WISHWalker Marathoners- Booohoooo!! Event planning info.

[karebear1]

I have some frustrating/bad news. To make a long story very short, I looks like our planned events are NOT going to happen. I am so upset about this because we have been training so long and the BEST part of my training was looking forwadr to meeting all of you! I have contacted the girl that has been in charge of planning for the group and the guy at WDW group planning. Basically- I was asked to try to take over the plans by Kamy, so I called 2 times last week and once this week. I was told he'd put something in email- a I haven't recieved anything yet.

So....
I guess this is probably leading us to planning our own get togethers.

Ashley is planning a Friday night get together at JellyRolls- she'll put out a thread for that.

Can anyone else think of some gatherings we can do that wouldn't involve event planning through WDW??? I have already arranged for an Illuminations and WISHES Cruise, but they are full. There is a good possibility that another WISHES Cruise could be booked for Monday night when the other one is booked for. Anyone interested in looking into it? We can all get together for the after marathon party at DTD too. Any other ideas??

[wiskband]

I dont know about everyone else but, I think that an after marathon party would be great! I dont plan on going to the parks that day, I am not sure if I will be up to that. Perhaps we can think of meeting at a hotel restaurant at off peak hours. I am not sure how many of us there are and everyone moneys situation but maybe even at one of the food courts. They are big enough to accomadate alot of people with out planning through WDW. You mentioned DTD as well, that would be a great spot. Do you have any idea how many people you are looking to get together? Also, you mention a cruise and said "booked" do you mean one that you booked is full?

Well let me know not sure if the food court idea was good but just throwing in some suggestions.

Good luck, I'll be thinking about some and hoping to meet at them as well.

renee
:smooth:

[disneygoof]

I'm not running, or walking, but I'm a Disney Goof, as you can tell by my web nomer. I'd love to help but I don't know that much about your event. How many WISHers are registered, and am I right that it ends at EPCOT? What time were you planning to get together? Where are the majority of you staying?

I'd love to help brainstorm, but don't want to bog you down with useless info.

I'm so looking forward to 1/10 to hear how you all did!

Don't worry! Some Disney MAGIC is sure to run your way!

[ibouncetoo]

I like the idea of a Saturday morning breakfast meet and then maybe a mass exodus over to the expo at Wide World of Sports? Has anyone eaten at the All Star Cafe there (is that the right name?)? Or a food court wouldn't require a PS and comitted number of people. If we need to arrange stuff ourselves, having a couple of different activities might work best. I like the idea of Friday night at Jellyrolls for those of us who arrive in time. And Sunday night we all get into Pleasure Island for free (bring you race number) so maybe we just need to decide where to meet there. Then there's Sat night carb fest....somebody could look into ideas for that.

I'll be glad to research some ideas for Sat breakfast and then start a thread for that. Hmmmm, kind of like the idea of a breakfast buffet...I wonder if Fresh at the Dolphin will do a large group? I wonder if Swan/Dolphin also will have the busses to WWS? I'll do some checking.

*edited to add* I'll explore DTD breakfast options too....as that's easier to get to that going from one resort to another.
Anyone else have ideas?

[karebear1]

Jackie- I'd appreciate you looking into breakfast for Sat. morning. Fresh might take a group- and there's also a character breakfast at Cape May at the Y&BC. There's also the Boardwalk Bakery- we could get a danish and just sit outside and talk or Spoodles there too.
Disneygoof- thanks for volunteering! Any ideas you have would be appreciated.
Wiskband- as far as a number of people- I know there are at least 45 of us going down. I have no idea how many would participate in these events. For the cruises- I was talking about an Illuminations and WISHES cruise that I personally booked for the group.

Does anyone want me to see if there is another WISHES CRUISE available for Monday evening??? I'll bet there is.

[ibouncetoo]

and...where are we catching that WISHES boat? See.....mind like a steel trap!

[Debbie]

Hmmm. This is not what we were expecting, but we can do it. It may mean that we won't all be able to attend any one event at one time-EXCEPT the BIG one!- because of personal commitments to family, but we can brainstorm and do the best that we can.

