VIP Tours at DLR/DCA

[halfmonkey]

I just happened to come across an article about VIP Tours at WDW and did a search to see if they have it at DLR/DCA. It turns out that the VIP Tours are what people refer to as the "plaids." I didn't know this. I just assumed the "plaids" were assigned by Disney to famous people and that "regular" people couldn't have access to the plaids.

So in looking, it seems that DLR/DCA offers two packages. A standard and a premium. The standard cost about $200 an hour for up to 10 people. Can anybody confirm if this is a flat rate for the group or if this is per person? Another article I found mentioned that using the VIP Tour can also get you a reservation at Club 33. Is this true?

If anybody has ever used the VIP Tour at DLR/DCA, either the standard or premium, I'd like to hear your story and your feedback on the package. This may be something I'd look into for a special occasion. Our boys enjoy Disney products but our daughter LOVES Minnie Mouse so maybe on one of her birthday milestones, we may kick it up depending on what we find out about the tour. That's why, I'd love to hear people's feedback.

 

[whoever]

I have no idea what the standard is, never heard of it. What I HAVE heard/read is that the cost varies by season, and is between $300 and $450 per hour for a group of up to 10 with a six hour minimum. They cannot get you a reservation at C33, but may be ablet to give you a peak in the Dream suite if nobody is occupying it. They'll get you preferred seating for shows/parades, and act as a human fast pass on most attractions. Some they can't do anything for, but I've seen them taking people in through the exit of Peter pan for example.

 

[whjensen]

We'll be doing this at the end of the month so we'll let you know when we get back. I don't believe that they can get you into Club 33.

I'll tell you what, my experience with the coordinator has been so-so so far.

 

[Girimama33]

Before the Club was renovated, there were times they would be able to get VIP Tour guests into Club 33 to dine if it was requested and if they had dining availability. Not sure they still do this currently. Never hurts to ask.

OP, it is a flat fee, but a 6 hour minimum. If you can afford to do it. it is a great way to tour the parks. They can also get you VIP seating for WOC and F!.

 

[halfmonkey]

I just noticed that when I did the search, the article it displayed was from 2012. I guess back then, DLR/DCA had a standard and a premium VIP Tour. I guess the difference was the standard didn't include front of the line privileges. It seems that the plaid would still have to collect the fast passes. The premium instead did include the front of the line passes for fast pass rides as well as select no-fast pass rides. Prices then apparently were $195/hr for standard or $175/hr in the off season. For the premium, it was @95/hr or $275/hr during off season. Looking on Disney's website now, it lists DLR/DCA premium VIP Tour as ranging between $315-$500/hr up to 10 people.

That is definitely a hefty price increase and before we shell out that kind of money, I would love to get more feedback from people.

On a side note, the article did mention that although dining at Club 33 is not guaranteed, it's a possibility if there is availability. If anybody has successfully dined at Club 33 through the VIP Tour, please share your experience.

 

[whoever]

On a side note, the article did mention that although dining at Club 33 is not guaranteed, it's a possibility if there is availability. If anybody has successfully dined at Club 33 through the VIP Tour, please share your experience.

I'll say C33 seems pretty busy these days. I was unable to get a dinner reservation, and barely got a lunch reservation, and the seating we had this past Saturday was completely full for lunch. If that policy still holds, I don't know if they even have normal availability day-of any longer.

 

[halfmonkey]

I'll say C33 seems pretty busy these days. I was unable to get a dinner reservation, and barely got a lunch reservation, and the seating we had this past Saturday was completely full for lunch. If that policy still holds, I don't know if they even have normal availability day-of any longer.

Bummer to hear. I thought this might have been a way for me to work some magic and have my family experience C33 without being able to afford the membership fees. Well, it's not guaranteed but there's always a chance. If we ever decide to do the VIP Tour, we'll just cross all of our fingers and toes.

 

[whoever]

Bummer to hear. I thought this might have been a way for me to work some magic and have my family experience C33 without being able to afford the membership fees. Well, it's not guaranteed but there's always a chance. If we ever decide to do the VIP Tour, we'll just cross all of our fingers and toes.

Membership increased by a third last year I think, so there's a lot more people trying to utilize their memberships (or make reservations for others), so demand is up and the facilities haven't grown (they actually shrunk with the loss of the trophy room) for multi-course dining (they do have 1901 and the Salon Noveau for drop-ins though).

