3 Princesses Hit the Parks!-A 2/13 Girls Trip TR!*Update 6/19, pg 23-The End!*

[ronnmel]

As hard as it must have been to just leave while she was crying, you did the right thing. If you had said yes right away, that would have been different, but the worse thing to do with children is to say no for a while, then finally give in. It teaches them that they can get whatever they want if they whine enough. Instead you taught her a valuable life lesson in that we don't always get what we want, and that throwing a tantrum is not going to get her anywhere. Plus, yes, it was your vacation and you are allowed to enjoy it too. Especially since she would not have wanted to do what you wanted to do AND had a day alone with her at Epcot planned for the very next morning.

 

[marDgreen88]

To me, OKW seems to have the least Disney theme of them all. I'm sure it's a beautiful place but I'm definitely not dying to stay there like I am some other places!

Aww, Steamboat Willy! That's such a cute shirt.

Uh oh. Trouble? Oh man, that must have been tough. Sounds like an... interesting night. At least you got to see IllumiNations!

 

[khertz]

You totally did the right thing with Caitlin, even though it made you feel bad. Kids know they can guilt you into things and eventually get what they want! I have to do it with Paxton sometimes even though it kills me. And if she had ended up going with you, she probably would have been whining that she wasn't having fun! I know at her age I really didn't like going to Epcot, and I definitely wouldn't have wanted to go just to walk around!

I love SE all lit up at night. So pretty!

It's fun to watch the shows or fireworks without being behind the lens of a camera sometimes, but boy is it hard not to take pictures! I try to encourage DH to do it sometimes, but I'm not always successful. I did get him to watch World of Color without being behind the camera on our anniversary trip when we saw it for the second time that trip, but even that was a struggle!

 

[KatMark]

As you know, OKW is now our "new" home. Yes, it is huge, but so is AKL if you are way down the hall at the end. Seriously, we've been in three different sections now and it isn't all that confusing. Our trip in August we will be by the Hospitality House, but I'm actually kind of sad...I like the Turtle Pond area a lot and had hoped we'd be back there.

Anyway, love going to DTD...especially by boat from OKW. I really need to get Mark to WPE and hope to do that in August.

I think you were right in not taking Caitlin. She obviously doesn't enjoy World Showcase and she would have been bored. I'm not sure if she likes Illuminations (yes, Jen, there are those of us who don't ) and you two would have ended up in another fight about her being bored.

Glad you got to talk to Brandon. Cute wallet...but no change area?

 

[Simba22]

Yeah the new bus is pretty boring! I liked the balloons! Shoulda kept those...

Your pics of the sunset at The Poly are gorgeous! Makes me want to stay there even more!

I'm bummed about your non-love for BLT! We almost stayed there this year but we wanted a castle view and our DVC guy doesn't own a contract there so we'd have to wait until 7 months out to book instead of 11...and during F & W, you need to book monorail/Epcot resorts immediately. I'm still hoping to stay there one day so I hope it wasn't terrible overall!

That sucks about Caitlin's little episode! If it was me, I would have caved! Glad she got over it fairly quickly though!

Ugh, snoring! I hate that! When I'm sick I groan in my sleep (like a whiny brat! ) but my BF snores bad! And it's ONLY when he gets sick! That really sucks though...it was probably the paranoia that was keeping you awake the whole trip! And sleeping WITHOUT Brandon wasn't helping, I'm sure! When my BF went on a business trip a few years ago he was gone for a week and I barely slept the entire time! It was terrible! I didn't think I missed him that much!

So much for adding in those chapter links, huh? KIDDING!


ETA: I forgot to mention that I also REALLY like the pizza in WDW! We ordered pizza several years ago from the ASMo food court and it wasn't very good, but the little ones they make...I love those!

Also... OKW wasn't terrible. We had a few snafus upon check-in and I really feel like it needs a little TLC in some places. But it's actually pretty easy to navigate. We did what someone else said and ended up getting off at the first bus stop and walking through the Hospitality House/Pool area to get to our buildings, instead of waiting to circle all the way around. The extra walking sucked when your feet hurt...or when it was pouring rain... but waiting to actually drive all the way around was truthfully an additional 10 minutes. It was very nice though and I'd stay there again.

