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

[Shannon84]

Well after we handed in our bug glasses, we took our time to check out the Discovery Island area a bit

And of course I was excited to spot my favorite creature of all….
Photopass photographers!!

At this point my plan of attack was so far gone, I wasn’t sure where to go next! I knew I wanted to go on Expedition Everest, but I thought maybe we would go towards Dinoland first, because I knew Lee would enjoy Dinosaur.

Lee loved this guy

I am sorry, I get where someone was maybe going with this area, but it is not Disney quality to me I think the thing I really despise in that area is the carnival style games…I think those belong in carnivals and other amusement parks!! END RANT

We walked over towards Dinosaur and of course there’s a 40 minute wait…I think this was one of the longest waits we encountered all trip. This is also where the screaming match came in…I wanted to just wait and Lee wanted to get fastpasses.

We just had the ultimate Adult meltdown...I’m sure people thought we were that insane couple, I mean really in the scheme of life why were we arguing about a ride at Disney World!! The worst part is I wanted to just grab fastpasses and forget it, but I couldn’t find the fastpass machines. Lee was standing over by the machines laughing as I was walking circles around the entrance to Dinosaur...at least we just laughed it off!

I decided to run over and ride EE while we were waiting for our fastpass time to come up. I wish Lee would go on rollercoasters with me, but it was only a 5 minute wait in the single rider line, not bad! I really love going backwards on that ride

We were able to use our Dinosaur fastpasses at this time and we were front row all by ourselves. It was a GREAT ride and Lee was so scared!! We found cute Walt Disney World t-shirts that looked “classic” and not over the top, so we grabbed matching ones Later on we realized Lee’s had a hole in it, so we ended up with different colors, but same style of shirt…I knew Lee was in love with WDW when he wanted to buy a Mickey shirt!!

Next up was Asia and who was waiting for me? Photopass photographer…say cheese!!

I asked for a funny pose…love this one!

We grabbed a fastpass for Kali River Rapids and we were off to the Jungle Trek during our wait

I love the up close look at these creepy guys!!

I was excited to see the Tigers…they were less thrilled to see us

It was super hot that day, so I don’t blame them for taking a cat nap instead!!

So during our trek we noticed a CM keep asking a gentlemen to please stop stepping the bushes (he was trying to take pictures of birds) and keep trampling over things. So naturally like 2 grown adults we were nosy and wanted to see what he was looking at…

We grabbed a frozen chocolate covered banana and a soda and waited for our rapids ride…neither of us were impressed with the snack.

We saw someone get busted for smoking in the wrong area and Lee admitted he was pretty happy that he wasn’t smoking (his quitting just days earlier may have added to the grumpiness)

This was my first time riding Kali River Rapids…I heard how soaked you get on it, so I always skip it. We were paired with the sweetest family. Myself, Lee, and the father from the family ended up SOAKED. I was pretty excited I purchased the WDW shirt, because I was wearing a white tank top (not thinking when getting dressed that morning)

We squished our way back to the busses and back to POP to take a nap before our dinner at ‘Ohana. I planned this dinner late on purpose (ok and it was the only time available )

cont next post

 

[Shannon84]

We took a bus to Magic Kingdom and then per Lee’s request we took a boat over to Poly. At this point we had only been on the busses for transportation. I tried to snap a picture, but our camera has terrible night settings

We had about a 15 minute wait when we arrived and while we were waiting I had another guest take a quick photo of Lee and I. Please note my glasses, which I typically wear on a daily basis….my eyes were so irritated from contacts and by this point in the trip I was starting to get that feeling you get right before you come down with a terrible cold/flu/strep throat. The day before the race…ugh!!

Our dinner was WONDERFUL. We had a great window seat, no one rushed us during our dinner, we took our time and enjoyed each other’s company (no screaming ) HalloWishes was AMAZING and Lee was in awe! I only wish they had piped in the music to the restaurant, but it was great regardless! Lee declared it was the BEST meal of the week and he still talks about going back to eat there

This was the only restaurant to acknowledge the anniversary we were celebrating (I had put that on the ADRs mainly to surprise Lee...but I am sure everyone puts something on their ADRs as a celebration) They brought us out some leis and a cupcake , it was a great ending to our last full day of parks (sad too)

We took the monorail back to MK where there was a MNSSHP party going on still. I was a little sad that we didn't attend a party while there...it looked like a fun time from the outside!

We were off to bed, I had a big day ahead of me!