I'm pretty sure that we will be in Epcot Saturday morning-for the kidlet races. I'm limited in what I can do, strictly because of time constraints. I'm mostly disappointed about the "pasta dinner", so maybe that is one thing that we could consider....lunch or dinner at a restaurant with high carbs. :D

After the event, we've ressies for dinner for our families already on both Sunday and Monday. (and then, I'll be headed home :sad: )

Alrighty, someone else's brains need to be stormed....mine are off to work and 20 December excited little ones! :flower:

[tw1nsmom]

We'll be at the kids races on Saturday too. If all else fails we could buy krispy cremes and coffee and meet to cheer on all the little DISers in their races.

A late breakfast/brunch at a Boardwalk location would work for us too.

Other ideas:
-meet at Earl of Sandwich for lunch on Saturday.
-Have an early food court breakfast Saturday AM
-Meet at a food court for Saturday carb load dinner
-see if a place like HOB could accomodate a large group for dinner (or the casual Wolfgang Puck's
-meet at one of the resorts/food courts and bring in a lot of "real" pizza from off-site (Pizza Hut/Domino's...)
-see if a place like Macaroni Grill can acomodate a large group (with reservations) for dinner
-We have Boma reservations for 6pm Sunday. If other's are interested maybe they still have openings/ps's available (our kids will be in the AKL kids club)
-have an early meet at the adventurers club (it might be quieter at 8pm. Better for visiting and people with children/early bedtimes could still make an appearance)
-if Pleasure Island is too hectic for everyone, we could meet for drinks Sunday after dinner at one of the resort lounges
-the procrastinator that I am, I never canceled the Wishes cruise I have reserved for Friday night (the 7th) I'll be on an Illuminations cruise and won't be using it. If someone wants to take over the reservation and have another small meet on Friday night, let me know and we'll coordinate canceling/reserving times

Let me know if any of these ideas sound good. I'd be happy to help plan something.

Dawn

[tw1nsmom]

Out of curiosity, I just called Romano's Macaroni Grill. They have a banquet room that can hold up to 65 people (minimum 25). They like you to order through the banquet menu. There's a choice of menu price...$16 & $20. There would be about 7 entree choices, and would include salad, non-alcoholic drink, and entree. Children could order off the regular kids menu. I didn't get into details like whether a deposit was neccesary. The manager did say that the room was available on 1/8. I haven't checked into Olive Garden. The food court/pizza idea is still a good option if this is too pricey.

[karebear1]

Dawn- I think that's a great idea! Where is the macaroni Grill located?

[tw1nsmom]

The one I called is located at:
12148 Apopka-Vineland Road
Lake Buena Vista
407-239-6676

I'm not sure of the directions yet, but I think it's the closest one to WDW. Should I call and see what we need to do to hold the room, or do we want to wait for more feedback?

[ohMom]

WHAT HAPPENED!!! ok that's not helpful -- personally I am getting a 4 day hopper for Sat - Tues and since this is only my third trip to WDW I plan on utilizing those passes! I do like jellyrolls friday night -- like that ALOT -- Sat morning breakfast is iffy for me and mom depending on where you are but i'd like to know your final decision. I was wondering if a pasta dinner at Tony's Town Square? I have never seen fireworks at MK or tinkerbell light up the castle. Is there really NO planned WWoS dinner for saturday? I also was planning on hitting the PI party Saturday night, i'm not a big clubber, but since I won't have DDs it's a good time for me to check it out. I'm not a dancer and would just love to chat with everyone there instead!

ok - that' s my .02 but basically whoever takes the reigns and plans some meets, I will take the info and see how i can work it into my obsession with disney parks! LOL

[Tiger Lily 03]

We will be staying on property with no car and transportation will be an issue as we usually use the WDW transportation system.

--So, I am thinking that the Friday JellyRolls thing will work for me.
--I like the idea of any type of Saturday morning get together.
--There is the award ceremony Sunday at PI that I feel I absolutely must be part of and wonder if anyone else will be going to that? We may meet somewhere before/after.

We will be staying until the Friday following the race and can make time available for any other meet-up. Right now the only thing set in stone for me time-wise is the Sunday Race.

Hoping that we will figure out something.

DisneyGoof--FYI, Marathon ends in EPCOT parking lot and 1/2 Marathon ends in Magic Kingdom parking lot. We have WISHers in both events. Thanks for your support.

[karebear1]

OK everyone- Jackie is going to take care of arranging something for breakfast on Saturday morning. She posted on the training thread that she will post a thread/poll about it when she has more info.

