Does anyone out there want to be my Dis Friend? 3 PTRs and 1 1/2 TRs in Progress!

[20thingamabobs]

Good News! We found the picture with the code on it! So, I got all my Photopass pictures!! Whew, what a relief! Note to everyone, take a picture of your code, write your name and info on your card, etc. It really would be heartbreaking to lose all those great pictures and ours was just a mixup with the photographer! Better safe than sorry!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Hello! With a week till Christmas, two weeks till New Years, and three weeks till our Half Marathon Trip, I've started my first TR! Hope you all come over to read along about how all our planning panned out in:

Murphy's Law with a Touch of Pixie Dust: A Nov/Dec Trip Report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2615608

 

[20thingamabobs]

Well, since this is still a PTR afterall, we have some planning to get to. I'm hoping to get the plans for our Half Marathon Trip up within the next few days. Also, there's some BIG plans going into the March trip that are shaping up to be REALLY exciting if it all works out. I hope you all stay tuned, it's been a pleasure having you help me plan!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Ok, since it's been awhile since I originally posted this I thought I'd give you all a little reminder of what our Half Marathon trip was originally suppose to look like (if you remember, please feel free to skip to next post):

Trip #3 - Our First Half Marathon
When: Jan 7-9, 2011
Who: DBF and I
Where: Walt Disney World - Bay Lake Tower

Now let's do a little background for this trip. Now, DBF and I are pretty active and athletic but we've never come close to participating in something like a half marathon. DBF played baseball in college and I actually ran four years of varsity track in college but I was a sprinter. My races never lasted more than 400 meters (that's a quarter of a mile...).

Well, DBF and I were driving to my parents house when I brought up the subject of the half marathon after researching it online and on the DIS.

Well, it only took about 2 days of begging DBF to run 13.1 miles with me to convince him. And we paid our registration fees.

Now, we've been training for 2 1/2 months and every time we do one of our long runs I have to ask myself.. "Why did no one tell me I was crazy, and that willingly WANTING to run 13.1 miles was taking my Disney OBSESSION just a LITTLE TOO FAR"

That being said, it's been liberating and a blast! I couldn't be more excited about the upcoming race and I'm so glad and proud that I made the decision and commitment.

I will do updates about my training so far and obviously planning for the non-running portions of the trip.

Ok, here's the original plan.. which you know has changed... but I'll start at the beginning...

Jan. 7
Fly from Cleveland to Orlando.
Check-in, drop off bags
Head to Race Expo for packet pick-up
Then spend the day at a park(s)
Dinner at Kona Cafe
Wishes from Poly Beach
Get a good nights sleep

Jan. 8
3:00am - wake up
3:45am- catch the monorail
5:40am- race starts
8:30-8:45am - finish race
Head back to BLT to shower/rest
Head to the MK for some attractions
Dinner at 5:50pm at Cinderella's Royal Table
MSEP and Wishes
Back to BLT

Jan. 9
7:00am Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
8:30am- Catch ME

Now, like I said, this has changed DRASTICALLY but I wanted you to see what we started with... I'll do a new day by day itinerary within the next few days!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Well, we have to be at packet pick-up before 8:00pm but DBF was hoping to only take a half a day off work. Unfortunately, the only flight from Cleveland to Orlando leaves at 3:40 and doesn't land until 6:10pm. I know with using the ME and then a Disney bus to the Expo, we would just be cutting it to close... So, we'll be flying down separately. So, here's the plan...

Jan. 7, 2011
My flight leaves Cleveland at 6:30am, it does make one stop going down but there's no plane change so I'm not entirely sure where it stops at Anyway, I'll be landing in Orlando at 10:30am. I'll take the Magical Express to Bay Lake Tower to check-in, drop off my carry-on luggage, and then catch a bus to the Expo for packet pick-up. I'm sure I'll spend a little time exploring the Expo and looking at the commemorative merchandise before heading out.

Now comes the slightly crazy part, I know it would make more sense to just pick my favorite park and enjoy the afternoon there but I've never been to Disney without visiting all four parks so...

