Can I Survive another 11 days in WDW w/ Disney-Resistant Husband? *11/25 SURPRISE!!**

[LilAnn]

I am sure your adorable daughter stole the entire show. I would love to see her in her dress...can you post some of your photos on here???

Well, since you asked....here are a few!

She ended up doing a great job and I was so proud of her.

Chris did an unbelievable job! I am always in awe of runners since I am most definitely not a runner myself.

Thinking that I may need to do a very belated TR of our Feb. trip just to help me get through my Disney depression......

 

[cdotla]

Wow!! That's amazing! Good for Chris!

And good for you... you may have stumbled upon the secret to future WDW vacations... scheduling them to coincide w/ a race!

You know....I have already tried that angle. Chris is thinking/contemplating running a Full marathon. He is not sure if he is up to the training for it, but I think he also feels like if he is going to accomplish that goal, he'd better get on it sooner rather than later as he is not getting any younger.

I have been hinting that Marathon Weekend in Jan might be a great opportunity for him to run his 1st Full, and me to run my 1st Half. (Yes, I know that this would mean I actually have to get off the couch pronto and start running!)

Anyway, he hasn't bit yet.....still hoping the excitement of a Disney race may pull him in once he runs the Wine & Dine in Oct.

 

[cdotla]

Well, since you asked....here are a few!

She ended up doing a great job and I was so proud of her.

Chris did an unbelievable job! I am always in awe of runners since I am most definitely not a runner myself.

Thinking that I may need to do a very belated TR of our Feb. trip just to help me get through my Disney depression......

Oh, she is just a little doll! Adorable!!!

I don't see any problem with doing a late TR...many people do! Let me know if you decide to start one!

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry I never got my Destination D post up last nite....when I went to post Photobucket was down. Apparently me and a million other users couldn't get into our accounts.

I am at work now, but should be able to get the post up tonite once I can access Photobucket again. I don't have a lot of photos (in fact, I have very few) but I do want to include what I have in my post.

In the meantime, I am still absolutely stunned by Chris' Half Marathon time yesterday. To recap, he ran 1:31 in his last couple Halfs over the last 6 months. Then, out of nowhere, on a fairly hilly, slow course, he ran 1:27 yesterday!

To put it into perspective, based on last year's results, if he runs this time at the upcoming Wine & Dine (which I believe will be an easier course), he would have finished 20th out of 7287 runners, or 3rd in his age category.

All very amazing to me considering he only started running 3 1/2 years ago, is entirely self-taught, never read a book or took a course, never runs with anyone, and doesn't wear a watch or own a Garmin.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously impressive

It looks like PB updated their website, the home page was a new design and apparently...wasn't working! I haven't tried today but couldn't get in last night either.

 

[LilAnn]

Oh, she is just a little doll! Adorable!!!

I don't see any problem with doing a late TR...many people do! Let me know if you decide to start one!

Thank you!

And I decided to just go ahead and do it. I started the TR, pop by when you get a chance. I haven't really gotten going yet, though. I have to go to work first.....(link is in my signature)

 

[DrMomof3]

Go Chris!!! It does make me feel VERY slow...
I'm running my 1st full in January so I think that's a great plan!

Amanda

 

[Queenofallthings]

I cannot even imagine how proud you must be of Chris....that is beyond awesome!! Please pass on our congratulations!

 

[SoonerGirl]

In the meantime, I am still absolutely stunned by Chris' Half Marathon time yesterday. To recap, he ran 1:31 in his last couple Halfs over the last 6 months. Then, out of nowhere, on a fairly hilly, slow course, he ran 1:27 yesterday!

Congratulations to Chris, that is awesome!!! It would probably take me 1:27 to run a 5K Just kidding of course, I wouldn't be that bad - I hope.........

Well, since you asked....here are a few!

She ended up doing a great job and I was so proud of her.

Oh my gosh Ann, how stinkin' cute is she?!

 

[kimbo0569]

Loving your pre-TR so far. That stinks that your Disney store closed.
I have a Disney-resistant dh as well so we pretty much only get down every 3-4 years....
I think I did get him to agree to a trip next year (2012) because he didn't even flinch when we were discussing vacations for this year. My youngest said she wanted to go back to Disney so I said, not this year, next year we'll go and he just simply asked when we should go, instead of the choking and sputtering that he usually does...

On to read more......

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Trish! Subbing!

I'm so excited to see you are doing another trip and report to go along with it. I really enjoyed reading and participating in your last report - you really have a knack for writing and photography! I should do trip reports, but I scrapbook and finding time to do both is impossible!

Anyway, your plans sound great, love the ADR's. I am curious how you will like the different resort. I always 'dream' about buying DVC and those points are a good deal.

We had a big trip last October 2010 to Poly for 8 days and my Disney resistant husband had his 'moments', but overall it was a good trip. He is getting less resistant (or maybe I'm becoming more tolerant - hmmmm) Like you, my DH really only can tolerate 'so much' park touring, where I could stay all day, so we compormise, and I keep planning the trips!

How awesome you went to Destination D, I have listened to all the podcasts about it and it sounds great!

