What A Disney World VIP Tour Actually Gets You (And If It's Worth It)

A trip to an amusement park can be a delightful experience shared by generations young and old, where families enjoy exhilarating roller coasters and awe-inspiring shows, while building memories for the future. Or it can be your personal nightmare come to life — waiting in hours-long lines with endless switchbacks for 30 seconds of thrills, listening to screaming children throwing tantrums, and standing under the relentless sun while questioning your life choices. But what if you could enjoy all the pros of a theme park visit without any of the cons? How much would you pay for this? These are the questions that those considering a Disney Private VIP Tour must grapple with.

The cost of receiving Disney's royal treatment is a whopping $450 to $900 per hour for a tour lasting seven to 10 hours — not including admission fees, the park hopper pass, tips, or meals (but you do get snacks like popcorn, pretzels, and Mickey ice cream bars, along with unlimited water and non-alcoholic beverages). Once you've picked up your jaw from the floor, you may be wondering if VIP actually stands for "Very Insanely Priced." Certainly, tours like this are part of the criticism that's been thrown Disney's way over the years. A visit used to be a quintessentially middle-class experience (where "Everyone is a V.I.P."), but it's now become an unaffordable luxury. And this has only been exacerbated by the creation of a two-tier system, where the wealthy can pay for a different (and inarguably better) experience while those who cannot have a much worse one.

These points are valid and should undoubtedly be addressed. But that being said, this tour is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Let's dive into what it is, what it gets you, and if it's worth that hefty price.

The most compelling reason to go the private route is for the personalization. You'll be able to pre-plan your tour so that no time is wasted looking at maps or arguing with your group about where to go. At the time you designate, you'll be picked up from your hotel by the guide in a private vehicle. They aren't just your tour leader — they're your personal park guru, photographer, butler, driver, snack-getter, and bag-holder. You'll go through security just once, and upon entrance, you'll receive premium access to the rides and attractions of your choice through secret backstage entrances. You can ride your favorite coasters as many times as you can handle, arrange character meet-and-greets, and visit multiple parks. Imagine floating along serene waters on Tiana's Bayou Adventure and having a meet-and-greet with Cinderella in the Magic Kingdom; joining a lively sing-along with members of the Madrigal family during ¡Celebración Encanto! at EPCOT; and experiencing spectacular views of Pandora — The World of Avatar as you ride a winged banshee in the Animal Kingdom. Dreams really do come true.

According to previous attendees, there are some cons of this tour — but not many. It can be highly over-stimulating, especially for young children or Disney-newbies. You might have the time for well over 30 rides during your visit, but probably not the energy (or the stomach) for them all. Additionally, the line-up area is an integral part of the experience and has been designed by the "Imagineers" to take people on a storytelling journey up to the ride — which you'll be missing. In reality, you often do need to join a queue — albeit the Lighting Lane, which will get you through much quicker — so the tour isn't entirely without wait times.

By now, you may be convinced that this enchanting tour is indeed the best way to see the park. Perhaps this could be a splurge item for a special occasion, like a family reunion, a milestone birthday, or a wedding anniversary. But you might still be wondering if there's a way to bring down the exorbitant cost. Well, as Lilo insists, "Family means nobody gets left behind." Since the tour can accommodate up to 10 guests, this would be a good time to follow that rule and bring along nine of your cousins, aunts, and uncles to lessen the individual fee ($45 to $90 an hour). It's also an excellent idea for a team-building activity, so if your boss is looking to organize a company retreat, you could throw this into the suggestion box. Booking a visit during the week and in off-season (which is May to June and August to September, the unexpected time of year for fewer crowds) can also lower the per-hour price tag, as can bringing your own meals since outside food is allowed. You don't want to spend more than necessary at restaurants, which is one of the common mistakes first-timers make when they go to Disney World. If you're looking for more money-saving tips, make sure you read this guide for the most affordable vacation to Disney World.

Is the VIP tour still out of budget for you? Well, you can wish upon a star à la Geppetto and hope that it falls into your lap. Or, you can enjoy the park on a standard ticket ($119 as of this writing) like most visitors and accept that the crowds, lines, and heat are just part of the price you pay for the magic of Disney.