I'll be heading to Animal Kingdom first. I'm hoping the single rider line will be open so I can ride Expedition Everest. Then I'll hope a bus to AKL, then another to Epcot. At Epcot, I'm planning to use the single rider line to ride Test Track. Then, I'll be taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. I haven't decided what I'll ride here. Normally, I would have chosen Splash Mountain but it'll be closed for refurbishment so I'm open to suggestions. After, I'll take the monorail or short walk back to BLT. Crazy right? I also haven't decided when to fit in eating...

DBF's plane lands at 6:10pm. He'll take the ME and meet me for dinner at the Polynesian at Kona Cafe. Our reservation is for Kona is at 7:20pm. I'm not sure this will give DBF enough time.. I'm hoping the ME bus stops at Poly, GF, and CR/BLT so he can just get off at the Poly instead of riding to CR then taking the monorail over. After dinner, we'll walk down and try to watch the fireworks from the Poly beach. Then we'll be heading back BLT for a good nights sleep. We have to be up at 3:00am after all...

 

[jenseib]

Sounds busy, but fun. One thing to add, but if you don't need to go to AKL for any particualr reason, you can catch a direct bus to Epcot at AK. That way you won't have to go transfer at AKL.

 

[20thingamabobs]

Sounds busy, but fun. One thing to add, but if you don't need to go to AKL for any particualr reason, you can catch a direct bus to Epcot at AK. That way you won't have to go transfer at AKL.

You're right! I didn't even think about it, thanks! Though, last time I tried to take a bus from AK to DHS, it took FOREVER.. so, may have to make a last minute game call on this one...

 

[20thingamabobs]

Well, i did the online check-in for the half marathon trip today. I just can't believe the trip is getting so close so fast. But, being so, I figure it's time to wrap up the PTR version of this trip. So...

Day 2 - Race Day

We'll be waking up around 2:45-3:00am. We'll get dressed and ready before grabbing breakfast. I'm going to pack some bagels and bananas for us to eat in the room since it'll be so early. They say to be on the monorail no later than 4am but I want to be boarding no later than 3:45am. Once we arrive at Epcot, we'll check our bag and make the approximate 20 minute walk to our designated starting corral. The race begins at 5:40am but we probably won't start till closer to 5:50-5:55. We're hoping to finish before 8:30am. I'm sure we'll take some time to enjoy the festivities at the finish line before making our way back to Bay Lake Tower. We'll shower, probably nap, and just relax before heading out for the day. Depending on what time it is, we're hoping to head over to Hollywood Studios for awhile. We'd like to ride ToT, RnR, TSM, and the animation academy but it'll all depend on wait times and how long we have in the park. Because, we need to head towards Epcot around 3:15pm. We'll catch the boat that runs between the two in order to be there by 4:30pm. (if we rest for a long time after the race, we'll probably skip HS). We have to be at Epcot by 4:30 because DBF and I will be taking part in the Epcot DiveQuest tour! Were both certified scuba divers and I've always wanted to do this tour so this trip seemed like the perfect opportunity. I can't wait to dive in the living seas with Nemo and friends and get an up close encounter with the sharks! After the tour, they release you into the park so we'll probably grab something quick to eat and stake out a spot to watch Illuminations before heading back to BLT for the night.

Day 3 - Departure Day

We have a fairly early flight this day so plans are minimal. We have a 7:00am reservation at Chef Mickey's so we'll probably wake up and pack, then walk over to the restaurant via the walkway. We may have a cut breakfast a little short as far as seeing all the characters because our Magical Express pick-up will probably be around 8:45 am. Our flight departs at 11:45am, we have a short layover in Nashville, TN before landing in Cleveland around 2:30pm.

As the days till the race get shorter, I get more and more nervous. I know we can do it and that we've done our best to prepare but every new experience is intimidating at first. I'm sure this will be a trip of a lifetime, as it brings a new kind of Magic to WDW, and hopefully the beginning of a new tradition!

 

[KatMark]

Sounds like a very busy couple of days, but fun too.

 

[DrMomof3]

That's one busy trip you're planning! I'm getting very excited for marathon weekend. And a bit nervous...

Amanda

 

[jenseib]

Wow! That is a very busy trip....but you will have a blast!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Sounds like a very busy couple of days, but fun too.

Yea, we've tweaked everything a little bit since I realized I may have gone a little over board on the planning... I'm so excited though!

