A Trip of Magical Memories-Princess 1/2 Marathon Weekend-March 5-8, 2010 Updated 6/24

[UGAFan0829]

Once we made it to the Magic Kingdom, we headed over to the ticket window to exchange our "Give a Day" vouchers for park tickets. If it hadn't been for this program, we probably wouldn't have visited any parks at all. So this worked out great for us!

Tickets in hand, we made our way inside and found a spot right in front of the train station. Within just a matter of minutes, the Mayor appeared, and the opening show had began!

When then followed the crown through the tunnel, and out on Main Street. As we were walking, we noticed that the Mayor was out for pictures. And since we'd never met him before, we stopped for a pic with him.

He was too cute, and had a great sense of humor!

After meeting the Mayor, we made our way on down Main Street and made our way into Tomorrowland. Since Space Mountain was down for rehab during our September trip, we decided that it would be our first stop of the day. Unfortunately, the ride was down, and they weren't giving out FastPasses. So instead, we decided to jump on the TTA for a quick ride.

On our way around, we were able to see the inside of SM with the lights on...

I decided to be silly and gave myself some mouse ears...

Can you tell that I was just a bit excited about being in the MK?

After our ride on the TTA, we decided to hit up Buzz for a little competition. I knew going in that I was about to get my butt kicked, but I was gonna give it my best anyway.

Once on the ride, Mike was going to town hitting the targets, but I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. So he felt bad when I started pouting and let me catch up a little. Turns out, we came out even.

Since we had no real plans for the day, we decided to just be random and head over to the Teacups for a whirl...

This is one ride that really brings out the kid in us!

Once we were over our dizzy spell, I noticed that Princess Tiana was about to appear in Liberty Square, so we headed over there. Though at the time, I hadn't seen the movie, I was really excited to meet her. Turns out, we were the first in line to see her. A little girl and her Mom and Dad got in line after us, so we decided to let them go first. Tiana was so cute, I really loved her southern charm!

After meeting Tiana and her prince, we decided to do something that we'd never done before--take a ride on the Liberty Belle Riverboat!

The view of the Haunted Mansion from the boat:

We both really enjoyed the ride. It was a nice, relaxing, slow ride around and we just sat there and took in the views!

Next, we were still jonesing to ride Space Mountain, so we headed back over to see what the status was. They were finally up and running, but of course the wait was 40 minutes. So, we decided to grab a FastPass.

Since it was somewhat of a chilly day, we decided against riding Splash. Not to mention that one of the times when we walked by, it was actually down. Seemed like there were a lot of techincal difficulties happening in the MK today!

By this time, our breakfast was long gone, and we were both getting pretty hungry. We had a couple of places in mind for lunch and one of them was Cosmic Ray's. Since we were already in Tomorrowland, we decided to check it out. Man was it crowded. I don't really care for crowds to begin with, but I really hate having to hunt for a table while carrying a tray of food and trying to dodge people. Since I was so hungry, I was starting to get a little irratable. Mike didn't mind the crowd and wanted to eat there while I just wanted to find some place that wasn't crowded. Unfortunately, we'd waited until prime lunch time to decide to eat, so I have a feeling that no matter where we would have went, it would have all been crowded. So, I gave in to Mike and we went with Cosmic Ray's. Instead of both of us standing in line to order, we went ahead and found an open table. So I sat and waited while he went and ordered. It ended up working out pretty well.
I had the BBQ sandwich and chips while Mike went with some sort of sub/hoagie:

For dessert, we both had the chocolate cake:

Up next...the rest of our day in the MK, and a DIS Princess meet!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

love the update. Stinks that SM was down. We missed riding it in sept. too. My dh (mike is his name too) and I have always used that strategy for busy eatery's. It works out good because you know getting the food that you already have a table. It works out even more so now with having too kiddos. Anyway the food looked super yummy. Comic's is one of my favorite CS. I think we may eat there during this years princess trip. Cant wait to hear more!

 

[kellyb2000]

Great picture of you on the teacups!

 

[miztigg]

Love the updates!!!!! cant wait to read more!!!

 

[Twingle]

Great update! How fun that you met the Mayor - we've never seen him!

 

[floydfamily4]

Enjoyed your report - looking forward to more!

Dawn

 

[alliebelle3]

Love your TR! I am hoping to run a half next year sometime, and I'm really considering the Princess one. Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[UGAFan0829]

love the update. Stinks that SM was down. We missed riding it in sept. too. My dh (mike is his name too) and I have always used that strategy for busy eatery's. It works out good because you know getting the food that you already have a table. It works out even more so now with having too kiddos. Anyway the food looked super yummy. Comic's is one of my favorite CS. I think we may eat there during this years princess trip. Cant wait to hear more!

We will definitely have to stick to the busy eatery strategy since it worked out so well for us! I think that we were so spoiled by the crowds in September when we normally go that we just weren't prepared for the crowds that were there.

Great picture of you on the teacups!

Thank you! It turned out to be one of my favorites!

