WISH team WDW Marathon weekend meets

[chimera]

Everyone ready to start brainstorming?

After last year's experience, I think we're looking more at the food court idea than a restaurant that requires ressies, but let's see everyone's ideas. I kinda like POR/POFQ...I think a lot of people doing the full will be staying there, I like both food courts, and both resorts have playgrounds and neat pool areas for the kids. They also have pontoon boat and surrey bike rentals that might be kinda cool for a pre-dinner event. I didn't get to go last year, but a breakfast meeting for the morning after the full would also be cool to do again!

What do you want to do? Please throw out any ideas you have!

[jodistar]

The Pre-Event Dinner sounds great! I wouldn't be able to the morning after unfortunately :guilty: . Anywhere, all of you would like to go is fine with me :thumbsup2

[ScoJo15]

Since the Half is on Saturday morning and the full is Sunday morning...think we could meet Thursday night somewhere?

[chimera]

Since the Half is on Saturday morning and the full is Sunday morning...think we could meet Thursday night somewhere?

We could, but then I wouldn't be able to come ;)
And we might miss a lot of people doing the full if we have it on Thurs...many of them don't come in until Friday since they have an extra day.

It is kinda tough coordinating everyone's schedules since we're talking about 2 different race days. What we did last year was met early for dinner on Friday...around 4:30, so that it would be easier for so many of us to be seated and those of us doing the half could still get to bed at a decent hour.

[jodistar]

How about if we all meet on the Friday before everything? Or maybe Sunday night after all is finished? I have no idea what it is like on Marathon weekend but maybe we could all take in Fantastmic or one of the fireworks shows as a team (just a thought).

[WDWFAN9]

I like the food court idea, it will be easier to "mingle" than in a table service restaurant, plus if anyone wants to linger they won't have to feel bad about tying up a table for their server. Early Friday evening worked well for me last year when I did the half. I had to eat somewhere anyway and after Trail's End I still had plenty of time to get back to my resort and get to bed relatively early.

I would also be interested in a meet in one of the parks, but we have to remember that not everyone will want to "spend" a park admission for a meet. What is involved in an Illuminations Dessert gathering? Last year when two of my kids were planning weddings I occasionally lurked on the weddings board and the dessert gatherings were very popular. I don't remember all the details, but it might be something to look into.

The Monday morning breakfast on the Boardwalk last year was convenient too. After eating and visiting with everyone I just walked into the backend of Epcot. Very nice.

Let's keep the ideas going...that is half the fun of a WDW vacation for me...oh, the possibilities are endless!

[AmyBeth68]

I was thinking about doing the food court meet as well AND also think an Illuminations Dessert Gathering could be an additional option!

[ScoJo15]

It is kinda tough coordinating everyone's schedules since we're talking about 2 different race days. What we did last year was met early for dinner on Friday...around 4:30, so that it would be easier for so many of us to be seated and those of us doing the half could still get to bed at a decent hour.

I like this idea a lot!

[solotraveler]

Sounds like we have some great ideas on here so far!

I like the Friday evening dinner idea very much. I think I would pull for doing it at Riverside as opposed to the French Quarter simply because the Riverside food court is so much larger and therefore it should be easier to get tables together.

Breakfast at the Boardwalk Monday morning sounds like a great idea too. :thumbsup2

Kevin (Solotraveler) :earsboy:

[Honeibee]

I like this idea a lot!

I like the early Friday dinner thing too. I think we are leaving Monday morning, but we don't have flights yet.

But I also like the Friday night thing because I am counting on your guys for MORAL SUPPORT! I'll be a nervous wreck, I can tell you right now and I sure could use seeing you all the night before.

So, I too vote for an early Friday evening thing. At the food court would be good. And at POR would be really good, since that's where we are staying. Hee hee.

Judy

[keenercam]

Having seen the POFQ food court last weekend, I thought it would be a great choice. But I didn't know Riverside was even larger. That sounds like an awesome option. And based on last year's experience, I really think early dinner Friday is a great choice for people who are coming in just for the weekend. Around 4:30 still lets everyone who is doing the 1/2 get back to their resorts early to deal with night before chores.

I definitely intend on us being up early Saturday since Howard is doing the 1/2 and I am going to cheer on WISHers (later on, we will have to coordinate where the Full people will support the 1/2ers on Saturday -- I will NEVER forget what it was like to get that support on the course! :love: )

A post-full meet on Monday morning sounds wonderful, too. Boardwalk Bakery was great last year, since there was no pressure to get food and many of us could walk or boat over there.

I am not sure about an Illuminations Dessert event Saturday night since the 1/2 marathon people might be tired and the full marathon people need to get to bed early. Since there will be post-race stuff on Sunday night at Pleasure Island, it might be fun to coordinate something for Raglan Road and then either Adventurers Club or Comedy Warehouse.