That's one busy trip you're planning! I'm getting very excited for marathon weekend. And a bit nervous...

Amanda

I'm getting excited too but every time I think about the race, I get so nervous...

Wow! That is a very busy trip....but you will have a blast!

I'm so excited, I also can't wait to take DBF back since our last trip was in 2008 together. I hoping these will be some of my Best Disney Memories

 

[20thingamabobs]

Disers, I need someone that can understand how distressing this is to me...

Why do people wait until the last second, once all the plans have been put into place, to decide that they would like to give some input...

Our plans for saturday have changed after TWO instances tonight..

1. My Grandparents gave Ian and I each a $100 gift card to Disney to "eat with". So, I was talking to Ian and he asked what types of meals I had planned (not that I hadn't run them past him a million times already) so I told him about Kona on Friday and Chef Mickey's on Sunday. He then proceeded to ask if those were going to use up the whole $200. I said no so he decided he wanted to have a nice lunch on Saturday. I explained to him that this would really cut into either nap time or park time and that it may be better to do dinner... he then decides that instead we should have a nice breakfast AND dinner....

2. My aunt called me tonight and proceeded to tell me that her, my uncle, two cousins, my cousin's wife, and grandpa would like to meet up with us on Saturday. I gave her our race schedule and told her about DiveQuest. I also explained that we were considering eating breakfast after the race and dinner at Epcot after our Dive and they've all decided to join us for breakfast.

So, tonight, I had to find a breakfast reservation for 8 people and a dinner reservation for 2 people inside Epcot. So, our plan now looks like:

3:00am- wake up
3:45am- catch monorail
5:40-6am - race starts
8:30-9am- end race
9:45am-10:15 - shower
10:30am- Breakfast for 8 at the Grand Floridian Cafe
11:30am-3:15pm - nap, possibly DHS, decide at time
3:15pm- leave for Epcot
4:30pm- check-in for Dive Quest
4:30-7:30pm - DiveQuest
7:50pm- Dinner for 2 at Les Chefs de France
9:00pm- Illuminations
9:45pm- monorail back to BLT
10:15pm- pass out

We figured we'd probably we hungry after running 13.1 miles so the breakfast will be nice and it'll be nice to see my family too! That is, assuming I don't fall asleep on top of my Mickey Waffle (yes, I checked the menus and already decided what I would be ordering). We may skip DHS, as much as I was looking forward to it, it may not be worth it to purchase admission for DBF if we would only have a couple hours. Plus, we're so excited about DiveQuest and I don't want to be too wore out so just relaxing will probably be better. Or maybe we'll go to Epcot instead since that's where we need to be anyway. Who knows, I just wish people would make these decisions more than 3 days in advance... don't they know what this does do my Disney Addicted, Over-Planning brain...

 

[jenseib]

I'd give up on DHS too. It wil lbe too much for the day, and not worth the extra money for BF. Get some much needed rest!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

all caught up!!! I would imagine too that you would want to skip DHS as you will be shattered. By the time you get to Chef de France you will want to be well rested so you can enjoy your evening.
It is annoying that you have last minute changes but how kind to receive gift vouchers like that!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Caught up! Wanted to pop back in to say good luck and have fun Gotta love those last minute changes and it's too bad about DHS but I think your additions are good -- rest up!!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Well DISers, it's that time again! My plane takes off in 3 hours, I have a short flight to Nashville, an even shorter layover (only 35 minutes), and I'll be at MCO by 10:35am. I can't believe Marathon Weekend is here already. It seems like we just started training yesterday (though it's been 4 months) and now it's time to go! Wish us luck, and I can't wait to tell you all about it when we return! Have a good weekend! I'll take lots of pictures of everything!

 

[KatMark]

Hope you are having a great time and a successful run.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

I was scouring any pictures I saw of the Marathon weekend looking for you! I hope you had fun and can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Hope you are having a great time and a successful run.

Thank you! We had an awesome weekend and an incredible experience! I can't wait to tell you all about it!

I was scouring any pictures I saw of the Marathon weekend looking for you! I hope you had fun and can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

Haha! There should be some out there as I purposely positioned myself in front of the photographers to make sure they got some of us. We had a blast and I'm probably going to start posting about it tonight because it was such an amazing time!