attractions. Our guide Aussie Dave was spectacular and like family by the end of our day. Not only did we ride everything on our wish list, we learned so much Disney history that, as self-proclaimed Disney fans we never knew!! We will never plan a trip without a guide again.

Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/16/2022

Rating: (1) not recommended.

had a VIP tour booked for 6/6/22 for 10 hrs at the rate of $575 per hr. I called the VIP direct line 407 560 4033 on 4/15/22 to ask them how do they handle guests that have mobility issues. Gust serves asked if I need a scooter or a wheelchair I replied a wheelchair will be fine because I know it would be easer to load up in a vehicle. Guest services then told me that I would have to obtain the wheelchair at the stroller rental & return it at the same location that I checked it out at. Which is fine if you just plan on staying in 1 park. I then told him that I will be going to 3 parks cant the VIP tour guide load it up in the van & return it when were done with our tour. Guest services replied NO, It has to be returned where you checked it out at & with your receipt you can go to the stroller rental at the next park & pick another one up there. I then asked if this was going to eat in to my allotted time with VIP tour guest services replied YES. I called my travel agent & cancelled my VIP tour If their treating people with mobility issues in this manor spending $5750 + park admission how are they treating their regular guests. I guess the things I heard that Disney is all about the money & not the guest experience is true. I don't know if this is an ADA violation or not But I've never been treated in such a manor ever.

Reviewed by LaurenGonzales Review Date: 04/17/2020

This tour is worth both of the prices. It comes with 2 different tours Fast Pass Line tour and the Front of the line tour. The prices are amazing and customer service was also amazzzzzzing

