Bags, Busses, and Booze - A Where has all the Rum gone Girls 2013 F&W TR

[eandesmom]

Ya know, I am not sure I have ever had just a biscuit at McDonalds.

And I didn't even know they had biscuits

But now I really want an Egg McMuffin!

or two

 

[annmarieda]

Since I am back from my most recent trip which means I need to start a TR for that AND I am planning an August trip, and an October trip I thought a quick update here was in order.

I hope Ashley can fill in some details since all I am going on is based off of pictures.

We slept til we woke. Even though I think we all would have liked to make rd, really taking it easy and just getting some rest was equally enjoyable.

We did then head to MK.

We strolled down main street, stopping in shops to look at what else? Bags?



I was really tempted by this one. However I am glad I waited because I did end up get something I liked.

Another window shopping was to look at yummy treats.




I just love the bright color of the fall goodies!

We spend lots of time in each shop. We took it all in. Including watching the glass maker. (why don't I have pictures? ) Eventually though, the girls were still shopping but something else called to me. So we parted ways a bit and I went out to the street to watch the parade.








As you can see, I enjoyed myself. It was a beautiful day. The sky was so blue. It was though, a bit warm.

Soon enough both Ginger and Ashley emerged from the shops and we decided to head to where we were having lunch.

I had been to Beasts castle for lunch once before and found the food adequate but nothing too amazing. Since they had not been inside though, it was important to go and what better use of a counter service credit?

So in line we went.




Soon isn't exactly what I would use to describe how long it took to get in, but I suppose soon enough we were in.


And we found a seat near enough to the window to watch the snow falling in the grand ballroom.



Our food came and while I think my companions enjoyed theirs, I could not eat mine. It was a tuna salad and the tuna did not taste fresh. I think the cut was too close to the... the bloodline? It was way fishy.

One had this


Another had this


Dessert came and we all were happy.


After lunch I do not know what we did. I would like to say we went on the little mermaid ride...but I have no pictures to confirm.

I do know we ended up making our way out as I took these shots.




Next Up: 10/2 - Part 2

 

[KatMark]

I have that pink Vera bag...I love it (I used it for the entire December trip).

Great photos of the afternoon mini-parade. Lunch looks yummy at BOG...we are going to have lunch there for the first time this September.

Sorry I'm late (internet issues for a couple of days and I'm way behind everywhere).

 

[MEK]

That pink vera is SO adorable! I love it!

Lunch looks yummy. Sorry your tuna was not. Bummer.

Is that the grey stuff on top of the cupcakes? It looks delicious?

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Looks like I missed the last update. The execution of the surprise visit to AK from the other point of view was really neat to read about. It is a shame that you guys didn't sleep very well the night before, but it definitely worked out for the best.



And I don't think I've ever seen anyone call the biscuits at any McDonald's the "best biscuits they've ever had."

Dude, we are breakfast eaters (like breakfast for dinner 1-2 nights every week)... and these biscuits were stupidly fluffy and good.

And I didn't even know they had biscuits

But now I really want an Egg McMuffin!

or two

lol yes yes they do!

That pink vera is SO adorable! I love it!

Lunch looks yummy. Sorry your tuna was not. Bummer.

Is that the grey stuff on top of the cupcakes? It looks delicious?

yep the Grey stuff!

I feel slightly ashamed that I couldn't get an update in while Ann was gone. I'll get back on in a bit and do a RL update at least. lol

 

[afwdwfan]

Is that a huge candy corn cookie in the middle? I think I'd definitely be leaving with one of those.

I'm sorry your lunch at BoG was a little bit less than perfect. I have to say that I really enjoyed it the time I got to eat lunch there.

Their desserts are definitely a step up over any other CS place.

Dude, we are breakfast eaters (like breakfast for dinner 1-2 nights every week)... and these biscuits were stupidly fluffy and good.

Ok... I'll take your word for it.

 

[veggiemama]

Love the pictures of the fall decorations! Can't wait to see NFL myself.
Sorry BOG was not as good as you wanted it to be - the ambiance made up for it maybe?

 

[annmarieda]

I have that pink Vera bag...I love it (I used it for the entire December trip).

It was tempting. Ashley and I both ended up with the IASW LeSportsac bags. I think the Vera would maybe hold more.

Great photos of the afternoon mini-parade.

I always seem to catch that mini parade. I enjoy it.

