benefits of disney vip tour

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Is the Disney VIP Tour Worth It?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

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.

Use a credit card that’ll maximize your bonus points on your Disney vacation.

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.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-3x Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Disney Private VIP Tours

Making our kingdom yours.

Explore the parks* with your own VIP Tour Guide during a customizable experience filled with attractive benefits.

The team at Disney VIP Tour Services will plan the most efficient, enjoyable way for groups up to 10 Guests to see and do the things on your list. Just tell your personal VIP Tour Guide what you'd like to see, and they'll customize your day to your desire!

After being picked up in a private vehicle from your Walt Disney World Resort accommodations or branded partner resort accommodations, enjoy unparalleled hospitality and experience some of your favorite attractions alongside a VIP Tour Guide.

Some of the personalized services include:

• Pre-arrival planning
• A flexible start time, picked by you
• Visits to multiple theme parks* in one or more days
• The ability to enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently through most Lightning Lane entrances
• Shared insight from your highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout your tour

*All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour

Pricing and Reservations

• Pricing:  Ranging from $450 to $900 per hour, depending on the season (valid park admission is required for each park visited on tour and is not included in the price of the tour).
• Reservations: Call (407) 560-4033 to book. Guests under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. Learn when advance reservations can be made.

Know Before You Go

• All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour
• Disney VIP Tours participate in full security screenings (including bag checks) during your Disney VIP Tour. Guests should be prepared for screenings with their appropriate government issued identification.
• Disney Private VIP Tours at the Walt Disney World Resort are very popular and may be limited in availability. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.
• All Private VIP Tours must be booked for a minimum duration of 7 continuous hours, and your party may include up to 10 Guests, including infants.
• Entertainment offerings are subject to availability and may be restricted by capacity constraints at the time of booking.
• You will incur a cancellation fee equal to 2 hours at the booked rate per tour if you do not provide at least 48-hour notice when cancelling any Private VIP Tour.
• No cameras, video equipment or cellphones may be used while in backstage areas.
• Guests 17 years and under must be accompanied by a paying participating parent or guardian.
• Pricing and information are subject to change without notice.

Related Activities

Celebration at the top – sip, savor, sparkle, specialty cruises, custom-designed celebrations & gatherings.

• disneyland , walt disney world

Disney VIP Tours: Everything You Need to Know  

• By Bailee Abell
• March 14, 2022

LATEST VIDEOS

First Time at Disneyland? Tips You Need to Know

• By Rachel Alger

Maximizing Your Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party – in 2023

• fashion , magic at home

Celebrate May the 4th with These Epic Star Wars Merchandise Deals

What Will Disneyland’s New Toontown Look Like?

Which Park Won D23 Expo 2022?

Make Sure You Follow This Disney Genie Rule

Join our newsletter.

Sign up with your email address to receive a fun once a week update from Perfecting The Magic!

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.  

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dion (@disney_chemist)

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. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Annemarie Bohn (@annemarie_mvptravel)

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.  

PTM Recommends

• April 13, 2024

• September 7, 2023

• April 11, 2023

Annual Passes are Back at Walt Disney World in 2023— But, Are They Worth It?!

• Navigate Disneyland like a pro and make your first trip as magical as possible

• The insider's guide on how to make the most out of your spooky soirée

• walt disney world
• Doing the math on Disney World annual passes

How to Visit Disneyland Without Disney Genie+ 

• Avoid paying a premium to skip the long lines at Disneyland
• December 13, 2022

• October 26, 2022

Your Lamplight Lounge Secret Menu Guide 

• October 12, 2022

Visiting Disneyland Solo for Halloween  

• October 5, 2022

The Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World in 2023

• Disneyland , Parks

Bailee Abell

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

PARKS | STYLE | ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD

[email protected], perfecting the magic.

Please note: Perfecting The Magic does not represent the  Walt Disney Company  in any way and is not employed by or affiliated with  The Walt Disney Company . 

Walt Disney World

International Parks

Juliet’s Closet

ENTERTAINMENT

Magic At Home

TPG approved: Using a VIP tour guide at Disney World to escape the crowds

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

In general, waiting in line is not my cup of tea, which is why I highly value TSA PreCheck , CLEAR membership and Global Entry . When it was time to take my niece and nephews on a family trip to Disney World this summer, I decided to do whatever I could to minimize waiting in line and maximizing having fun.

Since we only had one full day together on the ground, we went all-in on a private Disney World VIP tour. To set the scene, my three nephews and one niece are all under 6 years old, and I wanted to squeeze in more than a few rides myself on a busy day when I hadn't had the luxury of lots of advance theme-park planning and FastPass maximizing.

For us, this tour proved to be well worth the money. Here's why I thought a Disney VIP guide is worth the investment, if you can swing it -- and what to do if it's a bit out of your budget.

Related: TPG Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World

Pick-up and arrival

I knew the day was off to a great start when our personal driver greeted us at our hotel, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge . This is included in the cost of the VIP tour. Our driver was super friendly and helpful right off the bat with water at the ready for everyone inside the cool, air-conditioned van.

Once the seven of us all piled in (the price for a VIP tour guide is the same whether you have one person in your group or 10), we made our way to the Magic Kingdom. There, we entered through a secret entrance and got dropped off right in front of Main Street. Disney cast members welcomed us to the park with snacks and more water, which was perfect given the summer heat.

FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

The park experience

Our first stop was Space Mountain, which had a two-hour wait, but we were able to get through the first time in six minutes and rode a second time within 20 minutes thanks to the unlimited FastPass+ access that comes with the tour guide. I almost felt guilty passing the same people twice, but that alone made the VIP tour well worth the splurge for us. In addition to jumping to the front of lines, our guide was also super attentive and helpful with the kids by pushing the stroller and even offering to watch them so the adults could have some fun on the rides.

Our guide, Clark, was excellent -- he wasn't just our personal FastPass for the day, but he was also a walking Disney encyclopedia and fascinating to talk to about the park.

In the seven hours we were there (the minimum length of time required to hire a Disney VIP tour guide), we were able to ride 11 rides, have dinner and finish up the day with a fireworks show at Cinderella's Castle.

The fireworks were the perfect end to both our day and the whole VIP experience, as we were able to enjoy them in a private, crowd-less spot in the VIP area with a great view.

When it finally came time to head home, we were able to get out of the park with ease, even as a mass of people were heading out after the fireworks. Instead of heading toward the bottleneck at the main exit, we were ushered through a private gate with no foot traffic. All-in-all, it took us about 20 minutes to get from Magic Kingdom back to the Animal Kingdom Lodge on the other side of the Disney World property (which is about the size of San Francisco). It felt very efficient.

Pricing and booking a private Disney VIP tour

If you want to book a Disney VIP tour, you'll have to do it over the phone by calling (407) 560-4033. All tours are booked for a minimum of seven hours and maximum of 14 hours. As for the price — it's a lot. The private tours start at $425 an hour, but exact pricing depends on the season. For example, I paid $525 an hour for my late-June weekend trip. Each tour can accommodate up to 10 guests (infants included) at no additional charge, but if you want to add more people, you'll need to book another guide at the hourly rate. The tour also doesn't include park admission, so you also have to purchase those tickets separately. If you plan to visit multiple parks with your tour guide (which is allowed), you will need Park Hopper tickets. ( Here are the best ways to use points for Disney tickets .)

For your $425 per hour (or more), you receive:

• A very knowledgable personal guide for a group of 10
• Door-to-door private Disney transportation from beginning to end in an air-conditioned van
• Unlimited FastPass+ access
• Complimentary snacks and water
• VIP tour of Disney with access to otherwise private areas
• Preferred viewing area for fireworks and parades

Since purchases from Disney can code as travel, entertainment or something else entirely, I used my Chase Freedom Unlimited that gives 1.5% cash back (or 1.5x points) on purchases to be on the safe side. In the end, I earned 5,374 points on the charge, which when moved to my Chase Sapphire Reserve, are worth about $107 in travel by TPG valuations .

Overall, this splurge cost me $3,565, which is by no means cheap — but the number of things we were able to do, the lack of stress and the reality that this was done last-minute and without a bunch of advance planning with such a large group made it well worth it for us.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Theme Parks

Express service without a VIP tour

Even if a private VIP tour isn't on the radar for your next trip, there are ways to replicate some elements of the tour at a much lower price. First, if you can handle the early morning wake-up call, consider Extra Magic Mornings, which can speed you on select rides in the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for about $79 per person.

Disney also offers group VIP tours with behind-the-scenes access, knowledgable guides and walk-on rides from a couple hundred dollars per person.

Finally, Disney World lets all guests pre-reserve three FastPass+ attractions per day (30 or 60 days out, depending on if you are staying at a Disney resort) for no additional fee. With advance planning, you can have a very short wait for a few key attractions, and then continue getting additional FastPass+ attractions throughout the day using the Disney app after you use your original three. If you have the budget for Club Level access at at Disney Resort, you can purchase three extra FastPass+ reservations at a cost of $50 per person, per day on stays of three nights or longer. You can book these FastPass+ rides 90 days in advance, so they are extremely useful in getting quick access to popular rides.

Bottom line

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the door-to-door service from beginning to end. Our Disney guide was extremely attentive and super helpful, which added to the experience. Given that theme parks have a reputation for long lines that can wear you down a bit (especially with young kids along), I found the VIP tour to be well worth the money. Even though our family time was brief that weekend, we were able to maximize the time and fun we had together.

Read on for more tips for planning an Orlando theme park vacation:

• Inside a Universal Orlando Private VIP Tour
• The Best Times to Visit Disney World
• Save on Disney Hotels By Renting Disney Vacation Club Points
• Why Disney World is Better Than Disneyland
• How to Save Money on a Disney World Vacation
• Everything We Know About Disney's Star Wars Hotel
• How to Maximize One Day at Universal Orlando

Disney VIP Tours

Multiple Locations

Age Interest

Maximize your fun at the parks by taking one of our fun-filled and efficient guided tours.

Our World is Your Kingdom

• Book a private VIP Tour and customize the perfect itinerary for your group with enough time to explore the attractions and sights.
• Enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently.
• Learn from our Disney VIP Tour Guides who have been hand-picked and expertly trained to plan the perfect itinerary for you and your family.

Know Before You Go

• All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour.
• Disney Park Pass reservation is also required for park entry.
• Disney Private VIP Tours at the Walt Disney World Resort are very popular and may be limited in availability. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.
• All Private VIP Tours must be booked for a minimum duration of 7 continuous hours, and your party may include up to 10 Guests, including infants.
• Entertainment offerings are subject to availability and may be restricted by capacity constraints at the time of booking.
• You will incur a cancellation fee equal to 2 hours at the booked rate per tour if you do not provide at least 48-hour notice when cancelling any Private VIP Tour.
• No cameras, video equipment or cellphones may be used while in backstage areas.
• Guests 17 years and under must be accompanied by a paying participating parent or guardian.
• Pricing and information are subject to change without notice.
• For additional information about the reopening of Walt Disney World, including important information regarding face coverings and temperature screenings, please view important details .

Private VIP Tours

Set off on an adventure that includes door-to-door service, customized itineraries and a knowledgeable guide.

50th Anniversary Tour

Journey throughout Walt Disney World Resort and indulge in unparalleled magical experiences.

Use CoBrowse to Share Your Screen?

Even as the Disney Cast Member guides you around our site, they will be unable to access or view any files or information on your device or anything you type.

To stop the session, click the X in the screen-sharing window at any time. You can remain on the phone with the Cast Member.

Enter the code provided by the Cast Member and Accept to get started.

Invalid code. Please reenter

Not on the Phone with a Cast Member?

Disney World VIP Tour Guides (cost, tips, + a review)

By: Author Heather Thomas

Published: August 5, 2021 Updated: October 17, 2023

If you ever thought that Disney VIP Tours were only for celebrities and lottery winners, you’re not alone.

At one time we kind of thought that, too.

But an interview awhile back on the WDW Prep to Go podcast opened up our eyes to how this amazing private tour service might just fit into the travel budgets for lots of Walt Disney World guests.

So, in the name of research, we spent a day with 2 fantastic Disney VIP Guides checking out how it works.

(And before you ask, the experience was purchased with cold hard cash; nothing was comped. We went into the experience the same way any family visiting Disney World might.)

Here’s what we learned.

In this article

All the details

First of all, the price (at first glance) is not cheap, so don’t freak out when you see it:

The cost for reserving a Disney VIP Tour Guide runs between $425 and $850 per hour (busier times of the year will cost more), with a minimum duration of 7 hours.

You’ll need 1 guide for every 10 guests in your group, and infants DO count towards the 10.

So, on the “low” end, you are looking at a total of around $3000 for up to 10 people.

And that does not include your park ticket.

Everybody in your group will need a valid theme park ticket, and if you are planning on multiple parks during the day, you’ll need to have the Park Hopper option, too.

So, yes, that is expensive and may seem out of reach, but don’t say “no way” just yet.

We have some scenarios that make the cost seem a lot more affordable. More on that below.

How to book

Using a travel agent.

Whether you already have a travel agent OR you just want help with booking a VIP Tour, using a travel agent is a fantastic option.

They are experts in the park and if you’ve booked your trip through them, they’ll be able to help you weave the VIP experience into the rest of your trip.

Remember, these tours aren’t cheap. It would be silly to accidentally double up on something or waste time on a non-VIP day doing something you could have easily done with the guide.

Let your travel agent help you coordinate all of that!

Interested in connecting with a travel agent for help booking a VIP Tour? Get a quote now.  

On your own

You can also book guides up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) 560-4033.

In some instances, you can even book them same day, although we don’t recommend that since that would leave you very little time to plan out how you’ll spend your day.

Disney mentions on their website that space is limited; however, in reality, they have a vast network of guides and backup guides and are able to accommodate nearly all requests. They aren’t in the business of turning away guests requesting this experience.

What happens after you book?

If you booked through a travel agent, they’ll work with Disney and you to put together a plan for your time with the guide.

If you’ve booked on your own, you’ll receive an email confirmation shortly after booking that will list out all the details of your booking, including the cancellation policy which is a liberal 48 hours in advance with no penalty. If you cancel within 48 hours, you pay the equivalent of 2 hours/guide.

From that point, you’ll be asked to email Signature Services (which is the name of the department in charge of things like these tours) the list of the people that will be attending and a list of attractions you’d like to see.

That plan isn’t set in stone, however. You’ll be able to tweak it as you go, but it helps them get a feel for how their day will look.

What does a day with a guide from Disney’s VIP Services look like?

Try to imagine the most magical day ever at Disney World and that is pretty much what your time with a VIP Guide looks like.

You are in total control of the day, and as long as your request doesn’t break any rules or go beyond the scope of their job, your VIP Guide will try to make it happen. Like magic.

If an attraction has a Lightning Lane, you’ll have access to all of those with your VIP guide.

Want to ride Slinky Dog Dash multiple times? You can do that.

And Rise of the Resistance (which is notoriously difficult) is no problem either because your VIP Tour Guide can get you on without having to worry about snagging a Boarding Group .

Feel like stopping for a snack or a break in some AC? You’re with an expert that knows all the best places.

Want to watch fireworks without having to fight the crowds? Yep. That’s an option, too.

