Walt Disney World Tours: Is the Extra Magic Worth the Price?

Looking to add a little extra pixie dust to your next Walt Disney World vacation? There’s no better way to see the parks in a whole new way than to makeg reservations for one of the many Walt Disney World Tours.  Whether you are looking for some behind the scenes magic, one-on-one experiences with animals, a private Disney VIP Tour, or the ultimate World of Dreams Tour, the opportunities are endless. Find out how these tours can enhance your next vacation.

Walt Disney World Tours: Is the Extra Magic Worth the Price?

Yes! A thousand times YES! I absolutely believe the extra magic you can experience in a Walt Disney World Tour is worth the price. That being said, each tour is different and comes with a different price tag. There are tours that start at $20 per person ranging all the way up to $12,000. The private Disney VIP Tours come with an hourly price tag and a 7-hour minimum. Below I will highlight several of the most popular tours and offer my advice on who will benefit the most from each one. Keep in mind, valid theme park admission is required to participate in the tours. The pricing listed below for the various tours is accurate as of the date of publication. 

Walt Disney World VIP Tours

Disney offers multiple options for guests interested in experiencing the ultimate VIP experience. Guests can choose between several group VIP Tours, Private VIP Tours, or the ultimate World of Disney Tour.

Group VIP Tours

Disney’s Group VIP Tours allow you to experience the VIP treatment in a larger group setting. These tours are great options for families and groups that want to see exactly what the Disney VIP treatment is all about. Guests participating in a Disney VIP Tour can enjoy expedited FastPass+ access to most attractions with their Disney VIP Tour Guide.

Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

This 4-hour tour offers VIP access to many of the classic attractions in the Magic Kingdom. The Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour is great for families with smaller children as none of the attractions included with the tour have a height requirement. This tour is the perfect way to add some family magic to your Walt Disney World vacation. The tour costs $249 per person and includes lunch.

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

Experience Disney’s Animal Kingdom at night on the Ultimate Nights of Adventure Tour. This 4-hour VIP tour includes expedited FastPass+ access to many attractions, as well as preferred seating at Rivers of Light. While there is no age limit on this tour, guests must be at least 44 inches to participate. This tour is $249 per person and includes a snack.

Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour

Ok foodies, this tour is for you! The Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour takes you behind the counter of the food and beverage experience with VIP tastings of iconic Disney menu items. This 3-hour VIP tour is available to guests 16 years of age and older for $99.

The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

Are you a thrill seeker? Do you enjoy roller coasters and other thrilling attractions in Disney? If so, the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is for you. This 7-hour VIP tour will allow you to experience expedited access to many of your favorite attractions in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This tour is available for all ages; however, you must meet the height requirements to ride the attractions. This 3-park tour includes private transportation as well as a table service lunch for $349 per person. I would recommend this tour for guests over the age of 10.

Private VIP Tours

If you want to experience Walt Disney World in the most magical way possible you should book a Private VIP Tour. Speaking from experience, this is the absolute best way to do Disney if it is within your budget. Disney’s Private VIP Tours can accommodate parties of up to 10 without any age requirements. Private VIP Tours have an hourly rate ranging from $425-$625, with a 7-hour minimum. The hourly rate is seasonal so you will need to call Disney’s Signature Services to obtain accurate rates.

So, what all is included in a Private VIP Tour?

• Pre-arrival planning. You work with Disney’s Signature Services to customize the perfect day.
• A flexible start time, chosen by you.
• Visits to multiple theme parks with private transportation.
• The ability to enjoy your favorite attractions efficiently with expedited FastPass+ access.
• Special VIP viewing areas for parades, select stage shows and nighttime spectaculars throughout Walt Disney World.
• Shared insight from your highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout your tour.

I book these tours quite often for my clients and have yet to hear anything negative. In fact, the majority of people who book a Private VIP Tour will continue to book them year after year. Many families form lasting relationships with their VIP Tour Guides. Honestly, you have to experience one before you will understand just how magical they are.

At this time it is unknown exactly what kind of ride access Private VIP Tours will have in Star Wars Galaxy Edge. 

World of Dreams Tour

Disney’s World of Dreams Tour is the most expensive tour available, with a price tag of $12,000 for 12-hours. While the cost may seem a little extreme, the exclusive opportunities offered on the tour cannot be find anywhere else. When you book a World of Dreams Tour you are assigned a representative with Disney’s Premium Services. Your representative will work with you to completely customize your day. One of the highlights offered with the World of Dreams Tour is access to the Cinderella Castle Suite. Very few people have seen the Cinderella Castle Suite as stays are by invitation only.

