Dancing with the Stars Winter Tour 2020
VIP Experience
My apologies on being absent from the blog for a while. My sweet heart dog, my one in a million got cancer last year and we fought so hard but, she passed away the day before Thanksgiving. I have been in such a sad place overall and been trying to pull myself out of it which hasn’t been easy. Honestly, the first show I went to I wasn’t even excited to go but, only because I just was finding it a struggle to get excited about anything. Once I got there for both shows I so appreciated that I could smile, enjoy the performances and forget my reality for a few hours.
I wanted to wait and go to at least 2 of my shows before writing this to see if some of the kinks got worked out.
Pre-Show:
You receive your email a few days before telling you when to arrive, giving you the link and password for the photos, the waiver etc. One thing that has been confusing to people this year is it says no personal cameras/phones allowed. I think they need to be more specific and say no cameras/phones allowed in the photo area because several have thought it also meant in mingle.
Check-in:
Check in was so slow at the first event I went to at Mohegan. Even after they started checking people in the line moved extremely slow. They also had us in such a small room at Mohegan in my opinion too many people for such a small room. The second show I went to in Durham was much faster, they had us in the usual area for VIP at DPAC which is always great!
VIP Swag:
I honestly didn’t keep any of mine, I gave it away at both cities. It really seems like they continue to increase the prices and give fans less. I always liked when they at least gave you a tote bag.
VIP Photo & Mingle:
I didn’t want to comment on this until after I saw if things were better at the 2nd show but, this VIP Host will not go down on my list of great ones. At Mohegan she was not very polite, she would only post 1 of the 2 pics. I let her know we have always received both and she sarcastically responded that she would only post 1 and she would decide which one to post. I emailed VIP Nation after that show and was very pleased that they backed the fans up and are now posting both pictures. The photo experience is way too fast, they are taking away the personal aspect of it that used to make this so great in the early tours. I barely had time to say hi and hug the pros before the host was saying look here. It’s disappointing because you spend $300-650 of your hard earned $ for a rushed experience. I am not saying give each person 5 minutes but, at least let them say hello and if they have something quick to say allow that like you used to. That almost always comes down to the host though because all the pros are awesome and engaging. I miss the host Anthony Jones a lot, he was one of the best they have had, he got the job done but, truly understood the fan experience. There was also another girl a few tours ago that was really good. Both of them posted pics within 24 hours, were very friendly at all times, didn’t rush you in the photos, checked the photos before you walked away etc.
She also doesn’t post the pictures very fast, I have seen it take almost a week for some cities. My last show in Charlotte it took 6 days and then she only posted 1 of my pictures. Pictures are not all being checked again. That happened to me two years ago when both of my pictures had my eyes closed. One girl shared with me that only 1 of her pics was posted on a recent show and it was blurry and when she emailed and asked about the 2nd pic which she did a special pose with her fav pro she was told it would be posted when the host had a chance and she still didn’t have it. The hosts should understand that fans are super excited to see their pics and everyone understands you cannot always do it same day but, a week…
Mingle: This also seemed faster than usual. At Mohegan the pros were mobbed so they tried to say wait and let them come to your table. Durham it was better but, the only issue with wait until they come to your table is if your photo group # is called when they are almost at your table and then you come out and missed them.
This is another fan’s experience this year that goes every year:
The Maks & Val Tour & Derek Hough tours are run much better and they truly give you a great fan experience and understand and appreciate that you are spending your hard earned $ to do these experiences. In my opinion that comes from the top down. Maks & Val especially have always genuinely cared about and been so proud of their tour and really listen to fan feedback and work hard at providing a fun, genuine VIP experience for those that come to their event & pay extra for VIP.
