"Every mile will be worth my while" ... January 2014 - WDW Half Marathon Trip

[annmarieda]

What great updates!

Isn't it funny how right after the race you think you are going to want all this food and then it seems like "simple" is more what your body wants?

After we were back to our room to shower we started our day over at the BW. Who knows... we may have passed you or you us as you were finishing your breakfast. Then again... we got there pretty late. :rolleys:

Your day sounds like it was so nice..strolling around MK. I think that is the best way to deal with post race..walk around. Not a brisk walk...just leisurely.

Your dinner sounds amazing! We had just finished ours and walked back from DHS in front of the BW when the skies opened up. I don't know that I have EVER seen it rain that bad down there.

Disney races are great for the medals... or rather the people are great about your wearing your medals. It is so nice to have all the other runners congratulate you. Such a good feeling.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Glad you had fun at MK after the race and your evening meal looks yummy!

 

[khertz]

Just realized you had a TR going, so of course I had to get caught up! I really enjoyed all of your race updates, and it is such a huge accomplishment so congrats to you!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

H Emma

Just stumbled across this - been so busy lately - hardly been on the boards at all! What better way to come back than by reading your Trip Report.

Well done you on the Marathan - totally impressed! I can just about manage a 45 minute spinning class!!! Incredible!!

Looking forward to reading more soon!

We've booked for next year - had this year off!! Next year will be my 20th visit and 10th with DH (also my 40th next year but keeping that under my minnie ears!!) Hopefully I will start a PTR soon.

Sara xxx

 

[dreamerchic33]

Hey Emma!

I am joining in! Amazing report! Its one thing seeing pics on IG but another when you get to hear the entire story! So happy for you!!! xxoo

 

[disneybarbie]

What a great day and celebration of your accomplishment!

Very cool that you were congratulated by Lou Mongello's wife!

Glad you had such a nice race day!

thank you! It was a wonderful day at WDW, I don't think I stopped smiling

We've been watching soccer for 3 weeks straight! Haven't watched anything else. Such a great sport!

hehe - I was sad that the USA didn't get further in the competition we had a few weeks with no soccer here but the season just started again yesterday, so DH has a lot of TV to watch/matches to go for the next 8 months!

What great updates!

Isn't it funny how right after the race you think you are going to want all this food and then it seems like "simple" is more what your body wants?

After we were back to our room to shower we started our day over at the BW. Who knows... we may have passed you or you us as you were finishing your breakfast. Then again... we got there pretty late. :rolleys:

Your day sounds like it was so nice..strolling around MK. I think that is the best way to deal with post race..walk around. Not a brisk walk...just leisurely.

Your dinner sounds amazing! We had just finished ours and walked back from DHS in front of the BW when the skies opened up. I don't know that I have EVER seen it rain that bad down there.

Disney races are great for the medals... or rather the people are great about your wearing your medals. It is so nice to have all the other runners congratulate you. Such a good feeling.

thanks for your comments! Maybe we did pass each other at the BW I have definitely found after races/long training runs that I like to walk around.. keep the legs moving! That storm on the Saturday night seemed unusual for January in FL - I was jealous of the full marathon runners the next day as it seemed to clear the humidity for Sunday

Glad you had fun at MK after the race and your evening meal looks yummy!

Thank you! Flying Fish Cafe was excellent, we'd definitely eat there again

Just realized you had a TR going, so of course I had to get caught up! I really enjoyed all of your race updates, and it is such a huge accomplishment so congrats to you!

hi! Thank you for reading ... I can't recommend the marathon weekend enough, it was like seeing a whole side of WDW and Disney/running fans

H Emma

Just stumbled across this - been so busy lately - hardly been on the boards at all! What better way to come back than by reading your Trip Report.

Well done you on the Marathan - totally impressed! I can just about manage a 45 minute spinning class!!! Incredible!!

Looking forward to reading more soon!