Reviewed by jmchic Review Date: 12/31/2015

For all those wondering about the Disney's VIP Premium Tour, I searched endlessly and found very limited info and chose to write this informal but informative review for those considering it. Please forgive spelling typos and grammatical errors (not proofreading) as this is not meant to be fine poetry but useful information for those interested. My goal will be to provide info on what to expect and what not to expect as well as make comparisons between VIP Premium tours at Disneyland (Anaheim) as well as Walt Disney World (Orlando). I have participated in both of these and recently completed my first Disneyland trip this Christmas 2015 for which I booked a Premium VIP tour. I have gone to WDW in Orlando over 100 times with my family since we have family in Orlando and did the premium VIP tour there approximately 2 years ago so some procedures may have changed at WDW but the Disneyland VIP tour info is as recent as it gets! We also chose to stay on property even though we have family in Orlando and for those with family and in-laws know why! I will try to address certain topics and compare the two when appropriate. The first thing to remember is this review is referencing the Disney VIP Premium Tour Only and not the other hundreds of tours Disney offers. This is the ultimate premium VIP experience and as you can imagine is NOT CHEAP but is convenient and every person who reads this review will need to determine if the experience is worth the money. This info is not meant to be gospel but the info presented here is based on my personal recent experiences and may not reflect current offerings but is current for me. Here we go... COST: This will vary depending on the time of year you visit and obviously the holiday times are the most expensive and you do pay by the hour (6 hr minimum at both DL and WDW). I paid $550/hr on our recent Disneyland (DL) Christmas trip and about $400/hr on our past WDW Christmas trip. However, like all things at Disney, prices change and usually if not always go UP!. The WDW website now lists the cost to vary between $400-$600/ hr. This buys you and your group of up to 10 people a private VIP guide (wearing plaid) . If you have more than 10, a separate guide will be required and same costs apply for each guide! So if you like someone enough to share a tour guide that may average out cheaper per person but you may not get as much done having a full group of ten or separate families who may not agree on what to do next. Either way it's beyond EXPENSIVE, but to me worth it for my family of 5 to do alone. I can't tell you how many times I've said standing in a 2hr line for a 2 min ride "Oh what I would pay to get priority access", but it has to make sense for you. SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED?: YES, in both DL and WDW separate admission is required and is in addition to the cost of the tour, so buy those park tickets. If you plan on park hopping you better buy park hopper tickets and not single park, single day tix or you will be stuck in that one park. Be aware. RIDE ACCESS: Be aware this is not instant "front of line" access despite the cost. As a general rule, most if not all attractions that offer Fastpass (FP) access allow you priority access. This means your guide can get you through the fast pass line as many times as you want to go. Know however, there may still be a short wait, but my recent experience at DL took a 110 minute standby wait to 5 min with our VIP guide. Ride access also varies between DL and WDW. In DL, most of Fantasyland is not available for premium access due to size of exits we were told and for $550/hr this was disappointing. (we could not get premium access to some of our favorites like Peterpan, Snow white, Mr. Toads, Winnie the pooh, Dumbo etc. mostly the small kiddie rides. ) At WDW, most of Fantasyland was accessible) This was a big difference between the two parks. All of the big rides at DL and WDW (FP access) are included and save a ton of time. Some rides you just enter the FP line with your guide where other rides you and your guide enter through the exit (even faster access) It really depends on the particular attraction. RESERVED SEATING: This is another nice feature which is included in the VIP tours at both DL and WDW. There are special reserve seating areas for the Nightime Fireworks and other BIG shows specific to each park as well as the Parades. The key to this is to remember you have to arrange this seating for the specific shows you want to see when you call the Disney VIP number to book your tour. The reserved seating of the VIP tour is a nice perk for several reasons...first- since it is reserved seating you don't have to start finding a viewing spot along the parade route or in front of castle for fireworks an hour and a half or longer before the show!! This gives you a ton more time to continue to ride attractions with your guide... second- in many cases the Disney cast members and characters know where the VIP sections are and tend to acknowledge you and make an effort to wave or smile at your kids or party. third... if certain shows involve picking someone out of the crowd to help or participate in a show, you can bet it usually is a VIP tour party individual that is selected. (coincidence? I think not)This may not always be the case but still another great photo opportunity if it happens. REMEMBER to book or at least request this reserved seating at the time you book the tour. WHEN TO BOOK: As with Dining reservations or FP reservations, it pays to call or reserve as much in advance as possible to ensure availability. DL books VIP tours 90 days in advance and last I knew WDW books 6 months in advance. Confirm these dates on the websites as this may have changed. I called exactly 90 days out to book our Christmas DL VIP tour since Christmas can be so crazy. Also reserve seating is on a first come first serve basis so you don't want to book a tour a week before Christmas and then act surprised or worse get upset that all reserved seatings are booked! PLAN AHEAD. HOW LONG IS TOUR? There is no set time as far as a maximum number of hours but there is a minimum for each day. Current minimum is 6 hrs at both DL and WDW. IS FOOD INCLUDED? No, food and beverages are NOT included with the VIP Premium tour. It is also up to you whether you want your guide to join you or not while eating. If they do, you are not expected to pay for their meals but we chose to do that since we considered them more a part of the family for the day rather than just a human FastPass ticket. One thing to keep in mind, especially during the busier times of year and holidays is that even with Dining reservations it can take at least an hour to an hour and a half to eat a sit down meal. Keep this in mind if rides are your priority. It can wind up being the most expensive sit down meal you've ever had at $550/hr plus the cost of your food and the meter keeps running while you eat. I'm lucky in that our kids are picky with food and one has a Gluten allergy so we usually hit the quick service or counter ordering locations to avoid wasting time sitting for a long meal on the clock. I'm not suggesting to NOT make dining reservations and if the princess dinner or lunch in the castle is a must for you then by all means, do it...after all, you dictate the pace and priority of the day. It's your tour and you're paying a lot of good money for it. CHARACTER GREETINGS: Nothing eats up more time if you have young ones wanting to meet, take pictures or get autographs with the Disney Characters . Thankfully, many of the more popular characters now offer a FP meet and greets or are present at "character" meals. The character meals are nice because you kill two birds with one stone. You feed yourselves and the characters come to you!!! No waiting in a random line that suddenly appears where the character is standing. On our recent DL trip, we had a private meeting with Mickey and Elsa and Anna. This was nice and did not feel rushed through. No other characters were accessible on the tour. Thankfully my kids are getting tired of the meet and greets and have started and never finished about a dozen autograph books. Parents know what I am talking about here. WDW seem to have better access to characters and bypassing lines than DL. If there is a certain character you must meet and don't want to wait in the endless line, ask the VIP cast member when you call to book the tour. OTHER VIP TOUR PERKS: Even though WDW and DL now offer a Disney Photopass service which is where their photographers take the shots and then give you a card to view them later is convenient, you are at the mercy of where these photographers are located. Plus you don't own the pics and have to pay for them. For me, family photos and memories are priceless and the more , the better. Having a VIP guide allows me to actually be in the pics with my family rather than looking at years of photos where I only exist behind the lens and not in the picture!!! Your guides can also assist with having purchases you make in the park get stored at the exit to pick up or transported back to your hotel. Beats carrying them around all day. VIP Guides can not get you employee discounts on items and meals so don't ask. CLUB 33: For those Disney Veterans and those who know about it, the highly coveted reservation or ability to eat at the exclusive private club 33 in DL is not accessible from the tour. Sorry, I tried too. I did not ask to see the Cinderella suite in WDW Cinderella castle or Walt's private apt in DL, or the Disney Dream Suite in DL so I can't say if the guide would have accommodated. I doubt it but it never hurts to ask. TIPS FOR GUIDE: This topic continues to be a confusing one. When at WDW, our VIP guide said tips could not be accepted. This was NOT the case this Christmas trip to DL. Our guide was happy to accept one and in my opinion earned it. We had him for a full day tour for 2 days back to back. What is appropriate? Up to you, but I heard a one hr rate tip is good and a 2 hr rate tip is for an excellent experience. I went between and paid a 1 1/2 hr rate tip for our guide. Yes, this can be a $500 -$1000 tip but if you're fortunate enough to be booking the Premium VIP tour, just go with it and reward your guide.. At the end of the day, each person has to decide if this VERY EXPENSIVE VIP experience is worth it. We were able to ride everything we wanted to in DL and had reserved seats for all the shows and parades at Peak Christmas time. This would have never been possible without our VIP guide. A prime example of this is where we did a total of three big rides and were done in 25 mins. Total wait time otherwise would have totaled over 270 minutes without our guide.!!!! Is it worth it? You decide! Hope this was helpful and informative. Walt and his creations are truly amazing. Enjoy them how you wish and Thanks for reading. Visited December 2015

