Grumpy Challenge 2017.... A Marathon Weekend TR (Updated 3/19 Final Thoughts)

[fallonkendra]

The Boathouse looks so good! It's never even crossed my mind as a restaurant to put on my list, since I hate seafood...hmm...

I love all your pictures of your medals in the Hub at Magic Kingdom!

 

[rteetz]

The Boathouse looks so good! It's never even crossed my mind as a restaurant to put on my list, since I hate seafood...hmm...

I love all your pictures of your medals in the Hub at Magic Kingdom!

They have much more than seafood!

Thanks!

 

[SarahDisney]

I can't believe your grandma went on Space Mountain! I think you now have to take your grandma with you on every trip to Disney just to see if she'll do Space Mountain.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Boathouse! The food looks good, and I really like the decor!

Your face in that Test Track picture is kinda hysterical. Everyone else is having fun, and you're just sitting there looking serious... it's kinda funny. (Although it's better than all of my Test Track pictures, which are basically "hair in face").

 

[rteetz]

I can't believe your grandma went on Space Mountain! I think you now have to take your grandma with you on every trip to Disney just to see if she'll do Space Mountain.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Boathouse! The food looks good, and I really like the decor!

Your face in that Test Track picture is kinda hysterical. Everyone else is having fun, and you're just sitting there looking serious... it's kinda funny. (Although it's better than all of my Test Track pictures, which are basically "hair in face").

Well I'm working on her to go to Disneyland with me next year so that will definitely be a thing we try to do.

Boathouse was great!

I don't know why I'm so serious. Maybe I was trying to do that?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

looks like a fun morning of just taking in all that is MK. Love the pictures with the medals around the hub!

.... so was it filled with chocolate?

Did you like the Muppets in Liberty Square when you got to see them live? I like the idea but wonder if it is one of those things that if you see a video of it then it isn't as special in person

Glad you enjoyed the Boathouse. It wasn't super high on my list but I have since read a lot of positive reviews about it so i think we will try it an upcoming trip .... though I must say I am really intrigued by the reviews so far of Paddelfish so that might have moved above it

That was great of your grandma to get your mom that bag that she had been eying - always nice to surprise people with things like that

That tease leads me to believe the day didn't end quite as well as it had been going

 

[rteetz]

looks like a fun morning of just taking in all that is MK. Love the pictures with the medals around the hub!

.... so was it filled with chocolate?

Did you like the Muppets in Liberty Square when you got to see them live? I like the idea but wonder if it is one of those things that if you see a video of it then it isn't as special in person

Glad you enjoyed the Boathouse. It wasn't super high on my list but I have since read a lot of positive reviews about it so i think we will try it an upcoming trip .... though I must say I am really intrigued by the reviews so far of Paddelfish so that might have moved above it

That was great of your grandma to get your mom that bag that she had been eying - always nice to surprise people with things like that

That tease leads me to believe the day didn't end quite as well as it had been going

Thanks!

No it was not filled with anything unfortunately.

It was so cool seeing actual muppets live! I really do like MuppetVision but this was even better IMO.

Boathouse is really goos. Whether you want seafood, or just a burger I recommend it.

My mom was happy when we brought the bag back home that is for sure.

We will have to wait and see what happens next...

 

[rteetz]

Inside Out leads to a mad rush!

So after Test Track my sister had been wanting to meet Joy and Sadness. The line didn't appear to be too long at first but little did we know it was incredibly slow moving and the characters spent a lot of time with guests. While in line, a non-English speaking person came up to me in line with an iPod translator asking me where I got my medals. I told her from the marathon races this weekend, she looked confused and walked away. I think she thought you could buy them somewhere?

Finally we made it to the front of the line and into the meet and greet which I thought was well done. The Joy and Sadness loved Sydnee!



















While it was a long wait it was a great meet and greet! They really spend a lot of time with people.

Little did we know this meet and greet would really hurt us. Before the trip we booked the Star Wars Fireworks dessert party. We headed to the express bus spot to head to DHS. Well I didn't know the pick up time and the bus left at 6:30. It was about 6:31.... So now we were kind of stuck. We could have went out and took the regular bus but then you are stuck going through security and stuff so we felt better off just waiting for the next express bus. By the time we got to DHS we got there just in time as they were taking down the check in desk for the party. We had about 15 minutes left of the party before we would be taken out for the fireworks. We quick went and tried to eat some desserts. An amazing CM found a manager and told her our situation and they got us a three to go boxes filled to the top with desserts! A CM then escorted us to the viewing area.



















RIP Princess Leia!









Continued in next post...

 

[rteetz]

Continued...







































Okay here is my quick review.

Even though we were late I still recommend the dessert party. I would do it again but obviously make sure I am at DHS before the party starts to make sure I am at the party on time. The CMs really were amazing helping us out though.

The show is really great. Yes it is light on the pyro but the lasers and projections are really great. The viewing area for the dessert party is also fantastic. Overall its a great show and a must do for people in my opinion.

Up Next: Why not watch two shows in one night?

 

[skier_pete]

Hey - I finally got some sit down time to catch up. I can see why people want to do the Disney marathon! That photo op with the Nautilus was cool. Riding a roller coaster in the middle of a marathon even cooler - who can say they did that! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun after...I have to give you points for stamina...I would've probably collapsed for the rest of the day.

When we were driving around for the Moonlight Magic DVC event last weekend, we saw all the tents along the route for the princess 1/2 marathon the next morning. As we were driving out of the park at 2:30 AM - they were unwrapping the tents and getting ready for the event. I was thinking how people were coming into the property for the event just as we were rolling out to go to the bed. I am not a late-night person, but it was more fun to be leaving at 2:30 AM than to be getting up at 2:30 AM!

 

[rteetz]

Hey - I finally got some sit down time to catch up. I can see why people want to do the Disney marathon! That photo op with the Nautilus was cool. Riding a roller coaster in the middle of a marathon even cooler - who can say they did that! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun after...I have to give you points for stamina...I would've probably collapsed for the rest of the day.

When we were driving around for the Moonlight Magic DVC event last weekend, we saw all the tents along the route for the princess 1/2 marathon the next morning. As we were driving out of the park at 2:30 AM - they were unwrapping the tents and getting ready for the event. I was thinking how people were coming into the property for the event just as we were rolling out to go to the bed. I am not a late-night person, but it was more fun to be leaving at 2:30 AM than to be getting up at 2:30 AM!

Thanks! There are so many cool aspects during these races which is why I keep doing them. Moving around after a marathon especially is good to keep the legs loose and not so tight. If I just collapsed I probably would've been even more sore.

The wake up calls are not the best but the adrenaline wakes me up and keeps me going.

 

[ariane37]

little did we know it was incredibly slow moving and the characters spent a lot of time with guests.

I just read another TR where the family was in line and it took forever, but then they realized once it was their turn how much time Joy and Sadness spend with each and every family/person. I think that's great, even if it makes the wait long. However I haven't seen the movie yet so I don't think I'll be meeting them on our trip this month, but maybe I'll make a point to watch it before our May trip. It looks like such a great meet!

An amazing CM found a manager and told her our situation and they got us a three to go boxes filled to the top with desserts!

That is fantastic Glad you got to enjoy the desserts even if it was later on. And I love your pictures of the show. I'm not a SW fan in the least so we haven't watched the show from HS, but last Aug. we could see a good amount of the fireworks from Epcot and thought they were amazing. I did love the previous SW fireworks and was sad when they changed the show.

 

[rteetz]

I just read another TR where the family was in line and it took forever, but then they realized once it was their turn how much time Joy and Sadness spend with each and every family/person. I think that's great, even if it makes the wait long. However I haven't seen the movie yet so I don't think I'll be meeting them on our trip this month, but maybe I'll make a point to watch it before our May trip. It looks like such a great meet!


That is fantastic Glad you got to enjoy the desserts even if it was later on. And I love your pictures of the show. I'm not a SW fan in the least so we haven't watched the show from HS, but last Aug. we could see a good amount of the fireworks from Epcot and thought they were amazing. I did love the previous SW fireworks and was sad when they changed the show.