We've booked for next year - had this year off!! Next year will be my 20th visit and 10th with DH (also my 40th next year but keeping that under my minnie ears!!) Hopefully I will start a PTR soon.

Sara xxx

Hi Sara! Great to 'see' you on here again and for your comments.. if you ever fancy doing a distance race then I would definitely recommend a WDW one

Excited for your trip next year! Even though we went in January this year I am missing WDW soooo much recently.. but the countdown is ticking away for our a April land & sea holiday DH and I are also going to the USA this October - New Orleans & Washington DC (for our 30th birthdays' celebration!).

Hey Emma!

I am joining in! Amazing report! Its one thing seeing pics on IG but another when you get to hear the entire story! So happy for you!!! xxoo

Thank you for reading along! I love being able to share things instantly on IG/Facebook but I still really enjoy recapping a whole vacation on here.. Where I know everyone is a big Disney fan!



Again I must apologise for the HUGE delay in updating this TR! I'm just back from a vacation in Portugal, but hope to get back writing up the rest of our January trip ASAP xx

 

[disneybarbie]

Sunday 12th January 2014

Originally our plans had been to go to Epcot today – we had our FP+ reservations ready! However, the day before, DH & I discussed it and decided that it might be too tricky to get into Epcot (from International Gateway) due to the marathon route. So the day before, we switched all of our FP+ reservations to Animal Kingdom attractions... and had no problem at all! We were really enjoying using the Magic Bands and MDE app.

My legs didn't feel as sore as I'd expected (however I'm not sure how I would have done running 26.2 miles that morning, as the Goofy and Dopey runners were doing!).



We started our morning at the Boardwalk Bakery – I was little more adventurous than the morning before (post-race plain bagel!), and had a latte with a cinnamon roll.



Best view at breakfast …




We got to the bus stop around 8.20am, and didn't have to wait long for a bus to... Animal Kingdom!



The drive there was even better than usual, as we got to see the MARATHON runners along the roads!





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[disneybarbie]

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The route goes right through Animal Kingdom, so even on our walk into the park we could watch the runners.



We made our way through the park, our first FPP attraction was Kilimanjaro Safaris.






I always say I'm not going to take any photos, but I can't help myself!




Next we walked to Asia to ride Expedition Everest – a lot of the path was divided into two – half for park visitors, and the other for the runners!





On our way, we walked past Rikki from the Be Our Guest Podcast – I didn't realise until too late who she was, otherwise I would have said 'hi' .. another Disney podcast spotted during our trip!

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[disneybarbie]

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Baloo the bear – cheering the runners!


When we got near to the front of the line for Everest, we saw something pretty unusual... runners hopping on to the ride via the single riders line! I had heard of people doing this during the race, but it was fun to see! DH was a little surprised people did this... we guessed it must add 15-20 minutes to your race time … but then again, where else could you ride a rollercoaster during a marathon!?

Next we walked over to Dinosaur, although we had a FPP here – the wait was minimal so the cast member suggested we just use the stand by line. Apart from the runners and spectators, the park was really quite quiet this morning.



On our way to Discovery Island, we could see the infamous 'balloon ladies' and cast members on bikes, indicating the 16 minute/mile pace that runners have to keep in front of during the race... otherwise, they are asked to stop – and taken by bus to the finish line.



Next we visited It's Tough to Be a Bug – one of our favourites, especially watching the reactions of other guests who appear to be experiencing it for the first time!



It was about 11.30pm by this time, and although there are other things we like to do in the park – we wanted to get back to the Boardwalk for lunch, as we had a special appointment in the afternoon.

We had to wait a little while for a bus, and ended up helping a group of people who were cheering some friends in the marathon – they wanted to get to the Boardwalk to cheer again, so we suggested they could get a Yacht/Beach Club bus if that came first... which it did, and we all got on!