 

[MotherandDaughter]

Your food looks yummy!

I love that bag! I saw some other ones online .

 

[MotherandDaughter]

Poor Caitlin. I feel bad that you felt guilty.

Epoct looks beautiful at night.

That wallet was so cute!

I was stuck on Spaceship Earth before. It wws not fun.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Jen! I've been lurking around your TR and had to say hi! We were at WDW in February at AKL and BLT as well - just not the exact same dates.

A couple things that stuck out from your TR.. Your photos of AK after dark are lovely! I've never stayed late enough to see it lit up. Thought I'd be able to next trip but realized we'll be there during the summer and won't see sunset at AK due to their park hours. Doh! Maybe another time.

Your WPE lunch has me craving their amazing food. I'm searching for a spot to fit that one in for our plans. Just wanted you to know how influential you are!

I'm enjoying your TR and look forward to reading more!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm subbing and then going back to catch up this week!

 

[Nermel9]

Old Key West is really huge but if you stay near the Hospitality House (aka the main building ) it is pretty nice. It does take FOREVER to get through all the stops...when my sister and I stayed there we didn't realize that it would've been easier for us to get off at the first stop instead of actually circling around to the stop at the Hospitality House.

Anyway...that ornament is super cute and thanks to your picture (I think I saw it on facebook maybe? I can't remember but I know you posted it!) I had to get one for myself.

Mmm, that spaghetti looks so good! Next time I need to go back to WPE!

Yeah all those bus stops would drive me crazy! It's probably ok staying there if you have a car though!

Isn't that ornament adorable? It's actually still sitting on my dresser, I haven't put it with my Christmas stuff yet, I should do that...

WPE is the best! It's so hard to decide between that and Earl of Sandwich!

We love Old Key West !! I think it is one my DH's favorites. He likes that it is all spread out and that it is only two stories high. Probably because he carries the bulk of our stuff up for us. Anyway, we have a car with us all of the time, so the fact that it is spread out never really bothers us. We did ride the bus to MK one night and I thought we would NEVER get back to our room since we made so many stops. Same thing at SSR as well.

Ahhhhh kids !!! They can always pull that guilt trip out on you. But you know what ?? I don't blame you for saying no. Because I think you were right about her getting bored. And with kids, boredom equals whiny. And who wants that? Brandon was right, it was your vacation, too. I would love a night to myself in WS. I never feel like I get to truly explore it like a really want to.

We haven't seen Illuminations in a while. We are staying at Beach Club in September so we are looking forward to just walking over for just the fireworks a couple of nights.

Yeah I think having a car would make OKW tolerable! I doubt Brandon would ever agree to stay there, but it's pretty!

I probably wouldn't have felt as guilty if Caitlin was my kid, but I felt so awful. I should have just brought her but I know she would have been bored, especially since all I did was basically sit around and people watch!

I love Illuminations!! I usually see it multiple times a trip so seeing it once was strange!! You have to see it when you stay at the Beach Club, no excuses!!

I love OKW, but I can see why it would seem so overwhelming.

That spaghetti looks so yummy!

OMG - poor Caitlin. You must have felt so terrible, but I totally get why you wanted to head over to Epcot on your own. I mean, you could have gotten into the park and she could have suddenly got tired and wanted to go home. You made the right decision even if it really pulled on your heart strings.

That last picture of Spaceship Earth is so neat. Ugh - I would have hated getting stuck for 20 minutes.

Yup - those ritas are strong, but that would never stop me from getting one while I was solo.

OKW was really pretty, and I'm sure I'd like to stay there, but it's just HUGE!

That's what I was afraid of, her wanting to leave, and me not having enough time to get her back to BLT and then return to Epcot. I think I made up for it the next day, though!

Yeah getting stuck for that long was not fun! Although it could have been worse, it could have been It's a Small World or something!