Up Next: Race day expo and time around the resort

 

[UGAFan0829]

Oh, I just love the scary Everest picture--way too cute!!
And 'Ohana...mmmmm!! My hubby and I just LOVE that place!! Those pictures have me feeling pretty hungry right about now!
And I can't wait to read about the race!!! Wooohooo--bring on more updates!!

 

[JMat]

Yay for updates I love your dress youre wearing at the Poly - very appropriate and hawiian Glad Lee liked Hallowishes too - my DH did as well, maybe its a guy thing? They are pretty fantastic fireworks...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I like the black-and-white pictures! Those are very cool. And the "scary" pose made me laugh, too.

There seem to be quite a lot of Adult Meltdowns going on here... next time bring some kids along. That'll calm you down.

Ohana looks awesome! I have never eaten there, but I keep reading rave reviews. That'll have to go on the list sometime.

 

[Shannon84]

Oh, I just love the scary Everest picture--way too cute!!
And 'Ohana...mmmmm!! My hubby and I just LOVE that place!! Those pictures have me feeling pretty hungry right about now!
And I can't wait to read about the race!!! Wooohooo--bring on more updates!!

thank you Everest does make a cool backdrop for pictures!
We LOVED Ohana...I really think eating there late at night made it a little quieter and calmer than usual too

Yay for updates I love your dress youre wearing at the Poly - very appropriate and hawiian Glad Lee liked Hallowishes too - my DH did as well, maybe its a guy thing? They are pretty fantastic fireworks...

Thank you that dress is so comfy too (though I step on it a lot because I am so short )

I really wish we had went to the MNSSHP after seeing Hallowishes, just so I could have heard the music that went along with it!

I like the black-and-white pictures! Those are very cool. And the "scary" pose made me laugh, too.

There seem to be quite a lot of Adult Meltdowns going on here... next time bring some kids along. That'll calm you down.

Ohana looks awesome! I have never eaten there, but I keep reading rave reviews. That'll have to go on the list sometime.

I tried to convince Lee to use the "scary" one for our Christmas card, but it was a no go

Yeah we tend to meltdown - I am very go go go and Lee is very slow slow slow

'Ohana is GREAT even after reading bad reviews of that place, it still tops our list of best places for dinner

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Call me late for dinner!
Have not been Dis"ing" lately...Shannon, so glad your trip is still going...lol..lots to catch up with!!!!!
Hope you are doing great!

 

[Shannon84]

Call me late for dinner!
Have not been Dis"ing" lately...Shannon, so glad your trip is still going...lol..lots to catch up with!!!!!
Hope you are doing great!

So good to see you on here , I have missed seeing you around!!

Hope that you are doing great too and I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season!!

 

[Nermel9]

I just realized you had a TR! I'm subbing then I will go back and get caught up!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Mmmmm, Ohana for dinner. Hope you carb-loaded for the race! LOL.

 

[Shannon84]

I just realized you had a TR! I'm subbing then I will go back and get caught up!

Thanks for reading along

Mmmmm, Ohana for dinner. Hope you carb-loaded for the race! LOL.

Yes!! that was exactly my thought and trust me I carb loaded enough for 3 races

 

[KatMark]

Shannon, I've not deserted you, I promise. I wrapped up my TR and am now catching up one everyone elses.

I love the ornament you got Lee, and you both looked great at the party.

I love your top at the Animal Kingdom, and your photopass pictures are great too. I love the baby giraffe pictures.

 

[PrincessFendi]

Shannon- I have enjoyed reading your TR. Eager to hear about the race!

We live in Richmond too! I have ran in the Monument/Ukrops 10K for the past couple of years. Small world!

 

[Shannon84]

Shannon, I've not deserted you, I promise. I wrapped up my TR and am now catching up one everyone elses.

I love the ornament you got Lee, and you both looked great at the party.

I love your top at the Animal Kingdom, and your photopass pictures are great too. I love the baby giraffe pictures.

YAY I am so glad you are still here Though sad your TR is over

Thank you for all of the compliments

Shannon- I have enjoyed reading your TR. Eager to hear about the race!

We live in Richmond too! I have ran in the Monument/Ukrops 10K for the past couple of years. Small world!

Thank you

That is so cool, it really is such a small world (I can hear the song in my head now ) I am all signed up for 2011, its on my birthday weekend, are you doing it next year?? I have to meet my fellow Richmond DISer

 

[Shannon84]

We really slept in this day...it was the morning of RACE DAY!!! I did however have to get over to the race expo to pick up my bag and buy some cool things!! Lee was VERY grumpy this morning, honestly I get it, I wouldn't be too excited to be dragged around all day either

We took a bus over to ESPN Wide World of Sports, which took FOREVER and we didn't eat before we left - big mistake. Lee was starving by the time we finally arrived and honestly so was I!