The bus driver let us know that it would be a slow journey back – due to the marathon road closures – but he was really nice about it and chatted away to the few of us who were on the bus for 40-45 minutes! His wife had run the half marathon the day before, he sounded so proud of her when he told us about it



Again we got to see the runners on the course – I thought the windows were tinted on the Disney buses – but I waved at some runners and they waved back!


Eventually we were back at the Yacht Club, and we walked through the resort around the lake – again getting a great view of the runners at about mile 24-25. We were cheering and clapping the runners as we walked by – a runner wearing a Saints shirt ran over to us and fist-pumped DH (who was also wearing a Saints tshirt!) and they both said 'who dat!' … I hope that gave him a little boost for those last few miles.



We decided for lunch to go to the Big River Grille, we always enjoy it there and they had a nice menu – DH had a sandwich and I had a salad, we sat outside – a novelty in January for us!




Every now and then we could hear the music they were playing to motivate the runners at Storm Along Bay... such as 'Eye of the Tiger'!
While we were eating a couple sat down at the next table – they were walking very slowly, wrapped in silver foil blankets, and wearing SIX MEDALS around their necks!! I knew immediately they'd completed the Dopey Challenge – I gave them a big smile – it was the first Dopey medals I'd seen. (They both ordered a well deserved beer!).



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[disneybarbie]

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We had a little more time before our appointment, so we decided to play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens. On our way to the course, we got to cross the marathon route!



Go runners!



Our park tickets included one free game of mini golf, so we scanned our magic bands when we got there and got to play free of charge.



It was fun game – this has become one of our traditions during WDW trips.



At about 2pm, we made our way to the Dolphin resort... for a post-half marathon treat... a couples massage at the Mandara Spa!



We hadn't been to this spa before, but I'd heard good things and it seemed a good place to try as it is so close to the Boardwalk.

The theming was beautiful, it was very calm – we were greeted and shown the changing rooms, then met in a quiet room before going in a hot tub together. It was SO hot! We actually turned on the cold taps for a few minutes before we could get in! Next we were taken to a double massage room and both had body massages... it was a treat for DH for supporting me throughout my training and the race... and also a treat for my muscles



We really enjoyed the treatment, I'd definitely recommend it there.



Back in the changing rooms, there was a lady just arrived and I could hear 'clink clink clink' around her neck... she turned around and once again had all six medals on! I said congratulations – she said the same to me, but I said 'I only did the half'.. and she said 'don't say 'only' a half.. it's a big deal! I loved how supportive all the runners were during the weekend to each other, no matter what race(s) we'd accomplished.

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[disneybarbie]

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DH and I got back to the Boardwalk, we relaxed in the room for a while then got ready to go out for the evening – we had dinner booked in Epcot



It was a perfect evening in the park - warm but not hot (we still couldn't believe it was January.. so jealous of Floridians compared to UK weather!), we started with a little pre-dinner snack in France, at the new icecream shop we hadn't tried yet.



It was excellent! The hardest part was picking a flavour – I went for mint choc chip this time.


We wandered around the lagoon for a couple of hours – stopping a couple of times for some beverages, I had a green tea colada from Japan, and a blood orange margarita from Mexico (the latter was so strong, it took me a whole lap of the lake to drink a third of it.. then sadly I had to admit defeat!)



The atmosphere in Epcot was fantastic that night, it seemed like every other person had a race medal on – everyone was saying 'congratulations' to each other!



We wandered around the gardens of the UK pavilion..


Just before 8pm, we met my parents for dinner – we had a reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel – DH and I hadn't eaten there before.



We were quickly seated, our table wasn't right by the windows but the restaurant is designed so that every table can see the water – ready for Illuminations at 9pm!



I had a corn and tortilla soup to start, it was very tasty but probably a bit too filling – I struggled to eat all of my entree – the grilled talapia ( which was delicious!)
The meal was really nicely paced, we weren't rushed at all and had a fantastic view of Illuminations later on!







