Hunny even my socks smell like Disney! ~ "relaxing" Sept 2010 trip!1/24/11 RACE TIME!

[Shannon84]

Welcome to my first ever TR!!!
I am beyond excited to share my latest trip with you all…I wish I had thought of doing a TR for past trips…but what better time than now!

You will be joining us on our funny…somewhat relaxing…well planned and poorly executed – but amazing trip!!! We stayed at POP Century from September 27 to October 3


You have probably seen me around the boards (most likely commenting on EVERYONE’s PTR or TR )
If I haven’t already been following along with a TR or PTR or your own, please let me know…Im pretty much obsessed with reading about the Disney adventures that everyone has!!
I guess to begin I should introduce you to our cast of characters for this trip….


Shannon – (That’s ME!!) 26 years old – I live in Richmond, Virginia and work for the state here. I grew up in Massachusetts and went to college at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC. I am a self diagnosed DISNEY NUT!!! I have been visiting WDW since the age of 7 and have been back to visit so many times I cannot count! I love all thrill rides, I love the feeling of Disney world – it is such a true escape, I love the smells (yes I promise to explain the name of the TR) and I cannot wait to plan my next trip!! I also would LOVE to see Disneyland one day!

Lee – aka “the boyfriend” or DBF - (first name Emory, but he goes by his middle name) – 24 years old – yes folks I am robbing the cradle here haha. Lee works for a credit card company with high value customers (people with lots more money than we could dream of in our household!!) and volunteer firefighter for the last 5+ years. His true passion is firefighting and hopefully he can find a paid position soon!! This was Lee’s first trip to WDW and really one of his first ever actual vacations. Lee was raised watching some Disney movies, but not in a Disney crazy family like the one I grew up in

Lee and I have been dating for over a year now…honestly neither of us know when we should start “counting” from We met at a lake party thrown by my old coworker and Lee’s friend Brian. Lee grew up in Southern VA (close to North Carolina), but moved up to Richmond after I convinced him that long distance dating is no fun and also that Richmond has lots of opportunities!

How this trip came about: I decided during my new found love of running races that I wanted to attempt a half marathon...and what is a better place to conquer 13.1 miles than Walt Disney World?!? If I am going down there for the weekend, why not take a week off and vacation as well?!? I know…I’m so smart! Also it was what we were calling our 1 year anniversary (I swear it feels like we have known each other forever and one year has flown by)
Here is a picture of DBF and I after I ran a 10k here in Richmond, VA

We have one little baby boy...Allister!!

Too bad I couldn’t take him on our trip with us!!


Next up…our itinerary and would Lee ever get excited about this trip?!?

 

[Spartangirl]

Awww...you and Lee are so cute, Shannon! I can't wait to hear about your adventures and I'm so happy that you're doing a TR!

 

[Disney_Jill]

I cannot wait to hear what Lee thought about his first trip to WDW! I like your logic for staying longer, that's my way of thinking too. I would love to run the Princess marathon one day, guess I need to step up my training.

 

[Shannon84]

I had booked the trip back in May and I swear I read a million trip reports, checked the weather 10,000 times, planned and re planned the entire trip over and over!! And most went out the window when we arrived in Disney As I had mentioned our trip was planned around my desire to run the Inaugural Wine and Dine Half Marathon and we decided to arrive a week early to enjoy ourselves before the race and celebrate our anniversary. It didn't hurt that we booked during free dining...that was a big selling point due to our budget

One thing that was driving me bananas was the fact that Lee was not getting excited at all and I was freaking out What if he hated Disney? What if it was a miserable trip? I guess he wasn’t excited because he really wasn’t sure what to expect!!

We were staying at POP Century from September 27th to October 3rd and did not rent a car...so Disney transportation all the way
Our only request at POP was a King bed and I was praying we would get it…we are what I would call “violent sleepers” (we typically kick and elbow each other often in a Queen bed alone, I couldn’t imagine a double)

My plan was to assign a park to each day and book ADRs, but otherwise I was going to try and "relax" during this trip...I swear the word relax should never be used in conjunction with Disney unless you have DVC and visit often!

Our plan:

Monday September 27th – Travel/Arrival day. Our flight was scheduled to leave Richmond, VA at 7 am and arrive in Orlando at 9 am. We planned on traveling to POP with ME and hitting up Magic Kingdom after checking in. Our ADR today is lunch at Tony’s Town Square

Tuesday September 28th – First full day at WDW! I planned a return to MK this day…it was a MNSSHP day, so we had to be out before 7 pm. Our ADR this day is dinner at Cape May Café

Wednesday September 29th – Hollywood Studios with a lunch ADR planned at 50’s Prime Time Café

Thursday September 30th – EPCOT with a dinner ADR at Biergarten

Friday October 1st –Animal Kingdom with a breakfast ADR at Tusker House – Donald’s Safari Breakfast and also a dinner ADR planned at ‘Ohana

Saturday October 2nd – Morning trip over to Wide World of Sports to attend the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Expo and then a relaxing day at POP! I did not plan any meals or anything specific for this day. I knew I would need a nap and plenty of time to travel to the half marathon which was starting at 10 pm that night

Sunday October 3rd- Well this is just the saddest day of all…its departure day from WDW! I had not planned anything for this day, because I wasn’t sure how I would feel after a night time race. Our flight was departing Orlando at 6:30 pm

 

[Shannon84]

Awww...you and Lee are so cute, Shannon! I can't wait to hear about your adventures and I'm so happy that you're doing a TR!