Haha I'm too afraid to drink alone in public! One 'rita can get me pretty buzzed, I'd be afraid I would stumble around and look like an idiot or something!

From the 14 seconds I've been there during ME dropoff, I agree, OKW looks like a really pretty resort!!

Awww, what a hard decision that must have been with Caitlin!! I totally and completely agree that you deserved some solo Epcot time though! Especially the meandering kind that she would have been bored during!!

Yeah we didn't get to do much exploring at OKW but it does look nice!

Thanks! I felt horrible leaving her there, but I guess it was the right thing to do at the time! I kind of wish I just brought her with me but at the same time, she would have been bored and wanted to leave!

 

[Nermel9]

Don't feel bad aboutgoing alone. You told her no, you had plans and her tantrum was to get you to go her way. Not because she was so sad, but just because you told her no and she didn't wantto hear it. Been there myself with my own kids. Thre were times where i had plans out for the night and my son was famous for pulling that too. He would cry and plead. He just didn't want me to go or he wanted to go along. He was not scared for life either. It's a control thing. My son really had issues like that.
So anyways, don't feel bad, you did what you wanted to do and it probably would've been super boring for Caitlin.
I don't nomrally snore either, but I think sometimes when you have long vacation days you just tend to do it more. I know I have been told I do it then as well at times.

Aww, well, see I can't think that way with her because she's not my kid! I just feel horrible guilt because I'm her aunt and I don't like telling her no or being mean to her! But I guess it was for the best, because I know for a fact she would have been bored and not had a good time. I mean, it was great for me, sitting around, people watching, leisurely walking around the WS, but for an 8 year old, I don't think she would have enjoyed it at all!

I always ask Brandon if I snore at home and he says no, and if he says i am snoring, he says it's quiet. But my sister and Caitlin said I was really loud! I don't get it, but I did get sick right after we got home from this trip and I was sick for almost a month so I think I must have been coming down with something. That and I hate sleeping in air conditioning, I prefer actual air!

Aww it makes my heart sad when I do things without ry, but Brandon was right. It was your vacation too!

I'm glad you finally enjoyed your alone time in epcot

Some disney popcorn sounds delicious right now!!!

I hate when I have bad sleep nights! I bet that's why too-because then you got sick

I know, but I felt so horrible. I feel like I should have brought her but at the same time, she would have been bored!

It was a nice night, and yum, Disney popcorn is the best!!!

Me too! Yeah I probably slept so horribly on that trip because I was getting sick. I didn't feel sick there but I came home was sick for like, a month!

That Princess Happily Ever After Vinyl is so cute!

So sorry that Caitlin made you feel bad about going to Epcot solo. I think she would have been SO bored had she gone with you so it was better to go as you planned but the guilty feeling isn't very nice.

I hope the following morning with Caitlin went well.

Isn't it? I love it!

I think she would have been bored too, but I still felt awful. At least we had fun the next day though!

Sorry, I just saw this question. Honestly, I don't think I even saw any of the new buses when we were there. So who knows what's going on with that. I say just keep the old design.

Really, that's strange! I hope they keep the old ones, they are so much more cheerful!

 

[Nermel9]

As hard as it must have been to just leave while she was crying, you did the right thing. If you had said yes right away, that would have been different, but the worse thing to do with children is to say no for a while, then finally give in. It teaches them that they can get whatever they want if they whine enough. Instead you taught her a valuable life lesson in that we don't always get what we want, and that throwing a tantrum is not going to get her anywhere. Plus, yes, it was your vacation and you are allowed to enjoy it too. Especially since she would not have wanted to do what you wanted to do AND had a day alone with her at Epcot planned for the very next morning.

I don't know, I feel like I'm her aunt and I should be there for her to have fun with and I feel like I disappointed her so much that night. It really bothered me. I mean, when I'm with her at home, I can tell her no with no problem and she never acts like that with me, I guess it was just the excitement of Disney World or something. I still feel horrible about it, but I guess what's done is done! We had a great day the next day so I think she got over it pretty quickly! I know she would have been bored anyway! Hopefully we can all go on another trip someday, and I'll have a chance to bring her to the parks more!

