Day Three - The “Secret” VIP Tour Day - Monday
(new edits are marked with “EDIT” - due to me remembering things I forgot to mention, as well as some additional pics, now that the other one made pics taken on phone available to me)
Let me preface this day’s TR with this stuff:
Even though the base trip was gifted to me, I was (thankfully) the one to take on all of the planning and all of the other “extra” stuff I may have wanted us to do for the trip. Three months out, when I reviewed the expected plans - one of the (expected) comments I received was “well - doesn’t look like this is going to be a relaxing vacation” - to which I responded…“well -we ARE going to Disney World!”. 
That then got me thinking about trying for VIP with the reasoning of - we could experience all of the major things we wanted in as short of a time as possible -and that would/could then “relax” the currently planned super-early morning wakeups for RDs, G+ and LL stresses for the remainder of the trip. Called SigSvcs and was told no Tour slots were available - was asked if I wanted to be put on the waiting list, and I said “yes”.
Fast forward to approximately two weeks before arrival date - got a call stating a Tour was available, which prompted my separate post here asking for opinions from others about whether VIP was “worth it”. Based off thoughts/responses from others, decided to go for it. My original thought for the Tour was to just focus on MK, but after reading other posts, decided to try and make this a four-park thing. The problem was - the gifted base trip did not have the Park Hopper option included. I realized my challenge was to “secretly” add the Park Hopper option and make sure an email was NOT generated to the original purchaser because when I brought up the fact that “we” (I) wanted to add the Park Hopper option - I was kind of shot down on that with a “why do we need that with all of the planning you are doing?”. Spoke to SigSvcs and they said that as long as Park Hopper was ideally added the night before the Tour (instead of the morning of), the “system” should register the added PH option, so things ran smoothly for the tour. After our return from HS to Pop the previous night, under the guise of “I’m going to get a soda” I went to the front desk and added the PH option and once back in the room didn’t receive any comment about anyone receiving a confirmation email about adding PH - whew!
When asked for a general “wish list” of attractions I wanted to be part of the Tour, I clearly informed SigSvcs that the Tour was a secret and a surprise, and I was going to tell the other one that we were going to get a Minnie Van (please refer to my immediate comment on disembarking the Mears bus on arrival to Pop on Day One TR) to “go to MK” (the documented plan I had shared here in the house was that this day was only an MK day) and I asked that whoever was going to be the guide to please play along for as long as possible - particularly because I decided that AK was actually going to be the first park visited due to proximity to Pop.
Prior to our leaving the room, I was able to get an $LL for Tron for well after I expected the Tour to be over, but before HEA. I happily communicated that I got the Tron LL, trying to be consistent with the thinking that the day was only going to be an MK day. Even though I KNEW we would be able to get on Tron as part of the Tour (barring any issues with the ride) - I hoped the attraction was awesome enough that we would want to go on it again - and luckily, I was right!
The agreed-upon Guide meet-up time at Pop was 730am - AK had EE hours starting at that time. Although I had seen many comments/posts on TP that scheduling the Guide in a manner that allowed the Guide to “drop-off” Tour participants at the (standing) prime viewing areas for HEA at the end of the Tour - I had already reserved Seats & Sweets at 60 days out figuring by 8pm it would be a good thing to be able to sit down after a long day. (and boy, was I right!)
When we got to the front of Pop - there was the Guide - who, as we approached, said “you ordered the Minnie Van”? (yes!). We got in the vehicle and started to drive to AK with the Guide prompting general and friendly conversation. We got to a backstage drive-through gate, were immediately let through (only after the surprise was revealed did the Guide tell us that he skipped the required bag security check in order to “preserve the surprise”) and at this point - the other one didn’t think anything was unusual because I had already said that "Minnie Vans can sometimes drop you off closer to the entrance of Parks then buses or SL.
As the vehicle pulled into a clearly marked parking spot with a sign that said “VIP Tour Vehicles Only”, our Guide (Chris) stated - “well, this isn’t really a Minnie Van…” and then I stepped in and revealed that fact that Chris was our personal Guide for the day and that we were visiting all four parks to hit all of the major attractions, allowing for a much slower and less stressful pace for the remaining three days. The response was a beaming, pleased smile along with the comment of “you’re crazy”. Yes! Surprise success!