 

[Malcon10t]

I just happened to come across an article about VIP Tours at WDW and did a search to see if they have it at DLR/DCA. It turns out that the VIP Tours are what people refer to as the "plaids." I didn't know this. I just assumed the "plaids" were assigned by Disney to famous people and that "regular" people couldn't have access to the plaids.

So in looking, it seems that DLR/DCA offers two packages. A standard and a premium. The standard cost about $200 an hour for up to 10 people. Can anybody confirm if this is a flat rate for the group or if this is per person? Another article I found mentioned that using the VIP Tour can also get you a reservation at Club 33. Is this true?

If anybody has ever used the VIP Tour at DLR/DCA, either the standard or premium, I'd like to hear your story and your feedback on the package. This may be something I'd look into for a special occasion. Our boys enjoy Disney products but our daughter LOVES Minnie Mouse so maybe on one of her birthday milestones, we may kick it up depending on what we find out about the tour. That's why, I'd love to hear people's feedback.

We use the premium tour. We really enjoy it. The price is per hour, 6 hour minimum. The premium tour is/was $355 hour. *IF* they have a reservation available day of your tour, yes they can be booked. You need to be dressed for it. You won't know until tour time.

Here is a friend's report on a VIP tour they did (it was a premium tour.) Prices have changed, some of the rides available have changed. But it gives an idea.

Note that the price of $355 for 6 hours would be $2130 for 10, then you need to add tip for the guide. We generally tip about $100.

 

[Nonsuch]

Another VIP Tour trip report
I just happened to read this morning, but had some difficulty finding

Our VIP day with a "Plaid"

 

[halfmonkey]

I was wondering if someone can clarify this point? So I understand that you pay for how ever many hours you want the VIP Tour with a minimum of 6 hours. Let's say the park opens at 9am and you set it up for a 6 hour tour which would end at 3pm. Would the CM set up the F!, Fireworks, WOC reservation seating and provide that to you or are those reservations only available to you if your time with the plaid carries over to when those shows are going on?

 

[Nonsuch]

...Would the CM set up the F!, Fireworks, WOC reservation seating and provide that to you or are those reservations only available to you if your time with the plaid carries over to when those shows are going on?

Your "Nighttime Spectacular" shows can be arranged for after your time with the tour guide, which is a more efficient plan. When booking your tour, ask about booking the shows in advance
While it is quite convenient to meet your guide at your onsite hotel, this will waste some valuable tour time going through security and entering the park
It's more efficient to meet in the parks

 

[BriannaRuth]

They cannot get you a reservation at C33, but may be ablet to give you a peak in the Dream suite if nobody is occupying it. They'll get you preferred seating for shows/parades, and act as a human fast pass on most attractions. Some they can't do anything for, but I've seen them taking people in through the exit of Peter pan for example.

Just to clarify ... we did the premium VIP last month. Club 33 was closed at the time so can't speak to that, but we were told by our guide that he didn't have access to the Dream Suite. Peter Pan is also NOT on the VIP. It is on another tour, though, so maybe that's what was seen here.

Basically all the FP attractions are on it, along with some non FP attractions. For those you go in through the exit or the handicapped line. But no Peter Pan!

And I can also confirm that you don't have to be with your guide to get F! seating. BTW, the F! "seats" are not like the dessert package seats with actual chairs. It's a reserved spot on the steps between the two areas with chairs. So you do sit down, but not in chairs. Also unlike the dessert seating, you don't have to show up an hour early. We arrived 20 minutes before and were fine, but you could arrive even later than that.

 

[Malcon10t]

We did a VIP tour in July. It was really busy that day. We watched Mickey's Magical Map and had our guide pick us up there at 230. We proceeded to head to BTMRR, which everyone rode twice. Then down to Pirates, Indy, Matterhorn x2, SPace, Autopia, Star Tours, Buzz, then headed to DCA. We took a break for snacks and drinks (don't forget to feed and water your guides!). Then we hit it again, getting Soarin', Monsters, ToT, headed back to the Wharf as the kids wanted to ride Screamin' a few times (I think they rode 5x.) After a bit we hit TSMM 3x, then headed to Cars Land for Maters and a couple rides on Racers. Then we headed to Goofy's Sky Skool for a couple rides, then Little Mermaid just before we were dropped off for WOC (with 5 mins to spare before the show started!). While our tour ended then, the guide hung out to watch WOC with us.

