BE's Never Ending TR -- That kind of ... Ended? Or did it?

[Belle Ella]

Thanks, Kaitlin! I am such a big scaredy cat usually it wasn't a sure thing. I went on my first roller coaster at 24 for crying out loud (and I'm only 2 1/2 months away from 25).

And a small update - I should have a brand new PTR coming this way very, very, very soon! So excited

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

You are my hero. I have never been nor am I ever going to be riding ToT or the ears roller coaster. Upside down is just not normal or is dropping at a terrifying speed. I mean they just drop you -- makes me shudder thinking about it. just call me FC = fraidy cat. I will wear the name with pride.

I think I would die of a heart attack doing either of those.

I am more of the peter pan "the man" ride. But I a great window shopper and a very happy food taster.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

That's okay. I'm only 16 and I'm not sure how old I was when I went on my first roller coaster.

 

[Belle Ella]

Patty - that's exactly what I used to think. I should probably go back to some of my previous TR's and quote myself on how I would never, ever, ever, in a million years go on Tower of Terror or California Screamin'. I am a huge scaredy-cat (and wuss according to my high school Biology class) and have pretty severe anxiety. I'm still scratching my head over how I had the guts to pull up my big girl britches! But I just know that I somehow managed to do it. Heck, I used to even be afraid of going on Peter Pans flight because I just hated the idea of being suspended like that! How sad is that?!

Kaitlin - The pathetic part is that it seriously took me that long to muster up the nerves to go on a 'scary' ride. A lot of people I know would make fun of me for that little fact, lol.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Kaitlin - The pathetic part is that it seriously took me that long to muster up the nerves to go on a 'scary' ride. A lot of people I know would make fun of me for that little fact, lol.

Why did it take you so long?

 

[Belle Ella]

Because I am a big scaredy-cat with major anxiety problems. Usually just thinking about getting on rides like that was enough to give me a full blown anxiety attack. I've gotten them so bad to land me in the ER before and it's terrifying to feel like that so I would avoid anything that had the potential. You still can't pay me to get onto a plain though. But somehow I managed to get on those rides without flipping out. Major progress for me.

 

[Belle Ella]

It's time to get the party started again! ​

I cannot believe that it's already July 2 - which means that I cannot believe that I'm only two months away from my next Disneyland adventure (and another Disneyland first for me). This one will also be my last trip for the inaugural year of my Premium AP unless something totally awesome happens before December 6 of this year. But the good news here? I will definitely be renewing for a second go-round, a decision that I was actually on the fence about until finding out that Disney was extending the payment plan option through Northern California which includes me! Now instead of having to fork over a couple hundred dollars all at once I can spread the pain out over 12 months and not dig myself into a hole to start off 2012. Now it's on to the even better news: another Official PTR by Jazz!

Let me just preface this by saying that I used to be runner. Not the key words here: I used to be a runner. So some days I sit here wondering what on earth could possibly posses me to think that signing up for any Disneyland Half Marathon over Labor Day Weekend would be a good idea, but it doesn't matter because I did! I suppose that ever since I found out about this RunDisney event thanks to some Trip Reports here on the DIS I've had a secret desire to give it a try. Running through Disneyland before i opens? Seeing characters cheer you on as you go? I'd sign up for that! It's the running part that made me stop and say "No way, Jose!", there is no way on earth I could possibly run 13 miles regardless of where I'm running. Even when I was running consistently I was a sprinter and not made for long distances. But ... But ... It's Disneyland! But it didn't matter, I honestly laughed at the thought, shook my head, and went along with my business.

Or so I thought.

Somehow, at the end of last year, I decided "Why the heck shouldn't I?" and started to look into it a little more and was pleased to find that there was a much more attainable goal to start off with than simply signing up for the Half: A 5K, or 3.1 miles. I can do that easy. Heck, the route that I take to walk my dog is almost 3 miles on the dot which would give me a good starting point to begin my own training. The way I saw it I could register myself for the 5K (now announced to be the Star Tours 5K) for this year which would give me a whole year to train and prepare myself for the Disneyland Half next year. Much better idea! And just like that it was decided, I registered, and it was a done deal - no looking back at that point. It was also supposed to be a stepping stone, a goal to reach for, to help me get healthier. So far things haven't worked out exactly the way I had planned but it's a work in progress.

Maybe the real deciding factor had to do with the fact that the Star Tours 5K falls exactly 1 week before my birthday. It's the big 25 this year and I have been dead set on celebrating at Disneyland for the 3rd year running. It may be a week early, but it's happening alright! Pretty much everything is now set in stone. After some confusion over who got my time off request at work I am officially cleared to go and I have a room booked at the HOJO for September 2nd through the 5th! At this point really all there is left to do is keep saving up money and try to figure out who will be joining me.

OK now, deep breath before I continue!