Officially, this is how Disney describes the services offered:

• Pre-arrival planning
• A flexible start time, picked by you
• Visits to multiple theme parks in one or more days, if desired
• The ability to enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently, even repeatedly
• VIP viewing areas for parades, select stage shows and nighttime spectaculars
• Shared insight from your highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout your tour

See what we mean? An entire list of magic.

Two ways to make Disney VIP Tours “affordable”

Stay fewer days and use the money saved to book a vip guide.

For many years, suggesting guests consider adding a VIP Tour to a trip frankly wasn’t something that was on our radar.

But then we heard something that changed our entire perspective.

In a trip report interview on the WDW Prep to Go podcast , a guest was traveling to Disney World with her parents. For that trip, her parents set the budget and told her to plan the trip however she saw fit as long as she stayed within the allotted dollar amount.

Knowing that they wouldn’t be able to do a long trip, she instead opted to shorten the trip and use the money saved on hotel rooms, food, and park tickets to pay for a private Disney VIP Tour Guide for 2 days.

Not only did she stay within the budget , they still saw and did everything they wanted to because of their VIP Guide.

Mind blown.

The lesson learned here is that a VIP Tour becomes way more affordable when you realize that having a guide for a day (or more) means you’ll be able to get the same amount of stuff done in a less amount of time.

Split the cost across 2 (or more) families

When you book a VIP Guide with Disney, you get to choose the people that will be in your group, and as long as you stay within the 10 person/guide ratio, you’re free to put together your group however you’d like.

So, if you’re traveling with multiple families or couples, you can easily split the cost.

Even just splitting with one other family can be a huge savings and make a day with one of Disney’s VIP Tour Guides much more affordable than you might have thought.

(Click chart to view it larger.)

Who should consider booking a Disney VIP Tour?

While we think that anybody that can should give it a try (because it is just an overall amazing experience), we definitely think that there are a few times when it really might make sense:

Families short on time

If your time at Disney World is limited but you still want to see and do as much as you can, this is a fantastic option for that.

With a VIP Tour, you could easily hit most of the headliners in all 4 parks in 1 day, or split out your fun over 2 or 3 days instead of 7 or 8 days.

People staying offsite

Remember how we said up above that splitting the cost makes it more affordable?

Since lots of families share villas or houses they’ve rented offsite, that is the perfect opportunity to share the cost of a VIP Tour Guide at Disney World, too.

Plus, staying offsite is a great way to save some money on your trip, which would then free up some of your budget for extras, like a VIP Tour Guide!

Groups traveling together

Between conferences and sporting events and trade shows, there are lots of times groups of people travel to the Orlando area when (gasp!) Disney isn’t always the main focus.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a lot of Disney fun, and since you can split the cost with others in your group, it can make it quite affordable to add on a day of magic.

Families considering lots of “extras”

If you are considering adding a bunch of extras to your trip to give you a better view or go on more rides (things like After Hours Boo Bash or Disney Very Merriest ) you may find that it makes more sense to instead work with VIP Services and a VIP Guide.

Not only can your VIP Guide assist you with gaining access to the attractions, they also have access to VIP viewing locations for all the nighttime shows.

Tips from the experts

After spending 7+ hours with Disney VIP Guides, we were able to put together a list of their top tips and suggestions for people booking Disney VIP Tours.

Here’s what they had to say:

1. Wear matching shirts

If you were ever going to wear matching shirts, Disney World is the place to do it. On our last experience with a VIP tour, our group of 11 had matching shirts, and we were told multiple times by both our guides and the Cast Members working the attraction entrances how much easier it made it for them to do their jobs.

2. Make sure kids know height requirements

Even though you’ll be with a VIP Guide, you’ll still have to follow all the height requirement rules. So if you know you have little ones that aren’t going to be tall enough to ride certain attractions, don’t wait until you get there to let them know, and definitely don’t leave it to the VIP Guides to do the dirty work. It can be hard for them to build any sort of relationship with the kids if they are seen as the bad guy.

3. Follow the rules

Despite what you might think, unless your name is Beyoncé, you’ll still be standing in the Lightning Lanes. Only when safety is a concern are celebrity guests ushered in and out through back ways. Don’t ask your guide to break the rules or to let you skip the Lightning Lane because that’s not something they can do.

4. Don’t try to sneak extra people into your group

The rule is 10 people per guide, so if you have 11, you’ll need to get an additional guide. Don’t try to sneak an extra person into your group or think that 1 more person won’t matter. The VIP Guides have rules that they must follow, and if you try to have more than allowed, you’ll be asked to narrow it down to 10 or pay for an additional guide.

5. Start your time with your guide at the first attraction of the day

It may seem like a good idea to have your VIP Tour Guide pick you up from your resort (after all, driving you around is part of their job), BUT the clock starts ticking as soon as you meet up with them. Instead of wasting time driving to your first attraction, opt to meet them there.

6. Eat quicker meals

Lunch at any Quick Service location that has Mobile Order is a fantastic way to minimize the time you spend eating, so you can maximize the time you spend riding.

7. Think about tipping

Though the rules on this are a bit fuzzy and tour guides will tell you they don’t need to be tipped , you should spend some time thinking about what you want to do, especially since any tips will need to be in cash and it could be a lot of money.

In the end, we ended up tipping about 10%, but have heard reports of people tipping much more and less than that. Be sure to plan ahead so you’re not scrambling to figure it out when you’re there.

Our day going VIP

Hands down our day spent with 2 fantastic VIP Guides was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had at Disney World.

But it didn’t start out that way.

Note: Our adventure with a VIP Tour Guide was in the before-times (aka pre-pandemic).

Off to a rocky start at Epcot

Originally our plan was to have a lovely breakfast at Garden Grill and then meet up with the guides at the podium just outside the restaurant.

But, because we were a group that know how to party be on time, we were early to breakfast and then done way ahead of schedule.

With an hour to kill, we decided to head downstairs from Garden Grill to take a whirl on the not-so-much-a-thriller known as Living with the Land.

Only today, “Living with the Land” was a lot more like “Shipwrecked with the Squash” or “Marooned with the Melons.”

Don’t get me wrong, the first few minutes of our voyage were amazing. In fact, all was going great until just past the farmhouse.

That’s where our boat came to a screeching halt, right by the part where they loudly say “Here at Epcot, we’re learning to reduce the need for pesticides by using natural predators like ladybugs and wasps to control pests.”

Over and over and over we listened to that spiel as we slowly crept forward.

As we waited (and regretted those 2nd and 3rd refills of water we had at breakfast), we stressed out as our hour buffer before meeting our guides slowly dwindled away.

Once we knew there was no way we were going to get off that boat and back upstairs by noon, Shannon picked up her phone and called Signature Services and told them the problem.

And as expected, they were amazing!

Not only did they contact our guides for us, they also changed the meeting place to the exit of Living with the Land which was a huge relief. The guides also reset our tour starting time since the delays weren’t our fault.

Not long after (and right when we had just started a rousing game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine who was going to swim to safety to secure emergency supplies like Diet Coke and chocolate), help appeared and the Cast Members working at Living with the Land pushed our boat to the safety of the Aquaculture room.

There we were able to climb out and wind our way out through the greenhouses to our new meeting place where our our 2 guides, Carson and Lyssa, were waiting.

After a few short introductions (and a much needed restroom break), we were off!

Let the attractions begin!

Our goal for the day was to knock out most of the main headliners in all 4 parks.

Ambitious? Maybe. But if ever there was a time to try it, today with our VIP Guides was the day.

To start our journey, we started our day at everybody’s favorite glider-based Disney attraction: Soarin’.

As was the procedure at all of the attractions, one of our guides would always lead the way to let the person working the FastPass+ line (now called Lightning Lane) know how many people were coming through with them. This is where the matching shirts came in so handy!

It was so easy for them to say “11 people coming through – they all have on shirts that look like this!” and then they’d point at our cute shirts.

At Soarin’, we were quickly through the line and we were even able to request the top row middle, which are the best seats in the house.

The entire time we were in line our guides were chatting us up and we were peppering them tons of questions.

Have I mentioned yet just how lovely our guides were? They were not just regular Disney-friendly, they were top-tier Disney-friendly.

Our guides waited for us at the exit and then, since our next stop was Test Track, instead of walking out the “regular” exit, they took us out the back door of Soarin’ where they had 2 vans waiting for us – and they drove us over to Test Track!

Of course, since we were backstage, we couldn’t take any photos, but just know if you’re into Disney stuff like that, it was very, very cool. And, not having to walk over there saved so many steps on what was going to be an extra-long day.

Lesson learned: Having the vans gave us a safe spot to stash stuff – like our bags – if we didn’t need them. That was a nice perk when you’re just hopping out for a couple rides!

After a trip around the backside of the World Showcase, our guides parked near Test Track. We made our way from backstage out to the front of the attraction and before we knew it, we were in the preview room making our cars and then out racing around the track.

After we were done there, we headed over to Frozen Ever After where we had the perfect number for our own boat which made for an adorable photo. There may also be video of the whole boat singing, but we’ll keep that for ourselves.

With the Epcot headliners done, we headed back to our carriages white vans so we could continue on to our next stop, which was Hollywood Studios.

Meeting some *REAL LIFE* winners at Hollywood Studios

We were all really looking forward to Hollywood Studios because we were meeting up with a lovely family that had won a WDW Prep contest that gave them the chance to tour with us (and our VIP Tour Guides) in the new Toy Story Land.

Considering that at this point it was the middle of the afternoon, having the guides there to get us into the FastPass+ lines instead of having to use the long standby lines was a huge blessing because I’m 99% sure that Andy must live on the sun as hot as his “backyard” is.

Seriously. Toy Story Land is brutally hot in the middle of the day.

Before we could make our way to the sun Toy Story Land, we had to get parked.

Our VIP Guides expertly navigated to a lot that was kind of back by Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Upon our arrival, we were met by other VIP Guides with iced down water and snacks – something we all desperately needed.

Then, since we were entering a new park, we were required to have our MagicBands scanned, but instead of having to go all the way to the front of the park, they used an iPad and scanned them right there in the parking lot.

Lesson learned: Being able to bypass the front gates is one of the perks (and time savers) of entering the parks with a VIP Guide. We only had to go through security and the turnstiles once (on our first park) and then every park after that, somebody either met us to scan our MagicBands or our guides took our MagicBands and scanned them for us while we were busy having fun on an attraction.

One of our guides needed to step away for a few minutes. While she was gone, another lovely guide stepped in to help our crew. All of that was totally seamless and very well choreographed.

After meeting up with the winners, we headed into Toy Story Land where we Rode Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, and then Slinky Dog Dash one more time.

After we were “Toy Story Land”ed out we took a group photo with the lovely winners and then said our goodbyes. fyi – after telling 1 of our guides we wanted a group pic, this photo was choreographed between our guides and a PhotoPass photographer.

At that point we were a little bit ahead of schedule so we decided to give Tower of Terror a ride on our way back to the vans.

After finishing up at Tower of Terror we were ready for our next destination:  Pandora!

By now we were getting hungry and we were all ready to sit down for a bit which fit perfectly into our original plan of an early dinner at Satu’li Canteen.

So, to maximize our time, we all took out our phones and did Mobile Order on the ride over so that we wouldn’t have long to wait for our food once we arrived.

Dinner & Animal Kingdom

The parking here put us right behind Pandora. Like, RIGHT behind one of the walls there so it took just a minute to walk from the vans into the park.

There were no lines at Satu’li Canteen, but the seating there is always kind of a hassle, but have no fear –

Our lovely guides snagged us 2 tables in the air conditioning, which meant by the time our mobile orders were done we had a place to sit.

Our guides grabbed their dinner, too, and then we all relaxed and enjoyed the air conditioning for a bit.

After eating, we decided we should do Na’vi River Journey first (to give our stomachs a bit longer to rest) and with our stomachs full, we all headed that way.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Pandora without a stop by Flight of Passage, so that was next.

Lesson learned: one thing we didn’t really account for was how much harder it is on your stomach to do thrill rides back-to-back. Even things that didn’t usually bother us were a little iffy after riding so many attractions. If you’re prone to motion sickness when riding attractions, you might want to take that into consideration when mapping out your day!

After Flight of Passage we said “Eywa ngahu” (which Google tells me is Na’Vi for goodbye) to Pandora and we were off to our next stop: Magic Kingdom.

Ending the night with a BANG!

As we pulled up to Magic Kingdom, our guide reminded us to grab our stuff, which was a harsh reminder that we wouldn’t be coming back to our royal carriages  the handy vans again.

Our first stop here was Big Thunder Mountain which was followed up by Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and then Space Mountain and, because we had some time left before Happily Ever After, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

By the time we were done with Buzz, it was 15 minutes until the fireworks were set to star which made me very nervous that there wouldn’t be any space left, but our guides assured us there would be.

And, of course, they were right.

They led us to a roped off area in the middle of the Hub, at the perfect distance from the castle.

The spot was partially full of other families and groups and their VIP Guides, and even though the crowds outside the ropes were shoulder to shoulder, we had plenty of room.

Knowing that our time with our guides was up, we all hugged and thanked them before the fireworks started.

At that point in the day, we were all close to (or over) 20,000 steps and exhausted, so a few tears of gratitude for our VIP Guides might have been shed and of course, Happily Ever After always brings us to tears so we were a puddle of sappiness by the time it was all over.

And just like that, the fireworks ended and our time with our VIP guides was done.

I’m not going to lie, it only took a few hours to get very used to having somebody lead the way, so to suddenly be left without that was a little disorienting.

But, we sucked it up and slowly made our way with the rest of the crowds towards the front of the park – exhausted, but still grinning ear to ear.

Do you have any questions about booking a VIP Tour? Let us know in the comments .

Wednesday 7th of June 2023

How much was your tip

Scott Bonar

Sunday 5th of December 2021

What is a good guideline for tipping the tour guides?

Shannon Albert

Friday 24th of December 2021

About 10% is a good guide. Have had to make a quick ATM stop to make that happen since it's a lot of cash to have on hand.

Wednesday 6th of October 2021

Hi!! We are doing a vip tour on Friday - thanks for this article, it was helpful to know more of what to expect.

So, how exactly does the “waiting in line” part work? Do you actually wait in the fast pass/lighting/whatever we want to call it lines or do you just go on up to the front and hop on? My husband was under the impression you walked right onto the rides….just wondering how that really works!!

Thursday 5th of September 2019

Love all your advice, Shannon! Quick update on VIP Tour Pricing: between Christmas and New Years is $750 per hour (still 7 hour minimum).

Thursday 30th of May 2019

Awesome tips! How many attractions should I prioritize for 2 adults, a 5 and a 7 year old girl with 7 hours across Animal Kingdom, Hollywood and Magic Kingdom? I have 17 listed... Thank you!

the disney food blog

food IS a theme park

Read the Latest Posts

Looking for something?

Get the dfb newsletter.

STAY CONNECTED

Everything You NEED to Know About VIP Tours in Disney World

By Lydia Storks 2 Comments

Are you hoping to have the best day ever in Disney World during your visit? Well, of course, you are!

We can’t blame you for wanting the best vacation ever!

You’ve saved and planned for months to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth, and you’ll definitely want to experience as much as you possibly can. One of the ways to get a LOT accomplished in a little amount of time is a VIP tour , and if you’ve ever been interested in this offering, we’re breaking down what all the experience entails!

What is a VIP Tour?