Well if you take nothing else away from this TR, watch Inside Out!

I was disappointed when they changed the show too but this one is pretty good in its own way.

 

[LindseyJo22]

Catching up again!

Love the Joy and Sadness meet and greet - we went last summer and were there basically when it opened and the line was still pretty long, but they do spend a lot of time interacting. I loved it, and I'm an adult!

Boathouse looked really delicious - I think more of seafood when I think of eating there, but good to know that the other options are good as well, especially if you have people who aren't huge seafood fans in your group.

We saw the new welcome show over Princess weekend and thought it was cute, but definitely no train welcome show. I understand the desire to have people not crowding in front of the station (and also potentially spending more money), but I am selfishly hoping they bring back some version of the train show in the future. Unlikely, but I can hope!

 

[rteetz]

Catching up again!

Love the Joy and Sadness meet and greet - we went last summer and were there basically when it opened and the line was still pretty long, but they do spend a lot of time interacting. I loved it, and I'm an adult!

Boathouse looked really delicious - I think more of seafood when I think of eating there, but good to know that the other options are good as well, especially if you have people who aren't huge seafood fans in your group.

We saw the new welcome show over Princess weekend and thought it was cute, but definitely no train welcome show. I understand the desire to have people not crowding in front of the station (and also potentially spending more money), but I am selfishly hoping they bring back some version of the train show in the future. Unlikely, but I can hope!

The interaction was great!

The non seafood options are exactly why I chose Boathouse. I'm not into seafood while I know others are so everyone could get something they wanted. Highly recommend it.

Yeah while I haven't seen the new show in person yet I'll miss the old one. I'll get around to it eventually.

 

[SarahDisney]

I love the pictures with Joy and Sadness! Joy seemed very impressed with your medals!

I'm really impressed that the CM got you to-go boxes of desserts - that's such a nice thing for them to do!

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the fireworks. I'm really hoping I get to see them eventually (especially now that I've seen most of the movies) ... it really does look & sound like such a great show!

 

[rteetz]

I love the pictures with Joy and Sadness! Joy seemed very impressed with your medals!

I'm really impressed that the CM got you to-go boxes of desserts - that's such a nice thing for them to do!

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the fireworks. I'm really hoping I get to see them eventually (especially now that I've seen most of the movies) ... it really does look & sound like such a great show!

Joy was incredibly impressed. Sadness said she would be too slow to run a race.

We were very impressed with the to go boxes!

It was a great show and I recommend it.

 

[ZellyB]

YAY Joy and Sadness meet and greet. I had fun getting a shot with them during the marathon.

I would have been in a panic about running late for the dessert party. I'm so glad you made it on time and even better that the CMs were able to get you to-go boxes for the desserts. We didn't make it to see the Star Wars show this time, but hoping it will be an option for us next year.

 

[rteetz]

YAY Joy and Sadness meet and greet. I had fun getting a shot with them during the marathon.

I would have been in a panic about running late for the dessert party. I'm so glad you made it on time and even better that the CMs were able to get you to-go boxes for the desserts. We didn't make it to see the Star Wars show this time, but hoping it will be an option for us next year.

Yeah I skipped them during the marathon so I knew I wanted to meet them in the parks.

I was panicked for sure but glad we got in before they closed down. The CMs were so nice too.

 

[JulieODC]

Wow -- jam packed last day....and it isn't even over yet!

We had the same thing happen a few times last week -- got into a line that said 5 or 10 min, and it ended up being 45-60! Especially for characters.

Glad your dessert party was salvaged with some to-do boxes

 

[rteetz]

Wow -- jam packed last day....and it isn't even over yet!

We had the same thing happen a few times last week -- got into a line that said 5 or 10 min, and it ended up being 45-60! Especially for characters.

Glad your dessert party was salvaged with some to-do boxes

Nope not over yet

Great meet but such a long wait.

We were very happy that they gave us to go boxes.