Isn't this fun? Planning is such a huge part of what makes this an awesome experience!

[monte]

What about Jellyrolls? I've heard that's a fun place to hang out. I think that Friday is the best day to meet. Whatever is decided, I'm sure it will be a blast to meet everyone face to face :) :teeth:

[wtpclc]

Friday Dinner - Probably will miss that again, as it looks like my best air rates will be late Firday again

Monday Breakfast - I'm in!!! BW was nice last year and will be even better this year, as I'll be staying at BCV!

Sunday night - I'd love to meet at the post-race party in PI, but that's hard as last year we wanted to die Sunday night. If it had been warmer, though it may have helped.

Illuminations Dessert - I'd be up for that as DH loves Illuminations. Pretty much any night from Sunday to the followig Thursday.

Edited because my boat is full for the Illuminations Cruise.

[msblrobs]

Either POR or POFQ food court sounds like a grand plan. We'll most likely fly in early Friday and hope to stay at POFQ. The early time works well for dinner on Friday and most likely will cut down on congestion during meal time.
As for a post-marathon meet, I will have my kids, so I can't commit at this time. Park-hopping may win out... :hippie:

[plutosmyfav]

I like Friday early dinner at POR/POFQ and a Monday morning brunch. A Sunday evening meeting spot would be fun, too. I didn't do PI last year, is it too crowded to get together? We did MK which was fun. If we go this year, DS won't be with us (that's both very sad and very exciting). So I might want to do PI this time.

[AmyBeth68]

Ohhhhh....Jelly Rolls is a great idea!!!! But PI sounds fun too....now that's assuming I can move after the Full Marathon LOL! Early dinner on Friday is a possiblity for me...and the b'fast on Monday is a definite.

[Valentine]

Ohhhhh....Jelly Rolls is a great idea!!!! But PI sounds fun too....now that's assuming I can move after the Full Marathon LOL! Early dinner on Friday is a possiblity for me...and the b'fast on Monday is a definite.


Well.. I am officially SIGNED UP.. and all of the ideas above sound Great! So.. I am up for whatever! I quoted you Amybeth because you and I have the EXACT same trip dates for Both August and January!! LOL!! AND I will be staying at the BCV also in August! Pre-Marathon meet?

Kathy

[AmyBeth68]

Sorry to hijack this thread but....

I quoted you Amybeth because you and I have the EXACT same trip dates for Both August and January!! LOL!! AND I will be staying at the BCV also in August! Pre-Marathon meet?

Kathy.....Definitely! We should plan to meet up in August, especially since we're staying at the same resort!!! How cool!!! I'm going to be starting my marathon training program in August so I'll be doing some runs while there...albeit they won't be too long. If you are interested we could get together in August and maybe even do a training run!!! :goodvibes BTW....VERY cool that we have the same dates!! LOL!

[TXBelle]

The Friday night dinner is a WISH tradition, and I highly recommend it to everyone. I think Port Orleans food court is a great idea! I also enjoyed the Boardwalk Bakery meet on Monday morning. I vote for doing that again. Anyone have a countdown clock? How close are we getting to marathon weekend?

[WDWFAN9]

The Friday night dinner is a WISH tradition, and I highly recommend it to everyone. I think Port Orleans food court is a great idea! I also enjoyed the Boardwalk Bakery meet on Monday morning. I vote for doing that again. Anyone have a countdown clock? How close are we getting to marathon weekend?

I don't know how to get a countdown ticker, but it is 232 days until the half, and 233 to the full!! :banana:

[keenercam]

I don't know how to get a countdown ticker, but it is 232 days until the half, and 233 to the full!! :banana:
Oh, great, Pat! I think I just felt my heart come up into my throat. What in the world am I thinking signing up for the full? I think I am the one that is goofy, not DH, all things considered. :rotfl2:

[WDWFAN9]

Oh, great, Pat! I think I just felt my heart come up into my throat. What in the world am I thinking signing up for the full? I think I am the one that is goofy, not DH, all things considered. :rotfl2:


I know what you mean Cam! As soon as I hit the enter key for registering for the full, my heart just about :scared1: What have I gotten myself into?? I think it must be all YOUR fault! I have to admit that I was giving the full serious thought after talking to a couple of full walkers in January, but when you registered it really got me thinking....and the next thing I know I am committed to the full (I probably should be committed :lmao: ) I'm telling people I'm not Goofy, but I sure must be Dopey.

I am walking the Chicago half in August and the DL half in Sept, and I figure that should be a good lead-in into the full. At least that is what I am telling myself! I just keep thinking of that Mickey medal calling my name! It is going to be so cool!