Lunch looks yummy at BOG...we are going to have lunch there for the first time this September.

I will be honest. BOG is probably one of my least favorite places...EXCEPT for the atmosphere. It is super neat to dine in Beasts castle.

Sorry I'm late (internet issues for a couple of days and I'm way behind everywhere).

PLEASE! I can't stay caught up to save my own life. And someone has a thread that while I read... it just moves VERY fast.

That pink vera is SO adorable! I love it!

It is super cute.

Lunch looks yummy. Sorry your tuna was not. Bummer.

Even though the tuna was not great, the atmosphere was amazing and you just can't beat dinning with friends.

Is that the grey stuff on top of the cupcakes? It looks delicious?

Yes, it is. I forgot about Ginger and the grey stuff. She asked what it was (can't remember...she saw the pic or maybe it was on the menu listed as the master's dessert) In any case, both Ashley and I burst out with "its the grey stuff. Try it, it's delicious" Yeah... we had the giggles over that.

Dude, we are breakfast eaters (like breakfast for dinner 1-2 nights every week)... and these biscuits were stupidly fluffy and good.

I miss you and your "dude" comments.

I feel slightly ashamed that I couldn't get an update in while Ann was gone. I'll get back on in a bit and do a RL update at least. lol

Can't wait for a RL update!!! So exciting

Is that a huge candy corn cookie in the middle? I think I'd definitely be leaving with one of those.

Yup! Don't you just think the holiday treats are enticing??!!

I'm sorry your lunch at BoG was a little bit less than perfect. I have to say that I really enjoyed it the time I got to eat lunch there.

So far I have had lunch twice and dinner once. On each occasion, something has been lacking. No matter though... it is always in Disney so it is ALWAYS good even when not perfect.

Love the pictures of the fall decorations! Can't wait to see NFL myself.

The fall decorations really are amazing. It would be hard for me to pick between Christmas and fall decorations there.

Sorry BOG was not as good as you wanted it to be - the ambiance made up for it maybe?

Definitely made up for it...as did the company. Even if the food wasn't perfect, the dinning experience definitely was!!!

 

[annmarieda]

I learned a very valuable lesson on this trip. TAKE NOTES. I literally can't remember ANYTHING. I do think I went for a run on 10/2. Maybe? I ran a couple of times on the trip and I think this fits in with how the flow of the day seems to have gone.

After we were done in MK, my pictures pic up in Epcot. We definitely entered the main gate and not the international gateway since we made our way to food and wine and passed this.



Once in WS, we hit scotland and I went back to get my all time favorite morsel. A Scottish Banoffee Tart with bananas and scotch whisky.



Ashley got a Kalua Pork Slider from Hawaii. While Ginger got an Aulani Sunrise (yes, her third of the trip)



We must have then went back through to Canada where we got the Le Cellier beef filets. I splurged and got the Aple Ice wine. Who knew it would come in a thimble and cost that much??





We meandered through WS all afternoon. Was this the day I did PAP? I am not sure. Ashley took pictures so if this was the day it will have to go on her update.

I do know we landed in Japan for Ashley to get and Teryaki Chicken Hand roll and for Ginger to get her third Green Tea Colada of the trip.

We made it to Belgium where I had a waffle with berry compote.


We stopped to have Ginger try the warm chocolate pudding with baileys in Ireland.

Ginger also got a griddled greek cheese with pistachios and honey in Greece.

As the afternoon gave way to the evening we made one last stop at the refreshment port so that Ash and I could try the pineapple fritters and for me to get a dragon berry colada.



I have to say this was probably my least favorite things of the festival. the fritters were so greasy and it was a slice of pineapple not chunks. The dragon berry colada was just too sweet to have with the fritter. All around grease and sugar overload.

With that we decided we should get some real food. A stop at sunshine seasons gave me a much better tuna experience.



This tuna was very fresh and amazing!

Ginger and Ashley split this.



Then it was time for a ride before heading out of the park.


We got back to the room early enough that we finally decorated.




Next Up: 10/3 Part 1

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Hey we took notes kinda.... We drew on and numbered maps . That counts right? Lol

Those fritters were SO gross. Coming from the south where we turn anything into a fritter... I was expecting basically a hush puppy (basically a ball of fried dough) with chopped up gooey shredded pineapple in it. Lol proved me wrong!

***LIFE UPDATE***
Since Ann asked last night when I was going to post this, I'll go ahead and do it now while I'm bored out of my mind at work!

