I Tested Disney World’s $450-per-hour VIP Service—Here Are Its Best Perks

On this whirlwind holiday visit, there would be no last-minute Ubers, crowded bus rides, or harried car rentals to the Magic Kingdom. A sleek SUV was ready and waiting for our family of three just outside our hotel, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort—as was our cheerful Disney Private VIP Tour guide, Jonathan Herd.  “Are we ready to roll?” asked Herd, who had been patiently waiting for us in the lobby of the hotel (the Giffords can admittedly be slow in the morning).

Herd, who has been working as a guide since 2015, didn’t seem to mind that we were a few minutes late. He made it clear that his time was our time, and, that over the course of our day-long experience, we would do a deep dive into the Magic Kingdom, at our request; could move on to any of the other theme parks, should we so wish; and ask him any question about the parks, characters, and company history that popped into our minds.

If you’re strapped for time, traveling with a large group that has specific needs, or simply want to cut the line and not deal with booking Lighting Lane passes at top rides like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Space Mountain, it may be worth splurging on a guide from Disney Private VIP Tours, a service affiliated with Walt Disney World Resort. Hundreds of cast members, as Disney calls its park staff, have become guides throughout the years, developing long-lasting bonds and relationships with their clients. As we strolled through the Magic Kingdom and its 107-acre chaos and glory, I couldn’t help but notice several other groups being shepherded by their private VIP tour guide (more on how to spot them, to come). Every group seemed to be having a great time and in awe of the access.

As a frequent traveler, I can vouch that the level of care at this organization, which originated in Disneyland and opened in Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, was unmatched. “These guides are incredibly knowledgeable and can navigate the parks with their eyes closed,” says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, the president of Fischer Travel and a member of T+L’s advisory board. Adds Mary Helen Law, a Disney expert on Travel + Leisure’s A-list of travel advisors who books this service for nearly 20% of her clients: “Carefully vetted, these expert guides have a deep knowledge of Disney’s history, stories, and hidden gems. They take the time to understand families’ unique interests, curating tailored experiences that go beyond just rides.”

Here are four benefits when choosing this premium service, which starts at $450 an hour, not including park tickets.

You can pick your park.

This was the first Walt Disney World Resort experience for my nine-year-old son, Bobby. And I, like most obsessive parents, wanted to maximize all that we could see, knowing that he would probably get tired late in the afternoon. With that in mind, we chose to focus solely on the Magic Kingdom, the most popular theme park and arguably the one with the most appeal to younger children.

We arrived by SUV to the Magic Kingdom, accessing a special side entrance (so special, no photos are allowed for security reasons). From the minute we stepped out of the car and were offered snacks and water from more cast members, we were coddled, and felt as if we had the place to ourselves—even though we would soon be sharing space with thousands of other visitors, just around the corner.

Herd, who has been a guide since 2015, walked us from Frontierland to Fantasyland and onto Tomorrowland, surprising us with treats such as Tiana’s beignets for a mid-morning snack and taking photos in front of the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, hitting just the right angle. I asked him what was the best shop for holiday ornaments; he quickly directed me to a special store in Liberty Square, but not before accompanying Bobby and my husband, Rob, into the Hall of Presidents, pointing out historical treasures such as President Reagan’s bolo tie.

If we had wanted to divide and conquer and move on to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, we could have; that snack-filled SUV was at our disposal, and we had up to 10 hours (the maximum allowed) of his time. “Private vehicles ensure seamless transport between parks, and your guide stays connected in real-time with other tours and the back office, constantly receiving updates to keep everything running smoothly,” adds Law.

You can skip the waits.

Your guide will take you through the Lightning Lane, a normally paid-for alternative to the regular ride line (and the subject of much debate in terms of booking strategy). With a VIP guide, you don’t have to worry about any of that—but it’s still realistic to expect there will be some guests in front of you. That said, the most we waited for a ride by accessing the Lighting Lane was seven minutes compared to what could have been sometimes an hour or more in the regular lane. For a couple of rides, including Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, we got to use a behind-the-scenes entrance that’s typically only available to cast members.

Herd rode a few of the rides with us, but mostly opted out so that he could be ready and waiting at the exit, plotting our next move. With some of the more adventurous coasters, Bobby also opted to stay behind with Herd, and my husband and I felt comfortable leaving the two of them together, easy in conversation, to enjoy some thrills.

Certain rides we could repeat as much as we wanted (I asked to do Space Mountain twice, not great for the stomach in hindsight). But Tron Lightcycle/Run—a two-year-old ride that simulated the feeling of being on a futuristic, high-speed bike—was the sole exception due to its newness and popularity. Your guide should explain what is possible to access upon pickup, as things are always subject to change.

I must admit to feeling a bit of schaudenfreude every time we passed a marquee ride, like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or even It’s a Small World, and strolled right on in as others patiently awaited their turn. We conquered 12 major attractions over the course of our six-hour visit, and clocked nearly 15,000 steps–an unheard of feat without the help of Herd.

You can geek out on trivia.

Our family wanted to understand more about Disney lore, specifically through the lens of history, art, and design. Herd, a Missouri native with a B.A. in Religion and Humanities, shared interesting factoids throughout the day, noting that the Haunted Mansion has chess pieces (but no knights) on its structure; Space Mountain blasts specially themed lights and music during the week between Christmas and New Years; and windows along Main Street, USA. bear the names of influential Disney employees. (For example, Frank Wells, a former COO, is recognized with the window Seven Summits Expeditions; his personal goal was to climb the highest mountain on all seven continents.) Having this kind of personal access to a true Disney expert felt like we were being given a theme park crash course for the ages.

You can buy insider merch.

It’s easy to spot a VIP tour guide by their plaid-accented uniform. Travelers who book the service can purchase their own plaid gear, too, whether it’s a hat, pins, and more, at a special section of a shop on Main Street, USA. Herd directed us here toward the end of our visit, just before he took us to a special elevated platform in City Hall to watch the afternoon parade, popcorn and all.

I snagged a colorful Mickey-ear headband, which I then wore throughout the rest of our visit. Even though we were only with Herd for the one day, the “plaid effect” continued long after, with many other travelers giving a subtle nod or knowing wink to my merch as we wandered Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. And in the back of my mind, I kept wondering if we would have had more fun with our new BFF.

“For me it is about the stories and memories made together, whether it be with a family I see multiple times a year or a group doing this as a once in a lifetime experience,” Herd told me. I plan on packing my plaid ears for our next Orlando vacation–and making sure he is the first person our family greets when we are ready to conquer the kingdom.