We don't typically park storm. But we do when we have a tour guide. It is also nice because they can call ahead to see if rides are up or down.

 

[SMD]

I saw a plaid yesterday waiting in lines with their group. It was on Screamin, which has FP, so they must still offer the lower level tour in some capacity. I suppose they could have just been a group that needed an escort and not an actual VIP tour.

 

[MommyJKM]

Another VIP Tour trip report
I just happened to read this morning, but had some difficulty finding

Our VIP day with a "Plaid"

Aw NonSuch thank you for the love!

I saw a plaid yesterday waiting in lines with their group. It was on Screamin, which has FP, so they must still offer the lower level tour in some capacity. I suppose they could have just been a group that needed an escort and not an actual VIP tour.

There is NO lower level VIP Tour. It's the same tour - there's isn't a distinct Premium Tour.

You CAN ask for the Dream Suite to be added and I've never been denied. But C33 isn't usually doable since it's a private "club". A family friend did the VIP Tour last month and they were told no for C33 even when asking a week before and I had to make a call for them separate from the tour.

The only rides that are not FP for the VIP Tour are Peter Pan, Luigi's Tires, and Storybook Canals for some weird reason.
You enter through the exits for all the ones that don't have a FP.

 

[MommyJKM]

Just to clarify ... we did the premium VIP last month. Club 33 was closed at the time so can't speak to that, but we were told by our guide that he didn't have access to the Dream Suite. Peter Pan is also NOT on the VIP. It is on another tour, though, so maybe that's what was seen here.

Basically all the FP attractions are on it, along with some non FP attractions. For those you go in through the exit or the handicapped line. But no Peter Pan!

And I can also confirm that you don't have to be with your guide to get F! seating. BTW, the F! "seats" are not like the dessert package seats with actual chairs. It's a reserved spot on the steps between the two areas with chairs. So you do sit down, but not in chairs. Also unlike the dessert seating, you don't have to show up an hour early. We arrived 20 minutes before and were fine, but you could arrive even later than that.

I forgot to mention we had the option to watch Fantasmic! from the Dream Suite once on the VIP Tour. You can ask for that!

 

[pinksand]

I understand that you pay for how ever many hours you want the VIP Tour with a minimum of 6 hours. Let's say the park opens at 9am and you set it up for a 6 hour tour which would end at 3pm. Would the CM set up the F!, Fireworks, WOC reservation seating and provide that to you or are those reservations only available to you if your time with the plaid carries over to when those shows are going on?

I believe nonsuch's answer is correct. The only bit of advice I would add is that it might be better to start your tour later. In the morning, the park is so slow you can easily walk on/quickly fastpass quite a few rides. You don't "need" the Tour Guide in the same way you do in the afternoon, when the park is hotter and busier. We tend to have an early lunch on our VIP Tour days and start the tour right after lunch and have it go into the evening.

 

[BriannaRuth]

The only rides that are not FP for the VIP Tour are Peter Pan, Luigi's Tires, and Storybook Canals for some weird reason.
You enter through the exits for all the ones that don't have a FP.

There are actually a lot more rides that aren't included. In DL, Mr. Toad, Alice, Pooh, Jungle Cruise, Casey Jr., Astro Orbiter, Gadgets Go Coaster, and the carousel come to mind. The Disneyland Railroad isn't included for FP-type experience but there are other perks you can get on it. Ditto for Mark Twain and Columbia, as well as the Monorail.

In DCA, Mickey's Wheel of Death, Golden Zephyr, Symphony Swings, most of Bugsland, Tuck's, the carousel ... none of these are included.

 

[BriannaRuth]

The only bit of advice I would add is that it might be better to start your tour later. In the morning, the park is so slow you can easily walk on/quickly fastpass quite a few rides. You don't "need" the Tour Guide in the same way you do in the afternoon, when the park is hotter and busier.

I agree ... we started our tour at 11. The only caveat is that it does mean you'll be out in the middle of the day when it's hot rather than being back in your hotel, if you like to do that. I was REALLY tired by the end of our 6-hour tour from the combination of being out in the hottest part of the day and not having much chance to rest from waiting in line!