So the holidays for me were insane. We had to fire our third massage therapist the week before Black Friday. We couldn't get any of our normal fill ins to help at all. So my boss and I split 3-4 people's hours for the rest of November, all of December, and we are still just splitting hours between the two of us. At least the mall has calmed down some. (Talking 70 hour weeks there for a while.)

Well, my best friend in LA found out she was expecting the Sunday after thanksgiving. TMI for all you men out there reading *cough*Andy*cough* I'm normally pretty regular unless stress is involved. So my norm would have been around the 5th or 6th of December. Well Aunt Flo never showed up, I figured it was stress with all the work craziness. Fast forward 10 days to the 16th, we were going have sushi for Buddy's birthday, and I needed to take a test to find out if it was stress or if I wasn't eating sushi for the next 9 months.

Sure enough there were more little lines on that reader than I really wanted to be there at the time. But I took a breath and was like "eh Alexa's 5. It's time." Within a few days though, I started cramping, bleeding, having bad low back pain. Nothing too intense, no fever. Figured I was miscarrying. Decided if it got worse I would to to an ER because I was working every day 10 hours a day straight through my ObGyns hours. About a week after Christmas, everything had stopped. But then I had bladder infection symptoms and more low back pain and flu like symptoms. My wonderful Best Friend Ann, who had been a doula in her past life, basically threatened me to make a doctors appointment. She told me it sounded like an ectopic pregnancy. This was on a Friday. My appointment was for 3 days later on Monday.

Get to the doctor. He checks everything. They do an internal ultrasound. He's convinced that either I just had some very bad side affects of Plan b that I had taken in early November, or that since twins run in my family, I was carrying twins and one of them miscarried almost immediately. But he said there's no way to tell for sure.

So that allllllll being said we still have one healthy baby that will make his (hopefully) or her entrance into the world around August 12th. Since the LA BFF and I are 4 days apart, we are going do gender sonograms on the 25th of February at 16 weeks!

 

[annmarieda]

And am so excited!! Congrats to you and Buddy! I know this may not be the perfect time... But there rarely is when it comes to family planning. Besides- I think you are right.... Alexa is 5... It is time

 

[dizneeat]

Hey we took notes kinda.... We drew on and numbered maps . That counts right? Lol

Those fritters were SO gross. Coming from the south where we turn anything into a fritter... I was expecting basically a hush puppy (basically a ball of fried dough) with chopped up gooey shredded pineapple in it. Lol proved me wrong!

***LIFE UPDATE***
Since Ann asked last night when I was going to post this, I'll go ahead and do it now while I'm bored out of my mind at work!

So the holidays for me were insane. We had to fire our third massage therapist the week before Black Friday. We couldn't get any of our normal fill ins to help at all. So my boss and I split 3-4 people's hours for the rest of November, all of December, and we are still just splitting hours between the two of us. At least the mall has calmed down some. (Talking 70 hour weeks there for a while.)

Well, my best friend in LA found out she was expecting the Sunday after thanksgiving. TMI for all you men out there reading *cough*Andy*cough* I'm normally pretty regular unless stress is involved. So my norm would have been around the 5th or 6th of December. Well Aunt Flo never showed up, I figured it was stress with all the work craziness. Fast forward 10 days to the 16th, we were going have sushi for Buddy's birthday, and I needed to take a test to find out if it was stress or if I wasn't eating sushi for the next 9 months.

Sure enough there were more little lines on that reader than I really wanted to be there at the time. But I took a breath and was like "eh Alexa's 5. It's time." Within a few days though, I started cramping, bleeding, having bad low back pain. Nothing too intense, no fever. Figured I was miscarrying. Decided if it got worse I would to to an ER because I was working every day 10 hours a day straight through my ObGyns hours. About a week after Christmas, everything had stopped. But then I had bladder infection symptoms and more low back pain and flu like symptoms. My wonderful Best Friend Ann, who had been a doula in her past life, basically threatened me to make a doctors appointment. She told me it sounded like an ectopic pregnancy. This was on a Friday. My appointment was for 3 days later on Monday.

Get to the doctor. He checks everything. They do an internal ultrasound. He's convinced that either I just had some very bad side affects of Plan b that I had taken in early November, or that since twins run in my family, I was carrying twins and one of them miscarried almost immediately. But he said there's no way to tell for sure.