To me, OKW seems to have the least Disney theme of them all. I'm sure it's a beautiful place but I'm definitely not dying to stay there like I am some other places!

Aww, Steamboat Willy! That's such a cute shirt.

Uh oh. Trouble? Oh man, that must have been tough. Sounds like an... interesting night. At least you got to see IllumiNations!

Yeah I'm not sure how Disney themed OKW is, but it's pretty! I'm not dying to stay there either, but I would if I had to! There are just so many other places I want to stay!

Isn't it? I love it!

Haha it was an interesting night! It was nice but I felt so horrible at the same time! I do love my Illuminations, though!

You totally did the right thing with Caitlin, even though it made you feel bad. Kids know they can guilt you into things and eventually get what they want! I have to do it with Paxton sometimes even though it kills me. And if she had ended up going with you, she probably would have been whining that she wasn't having fun! I know at her age I really didn't like going to Epcot, and I definitely wouldn't have wanted to go just to walk around!

I love SE all lit up at night. So pretty!

It's fun to watch the shows or fireworks without being behind the lens of a camera sometimes, but boy is it hard not to take pictures! I try to encourage DH to do it sometimes, but I'm not always successful. I did get him to watch World of Color without being behind the camera on our anniversary trip when we saw it for the second time that trip, but even that was a struggle!

Thanks! I felt so bad, but I know she would have been bored so I guess it was the right thing to do! I'm not a parent so I don't know how you're supposed to handle those situations! We had fun the next day though!

It is hard not to take pictures of fireworks! OMG whenever I get to Disneyland, I'm going to have to see every nighttime show like 3 times because i want to make sure I can enjoy it AND take pictures! Especially World of Color, since that isn't at WDW, that must have been hard!

As you know, OKW is now our "new" home. Yes, it is huge, but so is AKL if you are way down the hall at the end. Seriously, we've been in three different sections now and it isn't all that confusing. Our trip in August we will be by the Hospitality House, but I'm actually kind of sad...I like the Turtle Pond area a lot and had hoped we'd be back there.

Anyway, love going to DTD...especially by boat from OKW. I really need to get Mark to WPE and hope to do that in August.

I think you were right in not taking Caitlin. She obviously doesn't enjoy World Showcase and she would have been bored. I'm not sure if she likes Illuminations (yes, Jen, there are those of us who don't ) and you two would have ended up in another fight about her being bored.

Glad you got to talk to Brandon. Cute wallet...but no change area?

Haha, yeah, AKL is huge, and so is WL, but for some reason, that doesn't bother me, because it's just one big building! I mean, OKW doesn't bother me, it just seems SO spread out! I'm sure it's lovely staying there, it seems really nice and laid back, I love the island-y music they played on the bus!

I hope you get to WPE in August, I love it there, it's so good!!

Haha, WHAT? People don't like Illuminations?? I can't believe it!

I'm not sure if she liked Illuminations or not, she didn't seem to really care about Wishes when we were in MK! I know she likes Fantasmic, which is the show I don't care for! I probably could have just brought her but I know she would have been bored and at least she got to sleep and rest for the next day!

I know, so weird there was nowhere for change! Lame!

 

[Nermel9]

Yeah the new bus is pretty boring! I liked the balloons! Shoulda kept those...

Your pics of the sunset at The Poly are gorgeous! Makes me want to stay there even more!

I'm bummed about your non-love for BLT! We almost stayed there this year but we wanted a castle view and our DVC guy doesn't own a contract there so we'd have to wait until 7 months out to book instead of 11...and during F & W, you need to book monorail/Epcot resorts immediately. I'm still hoping to stay there one day so I hope it wasn't terrible overall!

That sucks about Caitlin's little episode! If it was me, I would have caved! Glad she got over it fairly quickly though!

Ugh, snoring! I hate that! When I'm sick I groan in my sleep (like a whiny brat! ) but my BF snores bad! And it's ONLY when he gets sick! That really sucks though...it was probably the paranoia that was keeping you awake the whole trip! And sleeping WITHOUT Brandon wasn't helping, I'm sure! When my BF went on a business trip a few years ago he was gone for a week and I barely slept the entire time! It was terrible! I didn't think I missed him that much!

So much for adding in those chapter links, huh? KIDDING!

ETA: I forgot to mention that I also REALLY like the pizza in WDW! We ordered pizza several years ago from the ASMo food court and it wasn't very good, but the little ones they make...I love those!

Also... OKW wasn't terrible. We had a few snafus upon check-in and I really feel like it needs a little TLC in some places. But it's actually pretty easy to navigate. We did what someone else said and ended up getting off at the first bus stop and walking through the Hospitality House/Pool area to get to our buildings, instead of waiting to circle all the way around. The extra walking sucked when your feet hurt...or when it was pouring rain... but waiting to actually drive all the way around was truthfully an additional 10 minutes. It was very nice though and I'd stay there again.

Yeah I like the old Disney buses...but who knows if they are even changing them, maybe it was just a test?

I know, I need to stay at the Poly! In 2 years, I'm hoping Brandon and I can stay there for our 5 year anniversary! I want to go for like, 10 days in April and stay there, I think that would be amazing!

I liked BLT, I just didn't love it like I thought I would! Like, I LOVED AKL. But BLT I just liked. I'd stay there again, but I'd prefer other places, like WL, AKL, and BC. It's a great location though, and the rooms are nice, I just prefer other places, that's all!

Yeah I had sleeping issues that whole trip. I was so exhausted the whole time, I'm glad I'm finally not snoring anymore. I hope. Brandon says I don't, but who knows what will happen the next time I'm in Disney?

I know, I have to go back and do those chapter links!

Yum I love some Disney pizza! I had a flatbread at WL the last time we stayed there and it was soooo good, and Pizza Planet was good too! Brandon hates it though! Whatever!

OKW does look very nice, it just seems huge! Although we always rent a car, so the buses wouldn't be an issue for us! I'm just not sure Brandon would like somewhere that big. It's pretty and peaceful, though!

Your food looks yummy!

I love that bag! I saw some other ones online .

It was!! Aren't those bags adorable? I want one!!

Poor Caitlin. I feel bad that you felt guilty.

Epoct looks beautiful at night.

That wallet was so cute!

I was stuck on Spaceship Earth before. It wws not fun.

I know, I felt so bad for her! But I know she would have been bored, so I guess it was for the best!

It is beautiful at night, I love it there so much!!

I know, I really want that wallet! I just don't like that there's not a place for change!!

Haha, I've been stuck before but never for so long! It was crazy!!

Hi Jen! I've been lurking around your TR and had to say hi! We were at WDW in February at AKL and BLT as well - just not the exact same dates.

A couple things that stuck out from your TR.. Your photos of AK after dark are lovely! I've never stayed late enough to see it lit up. Thought I'd be able to next trip but realized we'll be there during the summer and won't see sunset at AK due to their park hours. Doh! Maybe another time.

Your WPE lunch has me craving their amazing food. I'm searching for a spot to fit that one in for our plans. Just wanted you to know how influential you are!

I'm enjoying your TR and look forward to reading more!

Hi, welcome, so glad you decided to say hi! That's funny that you were at the same resorts during the same month! Do you have a TR for that trip, I'd love to read it!

Thank you! I loved AK after dark! I hope you get to see it at night sometime, it is SO beautiful! Such a different feeling to the whole park!

Haha, well, I had to try WPE because of other TR's and people raving about the food there, and I have to say, it is REALLY good! So I hope you can fit it in!

Thank you so much!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Okay! Let the comments begin.

When I saw that New Fantasyland billboard in November, I about died! I was soooo excited!

Duh! Dessert first is of course a viable option.

I am not surprised you started in Epcot.

I have often asked myself why ToT doesn't have a single rider line. They really should, it would make things so much more efficient!