This was my first time over at WWoS...this was our first sight

It is a really cool area of WDW if you ever have the chance to check it out!

We found our way to the expo and took this picture as we entered

This sight made Lee pretty happy...he does love Oakley

I picked up my bag which had my race number, shirt, d-tag (this chip is an orange strip that attachs to your shoe laces and clocks your time as you pass over the start, split, and finish mats)

They made us walk over a mat to make sure our tags were working correctly and mine was...time to shop!! I found out later the shirt I got for running is VERY nice, but LARGE on me...oh well

I know Lee was annoyed, but he waited in line with me and even bought me this shirt and this car magnet (I was hoping I would finish so I could actually claim this)

We found our way to the end of the expo and TONS of Wine and Dine race merchandise...I bought 2 shirts, a travel mug, and headband which I wore during the race

My favorite shirt I bought has Mickey on the front and says "I did it" and on the back had a complete map with the park icons of the route we took (again couldnt wear this until I finished of course!)

I LOVE expos, but Lee was ready to get out of there...we actually split a cab back to POP with 2 girls, because the busses were only running every 30 min or every hour I couldnt remember which and we just missed one

Back at POP we ate some great food - probably not great for me for race day but thats ok, I had the sandwich and Lee had the pasta

We walked around the gift shop area some and then made our way around the resort to explore

Hmmm no construction while we were there

Lee made a friend, this guy brought a kids fishing rod with him...I mean how hardcore are you about fishing Lee was amused though

Playing in the fountains

I have no clue what the kid on the right is doing, but hey I caught the kid on the left during a jump

We made it over to the computer pool

We had a LOT of fun just splashing around in the pool and relaxing, we wished we had done this mid trip!! I wish we spent more time out in the sun that day, because when we returned to VA it was COLD...but thats for later

I had to go take a nap before getting ready for the race




UP NEXT: 13.1 miles...what was I thinking?!?

 

[KatMark]

Nice update, Shannon. We were at the ESPN Wide World of Sports back in 2000. Our son played in a baseball tournament there on the fields--it really is a terrific complex.

Love the pictures of you and Lee at the Pop playing in the fountains in the pools.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Wooohooo! It's almost race time!! I can't wait!
The Wide World of Sports is pretty cool isn't it? I wish the buses from the resorts ran more often, too. I remember waiting forever for one back in March for the Princess, and we eventually ended up driving ourselves!
I'm glad that y'all were able to get some pool time in--that's always a lot of fun to do!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I love that car sticker! I want one!

And that shirt is awesome. I want one of those too!

I don't know how you did all that on race day. I am a nervous wreck on race days and I have to get it over with first thing in the morning!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

That's awesome! I want one!

Lee made a friend, this guy brought a kids fishing rod with him...I mean how hardcore are you about fishing Lee was amused though

Fisher-Price or Playskool?

I have no clue what the kid on the right is doing, but hey I caught the kid on the left during a jump

It looks like he couldn't find a tree nearby.

UP NEXT: 13.1 miles...what was I thinking?!?

 

[Shannon84]

Nice update, Shannon. We were at the ESPN Wide World of Sports back in 2000. Our son played in a baseball tournament there on the fields--it really is a terrific complex.

Love the pictures of you and Lee at the Pop playing in the fountains in the pools.

It really is such a nice complex and everything as Lee kept reminding me was "so clean". There are some theme parks close by us that are sort of well not so nice looking

Wooohooo! It's almost race time!! I can't wait!
The Wide World of Sports is pretty cool isn't it? I wish the buses from the resorts ran more often, too. I remember waiting forever for one back in March for the Princess, and we eventually ended up driving ourselves!
I'm glad that y'all were able to get some pool time in--that's always a lot of fun to do!

Im getting nervous to report on the race...I think I blocked out certain parts and I am trying to remember it all!!

We really enjoyed the pool time, I wish we had planned more of that actually!! Especially now that I say that and its snowing here in VA

I love that car sticker! I want one!

And that shirt is awesome. I want one of those too!

I don't know how you did all that on race day. I am a nervous wreck on race days and I have to get it over with first thing in the morning!

Yeah that shirt sums up my running ability

Some people I spoke with actually walked around parks on race day, thats too much for me!! I kept to the expo and the resort relaxing and snuck in a nice nap!