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Embark on a unique tour of the Disney Parks with your own VIP Guide!

Enjoy unlimited speedy access to all our attractions, VIP viewing areas for our incredible shows and parades, and discover the magic of Disneyland Paris like never before.

Book for a group of up to 10 Guests!

Head off on a 6-hour guided visit, enjoy the ultimate disney experience the vip way, leave all the planning to us, all the benefits of an exclusive vip tour.

Your very own VIP Guide

Superheroes, Disney classics, princesses... Explore the Disney Parks with your dedicated expert and discover the magical secrets behind your favourite worlds!

Speedy access to attractions

Enjoy fast, unlimited access to all of our attractions during your visit: one of the ultimate VIP experiences! (1)

Exclusive VIP viewing areas

Get closer to the magic with a front-row spot at our incredible shows and parades (2) , for a truly fairytale experience!

Meet beloved Disney Characters in no time!

Can't wait to meet Mickey and his Friends? Enjoy reduced waiting times at Meet Mickey Mouse, Princess Pavilion, Starport and Toon Plaza!

Did you know? Sleeping Beauty Castle is the only Disney castle in the world that is home to a dragon! Book your VIP Tour and discover more magical stories and secrets.

How does it work.

Book for a group of up to 10 Guests and enjoy a guided tour for 6 consecutive hours. Service subject to availability. Please note: you must purchase your Park Tickets separately.

Your day, your way!

Let us guide you, book your vip tour by email.

Take advantage of your VIP Tour to get in on the action!

Go on a mission with your VIP Guide and discover the secrets behind the Marvel Avengers Campus, where the action can happen at any moment! Keep an eye out for Thor, Spider-Man or... Iron Man, who knows?

Your questions

Is it possible to extend the duration of the VIP Tour?

Our VIP Tour services are booked for a minimum of 6 consecutive hours with the option to extend the tour with additional hours, at an additional cost. Contact our magic experts for more information. Any changes to the VIP Guide services (date, time, number of people, etc.) are subject to approval and availability and may incur additional fees.

Can I take a break during a VIP Tour?

If you wish to take a break without your VIP Guide, this time is included in the 6-hour package (predetermined times) and will be deducted from your visit.

Where do I find my VIP Guide before the tour?

A meeting point is chosen at the time of booking so that you can meet your VIP Guide wherever you want: inside or outside a Disney Park, in a boutique, or simply in the lobby of your Disney Hotel.

How many Disney Parks can I visit on a VIP Tour?

