Is this what it feels like to be fast? W&D runDisney TR 2018 (Updated Dec. 18th)

[TeeterTots]

Following along!

 

[rteetz]

Following along!

Welcome!

 

[Keels]

Let's get this party started, Teetz! I ain't got all day!

 

[rteetz]

Let's get this party started, Teetz! I ain't got all day!

I’m a busy person!

 

[Keels]

I’m a busy person!

#EyerollEmoji

 

[rteetz]

Since some people want me to get a move on... (looking at you @Keels )

I flew out to Walt Disney World on Thursday Nov. 1st. I would have a layover because I wasn't paying $100+ more for a direct flight. The stop would only be an hour and in Nashville.

IMG_1206 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

I will say the line for Starbucks when I landed was absolutely insane so I skipped that.

It was raining in Nashville.

IMG_3074 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

Soon enough I had landed at MCO!

IMG_4629 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

I walked on down to Magical Express check in. There was no line and I walked right onto the bus! I am not sure that has ever happened before for me.

IMG_0248 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

Soon enough I was on property and received the room is ready text! I was in 50s building 3 room 3415. I think Disney knew who I was because they have me a perfect view of Skyliner construction.

IMG_0338 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_1240 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_5017 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_6268 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_0965 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_4974 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

I wasn't sure how I would like the new rooms but I actually really enjoyed it. It would be a bit tight for a family of 4 but for 1-3 people it would be perfect. I kept the fold down bed up the entire trip so I had the extra space. I also really liked the bathroom set up.

After checking in and organizing a bit it was time to head to the expo! A lot of people aren't fond of the expo experience but I actually enjoy it. It gets me excited for the weekend and all the running events.

IMG_9807 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

This was my first time in the new arena that they built too. The building is massive and makes for a much more pleasant expo experience. There was no crazy lines or anything that I am used to with Marathon Weekend.

Here are the race shirts for the weekend.

IMG_6265 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_6264 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_6263 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_6262 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

I was really happy with the race shirts. I liked the design and color. They are different from the typical ones I already have.

Of course next was the merchandise...

I have gotten into the habit of getting an ornament from every race weekend I do so I did get that.

IMG_9077 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

They have "I Did It" shirts for each race. I have gotten those before and don't wear them that often so I decided against that.

IMG_8147 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

They did have these hooded long sleeve shirts I really liked.

IMG_6268 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_1625 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

I decided to go with the green one. I could have went with either though as I liked them both.

I also bought three pins but don't have pictures of them. The pin selection was very sparse compared to other years. Some had said they didn't get as many in as they usually do.

I also met the first Diser of the weekend @Princess KP in the merch area.

This ended up being the cheapest expo I have every had!

On the expo floor I checked out the Dopey medals I will earn in January.

IMG_5935 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

They were all very flat compared the medals of previous years. The goofy medal is probably the best goofy medal I have had the chance of getting but could be one that breaks if you aren't careful.

The course maps were up on walls.

IMG_5773 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_1916 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_1078 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

They also had a few photo ops including Chef Mickey but I decided not to wait and head onto the parks.

IMG_7778 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_7120 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_0908 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

IMG_0051 by Ryan Teetz, on Flickr

On my bus back to Pop Century I had another Diser meeting with none other than @Capang. She was also staying at Pop. It was great to finally meet her and this wouldn't be the last meeting up with her this weekend.

It was then time to head onto Magic Kingdom.

Up Next: Merry Christmas?

 

[Keels]

About time.

When do things start getting exciting around here though?

 

[rteetz]

About time.

When do things start getting exciting around here though?

You'll probably have to wait a day or two for that.

 

[Capang]

I had fun meeting you!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

You had some luck getting your room that early!

Glad you enjoy the expo - we only enjoy ones we want to spend money at and buying Wine & Dine merchandise isn't where that is.

 

[Ambehnke]

Following along!

 

[BigEeyore]

Following! Lucky you on your room being ready when you arrived - I typically get the text about 30 minutes after I have given up and turned my luggage into bell services

Saved a lot of money at the expo too - I hope the merch for marathon weekend is better! Agree about the Goofy medal - it is actually the reason that I decided to do Goofy instead of "just" the marathon

I like your sunglasses BTW - I am guessing those are Goodrs? I only have two pairs but of course I want every color!