A Disney World VIP tour is a paid, add-on experience where guests will be guided through the park(s) by a knowledgeable Cast Member. During your visit, you’ll get the ultimate VIP treatment — including a customizable itinerary, backstage transportation, and front-of-the-line privileges at attractions.  

Magic Kingdom

Throughout the day, you’ll also be able to learn fun facts about Disney World from the guides, seeing and hearing about details that only Disney insiders know. If you’re a Disney history buff or you’re looking for the most luxurious way to spend the day — this could be just right for you!

What Happens Before You Go

When planning a VIP tour, there are a few things to note. First, you’ll need valid theme park admission, and that’s not included in the cost of the tour. If you want to visit multiple theme parks during your tour, you’ll need to purchase Park Hopper tickets.

Also, Disney Park Pass reservations are still required for entry on a VIP tour day. You’ll have to make a reservation for every member of your party at the first park you plan to visit.

Animal Kingdom

As far as the tour itself goes, you must book for at least 7 hours, and your party can have up to 10 people. The cost ranges from $425 to $850 per hour , depending on the season. (Remember that you can split that cost with the people in your party, so gathering a bigger group may be a good thing!) You’ll also want to budget for the optional gratuity — it’s just nice to tip your guide.

What Happens On the Day of Your Tour

Even though you’re a “VIP” for the day, you’ll still have to follow certain rules when in the parks! You won’t be able to use cameras, phones, or recording equipment in any backstage areas of the park that you visit.

You’ll only be able to take pictures in regular guest areas.

Also, children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult , so don’t plan for your kiddos to go on this tour alone!

Pickup and Travel

At the beginning of your day, you can schedule a pickup from your Walt Disney World accommodations . (Keep in mind that your hotel price is not included in the cost of the tour, either.) The clock starts on your day at your scheduled pickup time, so you’ll want to be on time for this meet-up.

Hotel stay not included!

If you’d prefer to save a little time and meet your guide at the parks, you can do that as well, starting your tour later in the day. Either way, you’ll be chauffeured around to your chosen locations throughout the day in your own private transportation vehicle. You’ll park in backstage areas instead of the regular parking lots and enter through private park entrances. How fancy!

You’ll get to skip the public parking lots!

One of the best parts about a VIP tour is being able to skip the long wait for your favorite attractions. When you arrive at your selected ride, you’ll be directed through the Lightning Lane queue to skip the standby line and get to the front much faster.

Ready to skip the line?!

If the attraction doesn’t have a specified Lightning Lane, then you’ll be able to skip the entire line — what a treat! 

Keep in mind that if you’re touring for 7 hours, you’re likely going to need to stop and eat. Meals are not included in the cost of your tour, so you’ll want to budget accordingly.

Don’t forget to stop and eat!

To save time, it’s probably best to dine quick service on your VIP tour day . Your guide may also give you complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the day, like water bottles, popcorn, and Mickey Ice Cream Bars. 

The Cast Members/Tour Guides

The Cast Member guides themselves are (in our opinion) the best part about the tour! They’ll be able to share insider knowledge and facts about the parks throughout the day, and you can ask them questions about how things work in Disney World.

Disney Cast Members are extra special!

Walking around the parks and into attraction queues with s omeone who can point out all the little details and backstory can really enhance your time at Disney World!

Is a VIP Tour Worth the Cost?

That’s entirely up to you! It’s a LOT of money, but you’re really paying for the ultimate Walt Disney World experience. You’ll get expert knowledge, fast transportation, and you’ll be able to avoid waiting in long lines.

No need to wait in long lines!

If you’re visiting Disney World for a short amount of time, you could easily knock out quite a few attractions in one day with a VIP tour and get more done than you would be able to otherwise. You may be able to work it into your budget if you split the cost between a party of 10, rather than take the tour with a small group. The service you receive throughout the day will be unparalleled, and it’s hard to put a price on that!

You could have a really “magical” day!

However, you definitely don’t NEED to do a VIP tour to have the “perfect” day at Disney! Here at DFB, we specialize in helping guests with all the tips and information they need to know before their trips, and if you walk into your vacation well-informed and prepared , you’ll be able to accomplish much more. If you’re heading to the parks soon, make sure to check out our planning guides and our YouTube channel in addition to following the blog — we’ve got tons of advice to share!

Click Here to Learn More About the 50th Anniversary VIP Tour!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

We know disney. you can, too..

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Have you ever been on a VIP tour in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

TRENDING NOW

The My Disney Experience app has an EXCITING change!

The 'WandaVision' spinoff series about Agatha Harkness finally has a title and release date on...

Let's talk about the one reason that you should postpone your Disney World trip to...

HUGE NEWS for Disney World fans! Tiana's Bayou Adventure is opening this summer, and Disney just...

Disney's Animal Kingdom seems to be making BIG character changes!

Another Cast Member costume change just made its way to Magic Kingdom

After staying at this luxury resort, there's no going back.

FINALLY! We've been WAITING for this super important beignet announcement, and now that it's been...

Park pass reservations are SOLD OUT for Annual Passholder previews of Tiana's Bayou Adventure in...

We've got the info you need to choose a hotel for your Disney World trip!

You can get a FREE Disney gift card! Here's how!

Dining in Disney World can be stressful when dealing with dietary restrictions so here is...

We got a another preview of some of the elements coming to DreamWorks Land at...

Disney just released a few new bags, and these would be great for your next...

Comcast is bundling three of entertainment's largest streamers together.

We have news about the Chip and Dale Meet and Greet in Magic Kingdom!

We've got a Genie+ update for Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Disney World!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique may be a well-known Disney experience, but this option flies under the...

There is one snack cart that we've been worried about for a while now, and...

Breakfast is back at Cinderella's Royal Table, but is it worth the cost? See our...

April 28, 2023 at 10:35 am

Kind of makes me sad. Everyone in line gives these customers the side eye as they advance past everyone to the front of the line. Disney ought to be more egalitarian and not allow these kinds of services to celebrities or other customers regardless of their wealth.

July 13, 2023 at 5:18 pm

Quite honestly, if I had the money I would do this for my daughter. We took her to the magic Kingdom for her 6th birthday. It was so crowded she only went on 1 ride. She should have had a magical day. Sadly it was frustrating and boring for her.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EBOOKS

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED

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

Robin Hutson

February 20, 2023

Share this article!

• Facebook 746
• Pinterest 2.2K

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.

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. 

LOOK HOW  EASY  IT IS TO  PIN  THIS!

DON'T MISS ANYTHING!

FOMO - do you have it?  Well there is no need to Fear On Missing Out here at Explore With Erin. Sign up to receive updates directly to your in box. I won’t spam you, but I do promise a whole lot of awesomeness. What are you waiting for? Join Me!

PS: We hate spam too, read our Privacy Policy here .

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

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.

[…] is one of the top most popular destinations and everyone from around the world admires it. The Disney VIP tour is highly recommended if you are in a group and looking to explore all three parks in one day. […]

[…] If you are looking for the ultimate Disney trip you may want to look into the Disney VIP Tour! […]

[…] that with a splurge for a VIP Disney Tour and you have the perfect Disney […]

[…] might balk at the Disney VIP tour costs, but there are more money-efficient ways to do Disney. With so many parks you’re going to need […]

[…] Keen for Splash Mountain (and so much more?) Check out these incredible Disney VIP tours in Florida.  Sign us […]

[…] up for a Disney VIP Tour to save time in expedited lines and expert planning from park to […]

We are keen to partner with you! To discuss ways to advertise, sponsor or partner with us please visit our Work With Us page.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of use

Start typing and press Enter to search

YOU ARE THE BEST!

You're In! Thank you for choosing to let me into your Inbox. You won't be disappointed.

It’s not every day I get to personally say hello to you, but I am so pleased you gave me the opportunity to do so.

Thank you again for all your support and I hope you enjoy Explore With Erin.

Disney Park Nerds

Disney VIP Tour (4 Parks, 10 Hours, 20 Attractions)

The Disney VIP Tour provides guests with a personalized experience at Disney parks. It includes benefits like a private tour guide, priority access to attractions, reserved seating for shows, and special transportation options. This premium service offers a tailored and hassle-free Disney experience for those seeking an exclusive adventure.

In this article we’ll be reviewing our Disney VIP Tour experience just for you!

( The Ultimate Guide to Disney World Tickets )

The Start of Our Disney VIP Tour

Finally, the middle of the Nerd bucket list finds another checkmark…and boy is it a doozy.

Bucket List Item #6: Club 33 Membership (Read our guide to on what is Club 33 at Disneyland? )

Bucket List Item #7: Disney VIP Tour – CHECK!

Bucket List Item #8: Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney – CHECK 2019!

Who needs Tahiti?

Certainly not the Nerds.

In fact, when the changes in international travel interrupted the Nerds’ plans, heading off to Walt Disney World and the beaches of Florida seemed a solid second choice.

Plus, it’s the only game in town right now!

Fresh off a giant refund from the Tahitian hotels, the Nerds decided to cobble together a family trip and surprise the Nerdlings and Grammy Nerd with a vacation-kick-off Disney VIP Tour.

Even though the parks are not especially crowded, the thought of being chauffeured around the parks, seeing “back stage” areas and having the ultimate Fastpass+ experience was too irresistible.

Plus, the Nerds has wanted to do this for YEARS and it finally looked as if he might get his way (plus, he didn’t tell anyone and the Disney VIP Tour was paid for by the time they found out about it).

What is a Disney VIP Tour?

Disney World generally offers a variety of tours , but this private custom experience stands heads and shoulders above the rest.

These tours do not come cheap and range between $425 and $750 per hour, with a seven hour minimum.

You can add hours “on the fly” the day of the tour, but this is the pre-charged starting point.

During the less crowded times, this means your tour will cost at least $2,975 and during peak times, the minimum charge is $5,250 – plus optional gratuities.

During our late January / early February visit, Thursday, Sunday and Monday were $425/hr and Friday and Saturday were $550/hr.

Our visit encompassed a Thursday – Monday park touring schedule and we were bummed to find that Sunday was not available.

Though to be fair, we were making reservations less than 2 weeks in advance and reservations are available up to 60 days ahead of time.

The helpful Cast Members quickly offered to “wait list” our party for Sunday and we proceeded to book on Thursday.

Our initial thought was to book on Saturday – expected to be the busiest day of our trip.

But the combination of not wanting the tour in the middle of our trip and the extra $875 convinced the Nerd that Thursday was perfect.

The Disney VIP Tours are good for up to 10 people (all ages, including infants, count in the total).

The Cast Members who answer calls to discuss reservations are delightful, friendly and eager to help.

The kindly answered all of our questions, provided advice and were quick to suggest (or discourage) certain ideas.

And the Nerd had a lot!

After discussing various options and scenarios, a day was selected.

We picked the time and place to be picked up and provided a credit card (we were assured it would not be charged until the day before our tour).

We were reminded of a few Disney VIP Tour basics:

• The tour could be cancelled up to 48 hours in advance to avoid a 2-hour charge
• The specifics (time, location, etc) could be changed up to 3pm the day before the tour
• The hours are consecutive and you cannot take an “unbilled” break; so if you want to enjoy a sit-down meal, it will likely be the most expensive meal you’ve ever had!

When to Book a Disney VIP Tour

Boy oh boy was this a debate (in the Nerd’s head). Talk about overthinking yourself into a corner.

We would arrive at Disney World on Wednesday evening and grab dinner at T-REX Cafe in Orlando .

A favorite starting point for the Nerdlings.

Before checking into Disney’s Pop Century .

We had Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to tour all day and Monday until 3pm, when we would need to depart for the airport.

Book the Disney VIP Tour on Saturday because this will be the most crowded day.

In fact, the tour was initially booked for Saturday for this very reason.

Buuuuuttttt, Saturday (and Friday) were $875+ more than the other days and it seemed to break up the vacation in a funky way.

In thinking through the logistics of a Disney World vacation, doing the tour in the middle prior to experiencing all of the parks felt sort of anti-climactic.

Or maybe it was the $875 additional cost.

At any rate, this date was changed.

Book the tour on Monday as a way to efficiently revisit all of our favorites after an amazing vacation.

In this way, we wouldn’t be worried about being distracted by souvenirs, shops, dining and could focus on attractions and really get our money’s worth.

Buuuuuttttt, we would only have 7 hours between the earliest park opening (Animal Kingdom) and leaving for the airport.

We had read (and the Cast Members at Disney VIP Tour reservations had shared) that it is really common for people to tack on time.

So, now, Monday felt rushed.

And nobody wants to be “rushed” when they’ve thrown down $3k for a day.

If Monday were a “full day”, the Nerd thinks he may have chosen this date AND it was recommended by the Cast Member.

Who worried that experiencing the tour too early in the vacation might “spoil” the rest of it when we had to wait in line.

Book the tour on Sunday – our last full day.

In this way, we would have already visited all four parks, ridden our favorites and still had time to really enjoy the full day.

This all made sense as the Nerd thought about it and mulled it over with the delightful reservations team.

Buuuuuttttt, when the Nerd called the next morning, there was no more availability (Nerd Hint: Book early, it’s free to cancel).

The reservations team put our group on the wait list and we moved on.

Book the tour on Thursday, our first day at Disney World.

This could be a great way to dive into the vacation, ride all of our favorites to our hearts’ content and really get lost in the Disney magic.

Plus, the Nerd REALLY wanted to tell everyone about the Disney VIP Tour!

This had the additional benefit of possibly making the remainder of the trip more “chill” than normal.

Sure, the Nerd family would be at a park each day when it opened.

But there would be less stress (okay, okay “stress”) about getting on all the headliner attractions since we would have already ridden them multiple times.

Instead, perhaps we would take the time to smell the roses, browse the shops, hop on the Disney

Skyliner and head back to the hotel for nap and pool breaks.

Perhaps we might linger over our meal at the Sci-Fi Dine-In (a Nerd staple) a bit longer or not be so antsy at dad when he stops every 90 minutes for a Mickey Pretzel and a Coke!?!?!?

Seriously, the whole “no eating in line” rule makes it tough for the Nerd.

Ultimately, the Disney VIP Tour would be booked for Thursday.

More to come on how it all worked out.

What Happens After You Book Your Disney VIP Tour?

Shortly after making the reservation, we received an email recapping everything that was discussed and reviewing all of the rules (like photo ID’s being required for all adults on the tour).

We were encouraged to call or email with questions or suggestions for our trip.

We were also reminded that we need to make a park reservation for the first park we wanted to visit that day.

Guests on a Disney VIP Tour could Park Hop any time (no waiting until 1pm or 2pm for “park hoppers” to be admitted), provided

The Nerd knows the Nerdlings and knew that attractions would be the star of our first Disney VIP Tour.

We emailed them a list of all we wanted to achieve in our 7+ hours on tour…and it was ambitious:

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

We asked to be picked up at 9am and dropped off/left at Epcot at the conclusion of our Disney VIP Tour in order to make our 6pm San Angel Inn reservation and the team was happy to oblige.

The Disney VIP Tour Details – It’s Go Time!!

At 8:43am – 17 minutes before we were “on the clock”, we received a text from our guide that he had arrived in front of our hotel ( Disney’s Pop Century ).

Telling us precisely where he would meet us.

As we approached the vehicle, Roy bounded out of the car, made introductions and we were on our way.