Depending on your Park Ticket, you will be able to visit 1 or 2 Disney Parks. Each visitor must have a Disney Park Ticket valid for the same day. If you have a Ticket to visit one Disney Park, you can ask your VIP Guide to extend your Ticket to the other Disney Park on the day (at an additional cost). If you have an undated ticket or Annual Pass, don't forget to register on our online registration platform in order to ensure admission to the Disney Parks on the date of your choice.

Can children take the tour alone?

Children under 18 cannot be left alone with the VIP Guide and must be accompanied by an adult.

Is it possible to book a VIP Tour on the day of your visit to Disneyland Paris?

VIP Tour service is subject to availability, we suggest you book your tour as early as possible and contact our Reservation Center by phone or email to add a VIP Tour to your booking. If you are staying at a Disney Hotel, you can book your VIP Tour at the front desk (subject to availability).

If I cancel or change the date of my visit, is the VIP Tour refundable?

Terms and conditions for cancellations or modifications vary per booking. Find out more information at the time of booking, or contact our magic experts by email at the following address: [email protected] .

Is it possible to book Park Tickets or a Hotel + Tickets package at the same time as a VIP Tour?

If you want to book your VIP Tour at the same time as your Park Tickets or a Hotel + Tickets package, just let our holiday experts know! Contact them by e-mail at the following address: [email protected]

What are the payment methods?

Payment for your VIP Tour must be made by credit card over the phone with one of our holiday experts at +33 1 60 30 50 60, International call rates apply. Cost may vary according to network.

Is transportation from Paris included in a VIP Tour?

Transportation is not included in a VIP Tour. However, if you book a Hotel + Tickets package, you can add the Magical Shuttle to your booking (at an additional cost). The Magical Shuttle only runs between Paris Orly and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports and Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

Roll out the red carpet for your family with our customizable vip experience—and get ready for your most magical day ever, reservations are required. email us or call (714) 300-7710 to book today, private tour guide.

Welcome to the ultimate Disney experience—Disneyland Resort VIP Tours—that combines the hospitality Disney is known for, plus a wealth of premium benefits!

Hassle-Free Planning

Personalized scheduling.

"Let your concierge be your guide" and design a customized yet flexible schedule for your family.

Concierge Booking

Get your specific needs and priorities served—including booking your dining reservations in advance!

Reserved Viewing

A night to remember.

Enjoy reserved viewing for fireworks at Disneyland Park and World of Color at Disney California Adventure Park, subject to availability.

Look Who's Passing By!

Wave hello to some of your Disney pals during a Disneyland Park parade from a reserved viewing section, subject to availability.

Expedited Access

Vip service, from the very first greeting….

Delight in Disney's acclaimed hospitality and attention to detail—and get help for your needs.

Insider Storytelling 

Your own personal guide will entertain your family with insider tips and stories throughout the day.

Immerse Yourself in Disney Magic and Stories

Valuable tips, how to book.

Planning Your VIP Tour

Get help planning your trip with important information along with the assistance of VIP Tour Coordinators. 

• VIP Tour Coordinators can help you pre-plan major items such as start times, special celebrations, specific family priorities for the day and special dining needs.

• VIP Tour Coordinators can also help you book Disneyland Resort dining reservations.

• Your VIP Tour schedule will not be a minute-by-minute itinerary but will allow you the flexibility to make impromptu changes along the way.

• Tour length is customizable to your needs, with a minimum of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours.

• Tour services are available during normal park operating hours only.

Know Before You Go

Theme Park Admission

Separate theme park admission and park reservation are both required to enter a park and for all Disneyland Resort Tours.

• Park admission is not included in the VIP Tour price. 

• Park reservations will be obtained for Guests with confirmed VIP Tours.

• Same-day visits to one or both theme parks—Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park—require separate admission to both parks.

Tips and Information about Your Special Day

Questions? Here is some information that might help answer them.

• Minors (Guests under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age or older) during the entire tour.

• Complimentary strollers and wheelchairs offered to VIP Tour Guests (based on availability).

• VIP Tours are outdoor walking tours, so please wear comfortable walking shoes—and remember to check the weather forecast in advance and to dress appropriately. Inclement weather may also affect available entertainment, attractions and experiences.

• All offerings, services and experiences are subject to availability, change or cancellation without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

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Opinion Columnists | Susan Shelley: Pulitzers for the…

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Opinion columnists | susan shelley: pulitzers for the ‘russiagate’ hoax should be returned.

