Friday, February 13, 2004

Luxury Living: Disney's V-I-P Tour

Reported by:

Belkys Nerey

Producer:

Ivonne Amor

Contact:

iamor@wsvn.com

Archived Reports:

All Luxury Living

It's one of Florida's top vacation destinations, but have you ever wondered how the stars and their children see Disney World? Well in tonight's Luxury Living report, we're taking you behind the scenes of the happiest place on earth and sharing some of Mickey's best-kept secrets.

(WSVN) -- "You won the Superbowl, what are you doing next?"

"I'm going to Disney World."

So you're going to Disney World?

But while most of us head to Orlando on a budget, there's a special service the rich and famous to get around the crowds... It's called Disney's V-I-P Tour.

Disney Special Activities Coordinator Rob Highfill says, "When you're talking about celebrities or dignitaries or the more affluent clients that we deal with their expectations are going to be a little bit higher because of the way they live their everyday lives."

Those high expectations can be fulfilled by a Disney V-I-P guide.

For an extra 75 dollars an hour, the guide's job is make sure you don't wait long in line and you don't sit in the back for parades or live shows

Rob says, "Our service doesn't allow you to bypass the line, what we do is our guides are trained to know where the crowds are going to be at different times of day so we can maximize their experience in the park."

According to Mickey -- celebrities like P. Diddy, John Travolta, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and Andy Garcia always go V-I-P.

Rob says, "If we have someone who is so highly recognizable that they are going to distract from the Disney show, that's when we might decide in some cases, at some attractions to use an alternate entrance."

"Shhh, it's a secret."

Like this never before seen alternate entrance to the Haunted Mansion.

This is how Rosie O'Donnell and John and Rebecca Romin Stamos get on the ride.

While on other attractions, the guides use the Fast Pass line.

Disney VIP Guest Ridley Pearson says, "We can get in one or two days, what it would normally take three, even four, even five days, because of the VIP tour."

And the special treatment doesn't have to end there.

If you've got the cash, you can dine privately with your favorite Disney characters...

Take a ride on Cinderella's carriage...

Or rent - yes, rent - your favorite attraction.

Rob says, "If we have someone that is affluent enough and wants an extreme level of service, after the parks close, they can purchase any segment of the park they want to purchase."

While Disney says everyone's a V-I-P, paying extra can make the happiest place on earth a true Luxury Living experience.

Rob says, "Our clientele they don't really think twice about spending that kind of money for the level of service, they're accustomed to spending that kind of money in their everyday lives."

If you ever have the cash to book a guide, you need to make a reservation at least three months in advance because they do sell out.

The guides are available at the four major theme parks.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: bnerey@wsvn.com

 

Walt Disney World VIP Tours

407-560-4033

Email for Info: wdw.vip.tours@disney.com

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