Our ride was a silver Chevy Suburban and we hit the road!

First things first. Roy confirmed there were no delayed openings for the morning and suggested we head for Magic Kingdom to kick off our day.

Our entire crew readily agreed.

Even on a Disney VIP Tour, Magic Kingdom is quite a hike from just about anywhere on Disney World property.

It took us more than 15 minutes to get to the hotel – no traffic, very few stops or slow downs…it was a straight shot.

This gave the Nerd time to pepper Roy with countless questions, talk Disney trivia and strategy, ask about unruly guests and work through the plan for our busy day.

The first stop was the Contemporary Resort for temperature screening and was just a short stop.

Before we knew it the Nerd clan was back in car and on the way to our first stop – Magic Kingdom.

Stop #1: Magic Kingdom Park

Parking for Disney VIP Tours at Magic Kingdom is nothing short of amazing.

In fact, the moment Roy parked the car, we all knew it was going to be an amazing day.

We parked literal steps from Tomorrowland, left anything in the car we didn’t want to take with us and stepped into the Magic Kingdom.

Roy knew we had quite a “to do” list for the day and asked about our walking speed and desired pace.

After the Nerd assured him our goal was to pack in as much as possible for the day, he lead the way at a brisk pace.

The Disney VIP Tour Guides are terrific.

They will take the reins and lead the way.

If you want to chat with them (we did), they are happy to answer all of your questions.

If you want to let them lead while you hang back with your group, they are fine with that.

They truly go out of their way to help you accomplish your goals for the day.

Potty stop?

No problem.

Just say the word.

Our first attraction was Space Mountain where we used the FastPass+ queue to access the attraction. Roy escorted us all the way to the ride and had a great time!

We scanned our MagicBand to secure our attraction photo via Memory Maker , browsed the gift shop for a bit and found Roy just outside waiting for us.

Next, we were off to Fantasyland and Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train .

The socially distanced line was already more than halfway around the mountain, but Roy walked us to the attraction’s entrance where we were scanned into the FastPass+ line for a 5 minute wait.

We made the short walk to Peter Pan’s Flight where FastPass+ was once again our mode of entry.

Having defeated Captain Hook and returned safely from Neverland, we took a brief restroom stop.

The Nerd was still getting used to this entire concept and debating between yelling at the group “this is costing a fortune, there are no bathroom breaks!” and walking slower to smell the roses knowing we had all the time in the world.

This Disney VIP Tour battle – the angel and the devil on his shoulder – was fought in his head periodically throughout the day.

Our group rounded the corner to Haunted Mansion where Roy walked us into the attraction through the exit, around a corner and straight to the front of the line.

Despite the attraction”s warning of there being “room for one more”, our entire group put off the ever after for the moment and found Roy outside the mansion’s front gates.

We walked across the park to Splash Mountain where Roy scanned us into the FastPass+ queue and sent us on our way.

Only four of the six Nerds rode this for fear of being wet and cold despite our Disney VIP Tour Guide’s insistence that we need not worry.

Exactly as Roy predicted, we met up with our group bone dry!

We shuffled a few steps and found ourselves again being scanned into a FastPass+ queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (if this schedule seems crazy, it’s because it was).

We walked right onto our train and climbed, dropped, twisted and screamed our way through the mine.

The group found Roy who immediately began to lead us back to Tomorrowland.

Not so fast!

We all know how the Nerd feels about Mickey Pretzels …and it was time for a snack.

And the best part?

Roy knew exactly which kiosk would be selling the warm salted pieces of heaven coveted by Nerds around the globe (and Churros for those who cannot recognize perfection in a Mickey head).

After a snack break, Roy found a great spot for a family photo in front of Cinderella’s Castle and then it was off to Tomorrowland.

Our last stop at Magic Kingdom was to be Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin .

Instead of the FastPass+ queue, we were escorted through Buzz’s Star Command (the ride’s gift shop), through a door, around a corner and right onto the ride.

It would be later that the Nerd would have chance to go back and secure his 999,999 points, Galactic Hero sticker and the respect of his Nerdlings.

Before we knew it, Roy walked us through a side door (we never knew it was there!!) and out of our secret entrance (I guess we should call it a secret exit?) and back to our waiting vehicle.

We got situated, loaded the Nerdlings into the far back, buckled up, noted – amazingly – it had been about 90 minutes since this party began and headed off to our next stop.

So far, so good.

We were getting a lot done on our once-in-a-lifetime Disney VIP Tour and it seemed like the day had really just started.

Certainly, we were going to accomplish more than we ever had (by a very very long shot) in a day.

And this wasn’t even one of those get to Animal Kingdom at 7a and leave Epcot at 11p kind of days!

Stop #2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

We could hear the ROAR of the engine – okay, a bit dramatic – we actually cruised to Animal Kingdom in comfort.

Now, we were expecting a Disney VIP Tour entrance to the park in an area we had never seen, leading to an area of the park we never would have imagined was so directly accessible.

And you know what?

We got exactly what was expected!

We were definitely disoriented with regards to the park’s entrance and not quite sure where we were.

We could have asked – and Roy would have gladly told us – but where is the fun in that.

This time we entered an area that did not take us directly into the park, as we had with Magic Kingdom , instead we walked through a Cast Member area with folks heading to and from their jobs. Cool!

As we rounded the corner, we found ourselves in the middle of Pandora and a few steps away from our first stop, Na’vi River Journey .

Roy used his magic cellphone app and escorted us to the front of the attraction via the FastPass+ queue.

As we had seen several times before – from the parking lot guards, to Cast Member after Cast Member – they

greeted Roy with a smile (some knew his name before he was close enough for them to read his name tag) and asked him how many guests were on his Disney VIP Tour and waved us through.

After the calm river ride, it was time for the banshee craziness of Avatar Flight of Passage .

Once again, FastPass+ was our queue and we quickly navigated our way to the front of the line and into the pre-show.

Once we de-bansheed and arrived back in Pandora, the craziness of walking straight onto attraction after attraction set in.

But no time to waste – we had more mountains to conquer!

SIDE NOTE: Roy tried to make his case that the Colossal Pretzel with beer cheese at Pongu Pongu was a strong rival for the Nerd favorite Mickey Pretzel (news flash – it’s not) as we made our way toward Asia.

The Nerd concludes Disney VIP Tour Guides may not know everything .

Expedition Everest is a Nerd and Nerdling favorite!

Our Disney VIP Tour Guide took us to the side entrance for the attraction where we were immediately let through and escorted to the front of the queue.

We were told due to COVID that they were not taking line requests, but the Cast Members kindly accommodated and we scored excellent seats for our Yeti encounter.

After exiting the ride, we found Roy and he took the four people who wanted to ride again right back to the front of the line.

They returned, exhilarated and a bit dizzy, and we made our way to the front of the park.

While we took a quick “comfort break”, Roy took our MagicBands and scanned us in for the day so that our tickets were verified and a day was used.

Before we knew it, he was back and escorting us to a different

Cast Member area and back out to the parking lot to our vehicle.

As we got settled, he asked us about lunch and, after hearing us all talk about how much we were starving (forget the fact that we had eaten before he picked us up and already eaten a small fortune worth of Disney World snacks.

He recommended we place a mobile order so that it would be ready about the time we arrived at our next destination!

Stop #3: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Roy suggested ABC Commissary for lunch and we passed around a phone for mobile ordering (and geez, Grammy Nerd was slow and the Nerdlings even slower – choose something to eat already!).

And placed our order before we arrived and parked at a side entrance to Hollywood Studios .

We left our sweatshirts in the car as the day was heating up and “magically” appeared by Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy as we moved swiftly (lest the Nerdlings get hungrier) toward lunch.

We were notified via the My Disney Experience app that our food was ready just as we arrived and we were ushered into the dining area, picked up our food and found a table – the timing (Roy’s timing) was perfect!

It was almost as if he had lead a Disney VIP Tour before.

After lunch, we were excited to experience Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and were brought in through a side door and quickly made our way to the front of the queue (seriously, I will never be able to stand in line the same way again!).

We slid into our seats, whirled and twirled our way through the zany and exceptional attraction and, as was becoming habit, found Roy waiting for us as we exited.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios had felt like a half-day park for years.

There were two headliner attractions – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

That made touring pretty easy.

Sprint for one of the two attractions first thing in the morning, ride the other immediately after (or at the end of the day), experience your favorite shows, have lunch and bounce.

Today, just two years later and after 5+ years of being an after thought, Hollywood Studios arguably has the most headliner attractions.

And certainly the longest average wait time for a headliner if you think Magic Kingdom has more.

This makes touring the park much more difficult because you are bound to find yourself waiting in several 60+ minute lines, regardless of the order.

And the park just keeps filling up throughout the day.

So while Magic Kingdom is larger with more ground to cover, Hollywood Studios made an incredible impression on us Nerds during the Disney VIP Tour.

It set the stage to allow us, when touring on our own without a guide, to pick and choose the attractions we wished to experience a second time instead of being forced to choose between long lines for rides we had yet to enjoy!

And so we did!

Our next stop was Slinky Dog Dash where we were scanned through the FastPass+ entrance and after a 5-minute wait, we were on the roller coaster flying past Woody, Jessie and all of our Toy Story favorites.

We walked a few steps and Roy escorted us through the FastPass+ entrance of Alien Swirling Saucers where we smiled and laughed our way around the famed claw!

This attraction along with Disneyland’s Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is highly underrated as a family ride, though the proximity and bright colors at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land keep the line long and the crowds coming back.

Dizzy from the ride, the Nerd talked to Roy and decided to call an audible to our Disney VIP Tour plan.

We were knocking things off the list right and left and we had decision to make.

Earlier in the day, our group secured a spot in the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance virtual queue.

The good folks at the Disney VIP Tour planning department had recommended against experiencing this attraction during the tour.

Their reasoning was sound: the guides would have no way to expedite our experience and we would, therefore, be waiting in the same line whether we experienced the ride with Roy or alone.

To the Nerds way of thinking, this was excellent advice.

However, there were two nagging thoughts.

First, we had trouble securing Rise of the Resistance passes on our last trip and we were unsure if it was the change to 7am distributions, lighter crowds or blind luck that we had secured them today.

Second, given the attractions that had been experienced thus far, the remaining days of our trip would be ours to control if we experienced this attraction today.

Since Rise poses unique challenges with park reservations and switching parks at the last minute.

All doable but this would take the stress off.

Our boarding group had been called hours ago and our Disney VIP Tour Guide explained that Cast Members at Rise of the Resistance were generally pretty good at accommodating people who were late (never for those who are early).

So, new plans made and a meeting place selected, Roy once again collected our MagicBands to go make sure we would be able to experience Rise of the Resistance and scanned us into the FastPass+ queue for Toy Story Mania .

Fresh off our Toy Story competition, it was time to save the Galaxy and we made our way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

We found Roy and he set us in motion to experience Rise of the Resistance.

While waiting in line, we continued to strategize a bit and decided we would end our tour in Hollywood Studios instead of Epcot.

Because the Skyliner to Epcot was scheduled to be down the rest of the day and we preferred to have our car vs taking a Disney bus at the end of the night.

Our Disney VIP Tour Guide offered to go a bit into “his time” to get us to Epcot and get settled.

We also had the option of extending the tour.

We considered both and were grateful for Roy’s offer.

The devil and the angel appeared back on the Nerd’s shoulders to have the. “Is it worth $500 to have someone drive you to Epcot to get on Frozen and Test Track ?”.

Ultimately, it was the travel logistics at the end of our night, long after we would have split off from Roy that determined our course.

We made our way to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and two in our party were feeling the effects of our wild day.

They opted to just “chill” while four of us sped our way to LA for an Aerosmith concert.

Given our change in plans, we had to make a quick trip to the car to get our sweatshirts and other items we had left in the car.

We were rewarded with yet another entrance into the park – those Disney VIP Tour Guides sure know how to make something seemingly basic into something wonderful!

Roy guided those of us Nerds left standing to the FastPass+ queue of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Where we said our goodbyes, tipped our Disney VIP Tour guide and made our way to the hotel lobby to experience one of Disney World’s best attractions.

Exhausted – not from walking, but from attraction overload, we checked out a few stores (the Nerd may or may not have grabbed another pretzel) and made our way to the Skyliner .

The plan was to head back to the hotel for a little bit of a break before our 6pm dinner reservation in Epcot .

As we disembarked the Skyliner at the Caribbean Beach Resort to transfer to the Pop Century line, we noticed the Skyliner to Epcot had reopened!

So we hopped on and started our Epcot adventure a little early.

We would eventually experience Gran Fiesta Starring the Three Caballeros prior to dinner and experience a 20-25 minute wait (which felt like a lot after our Disney VIP Tour escorts and 0-minute waits!) for Frozen Ever After prior to heading back to the hotel for the night.

Disney VIP Tour Recap

The day was a spectacular one and as we munched on chips and salsa, sipped margaritas and Diet Coke and reflected on our day.

We were amazed at all we had accomplished, experienced and seen.

We joked about the secret entrances, our Disney VIP Tour Guide’s knowledge and what it might be like to be a Club 33 Member.

We talked about how crazy the day was and how just 9 hours earlier, we had started at Magic Kingdom.

We were also excited about our trip – after all, this was just Day 1.

And the Disney VIP Tour had set us up to enjoy our remaining four days in a completely different way.

We no longer needed to “stress” about seeing all the headliners.

We already experienced them!

In fact, the next four days would be a trip at a slower pace than any Disney World vacation in recent memory.

We would dawdle more, snack more, spend more time in shops, take nap breaks and still get a chance to experience our favorites again with minimal waits.

We spent a lot of time talking about if we would do a Disney VIP Tour again or, if so, how it would be different. It was a mixed bag with no clear answers. In fact, The Nerds own analysis is like a stream of consciousness that makes no sense.

If money were no object, it would be nice to do this for two days.

One day solely at Magic Kingdom due to the sheer volume of attractions.

This would allow plenty of time to “smell the roses” and not feel rushed. The other day could be a headliner tour at the other parks.

BUT, this would bring into play the issues we experienced of too many rides too close together and a scrambled brain.

Could you get a Disney VIP Tour Guide for three days?

But now, it’s $10k plus tickets for three days at Disney World and that seems exceptionally insane.

Perhaps the strategy would be different once FastPass+ is back up and running where you could combine a Disney VIP Tour with late evening FastPasses at a park.

At least you would have the headliners scheduled for minimal waits throughout the trip.

Would we do it again? Maybe.

It’s all so confusing! We walked away with incredible memories and the knowledge that what we really need are the Club 33 passes where we can experience whichever FastPasses we want all day long.

With no concern that we are paying someone to stand by while we take a 25 minute nap on Carousel of Progress.

Perhaps that would be the ultimate Disney experience?

The search continues…

Interesting Tidbits from the Disney VIP Tour

The Nerd asked and asked and asked questions during the Disney VIP Tour.

Here are a few of the interesting things we uncovered that were not a part of this post:

We observed many Fastpass+ queues in use even though the program is suspended.

Although we entered the FastPass+ queue for many attractions, Roy scanned us in – what we observed were guests without a guide using their own MagicBands .

It turns out these people were generally comprised of people with disability access cards and Club 33 (see bucket list item #6 at the top of the article) members/guests.

From the research we did, Club 33 members/guests using a pass can get use +/- 12 FastPass+ queues per day across all Disney World Parks.

