Our extended family of 10 was all set to go on a Disney Cruise this summer. When that was postponed (again!) we decided to switch gears to Walt Disney World and add in water parks, amazing dining, pool time and a VIP Tour. I shared our October 2020 tour in THIS POST, and thought I’d give an update on our June 2021 experience today. Spoiler alert: It’s still the Best Disney Day Ever!
Private Disney VIP Tour
With the help of your own VIP Tour Guide, you can maximize your fun with minimal fuss for the Disney vacation of a lifetime! Your guide and I will plan the most efficient, enjoyable way for groups up to 10 guests to see and do all that’s on your list. With door-to-door private transportation from your resort, expedited entry to attractions, and Rise of the Resistance boarding, and reserved viewing for fireworks, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time soaking up the magic of Walt Disney World. You will experience unparalleled hospitality at one or more theme parks, ride your favorite attractions, and learn so much about the magic and often unnoticed details in the Disney parks with your very own guide. Rates start at $450 per hour (7 hour minimum) and go up to $850 per hour during peak seasons. Ten guests are included and additional time can be added on the day of your tour.
See what I shared with Glass Slipper Concierge clients on the company Facebook page after our tour:
A Great Start
I meticulously plan every day of your itinerary, and the VIP tour day is no different! Ours started by sleeping in (there’s no rush to beat crowds!) and a hearty, relaxed breakfast at the Riviera Resort.
Disney Private VIP Transportation
At precisely 9:30 AM we were walking out of the Riviera Resort with our guide, Jaime. I ended up in a scooter unexpectedly the night before and the tour offer was so accommodating that they sent a second guide just to drive my group of four in an accessible vehicle. We loaded up into his van (SUV for smaller groups) and we were at the back entrance of Hollywood Studios in a blink. There were no lines to wait in at a gate or back-ups at security. Rather, we waltzed right in to Hollywood Boulevard in a few quick steps from his off-stage parking spot.
We had an extra special celebration on this VIP Tour – my nephew’s birthday! Boy was this a treat and an excellent way to do something super memorable for the occasion.
A Star Studded Morning in Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has been the most “crowded”, often “sold out” park with the longest wait times. I mean, you have ALL of the brand new things here, including Toy Story Land, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. It does make sense.
The thrill seekers in our group had already gotten ON and OFF of Rock n Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror in less time than it would have taken us to get through the turnstiles on our own! That’s one thing we love about VIP tours, especially with so many ages in our group of 10 – everyone didn’t have to do everything. Your guide will take all interested individuals on to the front of the line, while the others have a cold drink in the shade.
We hit Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge next for Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run AND Rise of the Resistance. With a VIP Tour, you don’t have to leave scoring one of those lucrative boarding passes to chance as the ride is now included and you can do it at your leisure. This is huge!
We were off to Toy Story Land next and did Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania in a flash. Jaime had ice cold waters waiting on us at the exit of our last ride.
We ended our stint in Hollywood with the brand new headliner, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway!
Perfect Pandora in Animal Kingdom
Jaime took us out the way we came and whisked us off to Animal Kingdom. Since we only had the Pandora attractions on our list for this park, he delivered us to the backstage door of that land! For Disney nerds, and even most regular guests, getting to see these areas is a treat in and of itself.
Your guide also serves as a fabulous photographer during your tour! The guides previously used the guest’s phone, but now they use their own and airdrop the photos. We tended to use the PhotoPass photographers in this tour, which was really nice too!
Jaime had us order lunch while in transit, so by the time we arrived it was ready and waiting. We enjoyed a leisurely and delicious meal at our collective favorite, Satu’lu Canteen.
After lunch we walked right on Flight of Passage and then we bounced!
Magic Kingdom Mountains
We wrapped up our VIP Tour in Magic Kingdom! Once again, Jaime parked steps away from this magical part of the park. These guides are all SO fantastic with kids, adults and families. They are fun, informative, professional, knowledgeable… the list goes on.
We hit all of the headliners in Magic Kingdom, including Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.
We also caught so many characters and cavalcades!
Back at the Riviera Resort
When we finished up in Magic Kingdom, we headed back to our van. Jaime delivered us right to the front of the Riviera Resort, skipping that exhausted walk to the bus and ride home! The kids and grands took a break in the room while the “young adults” enjoyed a cocktail and marveled at our day.
On Our Own In Epcot
In order to knock out all four parks in one day, we headed off to Epcot for dinner. We took the Skyliner right over and entered in the World Showcase.
We had a delicious dinner at Via Napoli to round out our FOURTH park in ONE day!!!
It was such an incredible time.