[chimera]

Sounds like the POR food court is the leading candidate for our Friday dinner meet. We can plan to meet around 4pm again and eat around 4:30. I'll be at WDW in a couple weeks so I can check into it a little further, but they have pontoon boat rentals that might be fun for a pre-dinner outing. There's also a really cool playground near the food court and a big swimming area for those of you that can swim in January ;)

Here's the menu at the POR food court, courtesy of allears:
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men-ccld.htm

I think Boardwalk Bakery is a good idea again for the Monday morning breakfast, but is that the consensus with everyone?

[wtpclc]

MOnday BW Bakery works for me!

[Honeibee]

I think we are leaving late Sunday night, but maybe not. So I can't commit to Monday morning but we are staying at POR so I'll ceratinly be there! :teeth:


Judy

[akasleepingbeauty]

Is anyone interested in doing an Illuminations Dessert Party one night? I organized one of these a couple of years ago for our family and a bunch of DISers and it was GREAT. It was fairly expensive (I think it ended up being about $30 a person) but a wonderful experience with yummy desserts, drinks (coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade etc.) and the BEST view of the show. I know it will be hard to schedule with the WISH dinner Friday night and having to retire early for those of us running the full on Sunday but if we could come up with a night after the races when enough interested people were still around I'd be happy to do the planning etc.

So, if you'd be interested, let me know how many people and which night(s) would work best for you!

[WDWFAN9]

me, me, me.....I am definitely interested in the dessert party! Also my 21 yr old DD, and perhaps a co-worker who is considering the marathon. That would be awesome!

[TEK224]

Count me in for both Fri. dinner and Mon. breakfast at the BW Bakery. (I missed breakfast after this year's race, but since I hope to be staying at the BW, I'll have no excuses.

I was also in Home Depot today and I picked up my lime green Mickey Ears :goodvibes

Terri

[ohMom]

hey can i ask what happend at TE this year that is drawing us away? just curious as that is where we met in 2005 and it seemed to work out well. i'm game whereever though and monday morning BW bakerys is a definate -- no trip to WDW is complete for me with out one stop (minimum :teeth: ) at the bakery

[WDWFAN9]

hey can i ask what happend at TE this year that is drawing us away? just curious as that is where we met in 2005 and it seemed to work out well. i'm game whereever though and monday morning BW bakerys is a definate -- no trip to WDW is complete for me with out one stop (minimum :teeth: ) at the bakery

The TE manager didn't seem very happy to have a large group arrive at the same time; even though there were several separate reservations and we knew that we wouldn't all be seated together. I think a food court might work out better because if some people arrive late or want to linger it wouldn't be a big deal.

[keenercam]

I know what you mean Cam! As soon as I hit the enter key for registering for the full, my heart just about :scared1: What have I gotten myself into?? I think it must be all YOUR fault! I have to admit that I was giving the full serious thought after talking to a couple of full walkers in January, but when you registered it really got me thinking....and the next thing I know I am committed to the full (I probably should be committed :lmao: ) I'm telling people I'm not Goofy, but I sure must be Dopey.

I am walking the Chicago half in August and the DL half in Sept, and I figure that should be a good lead-in into the full. At least that is what I am telling myself! I just keep thinking of that Mickey medal calling my name! It is going to be so cool!

Pat -- I am not going to make it to Chicago but will be at the DL 1/2 and am hoping to gain some confidence by finishing that well ahead of pace. However, after seeing DH (Howard) struggle so much during the full marathon he did Sunday, I am very intimidated and am doing a lot of positive-talk therapy to try to convince myself that a well-trained body will guarantee a timely finish come January. I have to tell you, the only reason big enough to motivate me right now is the Mickey medal. Soon, I will be telling everyone I know that I am training for a full marathon, in the hopes that the fear of embarassment will compel a disciplined training and weight loss plan! ;)

[jodistar]

So were there any decisions made? Are we doing the Friday get together? I just wanted to get some kind of idea of what day to leave open for the meet with the WISH team.

The POR get together on Friday sounds great.....but then again so did the dessert get together :thumbsup2 .

As you all know, I will be giving a surprise trip to my husband.....not to mention I want to try and get together with my friend who lives in the area :goodvibes .

[skfulkers]

I think the Illuminations dessert meet would be great. Krista and I both enjoyed the TE Friday night dinner last year and we'll be able to meet everyone again Friday night this year, wherever we all end up.
But this dessert party--that sounds great! If someone is coordinating that and we have enough people, we'd definitely be in (and probably my in-laws too, although I should probably check with them first :) ).

Steve

[chimera]

Yes, the Friday night dinner is a WISH team tradition, so we'll definitely do it, just a matter of the when and the where.