Cast of Characters

​

By no means is our cast of characters set in stone considering nobody I know seems to know how to plan more than two weeks in advance so I probably wont know for sure who is all going until the very last possible second which can make planning a bit challenging, but what can you do? As everything stands now, 2 months out here is who you can expect to make an appearance or two:

ME!​

I know, I know, that should kind of go without saying, right? But what can I say, you should all call me Captain Obvious (just add it to the ever-expanding list of names I'll answer to). For those who are just now jumping along for the ride as we barrel through another thread my name is Jessica (although 'round these parts you will also see me referred to as Belle Ella and Jazz) and I am a Disney-aholic. I simply cannot get enough, but thankfully I have the DIS to keep me from slowly going insane whenever I'm not at the Happiest Place on Earth. There's probably more that I could say about me to paint you a picture of who I am but I'm sure you can piece that together here and there. I will say this though: I love birthdays, Snow White, and Starkid!

merrrydeath and Belle Ella, December 2010​

For those who don't know, Meredith is a fellow DIS'er who I've gotten to know over the years through both her TR and mine, along with the many chit-chat dedicated threads we've had over on the Community Board. What can I say, I love to make friends here! We actually don't live too far from each other (we're both located in the Bay Area) and we actually met up on Halloween last year for a Rocky Horror Picture Show night with the Bawdy Caste at the Retrodome in San Jose. Oh man, what a fun night that was. And as you can see from the photo above we met up briefly at Disneyland in December since our dates overlapped a tiny little bit. And now that plan is for her to drive down part way through this trip and staying with me for another quick Disney fix! The plan is for her to drive down on Saturday night after she gets off work and stay with me at the HOJO until I check out on Monday. Sounds like fun times to me!

There should also be plenty of guest appearances from a few more DIS'ers as some of the Divas tackle the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend and continue the planning for next year's Girls Only trip. So keep an eye out!

That's all I've got for today's PTR installation - see you all on the other side!

continue the PTR adventure here​

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Yay! A new PTR. I am excited for you!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I will not participate due to school. I hope you have a great time there. I have never done it before.

 

[DizNee Luver]

So they're running the Star Tours 5K & the Half Marathon at the same time?? Or am I confused.....lol I'd almost sign on for a 5K if I had a really weak moment.........

Sounds awesome!! Love the HoJo & a tad jealous you'll be seeing a few of the Divas that weekend! Are you doing the Tinkerbell one in January??

Looking forward to watching this one unfold.......2 months....heavy sigh......at least I'll get a bit of a DL fix from your trip report to get me thru my last month of waiting!!

 

[Belle Ella]

Thanks, Andrea! I'm kind of excited for me too, I wont lie

Kaitlin, you should think abut signing up for the Tinkerbell Half or Neverland 5K in January. I'm having fun trying to talk others into doing it. They fall over the weekend if school is an issue.

Laurie, did I say something silly? I'll have to go re-read my post to see if I need to edit something real quick. But it's a whole weekend of events. The Expo is on Friday and Saturday, the 5K is on Saturday along with a Pasta in the Park thing at night, and then the Half is on Sunday. I'll spell it all out a little more when I get to the schedule installation of this PTR but that's bit aways still. But I'm super excited to see some of the Divas again! I know for sure I will see the rest of the SH Committee and hopefully I'll see few of the ladies running the actual Half. Plus Jasmine (where's_my_prince) will be doing the 5K as well.

ETA, because I totally forgot, I am registered for the Tinkerbell Half since you asked. Wasn't planning on bringing it up just yet. I'm pretty stoked about it. I know I've talked briefly with Trudi and Sarah about possibly rooming with them for that but it's possible I have family who will be signing up. I just realized last night that the Half will be on my step-dad's 50th birthday, lol. Silly me. And don't worry, your trip wont be too far behind mine. I'll do my best to hold you over until then.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

When are they?

 

[Belle Ella]

The events for Tinkerbell Half marathon happen over the weekend of January 27-29, 2012. Here's the website if you want to check it out: Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend - runDisney

 

[JH87]

YAY a new PTR!
I love reading TRs that take place during some event at DLR that I have never done, so it feels like something new and interesting for me to read! Can't wait to hear all about it

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

The events for Tinkerbell Half marathon happen over the weekend of January 27-29, 2012. Here's the website if you want to check it out: Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend - runDisney

I have semester finals that week. I'm not a huge marathon runner.

 

[Belle Ella]

Jillian - I'm with you on loving TR's about special events. Hopefully I can do the whole thing justice! It'll just be practice for when I run and report back on the Tinkerbell Half in January. I'm so stoked about participating in the inaugural run. But I suppose I should only focus on one thing at a time, lol.

Kaitlin - I know what you mean about not being a marathoner. I'm not really a runner period but I am so excited to challenge myself like this! At least I'm starting with the 5K. Baby steps, baby steps!

 

[reyasmommy]

Subbing for your new PTR, can't wait to read more!

 

[Belle Ella]

Glad to have you here! I actually just popped open your new PTR a couple of seconds ago What a coincidence.

 

[merrrydeath]

Ha. I love that picture of us... And that awkward PP experience.

 

[reyasmommy]

Glad to have you here! I actually just popped open your new PTR a couple of seconds ago What a coincidence.

I LOVE your "SNOW-WIPE" siggie.