My Private VIP Tour at Walt Disney World

Even though I've visited all 12 Disney theme parks around the world and remain a lifelong fan of their animated films, I still wouldn't call myself a "Disney expert." I don't follow influencers for park outfit tips. I've never been to D23. I don't do pin trading. I'm not even that crazy about their iconic Dole Whip! But when a generous client offered our family a complimentary Disney Private VIP Tour during a recent business trip to Orlando, the history nerd in me was stoked. I imagined we'd enjoy a historic walking tour of the parks with real experts to learn attraction lore, insider info on upcoming construction projects, and the overall heritage of the area. But as my guy Mickey Mouse would say, "OH BOY," was I wrong!

Visiting our son's vehicular heroes, Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen at EPCOT during our Private VIP Tour!

Taking a Disney Private VIP Tour is way more than a little history lesson on all the Easter Eggs in the Haunted Mansion. My friend Chrystall—who is a real Disney adult and a true expert—was dumbfounded that I hadn't ever heard of or seen these plaid-clad guides in action. The day before our tour I asked Josh if "we would get to ride any rides" on the tour...and he was like, "Of course! that's the whole point!"

It turns out that a Disney Private VIP Tour is the most premium, customizable way to experience Walt Disney World. You are paired with an official Disney guide who plans the day exactly to your preferences and handles all the navigation. No parking. No lines. "Free" snacks. You can even have your own boat on the Jungle Cruise! Basically perfect.

The VIP Breakdown: Pricing and Logistics

• Cost: Rates range from $450 to $950 per hour, depending on the season and how busy the parks are that day. Reminder: we did not pay for this experience, so I can't even imagine forking over my credit card to book this!

• Duration and Size: There is a minimum requirement of 7 continuous hours, and the single hourly rate covers a group of up to 10 guests (including infants). We ended up enjoying the tour for a whopping 9 hours!

• Park Admission: Whhhhattttt!?!?? Theme park tickets are not included in the hourly tour price! Fortunately, utilizing our family's Annual Passes helped our generous client save a bit of money.

The Experience and Perks

• Priority Access: The biggest draw is that your guide escorts you right onto the rides, allowing you to skip the regular standby lines for your priority attractions.

• Reserved Viewing: Guides can secure VIP reserved viewing areas for daytime parades and nighttime spectaculars, like the fireworks.

• Private Transportation: The tour includes private vehicle transportation directly between parks, utilizing backstage areas to bypass the main entrance crowds. When driving up from Vero Beach for the day, you simply coordinate a starting meeting spot on Disney property, and they take over the driving and logistics from there.

Pro Tip: Wear a coordinating color so you can easily spot your group! We went with a simple red theme with a few fun Cars accroutements like Lightning McQueen mouse ears for the ladies and Rusteze hats for the guys.

Our tour kicked off at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, where our guide, Rae, picked us up in a grey Sprinter van. Not only was she our guide for the day, but she was also our chauffeur! Once we pulled into the backlot of the Magic Kingdom, we were greeted by Emily, a Disney College Program cast member, who had a large basket of delicious sweet and salty snacks ready for us—KIND Bars, GoGo squeeZ pouches, and Smartfood Popcorn.

Here is the absolute best part: your guide basically walks you to the front of almost every single ride. Zero waiting! We usually skip the rides because Josh and I don't want to stand in the Florida heat for 45 minutes with a three-year-old. Call us crazy! But I was completely blown away by how many attractions we conquered.

Thank you to our upbeat and knowledgable guide, Rae!

I may not be an expert on VIP Tours, but I do know my way around Walt Disney World snacks. On the tour, we received two snacks per person directly from the colorful concession carts, including hot & tasty buttered popcorn, Mickey pretzels, Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, and churros. When Rae came back with our first popcorn refill, I even asked her how I could pay her back—old habits die hard!

My parents, Lady and K-Pop, look like happy little kids at heart here with their snacks!

Over the next several hours, we strolled through the parks with Rae and literally went right to the front of these rides:

Magic Kingdom

• Peter Pan's Flight

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

• Pirates of the Caribbean

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure

• Country Bear Musical Jamboree

• Jungle Cruise

• "it's a small world"

EPCOT

• Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

• Frozen Ever After

• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

  
  

We loved sharing the experience with all four of our amazing parents! They helped push the stroller, keep our little LMQ hydrated and decide on the next fun snack to eat.

In addition to the rides, we had a few other special experiences:

• Met Mickey the Magnificent at Town Square Theater

• Explored the tiny, closet-sized VIP Gift Shop in the Magic Kingdom!

• Had a private meeting with Anna and Elsa in EPCOT (As someone who knows a thing or two about bringing Arendelle magic to life for kids, chatting with them was a special treat!)

• Enjoyed the "For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration"

• Met Jiminy Cricket (who our son referred to as "dat turtle"

  
  

Our little magician having a private moment with Mickey the Magnificent in Magic Kingdom

And since we were in Orlando for a conference, our little guy was absolutely thrilled to meet a star-studded lineup of characters, including Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Goofy and Pluto, Lilo and Stitch, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, Moana, and Olaf. It was a completely wild, unforgettable experience to share with Josh and our son! We are truly grateful to the client who made this momentous day possible for all four of our parents and our little Lightning McQueen.

Our son was totally starstruck meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse during their special visit to the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel!