SOOZE -Adults only Marathon Weekend 3/1 New PTR link is here!

[Sooze]

Well, folks, Matt and I are sitting here at the brand-new, gorgeously wonderful Indianapolis airport. Our flight is scheduled to leave at 8:15. Being the anal-retentively on-time people that we are, we are here already... we've had our breakfast.... and we've logged on to the FREE wi-fi. It's time to get this going.

I'm going to attempt a LIVE report. I can't promise anything, but we ARE going without kids, so I should have plenty of time to chill out with my camera, photobucket, and (of course) the DIS!

Just wanted to get this link to everyone who wants to tag along with us.

Come on!

[Merman]

Very cool ... I'll tag along!

[Sooze]

While you're waiting for me... why don't you check out Tyson's First TR? For those of you who don't know him, he is my 8 year old DS. He LOVES when people reply to him.. hint hint...

Ty Ty's 1st Trip Report from Disneyland!

[TheDISneyFamily]

Have a good flight, Susie! I'll be right back after I read your PM!... It would be great if the timing works out to meet next week!

Have a wonderful time!!!
Talk to you soon!
-Michele

[timandlesley]

Hey Susie and Matt!!!! So excited for you guys (and jealous at the same time - can you blame me ).
A LIVE REPORT!!!! I am soooooooooooooooo excited!!!!!! can't wait for more!
Lesley

[PrincessV]

Yay!!

[purplepeg]

Me to, I wouldnt miss this

[jwwi]

I'm in.

[Blueyed Girl]

I'm in!!!! I can't wait for your live reports. This comes at a perfect time since our trip is only a few weeks away. Something to get us super excited while we wait!

[Ageout96]

Another set of friends here ... I hope you all have a great time!!!

[Sooze]

Wow! I can't believe Matt and I just got here yesterday! We have had two VERY full days. I'm going to get this thing going until my eyelids force me to bed. We are in our lovely studio at Saratoga Springs. Matt has already crashed in bed (he was up at 2:30 this morning for the mini ) and he looks so comfy...

Ok... I'll stop looking at him and get this going!

So, yesterday at 6am we took off to the airport. We had dumped the kiddos off at their respective babysitters' houses the night before so we wouldn't have to inconvenience anyone that early in the morning. We parked in long term parking, which was the cheapest.. but still was $11 a day! UGH!! We had a pretty long walk to the terminal and MAN was it COLD!! Of course, being the pessimists we are at all times, we couldn't think, "Wow, in a few hours we'll be in shorts!!" NO.. we were thinking "Dang it's gonna stink walking back to the car when we get home to 3degrees!!"

No stories to tell about the flight. It was flawless... not a bump in sight and a perfect takeoff and landing. Matt was already trying to get rest:


We quickly got off the plane as we were in the first row behind 1st class, and 1st class was a ghost town. I mean, NO ONE was sitting there... wierd!

First monorail ride!!


Are you ready for MOJO moment? Matt and I split up. He was going to wait for baggage. I was heading to EZ Rent-a-car. Cell phones in hand, we were ready to play the 'where-are-you' game. Now, for those of you who have followed my TRs from the past, the last time we rented a car... it was MISERABLE. We had to take a shuttle off site, then wait for an HOUR to get to an agent to start the process of getting a car. Not THIS time!!



And to make me feel even better... check out the ME line:




It was CRAZY busy!! I'm assuming because of the marathon weekend.

Matt was down with our bags just as I was leaving the counter with paper work in hand. Sweet! We walked across the street... waved at the ME buses on our way... then hopped in our little green VW Beetle... yes... a Beetle! and we were on our way.

Unfortunately, because we waited too long to call to book our room, we were unable to get on Disney property this first night, so we had to stay in Kissimee... ick!! On our way, we decided to stop by Wide World of Sports to check Matt in for the Mini. We've never been there before... so we were looking forward to seeing it for the 1st time.

Side note... Matt got a GPS for Christmas... IT FREAKIN ROCKS!!!

Ok.. moving on.



We followed a stream of cars into the parking lot, then a stream of people going into the facilities. It was CRAZY busy. Not overly crowded, but very very busy. Disney has this going on! The flow of the crowd just worked. We were very impressed and found everything we needed quickly.


Matt trying to find the check in:



Found it!




After picking up his chip and shirt number, we had to go to the Expo to get his shirt and goodie bag:



Again, this looks like a zoo! And it WAS very crowded... but the flow worked. Matt was getting excited and anxious about his upcoming race. This was his very first attempt at a mini!

We perused the grounds of the complex. Absolutely stunning! And Disney expectations make it immaculate!





We were off to our hotel. Mr. GPS lead us right there. We stayed at the "Palms Hotel and Villas".. sounds fancy... um... yeah...

I found it on Expedia.. the price was right and it was very close to Disney. But... here... check out the view from our window:





....yeeeeeaaaahhhhh.... Let's see what Matt thinks of it:



We are such spoiled Disney snobs... really! I mean, the room wasn't THAT bad. We are just used to our sprawling resorts, friendly cast members, and the 'being home' mentality. This just didn't cut it!

