Keep Knowing & Keep Kicking, Kiddo – A 2015 Princess 5K PTR/Mini-TR ~ Completed 5/1

[momabaarjo]

YAY for a new trip!!!! YAY for Beth's first run!

 

[SarahDisney]

YAY for a new trip!!!! YAY for Beth's first run!

Thanks! We're really excited to go back, and I'm very glad that Disney got Beth interested in running!

 

[SarahDisney]

Mini-TR Part 7 - Day 6 – Tuesday, February 24th – Departure Day
​

Original plans for departure day were either Mini-Golf (first choice) or resort exploration. We ended up doing …
Neither.

We had decided Monday night that we didn’t have the energy for mini-golf. So that was off the table. As for resort exploration … we had a plan for breakfast, and anything after that depended on how much time we had.

We finished packing, did resort airline check-in (which had an insanely long line), and checked out (not that you actually physically have to check out anymore, but I had a question about my bill).

Once our carry-ons had been dropped off at luggage services, we hopped on a bus and headed over to…

We had pastries left over that we had brought from home, so that was the eating part of breakfast, but the question was where to get our coffee. I suggested walking over to the West Side (a part of DTD we had never visited) and hitting up the Starbucks there. Beth said Ghirardelli.

What did we end up doing?

That is an iced coffee with nonfat milk and caramel. Beth and I got the same thing. And she definitely called it right … AMAZING COFFEE!! We both loved it … which is saying something, because we have very different tastes in coffee.

We sat by the water and drank our coffee and ate breakfast. And decided that this would be a new departure morning tradition. From this trip forward, on trips when we’re not leaving at some obscene hour of the morning (which is what we usually do), we will spend our last morning at Downtown Disney, drinking Ghirardelli coffee and relaxing/shopping.

While we were in DTD, we took some daytime pictures of things we normally only get to see at night …

We did some last minute souvenir shopping, and then headed into the pin trading store (where we didn’t buy or trade anything). As we were walking to the Pin Trading store, it started to rain … and of course, we didn’t have umbrellas (although I did have a hood). Since it wasn’t too long before we needed to be back at the hotel, we just headed straight to the bus.

It was as we were on the bus, pulling out of Typhoon Lagoon (a stop that was made on both legs of the trip), that I took one of my favorite pictures of the trip:

One thing that really appeals to me visually is something that’s unintentionally very appropriate. Like rain at a place themed around a typhoon. I took out my phone just to take a picture of the sign … but the rain made it really such a perfect picture.

Once we got back to the hotel, we stopped in at the gift shop and browsed a bit, and then we got our bags and went to wait for the Magical Express back to the airport. Our trip back to NY was far less eventful than the trip down … but we did get upgraded to exit row, and I don’t think I will ever be able to sit in the regular legroom seats again. We parted ways at the taxi line at the airport … and then the trip was over

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Trip Summary​

Since I already made the mini-TR a lot more detailed than I thought it would be, here’s a summary of the trip in numbers: (yes, I made a little infographic for this … I’m a little bit weird sometimes)

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What’s Next?
​

We’ve got some ideas (including a time frame) for our next trip (which I will mention in a bit, but if you've been reading the comments, you already may know about it), but that’s as far as it looks like our vacations may go. It looks like the Sarah & Beth trips to Disney will be ending soon (or at least going on a long hiatus).

Unlike me, who has no idea what the future will bring (heck, I barely know what my schedule is for next week), Beth knows her approximate schedule for the next 4-5 years, and it doesn’t look good for Disney vacations.

The first thing to note is that (to the best of my knowledge) she won’t be able to do any races during this time because of the scheduling of the races. Looking at when she may be able to take vacation, it looks like it will mostly be during peak vacation times (like when kiddos are on break from school and/or during the summer), which is a time when we’ve never really traveled to Disney (with the exception of Spring Break 2011, which I’d like to avoid repeating if possible).

So I’m left with the following question: do I do Disney alone, still trying to take in some races (and maybe also some non-race trips)? Or do I try to go with Beth when she can get the vacation, which would mean dealing with peak crowds (not really our preferred way to vacation)?

It’s tough, but … we’ll see. There really are a lot of factors to consider. Only time will tell.

As for that “next trip” I mentioned above? It will begin no later than January 6th & end no earlier than January 10th. Right now I’m thinking January 5th-11th, but we’ll make a final decision once park hours are released.

I do know that we need to be there on the 6th for the race expo, the 7th for the 5K, and the 8th for the 10K.

Yes, that’s right, it’s another runDisney trip. runDisney has apparently taken over our lives. As of right now, I’m not writing a PTR (although that may change eventually). So, for the first time since about 10 minutes after I joined the DIS (okay, maybe a drop longer), I won’t have a PTR or TR going. It’ll be weird, but I’ll still be around checking in on the rest of you and commenting on PTRs/TRs, so I won't be completely gone.

And keep checking my signature – who knows when I’ll start something new and forget to tell people about it?