Stay tuned in coming years for THAT review!

The Contemporary Resort’s Convention Center was the site of President Richard Nixon’s famous “I am not a crook” speech .

Prior to COVID, some days saw up to 180 Disney VIP Tours operating simultaneously.

Today, a busy day is closer to 32. The Nerd is expecting some pent up Disney Demand in the coming months.

Due to COVID, the Disney VIP Tour Guides are not permitted to ride or dine with guests; though this had been an option previously.

Yes, some people exclusively visit Disney World via Disney VIP Tours.

It could be as many as 3-5+ days in a row with the same guide.

Many request the same guide each visit – even if a couple of years apart.

Yes, sometimes people take these Disney VIP Tours alone.

The Nerd felt like he should have known about the Hidden Pascal’s (that cute little chameleon from Tangled ) in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland.

There are 10 of these adorable critters blending in with their surroundings near the Rapunzel’s tower by the restrooms between it’s a small world and Haunted Mansion .

So….Was the Disney VIP Tour Worth It?

Yes and no.

Yes – absolutely!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was wonderful.

We experienced parts of the park and the luxury of bypassing crowds and bottlenecks.

It was unique, it was fun and we saw an incredible amount of Disney World .

If you were crunched for time or looking for a way to keep a group of 10 together (especially if you can split the cost), it’s terrific.

It is also too much of a good thing when experiencing the parks at the pace we set for ourselves.

The Nerd found himself looking at it as costing X dollars to experience a ride instead of stepping back and saying, “the day is paid for, let’s make sure we enjoy it.”

There was a nagging feeling of getting great value – and we did – instead of just enjoying the day.

To do it all over again, the Nerd would have to get his head on straight and focus on simply having a great day instead of experiencing everything possible.

It’s fun to skip the lines, but the best part is being with friends and family and enjoying the parks.

The next time, the Nerd would pick a park – probably Magic Kingdom – and start there and see where the day goes.

Perhaps we would experience fewer attractions and maybe it would be more.

But we would slow down and experience what was interesting with no regard for the length of the line, eat when we want to eat, shop when we want to shop.

If this includes just chilling before the next showing of the Country Bear Jamboree , so be it.

That’s the point, to do what you want, when you want and spend the day like a VIP.

It’s not a license to skip lines, it’s a promise that you will enjoy a day unlike any other.

If you can experience a Disney VIP Tour, you should.

Curious what the Disneyland private tour cost is? We have the answer PLUS tips!

It’s a great experience for everyone involved.

As they say, “practice makes perfect!”.

It seems we will be “practicing” this again!

Latest posts

These Are Our Favorite Disney Approved Strollers and Accessories

How to Get from EPCOT to Disney Springs

Art of Animation Bus Schedule (Updated)

Jungle Cruise at Disney World: An Unforgettable Adventure Awaits

12 of the Biggest Rides at Disney World

Easy Directions to Animal Kingdom Lodge

Are Disney Private VIP Tours Worth It?

11 Reasons Why This Luxury Experience May Be Worth The Money

Disney Private VIP Tours are the ultimate way to experience Walt Disney World. You get unrestricted access to all the rides and attractions and a personal guide who can help make your day extra special. However, luxury and service come at a price – they aren’t cheap. So are Private Disney VIP Tours worth it? Here are 11 reasons why this premium service is worth the money.

1. Disney World VIP Tours Are Customizable

One of the best things about Disney VIP Tours is that they are entirely customizable. With the assistance of your Disney travel planner or VIP tour guide, you can customize your itinerary to include only the things you are most interested in. You’ll be able to choose your start and end times, as well as the rides, shows, and theme parks you wish to visit. Whether you want to focus on the best roller coasters or learn how Disney magic happens behind the scenes, you can create an itinerary tailored to your interests – the choice is yours! In short, a Disney VIP Tour offers the most personalized and customized experience at Walt Disney World.

To learn more about Disney Private VIP Tours or to start customizing your itinerary, don’t hesitate to contact The Vacationeer , our recommended Disney travel agency.

Their free Disney planning services and personalized assistance will help you plan the perfect Private VIP Tour and Disney vacation. Click HERE to get started!

2. You Select The Tour Participants

Disney Private VIP Tours are unique because they allow you to select who joins your group. You will get more one-on-one time with your guide and smaller groups than any other Disney tour. Additionally, Disney will never pair you up with tourists you don’t know. You can choose to bring family, friends, or whoever you want – as long as there are no more than ten people in your group. The tour is perfect for those who desire a more personalized and VIP Disney World experience. In addition, it’s ideal for families with young children and grandparents because everyone is welcome.

3. You’ll Be Guided by a Disney Expert VIP Tour Guide

Disney Private VIP Tours are a great way to see the parks without worrying about logistics. Each tour is led by a Disney tour guide wearing a plaid vest. This Cast Member is highly-trained and hand-selected by Disney specifically for this role. They’re friendly, personable, professional, and knowledgeable about everything Disney. They’ll handle all the logistics so you can relax and enjoy yourself. And because they’re great with kids and attuned to families’ needs, they’ll ensure everything goes smoothly. So if you’re looking for a stress-free way to experience the magic of Disney, your VIP tour guide has you covered.

4. Save Time by Skipping Lines

A Private Disney VIP Tour is the best way to experience the most rides in the shortest amount of time. You’ll have access to special entrances that bypass the standby lines, so you can easily whisk onto rides. How does it work? Essentially, your tour guide serves as your express pass to breeze through the Lightning Lane or a side entrance. By cutting in front of everyone in line and moving up to the front, there is no waiting. It’s definitely one of the most satisfying perks of a VIP tour! Moreover, you can go on any ride as many times as you like, even the most popular ones. Skipping the lines will enable you to make the most of your time at the park and create wonderful memories.

5. Learn the Secrets of Disney

Disney Private VIP Tours are great for various reasons, but one of the best things about them is that you can learn the history of Disney World from your tour guide. They will be with you every step, providing insider tips and tricks on making the most of your visit. In addition, they can answer any questions you might have, so you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of Disney and its fascinating inner workings. So, a Disney Private VIP Tour is an excellent option if you want an educational experience in addition to the thrills.

6. Access to Backstage Areas

When you take a Disney Private VIP Tour, you’ll have backstage access to areas of the park that are typically off-limits to regular guests. You’ll be able to enter the theme parks through backstage entrances and use the backstage doors to different areas of the park. While VIP tour guides take you through Lightning Lane entrances on most rides, you’ll also access some through backdoors or side doors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get a peek behind the scenes! Just request backstage access from your VIP Tour guide, and they’ll be happy to take you to areas only Cast Members can access.

7. A Disney VIP Tour Has Fixed Hourly Pricing

Disney VIP tours are some of the most popular tours offered by Disney. They are also some of the most expensive. Disney Private VIP Tours range from $450 to $900 per hour , depending on the season and date you take it. However, one of the benefits of a Disney VIP tour is that it is a fixed price per hour, regardless of how many people are in your group. So, if you have a large group of up to 10, the cost per person may not be as expensive as you think.

Note : As our Guide to Disney Private VIP Tours article explains, VIP Tours must last at least seven consecutive hours. You are welcome to add extra hours (or additional days) to your tour, but 7 hours should give you enough time to do most of what you want. Eat breakfast or lunch right before or after your tour, so you don’t have to sit at a restaurant while the clock is ticking. You can maximize your money’s value by meeting your guide at the park rather than at your hotel — the clock starts when you connect with your guide, and if you meet at the park you can start riding attractions immediately.

8. Complimentary Treats Throughout the Day

As part of Disney Private VIP Tours, you will receive complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the tour. For example, your guide might give you bottles of water, Mickey pretzels, or Mickey bars when you exit a ride. In addition, some people receive snack baskets containing fruit, trail mix, and other snacks. Not all guides do this; however, those who do find that it helps to keep guests hydrated and energized, especially on long tours or hot days. So if you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and refuel during the tour, be sure to ask your travel agent or guide about getting some complimentary snacks and beverages on your next tour.

Note : Besides food and drink, VIP tour guides always carry umbrellas and ponchos in case of rain . They have you covered!

9. VIP Viewing for Shows, Parades, and Fireworks

One of the benefits of Disney Private VIP Tours is its premium viewing areas for shows, parades, and fireworks. Guests have exclusive access to reserved viewing areas for the nightly fireworks and Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom. In addition, VIP guests have premium seating for Disney live shows , including the popular Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo shows. The reserved viewing areas allow you to get close to the action and take some great photos.

10. Door-To-Door Transportation From Start to Finish

Disney World is a large and sprawling resort, and getting around can be challenging for visitors. Fortunately, Disney Private VIP Tours offer door-to-door transportation all day long. Hence, you can rest assured that you will always have a ride to your next destination, whether it’s another park, ride, hotel room, or restaurant.

Disney World transportation is abundant all around the parks, but only VIP Tours shuttle you privately from resort to park, ride to ride, park to park, all day long. Imagine not having to walk all the way across the park to get from Space Mountain to Big Thunder Mountain! This is how celebrities do Disney World , and it’s the best way to ensure that you make the most of your time at the resort. With Disney Private VIP Tours, you can sit back and enjoy the ride while someone else handles the driving.

11. Enjoy Hassle-Free VIP Planning with Disney Travel Agents

Planning for Disney World trips can be stressful and confusing. But with the help of a Disney travel agent, you can simplify the process and ensure your trip will be magical.

Prior to your Private VIP Tour, your Disney vacation planner will work directly with your tour guide to customize the itinerary. They will consider factors such as the size of your party, the ages of your children, and any special interests you may have. An itinerary tailored to your needs will maximize your time at Disney World.

Your Disney travel agent won’t just help with your Disney VIP Tour. Since they’re familiar with all the ins and outs of the park, they can help you choose suitable ticket options, make restaurant reservations, and book hotels and transportation. They can advise you on what to see and do and provide you with custom-made touring plans that fit your family’s interests. The best Disney travel agents will take care of all the details for you, so all you have to do is focus on having a great time. Plus, they can often help you secure special perks and amenities often overlooked by the general public.

Working with a Disney travel agent is a great way to ensure you have a hassle-free and truly memorable Disney VIP experience. Contact The Vacationeer and speak with a Disney expert today!

Disney Private VIP Tours: The Pros and Cons

A Disney Private VIP Tour provides many advantages over a regular theme park experience (and non-VIP group tours). Here is a summary of the main benefits, as detailed in the previous section.

Pros of Disney Private VIP Tours:

• A Disney VIP Tour is customizable and completely private, so you can do what you want with the people you choose.
• Disney Private VIP Tours provides you with a dedicated tour guide, so you don’t need to worry about logistics.
• You’ll avoid long lines and maximize your fun with priority access to all rides and attractions.
• Guests can access premium viewing areas for shows, parades, and fireworks.
• You will learn all about Disney World’s history and inner workings during the tour
• Your guide will provide complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the tour.
• You will have door-to-door transportation all day, so you don’t have to worry about getting around from place to place.
• The fixed hourly rate covers up to 10 people, including infants.
• Disney treats you like a celebrity from start to finish!

While this type of tour can offer many benefits, there are also a few drawbacks. Here are some of the main cons of taking a Disney Private VIP Tour.

Cons of Disney Private VIP Tours:

• Disney VIP Tours are not cheap! The price range for this luxury service is $450 to $900 per hour.
• The hourly rate varies depending on the time of year you go to Disney World , so you can expect to pay more during the vacation and holiday seasons when the park is most crowded and less during off-peak times.
• There is a minimum booking window of 7 consecutive hours. You’ll be able to book more than 7 hours if you want, but never less.
• Tickets to theme parks are not included in the tour price, so participants must purchase them separately. If a tour visits a single park, you only have to purchase a ticket for that park. A Park Hopper ticket will be necessary for tours that cover multiple parks. Contact The Vacationeer to arrange your ticket purchases.
• If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, you will be charged two hours at your booking rate.
• Meals are not included in the cost of the tour. However, you are welcome to dine during the tour if you wish.
• Disney Private VIP Tours usually sell out well in advance. You must book one well in advance, particularly if you plan to go during peak season.

Many people ask, “Are Disney VIP tours worth it?” The simple answer is YES… if you don’t mind paying for premium services and luxury experiences. Considering how quickly Disney VIP Tours sell out, most people think they are worth it. But several factors play into whether or not a VIP Tour is suitable for you and your group. Here are some things to consider.

• One crucial factor to consider is your budget. VIP tours can be expensive, so they might not be the right choice if you have a strict spending limit.
• Another factor to consider is how much time you have planned for your trip to Disney World. If you have a long vacation planned, you may not need the help of a VIP tour guide to maximize your time in the parks. However, a Private VIP Tour can help you make the most of your visit if you are short on time. Your tour will maximize your time so you can see and do everything you want in a single day or two.
• Another consideration is why you are taking a trip to Disney World. If you celebrate a special occasion, plan a multi-generational trip, take the grandkids to Disney World , or whatever, a VIP tour can add extra magic to your experience. Your trip may be more memorable if you add this service.
• Finally, a VIP Tour is a must if you demand nothing but the best. You get unlimited front-of-the-line access to all rides and attractions, priority seating at shows, and unmatched access to backstage areas. You also get a personal tour guide who will take care of all the details, so you can simply enjoy your day. Plus, the door-to-door transportation will make you feel like a celebrity.

There are many reasons why luxury travelers and families may choose to take a Disney Private VIP Tour, but the chance to avoid crowds and be pampered throughout the day are tops. Those who want to experience the best of Disney should choose a VIP Tour, which is undoubtedly the ultimate luxury Disney experience . So while it is not a cheap option, it is worth it for those who have the resources, demand the best, are celebrating a special occasion, or want to maximize their limited time at Walt Disney World . Overall, it’s worth it if you fall into any of these categories.

We hope this information helps you decide whether Disney Private VIP Tours are worth it. Ultimately, only you can decide if a Disney VIP tour suits you.

Note: If you’re planning on visiting Orlando’s other theme parks, you’ll be happy to know that Universal Orlando offers VIP tours , too!

Are you Ready to Book your Private VIP Tour at Disney World?

When you book a Disney VIP tour with The Vacationeer , you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible service. You’ll work with only one expert Disney vacation planner to create a custom tour that fits your family’s needs and interests. Your dedicated planner will also take care of all the details, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation.

The Vacationeer can reserve and customize your Disney VIP Tour, so you get everything you want and need. Also, they can take care of purchasing your theme park tickets, making your hotel reservations, dining reservations, etc. Whether you want all the luxury – including five-star hotels at Disney World , Michelin-rated Disney restaurants , tee times at Disney’s best golf courses – or something more modest, The Vacationeer is there to assist you. They can even take care of your car rentals, transportation, stroller rentals , childcare , and more.

The Vacationeer will work as your personal assistants for Disney World to ensure your trip is as magical as possible, and there’s never a charge for their services. Click HERE to contact The Vacationeer to start planning your VIP Disney vacation!

Related Posts:

Share This Page: Choose Your Platform!

About the author: joshua powell.

Related Posts

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

The Travel Sisters

Are disney world vip tours worth it.

by The Travel Sisters | May 31, 2023 | Destinations , Family Travel | 2 comments

What exactly is a Disney World VIP tour?