But... the cool thing was that we were right across the street from Celebration! We have always wanted to check that place out, so after settling a bit and changing clothes, we took a little tour! Here are some shots from the town. It is breathtaking. If I ever become a brain surgeon, lottery winner, or NFL Quarterback.... I am TOTALLY moving here! Enjoy!








I was getting concerned that Matt needed to get to bed extra early for his big morning of racing. He kept telling me that there was NO way he'd fall asleep. So... off to Epcot we went. Well, actually, we parked at the Boardwalk:


and walked in through International Gateway. It's bizarre how I will always think of the Lill family when I do this! Disboards... does crazy things to you because of people you've never met... strange...

Matt took a moment to take in the Boardwalk... one of his favorite places!


Our walk to the Gateway:


Love the FriendShips!


And Matt stops... AGAIN... to take it all in!


I think I'm going to stop here. Matt is already snoring and I'm spent. We are planning on sleeping in and taking it slow in the morning, so hopefully I can get some more done.

Good night everyone!

[jwwi]

Wow it sure looked busy at the check in for the race. The weather looks gorgeous, no so here in the cold midwest.

BTW I have been to Celebration, it really looked like a great place to live. My DAunt went for kidney dialysis on one of our trips, I had to pass the Celebration Hospital on our way to the Dialysis Center. (I wonder if they have a great OR? I love my job, I love my job..............)

Have a great trip. Amazing amount of pictures in your live trip report, really fun to read!

[TheDISneyFamily]

Great start, Susie! Sorry you had to stay off-site for the 1st night, but it makes you appreciate your DVC all that much more! How exciting for Matt - I can't wait to hear all about the mini! Like I've said before, I admire anyone who can run a marathon. I'm just thankful every time I can walk all the way around World Showcase once! LOL! Awwww, thanks for thinking of us! Maybe we should retire and become the 'greeters' at BWV, like Art is at BCV! Wouldn't that be cool?!

Have fun! Can't wait for more!
-Michelle

[timandlesley]

OMG, I am LOVING this live report thing Sooze, thanks so much for doing it. In our 5 degree weather with sleet this is a wonderful way to get a little bit of Disney magic and sunshine that I desperately needed this a.m. Love the pics of Matt "taking it all in" in the boardwalk.
so funny you mention how Disers do stuff to you. want to hear a HALARIOUS story. Tim was talking in his sleep the other night and he rolled over and said "Sooze from the Dis called you". I was like "What??" and he infaticaly (in his sleep again said) "Yeah, you know, Sooze from the Dis" and I said "Tim, honey, she doesn't even have our number" and then he was back to snoring Sooooooooooooo funny!
Hope the race goes well, can't wait to hear more!!!
Lesley

[Sooze]

Originally Posted by jwwi

Wow it sure looked busy at the check in for the race. The weather looks gorgeous, no so here in the cold midwest.

BTW I have been to Celebration, it really looked like a great place to live. My DAunt went for kidney dialysis on one of our trips, I had to pass the Celebration Hospital on our way to the Dialysis Center. (I wonder if they have a great OR? I love my job, I love my job..............)

Have a great trip. Amazing amount of pictures in your live trip report, really fun to read!

Ugh... I'm so sorry to hear about the cold in the midwest. It is going to be SOOOOO hard to go home after this!!
I love my job too, but I think I'd drop it in a second to work at the Celebration School!! (If they bought my house for me, that is )

Originally Posted by TheDISneyFamily

Great start, Susie! Sorry you had to stay off-site for the 1st night, but it makes you appreciate your DVC all that much more! How exciting for Matt - I can't wait to hear all about the mini! Like I've said before, I admire anyone who can run a marathon. I'm just thankful every time I can walk all the way around World Showcase once! LOL! Awwww, thanks for thinking of us! Maybe we should retire and become the 'greeters' at BWV, like Art is at BCV! Wouldn't that be cool?!

Have fun! Can't wait for more!
-Michelle

Well, we ARE planning on moving down here when we retire. We throw around 'retirement' jobs every time we're here. Greeter at the BWV? Sounds perfect!!

Originally Posted by timandlesley

OMG, I am LOVING this live report thing Sooze, thanks so much for doing it. In our 5 degree weather with sleet this is a wonderful way to get a little bit of Disney magic and sunshine that I desperately needed this a.m. Love the pics of Matt "taking it all in" in the boardwalk.
so funny you mention how Disers do stuff to you. want to hear a HALARIOUS story. Tim was talking in his sleep the other night and he rolled over and said "Sooze from the Dis called you". I was like "What??" and he infaticaly (in his sleep again said) "Yeah, you know, Sooze from the Dis" and I said "Tim, honey, she doesn't even have our number" and then he was back to snoring Sooooooooooooo funny!
Hope the race goes well, can't wait to hear more!!!
Lesley

Ha ha ha!! I am laughing so hard right now. How funny! and a wee bit disturbing, no?

Glad you're enjoying the report. Going to post a quick update to finish day one. Then it's off to Epcot for lunch in Mexico!