Disney is cracking down on third-party tour guides at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is reportedly cracking down on so-called third-party tour guides. These private companies, which are not affiliated with Disney, offer tour-guide services at the theme parks, often promising items such as customized itineraries and line-skipping. According to reporting by The Washington Post, the latest crackdown is a bit of a surprise to the tour guides as well as the guests who book their services.
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Disney parks are famous for their magical experiences, with their immense popularity resulting in high crowd levels. The large crowds tend to lead to long waits for attractions, and the increase in complexity of visiting Walt Disney World has resulted in many guests looking for help. Guests looking for a more streamlined day can utilize one of the official Disney VIP Tour Guides, who can offer a range of services, including:
- Pre-arrival planning
- A flexible start time
- Visits to multiple theme parks
- Utilizing Lightning Lane entrances for attractions
- Insight from a highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide
The official Disney tour guides are pricey, with costs ranging from $450 to $900 per hour. Guests looking for similar services at a lower price point may turn to one of the private tour companies, which promote similar services at a much lower cost (according to the Washington Post, the private tour guides generally charge between $150 and $300 per hour).
These private guides often attract customers by promising similar benefits to the official VIP tour guides. Disney has noted many of these third-party tour guides attempt to offer these services by manipulating Disney’s services or even violating park rules, a practice that Disney views as unfair and disruptive to other guests.
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Disney’s new policy aims to curb these practices by identifying and banning third-party guides who misrepresent their services and/or break park rules. The guides often learn about the crackdown upon attempting to enter the parks, when they discover their annual pass has been marked as void and they receive a trespass notice. The trespass orders, issued by the Sheriff’s department, ban them from entering any area of the Walt Disney World property, including the theme parks, resort hotels, or Disney Springs. The Washington Post article noted one tour guide was advised they would be able to appeal their trespass notice one year following its issuance.
The decision also impacts the livelihood of these third-party guides, many of whom depend on this income. They argue that their services help manage park congestion and provide a beneficial experience for visitors. Many of the third-party tour guides have had to either pivot their business to other parks/areas or find a whole new industry to work in.
As Disney enforces these new guidelines, the landscape of guided tours in their parks is set to change. While Disney ensures quality and fairness through its official tours, the debate around access, cost, and guest experience in the world of theme park entertainment continues.
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