Flowers, Disney Running, and a Dream Birthday Surprise!

[Normangirls]

Best. Race. Costumes. Ever.






(I'm usually a lurker, so I just wanted to pop in to say I'm really enjoying your TR!)

 

[20thingamabobs]

Best. Race. Costumes. Ever.





(I'm usually a lurker, so I just wanted to pop in to say I'm really enjoying your TR!)

Haha I knew it would take an Ohio person to get it! lol. The back of my shirt said OH and the back of my dad's said IO so as long as I was always to his left, we always read OH-IO from the front and back. And if we were by ourselves, as long as someone saw us from the front and back we each individually read OH-IO too except I was a lil upset because the IO looked like 10 by itself . They were fun though.

Thanks for delurking! I'm glad your enjoying the report and to know I have readers!

 

[Normangirls]

we always read OH-IO from the front and back

Absolutely brilliant!

I also like the picture of your Dad, where he's "ahead" of the guy in the Michigan State shirt.

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

Awesome pictures from the race! I wish I had taken some stills but switching back and forth from movie to picture mode while running is pretty difficult! I was so sure that we ran back out on to sunset on the Fantasmic walkway... I do remember now going by the ToT entrance but where was that little downhill portion after we went through the Amphitheater? It's all a blur now.

I feel your pain on the trip planning for people that don't quite get it yet. If it were me I would probably end up just doing all the planning without input. Hey you tried!! I guarantee they'll appreciate it once you get there! Aidan and I went on a trip with my Brother and his family last summer and ended up on our own quite a bit because I couldn't make my SIL understand what a reasonable touring plan was for 4th of July weekend! They ended up in the busiest parks and waited in loooooong lines while Aidan and I had a great time!

 

[Shannon84]

I like the race outfits you made Looks like a fun 5k...for some reason all of the things you passed made it sound like it was longer than 3.1 miles I hope you guys made it to face the Yeti without too long of a line!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Absolutely brilliant!

I also like the picture of your Dad, where he's "ahead" of the guy in the Michigan State shirt.

I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out, that makes the picture even better!

Awesome pictures from the race! I wish I had taken some stills but switching back and forth from movie to picture mode while running is pretty difficult! I was so sure that we ran back out on to sunset on the Fantasmic walkway... I do remember now going by the ToT entrance but where was that little downhill portion after we went through the Amphitheater? It's all a blur now.

I feel your pain on the trip planning for people that don't quite get it yet. If it were me I would probably end up just doing all the planning without input. Hey you tried!! I guarantee they'll appreciate it once you get there! Aidan and I went on a trip with my Brother and his family last summer and ended up on our own quite a bit because I couldn't make my SIL understand what a reasonable touring plan was for 4th of July weekend! They ended up in the busiest parks and waited in loooooong lines while Aidan and I had a great time!

Yea, when we ran the half, it wasn't bad because while I was taping DBF would take pics and vice versa but I couldn't ask my dad to do that or else there wouldn't have been too much to look at in the pics So before we started, I put the video camera in one hand and my regular camera in the other. I felt like a I did pretty good until I got home and went to watch the videos and realized I was holding the camera vertical instead of horizontal so all the videos came out in strips with black lines down both sides. Oh well, you can still get the point.

I finally just made some reservations but I chose places outside of the parks in case they decide they don't want to buy park tickets.

I like the race outfits you made Looks like a fun 5k...for some reason all of the things you passed made it sound like it was longer than 3.1 miles I hope you guys made it to face the Yeti without too long of a line!

Thanks! They were fun to make and I was glad my dad agreed to wear something themed. It was a lot of fun and if I was in Florida while it was being run, I would do it again. It did seem longer than 3.1 miles because we really did pass a lot and the whole first mile was outside the park.

 

[20thingamabobs]

Day 2: March 5, 2011 Cont. – Animal Kingdom

When I left off, we had just finished up the ESPN 5k at Hollywood Studios and were headed to Animal Kingdom. The plan was for my dad to drop my mom and I off and then he’d come back later to join us.

