DWTS VIP A Night to Remember Winter Tour 17-18
I’ve had the pleasure of being a VIP for the last seven 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!
Pre-Show: For my 1st show in Columbia I did the2nd Row VIP Pkg we received the email 5 days ahead of the show. We had to arrive between 4:00-5:00 but,remember that varies by city so check your itinerary. Once we signed in I got my ticket, but, therest of the VIP items were not ready for us so they said they would be mailingthem to us. VIP Host this tour isAmanda.
Entering VIP & the good stuff!: As soon as we signed in we were directed downstairs to the party room. We waited until around 5:30 for the Pro’s to come in. The party room was pretty much the same as last tour with tables, a bar for drinks, a green screen/photo option. We didn’t have our laynards yet so they gave us wristbands with a group # on them and they lined us up in groups of 10. Britt & Bandon came in to mingle, talk & do selfie’s. Artem, Bobby, Emma & Sasha were in the photo. I still felt like it was fast like last year and truly wish they would slow it down a bit like in the early years.
I will be doing my tracker like in past years! Here is the link.
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 two professional photos taken by VIP Nation host, no selfie options in the main photo. You could however do selfies with the dancers in the Meet & Mingle. 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.
Please note on the pics: the itinerary says up within to 2 weeks which drives all of the fans crazy BUT so far this host is great and she had them up the same night which is really great!
What to wear: Be comfortable & wear what you want. You will see everyone from dressed down to wearing beautiful dresses and everything in between.
Show time! I will be doing another blog on the show itself after my next one. I will say it’s really a great show. No crowd interaction #’s which is disappointing. It seemed to me the dances were shorter but, we had a lot more of them which I loved! More to come in a few weeks. I want to see the show again and see how it differs with Milo at my next show and then will blog on the show itself.
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 (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 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 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.
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: 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 (Val, Gleb, Artem, Witney, Sasha, Emma, Jenna, Hayley, Alan,Britt 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! http://dwtstour.com/
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!
Where do I love to shop for fun outfits for VIP pics!
Fun concert wear!
Bebe: http://www.bebe.com/
Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/
White House Black Market: https://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/
Coach: http://www.coach.com/shop/women-wristlets
Until next time,
XOXO
Heather
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! 
I am attending 5 shows on this tour and have one more to go in Costa Mesa on the last night of the tour and did VIP for each. If you want to learn about their amazing VIP experience check out this link: 
This year’s tour really focused on each dancer’s story and it was so beautifully put together. You would find yourself laughing, in tears, with goosebumps and just sitting on the edge of your seat. To highlight just a sample: Val and Laurie perform a few of their favorite dances from the season, there is a section on favorite movie dances that is just fun and stunning at the same time, special dances for just the men and just the women and a lovely moment as Emma shares the story of her engagement. The girls and Artem perform a fun Spice Girls number that will really take you back. I loved the opening & closing numbers and the piece they all participate in on how they put together the dances each week. There is also a section after intermission that will leave you in stitches it is so hilarious. 
Jenna Johnson performs a really amazing number to Seduces Me that is just breathtaking. Sharna & Val perform a high energy jive that just totally rocks and Sharna performs a steamy tango with Alan that I just loved! Alan and the ladies perform a special number that will leave every man in the room jealous of him. Artem and Gleb heat up the stage in their respective pieces that tell their stories. Lindsay hits all the right notes in her dances too including the one she dedicates to her Dad…Crazy Train. Keo also has some moving pieces to his life story and a rumba with Emma. Jenna and Artem perform a special piece from La La Land that is visually and emotionally stunning. The contemporary numbers that Jenna & Artem and Hayley and Val do are so beautiful and passionate. The number that makes me cry and I get goosebumps every night is Sharna’s story. I don’t want to spoil it for those that have not yet seen it but, it’s a story some can really relate to and will pull at your heart strings for sure. This was just a quick highlight of my thoughts. All of the performances are just amazing!
This was my 3rd Dancing with the Stars tour and hands down the BEST one to date! The stage set up with fantastic, great music/dance selection and the cast was filled with not only great talent but, the kindest people.
I have been asked by several friends what were your favorite dances. That is just so hard to pick because they were all so good for different reasons. I think the ladies would all agree that the men of DWTS doing the Magic Mike dance to Pony was well let’s just say HOT, anyone else need a cold shower after? I took two videos if you want to check them out. This one I affectionately call Magic Val: 
The 2nd video I tried to capture more of the dancers, my seat was a tough angle. 