Let's concentrate on dinner for Saturday night. I think we need to go somewhere that either can take a large group or doesn't take PS's- like a food court. So- that leaves us with:

Macaroni Grill
Olive Garden
Pepper Market
Beaches and Cream

Now I'm looking for other ideas of where we can eat dinner that meet the criteria listed above. Once we have a list, I'll start a thread that has a poll and we will determine that way where we eat. OK????

Come on!! Let's get this decided!!!! :Pinkbounc

[Susan--Ontario]

Maybe I missed something while I was gone, but is there not a carbo loading dinner at Wide World of Sports this year???

Beaches and Creams is not a very big place. I think we should try and keep it somewhere on property because I think a lot of people are flying in for the marathon.

We could go to Trail's End for their bufferteria. It doesn't take reservations and if we made the time for when they open for dinner, seating wouldn't be a problem.

It's easy to get to. Take somesort of transportation to MK or Contemporary and then take the boat to Fort Wilderness. It's a block away from the boat dock.

whatcha think??

[Tiger Lily 03]

Susan, I like that idea. I've never been to Trails End and it seems easy enough to get there. That has definite possibilities.

Beaches and Cream is probably not going to be big enough to gather. I have'nt come up with any better alternatives either. Sorry.

[karebear1]

I like the idea of Trails End too! Good Thinking!! Here's the menu:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_teb.htm

What does everyone think of that?

[wiskband]

I absolutely loves trails end I go every visit.....not sure what meal you want to meet for but just beware cause I have been there may times and had to wait for a seat....
However, I got smart and started going there just before breakfast was over about 10:30 and there is usually never a soul in there.......

Im up for trails end

renee
back on track :cool1:

[karebear1]

Renee- we were thinking for Dinner ono Saturday night, the 8th. If we got there right at 4:30 when dinner starts, how crowded do you think it would be?

[NCRedding]

The Macaroni Grill is near crossroads. At the intersection of Hotel Plaza Blvd and Apopka-Vineland (535) take a left. Romano's is on the left about 1 mile from the intersection, maybe less.

I like Trails End, and cheap and on property. When we were there in June, I was on Atkins, so I don't remember--was there a good amount of pasta/carbs available?

[ibouncetoo]

LOVE the idea of Trails End. We'll probably be wanting early(ish) dinner anyway....as we should all be tucked into our beds early. Two thumbs way up for this one. If we all show up right when they start the dinner hour, it should work fine. And the $ is great there too.


I also will not have a vehicle, so off property wouldln't work to well, unless you try to coordinate rides/pick-ups.....sounds extra complicated to me.
OK,,,,,off to make a phone call to Disney re hoppers.

[wiskband]

I have never eaten there at dinner only BK.....
I would love to do that and I agree the $ is right for me.
someone mentioned dinner beginning at 4:30. Is that the official time there that dinner starts? I am not sure. Anyway I was thinking, if we get a head count of how many of us we be there, someone can get there early (perhaps me) and tell them party of 15,30 however many we are.....this way they;ll begin to get an area ready for us.

Whatcha think?

rene
back on track
:cool1:

[ibouncetoo]

Check this out: Trail's End menu




DINNER


Sunday through Thursday - 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday - 4:30 - 10 p.m.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet includes:

Fried Chicken
Smoked Pork ribs
Choice of Potato
Pasta
Fresh Catch of the day
Chef's Specials
Hand-Carved Roasted Meats
Salad Bar
Soup of the day
Chili
Vegetables
Macaroni & Cheese
Pasta
Pizza
Peel-and-eat shrimp
Homemade Fruit Cobbler
Bread Pudding
Non-alcoholic beverage included




Full service bar also available. Also Available for an Additional Charge:


Jim Bowie Root Beer Float $4.75
Brownie Alamo Sundae $3.99
Strawberry Shortcake $3.99
Smoothies and Shakes $3.99
Souvenir Specialty Drinks

Price: $16.99 Adult; $7.99 Child (3-11)

Soup & Salad Bar ONLY: $11.50








Something for everyone! I think if a handful of us are there at 4:30 we should be fine. I'll be starting a thread about Sat breakfast on Monday when I get back from DISNEYLAND!!!!!! I will keep in mind early dinner, so breakfast shouldn't be too late in the day, however I don't want to get up at the crack of dawn for breakfast Saturday!!!!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Check this out: Trail's End menu




DINNER


Sunday through Thursday - 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday - 4:30 - 10 p.m.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet includes:

