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

On this whirlwind vacation go to, there could be no last-minute Ubers, crowded bus rides, or harried automotive leases to the Magic Kingdom. A glossy SUV was prepared and ready for our household of three simply outdoors our resort, the 4 Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort—as was our cheerful Disney Non-public 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 concerning the parks, characters, and firm historical past that popped into our minds.

When you’re strapped for time, touring with a big group that has particular wants, or just need to minimize the road and never cope with reserving Lighting Lane passes at prime rides like Tiana’s Bayou Journey or Area Mountain, it might be price splurging on a information from Disney Non-public VIP Excursions, a service affiliated with Walt Disney World Resort. A whole bunch of forged members, as Disney calls its park employees, have change into guides all through the years, growing long-lasting bonds and relationships with their purchasers. 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 you can spot them, to return). Each group gave the impression 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 might 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 Legislation, a Disney professional on Journey + Leisure’s A-list of journey advisors who books this service for almost 20% of her purchasers: “Fastidiously vetted, these professional guides have a deep data of Disney’s historical past, tales, and hidden gems. They take the time to grasp 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, figuring out that he would in all probability 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 enchantment to youthful kids.

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

Herd, who has been a information since 2015, walked us from Frontierland to Fantasyland and onto Tomorrowland, shocking us with treats resembling Tiana’s beignets for a mid-morning snack and taking photographs in entrance of the enduring Sleeping Magnificence Citadel, hitting simply the appropriate angle. I requested him what was the perfect store for vacation ornaments; he rapidly 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 resembling 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. “Non-public automobiles guarantee seamless transport between parks, and your information stays related in real-time with different excursions and the again workplace, always receiving updates to maintain every part working easily,” provides Legislation.

You possibly can skip the waits.

Your information will take you thru the Lightning Lane, a usually paid-for various to the common trip line (and the topic of a lot debate when it comes to reserving technique). With a VIP information, you don’t have to fret about any of that—however it’s nonetheless real looking to count on there will likely be some company in entrance of you. That stated, probably the most we waited for a trip by accessing the Lighting Lane was seven minutes in comparison with what may have been typically 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 forged members.

Herd rode a couple of of the rides with us, however principally opted out in order that he could possibly be prepared and ready on the exit, plotting our subsequent transfer. With a few of the extra adventurous coasters, Bobby additionally opted to remain behind with Herd, and my husband and I felt comfy 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 trip that simulated the sensation of being on a futuristic, high-speed bike—was the only real exception as a result of its newness and recognition. Your information ought to clarify what is feasible to entry upon pickup, as issues are at all times topic to alter.

I need to admit to feeling a little bit of schaudenfreude each time we handed a marquee trip, 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 sights over the course of our six-hour go to, and clocked almost 15,000 steps–an exceptional feat with out the assistance of Herd.

You possibly can geek out on trivia.

Our household wished to grasp 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 throughout the week between Christmas and New Years; and home windows alongside Essential Road, USA. bear the names of influential Disney workers. (For instance, Frank Wells, a former COO, is acknowledged with the window Seven Summits Expeditions; his private objective was to climb the best mountain on all seven continents.) Having this sort of private entry to a real Disney professional felt like we have been being given a theme park crash course for the ages.

You should purchase insider merch.

It’s straightforward to identify a VIP tour information by their plaid-accented uniform. Vacationers who e book the service should purchase their very own plaid gear, too, whether or not it’s a hat, pins, and extra, at a particular part of a store on Essential 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 look at 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 sooner or later, the “plaid impact” continued lengthy after, with many different vacationers giving a refined nod or figuring out 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 concerning the tales and recollections made collectively, whether or not or not it’s with a household I see a number of occasions a 12 months or a bunch 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 once we are prepared to overcome the dominion.