Oh hon! You are so hard on yourself in pictures! You look cute in the Donald picture!

I love Tusker House, in the way that it gets you in the park already. You could sell it to Brandon that way.

Wow, you'd never been on Primeval Whirl before? I go on it so rarely. It's something I don't need to do all the time.

Awesome, Afternoon Tea! I think I want to take my Mom there for our girls trip in February.

Dear lord, the filet at Jiko is insane, isn't it? I honestly find that the steak at Jiko and at the Yachtsman are better than Le Cellier.

Yay, solo exploring!

We have not had the opportunity to do Enchanted Tales with Belle, but I'm looking forward to it in July for sure.

I have yet to eat at LTT for lunch, but I've wanted to just to get the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!

I love the pictures of AK at night. I haven't been there late in years, since they stopped with the evening EMH.

Mmmmm.....I'll have to let you know what my opinion on Test Track is. I'm glad they updated it, and but I'll have to see what it ends up being like when we're there.

Shut up! A bird snatched a nugget off of her plate!? That's crazy!!!

Woo hoo, meeting a princess!

The whole "christmas pickle" thing is funny. It's supposed to be a German thing, but it's actually a myth. Interesting when you read up on it.

That's really weird with the room. I'm glad they got you another, but that's somewhat offputting.

BLT rooms have a very modern feeling, and sometimes they can come off as a little bit cold. So it's understandable if you didn't love it in comparison to the rooms at AKL.

I'm glad that your Pluto pillow pet made you feel better. I'll have to remember that for the future.

Oh littles.....they get so funny sometimes. Trying to be all cool at a certain age, thinking things are lame. Well, the Muppets are definitely not lame.

Wow. Look at Caitlin with the accuracy on TSM. You know my motto.....screw accuracy!!!

Wait, that's the first I've heard that people from CT think they invented pizza? Oh child, us Chicagoans and New Yorkers would have something to say about that. Hahahahaha! No, in all seriousness, if you like it, you like it. Who cares otherwise?

25 cent games haven't been around for years unfortunately. You have to sell your arm to play games.

Jen, I will get that pen for you if you'd like. You'll just have to remind me!

I love the Harvey bags, but you're right, they are very expensive and they're pretty heavy!

Woah....that's a bright and shiny new Disney bus.

Oh, WPE spaghetti and meatballs! I love it!

You're not a horrible aunt, but I get the guilt feelings. I would have felt the same way if I had to say that to Joaquin. But, in the end, they recover.

Um....I stumble around Epcot like a loser all the time.

Oh, and with the buses. I heard that the current fleet of buses pretty much need to be replaced due to their age. You can only get so many miles on the engines. My guess is, that since they had to replace them, they figured better spruce it up.

 

[pinkxray]

Princess Half Marathon

Jen informed me she is now up to the morning of the half marathon and it was my turn to update. I’ve kind of been dreading it. It feels so long ago and I really didn’t get great pictures, but I also enjoy reading half marathon updates, no matter how bad they are.

Before I get to the real update I wanted to write a little of my running background so you can understand why my mile times are so horrible.
I was never a runner. I hate sports, don’t like sweating, exercise, anything like that. However a few years ago I happened to read a trip report about the Princess Half and I was determined to do it. Around that time I was in a full time radiologic tech program with a 4/5 year old. I was never really able to find the time to commit to it.

Fast forward to Sept 2011. I happened to mention the Couch to 5k program to a coworker and she agreed to try it with me. We ran together for the 9 weeks and at the end I was determined to do a Disney run. I ended up signing up for the Tower of Terror 10miler last Sept. Two weeks before that I did my first half marathon in my hometown. It was an awesome experience and completing it was probably one of the proudest moments in my life. I felt great, ready to run the 10 miler just two weeks later in Disney.