A Disney World VIP tour is a customized way to experience the theme parks – you let them know your wish list of rides, attractions and interests and they streamline the entire day. The major benefits are that your personal tour guide will take you behind the scenes and use the Lightning Lanes for rides without the hassle of Genie+. Basically, this means you enjoy the attractions efficiently with little time spent waiting in lines.

How much does a Disney World Private VIP tour cost?

Price ranges from $450 to $900 per hour depending on the season and all tours must be booked for a minimum of 7 continuous hours. Tipping is optional and subjective but the guideline is anywhere from 10% to one hour for gratuity. Guest must purchase park entry separately.

How many guests can be in the group?

Each group can include up to 10 guests and even infants are included in the head count. All guests must begin the tour at the same time.

Our Disney World VIP tour review

Our group included two families with children ranging from 4-15 years old. We had all been to Disney World before and purposely booked the VIP tour on our last park day. Our objective was to enjoy the day without waiting in long lines or feeling glued to our phones and of course, easily hit popular rides like Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy. We had done some pre-arrival planning and had already sent over a list of our must-dos.

We chose to meet our guide at Magic Kingdom instead of getting picked up at our resort since the clock starts ticking right away. She texted a few minutes before our arranged time to let us know she was already there. Although we were game for the day, I had some hesitation about how it would feel to have a stranger spend 7 hours with us. Fortunately, she was awesome! Our guide, dressed in the telltale plaid vest, was a perfect fit for our group. She was friendly, informative and extremely efficient in an effortless manner.

We managed to zip to all our requested rides and even rode multiple times. Our guide accounted for bathroom stops, parked the stroller for us, and managed to keep everyone in the group smiling. When the 4 year old didn’t meet height restrictions for a ride our guide either found an alternate appropriate ride nearby, a hidden play area or a shady spot to enjoy a snack while the rest of the group enjoyed the thrill ride.

When booking the VIP tour you have the choice of visiting just one park or park hopping. As mentioned above, park tickets are not included in the VIP tour cost so it is the guest’s responsibility to have already purchased the appropriate park entry and have a park reservation. We chose the park hopper option and are happy we did. Jumping between parks was a breeze. Our guide used a private vehicle to transport us between parks. Every time we got out of the vehicle, cast members were waiting for us with snacks and drinks. Our guide recommended a quick service option for our lunch break and efficiently had us place our order while driving to the park so no time was wasted.

One of the perks of the tour was the behind the scenes access. It was interesting to see “backstage” and learn about the logistics of running the parks smoothly. Photos and video were not allowed and I rather prefer it that way because it made it feel more special.

At the end of the Disney VIP tour if you time it right you can have access to VIP seating for parades or fireworks. Your tour just needs to end within 30 minutes of the start time. We kept our tour at exactly 7 hours for the sake of the youngest members. When it was time to leave, we all had big hugs for our guide. Within minutes of meeting her, she was another family member. Our entire group agreed she was the best part of the whole day and we missed her already. The kids still treasure the special VIP tour pins received at the end. After we went our separate ways we also received a text from our guide that she had gotten everyone Lightning Lane on a ride that had broken down earlier. It wasn’t even a top priority ride for us and the VIP tour was over so we especially appreciated the gesture.

At the end of the day, I would say the Disney VIP tour is worth it if it is within budget, you are traveling with a large group or you are limited by time. Funny enough, while the entire experience was only positive, our group agreed that we appreciated it more because we had already experienced Disney the traditional way with all the lines and crowds and unpredictability.

If you are interested in taking a VIP tour on your next trip to Disney Word, read more on Disney World’s official website here .

It’s worth it. We usually do it for our family of 4. Don’t really want a second family in case we don’t agree on plans. However, you have to book far in advance and that’s hard to do for me.

Walt Disney must be turning in his grave. The incredible amounts of money required to visit the Disney experience is way above what the average blue collar work can really support.

Don’t think it was Walt’s vision to be a playground for only the wealthy…..

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent posts.

• 30+ BEST Mother’s Day Gifts for Moms That Love Travel
• Chase Freedom Flex 2024 2nd Quarter 5% Bonus Categories
• Discover 5% Cashback Calendar 2024: Categories That Earn 5% Cash Back
• Chase Freedom Calendar 2024 Categories That Earn 5% Cash Back
• All Southwest Airlines International Flight Destinations

Follow us on Facebook

Pin It on Pinterest

The VIP Tours at Walt Disney World

Last Updated: July 3, 2023

One of the more unique ways to enjoy as many attractions as possible in a day at Walt Disney World is by booking a VIP Tour. VIP Tours are a great way to enjoy one or all four Disney parks with friends and family without waiting in long lines. We have gone on several VIP Tours and done different things each time, so we’ll share information as well as our thoughts and ideas for these below.

Please note: there are VIP Tours at Disneyland, and some of their rules are different than Walt Disney World’s VIP Tours. We have not done a VIP Tour at Disneyland, so we don’t know all of the differences.

What Is Included with a VIP Tour?

VIP Tours include a tour guide for each tour group up to 10 people, access to the Lightning Lane lines for every attraction in all four parks at Walt Disney World (the exception being some brand new rides depending on popularity), a VIP Tour pin, snacks, backstage access into the parks to save time, and a van or suburban to get from park to park.

Is My Park Ticket Included with a VIP Tour?

No. Your park ticket to get into one or all of the Disney Parks is not included in the cost of your VIP Tour. If you are only going to one park, each person in your group must have a ticket to get into the park. If you plan to go to more than one park in a day, every person in your group must have a park hopper ticket to get into the parks. Anyone who has an annual pass can get into the parks as long as you are not there on a blackout date of the pass.

How Much Does a VIP Tour Cost?

The price ranges from $450 to $950 per hour for a VIP Tour depending on the time of year and if a major event is happening (opening of Toy Story Land, Galaxy’s Edge, etc).

One of the ways that makes a VIP Tour not as expensive is by splitting the cost between 10 people. We like to get a group of friends or family members together to split the cost between all of us so the cost is much less per person than the total of the whole tour. Whether you have one person or 10 people, the price is still the same per hour, so if you split it up between all of you, it makes the total less and easier to make a reality.

How Many People Can Go On a VIP Tour?

A VIP Tour can have up to 10 people in one tour group. If you have more than 10 people who want to go on a VIP Tour, you can have multiple groups, but each group of 10 travels separately in vans from park to park and has their own tour guide.

What Rides Are Included on a VIP Tour?

Currently, you can go through the Lightning Lane line of every ride in all four Walt Disney World parks on a VIP Tour, including Tron Lightcycle Run.

Does the Tour Guide Ride the Rides with You?

This is completely up to you. If you would like them to ride with you, they will. Especially if you have an odd number of people riding, it is always nice for everyone to have a ride buddy. But if you would prefer they not ride or need them to stay near a wheel chair, stroller, hold bags, and hats, they can do that too.

How Long Is a VIP Tour?

VIP tours are at least 7 hours long. You can book up to 14 hours for your tour, but you must have a minimum of 7 hours booked for a VIP tour. You can book 7 hours and add on time the day of if you decide you would like the tour to continue.

We’ve found that 8 hours tends to be our sweet spot, but depending on how much you want to do in a day, you may want more time. One thing to consider though is that walking for that amount of time is exhausting. If you have plans to rest throughout the day, it will be more enjoyable for everyone.

How Do You Get From Park to Park?

On a VIP Tour, you are driven from park to park in a van or suburban, depending on the size of your group. You park backstage and drive along back roads to get to each location quickly and not waste time.

Do We Go Through Security?

When you are on a VIP Tour, your bags are checked at the beginning of your tour one time by security. After that, you can carry your bags with you or leave them in the vehicle if you’d like.

Where Does a VIP Tour Start?

Your VIP Tour begins anywhere you’d like on Walt Disney World property. You can choose to be picked up at your resort or a restaurant or meet your guide at the first park you plan to be at.

We prefer to meet at the first park because the time it takes to get to the park is on us, and it means we can arrange the time for our tour to start at the park and not at the resort. We try to make every minute count without stressing. If you have little ones or are concerned about your whole group getting somewhere on time, the best option is to be picked up at your resort then. It is much faster to ride in the van to the park than to end up on a stopped monorail or miss the bus to the park and be late for your tour. Your time starts whether you’re there or not.

Can the Transportation Accommodate Car Seats and Wheel Chairs?

In both cases, the answer is yes. VIP tour vehicles can accommodate car seats and wheel chairs. Car seats are included if you let them know ahead of time, but they should ask you if you’ll need one and what size.

We had a VIP tour group that had someone in a wheel chair, and our tour guide pushed her from ride to ride all day, helped her on rides, and helped her into the van from park to park.

Does The Time Stop for Food, Bathroom Breaks, Etc?

During your tour, the countdown on the clock does not stop. Any stops for food, restroom breaks, travel, and shopping are all part of the time in your tour. If your tour starts at 9 a.m. and is 7 hours long, everything from 9-4 is part of the VIP tour.

We focused on the most important parks and rides to us first to ensure we did the main attractions, and when we wanted food, we would mobile order through Disney’s app to save time. This allows you to rest from walking for a short time and talk about the fun you’re having without stopping for too long. We generally mobile order while in line for Flight of Passage so we can exit the ride and head straight to Satu’li Canteen to eat and then continue the tour.

Snacks on a VIP Tour

You can bring your own food and drink on a VIP Tour and leave the bag in the vehicle for those times you’re driving from park to park if you’d like. Small snacks and water are offered by the Tour Guide when you arrive at Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

I don’t have any pictures of the snacks they offer because they are given to us backstage where we can’t take pictures.

Planning a VIP Tour

When you book your VIP Tour, you can choose to plan out your day, wing it when you get there or your tour guide can plan the day out for you. The Tour Guides are great at figuring out the best way to get to each of the locations you want so you can ride the rides your group definitely won’t want to miss. They know the parks like the back of their hands, and they can help you plan an epic day.

One thing to note is that many things can change a plan. Larger crowds than expected, rain slowing everyone down, someone getting sick from a ride, etc. It’s great to have a plan, but at the end of the day, the best thing to do is trust your tour guide and go with the flow.

Does Everyone in the Group Have to Ride Together?

Everyone in the group does not have to ride every ride. The tour guide will take those who want to ride the ride through the Lightning Lane lines while the rest of the group waits at the exit for the ride to be over.

There are several rides I don’t prefer, so I wait outside while everyone else gets on the rides. Usually there’s a couple of us that end up waiting together. It isn’t a long wait, and we use this time for bathroom breaks, snacks, chatting, shopping, and posting pictures.

Fireworks Viewing on a VIP Tour

For Walt Disney World, if your VIP Tour overlaps or goes up to the time of a fireworks show, you can get preferred viewing for the fireworks show of the park you’re in. For instance, if Happily Ever After is at 8 p.m., and your VIP Tour ends at 8, you can use those last few minutes to get preferred viewing for the fireworks.

We have not personally done this, but it’s a great way to see the fireworks without waiting an hour or two for a good spot and still get to enjoy the fireworks show.

How Do You Book a VIP Tour?

In order to book a VIP Tour, you must call Signature Services at (407) 560-4033 or you can book through your Travel Agent. You must put a credit card on file, but your card is not charged until 24 hours before your VIP Tour. You can book up to 60 days in advance.

What if I Need to Cancel My VIP Tour?

If for any reason you need to cancel your VIP Tour, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your VIP Tour, there is no charge for the cancelation. If you cancel within the 48-hour window, a two hour charge at your hourly rate will be charged to your card.

Should You Tip Your VIP Tour Guide?

As a general rule, tipping your tour guide shows how much you appreciate how great they made your day. Tipping must be done in cash as they won’t have a way for you to pay through a credit card, but you can also tip with gifts as well.

We have asked so many tour guides and cast members what a recommended tip is for a tour guide, and we have yet to get a straight answer. If everyone in your group tips something, it can add up quickly though, and every bit is appreciated.

Tips From Our Personal Experiences

Our favorite schedule for a VIP Tour is to start around 10 a.m. so everyone in the group is rested and ready to take on the day. It also means we aren’t fighting through the initial crowds waiting for the park to open. We like to start with Hollywood Studios as it has the most thrill rides and gets the adrenaline going. We then head to Epcot because it’s so close to Hollywood Studios and knock out our favorite rides there. Animal Kingdom is next, and we usually ride Flight of Passage two or three times. This is also where we mobile order lunch at Satu’li Canteen. It’s a great time to refuel, and we love the food because we can get some carbs and protein without filling ourselves too much or eating normal theme park food like hot dogs and hamburgers. With whatever time we have left, we head to Magic Kingdom and ride our favorite rides until the time is up. Then we part ways with our tour guide and continue riding rides until it’s time to watch Happily Ever After.

Is A VIP Tour Worth It?

When you consider the benefits of a VIP Tour , it’s hard to say that they aren’t worth it. You can knock out all the rides your group wants to do in a day or knock out a whole park or two of every ride, and that in turn saves you money in park tickets another day. Plus the added benefit of the more stress-free time you have waiting in Lightning Lane lines instead of the normal lines, it makes for a great way to spend time in the parks with friends and family. If you ever have the opportunity to take a VIP tour, we highly recommend doing so. It’s a unique and fun experience that makes the Disney parks easier to maneuver and more manageable, especially in really busy seasons.

What about Unofficial VIP Tours?

“Unofficial” VIP Tours are third party companies who offer their services to help you book your Genie+ and Lightning Lanes for the day, guide you through the park, share Disney trivia and fun facts, wait with your wheelchair or stroller, and just overall help make your day stress-free. The best part? Unofficial VIP Tours are much cheaper than Disney VIP Tours, so you can get all the help and services at a fraction of the cost.

While each tour guide company has different offerings, we’re going to share the one we recommend and what they offer. WDW Park Guide offers a park guide for up to 10 ticketed guests and will book all of your Genie+ and Lightning Lanes throughout the day so you can enjoy your time in the parks and not be on your phone constantly booking them. The price is also much cheaper than Disney VIP Tours ranging from $1100-$1700 per day depending on the time of year. Park Guides do a lot of the same thing a VIP Tour Guide does (guide you around the park, stay with the stroller or wheelchair, share Disney trivia and fun facts), but they do not have unlimited access to the Lightning Lane lines. Instead, they book your Genie+ and Lightning Lanes for you throughout the day so you don’t have to. They also use their knowledge of the system to focus on the more popular rides at first to help your family get the rides they truly want to enjoy the day. For more information about WDW Park Guides, what they do, and what is included, check out the FAQ page on their website.

30 Comments

Do the VIP tours include character meet and greets? I have a 4 year old daughter and I know characters will be the biggest thing.

Thank you for the review! I’m about ready to reserve a few days of VIP tours, but have one concern. I’ve seen reviews elsewhere that suggest that tours can go quite poorly depending upon the guide that you end up with. Have you experienced this, and do you have any advice for insuring that we end up with a guide that makes for a successful day?

We have not had a bad experience with any of our guides on our VIP tours. My only suggestion for that is if you book several days and find after the first day you aren’t happy with your guide, call and request a different one. VIP tours cost too much for you to not have an amazing time 🙂

We are doing the VIP tour at Disneyland in a few weeks and we have eleven people. A couple of us are not going on rides. Can we all still tag along together?

do you visit all four parks or do you pick pick which park? it states on the disney website you must have a park ticket and a park reservation. Theresa

VIP tours are completely customizable. You can park hop or choose not to, but everyone needs to have an appropriate park ticket for whatever you’re doing (park hopper ticket if you’re park hopping, etc). And you do have to have a park reservation for the first park you start in.

