Disney finally released the hours for October, and they haven't really helped me at all.
Two things are playing havoc with my plans. The new thorn in my side - the race, and the good old stand by thorn - Fantasmic.
Fantasmic is only showing once during the 6 nights we'll be staying at Disney, Sunday the 3rd, which is the only day that it looks like we'd be able to attend
MNSSHP. I had been hoping that there would be a MNSSHP on Tuesday night, but the schedule shows MK closing at 8pm that night not at 7pm so it's not likely. So my planning comes down to what is more important, Fantasmic, or MNSSHP. As much as I hate missing Fantasmic, it's my favorite night time event, MNSSHP is a clear winner for me. I can't imagine missing it while Im down there.
The bigger thorn is the race, and more specifically planning for what to do on race day as well as the day before and after it. Having never run a major race like this, I'm feeling very clueless about when to plan my meals for both race day and the day before. From what I've researched, it's usually recommended that you have a carb meal the night before the race, and then something like a banana or bagel with peanut butter a couple of hours before the race. The problem with those recommendations is that they are for a race that's in the morning, not at 10pm. I called my brother yesterday to get his thoughts, as he's run several full and 1/2 marathons. He's thinking I should have a decent meal the night before, and then race day start the day with a good breakfast, and then plan to have lunch around 2pm or so. No major meals after this. A few hours before the race have something small - the banana, energy bar something along those lines. Nothing that is going to be really sitting in your stomach at race time. I feel better about having a plan for times, now I just need to start on the where.
So I played around and came up with itinerary version 1.0. I'm not thrilled with it, so expect a few more versions.
10/1/10 - Arrival Day
This is still my most up in the air day. I arrive around 9am, no idea yet on my friend. We need to get through ME express, check in and then over to the race expo at WWOS. The expo runs from noon-8. I need to do some research about how much time I should allow there. We have to pick up our race packets and I want to be sure I have enough time to wander around checking things out. I'm torn on whether or not to head to a park once we are done.
Option #1 - Since it should be a MNSSHP night at the MK I want to avoid that park. DHS would be my next choice and it closes at 7pm. I'm thinking if we could be done with the expo by 2pm or so it would be a viable option. Then we could head over there, ride a few rides and have a nice leisurely dinner at the Brown Derby.
Option #2 - Avoid the parks altogether. Finish up at the expo and then spend the afternoon at DTD, and then have a nice leisurely dinner at one of the resort signature restaurants. I'm thinking California Grill or Yachtsman Steakhouse, and watch the Epcot fireworks from the beach. Make it an early night.
Part of me really wants to go to a park right away, but on the other hand we should probably rest up the day before the race. If we did option #2, my friend wouldn't have to purchase any more park tickets and it would save her some money.
10/02/10 - Race Day
MK for the morning, have lunch at about 2pm, and then head back to the resort for a nap and some relaxation before the race. I'm thinking that Tony's for a pasta type lunch. Later we can pick up some fruit from the marketplace to munch on before the race. I'm thinking of making a breakfast ADR as well this day at the Captains Grill. Since there is no food court at the resort, a sit down is really our only place for a real meal. We'll probably want that before the race.
10/03/10 - Race Recovery Day
No plans for the morning. I was toying with the idea of a late Cape May breakfast ADR. Planning on spending the day by Stormalong Bay, maybe a spa treatment at Mandara or the GF for me. I'd like to eat at Beaches and Cream, but am thinking of making a 4:30 pm ADR somewhere in the MK. We'll be attending MNSSHP at night and I don't want a repeat of our Christmas party disaster. I want to be there right at 4pm when the gates open for party goers. If we eat in the park Im thinking Liberty Tree Tavern.
10/04/10 - 1st Full Park Day
My plan right now is to start the day off at DHS then head to Epcot for a late lunch at Le Cellier and then for dinner wander around enjoying the food and wine festival. I would like to possibly go to Jellyrolls in the evening. We both enjoyed our visit there in December, and would like to fit in another visit.
10/05/10 - 2nd Full Park Day
I'm a bit torn about this day too. Two options here as well.
Option #1 - Animal Kingdom during the day, dinner at Boma.
Option #2 - This is a tough call, but skip Animal Kingdom this trip. I hate skipping a park, but with only three whole park days this trip is feeling awfully squished already. AK would be the one to go. Go to Epcot in the morning, DHS in the evening. Dinner at Brown Derby.
10/06/10 - Last Disney Day
I typically like to make my final Disney day a "floating" day. If we've followed option #2 the day before than my plan would be to sleep in this day a little bit, and have breakfast at Cape May if we haven't done it already. Then we can go back and hit any rides/attractions we like ending up at the MK for Spectromagic and wishes.
If we've done AK the day before I'd like to start at Epcot in the morning (maybe with a princess breakfast) and then float around before ending the day at the MK.
Dinner somewhere
- no idea where yet.
10/07/10
We'll be checking out of the Beach Club early and heading over to our hotel at Universal Studios. (Still have to book that hotel room). I'm thinking of an early breakfast at Captains Grill before heading out. I'd prefer to book Mears because it's cheaper, but am thinking a cab would be easier. We wouldn't have to schedule a time that way.
Dinner somewhere at Citywalk.
10/08/10
Islands of Adventure! Harry Potterland! I'm terribly excited about this.
I'm embarrassed to say I may have a teeny tiny little crush on Harry Potter.
Dinner somewhere at Citywalk.
10/09/10 - Home! 
My flight out is at noon so it will be an early day back to the airport.
Looking over this now, my plans still seem like they are all over the place. With free dining potentially being announced soon, I need to come up with some kind of a plan before my ADR day Sunday.
Things I'd like to do but haven't fit into the schedule:
Tea at the Grand Floridian
Breakfast at Kona (Emmmm Tonga Toast!)
Lunch of Dinner at Sci Fi
I don't think any of these are going to make it into the plan, but who knows maybe they'll make the next version.
Deleted. Posted to my wrong thread.
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