 

[ZellyB]

And we're off! I used to love the Expo, but in recent years it's just been so crazy crowded that I've ended up being frustrated with the experience. I'm hoping since we aren't doing Dopey this year and so not forced to go as early we can enjoy it a bit more. It sounds like a good change that they've moved it into the new arena, so maybe that will help me enjoy it more again.

I like that green hooded shirt you got a lot and really love the half marathon race shirt!

 

[rteetz]

I had fun meeting you!

Yes definitely!

You had some luck getting your room that early!

Glad you enjoy the expo - we only enjoy ones we want to spend money at and buying Wine & Dine merchandise isn't where that is.

I had a lot of luck that first day.

Following along!

Welcome!

Following! Lucky you on your room being ready when you arrived - I typically get the text about 30 minutes after I have given up and turned my luggage into bell services

Saved a lot of money at the expo too - I hope the merch for marathon weekend is better! Agree about the Goofy medal - it is actually the reason that I decided to do Goofy instead of "just" the marathon

I like your sunglasses BTW - I am guessing those are Goodrs? I only have two pairs but of course I want every color!

I usually don’t get the room is ready text so I was lucky on that aspect.

I hope the merch for marathon weekend is better too.

Those are Goodr’s, it’s the Dat Dank Easter Basket Grass color. I also have the Betsy Ross Side Hustles.

And we're off! I used to love the Expo, but in recent years it's just been so crazy crowded that I've ended up being frustrated with the experience. I'm hoping since we aren't doing Dopey this year and so not forced to go as early we can enjoy it a bit more. It sounds like a good change that they've moved it into the new arena, so maybe that will help me enjoy it more again.

I like that green hooded shirt you got a lot and really love the half marathon race shirt!

Yeah I think marathon weekend is just crazy with the expo. With less people and more space with the arena the expo for wine and dine was a good experience.

 

[SarahDisney]

Of course you ended up with a room with the construction view... I'm guessing all the people on the news and rumors board were happy to see more pictures.

Glad to hear the expo experience wasnt as hectic as previous trips! I'm interested to see how they use the new arena for marathon weekend ... I know that's a bigger weekend, but I'd really love to see them find a way to ease some of the congestion and chaos.
And I really like that green hooded shirt you got!

 

[rteetz]

Of course you ended up with a room with the construction view... I'm guessing all the people on the news and rumors board were happy to see more pictures.

Glad to hear the expo experience wasnt as hectic as previous trips! I'm interested to see how they use the new arena for marathon weekend ... I know that's a bigger weekend, but I'd really love to see them find a way to ease some of the congestion and chaos.
And I really like that green hooded shirt you got!

I posted photos of the skyliner right away.

They only used the arena and the Visa center for Wine and Dine. Usually for Marathon Weekend they use the Visa, J center, and baseball stadium. So I wonder how they will do it this year with the arena now.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I wasn't sure how I would like the new rooms but I actually really enjoyed it. It would be a bit tight for a family of 4 but for 1-3 people it would be perfect. I kept the fold down bed up the entire trip so I had the extra space. I also really liked the bathroom set up.

I wasn't sure we'd like it either, but we did a quick 2 nights this summer and really thought it was pretty nice. 4 people would be SUPER cramped with both beds down--it was just my husband and I with our 9 year old and we felt pretty tight in there. But, I do really love the bathroom set up and all the nooks for storing things. It would definitely still work well for us when we stay longer.

Nice to hear the Expo wasn't the same insanity as this past January!! Love the medals for next year. I'm sad I won't be doing the races this year, as I had SO much fun!!! I hope to be back there to run again someday, but for now I'll enjoy living vicariously through you

 

[rteetz]

I wasn't sure we'd like it either, but we did a quick 2 nights this summer and really thought it was pretty nice. 4 people would be SUPER cramped with both beds down--it was just my husband and I with our 9 year old and we felt pretty tight in there. But, I do really love the bathroom set up and all the nooks for storing things. It would definitely still work well for us when we stay longer.

Nice to hear the Expo wasn't the same insanity as this past January!! Love the medals for next year. I'm sad I won't be doing the races this year, as I had SO much fun!!! I hope to be back there to run again someday, but for now I'll enjoy living vicariously through you

Yeah that room would definitely be tight with 4 people.

I’m excited about the Oswald medal and of course dopey. I hope you get to do another runDisney race soon too!

 

[Mickey Momma]

I’m late to the party, but here I am!

 

[rteetz]

I’m late to the party, but here I am!

Better late than never!