So that allllllll being said we still have one healthy baby that will make his (hopefully) or her entrance into the world around August 12th. Since the LA BFF and I are 4 days apart, we are going do gender sonograms on the 25th of February at 16 weeks!

Congratulations! Great news on a new addition to the family!

 

[swwake]

Wow. Very exciting Ashley!!

 

[annmarieda]

Look at you Susan with your ticker!!! I am so excited!! Tomorrow is early registration.

 

[swwake]

Look at you Susan with your ticker!!! I am so excited!! Tomorrow is early registration.

Glad you noticed! We are super excited too. We had written it off for 2014 because we have a hellacious travel schedule already, but Saturday I was contacted by 3 friends in 1 hour asking about it. As of now, I have one friend and her hubby who are officially joining us and a handful of other friends and families seriously considering. Chris is beyond excited.

We thought we wanted to do Beach Club for its proximity to F&W, but I think we've decided on Wilderness Lodge right now, as it will save us $1,000 over Beach Club. Or we may even do POFQ.

Tell me about this early registration thing! I know nothing. Do you have to be a Disney Visa cardholder?

 

[annmarieda]

Glad you noticed! We are super excited too. We had written it off for 2014 because we have a hellacious travel schedule already, but Saturday I was contacted by 3 friends in 1 hour asking about it. As of now, I have one friend and her hubby who are officially joining us and a handful of other friends and families seriously considering. Chris is beyond excited. We thought we wanted to do Beach Club for its proximity to F&W, but I think we've decided on Wilderness Lodge right now, as it will save us $1,000 over Beach Club. Or we may even do POFQ. Tell me about this early registration thing! I know nothing. Do you have to be a Disney Visa cardholder?

You might want to think about staying in a host resort or one that is close. Transportation to the race events becomes a pain if you try to drive yourself... Well actually the expo is better if you have a car... But the race itself would be a bit of a headache.

If the beach club is actually a host then boardwalk would be doable. That is my plan. Then I can walk back from dhs after the race... And for pre race stuff I can just walk over to beach club. Personally though- pofq would be my favorite pick!

Early registration looks to be for annual pass holders and Dvc owners. Sometimes it is for Visa card holders too... But I know it went wrong for dlh registrants and talk has been that it won't be offered for the upcoming races.

Early registration opens in about 30 minutes. There will be a link from within you ap , Dvc or dv card account.

 

[annmarieda]

Having ran the morning before (yes, I double checked and it was a run day) I didn't get up and out the door before the ladies.

Instead, we all got ready and left together. Not to go to a park though. Instead we went to the Polynesian. Wanting to try something but not wanting to use a ts credit, we opened to go to Captain Cooks for breakfast in order to get some tonga toast.



It was very sticky and a tad messy, but yummy none the less.

From there we went to DHS. Since we were running a bit late for the TSM dash, we decided to just make it a leisurely morning.

We went into the Magic of Disney Animation. There, I thought we did the academy. Maybe Ashley can shed some light on who we drew? We did spend some time in line to see Mr. Incredible and Frozone. The line was a bit long. But it was fun to be together and do a bit of people watching. Now, a little tid bit about me. I am a tad bit of a germaphob. I use to be much worse and have since got over much of my hang ups. However, one rule I have is to avoid handrails. It is like an actual rule at my house. DO NOT touch the handrails. Well, imagine how uncomfortable I was when standing in line I watched as a child not only was hanging on one, but was LICKING it. I am just sure this is how plagues start.

When it was finally our turn in line, Ashley went up first.


But I had to join in the fun.


I think we wanted to try and get a chance to see Venelope and Ralph, but their lines were WAY too long. Instead I got some sneaky pics.




From there we made our way to the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.







I am very impressed with this attraction. It makes me think that there is always new magic that Disney is working on that will continue to amaze me.

It was getting quite warm by this time and since this was the last day that I would be truly partaking of the boozey drinks. I wanted to get something at the High Octane stand.



This was oh so yummy! It was also nice to just sit at a table and enjoy the moment.

Next we went to the Backlot tour.




It was such a hot day, I almost envied this volunteer.


As much as I love the stage show, I love the tram tour maybe even a tad more. I just wish they had other props that they put out from time to time.


Knowing I would be running through this area in a couple days made this extra cool.


And who doesn't love catastrophe canyon?



As I said, it was hot. I secretly wished that all would come down on us.



Once off the tram we finished up by looking over some of the movie props.

