Donald, Mickey, Goofy, and Hubby **New 4-22-2007 Lots of pictures**

[jodistar]

Got up early (around 5:30), I wanted to call my husband before he left for his flight.....and wouldn't you know I just missed him -- He had just turned his phone off because he was now in the airport. Oh well, I will see him soon enough.

Might as well get up and start getting ready for the Princess Breakfast in Norway. It feels a little strange getting ready for a character breakfast without my husband but eh.....I'll get over it!

Okay, after the shower I'm still not fully awake. So a stop at the Food Court was neccesary to pick up a coffee (in my POFQ cup of course), and I'm off! Well, maybe not too soon I waited through 4 Magic Kingdom busses, and one Animal Kingdom bus....I was actually starting to think about going to Magic Kingdom and then crossing over to the TTC. Oooh, wait here it is. The bus to EPCOT!

I have to say I felt a little out of place after riding the bus with a family, with one little girl dressed up like Jasmine (too cute -- I wish I would have taken a picture, although I was afraid the parents would think I was even more strange).

The only thing that made me feel all the more strange is that when I made my way into EPCOT, I was actually following this family into the turnstile for the Princess Breakfast.

So amazing to see EPCOT with no one there

The EPCOT Tree

Mexico

And Norway ---I'm here!

 

[jodistar]

Just a little bump to let ya know were still waiting for day 2

Finally getting to it!

 

[jodistar]

Checked in at the the front desk, only a few more minutes wait -- they will call me when they are ready for me.

Got called and then immediately got put in line to take my picture with Belle:

I will be meeting her again (same Belle) tomorrow during the race

Okay, at this point I'm still feeling a little bit out of place....until of course, I got seated. My waiter came over and you know, I couldn't have asked for better. I can't remember his first name but the last name was Alexander. He explained that I can still go to the buffett but he would be bringing over a dish also (since this is family style).

Just my honest opinion, I think this breakfast is better than the one in the castle. The food is better and I like the set up a little bit better.

Oh remember that family that I was talking about that I followed pretty much from my resort? Well, they ended up sitting next to me -- they were super nice and since I was by myself, they offered to take pictures of me with the princesses. Not only did they take a picture, so did my server, and so did another group of girls that had a table behind me.

Actually the group of girls made it so fun....There were four women that loved going to these things probably more than me -- didn't think it was possible. Everytime they saw a princess come out onto the floor they started to scream the name of the princess....too funny!!One of them had tears in their eyes as Aurora came out.

 

[jodistar]

And here are the princesses:

 

[jodistar]

 

[jodistar]

Okay, not sure why my links are working correctly -- but here are two more pictures of me and the princesses:

God, I wish I was this thin.

 

[jodistar]

Okay, now with breakfast over what should I do....Okay, World Showcase is out because it doesn't open officially for another hour but Future World is open.

Stop for a photo (Bob, my husband always pick on me that I don't like to get my picture taken -- so here's one):

After this photo you'd think he would figure why I don't like my photos hehe

Oh the photopass person said I should go to Character Connection....Chip and Dale would love my shirt.

Oh only Dale -- but still a great photo, Chip and Dale are always my favorites to take a picture with.

Hmmm....what kind of wait for Soarin'? Wow --crazy wait time - Fast Pass it is and I'll ride the Land. Wow, the Land has a totally different feel without a narrator on the boat.

Off the ride and I realize, oh Bob should be in now and attempt to call but no answer.

Well, off to the next ride -- Mission Space!

As I get nearer to the ride, Bob calls he's on the Magical Express....he's really impressed by it (we never rode on it before). He should be to the resort in no time...

Okay, had to cut the call short -- I had to tell the person standing there if I wanted to the intense ride.....Well, of course I do . OMG, this wait was the worst!! Although, I don't mind....I love riding Mission Space. What fun, although it always goes by so fast. I would have waiting in line again -- had it not been so long.

Hmmm.....what else could I ride? Still not time for me to go back to Soarin'. Maybe, Test Track -- okay, not too bad 30 minute single rider line.

I have to admit, I was really uncomfortable riding as a single and going on the rides with all of these families -- but you know, I couldn't have asked for better people to ride with, all of them were very nice.

Okay, back to the pavement -- Still haven't heard from Bob whether or not he's at the resort, so I send him a quick voicemail and I'm on my way to Soarin'. I just warned him that I'm putting my phone on vibrate while I'm on the ride -- so if he doesn't get an answer he knows why.

So cute to see little kids expressions when they are at Disney. The little boy sitting to my right was so cute -- just the wide open looks and the "Oh Grandma, look." She started to apologize at one point but you know it didn't bug me one bit -- he wasn't loud and it was really cute to see the reactions going over the river, and the lemon trees, etc.