The story by Emma-Jo Morris and Gabrielle Fonrouge exposed the lie in then-candidate Joe Biden’s claim that he had “never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.” The reporters wrote that the correspondence was contained “in a massive trove of data recovered from a laptop computer.”

What happened next was later exposed in the Twitter files and in lawsuits: agencies of the U.S. government manipulated and pressured social media platforms into suppressing and discrediting the story. Twitter (under its former ownership) even locked the account of the White House press secretary to stop the story from being shared.

Fifty-one former intelligence officials signed a letter saying the laptop appeared to be Russian disinformation. Then-candidate Joe Biden cited that letter during a presidential debate to repel questions about the laptop from then-President Donald Trump or the moderator. A media echo chamber repeated endlessly that the laptop was “unverified,” possibly “from the Russians,” “hacked” or “doctored.”

But this week, the U.S. government entered that same laptop into evidence in Hunter Biden’s federal trial on gun charges, and an FBI agent testified under oath that it was authentic, verified and showed no sign of tampering. The bureau has known this, according to IRS whistleblowers, since November 2019.

Can Emma-Jo Morris and Gabrielle Fonrouge pick up their Pulitzer prizes now?

Their accurate reporting on indications of Biden family influence peddling has been borne out by the findings of congressional investigators. This week, the chairs of the House Ways and Means, Oversight and Judiciary committees referred the president’s brother and son to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution for false statements and perjury before Congress. The criminal referral, 65 pages long, says the committees have documented “over $35 million received by Biden family members, their companies, and business associates,” but have not been able to identify any “legitimate services warranting such lucrative payments.”

The committee chairs wrote that the false statements all have one thing in common: “every instance implicates Joe Biden’s knowledge of and role in his family’s influence peddling.”

The referral can be found online at oversight.house.gov.

While the New York Post has an empty shelf in its display case where the journalism awards should be, The New York Times and the Washington Post won Pulitzers in 2018 for National Reporting on Russian interference to help Trump win the 2016 election.

That story turned out to be false, and more than just false, it was based on bogus reports since revealed to have been paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign.

The exhaustive details of the investigations that found no collusion between Trump and Russia can be found in the reports of Special Counsel Robert Mueller (March 2019, Volume I and Volume II), Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz (December 2019, 478 pages) and Special Counsel John Durham (May 2023,306 pages).

So, when are the Washington Post and The New York Times planning to give back the Pulitzers?

Never, it seems, and the august judges of journalism are never going to revoke them. Because that would mean admitting that former President Trump was right.

Trump first called for the awards to be rescinded in 2019, after the Mueller report was released. In July 2022, the Pulitzer board announced that following two independent reviews, the prizes would stand. “No passages or headlines, contentions or assertions in any of the winning submissions were discredited by facts that emerged subsequent to the conferral of the prizes,” the board said in a statement.

The identities of the Pulitzer board’s reviewers were not revealed. Trump complained that the board was “running cover” for the newsrooms by investigating their reporting “in a veil of secrecy.”

In January 2023, former New York Times reporter Jeff Gerth wrote a four-part article for the Columbia Journalism Review in which he criticized the Times and the Washington Post for their stories in 2017 “that wound up being significantly flawed or based on uncorroborated or debunked information, according to FBI documents that later became public.” Gerth noted that both papers “relied on anonymous sources.”

Trump had already filed a lawsuit against the Pulitzer board. “The Hoax has now been further exposed by the devastating, irrefutable piece in the Columbia Journalism Review, and Pulitzer has no comment,” Trump said, vowing that his lawsuit would “set the record straight.”

Business Insider reported in March that it obtained transcripts of four depositions of journalists taken last year by Trump’s lawyers. The attorneys probed to try to find out who conducted the Pulitzer board’s independent reviews. “At each turn, a lawyer for the Pulitzer board members stopped their clients from answering,” the publication reported.

In 2022, the New York Post editorial board did its own review of the Pulitzer-awarded reporting. “Reading these pieces four years later, one is struck not only by how irrelevant they are, but how schlocky — tinged with a McCarthyist alarmism of a red under every bed,” the ed board wrote. “Two major newspapers that hold themselves up as the pinnacle of press freedom, the ‘truth dies in darkness’ brigade and all that, pushed a conspiracy theory.”