If you haven't seen this movie this is from, you should. It and the Lone Ranger really failed at the box office, however I really enjoyed both movies.


Next Up: 10/3 Part 2

 

[swwake]

You might want to think about staying in a host resort or one that is close. Transportation to the race events becomes a pain if you try to drive yourself... Well actually the expo is better if you have a car... But the race itself would be a bit of a headache.

If the beach club is actually a host then boardwalk would be doable. That is my plan. Then I can walk back from dhs after the race... And for pre race stuff I can just walk over to beach club. Personally though- pofq would be my favorite pick!

Early registration looks to be for annual pass holders and Dvc owners. Sometimes it is for Visa card holders too... But I know it went wrong for dlh registrants and talk has been that it won't be offered for the upcoming races.

Early registration opens in about 30 minutes. There will be a link from within you ap , Dvc or dv card account.

This sounds like good advice. I need to re-evaluate our hotel options now...

We aren't members of DVC, don't have a DV and no AP I can wait until Tuesday.

 

[annmarieda]

This sounds like good advice. I need to re-evaluate our hotel options now...

We aren't members of DVC, don't have a DV and no AP I can wait until Tuesday.

If you have a car, it is doable to stay in a non host resort. In fact, this past trip we didn't once use RD transportation to the expo. My main concern with the ToT weekend is getting to the race... but I bet you could get a taxi to drop you off. Just also know that for WDW marathon weekend RD put restrictions on how you could get to the staging area and corrals. People use to walk to the start from OKW or POFQ/POR... but this was grounds for disqualification this time. I know staying in the Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC or BW would be easy to walk home from the race since you exit the park the "normal" way. I just am not sure we will be able to walk to the start.

As of the last time I checked, the host resorts listed were still the ones from 2013. It does include POFQ... and honestly I assume that it will again this year. I am sure they will update the site soon now that there are some who have officially registered. Took care of that yesterday for Steve and I. 3rd time for this race... seems like just yesterday I was so stressed out about being able to do the first one. I have some other people who will be doing the race with us. (well, as "with" as I do since I am just not such a nice person ) They will have to wait till next week too. I have warned them of how fast disney races are filling up. (the DLH filled first day) I doubt ToT will fill the first day... or even the first week- but I could be entirely wrong. Come the 11th, I will be watching to make sure that it doesnt fill before they have a chance to register. I will shoot you a message too if I see if filling up fast

 

[swwake]

If you have a car, it is doable to stay in a non host resort. In fact, this past trip we didn't once use RD transportation to the expo. My main concern with the ToT weekend is getting to the race... but I bet you could get a taxi to drop you off. Just also know that for WDW marathon weekend RD put restrictions on how you could get to the staging area and corrals. People use to walk to the start from OKW or POFQ/POR... but this was grounds for disqualification this time. I know staying in the Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC or BW would be easy to walk home from the race since you exit the park the "normal" way. I just am not sure we will be able to walk to the start.

As of the last time I checked, the host resorts listed were still the ones from 2013. It does include POFQ... and honestly I assume that it will again this year. I am sure they will update the site soon now that there are some who have officially registered. Took care of that yesterday for Steve and I. 3rd time for this race... seems like just yesterday I was so stressed out about being able to do the first one. I have some other people who will be doing the race with us. (well, as "with" as I do since I am just not such a nice person ) They will have to wait till next week too. I have warned them of how fast disney races are filling up. (the DLH filled first day) I doubt ToT will fill the first day... or even the first week- but I could be entirely wrong. Come the 11th, I will be watching to make sure that it doesnt fill before they have a chance to register. I will shoot you a message too if I see if filling up fast

I plan to register on the 11th as soon as I can. It's my priority. Ok here's another question for you. Are there discounts for the host hotels? Or do you run on regular specials and PIN codes, etc? From looking at the RD sight, it says there are "packages" for accommodations but doesn't mention discounts. And it says there is a 30% discount on parkhopper tickets for 3 days.

I don't plan to run "with" anyone. Even at our 5 miler, Chris, Katie and I all ran at different paces, though we started together. My goal will be to run the whole thing, but I can't start consistently training until April, and then with all of my travel, it will be a challenge, but I know I'll be able to finish, even if I can't run the whole thing.

As for the people who may be joining us, we'll see them before and after the race, probably have some meals and park touring with them, but I think everyone will make it their own family's vacation.