Are you thinking of hiring a VIP tour guide for your next Disney vacation? Not sure if it’s worth it? Here are the pros and cons of hiring a Disney VIP tour guide for your next Disney vacation guide.
What is It Like to Have a Disney VIP Tour Guide?
Hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide is essentially buying yourself a human Lightning Lane and Genie+ (FastPass)! Your guide will allow you to skip the long lines. Your Disney VIP Tour Guide will also be in charge of plotting out your day and your itinerary so you can just sit back and relax while your guide does all the planning!
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Disney VIP Guide?
Hiring a Disney VIP tour guide costs between $425 and $850 per hour. This comes out to $2975 per day during off-peak season and $5950 per day during peak season. The price is for up to 10 people (including infants) and there is a 7 hour minimum. Remember, the price does not include the cost of tickets; park admission tickets must be purchased separately.
7 Reasons to Hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide
Below are seven reasons why you should hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide.
1. Skip the Lines
The main reason to hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide is to skip the lines. Being accompanied by a Disney tour guide grants you automatic Lightning Lane admission (FastPass) to any ride. It’s worth it to hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide just to skip the lines!
2. You are Traveling with Little Ones
It’s difficult enough to travel with toddlers and infants. It’s ten times worse if you are on a Disney vacation with a toddler or worse yet if you are traveling with both older kids and little kids. Juggling the needs of a big kid and a toddler is extremely challenging at Disney. If you have little ones or are juggling both big kids and little kids then it’s definitely worth it to hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide.
3. Your VIP Tour Guide is your Personal Concierge at Disney
Hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide is worth it if you need an extra helping hand at the park. By hiring a Disney VIP tour guide you have a concierge or helper for the day. You have someone to help you take family photos, ride with an extra child or park your stroller – really anything you need, your Disney VIP Tour Guide can help you get it.
4. Once in a Lifetime Behind the Scenes at Disney
One of the perks of hiring a Disney VIP tour guide is you get to see behind the scenes. Your Disney VIP guide will lead you through private backlot areas and cast member entrances and exits. If you’re a Disney aficionado like me, witnessing behind the scenes is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That makes it worth hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide.
5. Disney Expert
Want to learn about Disney from a Disney insider? Then hire a Disney VIP tour guide! Your Disney VIP guide is an encyclopedia of Disney knowledge and trivia. If your kids are like mine, enjoy learning amusing facts and trivia, hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide for the day is well worth it!
6. Saves Times
If you are pressed for time and only have a day or two to visit the parks then it’s worth it to hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide. With a Disney VIP Guide you can visit several parks in one day. Your guide will take you in and out of side entrances, drive in private back roads- all giving you more time to experience Disney.
7. You Can Relax
Your Disney VIP tour guide will take over as your vacation planner- plotting your route and organizing the day. By having someone else manage your day at Disney and relieving you from the stress of being the person in charge makes hiring a Disney VIP tour guide worthwhile. You can truly enjoy your vacation!
3 Reasons Not to Hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide
Although using a guide is useful, there are times when I would not recommend hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide. Here are 3 reasons why I don’t recommend a Disney VIP Tour Guide.
1. First Time at Disney World
If this is your family’s first trip to Disney World or if you want the complete Disney experience, I don’t recommend hiring a Disney VIP tour guide. Using a Disney VIP guide delivers a condensed version of the Disney experience that is not representative of the actual Disney vacation. While it’s convenient to enter the Magic Kingdom from a side door, you’ll miss out on the magic of a true Disney vacation!
2. You Have Time
A reason not to hire a Disney VIP tour guide is if you have the time to devote one full day to each park. In this situation, the Disney Genie + and Lightning Lane options (Fast Pass) will work just fine for your needs and a guide is just an unnecessary expense.
3. Too Expensive
Hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide is very expensive. It can set you back $3000-$6000 per day! That’s more than one month’s rent for most people in America! Don’t skip the line, experience the parks like everyone else and save that money for something better!
Is it Worth It To Hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide?
It is expensive to hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide. I think it’s not worth it to hire a Disney VIP Guide if you have the time and are willing to DIY the entire Disney experience. With the Genie+ app and buying Lightning Lane passes, you can plan your day and minimize your wait time. However, if you are juggling the requirements of big kids and little kids then it could be worth hiring a Disney VIP Tour Guide just for your sanity!
How to Hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide
You can reserve your private Disney VIP tour by calling Disney’s reservations hotline at 407-560-4033. Do book in advance since private Disney VIP tours are popular and they may have limited availability. The earliest time you can call to reserve is 60 days before your arrival.
You May Also Be Interested in These Disney Vacation Articles:
20 Ways to Save on Your Next Disney Vacation
Should You Hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide? (Pros and Cons)
How Much is a Disney Vacation: Check out our Disney Vacation Calculator
Where to Buy Discount Disney Tickets
What to Splurge on at Disney World