Love the updates!!!!! cant wait to read more!!!

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it!!

Great update! How fun that you met the Mayor - we've never seen him!

I was excited to meet him to as it was our first time even seeing him other than in the opening show!

Enjoyed your report - looking forward to more!

Dawn

Thanks, Dawn! Glad you're liking it!

Love your TR! I am hoping to run a half next year sometime, and I'm really considering the Princess one. Can't wait to hear all about it!

I think you should definitely consider the half. It is SO much fun! I don't think you'd regret it!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

With the mad rush for lunch over, and our tummies full, it was finally time for a ride on Space Mountain! Unfortunately, I didn't think to take any pics, but it was an awesome ride! For some reason it seemed a lot darker than I'd remembered--it was almost scary in some places. Something about the sudden turns and it being so black made me feel like we were about to run into something. Either way, it was a lot of fun, and the wait was definitely worth it!

After we made our way out of SM, we didn't really have any other plans for the rest of our afternoon in the park. So, we decided to make our way down Main Street and browse in some of the shops. I'd read all the buzz about the new Donney & Bourke purses, and I'd told myself before we left for this trip that I wasn't going to give in to buying one no matter how cute they were in person. Seeing them in one of the shops didn't help any. Of course Mike was trying to talk me into getting one, but I resisted. Besides, they didn't have that many in the style that I really wanted, and I figured there would be more of a selection in Downtown Disney.

We wandered around a bit more before we decided to head over to Aloha Isle for a Dole float. No trip of ours is complete without one! And of course, I didn't even take a picture, once again!!

As we were walking back towards Main Street, we spotted 2 of my favorite characters, Lilo and Stitch, so we had to stop for a picture!

It was getting late in the afternoon, and we had a DIS/WISH meet coming up at 5 at the Port Orleans Resort. So, we decided to end our day in the park and head back to the resort to rest up before meeting my running buddies.

We made it back to the resort around 3:45 or so, which was just enough time to kick our feet up, cool off, then freshen up before heading over to the meet.

Since we were at the resort, we decided that it would be easier to drive ourselves over instead of trying to catch a bus. We arrived at about 4:30, so we had plenty of time to wander around the resort. This was our first time ever visiting POR, and we really like what we saw!

Finally at a little after 5, everyone began making their way to the food court where the meet was set to be held. I was really excited about the meet for one reason--I was finally going to meet Shawna, the girl who I was going to be running with. For months I had worried about running the race by myself, when one day Shawna posted on the Princess thread asking if anyone else would be intersted in running with her. Of course I jumped right in and we started messaging one another back and forth. We figured out that we were right at about the same pace as far as our training, so I was totally syked about having someone to run with! Well, the time had finally come for me to meet her in person, and I couldn't wait! She arrived with her husband and two kids, and we hit it off right away! I was so relieved that I was going to be running with such a great person.

Everyone talked and the veteran Princesses all shared their experiences from the last Princess. It was nice to hear all their stories, and it took a little of the nervousnesses away! There were a couple of us first timers there, but most of the others had run in Disney several times. Finally, we all got together for a group picture.

I'm kinda embarrassed to say this, but other than Shawna, I don't remember anyone's names! Shawna is the one on my left!

The plan had been for everyone who wanted to, to eat at the Make Your Own Pasta Bar that POR offers, but by the time the meet was over, the line had gotten super long. I think some DIS'ers jumped in line, and others decided to make other plans. Mike and I headed out to the car and decided to head back to the resort to have dinner there.

Next up...dinner, shopping at Downtown Disney and a good night's rest!

 

[Twingle]

Yay, an update! So cool that you found a stranger-friend to run with - nice to know that you were able to find a princess to keep company with! Good information for next year - I don't have anyone to run with me right now!

Looking forward to more!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

I was so happy to see an update. I am loving your report and you are keeping me in complete suspense of how the race went. I love it! Thats so cool that you were able to find a running partner and that she was around the same pace as you. The few people I tend to do races with right now are alot quicker than me so we line up together and then its like see ya at the finish guys. I am hoping to find a running partner for disney too. Although being honest I dont mind running by myself. I find it to be peaceful. Cant wait until your next post!

 

[miztigg]

Im one of thoes obsessed with the dooney bags I HAD to have the disney cruise line one!!! So I booked a 3 day and bought it You can only get the cruise line one on board the ships!! I do not have a running partner however im slow so hopefully i can meet up with some peeps before the race just to calm my nerves LOL Great update cant wait for more

 

[UGAFan0829]

Yay, an update! So cool that you found a stranger-friend to run with - nice to know that you were able to find a princess to keep company with! Good information for next year - I don't have anyone to run with me right now!

Looking forward to more!

Awww, it's nice to know that you were excited about an update!! I was very glad to have found a running partner!

I was so happy to see an update. I am loving your report and you are keeping me in complete suspense of how the race went. I love it! Thats so cool that you were able to find a running partner and that she was around the same pace as you. The few people I tend to do races with right now are alot quicker than me so we line up together and then its like see ya at the finish guys. I am hoping to find a running partner for disney too. Although being honest I dont mind running by myself. I find it to be peaceful. Cant wait until your next post!