The remainder of the day with the Guide was a whirlwind and quite the experience - unfortunately, I can’t really remember EXACTLY the number of attractions where we got in through a backstage door - but it was a good portion. The longest we waited in line for anything was one ride at 20 minutes - I was FLOORED.
So here’s the general listing of what we did…
AK: (starting at around 750am)
EDIT - Picture below was taken by our Guide because I wanted a picture of the ToL - the first time seeing it! Note the “early morning sun”!
NRJ - used LL - virtually no wait - Guide rode with us
FOP - back door access, as I recall - virtually no wait - what a COOL ride - wow! Luckily, we had good pairs of attraction glasses!
EE - maybe a five-minute wait? - we love roller coasters - this was so much fun, and we were yelling our heads off! The Guide used his phone to get a slo-mo video of us during one of the drops and texted it to us by the time we met up afterwards.
From AK headed to HS - did the requisite (and perfunctory) security bag check at the HS back gate. Our Guide warned us the Security guy would have a “dad joke” for us and didn’t disappoint (can’t remember the joke). Was greeted by Tour Team Support with smiles, friendly conversation and well-wishes along with beverages and snacks. Was so cool to be able to leave our bags in the vehicle!
HS: (Starting a little after 9am, as I recall?)
RotR - we HAD to do this again after being blown away the previous day, we both felt we hadn’t truly absorbed everything the attraction had to offer-under a 5 minute wait, luckily!
Millenium Falcon - somehow the Guide worked it out with the CM so we were both piloting - was super fun with virtually no waiting,
EDIT - adding the picture below - our Guide told us if we acted fast, he could take a picture of us sitting at one of the MF tables within the attraction - do they let everyone do this - I’m not sure and didn’t think this was a “Tour” thing??
SDD - super fun and smoooooth, under a 10-minute wait. After exiting SDD, our Guide pointed out to us the fact TSL was designed so the toys were “proportional” and then he pointed out the giant imprints of Andy’s shoeprints included on the sidewalk - not sure we would have noticed that!
On the walk to MMRR, our Guide asked if we had ever tasted the Jack Jack Cookie Num Num - we said no…he bought us two and we all split one of them!! Let’s hear it for SUGAR! (and chocolate)
MMRR - entered through a back door, as I recall - no wait - SUCH a cool attraction - loved it. (we would go on this again during HS DAH on Wednesday)
Now it was time to head to Epcot!
EP - starting just before 11am, as I recall?
Since GoG and RRA were far apart - the Guide said we would drive from GoG to Remy.
Upon arriving backstage at EP, was once again greeted by members of the Tour Support team with smiles, water and snacks and plenty of encouragement to “have fun”!
Before entering GoG we were informed that RRA was down, and we would see its status after exiting GoG.
GoG - entered through a backdoor and the Guide worked with the CM to ensure we were in the front car. WOW - what a blast this was…the way the cars “pivot/rotate” slightly so one is not always facing forward was so cool! (“One Way or Another” was the song")
Space - Green - very short wait and very cool! (I didn’t think I would have the stomach for Orange)
Exited Space and RRA was still down. At this point, it was time to head to our final Park - MK. As we walked to the vehicle, our Guide asked us when our planned full day at Epcot was going to occur,. Continuing our walk, our Guide was on his phone, and when he was done with the phone call, instructed us to look at MDX and that we should see an “anytime Thursday” LL for RRA since we couldn’t get to it on this day. WOW!
As we exited EP in the vehicle to go to MK, it was only then that I realized that I COMPLETELY forgot about TT - but at that point, knowing we would have a full Thursday at EP and EP DAH for that same day, it would be no problem getting on TT that day instead of now.
MK - (arrived shortly after 1230PM, as I recall?
Was once again greeted by members of the Tour Support team with the usual magic and pixie dust - really cool to see the team put in place around these Tours. Our Guide told us that the Support Team does a myriad of task to include having the vehicle started up and cool with AC (if needed) and many other things. Left our bags in the vehicle with assurances from the Guide that members of the Team would get our bags to him wherever we happened to be in MK for transfer to us at the end of the Tour.
