I'm joining in your TR! Congrats on completing your first 5K! What I am most interested to hear in your report, though, are your thoughts on staying off-site, as I know you were hesitant. My mom just bought a condo in Kissimmee, so after this next trip (it's not furnished yet) it will be off-site from here out.
Welcome! Thanks, the 5K was awesome and it was actually a lot easier than I thought it'd be. Thoughts on staying offsite...well, I think if you owned a condo in Kissimmee then staying there would be awesome. The biggest thing that bothered me about being offsite is simply that we usually stay onsite, so some of the things that I consider to be Disney things weren't there, like watching Disney resort TV or using Mickey soap or never seen the "See Ya Real Soon" sign. But I think if we usually stayed in a condo, then I wouldn't expect any of those things and I'd like everything about it.
I know exactly what you mean about the sun glasses. I can never find any that I can stand to wear either. If they don't fit just right, they're just annoying!
I'm sorry rope drop wasn't so spectacular, but it looks like it was a good thing that you were there and able to get to Safari so quick. I feel sorry for poor Carter having to put up with Landon playing with his food.
Sunglasses shopping is tough. I never thought I'd want to wear sunglasses, after having to wear glasses for most of my life, but when they fit right, they're really great.
I just don't think rope drop is our sort of thing. It was fun to get right on the Safari and see the rhino up close, but for the most part, I'm okay with getting there later. I love Landon dearly, but there are times when I'm sure he's not the easiest brother to have.
Sorry race morning was crazy! The DJ had some nerve!
It's pretty cool that you get to see behind the scenes of AK during the race! We are thinking about doing it next year when we head back.
I love how they give the kids metals too! Especially after being so good in strollers!
I forgot my sunglasses our AK day too and stopped to get some at that shop! Only my were a purple tint and they aren't very Disney not even a hidden Mickey which I was bummed about. I mean how does Disney sell something that isn't obvious Disney product?
Race morning wasn't much fun, but once it started, we had a great time.
I loved seeing some of the backstage areas at AK. I wonder if the courses go backstage during all of the races. You should give the race a try! It's even more fun in person than reading about it.
The boys were very happy to get medals, especially Landon. He looked like he knew exactly what an honor it was to get a medal and he definitely thought he had earned one.
I know! There were a lot of sunglasses at that shop that weren't Disney-ish at all! I guess maybe some people wouldn't want Disney sunglasses, but I thought it was really cool to have little Mickey's on the side. It's subtle, but still Disney.
Thanks for the link! I'm gonna bookmark it and read it little by little so I'll let you know if I do spot myself! That would be hilarious.
YEAH... I mean they are expanding the park! That Avatar thing or whatever. Though I guess probably not behind Everest. But still... haha.
YAY! New sunglasses that are pinkish AND have Mickey on them?! I want some!
I don't blame Carter for not liking Landon's peanut butter mess either! Haha I know how it is to have messy siblings. Ick.
I agree, the Animal Kingdom rope drop show isn't all that thrilling. Then again, neither is Hollywood Studios. Even so, they add a little excitement to the wait.
I hope you like the December TR! We had a great trip that time and maybe we did run into you at some point.
I'm really not looking forward to the whole Avatar expansion. I'm hoping it will fall through still. I really and truly hated the movie Avatar so to have my most hated movie brought to life in my most beloved park is going to be unpleasant. I suppose sticking it behind Everest wouldn't be the worst place.
I love those sunglasses! They're holding up really well so far.
My brother and I were both messy kids, so I have a hard time relating to Carter sometimes. But I will agree that that peanut butter mess was yucky.
I guess the AK show is better than nothing, but I always sort of feel like I'd get into the parks quicker if they'd just skip the preshow. I suppose it doesn't work like that really, but it would be nice.
I've never been to AK's before, and now I am in no big hurry to see it! 
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