Aww well thank you Thank you so much for being the first to follow along and the first to answer a TR related question

I cannot wait to hear what Lee thought about his first trip to WDW! I like your logic for staying longer, that's my way of thinking too. I would love to run the Princess marathon one day, guess I need to step up my training.

I am so happy you are joining in...Lee had me stressed until the day we left, because he just wasn't getting excited! I shouldn't be suprised, he rarely gets excited

You should run the princess one..that one looks so fun with it being mainly women and the girly theme I wish I could do them all... my training was lacking big time I ended up walking a lot of the Wine & Dine race

 

[Shannon84]

Very much a side note...but how do I convince Lee to go on this new disney cruise ship?? It looks like it has tons of adult only areas! And a pretty kick butt slide!!

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/s...urcecode=16455&CMP=EMC-DCLFY11Q1FantasyEM0148

I am working on our arrival/first day for the report...I never realized how much time and effort people must put into their wonderul TRs...so thank you everyone for taking the time to share your trips
Also I promise Ill stick to this font/color throughout the report instead of switching around like I did at first..too many choices

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Hope you and DBF had a great time! Don't worry, my DH had never been before we went in 2008 and now we've got AP's! I'm lucky he's a roll with the flow kind of guy.

Can't wait to read your TR!

 

[proud_canadian]

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Hi Shannon!!!!

I am onboard....great so far, cant wait to read more!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

*subscribing*

Your Allister looks a LOT like our Cosette.

 

[pinkxray]

I'm joining in.

We're going to be staying at Pop on our next trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

I was thinking of doing the Princess Half in Feb. I finished the C25K and did about 2 weeks of Jeff Galloway training for the half. Then, DH and I decided we just couldn't do Feb. and moved the trip to March. I swore I would stick with my running three times a week even though I am not training anymore. I should be doing at least 3 miles each time. I did 1.5 yesterday I need some motivation.

 

[Shannon84]

Hope you and DBF had a great time! Don't worry, my DH had never been before we went in 2008 and now we've got AP's! I'm lucky he's a roll with the flow kind of guy.

Can't wait to read your TR!

Thanks for joining! I mean how can you not love Disney right?!?

Looking forward to reading more!

Welcome!!

Hi Shannon!!!!

I am onboard....great so far, cant wait to read more!

Yay!! So glad you are reading along My planning for this trip started with the wine & dine thread you started!!

*subscribing*

Your Allister looks a LOT like our Cosette.

Aww Cosette must be adorable..I treat Allister like my baby it drives Lee nuts

I'm joining in.

We're going to be staying at Pop on our next trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

I was thinking of doing the Princess Half in Feb. I finished the C25K and did about 2 weeks of Jeff Galloway training for the half. Then, DH and I decided we just couldn't do Feb. and moved the trip to March. I swore I would stick with my running three times a week even though I am not training anymore. I should be doing at least 3 miles each time. I did 1.5 yesterday I need some motivation.

I LOVE POP! I have stayed there the last 3 times I have visited WDW and I consider it our "home" at Disney. I think I am going to try the Galloway program myself, but I lose motivation if I am not training for something specific

 

[Shannon84]

I might be what you call a certified worry wart…which often times is perceived as nagging…oops! I think I reminded Lee around 536 times to pack ahead of time and plan for all kinds of weather…I mean it is Florida! Lee had to work 12-11pm the day before we were leaving and we had to be out of the house at 5 am So who waits until last minute to pack? Of course it’s me! But don’t worry I had my Mickey luggage all packed up and ready to go the day before we left. I mean I had to make time to get a manicure and pedicure with my mom that afternoon

Oh so that whole worry wart thing I mentioned…our friend Trevor fell victim to it and “volunteered” to come stay the night so that he would be there to take us to the airport the next morning bright and early! Trevor was our condo and cat sitter…as well as our taxi to the airport, what a nice friend

Well...I used to party it up not too long ago in college. Problem is by senior year I was diagnosed by friends with having “Cinderella Syndrome” because I could never stay awake past midnight. Lee just worked an 11 hour shift and who couldn’t get up at 4 am? ME! I can tell you I DON’T like the sight of 4 am at all!!

