There are lots of great options to help with wait times while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. You can read all about Lightning Lanes in our blog Lightning Lanes. Here we want to talk about the other two options, the Premier Pass and VIP Tours. First let’s discuss a little bit about each of these options and then we will do a comparison chart.
Premier Pass
This option is purchased through the My Disney Experience App at 7am. If you have an onsite resort reservation, you can purchase Premier Pass for any day of your stay, 7 days before your check in date. If you are staying off site then you would have this option 3 days before each ticket day you want to purchase for.
Premier pass is purchased per person, per day. You can do it for one day of your trip or every day. Whatever you want. It is subject to limited availability.
What Does Premier Pass Include?
Premier Pass includes Lightning Lane access to each of the available attractions in ONE park, ONE time. You do not need to pick a specific return time. It also includes photo perks such as digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos. You also get access to Disney PhotoPass Lenses. All attractions that have Lightning Lane access are included, regardless of if they are on the Multi Pass or Single Pass list.
What Does Premier Pass Cost?
The cost varies from park to park and day to day. You can view a pricing calendar on the My Disney Experience app about 3 weeks before your arrival to see what the pricing looks like. Just to give you a ballpark, here is the pricing for June 1, 2025. This is per person plus tax.
- Magic Kingdom – $419
- Epcot – $189
- Hollywood Studios – $329
- Animal Kingdom – $159
Premier Pass Reminders
Keep in mind you cannot use Premier Pass in more than one park. Even if you have a hopper ticket, you cannot use it in more than one park per day. Also, you don’t have any type of a guide with you. You are on your own for the day. Lastly, it can sell out from time to time so if this is important to you, be sure to go on at 7am on your first available day for purchase.
Disney VIP Tours
VIP tours are probably the best way to experience the parks. This option is purchased through your travel agent or by calling the VIP Tours department 60 days before the start of your tour to reserve.
What does a VIP Tour Include?
The best part of a VIP Tour is it includes a guide. Your VIP guide can pick you up at your Disney resort or meet you at the park. They stay with you all day. They take you to the Lightning Lane entrance of attractions, help you plan/mobile order your meals, and take you to VIP viewing areas for parades or fireworks that occur during your tour.
Your guide can even take you to more than one park. Through their private transportation, you can quickly exit one park and arrive at another park, right near the attraction you are heading to in some cases.
Your VIP guide also may have some magical tricks up their sleeve, share trivia or behind the scenes information and so much more. You won’t have to plan a thing, your guide will take care of the whole day.
What Does a VIP Tour Cost?
VIP tours are priced per hour with a 7 hour minimum and 10 hour maximum. Each tour is for up to 10 guests (and that includes any children under 3 as well). They are completely private so even if you have just 4 people, you will not be combined with another tour. Although payment information is used to secure the tour at booking, you will not be charged until 24 hours before the tour. The initial charge is for the first 7 hours and then the day after the tour, they will charge you for the total additional time added. They break the cost down in 15 min increments.
The hourly cost varies but is between $500 and $1200 (or more) an hour depending on season. I have often seen it in the $800-$900 range. You may also want to bring a tip for your guide.
VIP Tour Reminders
VIP tours provide a guide, are for up to 10 people, and include park hopping (if you have a park hopper ticket). For the best experience we recommend sharing with your travel agent what your general plans and goals for the day are so that this is communicated to the guide ahead of time. Listen to our podcast to hear about Kelli and her experience with a VIP Tour.
Premier Pass vs VIP Tour
It can be hard to decide which is the right experience for you. Here is a comparison chart to help you.
Having trouble deciding which is the right product for you? We are here to help. Our travel agents at Magical Memory Planners can help you plan your next vacation and be sure you have the right add-ons for you.