 

[Elevationist]

Since I already made the mini-TR a lot more detailed than I thought it would be, here’s a summary of the trip in numbers: (yes, I made a little infographic for this … I’m a little bit weird sometimes)

OH. EM. GEE. I absolutely freakin' LOOOOOVE this inforgraphic! This is absolutely brilliant! I envy and covet this so hard!

So I’m left with the following question: do I do Disney alone, still trying to take in some races (and maybe also some non-race trips)? Or do I try to go with Beth when she can get the vacation, which would mean dealing with peak crowds (not really our preferred way to vacation)?

Why not both? Do a short solo trip for yourself, see how you like it? But also maybe do a short trip with Beth, too?

As for that “next trip” I mentioned above? It will begin no later than January 6th & end no earlier than January 10th. Right now I’m thinking January 5th-11th, but we’ll make a final decision once park hours are released.

Yaaaassssss!!! It's officially official! So happy for you!

As of right now, I’m not writing a PTR (although that may change eventually). So, for the first time since about 10 minutes after I joined the DIS (okay, maybe a drop longer), I won’t have a PTR or TR going. It’ll be weird, but I’ll still be around checking in on the rest of you and commenting on PTRs/TRs, so I won't be completely gone.

Boooo. I'm going to peer pressure the crap out of you to do a PTR. (Not that I'm great at keeping up with them or anything, but I do like trying!) Be prepaaaaaared!

And keep checking my signature – who knows when I’ll start something new and forget to tell people about it?

I will stalk it dutifully, I promise!

 

[SarahDisney]

OH. EM. GEE. I absolutely freakin' LOOOOOVE this inforgraphic! This is absolutely brilliant! I envy and covet this so hard!

Thanks! Infographics are one of those things that I should be really good at but I'm not, so I liked the idea of using Disney to practice

Why not both? Do a short solo trip for yourself, see how you like it? But also maybe do a short trip with Beth, too?

That's an idea. A lot of it is also uncertainty about my work situation. I don't have a full-time job right now, and I don't know if I will have when future vacations come around ... and if I do, I really don't know how much vacation time I'll be able to take (and if I don't, I don't know how much I'll be able to spend on future vacations). Because of all the uncertainly, it's hard for me to figure out what to do.

Yaaaassssss!!! It's officially official! So happy for you!

Thanks! I'm pretty excited ... and then I remember that it's still 8 months away. January cannot come soon enough!

Boooo. I'm going to peer pressure the crap out of you to do a PTR. (Not that I'm great at keeping up with them or anything, but I do like trying!) Be prepaaaaaared!

A PTR is definitely a possibility, just not right now. I don't really have enough planned for it to be interesting. Maybe once park hours come out and we book a hotel, buy tickets, and look at flights I'll think about starting one.

I will stalk it dutifully, I promise!

Hopefully you'll be seeing lots of it from comments on your TR & PTR!

 

[Elevationist]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited ... and then I remember that it's still 8 months away. January cannot come soon enough!

A PTR is definitely a possibility, just not right now. I don't really have enough planned for it to be interesting. Maybe once park hours come out and we book a hotel, buy tickets, and look at flights I'll think about starting one.

Pfffft! I started my December PTR 14 months out! 8 months is nothing! Heck, I'm at 7 months now myself! *chants* PTR! PTR! PTR!

 

[SarahDisney]

Pfffft! I started my December PTR 14 mouths out! 8 months is nothing! Heck, I'm at 7 months now myself! *chants* PTR! PTR! PTR!

Well we normally only book our trips 2-3 months in advance. Not all of us are as organized as you and have trips planned out for the next few years!

If it makes you feel any better ... I started the PTR 2 weeks ago on my computer, I just haven't decided yet if I'm going to post it or just keep it as a document on my computer that contains all of the information.

 

[Elevationist]

Well we normally only book our trips 2-3 months in advance. Not all of us are as organized as you and have trips planned out for the next few years!

It's true, I'm kinda Disney neurotic.

If it makes you feel any better ... I started the PTR 2 weeks ago on my computer, I just haven't decided yet if I'm going to post it or just keep it as a document on my computer that contains all of the information.

Doooo eeeeeet! PTR! PTR! PTR!

 

[ursalita]

Hi Sarah! Your iced coffee looks so good! That photo is making me look forward to my coffee in the morning. I haven't changed over to iced yet since it's still so cold but it won't be long now.

I love that summary graphic that you did. So cute!

I'm glad to hear that your trip got Beth running and you guys have another trip planned. Can't wait to hear all about it if you choose to share it.

 

[dreamseeker9]

How did you do that Infographic? I absolutely love that!

I had a rather long wait at AOA my last trip as well, checking in my luggage for the DME. There weren't even that many people in front of me, but it took a very long time for some reason.

I'm going to have to try that Ghirardelli coffee now, that sounds delicious!

I would recommend trying a solo trip if you can. I think 4 days is the perfect amount of time for a solo trip.

Glad you got bumped to exit row! The spacing is so great in those even more space seats, right?! Though I do find JetBlue's regular seats to have more leg space than other carriers, but the extra space is a huge bonus!

 

[SarahDisney]

Doooo eeeeeet! PTR! PTR! PTR!