First stop- Lunch - we sat in the shade in Tomorrowland Terrace, ordered QS lunches from Casey’s and the Guide insisted he go to retrieve our lunches for us while we relaxed. Was pleased our Guide ate with us.
Then it was time for attractions:
Space Mountain - a few minutes wait for this, the “slowest thrill ride” coaster in MK - so much fun - just as dark, twisty and jerky as I remembered.
Tron - maybe a 10-minute wait…wow wow wow -what a thrill! Was able to get the front car easily, thanks to our Guide
SDMT - short 5-10 minute wait, as I recall - fun fun thrill ride - the attraction photo certainly makes it look like I was having fun!
Big Thunder - this was our longest wait of the day, and indeed for our entire trip - about 20 minutes - no “back entrance” for this one, and the LL line extended out to the sidewalk. Fun stuff!
Pirates - I really don’t remember any sort of wait for this one - but had to do this one - I DO remember this ride from my last time at WDW, but having spent my teen years in CA, my first experience with Pirates was at DL - and I recall that my base memory of Pirates from that last WDW visit was - where’s the second drop, and this is way shorter! Regardless - it was simply delightful!
HM - no wait for this one with a side or back entrance, as I recall - we were asked “see the stretching room or bypass it?”. We opted for the entire experience, and it brought back many fond memories from times past.
Jungle Cruise - less than 5-minute wait, as I recall - this was the final Tour attraction and prior to getting on it, our Guide disappeared for about three minutes and then reappeared with our bags. He then got us through the LL checkpoint, we were part of the next boarding group and we said our goodbyes and thank yous, and that ended this spectacular Tour.!
EDIT - Mixed up my MK Day dinners, correcting this day’s dinner to the correct location)
With a 5PM dinner res at JC Skipper’s Canteen (so we would have room for sweets, drinks and such later at S&S for HEA) we had time to walk along Main Street, absorb the atmosphere and just stroll. I did forget to mention that for HS on the previous day, HS was not at all as crowded as I expected it to be and the “pace” at HS seemed leisurely(ish) and certainly not “manic” or I felt like I had to constantly make sure I was not going to run into or bump into someone while traversing the park. I bring that up only because even though I knew MK is the most-visited park - it was CROWDED with people - and there seemed to be strollers everywhere! It was during this stroll around Main St before dinner that I realized how crowded the Park was…
My hat is off to all you parents with multiple kids and/or strollers in the Parks - I don’t know how you all manage it - I had problems just keeping track of my sling bag sometimes!
Dinner
JC Skipper’s Canteen - Our first in-park non-buffet dinner - chose this location because of the variety on the menu. Service and food were excellent - and our CM server only said about two “punny” things to us - which was fine!
After dinner, it was time to take a stroll, let the food settle and head to Tron for our $LL - we were so glad to be able to ride it again - and the LL line was about a 10-minute wait!
Then it was time to head to Tomorrowland Terrace for…
Seats & Sweets
Checked in about 8PM for this, and it was GREAT to sit down. got a two-top table right on the railing and grazed on the cheese, fruit and (for me - the non-alcoholic - I don’t drink at all - never have) drinks…there was a nice cool breeze, and it was cool to see all the lighting coming on as it got darker and darker. Thoroughly enjoyed HEA, was able to see just fine, and was VERY glad we were sitting down!
At the end of the show, decided that we were good for the day, and we headed out to the front gates and the bus area. Saw the incredible line for buses for Pop Century - and thanks to the wise counsel of others here on a different thread - we were able to immediately board a bus to Riviera - there were five people in front of us un the line for the Riviera bus and once at Riviera - did the 5-minute walk over to SL and before we knew it we were back at Pop - able to sit down the whole way back! Yay!
So that was QUITE the day for us!
Was the Tour worth it - yes absolutely! It really really made a difference for the pace for our remaining three days, and the look of surprise and the ability for us to experience all of these things together for the very first time contributed to making this another one of our unforgettable trips together…
Thanks for reading!