Tour staff interaction/waiting by buses:
I was personally happy to see a different security guy in Durham than the guy that has done it for years that is absolutely is nasty to fans. The guy in Durham was very nice & respectful yet got his point across when he needed to and I am hoping he is now the regular security. The usual is always said to fans that wait at the buses that “we have a VIP M&G you can do if you want to meet them, we cannot guarantee who will come out etc”. The one thing I want to say on this is fans wait by the buses for mostly 2 reasons: 1. they might not be able to afford VIP and 2. They may be hoping for a chance to talk briefly to their favorite pros if they didn’t get the chance to in the VIP because its so rushed or maybe their favorite pros were not in the photo/mingle that day. I think that is something everyone needs to understand better and maybe one day my suggestion below will be taken. Nobody wants to wait outside on a winter tour and freeze waiting but it sure is appreciated when the Pros come out and do it for those reasons I just described.
Suggestions for tour management:
For several years I have been saying this but, it falls on deaf ears. For the Maks & Val Tour and the Derek & Julianne tours there was another top level tier package when you got pictures in the VIP and then got extra time with them backstage. I know the VIP photos are with “select” dancers (3 Pro’s and the Celeb guest star) at each city but, many fans have voiced their disappointment when their “favorite” isn’t in their photo since it’s a random rotation. I have heard many voice their displeasure at paying several hundred dollars but not getting a pic with their favorite. What if you added another ticket tier or made it with the front row packages or do an add on pkg that you get your pic with the rest of the VIP’s and then you are either taken down just before the show or just after and get a photo with the full tour cast? If you sold a very limited # of them it wouldn’t take that much extra time. That way those that truly want to meet them all would have the chance and it would then add another tier package for you. I know I & several other fans would sign up for that for sure!
If possible rotate the Pro’s if you are doing two shows in one city. Some of us like to go to both shows and it would be great to get pics with two sets of dancers since you are paying VIP at both. That used to be the way it was done but, the last year or two it’s the same Pro’s at both so it doesn’t make sense to pay for VIP for both and then the tour loses out when fans stop buying both.
Suggestion for VIP Nation: I would love to see a fan experience survey come out after shows and then have you all take the feedback and connect with your host to help them improve experiences. Make sure the hosts that you hire understand and appreciate the fan experience and make sure they are not only knowledgeable with a camera but, make sure they understand they must check the photos before the people walk away.
I have personally done so many VIP Experiences over the years and I can say I am being a lot more selective on what I am doing & spending $ on. It really seems to be that the VIP #’s are down and I think it’s because of what I have outlined. I am always happy to do a VIP, support a tour when you feel the lead(s) care, when you are getting a genuine, not rushed, quality interaction etc. Steven Tyler is amazing at this, he has 100’s yet he starts early and gives every single person a special, genuine interaction. Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban same thing. I have to believe most of the Pro’s want to do that for the DWTS fans and I continue to hope we will see positive changes for future tours.
VIP Experiences should always strive to improve the experience especially when prices continue to rise.
For photos from this tour and others I attend follow me on Instagram: @lightscmemories
Entering VIP: There were a lot of VIP’s but, the facility was awesome and let us in out of the cold so we could line up inside. Once we signed in I got my ticket, the VIP bag with a tall mug inside and the signed tour program. They did the lanyards with the letters on them again which is great so then they are only lining up small groups at a time for the photos.
The VIP Nation staff is also very kind, nobody is yelling at you it’s a pleasant experience. You do have to leave your purse, bags and anything else on you at the table and you cannot ask for autographs etc. at the cast photo portion. This year too it was one professional photo taken by VIP Nation host, no selfie options in the main photo. You could however do selfies with the dancers in the Meet & Mingle. They did have a GIF area this time. I didn’t get a chance to get over there as I was catching up with friends but, will at a future show. After the photos were done and the dancers all left to get ready for the show you could go to the merchandise stand and do some crowd free shopping which was also nice.
What to wear: Be comfortable & wear what you want. You will see everyone from dressed down to wearing beautiful dresses and everything in between.
