DisneyLAND bound!!

[Rachael Q]

I was planning on running, however some minor health problems have prevented full training, I have been walking instead So Cam I will mainly be walking, with some running breaks!

 

[crzy4pooh]

Thanks Pat for updating the list! DH (wfloyd) will be mostly running the half. I will be doing the 5K - walk/run. I think Cam mentioned a kids list - we have a DS - age 3. We will be arriving at Grand Californian on Sunday - 9/10, and leaving Tuesday - 9/19. If anyone is arriving that week before, we'd love to meet up! I think we are going to spend one day sightseeing around Hollywood, but the rest will be in the parks.

DH is doing great on his long runs - he did 10 miles last Saturday, and I'm not sure what is on schedule for tomorrow. I have definitely been a slacker on the running - I keep thinking "it's just three miles for the 5K... I can do that in my sleep...." I'm afraid September in creeping up all too fast, though! I don't suppose swimming and biking are going to help my speed much on the 5K!

We are good for a WISH meet wherever, and although I LOVE Rainforest, I think it may be a bit crowded to get us all together. I like the DTD idea, or maybe a food court in one of the resort hotels.

I'm soooo excited about DL!!! I can't wait to see all the WISHers!!! Keep up the great work on the training!!!

--Lynnda

 

[WDWFAN9]

Yes, that is right! The DL Half is only 83 days away. I hope everyone's training is going well.

Take care

 

[msblrobs]

Yes, that is right! The DL Half is only 83 days away.

Thanks for the update Pat!! Have we finalized any meets yet? I know Cam was talking about calling Mimi's. I've eaten at the Anaheim one a few times and they may have a banquet sort of room. It is not all that large though. Unfortunately, it may be more difficult finalizing a meet at DL due to logistics and the limited number of meeting spaces. Are there any locals on our list who could offer any other suggestions, if need be, for a meeting location?

 

[lap3]

Thanks for the update Pat!! Have we finalized any meets yet? I know Cam was talking about calling Mimi's. I've eaten at the Anaheim one a few times and they may have a banquet sort of room. It is not all that large though. Unfortunately, it may be more difficult finalizing a meet at DL due to logistics and the limited number of meeting spaces. Are there any locals on our list who could offer any other suggestions, if need be, for a meeting location?

I mentioned the Rainforest Cafe and, for the most part, everyone liked the idea. The difficulty for setting this place up is determining how many people will be there in attendance. We could put in a reservation in groups of 20 and that doesn't require any deposit. Anything more is considered a banquet where the menu is set(everyone orders the same thing) and a deposit is required. A few mentioned meeting in DTD for some place quick and light. I'm up for that but we haven't decided on where that would be.

Anyone else have suggestions?

BTW, do you DISers wear like team shirts on race day? This is just so I know to keep an eye out for you in the event I'm unable to make it to the DIS meet...

Danny

 

[Maherae]

Hello, everyone!!
I checked out the DTDland site and here are some places that have outside tables and chairs:

Compass Books Cafe
As part of a unique shopping and dining experience, you can read a book, browse a magazine or just take a break in comfortable cane chairs on a lush shaded patio. Enjoy:

Full-flavored coffees and teas
Smoothies
Compass Classics like Italian, French and Tropical Sodas
Light sandwiches and salads
Delicious pastries and desserts
Cuisine: American

Service Type: Quick Service

Price Range: $ ($10 per person or less) *

Meals Served: Snack

La Brea Bakery Cafe Dining

Enjoy the fabulous fare from the legendary family bakery made famous for "bringing bread to life."

Gourmet sandwiches
Tasty pastries
Delicious desserts
A variety of luscious rustic foods
All in the relaxing confines of this aromatic cafe and its delightful outdoor patio
Cuisine: California

Service Type: Casual Dining

Price Range: $$ ($10-$20 per person) *

Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Additional Information
Priority Seating is recommended

Napolini
For great-tasting Italian food to go, nothing tops Napolini, the new gourmet Italian deli located in Downtown Disney® District. Authentic Italian fare includes fresh salads, delicious pastas, pizza and mouthwatering deli & panini sandwiches. In a hurry? No problem, Napolini is the perfect place for that "grab-and-go" meal. Taking your time? There's outdoor seating, too, for those who'd prefer a relaxing meal.
Cuisine: Italian