We arrived at the airport with TOO much time, better safe than sorry I suppose. Lee is a techie geek so I convinced him to take lots of pictures to make a TR. He has boards that he talks on too…so here is the obligatory airport picture before boarding

Airtran was great even though I felt like we had a tight squeeze legroom wise. Lee was having a hard time with his ears popping even after I gave him gum…so he took pictures to distract himself

We landed a little before 9 am and I practically ran to the ME area of the airport. No line at the ME counter and we were the first people on our bus…Lee even wanted a seat by a TV…was he finally getting excited? The bus filled up fast and we were off to POP!

I had opted for the online check in, so when we arrived we flew through the whole check in process and we got buttons!! Now I know everyone has these, but I just love them!

We left our carry on bags with the front desk and we were off to Magic Kingdom!



Up next: Would we be too tired to have fun?

 

[DisneyBride'03]

ok...came back to comment abt POP...then see these great pics of your pedi/mani!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so envious!!!! I couldnt even get a pedi due to my blisters and runners toe! LOL (and you know I dont consider myself a runner! lol)
I do have a pic of my semi-pedi....wearing my "toe cap" ..that looked like a toe condom after the Half! LOL
I digress....sorry Shannon!

I love POP!! Returning for a quick Christmas trip with my 2 DD's...cant wait to see more photos!!!Love the buttons and you two look so cute!!!

 

[JMat]

Omigosh... loving your TR - and subbing in! Sorry im late, but im definitely in from here out.

I LOVE your orange manicure. The Mickey heads?! SO cute. Im jealous! Im also going to steal that phrase 'Cinderella Syndrome' - perfect for some people I know too

Keep writin' girl!

 

[MEK]

Now that is one original title for a TR! I guess your socks do smell like Disney if you ran 13.1 miles in them!

I think 10pm is a very interesting time to start a race, but I bet it was marvelous in terms of avoiding the heat. I have to say that I actually really like running at night. It feels cool. Of course, a 1/2 marathon is no longer in my cards, but i still love to run. The only 1/2 marathon I ever did was hilly up and down the whole way and I couldn't walk for a week afterwards. After that I stick to 10k or less.

Looking forward to your TR.

Allister - great name for a cat!

 

[Shannon84]

ok...came back to comment abt POP...then see these great pics of your pedi/mani!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so envious!!!! I couldnt even get a pedi due to my blisters and runners toe! LOL (and you know I dont consider myself a runner! lol)
I do have a pic of my semi-pedi....wearing my "toe cap" ..that looked like a toe condom after the Half! LOL
I digress....sorry Shannon!

I love POP!! Returning for a quick Christmas trip with my 2 DD's...cant wait to see more photos!!!Love the buttons and you two look so cute!!!

You are too funny...I am cracking up reading your message you and your poor toe!! I could only get my nails painted, I couldnt have them scrub or do any of the fun stuff to my feet because I had the race coming up, but I really wanted the mickey halloween look

I do LOVE POP...it screams disney to me...but I think Lee wants to try a different resort if we go back..he has his sights set on Beach Club - Keep dreamin lol

Omigosh... loving your TR - and subbing in! Sorry im late, but im definitely in from here out.

I LOVE your orange manicure. The Mickey heads?! SO cute. Im jealous! Im also going to steal that phrase 'Cinderella Syndrome' - perfect for some people I know too

Keep writin' girl!

I am glad you found my report!! Thank you..I was so sad when it started to chip away!! I still have that syndrome..I swear I cant make it through a movie at home

Now that is one original title for a TR! I guess your socks do smell like Disney if you ran 13.1 miles in them!

I think 10pm is a very interesting time to start a race, but I bet it was marvelous in terms of avoiding the heat. I have to say that I actually really like running at night. It feels cool. Of course, a 1/2 marathon is no longer in my cards, but i still love to run. The only 1/2 marathon I ever did was hilly up and down the whole way and I couldn't walk for a week afterwards. After that I stick to 10k or less.

Looking forward to your TR.

Allister - great name for a cat!

Haha thank you thank you...I never thought about it having to do with the race but thats true ...my poor feet after that!! The title actually came from something DBF said one night after being out in MK...I will explain more later I LOVED racing at night...I have never experienced a race like it before! I think it was difficult for some because they weren't sure what to eat all day or what to do sleep wise...I took a nap right before and I was golden I swore by mile 12 never again...and now I want to go back next year for it At least you are still running!! I don't think I would like to do anything 1/2 marathon or longer unless it's Disney!!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Joining in!

How fun that you ran the half marathon at Disney World!

Can't wait to read about the rest of the trip!

 

[Spartangirl]

Oh my gosh, Shannon...your mani/pedi is so cute! I love the little Mickey heads!

 

[Shannon84]

Joining in!

How fun that you ran the half marathon at Disney World!

Can't wait to read about the rest of the trip!

Welcome and thanks for joining!! I wish I could go back and do all the disney races, it was so much fun

Oh my gosh, Shannon...your mani/pedi is so cute! I love the little Mickey heads!

Thank you I was so excited to go with my mom to get our nails done, because she had never had a pedicure before! I felt a little guilty that I was vacationing this year and she wasn't