No. Disney will not allow extra people on the tour. If you have more than 10, you’ll need to book a second VIP tour.

If you wanted to buy food at the resort is it included in the price of the tour or is it separate too?

It’s separate. No meals are included with a tour.

We asked at one of the resorts today, and there has been no discussion of bringing these back anytime soon. 🙁

What if a kid goes through a line for something like DINOSAUR but then doesn’t want to go on it

They can exit the ride with the guide and wait for everyone while they ride

We will have a small group – would it be possible to randomly select a small family to join us in skipping a line? Just thought it might be fun to spread a little magic.

If you had a family with you the whole day, yes, but they wouldn’t allow you to include other guests randomly throughout the day. Love the thought though as that is very sweet. 🙂

Do you know where the VIP viewing areas for fireworks are for Enchantment and Harmonious?

I know it was sometimes on the top of the train station for HEA but once the Christmas tree is up where would it be?

We aren’t sure yet. We did see they have private viewing at the train station in Magic Kingdom, but we don’t know if they other locations are the same as where they used to be. For Harmonious, we didn’t see any boats tonight when we were there, so we aren’t sure where those will be. We’re hoping they have a new spot to watch the fireworks than where it used to be because the other location they had for Illuminations is not a great spot now, but we haven’t found out if it has changed yet.

I loved my vip Disney Tour. I’m. Not sure how I’ll ever do Disney normal Again.

Does the tour include the photo package?

No it doesn’t

Just signed up for a tour today and received this in the confirmation email:

“Also, Guests experiencing a Private VIP Tour will receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass® attraction photos, taken in the park on the day(s) of their tour, at no additional charge.”

Hi! How long did it take you to get on and off each ride?

It really depended on the ride. Some rides we walked right on, but others had other people in the fastpass queue, so we’d have to wait a few minutes before getting on. It was never more than 10 minutes waiting to get in though. Getting off goes quickly and then you can head to the next ride once your party is all together.

Do they count little babies as part of your 10 people? If not, what age do they start counting?

Yes, children of all ages count for the 10 people. The reason we were told is that they have to be within the legal capacity limits of their vans.

Hi! Great review, one quick question though. For the fireworks viewing, do you know where each of the preferred sections are? We’ve done a lot of dessert parties, and the view is always fantastic. Is that where you’d be? Have a magical day and sparkle on! NonnaT

In Magic Kingdom, the viewing area is on the “outer sidewalk” of the Hub, on the east side just before the pathway to Tomorrowland – so in front of the dessert party garden and to the right. That’s the only one we have experienced personally, but we have been told that the other parks utilize the dessert party and/or FastPass+ viewing areas. When you book your tour Signature Services is great about helping you plan the day exactly as you want, and I’m sure they have many options available for things like this.

I agree – a VIP Tour is a fantastic way to get the most out of a day at Disney! (We did the Toy Story Land VIP Tour with y’all, but we were in a different van.)

Thanks for sharing!

That day was so fun! Glad you had a great time too!

Was photopass or memory maker, or whatever the photo thing is included as well? Or do you have to purchase that separately?

That must be purchased separately

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Getting A Haircut in Magic Kingdom

Fun and Unique Couple Ideas for Your Next Trip to Walt Disney World

The Ultimate Guide to Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom

Disney Private VIP Tours

Making our kingdom yours.

Explore the parks* with your own VIP Tour Guide during a customizable experience filled with attractive benefits.

The team at Disney VIP Tour Services will plan the most efficient, enjoyable way for groups up to 10 Guests to see and do the things on your list. Just tell your personal VIP Tour Guide what you'd like to see, and they'll customize your day to your desire!

After being picked up in a private vehicle from your Walt Disney World Resort accommodations or branded partner resort accommodations, enjoy unparalleled hospitality and experience some of your favorite attractions alongside a VIP Tour Guide.

Some of the personalized services include:

• Pre-arrival planning
• A flexible start time, picked by you
• Visits to multiple theme parks* in one or more days
• The ability to enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently through most Lightning Lane entrances
• Shared insight from your highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout your tour

*All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour

Pricing and Reservations

• Pricing:  Ranging from $450 to $900 per hour, depending on the season (valid park admission is required for each park visited on tour and is not included in the price of the tour).
• Reservations: Call 00 800 2006 0809 to book. Guests under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. Learn when advance reservations can be made.

Know Before You Go

• All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour
• Disney VIP Tours participate in full security screenings (including bag checks) during your Disney VIP Tour. Guests should be prepared for screenings with their appropriate government issued identification.
• Disney Private VIP Tours at the Walt Disney World Resort are very popular and may be limited in availability. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.
• All Private VIP Tours must be booked for a minimum duration of 7 continuous hours, and your party may include up to 10 Guests, including infants.
• Entertainment offerings are subject to availability and may be restricted by capacity constraints at the time of booking.
• You will incur a cancellation fee equal to 2 hours at the booked rate per tour if you do not provide at least 48-hour notice when cancelling any Private VIP Tour.
• No cameras, video equipment or cellphones may be used while in backstage areas.
• Guests 17 years and under must be accompanied by a paying participating parent or guardian.
• Pricing and information are subject to change without notice.

Related Activities

Celebration at the top – sip, savor, sparkle, specialty cruises, custom-designed celebrations & gatherings.

5 Reasons to Take a Disney VIP Tour (+ 3 Why You SHouldn’t)

As much as I marvel at the wonder of Disney, I am not a fan of crowds and lines. So when I had a chance to take one of the Disney VIP tours, I jumped at a chance to see how it worked. I was really curious how a Disney VIP tour worked and if it was worth what the average family would pay.

Taking a Disney VIP tour was eye-opening! As much as I loved being treated like a VIP and jumping into the Lightning Lane on every ride, I also found a few downsides. While the experience was very special, I also had mixed feelings afterward, so I wanted to share both the pros and the cons.

I’ll also break down the difference between an official Disney World VIP tour and a private VIP tour of Disney from a third-party guiding service.

My Disney VIP tour was hosted by Disney as part of a press trip with Visit Florida. This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

What is an Official Disney VIP Tour?

Walt Disney World offers official private premium VIP tours. If you book a private VIP tour through Disney, you will work with a guide to create a custom touring plan. While you are in the park, your group is then guided throughout the park(s). When on a Disney VIP tour, you will get Lightning Lane access to all rides.

In addition to guiding you through the parks, your guide also serves as a concierge. With official Disney tours, the tour guide is a Disney cast member and provides door-to-door service.

Private Disney VIP tours start at $450 per hour (prices are subject to change and dependent on seasonality) and have a minimum commitment of seven continuous hours. Each tour can accommodate up to 10 guests with a single guide. Larger groups require multiple guides. This price does not include park tickets, these must be purchased separately. ( Purchase discounted tickets through my affiliate partner Getaway Today !)

Private Disney VIP tours can be custom designed to focus on the rides and the Disney parks that you want to experience. For example, if you love Princesses, the tour will focus on Princess meet and greets, Princess rides, etc. If you have thrill seekers, your guide will map out an itinerary that packs in the thrills. (See my teen’s picks for the best Disney rides for teens .)

Disney VIP tours are available by reservation only, and they fill up so it is recommended to reserve your tour 180 days in advance of your visit.

Official Disney Group VIP Tours

In addition to private VIP tours, there are also group VIP tours with pre-set itineraries such as the Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom tour. These tours are offered at specific days of the week and times of the day for a four to seven-hour tour (park admission not included.)

“Unofficial” Private Disney VIP Tours

In addition to the VIP Tours offered by Disney, there are third-party tour companies that offer VIP tours to Disney World and Universal Orlando, such as Magic VIP Tours .

These third-party tours tend to be a little more affordable and ideal for those looking for VIP treatment. They also provide a custom itinerary, VIP services, and tour services from a Disney pro to avoid lines and crowds.

Why Book a Disney VIP Tour?

So now let’s look at reasons why to take a VIP tour when visiting Disney. These advantages are based on the official Disney VIP Tour .

1. You have limited time

If you have limited time to spend in the parks (for example, you are trying to do Magic Kingdom in one day ), the best way to maximize that time, especially if you aren’t a Disney planning pro, is to have a VIP tour. Your guide will talk to you about your “must dos” and understand the types of rides and attractions you like best.

For example, are you a thrill seeker or a thrill avoider? They can also take into account the ages and sizes of any children in your party to focus on the rides that everyone can enjoy. Maybe you just want to focus on Magic Kingdom or perhaps you want to maximize your family vacation and hit all four parks — the private guides can make it happen.

Disney VIP guides can zip you in and out of attractions and parks in the most efficient ways possible with minimal time spent waiting in line. In seven hours, we hit three of the four parks.

We were able to squeeze in Soarin’ in Epcot, Star Wars Launch Bay and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and multiple rides on Expedition Everest. With all that we had time to spend a few hours enjoying a gourmet dinner at Tiffin’s and take in a show at Animal Kingdom.

2. Skip the line

Part of maximizing your time and having a VIP experience is the ability to skip the line. To be clear, a Disney VIP tour gives you access to the Lightning Lane. You can’t actually skip that line, but you can go back into that line over and over if you really like a ride.

Plus, you don’t have to deal with navigating the system and you aren’t limited to a set number of Lightning Lane passes. [Note: VIP tours from private companies deal with Lightning Lane access differently.]

But in addition to having a guide to create an efficient itinerary and route you quickly through the crowds, getting access to the Lightning Lane saves a ton of time and avoids all the whining and fussing that comes with waiting in long lines.

3. Go behind the scenes

When I was in business school, we read a lot of case studies about the magic of Disney marketing. From the time I learned about the secret tunnels and entrances that allowed the cast members and characters to magically appear where they are needed, I was curious about what Disney parks were like behind the scenes.

One of my favorite parts of our Disney-led VIP tour was getting to go in and out of cast entrances. You rarely get a peek behind that curtain but using employee roads, parking and entrances allow you to quickly get to exactly the attraction you want to visit.

Many of the features of a VIP tour are about convenience and efficiency, but this truly is something you can’t do on your own.

4. VIP treatment

I greatly enjoyed some of the stories our guide shared about the celebrities and dignitaries she has guided through Disney. Yet one of the true luxuries was the VIP concierge service that our guide provided.

For example, we were there in June and the temperatures were well above 90 degrees. Imagine how happy we were to disembark from the Kilimanjaro safari ride in Animal Kingdom to see our guide standing there with bottles of cold water.

Or, when one of our group lost her phone, our private guide searched for it from where it had fallen out during a ride on Everest. Plus, our reservations at Tiffins and VIP seating at the show weren’t too shabby either.

5. Families traveling together

If you are two families traveling together, you can share that fee and on a per-person basis, maybe it becomes a bit more palatable. The trick will be getting everyone to agree on what to do. But the nice part of that is you can hand the decision-making over to the guide and tell the kids you need to follow the schedule they developed — taking you off the hot seat.

Are Disney VIP Tours Worth It?

There are also a few good reasons why you may not want to take a Disney VIP tour.

Price is the obvious con to a VIP tour of Walt Disney World. Not many families have a spare $3150+ (plus tickets) to drop on a VIP tour. But hey, if you want to have the experience of a lifetime, maybe it is worth a splurge.

2. Not an authentic experience

What may not be as initially obvious is what a different experience you have when on a VIP tour. Instead of experiencing the magic of walking through the gates or seeing the Castle for the first time, you are whisked behind the scenes directly to the ride you want to visit.

I had never been to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and even though I got to hug Chewie and had my chance to ride the Tower of Terror, I had absolutely no idea what the rest park looked like.

Likewise, I hadn’t been to Epcot in over 30 years but our power walk from the side entrance to Frozen and then in a back way to Soarin’ left me with no sense of how much has changed or stayed the same.

So if you are fluent in the language of Disney, you’ve had your Disney “firsts” and you just want to get the most out of a short visit — then by all means book a Disney VIP tour.

But I really wouldn’t recommend it for your kids’ first Disney experience . It was just a little too surgical. And I know that it was designed that way to maximize our time to see the latest attractions but still, you can’t fit it all in without some of those shortcuts.

3. Teaching privilege

The other thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way is something that I struggle with often as we get to travel and experience things that many families will never get a chance to see. And that is providing my child with a privileged experience that is unattainable for most of her peers.

If that is the only way that a child experiences the world, it would be easy to become entitled and expect those opportunities to always be available to them.

I work hard to make sure that when we are getting a special experience, my daughter knows it and she knows that we have either saved for that splurge, or it is a perk of the hard work and very long nights that I’m putting in in exchange. I want her to know that if she wants the occasional special experience in her life, she’ll need to work hard to have the ability to save for those experiences.

I think there is something quite educational and rewarding about a traditional Disney experience — complete with lines and crowds. But once you have been there and done that and just want to see what is new or find a fun way to celebrate a special occasion, a Disney VIP tour really can be a magical experience. Just make sure the kids don’t expect that type of experience every time.

Looking for more Disney content?

• Find out our favorite Disney rides for teens
• Learn about other Disney VIP Experiences worth splurging on
• See if visiting Animal Kingdom After Dark is worth it
• Get tips for planning your first trip to Disney

PIN THIS FOR LATER

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

Find this useful? Share it!

Publish Date: November 22, 2022

7 thoughts on “5 Reasons to Take a Disney VIP Tour (+ 3 Why You SHouldn’t)”

I don’t think it costs over 4000$ to do a vip tour?

I am a native Floridian and go to all the Disney Theme Parks and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. This was the first time we hired a private vip tour guide for our family. We went with magicviptours.com but I think most of the companies use the same guides etc since they are all ex or current Disney employees. I couldn’t afford $3,000 a day for my family of 5 to visit a park so we went with a private guided Disney world tour company instead of going directly with the mouse. The tour companies charge about $150 per hour with a 6 hour minimum. This sounds like a lot of money to spend on top of the tickets, food, hotel and resort fees and I was hesistant to spend about $900 per day for the family to have a vip tour experience at Disney World. After 3 days (and yes $2700) later we saw all the Disney world parks in day 1 and 2 and spent day 3 at Universal Studios watching the Harry Potter Castle Christmas light laser show. We did this same routine last year without a guide and the difference was amazing. First off it took 5 days to “see” all the Disney parks. Average line wait times are 2-3 hours during the holidays and spring season so you really only can pick a few favorites before you have to start planning dinner and setting up reservations. We did all of this in 2 days (magic kingdom and Hollywood studios on day one) and Epcot and Animal kingdom on day two. We had plenty of time to spare on day 2 and 3. I also saved about $150 x 5 each day in ticket savings since we didn’t have to spend a full day in each park to see everything everyone wanted to see – we didn’t have to buy additional park days. We did park hoppers for 2 days instead of having to buy the 4 or 5 day pass deal. Our guide was great but I think most companies hire former Disney guides anyway so there is no need to worry about getting someone that does not know the parks etc.. We used MagicVipTours.com they do all the theme parks in Orlando and California too if I remember correctly. Our guide Mia was great and helped push the stroller and keep the kids occupied with mickey and Cinderella stories. We waited in no lines and got dinner reservations on Christmas eve at Cinderella’s Castle with no fuss. But the line skipping is where it’s at. We bypassed all the lines and didn’t have to wait more than a minute or two usually for the riders to exit the ride. There is no reason to wait 2-3 hours with kids for a 4 minute roller coaster and with a lot kids having ADD and adhd now a days this is the way to go. I could never go back to theme parks without hiring a private vip tour guide. Magic Vip Tours was great they created a custom itinerary and had everything taken care of for us. Our guide Mia was a former Disney Character (she played Tinkerbelle I think) and was friendly and knowledgeable. The way I see it is that we broke even since I had to hire the guide but we saved two days and all that time that would have been wasted waiting in lines was spent with the wife and the kids while sipping cocktails by the 4 seasons Golden Oak Property. 3 days of fun 2 days of relaxing instead of 5 days of torture. you be the judge. To hire a guide for Disney World Private Tour you can call or visit the website. Ask for Mia we said we would give her a good rating on this site. Their number is 888-504-6847 and website is magicviptours.com

Great info, thanks for the feedback!