Here’s the problem and it might sound ridiculous. I don’t deal well with heat and humidity. I don’t sweat from the neck up. I have no self cooling system which is why I have never played sports/running, etc. You know how normally you see runners dripping sweat when it’s hot? Yeah, not me. My face turns bright red and I start getting dizzy and feeling like I will pass out. However I learned that as long as I slow down and dump cold water on my face I am okay. I trained all through 95 degree days in CT and I was fine. Looked a little crazy because I ran along a beach with water fountains and bathrooms and usually ended up completely drenched with water by the end, but whatever I could do the miles.

I showed up the day of the TOT 10miler and it was HOT and HUMID. We stayed at SSR and all I could smell was tar. I swear it was so hot the ground was melting. Not looking good. We had just driven to WDW that morning after spending a week aboard the awesome Oasis of the Seas. Probably not the best idea but it was the only way I could work my vacation schedule.
So here we are the night of the TOT run. Still hot and brutally humid. Add in my body seemed to think it was still rocking back and forth on a cruise ship.
The run was horrible for me. Horrible. I had a very bad time and it was so many factors so I would never tell someone not to do the TOT run, but I hated it. It was too humid, too crowded and the first water stop was out of water. The course seemed boring to me and people seemed to come to a complete stop right in front of you. I was bright red and the roads seemed to be swaying back and forth. Somehow I made it to the end. No idea how but I made it. I finished in 2:45 for 10 miles which had been my exact time for my half marathon 2 weeks earlier. After the run I found Dh and DD. We were suppose d to enjoy the after party but instead I sat on the ground for an hour with my head down while DD and DH went on her first ever upside roller coaster. I happened to be right near the gate where they brought people who needed medical attention. Wheelchair after wheelchair passed by. I guess I wasn’t the only one not doing well with the humidity. After their ride we tried to leave but I could barely walk. I felt nauseos and everything was spinning. I had to sit down again and told DH he needed to wheel me out. Finally I made him by me a pretzel which made me feel a little better. I made it back to the bus and back to SSR.

I came home from that trip and stopped running. I hated it. I hated Disney, I hated running. (Altough it wasn’t really Disney, it was mostly factors I needed to prepare for) If I hadn’t already rented points and bought tickets for our Feb trip I most likely would have cancelled.

Somehow Oct, Nov and Dec passed. Didn’t do one run. Finally right before New Years I told DH I really had to start running to train for my run. That gave me like 8 or 9 weeks. He agreed. 8 or 9 weeks should be fine to train for the 5k I was doing. I informed him um, no it isn’t a 5k, I’m signed up for a half marathon. He laughed.

“You think you are going to train for a half marathon in 8 weeks. You? Are you crazy?” Continues with laughing.

It probably wasn’t the best idea but I was signed up, tickets were booked. I have no desire to ever go to Disney in Feb again so I can’t really see getting another opportunity to do the run. I trained for those 8 or 9 weeks. I did a walk/ run ratio and made it up to about 9 miles in my training runs.


Ready or not, I was doing it!​

 

[pinkxray]

½ Marathon Morning


Here is a before picture of my attempt of an Ariel outfit.

disney 035 by dian609, on Flickr

My plan for Sat had been to do nothing. No parks, no walking and in bed by 8. Originally I think Caitlin was going to be with Jen at MK, but somehow our nights got all mixed up not giving Jen her EPCOT night. I was very nervous about how my night would go when I realized Caitlin would be in the room with me instead of going to a park with Jen. It was a bit tough when she left since I really had nothing to offer her. I didn’t want to go to the pool or arcade b/c I needed to be in complete relax mode in order to fall asleep.

After listening to Caitlin cry for 20 minutes after Jen left, I finally realized I could rent a movie on my Kindle. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, but I had never used the Kindle for that purpose so it took awhile to think of it.

Caitlin and I hung out at BLT and went to dinner at Contempo Café. I spent my last hours making sure I had everything laid out or packed that that I would need the next morning.

Around eight I laid down to go to bed. I had the alarm and my phone set to go off around 2:15am. I think my plan was to be at the monorail around 3:15.
I feel asleep around nine and was woken up around midnight by Jen’s loud snoring. After throwing a pillow at her it briefly stopped. When it resumed I was worried. What if I couldn’t go back to sleep and had to be up in 2hrs. So I grabbed my pillow, walked over to her bed and whacked her with it. Nice, I know.