I wish that ride was a little longer, I love Soarin' even if it isn't a thrill ride (that's what I normally really love).

Okay, back into the lobby -- oooh, my caller ID says Bob just called. Try back no answer. Hmmm, I'll wait until I get outside. I just made my way up the stairs and realized -- There he is on the phone and looking for me . I was really happy to see him. You'd think I spent more than one day away from him.

 

[jodistar]

Still more to come for Day 2 -- but I'm pretty tired. So I will continue this tomorrow.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I love the pictures Jodi. Great to see the trip report. How's your running going since Goofy?

 

[jodistar]

I love the pictures Jodi. Great to see the trip report. How's your running going since Goofy?

Hi Dave,

My running right now is non-existant -- I just want to totally rest that knee. During the Marathon it really started to bug me and I really didn't do as well as I wanted to. My goal is to get back to it by the end of March.

I have to start to train to train for the Hartford Marathon

I haven't deserted/forgotten about all of you on the WISH board, I'll be back Work has been torture lately.

How is the shin? I'm hoping that my knee will get back to a place like you have with your shin. I have the follow-up with my doctor in the next couple of weeks.

Hey -- doing the Flying Pig . That's Christa's area, right?

 

[blue_river]

Thanks for the update Jodi!

Loved the pictures and the cute T-shirt you're wearing of Chip N Dale.

We really loved Soarin too! It would be nice if it were a little longer - if all the rides were a little longer!

Keep it coming

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Great report so far!

Where did you get your Chip & Dale (Chuck and Dave!) shirt? I love it!

 

[csuzannet]

I'm in awe of your determination and ability to complete the Goofy Challenge. I can't wait to read the rest of your report. My brother is considering doing the challenge for next year, and I know he'd like to hear from some people who have survived it!

 

[jodistar]

Great report so far!

Where did you get your Chip & Dale (Chuck and Dave!) shirt? I love it!

The Disney Store in the local mall (had to be last summer).

 

[jodistar]

I'm in awe of your determination and ability to complete the Goofy Challenge. I can't wait to read the rest of your report. My brother is considering doing the challenge for next year, and I know he'd like to hear from some people who have survived it!

Thanks I still have more to write -- I'm hoping to get to that this weekend (maybe finish up).

Goofy Challenge was a lot of fun! I say go for it!

 

[jodistar]

Bob and I didn't have much time to spend together, I had a reservation at LeCelliar for 2:50.

We were only able to ride Space Ship Earth together before I had to go to LeCelliar.

I highly recommend going late afternoon compared to at Dinner time. Excellent Service! It always amazes me that when they put the food down infront you, it really doesn't look like something that would fill you.......but it does, boy was I stuffed once I left.

My server was (Kala) was great....always checking up to see that everything was to my liking.

I even got a birthday card from LeCelliar - my birthday was December 23rd but I never get to really celebrate so I thought I would celebrate it while I was at the world BUT I kind of chickened and felt guilty because it wasn't really my birthday (I forgot to take the note off of my reservation).

The card was really cool though, everyone signed it from the restaurant along with where in Canada they originally came from. Very cool souvenir!

Anyhow, for the remainder of the trip I decided not to celebrate my birthday (one year I will make it for my real birthday -- even if I have to go by myself).

Anyhow, I met up with Bob - - although, right now I can't recall where But I kept on overhearing about some light show.....Didn't realize there was one in EPCOT.

Bob and I finally got close to what everyone was talking about, it was lights timed to music and totally beautiful.

Here's a picture:

Here's another EPCOT night picture:

Okay, I believe this is about the time that I decided that it was time to go back to the resort. Turning in early, to rest for the half marathon.

 

[jodistar]

Okay, I have to say my husband was the best this weekend! He put up with me getting up ungodly early and getting ready in the room when he was trying to sleep.....anyhow back to the report!

I woke up around 1:00a.m., why you might ask so early? Well because I have to get ready for the half marathon! They say never to drink caffeine before running a race so coffee was out, so I decided to go for a shower (had to wake up some how)....Yep, I know wake up, just so you can sweat

Anyhow once out of the shower, I made sure to fasten my chip to my sneaker the correct way and put my number on the shirt the way that I wanted, etc. and ate a Cliff bar!

Then I was out the door waiting for the bus infront of the resort --now, on my bib it said I was doing the Goofy and it was amazing the looks that I got -- like I was totally out of my mind. Some called me brave, some called me crazy, and some just wished me luck!