The World of Dreams Tour can accommodate up to 6 guests. I would not recommend this tour for anyone under the age of 16. So many of the opportunities are offered backstage where there are age requirements.

I experienced the World of Dreams Tour last month and I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it really was. Seriously – the best day ever! The sky is the limit with this tour so if you plan to book one – Dream Big!

Behind the Scenes Tours

Disney offers many different behind the scenes tours that offer guests an opportunity to learn more about the parks. In an effort to keep the magic alive there are age requirements on some of these experiences as the guests are allowed to go “backstage.” Likewise, the use of cameras, videos and cell phones are prohibited on many of these tours.

Backstage Magic

Disney’s Backstage Magic Tour is the perfect option for anyone wanting to experience behind the scenes magic in multiple parks. Highlights of the Backstage Magic Tour include experiencing the utilidors (the underground tunnels throughout the Magic Kingdom), along with visiting Creative Costuming where all of the Disney Parks costumes are made. Learn the inner workings of the American Adventure in Epcot’s World Showcase. Guests also get to see the behind the scenes magic that goes into Rivers of Light in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. You must be at least 12 years old to participate in this tour. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This 7-hour tour is $275 per person and requires a lot of walking.

Keys to the Kingdom

Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour is an exciting way to experience the backstage magic in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This 5-hour walking tour is available to anyone aged 16 and up. If you’re a fan of Walt Disney and the history surrounding the Magic Kingdom you won’t want to miss this tour. Highlights include access to the Magic Kingdom utilidors, hidden secrets surrounding the Magic Kingdom classic attractions, little known facts about the park, and more. The Keys to the Kingdom Tour is $99 per person and includes lunch.

Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom

The Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour is a great way to learn more about the man behind the Mouse. This 3-hour walking tour is a condensed version of Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour.  On this tour you’ll learn little-known facts about Walt Disney’s upbringing in Marceline, Missouri as well as inside information about the design and operation of several classic attractions in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The tour is available to anyone 12 years and older for $49 per person.

Behind the Seeds

If you’re a fan of the Living with the Land attraction in Epcot you’ll love the Behind the Seeds Tour. This 1-hour walking tour takes you behind the scenes of the attraction with visits to four greenhouses where you’ll learn all of the latest plant growing techniques. You also get to visit the fish farm at feeding time.  This tour is available to all ages so it’s the perfect option for families with smaller children. The price for the Behind the Seeds Tour is $20 per child and $25 per adult.

Other Behind the Scenes tours include the Magic Behind our Steam Trains, UnDISCOVERed Future World, Gardens of the World, Star Wars Guided Tour, and Disney’s Family Magic Tour. If you’re visiting during the holidays you may be interested in Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy and Holiday D-Lights tours.

Animal Encounter Tours

If you love animals you should consider booking one of the many different Walt Disney World Tours that allow you to get up close and personal with them.

Caring for Giants Tour

The Caring for Giants Tour allows guests to get a closer look at the African elephants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. This 1-hour walking tour will allow you to experience the elephants from only 80-100 feet away. You will learn fascinating facts about the elephants from the animal specialists that care for them on a daily basis. The Caring for Giants Tour is $30 per person. You must be at least 4 years old to participate in this tour.

Up Close with Rhinos

The Up Close with Rhinos Tour allows you to get practically face to face with the white rhinoceros in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. In this 1-hour guided tour the rhino specialists will take you backstage to meet these massive creatures as few people ever do. The Up Close with Rhinos Tour is $40 per person. You must be at least 4 years old to participate in this tour.

Wild Africa Trek

The Wild Africa Trek is a 3-hour privately guided tour where you can experience the animals living in the Safi River Valley in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You must be at least 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches to participate. The Wild Africa Trek tour requires guests to be between 48 and 300 pounds as safety harnesses are required. This tour ranges from $189-$249 per person and offers some of the best animal experiences you can find in Walt Disney World.

Other animal encounter tours offered include Epcot Seas Adventures: Aqua Tour, Savour the Savanna: Evening Safari, Epcot Seas Adventures: Dolphins in Depth, and the Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

How to Book a Walt Disney World Tour

If you would like to make a reservation for one of these tours on your next Orlando vacation, you can call 407-WDW-TOUR, or contact your travel agent for assistance. If you’re an Annual Passholder you may be eligible for discounted tour rates.