Video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us8oxnr9Z6s


We finished eating about 9.30pm, by then the park was closed so we got a pretty private walk back to the Boardwalk though World Showcase.




Back to the Boardwalk to sleep – it had been another fantastic day

 

[Leshaface]

Yay for a 'funner' breakfast than your last! A latte and cinnamon roll is definitely vacation breakfast.

Haha! Getting on EE is a great way to catch your breath, if you don't care about your time.

I wonder how you become a balloon lady. I would do that! Although it would be hard for me I would want to slow down so that every single person would cross that finish line.

I couldn't imagine doing the Dopey challenge! I would be so exhausted physically and mentally after the second race, i'd want to quit. Those people are totally inspirational.

Great view of illuminations from La Hacienda!

 

[annmarieda]

I loved seeing the runners on marathon day. I too started out the day in AK. My dd rode EE with runners. How wild is that? I also had to tell runners that I had "just" ran the half when they would congratulate me. I too was told not to say "just". The camaraderie over race weekend was phenomenal.

What a nice day you had! The spa and golf sound like they were perfect. I finally ate at la hacienda in January... the view of the lake for illuminations is wonderful!

 

[Dugette]

How cool to see the marathon runners everywhere you go! And what a great and festive atmosphere! I love that some of them were riding Everest during the marathon - never heard of that before! I suppose it is a good way to get off your feet for a few minutes.

Sounds like a nice afternoon with an outdoor lunch, mini golf, and a massage!

I am so excited to actually try stuff from the new ice cream place in France - looks tasty! And I love La Hacienda for dinner and Illuminations - always a great way to end a night at Epcot!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Sounds like you guys had a lovely day!

Love AK though I'm still remembering not so great memories on It's Tough to be a Bug! Don't think I'll ever forget my first experience of that show!

Glad you enjoyed and recommend the spa treatments at Dolphin resort...might have to check it out one day.

 

[elphie101]

Nice to see you back again! It's so cool that you were able to head into Animal Kingdom and see runners during your normal (otherwise average) park day!

The spa sounds so wonderful and relaxing. I agree with the fellow runner - you did a great job! I can't imagine doing a half right now.

 

[disneybarbie]

Monday 13th January 2014

Today we headed to Epcot for rope drop – great thing about staying at the Boardwalk is we didn't have to leave our room until 8.40am!

I really could get used to January weather like this



I made a pot of coffee and caught up with Stacey while we got ready...



We spent the morning with my parents which was fun. We had to wait a few minutes at International Gateway before the park opened – there was a great security CM there at bag check, talking to the whole crowd of people about WDW and Disney Cruise Line! A telephone rang, he said 'that must be Goofy'... and the cast members were given the signal to start letting guests into the park.

We walked around World Showcase – it's lovely and quiet then as it's not yet open – and carried on to the Land pavilion... first stop, Soarin'!



We walked straight on to one of the first rides of the day. It had been a while since we'd ridden the attraction and I really enjoyed it. On exiting, we picked up paper fast passes for later... I didn't know then that this would be my last ever 'legacy' FP!



We got some breakfast at Sunshine Seasons – I had oatmeal (which I realised was the same as 'porridge' at home!) with dried fruit and brown sugar – it was really nice and not something I usually have for breakfast in WDW.




Next we rode Living with the Land, we all really like this one – especially since doing the Behind the Seeds tour a couple of years ago.




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[disneybarbie]

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My parents wanted to see the Lion King 'Circle of Life' show, DH isn't keen on that so we agreed to meet up in 30 minutes time – we had a look around Innoventions for a while, then headed out to the sunshine and checked out the new Starbucks!



We found a bench to enjoy our coffees (and possibly a sugar cookie with Mickey sprinkles too )



Then met with my parents to ride Mission Space. This had a minimal queue too.



Next we went to the Living Seas and found Nemo.





By this time World Showcase was open, so we began to stroll around the lagoon.



In the shops in France..