So how do people whom don’t work directly for or at Disney any longer get access into the parks and bypass lines if they’re not a cast member but work off site?

The tour I took was a Disney tour so the guide was an official cast member. For the private VIP tours, they don’t have backdoor access and they can’t bypass lines but they design the day to maximize FastPasses and know when to ride the rides with little wait. The private tour companies could tell you more about how they work.

I appreciate your honesty with this review. I think We travel writers too often forget to reality check experiences like this and don’t acknowledge that many people can’t afford VIP/luxury travel, at least not all of the time. The truth is if we were traveling on our own dime most of us couldn’t afford them either.

Thanks Eileen, I appreciate it. Even if money is no object (which for most it isn’t) there are still real reasons why it may not be the best choice, or at least not every time.

Comments are closed.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER & RECEIVE A FAMILY VACATION PLANNING KIT!

We3Travel.com will use the information you provide on this form to send you newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting [email protected] . By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

Start typing and press enter to search

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 preplan 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—requires 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.

Related Activities

The 21 royal experience.

Host an extraordinary dinner party—with the help of an expert sommelier—at a private residence in the heart of Disneyland Park.

Crown Collection by Disneyland Resort

Explore a thoughtfully curated suite of personalized services and offerings at the Disneyland Resort.

Walt’s Main Street Story Tour

Learn little-known facts about Main Street, U.S.A. during this enchanting tour—which includes a visit to Walt’s apartment in Town Square!

Land of Dreams VIP Tour

'Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends' Join 'Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play' in Fall 2024

Ticket presales begin tuesday, may 14 and public on-sale begins friday, may 17. vip packages available..

Gather the whole family together, because Team Spidey is about to hit the road!

Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play  presented by Walmart marks the latest version of the Disney Jr. live tour, which will visit over 60 U.S. cities this fall . New to the tour this year is the addition of Ariel from the highly anticipated new series Disney Jr.’s Ariel , who will make her debut alongside Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and characters from other fan-favorite Disney Jr. series, including Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends  and SuperKitties . The tour will also feature the iconic Clubhouse from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse .

The newest iteration of the three-time Pollstar-nominated (2019, 2020, 2022) Disney Jr. Live Tour , which has sold over 750,000 tickets, kicks off the 2024 tour in Southern California on September 17 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. It will make its first-ever appearance at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 20 . Additional stops include The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, The Opry House in Nashville, and the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago. For tour information and to purchase tickets, visit www.disneyjuniortour.com .

Disney Visa card members can purchase tickets to Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play  before the general public beginning Tuesday, May 14 , at 10AM  through Thursday, May 16 , at 10PM local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, May 17 . VIP packages, including admission to the VIP preparty interactive experience, are available for purchase.

“We are very excited to introduce preschoolers and their families to our newest series, Disney Jr.’s Ariel , with a musical segment starring our young little mermaid,” shared Jennifer Rogers Doyle , senior vice president of Networks Franchise Management, Integrated Planning and Licensing at Disney Entertainment. “We are also excited to announce that, for the first time, the iconic Clubhouse from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse  will be incorporated into our live show, Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play.  This will bring the wonderment and delight of the Clubhouse experience to our youngest fans.”

Inspired by hit series from the 24-hour Disney Jr. channel, in Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play ,   Mickey is getting ready for the biggest playdate ever at the Clubhouse with all his favorite pals, including Minnie, Goofy, the Puppy Dog Pals, Ginny and Bitsy from SuperKitties , and Ariel from Disney Jr.’s Ariel , but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey from Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends  find out who is behind this and help save the playdate?

To help families prepare for the ultimate Disney Jr. live tour experience, families can visit participating Walmart stores. Consumers nationally will find a wide range of Disney Jr. products such as toys, apparel, costumes, and more.

Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play  features songs from hit Disney Jr. series, including three from Disney Jr.’s Ariel , as well as brand-new songs “ Do the Spidey ” from Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends , written by series’ composer/songwriter Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), and “ Oopsie Kitty ” from SuperKitties . The full playlist from the show can be found here .

" Disney Jr. Live On Tour  has continued to grow over the past five years and is now one of the biggest family touring franchises on the road,” says Jonathan Shank , executive producer, Terrapin Station. “We are thrilled to bring this all-new show to theaters across the country.”

For more information, parents can go to DisneyJuniorTour.com and follow the tour on Instagram , Facebook , TikTok and #DisneyJrTour .

The Hype Box

Can’t-miss news and updates from across the Marvel Universe!

Marvel Studios Debuts New 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Trailer & Posters

'Remember It' with These Marvel Must Haves from X-Men '97

May 15's New Marvel Comics: The Full List

Marvel Rivals PVP Shooter Boasts Incredible Lineup of Marvel Characters

Marvel Unlimited Launches New Program That Offers Access to Infinity Comics for Free

Spidey returns on Monday, January 8, 2024!

Learn about Marvel's five Free Comic Book Day titles, available at your local comic shop on May 4, 2024.

In this all-new episode of the ‘Women of Marvel’ podcast, we go inside Gwen Stacy’s double life as Ghost-Spider!

The hit series brings Web-Spinners and new friends like Lockjaw, The Thing and more!

• Ultimate Fan Event
• News and Events
• Disney A TO Z
• WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES
• VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERIES
• Redeem Gift Membership
• Redeem Gold Affiliate
• Gift Gold Membership
• 2024 Gold Collector Set
• Publication
• Disney Parks
• Disney Princess
• Company History
• About Walt Disney
• Ask Archives
• Disney A to Z
• Membership Information
• Disney twenty-three Publication
• Discounts and Offers

Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play —Pre-Sale for D23 Gold Members

In Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play , Mickey Mouse is getting ready for the biggest playdate ever at the Clubhouse with all his favorite pals—including Minnie Mouse and Goofy, the Puppy Dog Pals, Ginny and Bitsy from SuperKitties and Ariel from Disney Jr.’s Ariel ... but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey from Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends find out who is behind this and help save the playdate?  D23 Gold Members have been granted exclusive presale access from May 14 through May 16.  

The magic of Disney Jr. is coming to a city near you... get your tickets and VIP packages for any tour location today!

To redeem your offer online, please follow the instructions below:

You must be signed in as a D23 Gold Member to access the exclusive offer. You can sign in here or join D23 as Gold Member then come back here to view offer.

• Hidden Membership Level - Admin
• Hidden Membership Level *

If the information above is not correct, you can sign out here .

NOTE D23 Exclusive presale from Tuesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. through Thursday, May 16, at 10 p.m. (local time). This presale takes place ahead of the public on-sale beginning on Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m. (local time). Subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply.

Access Your D23 Benefits Anytime, Anywhere With the D23 Fan Club app, your membership card is just a few taps away. Access your benefits from your phone!

Get More Disney With D23 Gold Membership Enjoy exclusive discounts and access to special events and merch. Also includes our quarterly publication and annual Collector Set.

This website uses cookies and other tracking technologies to better personalize your browsing experience, to analyze website traffic, and to present you with targeted content from the partner venues and organizations you visit on etix.com.

By selecting "Accept", you consent to the use of these cookies and other tracking technologies.

Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play

Lowell memorial auditorium.

View Seating Chart

In “Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play” presented by Walmart, Mickey is getting ready for the biggest playdate ever at the Clubhouse with all his favorite pals including Minnie and Goofy, the Puppy Dog Pals, Ginny and Bitsy from “SuperKitties” and Ariel from “Disney Jr.’s Ariel,” but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey from “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” find out who is behind this and help save the playdate? All children regardless of age must have a ticket to attend.

A limited number of VIP packages are available for this performance. VIP PACKAGES INCLUDE: ● One (1) Premium Ticket To The Show ● Admission To The VIP Pre-Party Interactive Experience* ● Character Greeting With Mickey, Minnie & Spidey Before The Show** ● One (1) VIP Party Pass & Tote Bag ● Snacks & Refreshments ● On-Site VIP Experience Host *Please note, all ticket holders -- both children & adults -- are required to purchase a VIP Package in order to attend the VIP Party. **Characters are subject to availability Not a Spectacle Live Member ? Join today to gain presale access and more! All sales are final. No request for cancellations, exchanges, changes or refunds shall be honored.

• Best Available
• Seating Chart
• Price Level

* Does not include convenience or handling fees.

• Skip to content
• Accessibility
• Buy Tickets

Great Shows. Good Times. Celebrating 15 Seasons

Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play

• Thu, Oct 24 6:00 PM On Sale Soon

In "Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play" presented by Walmart, Mickey is getting ready for the biggest playdate ever at the Clubhouse with all his favorite pals including Minnie and Goofy, the Puppy Dog Pals, Ginny and Bitsy from "Super Kitties" and Ariel from "Disney Jr.'s Ariel," but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey from "Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends" find out who is behind this and help save the playdate?

Accessible Seating & Accessible Services

DPAC offers a variety of Accessible Seating & Accessible Services to make our performances and facilities accessible to all.

• Accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and seating options including a variety of wheelchair accessible locations and companion seating.
• ADA compliant ramp access and elevators to all lobbies and seating areas.
• Courtesy shuttles from nearby parking areas, curb-to-seat wheelchair assistance and listening devices at every event.
• Plus, audio description, captioning, and sign language interpretation upon request.

Accessible Services - We’re here to help!

• For additional information, questions or more specific details on accessibility or any accommodation or service listed below, please contact us via e-mail at  [email protected] .

Accessible Seats - Ticket Purchases

• To purchase Accessible Seats, please visit the  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Ticket Center

For additional information, questions or details on an accommodation or service not listed below, please contact us via e-mail at  [email protected] . 

• Accessible Seating
• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Restrooms
• Listening Devices
• Drop-off / Pick-up & Courtesy Wheelchairs
• Audio Description
• Sign Language Interpretation
• Service Animals

Age Requirement

Children of all ages are welcome at this performance. Please note that all guests require a ticket, regardless of age. Children must be able to sit quietly in their own seat without disturbing other guests.

NEW - Cashless Payments for Snacks and Beverages at DPAC

• Cash is no longer accepted for snack or beverage purchases at DPAC’s lobby bars or snack and beverage stands.
• Snack and beverage purchases now require payment using credit or debit cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay or a DPAC gift card.
• If you happen to arrive at DPAC with cash only, guests may purchase a DPAC gift card in $20 increments at our Entry Lobby Guest Services window. These gift cards can then be used at any lobby bar or snack and beverage stand.

Content Advisory

DPAC offers a diverse selection of entertainment. Not all productions will appeal to or be appropriate for every guest or for all ages. Ticket buyers should take responsibility for making informed decisions regarding their purchases. We recommend visiting the official website of each show to learn more about the show you are coming to see at DPAC. If you ever have questions about the content or appropriateness of a show, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Our lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to show time.

Event Schedule

5:00 PM- Lobby Doors 6:00 PM- Performance Begins * Please note all times are approximate and subject to change without notice.

Inclement Weather

All performances scheduled at DPAC normally take place as planned. For more information on our inclement weather policy, please visit  INCLEMENT WEATHER FAQ .

Photography / Video Recording

• At DPAC, each event that we host determines their own policy on photography and video recording using mobile phones. We enforce these policies at their direction.  
• This event has not yet communicated to DPAC, their specific policy regarding photography and video recording using mobile phones.  
• DPAC will make every effort to communicate this policy to guests in an email before the event.
• Once you arrive at DPAC, you can also ask a staff member, look for specific signage near the doors to the seating area, or listen for pre-show announcements.
• GoPro’s, tablets, and cameras of any kind  are prohibited  at all DPAC events.

Related Links

• Disney Jr. Tour Official Website

Safety First - Bag Check

• For your safety, all guests and their bags are subject to inspection before entry.
• This inspection may include the use of metal detectors.
• Restricted items include, but are not limited to: Alcohol, Cameras, Glass Bottles, and Weapons of any kind.
• In addition, no large bags are allowed including backpacks and large purses 12 or more inches deep.
• Small clutch purses are STRONGLY recommended.
• For family shows that allow very young children, diapers bags are allowed for guests with infants and toddlers (child must be present).
• Safety first is our goal. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback at  [email protected]   

Special Effects

• For many events at DPAC, the performances contain bright lights, flashing strobe lights and theatrical fog or haze.
• DPAC does not control these lighting effects which are designed as part of the show and are used for dramatic effect.
• Theatrical fog or haze, comprised of safety tested glycol, glycol/water mixtures, water, mineral oil, or dry ice, is used to make lighting effects more visible, and to create a specific sense of mood or atmosphere.
• This event has not provided DPAC with any specific advisory.

• Most tickets buyers purchase right from our website using the  Buy Ticket s  button on this page.
• In addition to purchasing online, DPAC offers several other ways to purchase the seats you want to the best Broadway, concerts, comedy, family shows and special events in North Carolina.
• Our computerized ticket system enables you equal access to great DPAC seats whether you buy online, by phone, or in person at DPAC.
• For more details, visit our  Purchase Seats  page for complete information on purchasing great seats for all events at DPAC.
• All tickets for DPAC events are fully digital and only accessible via your mobile device.  A mobile ticket is the safest, most convenient, and flexible way to receive and manage your tickets while increasing protection against fraud. To learn more about mobile entry, please visit our  Mobile Entry FAQ .

Video Screens

Currently, this event has not approved using our video screens.  Please feel free to check back closer to the event for updates. If approved, we will post notice here.

For many concert, comedy, and special events at DPAC, we offer added views of the stage with two big screens (size: 16’ x 9’) hung to the sides of the stage or above the stage. These big screens can add to the visual experience of our concert, comedy, and special events and give guests seated farther from the stage what we like to call “a tenth row view”. Approval to use these screens always rests with the visiting show and about half of all concert and comedy events do use these screens.

VIP Package

Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let's Play VIP Package Includes:

• One (1) Premium Ticket To The Show
• Admission To The VIP Pre-Party Interactive Experience*
• Character Greeting With Mickey, Minnie & Spidey Before The Show**
• One (1) Collectible VIP Party Pass & Tote Bag
• Snacks & Refreshments
• On-Site VIP Experience Host

*Please note, all ticket holders -- both children & adults -- are required to purchase a VIP Package in order to attend the VIP Party.

**Characters are subject to availability

View All Events

Become a Friend of DPAC

Scriptswidget.

Become a Truist Broadway Member to Never Miss a Sellout