Service Type: Quick Service

Price Range: $ ($10 per person or less) *

Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tortilla Jo's
Revel in the spirit of Mexico with mouth-watering traditional dishes, magnificent margaritas and live mariachis adding to the atmosphere of the indoor dining area and open-air cantina which is the perfect gathering place for fun and drinks. Indulge in a mixture of Mexican culinary traditions including taquitos, "drowned" nachos and Camarones Diablos, with spicy shrimp and cracklings. Experience tradition with our hand-made tortilla station, made-to-order guacamole and lime-marinated ceviches. Grab a quick snack at the convenient taqueria which offers quesadillas, "Mexicones" and our authentic cinnamon-sugar churros served with warm Mexican chocolate.
Enjoy live mariachis Wednesday - Sunday evenings in the Cantina from 3:00pm - 1:00am.
Restaurant Hours:
Sunday - Thursday, 11:00am - 10:00pm
Friday and Saturday, 11:00am - 11:00pm

Cantina Hours:
Daily 3:00pm - 1:00am

Cuisine: Mexican, Healthy Selections

Service Type: Casual Dining

Price Range: $$$ ($20-$30 per person) *

Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner

Additional Information: Priority Seating can be arranged in advance

Other Information for us:

Where is Downtown Disney® District located? Can I walk there from the Parks and Hotels? Downtown Disney® District is conveniently located within walking distance from Disney's California Adventure™ park, Disneyland® park, and the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort.

Is there a separate entrance fee for Downtown Disney® District? There is no entrance fee for Downtown Disney® District.

The Downtown Disney® District parking is located on Disneyland Drive, between the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and the Disneyland Hotel. Your first three hours of parking are FREE. An additional two hours can be validated at AMC® Theatres and at table-service dining restaurants. After that, the cost is $6 for each additional hour, charged in 20-minute increments.

La Brea would be the only one I would really worry about priority seating. Tortilla Jo's sounds like the cantina in WS. I would be surprised if the $ really was 20 to 30! (for food, anyway!).

Danny Check out our team shirts thread! Uh oh...I don't know if you can still order or not. It says last day to PAY is June 30th...Check with wtpclc/Carrie. If you can't get a shirt or would rather not order one, we try to wear lime green as that's the color for the DIS boards.

OK, I hope this helps! As this is straight off the site, maybe someone who's been there can give us the real low down! Anne

 

[WDWFAN9]

Anne,

All of those sound great! DH and I would be happy to meet the WISHers at any one of them.

 

[lap3]

Danny Check out our team shirts thread! Uh oh...I don't know if you can still order or not. It says last day to PAY is June 30th...Check with wtpclc/Carrie. If you can't get a shirt or would rather not order one, we try to wear lime green as that's the color for the DIS boards.

Anne

Thanks for the info, Anne! Unfortunately, my DW would kill me if I got another shirt. So, I'll have to pass. But, I'll definitely say hi on race day!

Danny

 

[perfectmatch300]

Thanks Pat for updating the list! DH (wfloyd) will be mostly running the half. I will be doing the 5K - walk/run. I think Cam mentioned a kids list - we have a DS - age 3. We will be arriving at Grand Californian on Sunday - 9/10, and leaving Tuesday - 9/19. If anyone is arriving that week before, we'd love to meet up! I think we are going to spend one day sightseeing around Hollywood, but the rest will be in the parks.

DH is doing great on his long runs - he did 10 miles last Saturday, and I'm not sure what is on schedule for tomorrow. I have definitely been a slacker on the running - I keep thinking "it's just three miles for the 5K... I can do that in my sleep...." I'm afraid September in creeping up all too fast, though! I don't suppose swimming and biking are going to help my speed much on the 5K!

We are good for a WISH meet wherever, and although I LOVE Rainforest, I think it may be a bit crowded to get us all together. I like the DTD idea, or maybe a food court in one of the resort hotels.




I'm soooo excited about DL!!! I can't wait to see all the WISHers!!! Keep up the great work on the training!!!