Thanks for your awesome reports, it's a great way to get our Disney fixes!!!
Erin

 

[cdotla]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously impressive

Well I was impressed!

And I decided to just go ahead and do it. I started the TR, pop by when you get a chance. I haven't really gotten going yet, though. I have to go to work first.....(link is in my signature)

Thanks for letting me know! I will definitely stop by!

Go Chris!!! It does make me feel VERY slow...
I'm running my 1st full in January so I think that's a great plan!

Amanda

Way to go Amanda!!! How exciting!!! I can't wait to hear your experiences with it.

I cannot even imagine how proud you must be of Chris....that is beyond awesome!! Please pass on our congratulations!

Thanks Queen!

Congratulations to Chris, that is awesome!!! It would probably take me 1:27 to run a 5K Just kidding of course, I wouldn't be that bad - I hope.........

I definitely would never pick up any speed awards either Michelle!

Loving your pre-TR so far. That stinks that your Disney store closed.
I have a Disney-resistant dh as well so we pretty much only get down every 3-4 years....
I think I did get him to agree to a trip next year (2012) because he didn't even flinch when we were discussing vacations for this year. My youngest said she wanted to go back to Disney so I said, not this year, next year we'll go and he just simply asked when we should go, instead of the choking and sputtering that he usually does...

On to read more......

Thanks for joining, and Welcome! So glad to hear your husband is "coming around". I don't hold out much hope for mine, but I think I have finally made peace with that. It certainly doesn't hold me back!

Hi Trish! Subbing!

I'm so excited to see you are doing another trip and report to go along with it. I really enjoyed reading and participating in your last report - you really have a knack for writing and photography! I should do trip reports, but I scrapbook and finding time to do both is impossible!

Anyway, your plans sound great, love the ADR's. I am curious how you will like the different resort. I always 'dream' about buying DVC and those points are a good deal.

We had a big trip last October 2010 to Poly for 8 days and my Disney resistant husband had his 'moments', but overall it was a good trip. He is getting less resistant (or maybe I'm becoming more tolerant - hmmmm) Like you, my DH really only can tolerate 'so much' park touring, where I could stay all day, so we compormise, and I keep planning the trips!

How awesome you went to Destination D, I have listened to all the podcasts about it and it sounds great!

Thanks for your awesome reports, it's a great way to get our Disney fixes!!!
Erin

Hi Erin! Thanks so much for posting and Welcome! It certainly sounds like we have oodles in common!

8 days at the Poly??? Girl - that sounds like my dream trip!!! If/when they ever make DVC at the Poly, there will be no holding me back....sign me up. Whatever it takes....I am in!

I hope to have a full recap of our Destination D trip posted in full by the weekend. First update will be up shortly!

 

[cdotla]

Destination D Trip

I thought I would post a recap of my recent weekend trip earlier this month for Destination D.
In a word....FABULOUS!!! Destination D far exceeded my expectations. It was beyond amazing.
Loved it!!!

The trip started for me after finishing up a 3 day work conference in Toronto. Then, on Friday, May 13th (cue ominous music...) I hopped on another flight to Orlando, eventually making it onto WDW property by early evening.

I was spending the trip with Carrie (lurkyloo), and that night we were scheduled to meet up with some other Dissers (Melanie, Eric, Andrea, Brian and Anita) for dinner at California Grill. Carrie was the linch pin who arranged everything and tied us all together.

The plan was to meet at 5:15pm for our 5:30pm reservation. The only problem? At 5:15pm I was still speeding down I-4 en route for Disney. Friday the 13th certainly lived up to its expectations. It started with me turning off my 4:30am alarm clock in favour of a 5 minute snooze. By the time I next checked the clock, it was 5:15am! I bounded out of bed scared I was going to miss my flight, and in turn, all the other things I had planned that night in WDW. Fortunately I made the 3 hour commute from the conference facility in Muskoka to the Pearson Airport in record time, even in rush hour traffic. Crisis averted, I ended up making my flight. Just as I was finally allowing myself to relax and calm down after the panicked ride into the airport, I ended up falling victim to a messy toddler who ended up spilling stuff on my pants and jacket. Of course all my other clothes were packed in my checked-in baggage. Hey....I left my kids at home this trip...was I really due to start the trip with a messy kid's sippy cup stains all over my pants???? Apparently, yes...I was.

Fortunately I must have been super nice to the agent at the baggage check-in counter as I somehow ended up getting a priority tag placed on my check-in luggage, even though I really wasn't a priority customer. As a result, my luggage was first on the baggage claim belt at MCO. Yay...my luck was about to change!

Not quite! Somehow I then proceeded to lose my driver's license somewhere between Alamo's garage check-in kiosk and my "VIP" Ford Escort parked 4 cars away. After walking back and forth between the car and the check-in kiosk about a dozen times I finally found the darn thing lying on the ground between the car and the kiosk booth.

Undeterred, I was still convinced that my luck was finally bound to change for good for the better. Afterall, I was finally in my car, en route to WDW. As I knew I was going to be late for our reservation at California Grill, I called Carrie and told her to have everyone go ahead and order without me, and hopefully I would still arrive in time to order a plate of sushi.