Suggestions for Tour Management: This is something I have been thinking about. For the Maks & Val Tour and the Derek & Julianne tours there was another top level tier package when you got pictures in the VIP and then got extra time with them backstage. I know the VIP photos are with “select” dancers (4 the last 2 tours & 5 this tour) at each city but, many fans have voiced their disappointment when their “favorite” isn’t in their photo since it’s a random rotation. I have heard many voice their displeasure at paying several hundred dollars but not getting a pic with their favorite. What if you added another ticket tier or made it with the front row packages that you get your pic with the rest of the VIP’s and then you are either taken down just before the show or just after and get a photo with the full tour cast? If you sold a very limited # of them it wouldn’t take that much extra time. That way you those that truly want to meet them all would have the chance and it would then add another tier package for you. I know I would sign up for that for sure!
Bravo & Thank you: VIP Nation you always put together fantastic unique experiences and it doesn’t go unnoticed! Thank you so much to the tour staff: Mandy Moore & Ashley Edens-Shaffer, Directors and our dance captains: Jenna and Artem truly put together an amazing show that I think every fan should be sure they have a ticket for! The creative genius is obvious at every moment in the show. The vision and layout for this tour is truly worth 10 Stars! The crew and all the other behind the scenes individuals also deserve a shout out! The Dancers (Sharna, Gleb, Artem, Lindsay, Sasha, Keo, Emma, Jenna, Hayley, Alan, Morgan and Brandon all truly leave it on the floor each night. It’s emotional, it’s passionate, it’s raw, it’s FUN, it’s full of energy and I am so excited I will get to see this tour multiple times and have a new take away each night!
If you don’t have a ticket…Buy one today and if you are able to do VIP it’s worth the investment for this experience they have many different levels and price points too! Here’s the link for tickets/VIP package! 
Victoria Arlen & Val Chmerkovskiy
Vanessa Lachey & Maks Chmerkovskiy
Lindsey Stirling & Mark Ballas
Nick Lachey & Peta Murgatroyd
Drew Scott & Emma Slater
Sasha Pieterse & Gleb Savchenko
Terrell Owens & Cheryl Burke
Frankie Muniz & Witney Carson
Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold
Nikki Bella & Artem Chigvintsev
The tour dates and cast was announced!!! Excited for a good long tour this winter!!! For more info and more VIP & regular tickets go to: 
Frankie Muniz & Witney Carson
Terrell Owens & Cheryl Burke
Nikki Bella & Artem Chigvintsev
Nick Lachey & Peta Murgatroyd
Lindsey Stirling & Mark Ballas
Derek Fisher & Sharna Burgess
Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold
Sasha Pieterse & Gleb Savchenko
Vanessa Lachey & Maks Chmerkovskiy
Drew Scott & Emma Slater
Victoria Arlen & Val Chmerkovskiy
Terrell Owens & Cheryl Burke
Debbie Gibson & Alan Bersten
Sasha Pieterse & Gleb Savchenko
Drew Scott & Emma Slater
Barbara Corcoran & Keo Motsepe 
Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold
Nick Lachey & Peta Murgatroyd
Vanessa Lachey & Maks Chmerkovskiy
Frankie Muniz & Witney Carson
Nikki Bella & Artem Chiigvintsev
Derek Fisher & Sharna Burgess
Victoria Arlen & Val Chmerkovskiy
Lindsey Stirling & Mark Ballas
I’ve had the pleasure of being a VIP for the last five Dancing with the Stars tours. From the first tour I participated in the VIP to this year’s tour I must say: It’s like night and day! They have improved them tremendously! So let’s talk about the details of the VIP!
Now on to the good stuff! After check in we were directed upstairs. We didn’t wait very long at all when they started telling Group A to line up. A few minutes later we saw Alan and Britt coming our way, it was their turn to do the Meet & Mingle! It appears that it’s all rotating like last tour (2 in the Meet & Mingle and 4 in the photos with Emma & Rashad/Heather being consistent). To give you an idea for our cast photo we had Emma, Lindsay, Rashad & Gleb. I will update this after each show to give you all an idea:
The photos were wonderful as always. In all past tours I have attended they have always taken 2 pictures, this time they only did 1. The staff is also very kind, nobody is yelling at you it’s a pleasant experience. You do have to leave your purse, bags and anything else on you at the table and you cannot ask for autographs etc. at the cast photo portion. This year too it was one professional photo taken by VIP Nation host, no selfie options in the main photo. You could however do selfies with the dancers in the Meet & Mingle. I did not honestly see the green screen option anywhere at either VIP party in Durham so I cannot comment on that. After the photos were done and the dancers all left to get ready for the show you could go to the merchandise stand and do some crowd free shopping which was also nice.