--Lynnda

Lynnda, DH and I will be arriving on either Sun 9/10 or maybe Mon 9/11. Leaning towards Sun, though. Are you flying out of MCO? I expect that's where we will be leaving from but I ahven't booked yet. Sitll holding out for better prices, eternal optomist that I am. We will be in DL and maybe Knotts thru Thurs 9/14, then on to San Diego on Fri 9/15. Unfortunately, our itinerary means we will miss race weekend, but we would love to meet with you or any other WISHers who will be in DL the week before the race! We can be the early cheering section!

 

[crzy4pooh]

Lynnda, DH and I will be arriving on either Sun 9/10 or maybe Mon 9/11. Leaning towards Sun, though. Are you flying out of MCO? I expect that's where we will be leaving from but I ahven't booked yet. Sitll holding out for better prices, eternal optomist that I am. We will be in DL and maybe Knotts thru Thurs 9/14, then on to San Diego on Fri 9/15. Unfortunately, our itinerary means we will miss race weekend, but we would love to meet with you or any other WISHers who will be in DL the week before the race! We can be the early cheering section!

Nancy - we would love to get together!!! We are flying out of MCO on 9/5 - going to San Diego first. We'll drive down to DL on 9/10. We booked flights through SW, but are still watching the ding fares. In fact, we already lowered the price for going out. We really don't have anything planned for DL, so any day/time is good for us! Where are you staying? Do you want to try to get ADR's somewhere for breakfast or dinner? Yea!!! I can't wait to meet up with you all!

Will anyone else be there before 9/14?

Unfortunately, I think I'm way more concerned about my DISmeets and seeing DL than I am about the races... DH keeps reminding me how many days left until the 5K! The afternoon/evening storms and the morning heat make it very easy to make excuses, but I really do plan on running tomorrow or Saturday. It definitely helps to check the threads and see how well everyone else is doing!!! Keep up the great work!!!

--Lynnda

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Ooh it's getting nearer - training going well so far, although I do have to do an 80 minute run at some point this weekend which suddenly sounds very long! Re meeting, one thing we should also keep in mind is that if we're meeting Sat late afternoon, that's a v important pre-race meal, and so it needs to be fairly carb heavy (ie pasta, pizza etc) so we don't all flake at 18km - just thought I'd better mention it now - mind you, fastest race I ever did was after quesadilla's so I'm definitely up for Mexican too!!! Helen

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! Sorry I dont' seem to have posted here recently. Has anyone else experienced "lost posts"? I have posted to the two challenge threads I host and have put updates on there only to have them disappear. I am sad to see an entire post I did here on restaurants also went poof! And not the good kind of poof either.

My vote would be for Napoli in DTD because the menu looks good and as Anne posted there is outdoor seating. I had actually read about it on the Disneyland forum and was going to suggest it, but didn't remember until Anne reminded me. I think an eatery where we'd have flexibility for people to come and go and to order as much or as little as they want would be best. I know some of us will be coming from the parks or maybe will have ADRs for meals earlier in the day. The great thing about EOS on Minnie weekend was there was no waitstaff that made us feel pressured to eat and people came and went as they pleased. Rhonda and I had done tea at GF and ended up not wanting a bite to eat at EOS, and that turned out to be completely comfortable.

What does everyone think? IF we did Napoli at 4:00 or 4:30 it's early enough for anyone who wants to do something else that night and get to bed early and it may get us there before a dinner crowd. The "carb load" options on their menu look delicious.

I cannot wait to see all of you! We are going to have a blast!

 

[TXBelle]

I think Napoli is a great idea! I am going to book my flights on SW this weekend. I am going to use a pass. My mom is still planning to come and be part of the Scream Team. I even got her a WISH team shirt and WISH socks. Does anyone know where they are going to hold the Expo? I guess I should wander over to the official DL site and take a look. OMG, tomorrow is the first of July! Keep training . . . keep training . . . keep training . . . I can do this . . . Keep training

I have to be honest, I don't know whether I am more excited about the race or seeing all my WISH friends again!

 

[keenercam]

I have to be honest, I don't know whether I am more excited about the race or seeing all my WISH friends again!

Oh, that's an easy one. I am definitely more excited about seeing my WISH buddies! I think the level of excitement goes like this:

1. Seeing WISH buddies
2. Seeing Disneyland for the first time
3. Bringing home a castle medal

It's a shame I have to actually wog 13.1 miles to earn the 3rd and justify the first 2!