DH and I decided to get lunch in the French bakery, and my parents went over to DHS – where we were having dinner together later on.



We hadn't eaten at the new bakery, and were really impressed with the selection and set up.

DH had a baguette sandwich and I had salad nicoise – both were tasty and very fresh.



After lunch, we made our way back to the Boardwalk. Just as we were approaching the shop at International Gateway, I heard an female English voice say 'excuse me, can I squeeze in here?' … and it was...







Alice in Wonderland!!


She took my hand and DH's hand and skipped between us, she asked us what we'd been doing – I said we'd walked around the world showcase, and she said that must have taken a very long time

She left us and headed backstage.... it was such a surprise... I wish I'd been quick enough to take a photo!!


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[disneybarbie]

Yay for a 'funner' breakfast than your last! A latte and cinnamon roll is definitely vacation breakfast.

Haha! Getting on EE is a great way to catch your breath, if you don't care about your time.

I wonder how you become a balloon lady. I would do that! Although it would be hard for me I would want to slow down so that every single person would cross that finish line.

I couldn't imagine doing the Dopey challenge! I would be so exhausted physically and mentally after the second race, i'd want to quit. Those people are totally inspirational.

Great view of illuminations from La Hacienda!

Thanks Lesha! I've read that the balloon ladies are not official runDisney employees, just a group that deliberately walk/run at 16 min/mile pace as an indicator to other runners! The Dopey runners were amazing, I think one of the hardest things would be the four 2am wake up calls!

I loved seeing the runners on marathon day. I too started out the day in AK. My dd rode EE with runners. How wild is that? I also had to tell runners that I had "just" ran the half when they would congratulate me. I too was told not to say "just". The camaraderie over race weekend was phenomenal.

What a nice day you had! The spa and golf sound like they were perfect. I finally ate at la hacienda in January... the view of the lake for illuminations is wonderful!

Thanks for commenting! The atmosphere at WDW was fantastic that weekend, I've not experienced anything like it - so many personal achievements shared with other runners

How cool to see the marathon runners everywhere you go! And what a great and festive atmosphere! I love that some of them were riding Everest during the marathon - never heard of that before! I suppose it is a good way to get off your feet for a few minutes.

Sounds like a nice afternoon with an outdoor lunch, mini golf, and a massage!

I am so excited to actually try stuff from the new ice cream place in France - looks tasty! And I love La Hacienda for dinner and Illuminations - always a great way to end a night at Epcot!

Hope you get to try the ice cream shop on a future trip - there were so many good flavours, DH and I will definitely be going back there - I was surprised just how much of the full marathon we were able to see that day - it was great!

Sounds like you guys had a lovely day!

Love AK though I'm still remembering not so great memories on It's Tough to be a Bug! Don't think I'll ever forget my first experience of that show!

Glad you enjoyed and recommend the spa treatments at Dolphin resort...might have to check it out one day.

Thanks for reading along! The spa was excellent - we've tried there now and also the one at the Grand Floridian, would recommend both

Nice to see you back again! It's so cool that you were able to head into Animal Kingdom and see runners during your normal (otherwise average) park day!

The spa sounds so wonderful and relaxing. I agree with the fellow runner - you did a great job! I can't imagine doing a half right now.

Thank you! I loved seeing the full marathon runners that day... I was just the tiniest bit jealous that they were running it and I wasn't ... hope all your wedding plans are going well (keep meaning to comment on your PTR - everything looks lovely!), not long to go now



Emma x

 

[Dugette]

Hope you get to try the ice cream shop on a future trip - there were so many good flavours, DH and I will definitely be going back there

I actually just got to go there over Labor Day Weekend! Got both an Ice Cream Brioche Sandwich (w/mint chocolate chip!) and an Ice Cream Martini! Nice treats!

Sounds like a good Epcot day that you had. Very nice to be so close-by at the Boardwalk. And what a cool surprise meet with Alice in Wonderland!