I hadn’t been paying much attention to the time and was worried about the lines getting long. But when we arrived, I realized it was only 8:30am and the park hadn’t even opened yet! I placed my mom in line at one of the turnstiles while I headed over to Guest Services. The lady in line in front of me wanted to make a dining reservation and she took FOREVER to make up her mind between whether they wanted to eat at 2:50pm or 4:05pm… I mean it’s a difference of an hour and 15 minutes? Finally, after 15 minutes it was my turn. I was purchasing a Tables In Wonderland card. I didn’t buy one sooner because I didn’t think it would be worth it but when I thought about it again I figured it probably would be so we purchased and used it for the rest of the trip. It turned out to pay for itself within the first 3-4 meals and I can use it on my May and Oct trips too so definitely worth it! With card in hand, I went back to join my mom in line and shortly after we were allowed through the gates and then stopped again. We got to watch this:

Then we were released into the park and my mom and I set off on our usual Animal Kingdom routine. I walked ahead to Expedition Everest and was one of the first to get Fast Passes and then I stood near the ride entrance to wait for my mom to catch up. Once she arrived, we hopped in line, walked through the queue and right on the ride. We had an awesome ride as usual and once we disembarked, we immediately headed back in line. We had about a 2 minute wait this time and then we were headed out on another exciting adventure through the mountain. Then, it was off to Dinoland, USA. We usually ride Primeval Whirl now but it was closed for refurbishment so instead we headed to Dinosaur. I’m not entirely crazy about this ride because I spend the whole time plugging my ears but we always ride it. On our way in, I tried to take a picture of my mom and I but couldn’t aim it right but a nice man waiting outside was nice enough to take one for us:

Then it was time to visit some time underwater with Nemo and friends!

We saw the 10:30am show of Finding Nemo – The Musical before heading over to Africa to get Fast Passes for Kilimanjaro Safaris. After we received our Fast Passes, we went into the gift shop to find my elusive giraffe figurine. (Side note: In Jan., I purchased a small wooden giraffe from Animal Kingdom Lodge. This giraffe now lives in my bathroom which has an Animal Kingdom theme now. Well, I have two shelves that are slightly different heights and I wanted to get a slightly larger giraffe for the lower shelf. Well, when I went back to get it at AKL, the only one they had left was broken…) So, we went in looking for my giraffe and I was starting to get nervous when at the last second I saw it. It was the only medium sized one up on the highest shelf in the store. I scurried over, reached as high as I could, and snatched it down. I took it to the register, paid for it, and had it sent to package pick up. I happily headed out of the store to continue my day. (Sadly, my giraffe didn’t quite make it home. I had to place him in my suitcase and during the trip the middle section of his tail broke off. So, now my giraffe is partially tail-less…but I love my bathroom! I also got a Larry Dotson drawing of the savanna that hangs on my wall)

After leaving the store, we were pretty hungry so we headed to Flame Tree BBQ for lunch. I thought I took pictures but I must not have because I can’t find them. My mom and I both ordered the pulled pork and enjoyed eating it waterside. Since AK doesn’t have too many table service restaurants that accept the TIW card, all of their quick service restaurants do so we already saved $7! After lunch, we grabbed some picture of the view:
on our way:

After:

See my OSU face tattoo from that morning? Well, it was about now that I realized it was getting a little itchy. I ignored it though because I figured it was just the warms temperatures and having something like that on my face… After lunch, we headed over to become honorary bugs at It’s tough to be a bug:

Since I’m not a big fan of creepy crawlies, we headed for some larger animals (or people dressed as larger animals anyway) at Festival of the Lion King:

We were in the Lion section:

After bopping to the music with Simba and friends, we headed back to Africa to see some real animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris:

Continued Next Post...

 

[20thingamabobs]

After the safari, we still had some time to kill before we needed to head for our last face-off with the Yeti so we walked through the Pagani forest trek so I could check on my gorillas and personal favorite... the naked mole rat:

Then it was over to Asia for more Yeti time and some last pictures of Everest:

On our way out of the park, I grabbed a picture of the new Let the Memories Begin banners:

Then it was over to Epcot for some real underwater time with Nemo…

 

[Shannon84]

Thats awesome you were able to get to the park before it even opened and it sounds like you were able to see a lot!! I love your matching shirts with your mom, those are too cute!!

 

[jenseib]

I am always amazed wit hthe amount of stuff you can do in one day. I need to travel with you!

 

[CAStevens218]

I just found your PTR/TR! I loved your last one, it was my inspiration to register for the 2012 half marathon! Sounds like an awesome trip so far, I can't wait to keep reading!!

 

[jenseib]

Just reminding you about his one!!!!

 

[NMW]

Subscribing love your running outfits however Go Irish