From its early days back in 1955 in Disneyland California until today, Disney VIP Tour Guides have played an integral role in the VIP guest experience across Disney Parks around the world, providing them with excellency and a tailor-made, unforgettable visit. Disneyland Paris VIP Tours team just recently enhanced their service with the opening of a brand-new space to welcome groups and families: Donald’s Salon.
Inaugurated in February 2025, Donald’s Salon welcomed its first visitors on April 19th, 2025, and has undoubtedly become the perfect place for guests to be greeted and get acquainted with their Disney VIP Tour Guide, ahead of their journey into the Parks.
The style of this renovated space feels like an extension of Main Street, U.S.A., bringing together the magic of Disney and the elegance of the Victorian era through a variety of new decorations and furniture, carefully chosen by Imagineers in a display of pure attention to detail.
A historic Disney role
Since its opening on July 17th 1955, Disneyland Resort hosted many notable guests—from foreign dignitaries to Hollywood stars. Upon its opening, three hostesses were present in City Hall to provide information to guests; they were also prepared to be sent out at any notice on a leader’s request to provide a tour to a specific visitor, such as a VIP. Since then, this task evolved into the iconic role of today’s Disney VIP Tour Guide, and the department was developed.
Many people love to say Walt Disney was the original Tour Guide. “Walt really liked the Tour Guides. Every time he would come to the Park, he would always stop by and see us and talk to us”, said Cicely Rigdon, a renown Disneyland Resort Cast Member and Disney Legend, whose contribution to the Guest Relations department was instrumental.
Cicely also helped develop and manage the Disney VIP Tours department as well as the Disney Ambassador Program, whose beginnings and history are deeply woven within the Guest Relations and VIP Tours departments.
Julie Reihm Casaletto, Disney Legend and Disneyland’s first Disney Ambassador, had worked for two years as a Tour Guide when she was encouraged to apply for a new role—that of “Disneyland’s Ambassador to the World.” As Walt’s commitments had increased, he found it hard to attend all the events to which he was invited. Disney needed a representative who could travel the world, speaking for Walt when he could not be there in person.
Julie was chosen as “a personification of Disneyland’s world-famous spirit of friendliness and happiness.” She became the template upon which decades of Ambassadors would pattern themselves, as they kept being selected only from the Disney VIP Tours department for several decades, until the role was open to all Cast Members later on.
From 1955 to 2025: the « à la française » touch at Disneyland Paris
The heritage of the Disney VIP Tours spread to all the Disney destinations that opened afterwards around the world, offering thousands of guests the chance to explore the parks through a customizable experience filled with incredible benefits, in a way only Disney can do.
Today, Disney VIP Tour Guides provide unparalleled hospitality while guests enjoy the magic of the Disney Parks with their friends and family. A truly unique experience that, of course, has been offered at Disneyland Paris since its opening on April 12th 1992.
A diverse team of 200 Guides, 14 coordinators, 4 leaders and their manager currently serve Disneyland Paris VIP Tours with excellence and pride, not only offering an unforgettable, tailor-made experience to guests, but also sharing the heritage of the company and the parks with passion.