I bet that if you post on the Princess thread someone will be willing to run with you!

Im one of thoes obsessed with the dooney bags I HAD to have the disney cruise line one!!! So I booked a 3 day and bought it You can only get the cruise line one on board the ships!! I do not have a running partner however im slow so hopefully i can meet up with some peeps before the race just to calm my nerves LOL Great update cant wait for more

Aren't the D&B bags just awesome! I've seen the DCL ones, and we just so happen to be cruising this September. As soon as I saw them online I showed them to Mike. He just smiled!

 

[praisehisname]

Love the updates! Mmmm...chocolate cake from Cosmic Ray's...mmmm So glad you found a running buddy; can't wait to hear how that went!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Love the updates! Mmmm...chocolate cake from Cosmic Ray's...mmmm So glad you found a running buddy; can't wait to hear how that went!

That chocloate cake was pretty darn good! I can't wait to write about the race!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I knew that the next morning would be an extra early one, so the plan was to try and be in bed as early as possible--especially since I wasn't too sure about how good I would actually sleep! So, as soon as we arrived back at the resort, the first thing we did was head for something to eat. For the sake of saving time, we decided that SSR's counter service would do. I was a little disappointed in the number of choices on the menu, but I think that's to be expected. I decided to go with the pasta, which came with a breadstick.

Mike went with more of a "home-cooked" meal, and had pork with mashed potatoes and gravy and corn on the cob.

I snapped a couple shots of the decor while we ate since I thought it was kinda cool.

As we were eating, I began to think about the purses that I'd seen earlier in the day. And with Downtown Disney being so close, I really wanted to go see what they had. So, once we were finished with dinner, we caught the ferry over to check things out.

I'd read that both the World of Disney and TrenD had them for sale. So, the first place we headed was WoD. Much to my dismay, they didn't have any in the sketch style. Next, we walked over to TrenD, hoping that they would have something. Theirs are actually displayed behind the registers, and they only had one out when we walked in. Mike asked the CM if they had any more, and luckily they had 2 more in the back. I stood there and pondered it for a few minutes, and just couldn't decide if I really wanted to spend that much money. I knew I wanted one...I just didn't want to let go of the money for it!! So, I finally told Mike that I would think about it for the rest of the trip, and that we'd come back before the end of the trip if I decided to go for one. As we were walking to the Pin Traders store, he brought up a very valid point that changed my mind right then and there--what if I decide that I want one and come back only to find out that they've sold out?! As you can probably guess, I turned right around and went back into the store. I told the CM which one I wanted, and that was it. I was then the proud owner of a brand new D&B Disney purse!

As we made our way out of the store, Mike told me that he was really glad that I decided to go ahead and get it then. He told me that he had planned on coming back and buying one for me as a gift for finishing the race, but after he saw how limited the selection was he was worried that there wouldn't be any left. Which is exactly why he talked me into going ahead and getting it then.

We decided to take the walking path back to the resort, and I began to think about what he'd said about buying me the purse as a gift for finishing. I asked him what made him think that I was actually going to finish, and he just said, "I know you will." I guess he has a lot more confidence in me than I had in myself.

I was glad that we decided to walk back, as the view across the lake to Downtown Disney was really pretty at night.

Even with such a pretty view, it was hard for me to enjoy it as a million things began going through my mind. The race was less than 12 hours away, and I started to question all that long, hard training that I'd done. Would it be enough to get me through all 13.1 miles? What if Shawna didn't want to run with me after all? What if something happened and I got hurt? What if I had to wait in line for the bathroom and it put me way behind? What if I got swept? And mostly, I kept asking myself how I would feel if I didn't finish and I didn't get that medal that I so badly wanted--not only how bad will I have let myself down, but how bad will I have let Mike down? Then I began to think about my purse--this was supposed to be a gift for finishing--what if I didn't? And what about the shirt that I'd bought at the Expo? Had I really jinxed myself? Ony time will tell...Tomorrow is the big day, so stay tuned!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

Oh the anticipation, I just cant take it.

Glad you got the purse! I would love to see a picture of it.

 

[MickeysGrlinMd]

I have deided today, to walk/run/bike/swim to WDW. It is 944.31 miles. Once I reach it virtually, I am going to go! I have decided I am going to save $1 each mile that I walk toward the vacation. I am enjoying these threads that are so inspirational. I have never walked a half or full marathon, but maybe the princess 1/2 could be my first!

 

[praisehisname]

You're stopping there? You can't do that to us! Do we get to see a pic of your purse?

 

[alliebelle3]

Ahhhh what a cliffhanger! I cannot imagine how nervous you must have been. I would be the same way, with all of those questions running through my head.

Very exciting about the purse, I'm jealous! That was really sweet of your DH, how he had planned to buy it for you for finishing. So ready for the next installment!!!