I do have info on the Illuminations dessert party (Rhonda if you PM me with your IRL email, I'll forward it to you).

We wandered over to POFQ for some beignets on Monday...found out they take DDE there (maybe since they don't have a sit-down restaurant?). I'm going to try to check and see if POR does also!

[andromedaslove]

I kinda just wanted to bump this back up to the main page, so that maybe we could try to start nailing some things down. It seems (from reading another thread) that POFQ or POR is a definite for Friday Night WISH Get Together?! What about Saturday night for those of us running the Full, have we talked about a dinner for all of us, or maybe just a Illuminations desert for everyone on Sunday? In order to get some more precise opinions someone might wanna start a poll. Just a suggestion. At least then we could get a better idea of who is going to be there when.

Dana

[chimera]

Thanks for finding it Dana!

Just a thought...if y'all wanna carb load before the full on Sat, what about Spoodles at Boardwalk? I've never been there. Is the big carb meal supposed to be the night before the race or a couple days before? I didn't do anything special for the half at TE...I think I was too nervous to really eat.

[WDWFAN9]

DD and I are definites for Friday at POR and Monday morning at Boardwalk for breakfast (well, at least I am a definite for breakfast, DD might want to sleep in!!). We have ADRs for Sunday night at the Grand Floridian Cafe. And we would definitely be interested in the Illuminations Dessert party depending on when. And maybe something Sat evening, depending on when and where.

[andromedaslove]

I voted my opinion, but just wanted to throw it out in writing too. I am definately in for the POR/POFQ dinner on Friday Night, and would love to get together with everyone for an Illuminations Dessert on Sunday. I think that would be amazing. It seems that I am gonna have quite a bit of family with me for the trip, so that is probably all of the plans I would be able to make other than ditching the in-laws to go cheer on all of you running the half that's always been part of the plan!! :teeth:

[wtpclc]

I just voted for b-fast Monday, as it looks like my family will be here and I don't know how many plans I can make. Plus, I don't think I'll be there in time on Friday for dinner. :(

[keenercam]

Howard and I will be there Friday night for the POR dinner and Monday am at Boardwalk for breakfast. Beyond that, we don't have much planned. We are doing our celebration dinner Sunday night at LeCellier (assuming we can both walk at that point) since that is our favorite restaurant and we ate there last year to celebrate.

[RedSonya]

The WISH Race Team meets sound great! DH and I won't land until about 4:30 on Friday so we probably won't be able to make it to POR. We are staying at OKW however so maybe we'd take a stroll over there to see if anyone was still hang out a little late. I'm at definite for the breakfast on Monday Morning and the Illumination dessert sounds like my kind of fare, depending on what night.

Sonya

[Kristi1357]

The dessert party would be awesome! Chad & I had one after our wedding reception in 1999. Personally, I could care less about IllumiNations (and I know I am in the minority), but to see it from one of the terraces is very, very cool! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

As for the other meets, I didn't respond to those. I'll wait and see what the final decisions are and try my hardest to make it to at least one gathering. We have my in-laws coming along with us, and now possibly my parents & nieces. So, scheduling could get sticky for me. Oh, and I forgot really good friends are coming too. Why, oh why can't we ever go to Disney without dragging a gazillion people with us? :confused3

[solotraveler]

I'm in for at least the Friday dinner and Monday breakfast. If the Sunday Illuminations meet comes to pass, I might be interested in that as well.

Kevni :earsboy:

[akasleepingbeauty]

Chimera (Mel) was kind enough to email me the Illuminations Dessert party information. I put together one for a group of interested DISers a few years ago and it was really nice.

The biggest problem I foresee is finding a night when enough of us are available to make it worthwhile. You need to have a minimum of 20 people to book it and the cost would be a minimum of $35/person (this includes tax, gratuity, and venue fee) up to $60/person - this would just depend on the menu we selected. (FYI - more than 20 people would bring the cost down a bit as the venue cost is fixed and divided by the number of attendees)

The event includes a private viewing area (really nice and of course a great view) with servers for the food and drinks for an hour. We had a great time and all of those who attended seemed to enjoy it as well but it is fairly pricey for just an hour.

So, since several people have expressed interest I will post a poll to see who is actually interested once they know the prices etc. and what night/s are best for those who are interested in attending.

[akasleepingbeauty]

I forgot to add in my previous post that dh and I would be up for the Boardwalk meet on Monday and possibly dinner on Saturday or Sunday depending on what is planned. We most likely won't make the meet on Friday because my sister is getting married early that day (she is leaving on a DCL cruise for their honeymoon the next day). Therefore I don't think we'll be able to make it into Orlando in time to get to the Friday meet. I really wish we could be there but we'll just have to hear all about it later :)