It was a little strange the bus ride on the way to the race corral, I was so ready to fall asleep.....yet I was really excited at the same time.

Wasn't a long bus ride at all, but then we had to walk to the corral, I didn't think it would be that long of a walk -- but it was....kind of....but then all of a sudden you hear the D.J. and your there! You see this huge parking lot with everyone stretching, having a pre-race breakfast, whatever this is when I start to worry - will I be able to find my friend Heather, there were a lot more people than you really realized will be there -- I mean you read the numbers but that is just it -- it's just a number until you see everyone!

Well, I called Heather once I got close to the Corral for Wave C (the wave that I was put in based on the time I thought it would take me to complete the race). She isn't that far away.....whew -- and we were able to find one another!

She drops off her stuff at the H tent and then we make our way to the corral!

 

[jodistar]

Okay, so we found our Corral area and do some light stretching, chit chat for a bit and then head to the Portapotty area....but after catching a wiff, I decided...well, I truly didn't have to go that bad, Heather is the brave one!

Not much longer after getting out of the Portapotty area, they announced that they will now start lining all of the Corrals - first Corral A, Corral B, and then.....as I start to get more nervous it was Heather and my turn to start.....

Honestly, I was just having a good time being able to hang out with Heather....I didn't pay much attention to the course until about the point when we were taking the back road in to the Magic Kingdom.

Where we met Beauty and the Beast

Then onto Mainstreet.....I had to look for Bob, I can't take having the fuel belt on anymore....there he is.

Poor guy, I end up chucking the fuel belt at him, and Heather ends up chucking my Gatorade at him -- and off we go -- into Tomorrowland, where we meet up with Donald.....look he's cheering for us

Through the castle and down the ramp -- through Fronterland to the backstage area (where the floats are kept).

Now we are on our way to the Grand Floridian area, picture this we just see the Grand Floridian sign (around mile 7), all of sudden I look up and see Mary Poppins, Burt, and the Penguins (keep in mind that Heather isn't much into Disney) and I start screaming Mary, Mary.....Heather we have to get a picture taken with Mary..

I have to say, the look on her face was priceless while she was trying to figure out just who Mary was - anyhow, here's the picture:

It wasn't until later that she told me that she didn't know what I was talking about at first -- she thought I saw a friend named Mary and I was trying to get her attention.

From this point forward there wasn't many character stops that I took....I wanted to focus on the finish -- only half of the race to go now....somewhere around mile 10 though.....I felt a blister coming on, between that and my right knee getting a little sore I was starting to slow down but Heather was fine with going slow after all, we were doing this for the fun, and it for the finish and the medal.....not for a Personal Record.

We finished in 3 and half hours -- not bad given the stops that we took for characters and portapotties.

I was happy and I got my Donald medal for completing the half.

After the race, we had all decided to go back and take showers and relax for a bit before meeting at LeCelliar for our 5:00 Reservation.

 

[jodistar]

Back to the room, take care of the blisters, take a shower.....and we're off

We decided to go to Animal Kingdom and spend some of day there -- I had to ride Everest!

Bad news is the fast passes were gone for the day -- even worse news, there was something like a 2 hour wait to get onto the darn thing. Good news, I got to take on a ride on it regardless

I absolutely love the ride, and would have gone on again -- but I wasn't about to tackle that ride again.

After going on the rides we made our way over to Camp Minnie Mickey! to meet more characters of course

After meeting with the characters -- we decided it might be a good idea to allow for travel time to get back to EPCOT to meet at LeCelliar.

And we just made it in time -- We jumped a bus and got drop off to the Boardwalk area, walking up through the International Gateway -- and just as we were about to cross into EPCOT, Heather calls "Hey, just wanted to let you guys know that I'm here." "Waiting outside of LeCelliar right now."

Perfect timing! and better than that when we got there, we only had to wait for about 5 minutes before we were seated.

It was great to see Heather again! I hadn't seen her since my wedding in October of 2005. We were both really feeling like we bit off more than we could chew when we even thought about the Marathon.....but we were going to do it! Bob said we were both way too stubborn not to let it happen.

Okay, Dinner was through and it was time to part ways one more time ---until tomorrow. Although, here was our parting picture:

 

[blue_river]

I even got a birthday card from LeCelliar - my birthday was December 23rd but I never get to really celebrate so I thought I would celebrate it while I was at the world BUT I kind of chickened and felt guilty because it wasn't really my birthday (I forgot to take the note off of my reservation).

The card was really cool though, everyone signed it from the restaurant along with where in Canada they originally came from. Very cool souvenir!

How sweet is that??

Great installment Jodi and loved the pics.