Suggestions for Tour Management: This is something I have been thinking about. For the Maks & Val Tour and the Derek & Julianne tours there was another top level tier package when you got pictures in the VIP and then got extra time with them backstage. I know the VIP photos are with “select” dancers (4 the last 2 tours) at each city but, many fans have voiced their disappointment when their “favorite” isn’t in their photo since it’s a random rotation. I have heard many voice their displeasure at paying several hundred dollars but not getting a pic with their favorite. What if you added another ticket tier or made it with the front row packages that you get your pic with the rest of the VIP’s and then you are either taken down just before the show or just after and get a photo with the full tour cast? If you sold a very limited # of them it wouldn’t take that much extra time. That way you those that truly want to meet them all would have the chance and it would then add another tier package for you. I know I would sign up for that for sure!
If possible rotate the dancers if you are doing two shows in one city. Some of us like to go to both shows and it would be great to get pics with two sets of dancers since you are paying VIP at both.
The vision and layout for this tour is truly worth 10 Stars! The crew and all the other behind the scenes individuals also deserve a shout out! The Dancers (Sharna, Gleb, Artem, Lindsay, Sasha, Keo, Emma, Hayley, Alan and Britt all truly leave it on the floor each night. It’s emotional, it’s passionate, it’s raw, it’s FUN, it’s full of energy and I am so excited I will get to see this tour multiple times and have a new take away each night!
Want to see more photos? For many more pictures from the tour, past tours please follow me on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook @lightscmemories! If you have any questions that I can help with please don’t hesitate to reach out!
This was my 5th Dancing with the Stars tour! The stage set up with fantastic, great music/dance selection and the cast was filled with not only great talent but, the kindest people. Truly loved the Hot Summer Nights Tour!
This year’s tour was very light & fun with a lot of summertime elements mixed in. It was so great to see Emma & Rashad dance together live again. I was so excited for them that they won this season. I haven’t seen Heather perform yet that will be at the next show. It was also so nice to have Sasha back on tour this time and Britt was another fantastic addition to the cast. I know a lot of people were unsure what to expect when Val took the summer off. Even though he and Jenna were incredibly missed on the stage I think many of the other dancers really shined bright this tour. 
We saw a few of our favorite dances from the season, they had an entire movie section which was just fantastic. I know I keep saying it when I post pictures but, that dance that Sharna & Gleb do to 50 Shades was just smoking hot. I also really enjoyed Artem & Hayley’s beautiful and passionate contemporary dance and Gleb & Hayley’s dance to “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. Watching Sasha and Emma dance quite a few pieces together including the Viennese Waltz dedicated to their engagement was just beautiful. 
Lindsay has a fun storytelling portion of the show as well that is hilarious in addition to performing many amazing numbers. I also really enjoyed the Prince/Princess piece. Keo is absolutely hilarious with his drop the mic moment and also has many beautiful and high energy performances. Alan also truly stands out this tour with his fun dance with the ladies, his Samba with Lindsay and many other fantastic performances. 
Britt is a real sweetheart and also incredibly talented. She shines bright on the stage every night! All of the dancers just radiate joy on that stage. The entire show was absolutely beautiful and high energy and it allowed all the dancers to be equally in the spotlight.
I also loved all the other special elements. If you haven’t seen the show you can skip a few of the videos so it doesn’t get spoiled:
The dancers gave it their all every single night of the performances and I cannot say enough what a privilege it was to meet them at the meet and greets, but to sit in the audience and watch their talent and brilliance come to life.