But 38% said they have zero trust and confidence in the media, and 28% said they don’t have much.

It doesn’t help that the Pulitzer board continues to defend its indefensible awards to The New York Times and the Washington Post for their “deeply sourced, relentlessly reported coverage in the public interest that dramatically furthered the nation’s understanding of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, the President-elect’s transition team and his eventual administration.”

The anonymously sourced Russia collusion stories were a hoax, nothing but a long-running political dirty trick.

Give back the Pulitzers.

Write [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @Susan_Shelley

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Charli XCX Launches an Exhilarating New Chapter of Pop With the Innovative ‘Brat’: Album Review

By Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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Charli XCX has been one of pop music’s leading innovators for more than a decade, and like so many innovators, she’s long since moved on by the time most of the world reaches the place she just was.

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But with “Brat,” she’s launched a bold new chapter, and again it’s a sound that combines what she’s done before with new elements — it has the effervescent hooks of her best work and the shimmer of hyperpop, and lots more. She said in the weeks leading up to its release that “Brat” is a club album — a deceptive description, because although there are a lot of fun and club-friendly tracks, but there’s a lot more besides.

The changes in moods can be head-spinning. On the third track, she’s singing about a woman who makes her feel insecure: “This one girl taps my insecurities
/ Don’t know if it’s real or if i’m spiraling … Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show/ Fingers crossed behind my back/ I hope they break up quick/ Coz i couldn’t even be her if I tried” (Charli’s boyfriend is 1975 drummer George Daniel, who is of course bandmates with Matty Healy, sooo…?). But then two songs later she’s boasting boldly like a rapper on the dancefloor-wrecking “Von Dutch” (“It’s OK to just admit that you’re jealous of me, you’re obsessing just confess/ It’s obvious I’m your number 1”) and then two songs after that, she’s back to insecurity on “Rewind” (“Sometimes I just wanna rewind/  I’d go back in time/ To when I wasn’t insecure,
to when I didn’t overanalyze my face shape”).

Along with all that comes a lyrical maturity she hadn’t shown before, as a couple of the songs have character studies, like the one in “Mean Girls”: “Yeah it’s 2 a.m. and she’s out there
in a sheer white dress wearing last night’s makeup/ All coquettish in the pictures with the flash on, worships Lana Del Rey in her airpods.”

But “Brat” would be a masterful album even if all the lyrics were simply about clubbing — it’s melodically and musically sophisticated, with remarkably detailed production. As always, she’s a serial collaborator, and A-list coproducers here include Cirkut, George Daniel, El Guincho, Gesaffelstein, Hudson Mohawke, Finn Keane and others, and A.G. Cook is back in the copilot seat, bringing his shimmering arpeggios and countermelodies to a majority of the songs. Charli’s albums are always headphone-headfucks but, to single out just one WTF moment, on “B2B” there’s a segment where her voice is looping “back-back-back” over a blurping bass, trap beat and woozy, careening synthesizers. “Mean Girls” has a jazz-piano solo — over a wildly autotuned vocal track, of course — and there are even subtle flashes of her previous songs (“Vroom Vroom” on the new album’s jarring “Club Classics,” “Fembot” on “Rewind”).

But for all the musical and lyrical advancement, Charli’s greatest leap forward here may be as a vocalist: She’s never been afraid to shape-shift her voice into wild and bizarre new forms, but hers is an unusual style that’s equally informed by pop, hip-hop and experimentation — it’s a fusion of singing and rapping that can have a hip-hop-like pileup of syllables riding a complicated but natural melody, capped with a wordless “Ah- AH -ahhh.” On the ballad “I Might Say Something Stupid,” a subtle autotune gives her heartfelt vocal an automaton aspect that oddly adds to the insecurity of the vocal (reflecting that, the song just drops off after she sings, “Not sure I belong here”).

And it closes with a polar opposite, a reprise of the bouncy opening track, “360,” retitled “365,” with lyrics about doing drugs in a club: “Shall we do a little key?/ Shall we have a little line?/ Meet me in the bathroom if you’re bumping that/ French manicure, wipe away the residue.”

Innovation and self-examination aren’t supposed to be easy so it shouldn’t be surprising if the results are a little messy emotionally — but it’s rare for them to be this fully realized in every other way. “Brat” vaults Charli back to the front of the line as a pop innovator, not that she’d ever slipped.

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