Fried Chicken
Smoked Pork ribs
Choice of Potato
Pasta
Fresh Catch of the day
Chef's Specials
Hand-Carved Roasted Meats
Salad Bar
Soup of the day
Chili
Vegetables
Macaroni & Cheese
Pasta
Pizza
Peel-and-eat shrimp
Homemade Fruit Cobbler
Bread Pudding
Non-alcoholic beverage included




Full service bar also available. Also Available for an Additional Charge:


Jim Bowie Root Beer Float $4.75
Brownie Alamo Sundae $3.99
Strawberry Shortcake $3.99
Smoothies and Shakes $3.99
Souvenir Specialty Drinks

Price: $16.99 Adult; $7.99 Child (3-11)

Soup & Salad Bar ONLY: $11.50








Something for everyone! I think if a handful of us are there at 4:30 we should be fine. I'll be starting a thread about Sat breakfast on Monday when I get back from DISNEYLAND!!!!!! I will keep in mind early dinner, so breakfast shouldn't be too late in the day, however I don't want to get up at the crack of dawn for breakfast Saturday!!!!

I've eaten dinner at Trail's end--I'm a picky eater and cannot eat most of the meat meals (just chicken), but I LOVE Trail's end--this is going to be a HEAVY sitting dinner for a pre-race meal IMHO. Your pre-race meal should be replicated prior to a looonggg training session at home first. The food is delicious and I think the least expensive buffet all around--but it is along the lines of BBQ (but it isn't BBQ--does that make sense?)...you don't want that causing digestive problems during the race. You really should go in with your game plan with what to eat before hand. Transportation wise--best to take any transportation to MK and hop on the boat to FW to eat at Trail's end--any other way will take alot longer!

May I suggest--finding out all your wishers who can meet for dinner at a certain time on property (or off property--remember, it will take a little commuting even for something close by off property). Say you have 15 interested for dinner...then call WDW-DINE...tell them you have a group--see what restaurants they have on Jan 8 that will accomodate all of you guys--you need a restaurant with a large selection of carb loading meals. Once you have an idea of your party size--Disney Dining should be able to take it from there.

Good luck everybody!

WE will be at Chef Mickey's at 7am on Sat...and then the kiddie races and then EPCOT. We have our Team In Training Pasta Party that evening--so unfortunatley I will not be able to join you guys for dinner :(

I will be there on Friday evening--so if anybody wants to perhaps do something on Friday evening, keep me posted.

[wiskband]

Ok well I will be at trails end on saturday.......I'll get there about 4:00.

So lets hear who will be there and then have an idea baout how many of us are planning on going.......


ME thats ONE.........lol


renee back on track
:cool1:

[tw1nsmom]

I'll go wherever the group decides, but I'm a little worried about eating a heavy meal the night before the race. Like I said, if everyone wants Trailsend, I know we'll have a lot of fun and I will be there, but maybe a food court would give people more variety and the ability to tailor their own meal to better suit their needs.

[TammyNC]

We have had breakfast at Trails End and have heard great things about the dinner. I will have to check with DH and some others, but will confirm if we can be there or not for the dinner. Thanks for all the hard work on trying to get something organized for all of us.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'll go wherever the group decides, but I'm a little worried about eating a heavy meal the night before the race. Like I said, if everyone wants Trailsend, I know we'll have a lot of fun and I will be there, but maybe a food court would give people more variety and the ability to tailor their own meal to better suit their needs.

I agree with you--this is what I am afraid of. It is possible though to enjoy a non-heavy meal there if you stick with salad, baked potato and pasta--but it takes away from the dining experience at Trail's End.

I think they may do priority seating--you shouldn't have problems making a PS for the group.

FYI--on the Food Courts--if you guys are planning on doing the Expo on Saturday...Disney is running busses for this, so it "should" be easy to catch a bus to most any resort destination on property for wherever your final choice of dining is located.

Edited: I stand corrected--I don't think you can do PS at Trail's End--at least according to the restaurant boards.

[ohMom]

how about Boma saturday night instead??? is that 'lighter'??? probably not but a rest. that I LOVE :)

[Susan--Ontario]

Trail's end has lots of variety as you can see from the menu. I enjoyed Boma's when we were there a few weeks ago but there really isn't a lot of "normal" food there. I know that I would have to stick with the prime rib and salad in order to avoid "problems" the next morning.

Trail's end is a little bit cheaper too.

Do we have a role call going yet??

[karebear1]

I'm gonna post a roll call thread for dinner right now on a new thread. pleas be sure to check in.