Private VIP Tour Tips and Thoughts
I work with all interested clients to incorporate a Private VIP Tour into their schedule and help outline the optimal start and end times, as well as must-dos to share with their guide. I also help hand pick a guide that will best suit their needs! Even with low capacity, there are SO many benefits to splurging on a VIP tour day.
- Private VIP Tours are expensive, but they are the ultimate in experiencing luxury Disney World.
- Each VIP guide can take up to 10 people in a group. If you are unsure of the price, consider sharing a guide between two families with similar interests. I always recommend it for extended families, clients short on time and those that hate to wait in lines, special milestone celebrations, bachelorette groups, reunion groups, or RunDisney race weekend groups!
- With private transportation between parks, using a VIP Guide is the easiest and most efficient way to park hop.
- The clock keeps running while you dine and I will ensure you maximize your time with the guide.
- Guides are using the old FastPass lines to skip the waits.
- Our group did not race to accomplish all of this. We had multiple snack and drink breaks and enjoyed the sights and scenes of the parks.
- Using a Private VIP Tour guide is ideal for families with limited time in the parks. You can cover the same ground in 1 day of a VIP tour as in 2-3 on your own.
- A Private VIP Tour guide is also a great option for securing access to sold out parks.
- A huge benefit of the guide is the transportation and back stage park entrances. Without the guide, we would have spent approximately five hours just on transportation to, from and between the parks!
- Park tickets are not included in the cost of the VIP tour.
- If you are a Disney fanatic, the guides not only get you on the rides, but they share the history, little known facts, and extra magical tips and tricks as you move through the parks. This was one of my favorite parts of the tour! It was almost like a Keys to the Kingdom Tour that crosses parks with every ride you want to do thrown in.
- These tours do fill up and I recommend booking them in advance. Right now, there are a very limited number of tours available each day.
I have received glowing feedback from my clients that have added a Private VIP Tour to their Walt Disney World vacation. It is truly the best Disney day ever!
VIP Review from a Recent Client
I had the pleasure of planning a 50 and Fabulous trip and absolutely loved followingn along on what they did. THey gave me carte blance to plan it the way I’d celebrate my own. A VIP Tour was included, of course. Here’s what they said:
As hard as it is to believe, our amazing VIP tour day allowed us to do everything below in 7 hours, 45 minutes!!!! Such an amazing experience. Incredible. Amazing tour guide with tons of insights into the parks and rides. We honestly didn’t have to think about anything! Thanks Amanda!!!! Your #dixietravels and #glassslippercomcierge are incredible
Hollywood Studios
-Rockin’ Rollercoaster
-Tower of Terror
-Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance
-Star Wars Millennium Falcon
-Slinky Dog Dash
-Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway RailwayAnimal Kingdom
-Na’vi River Journey
-break for lunch
-Avatar Flight of Passage
-Expedition EverestMagic Kingdom
-Jungle Cruise
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-break for Dole Whip
-Thunder Mountain Railroad
-Splash Mountain
-Haunted Mansion
-Seven Dwarves Mine Train
-Space MountainThen dinner at Epcot after freshening up so we could hit all parks. Still at dinner and already 25,000 steps!
Let’s Travel & My Services
As a Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, I am recognized for providing the highest level of customer service, experience, and knowledge in the industry. I use my personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke Disney trips for the most discerning clients. On top of that, Disney vacations are expensive and I know how to get the best value for your time and money. I’ve had a surge of Disney trip bookings since they lifted their outdoor mask mandate. If you’re looking to travel to Disney in the next 12 months, now is the time to plan!
Let’s Travel & My Services
As a Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, I am recognized for providing the highest level of customer service, experience, and knowledge in the industry. I use my personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke Disney trips for the most discerning clients. On top of that, Disney vacations are expensive and I know how to get the best value for your time and money. I’ve had a surge of Disney trip bookings since they lifted their outdoor mask mandate. If you’re looking to travel to Disney in the next 12 months, now is the time to plan!
I personally visit the Walt Disney World theme parks at least once per month and continue to be blown away by the thoughtful, practical and comprehensive precautions Disney has in place to safely welcome guests and cast members. I don’t have all of the words to convey how special it feels to be back. We laughed, we played, we ate too much, and we felt a level of happiness we hadn’t had in too long. I can assure you, magic is there!
Most aspects of planning a Disney vacation look different and now, more than ever, it is crucial to have the most current, up to date information based on personal experience to plan your vacation! I know these parks inside and out and am a small, one woman show. When you’re ready to travel, I’m ready to get you there!
As Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Aulani Hawaii, Universal, Sea World and to over 40 countries on 7 continents through Adventures by Disney® and National Geographic Expeditions.
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