Disney World’s Personal VIP Excursions Begin at $450 an Hour—This is What They’re Actually Like

On this whirlwind vacation go to, there can be no last-minute Ubers, crowded bus rides, or harried automobile leases to the Magic Kingdom. A glossy SUV was prepared and ready for our household of three simply exterior our resort, the 4 Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort—as was our cheerful Disney Personal VIP Tour information, Jonathan Herd.  “Are we able to roll?” requested Herd, who had been patiently ready for us within the foyer of the resort (the Giffords can admittedly be sluggish within the morning).

Herd, who has been working as a information since 2015, didn’t appear to thoughts that we have been a couple of minutes late. He made it clear that his time was our time, and, that over the course of our day-long expertise, we might do a deep dive into the Magic Kingdom, at our request; may transfer on to any of the opposite theme parks, ought to we so want; and ask him any query in regards to the parks, characters, and firm historical past that popped into our minds.

If you happen to’re strapped for time, touring with a big group that has particular wants, or just wish to reduce the road and never cope with reserving Lighting Lane passes at high rides like Tiana’s Bayou Journey or Area Mountain, it could be value splurging on a information from Disney Personal VIP Excursions, a service affiliated with Walt Disney World Resort. A whole bunch of solid members, as Disney calls its park workers, have turn out to be guides all through the years, growing long-lasting bonds and relationships with their shoppers. As we strolled by the Magic Kingdom and its 107-acre chaos and glory, I couldn’t assist however discover a number of different teams being shepherded by their personal VIP tour information (extra on how one can spot them, to come back). Each group appeared to be having a good time and in awe of the entry.

As a frequent traveler, I can vouch that the extent of care at this group, which originated in Disneyland and opened in Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, was unmatched. “These guides are extremely educated and may navigate the parks with their eyes closed,” says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, the president of Fischer Journey and a member of T+L’s advisory board. Provides Mary Helen Regulation, a Disney knowledgeable on Journey + Leisure’s A-list of journey advisors who books this service for practically 20% of her shoppers: “Fastidiously vetted, these knowledgeable guides have a deep data of Disney’s historical past, tales, and hidden gems. They take the time to know households’ distinctive pursuits, curating tailor-made experiences that transcend simply rides.”

Listed below are 4 advantages when selecting this premium service, which begins at $450 an hour, not together with park tickets.

You possibly can choose your park.

This was the primary Walt Disney World Resort expertise for my nine-year-old son, Bobby. And I, like most obsessive mother and father, wished to maximise all that we may see, understanding that he would most likely get drained late within the afternoon. With that in thoughts, we selected to focus solely on the Magic Kingdom, the most well-liked theme park and arguably the one with probably the most attraction to youthful youngsters.

We arrived by SUV to the Magic Kingdom, accessing a particular aspect entrance (so particular, no pictures are allowed for safety causes). From the minute we stepped out of the automobile and have been supplied snacks and water from extra solid members, we have been coddled, and felt as if we had the place to ourselves—regardless that we might quickly be sharing area with 1000’s of different guests, simply across the nook.

Herd, who has been a information since 2015, walked us from Frontierland to Fantasyland and onto Tomorrowland, stunning us with treats comparable to Tiana’s beignets for a mid-morning snack and taking pictures in entrance of the enduring Sleeping Magnificence Citadel, hitting simply the precise angle. I requested him what was the most effective store for vacation ornaments; he shortly directed me to a particular retailer in Liberty Sq., however not earlier than accompanying Bobby and my husband, Rob, into the Corridor of Presidents, mentioning historic treasures comparable to President Reagan’s bolo tie.

If we had wished to divide and conquer and transfer on to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, we may have; that snack-filled SUV was at our disposal, and we had as much as 10 hours (the utmost allowed) of his time. “Personal autos guarantee seamless transport between parks, and your information stays linked in real-time with different excursions and the again workplace, consistently receiving updates to maintain all the things working easily,” provides Regulation.

You possibly can skip the waits.

Your information will take you thru the Lightning Lane, a usually paid-for different to the common experience line (and the topic of a lot debate by way of reserving technique). With a VIP information, you don’t have to fret about any of that—however it’s nonetheless sensible to count on there will likely be some company in entrance of you. That mentioned, probably the most we waited for a experience by accessing the Lighting Lane was seven minutes in comparison with what may have been generally an hour or extra within the common lane. For a few rides, together with Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, we received to make use of a behind-the-scenes entrance that’s sometimes solely out there to solid members.

Herd rode a couple of of the rides with us, however largely opted out in order that he may very well be prepared and ready on the exit, plotting our subsequent transfer. With among the extra adventurous coasters, Bobby additionally opted to remain behind with Herd, and my husband and I felt snug leaving the 2 of them collectively, straightforward in dialog, to take pleasure in some thrills.

Sure rides we may repeat as a lot as we wished (I requested to do Area Mountain twice, not nice for the abdomen in hindsight). However Tron Lightcycle/Run—a two-year-old experience that simulated the sensation of being on a futuristic, high-speed bike—was the only real exception because of its newness and recognition. Your information ought to clarify what is feasible to entry upon pickup, as issues are all the time topic to alter.

I have to admit to feeling a little bit of schaudenfreude each time we handed a marquee experience, like Tiana’s Bayou Journey, Large Thunder Mountain Railroad, and even It’s a Small World, and strolled proper on in as others patiently awaited their flip. We conquered 12 main points of interest over the course of our six-hour go to, and clocked practically 15,000 steps–an remarkable feat with out the assistance of Herd.

You possibly can geek out on trivia.

Our household wished to know extra about Disney lore, particularly by the lens of historical past, artwork, and design. Herd, a Missouri native with a B.A. in Faith and Humanities, shared fascinating factoids all through the day, noting that the Haunted Mansion has chess items (however no knights) on its construction; Area Mountain blasts specifically themed lights and music through the week between Christmas and New Years; and home windows alongside Major Road, USA. bear the names of influential Disney staff. (For instance, Frank Wells, a former COO, is acknowledged with the window Seven Summits Expeditions; his private purpose was to climb the best mountain on all seven continents.) Having this type of private entry to a real Disney knowledgeable felt like we have been being given a theme park crash course for the ages.

You should buy insider merch.

It’s straightforward to identify a VIP tour information by their plaid-accented uniform. Vacationers who e-book the service should buy their very own plaid gear, too, whether or not it’s a hat, pins, and extra, at a particular part of a store on Major Road, USA. Herd directed us right here towards the top of our go to, simply earlier than he took us to a particular elevated platform in Metropolis Corridor to observe the afternoon parade, popcorn and all.

I snagged a colourful Mickey-ear headband, which I then wore all through the remainder of our go to. Despite the fact that we have been solely with Herd for the at some point, the “plaid impact” continued lengthy after, with many different vacationers giving a refined nod or understanding wink to my merch as we wandered Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. And behind my thoughts, I stored questioning if we might have had extra enjoyable with our new BFF.

“For me it’s in regards to the tales and reminiscences made collectively, whether or not it’s with a household I see a number of occasions a 12 months or a gaggle doing this as a as soon as in a lifetime expertise,” Herd advised me. I plan on packing my plaid ears for our subsequent Orlando trip–and ensuring he’s the primary particular person our household greets after we are prepared to overcome the dominion.