Finally the alarm was going off but I was dead asleep and Jen had to wake me up. This was very strange because I never sleep through an alarm!
I was up, showered and dressed quickly. Around 3am I walked across to CR to catch the monorail. Another guest happened to be passing and said “Good luck today!” For some reason that made me super excited.


I have to say I LOVED being at a monorail resort for this event. I’m hoping to do the full marathon one day and would love to stay at the Poly so I can walk to the TTC and catch the monorail right to EPCOT.


When I arrived I headed to the Race Retreat that I had signed up for. I waited very impatiently for the race to start.

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Finally my corral was called to line up.

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I ended up in Coral C based on time that I submitted from my previous half marathon.

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There was more waiting once in the coral. They showed celebs who were there that day including Ali, the 1st women biggest loser winner and Sean Austin who was also in Coral C.

Finally around 5:30 they started the first runners.

disney 042 by dian609, on Flickr

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It was so exciting watching the fireworks go off each time they started a Coral.


Fairy Godmother counting us down

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[pinkxray]

Almost our turn

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1 mile down
(I only took pictures of the signs, never me in there. I tried to get them when clear but some might have random people in them)

disney 048 by dian609, on Flickr

Mile 2
(yes, I’m going slow. My normal pace for long runs is 12.5 maybe 13 minutes per mile but with crowds, humidity and pictures I was nowhere near that.) I jogged when I could, moved to the side when walking and always looked behind me before stopping to walk.


disney 049 by dian609, on Flickr


Magic Kingdom!!! Got a little teary eyed here. All these years of wanting to do this run and it’s here!

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Mile 3

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The line for the villains

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My awful picture with them (Looks like I spent 8 minutes in line, after this I think I skipped characters meets and snapped pictures of random people instead)

disney 066 by dian609, on Flickr​

 

[pinkxray]

disney 067 by dian609, on Flickr

Not the best picture- but wow is it exciting to be jogging towards the MK


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I would have loved to stop for this but the line was way too long

disney 080 by dian609, on Flickr



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Apparently that is the end of my pictures. Afterwards I headed back to the race retreat and scarfed down the breakfast provided. I felt 1000x better than I did at the end of the TOT run.



securedownload[6] by dian609, on Flickr
(Horrible picture and ignore the wet shirt from dumping water over my face. Need to remember to wear a dark color next time)


Overall I really enjoyed the Princess Half. I would definitely do it again although I’m not sure I love going in Feb.


The best part was definitely running through MK. Awesome experience.


Worst parts-
Being alone. I was tough running past the monorail resorts, especially BLT and not having my family there. I was a bit sad that DH had refused and honestly a bit mad. I was tempted to call him right then and yell at him. I did tell him that if I ever do another run at Disney he will go and we will stay at a resort we run past. He will also be required to hold a sign that says something cheesy like “You think you’re tired? My arms are killing me from holding this sign”

DH had assumed Jen and Caitlin would have been there and looking back I should have asked them to come out and watch but I didn’t think it would bother me and plus I didn’t even know if I would notice them.

It was also a little boring being alone in the coral waiting. Most people seemed to be traveling with friends or someone they knew. I did my first half with a friend it was much easier having someone go through the whole experience with you.

After the race retreat I walked slowly through the parking lot to head into EPCOT to meet up with Caitlin and Jen. I stuffed my huge bag of stuff in a locker and moved slowly to WS to wait for the opening of Maelstrom. I think I arrived early so I sat on a bench in Mexico until I got a text from Jen.
I was a bit tired and had to stop for a band aid for my foot but overall I felt great! And walking around all day with my medal all day and hearing “Congratulations Princess” was AWESOME!​

 

[MotherandDaughter]

That seemed like a great run! I like the idea of seening all the charecters while you run!

 

[MHTeacher]

Thank goodness for chapter links! I am caught up. Loved hearing all about the run!