BTW, Heather, Sunny designed these awesome lime green WISH Scream Team tee shirts on her cafe press website and I bought one for Andrew. It is awesome! He can't wait to wear it. I think he is as excited about being part of the scream team as he is to visit DL for the first time.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Oh yes, I am really excited! And......79 days from today we will be getting our castle medals!!

Cam, Napoli around 4ish definitely works for DH and I. I am hoping to get our DL passes ordered this weekend, and we still need to decide where to stay on the 13th. We are going to Sequoia National Park for a couple of days before DL, but I think I want to be back by DL on Weds evening so DH and I start Thursday morning in the parks.

I am in week 8 of preparation for the CDC on August 13th, and it is going well, but I'm definitely a penguin. I am hoping to get my pace to around 15mpm in DL. I have found a website with some good tips on techniques for improving your walking pace and that is helping.

Take care everyone!!

 

[perfectmatch300]

I booked our airfare today! I wanted to arrive on 9/10 but got a much better price on 9/11. Considering the date, no surprise at that. That means we will arrive late afternoon on 9/11 at DL and will be leaving for San Diego probably rihgt after lunch on Fri 9/15.

Now if I can just get our DL hotel room, passes rental car, etc all set up, oh and dinner ressies too! I am getting excited about this trip now! Hope we get to see some of you. I know there's a lot of you we will miss but hopefully we will catch some other early arrivals.

 

[msblrobs]

Napolini sounds like a great idea!! 4:00 or 4:30 work for DH and I.

I am also most looking forward to seeing my WISH buddies. The race is always just an excuse for me to travel with DH and see old friends again.

Yeah to all of your for booking those flights. Not much longer now

Heather - You can SO do this!!

Cam - Glad to 'see' you back on this thread.

Happy July and happy training to all.

 

[TiffJ]

Cam I agree with the order of your excitement. I have never been to CA so I am excited about that but having you guys there is doubling the excitement. When I told a friend that I had done the 1/2 in Jan. , she looked at me with a really straight face & said "you'll do anything to go to WDW, won't you ?!"

I can't believe 11 weeks from right now I will be in CA I told mom I sure hope we can get thru airport security going home with our big honkin' medals we are going to earn

I think Napolini at 4:00 is perfect. We are like you & may are may not do the park for a little while in the a.m. But some chicken fettucini for a pre race meal sounds good.

Its getting so exciting. I think my mom is getting real excited now too. She keeps ordering things for us. New toiletries bag, totes, etc....

I'd better go get those steps in

Nancy-we will be arriving on the 14th around noon so maybe we can catch up at DTD on Thur evening.

Heather-NO DOUBT that you can do this! Although its so much fun not only scheduling my runs around DH schedule so he can watch the boys but also around the heat ~ NOT! The expo is at the convention center which is within a couple of blocks from DL

 

[keenercam]

YIPPEE!!! I think we have officially scheduled a DIS WISHers meet for Saturday, September 16 at 4:00 at Napoli at DTD. Now, if anything "happens" and the restaurant is closed or anything like that, we will all meet there and then wander to somewhere else close by. But let's definitely make it that time and place.

Hi, Sara! So happy to be here among friends.
Nancy -- So sorry Howard and Andrew and I will miss you and Barry since we won't be arriving until Friday mid-afternoon. I think our flight arrives LAX around 12:30 pm

Well, our airfare is booked and Howard is working on rental car. Seems Alamo will be our best option with our entertainment coupon.

Tiff - Your mom sounds awesome. It must really hype the excitement level to be planning it with her.

Pat -- I am still so sad that I won't make it to the CDC. Hopefully next summer. I'll have to call you guys while you are doing the event.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I ordered our DL tickets last night

I got two 4 day hopper bonus tickets directly from disneyland.com for $169ea, including tax and shipping, AND a 20% off coupon good for shopping at DL. And DH and I both have new digital cameras - so now we have to learn how to use them. Things are really starting to fall into place and it won't be long now before we are all in beautiful CA.

I just got back from my 4 mile LW at the forest preserve, with the warm up and cool down my avg pace was 16:20, yep I am definitely a penguin The CDC is just around the corner, Cam I wish you were going to be here too, but like you said, there is always next year!

I think I need to come up with a new word besides excited, that just doesn't seem adequate.....

Anyway, I am so looking forward to DL!