Fortunately I made good time on the drive from the airport. I managed to check in, get up to the room for a quick change of clothes, and eventally made it up to the restaurant around 5:50pm, literally just after everyone else had ordered. Apparently everyone was busy chatting and catching up for the first little bit, so that bought me some time.

Even though with the exception of Carrie I was meeting everyone for the first time that night, I forgot how easy it is to connect with a group of fellow Dissers. It was a great way to kick-start our trip, and our little group of 7 (which became 8 the next morning) stayed together throughout the weekend at the Destination D events.

During the course of dinner, at one point I stopped to chat with one of the restaurant managers on my way back to our table, who happened to let it slip that Marty Sklar had been in for dinner the previous evening. Egads!!! Disney royalty was in my midst...I was already getting super excited about what lay ahead in the days to come.

Dinner, as usual, was wonderful. I had a nice glass of red, and (as always) a plate of sushi. Delish!

After dinner, Carrie and I bid our farewells to the rest of the group and made it back to the room where we were greeted by this wonderful cake, which of course we had to take out onto the balcony to admire.

If you know me, you will know that I have a soft spot for Lilly Pulitzer, and Carrie surprised me with a Welcome to Disney cake done up in traditional Lilly colors. Too cute! And delicious too!

After admiring our cake, we eventually headed downstairs and headed over to Epcot via the International Gateway. First stop was the Grey Goose kiosk in France for a Grey Goose slushie. Can you believe it took me until this moment to try one?

At that very point, I was in bliss. I had just stepped onto WDW property hours earlier, and checked into our wonderful room at the Contemporary where Destination D would be taking place over the next few days. I had enjoyed a lovely meal with great company, and now, here I was, enjoying my first ever Grey Goose slushie, catching up with my good friend in France, with 15 minutes to go until Illuminations. Does it get any better than that?

YES...it DOES!!!

Literally just as I grabbed my slushie and Carrie and I were making our way over to stake out a spot to stand behind the row of coveted tables and chairs in France overlooking World Showcase...(you know, the ones that are normally claimed 30-45 minutes before showtime), one of those tables actually became vacant.

So there we were....Grey Goose slushie in hand (well, in my hand at least:laughing), SITTING (not standing) in a prime viewing location with less than 10 minutes to spare until Illuminations.

Before we knew it....out blew the lights and we sat back to enjoy the show.

Afterwards we casually strolled around World Showcase. By Mexico I was ready for another drink and ordered a margaritta. Yes, that was drink #3 for those that are counting.

Then it was off to the Test Track single rider line, which we got through in about 20 minutes. It was the first time Carrie or I had done this at night, and I have to say it was a completely different experience. Really enjoyed it.

Then we were off to Mission Space. I guess the drinks must have lowered all inhibitions because despite the fact that I am extremely suceptible to motion sickness I somehow talked both of us into trying the Orange side. As it turned out, I was so glad that we did! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn't feel one bit sick at all....even with sushi, red wine, Grey Goose slushie, and a chugged margarita in my belly.

Afterwards we actually ended up hitting Downtown Disney and Ghiradelli's for a sundae for heading back to the Contemporary for the night. It was a late nite, and we had a full two days ahead of us at the Destination D conference starting bright and early the next morning.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oooh....a Destination D trippie. I've been following another Disser's trip with loads of pictures and an almost blow-by-blow description of the conversation.

Avidly waiting to read about your experience!

 

[cdotla]

Oooh....a Destination D trippie. I've been following another Disser's trip with loads of pictures and an almost blow-by-blow description of the conversation.

Avidly waiting to read about your experience!

Let me warn you now...my recap won't be a "trippie", only a post or two, won't have any pics, and certainly won't provide a detailed blow by blow description of the events. Just my overall brief impressions. Don't want to lead you astray....

 

[MEK]

Wow!!!!! What an awesome start to your Destination D trip. Very, very cool. I would love to meet Carrie. I so love her TR's. They are amazing and so addictive.

Also - congrats to Chris for his amazing time. I have this theory that some people are just genetically wired to run and the lucky ones discover it and put it to good use.

 

[Native NYer]

What a fun evening!
Love the cake!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm sorry your trip started off with a few snags. But seriously, what a magical way to end your evening! How perfect!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Am glad you made it in time and wow at all the drama of the day (esp the kid ruining your clothes!)

Was glad to read that your day improved and love the surprise cake.

 

[LilAnn]

Sorry to hear that the day got off to a slightly rough start, but in the end, it turned out to be quite perfect. And that's really all that matters, right? That things work out when you are actually at Disney? Sounds like a fantastic evening.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Hi Trish!!!!
Loved hearing about your route to get to Destination D. I remember the story of the sippy cup spill from our dinner that night. It was so great meeting you that night & spending the weekend together at Destination D. I was really glad that I was able to snag that 5:30 CG ressie for 6 people.
Great pics of your cake. I remember you & Carrie talking about skipping dessert so you could enjoy it.
I wish Eric & I had annual passes because I would have loved to go to Epcot with you guys & watch Illuminations! Sounded perfect!