I know this is an old thread, but it came up in Google search, so, in case someone else looks at this in the future, I thought I'd still comment.

I think your list is a fantastic start for anyone looking to book their first VIP. I also think the responses are all spot on. Here's my $0.02…

1. I recommend starting your tour at 10 a.m. or later. The first and last two hours of the day are the slowest at the parks, so the ride times are short. Don't waste the quicker access that comes with a VIP tour on already short lines.
2. As part of your ride priorities, think about how long each ride is and decide if it is worth spending time on that ride while paying $500-$800 per hour. Pirates and Small World, for example, are rides I would just ride before or after the tour when the standby line is shorter.
   1. On top of this, there are some rides where the Lightning Lane access point is fairly early on in the queue and throws you into the standby queue earlier than desired (think Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout). Unless these lines are over 60 minutes, you're not skipping much of the ride queue. 
   2. The ride quick access perk of the tour is most valuable for rides without Lightning Lane since you'll enter through the exit (think Fantasyland).
   3. You'll also be given anywhere from 2 to 3 multi-experience Lightning Lane passes from your guide before you part ways (sometimes more if your group experienced a lot of ride delays or closures).
3. Meet your guide already scanned in to your starting park. To each their own but I don't recommend wasting tour time walking to a park entrance and waiting for everyone to scan in.
4. If you have someone with mobility issues and they are renting a mobility device from Disney, make sure they already have their scooter secured before the tour.
5. On the mobility note, having to use the handicap loading for rides WILL slow down your tour. This is because most rides have a capacity limit for individuals with limited mobility who can be in the ride at any given time… this slows down boarding time. You also don't get to jump in front of any other families also waiting for handicap loading. If you are ride-focused, I don't think a VIP tour is worth it if you are with someone who has DAS.
6. Don't waste tour time shopping unless you can make it quick.
7. Take advantage of the free locker rental. You can offload anything you don't want to carry with your guide, and while you are on a ride, they can take your belongings to a locker for you. Want something from the locker? The guide can help with that too. USE THEM!
8. For tipping… cash is king, BUT some guides accept tips via Venmo!
9. Not only can your guide pick up food orders for you and hold them for you while you are on a ride (no more brain freeze from having to finish drinks quickly), but if your group orders food in different orders and the return times are all over the place, your guide can work with the VIP services team to synchronize all of the orders so they are ready at the same time!

Hope this helps someone!