So much pressure!!

Hi Sarah! Your iced coffee looks so good! That photo is making me look forward to my coffee in the morning. I haven't changed over to iced yet since it's still so cold but it won't be long now.

Thanks - it was great ... and made me sad about switching back to hot when I got home (it was still February in NY).
I switched over to iced 2-3 weeks ago ... but since I started with iced and only started drinking hot coffee later, I've always switched early. I hope you get iced coffee weather soon!

I love that summary graphic that you did. So cute!

Thanks!

I'm glad to hear that your trip got Beth running and you guys have another trip planned. Can't wait to hear all about it if you choose to share it.

Thanks! I may end up starting a PTR once we've got the hotel and flights booked ... but we're really not doing much planning until park hours are released ina few months.

How did you do that Infographic? I absolutely love that!

Thanks! I made it in Adobe Illustrator ... it's not too hard if you know the program well (which I do) - it took me less than half an hour, and much of that was deciding on what icons to use.

I had a rather long wait at AOA my last trip as well, checking in my luggage for the DME. There weren't even that many people in front of me, but it took a very long time for some reason.

It really seemed like they were going so slow!! I think this is probably normal - I just have to leave more time for it on future trips.

I'm going to have to try that Ghirardelli coffee now, that sounds delicious!

It was delicious, you should have some on your next trip!

I would recommend trying a solo trip if you can. I think 4 days is the perfect amount of time for a solo trip.

I'm definitely thinking about it, but it will depend on a lot of factors. I'm glad to hear you recommend it!

Glad you got bumped to exit row! The spacing is so great in those even more space seats, right?! Though I do find JetBlue's regular seats to have more leg space than other carriers, but the extra space is a huge bonus!

I'm pretty small, so the regular amount of leg space is okay, but the extra leg space was amazing. It was such a luxury! I really can't imagine flying without it ...

 

[Disneychix]

Great ending! We were caught off guard by the rain that morning/day also! We braved the MK for a bit before calling it quits.

Good luck in your next training! I hope you decide to come PTR in the next few months!

 

[stacy~**]

Airline check-in can be insane! I can't believe Disney hasn't figured out a way to make this more efficient (FP+??).

I loved your DTD morning with that amazing looking Ghirardelli coffee! Sorry about the rain but otherwise it seemed like a great relaxing way to end your trip.

That infographic is perfect! And really highlights how impressive you are at getting things done!

That is tough when your travel dynamics change. I think you can make it work and should give "peak" travel another try. We seem to do well at peak times just touring in the afternoon/evenings when the parks are more manageable (and not as hot). Park hours are much later so your really aren't losing time in the parks.

Soooo excited for marathon weekend and getting to meet you! Although lets not rush January to get here.

 

[SarahDisney]

Great ending! We were caught off guard by the rain that morning/day also! We braved the MK for a bit before calling it quits.

I can't imagine what it would have been like at a park ... I'm impressed that you were able to brave MK for a bit in that rain!

Good luck in your next training! I hope you decide to come PTR in the next few months!

Thank you!

Airline check-in can be insane! I can't believe Disney hasn't figured out a way to make this more efficient (FP+??).

I think next time maybe we'll have one person stand on the airline check-in line and the other person do checkout/drop off our carry-ons with luggage services. It'll save some time. But yes, a FP+ for airline check in would be great! (Although we did have FP+ at the airport once (aka pre-check) and that was useless).

I loved your DTD morning with that amazing looking Ghirardelli coffee! Sorry about the rain but otherwise it seemed like a great relaxing way to end your trip.

Thanks! It was really nice to get a chance to relax at the end of the trip (which is something we generally don't get a chance to do).

That infographic is perfect! And really highlights how impressive you are at getting things done!

Thanks! It's funny, when I was making it, I was trying to figure out how best to line up the 71(!!) "attractions" ... and it suddenly hit me how much we really got done!

That is tough when your travel dynamics change. I think you can make it work and should give "peak" travel another try. We seem to do well at peak times just touring in the afternoon/evenings when the parks are more manageable (and not as hot). Park hours are much later so your really aren't losing time in the parks.

It's definitely something we'll have to think about. I can be pretty bad with crowds and long lines sometimes, so I'm a little nervous about the busier times. I think it's a decision we'll make when we get to it. Part of the issue will just be whether Beth needs that time to rest /study or she's okay travelling (when we went in 2011, I had midterms the next week and brought my notes into the parks with me ... that's not something everyone is willing to do), so we'll play it by ear.

Soooo excited for marathon weekend and getting to meet you! Although lets not rush January to get here.

I'm excited, too! But yeah ... let's not rush January, I'm not ready for the races yet!

 

[momabaarjo]

What a great way to spend morning...and a fun new tradition! Love the graphic of your trip!!!!

I hope you will share your training with us...can't wait to see what your rundisney adventures are like...I agree so addicting!

 

[SarahDisney]

What a great way to spend morning...and a fun new tradition! Love the graphic of your trip!!!!

Thanks! We really liked having a relaxing last morning.
I actually really enjoyed making the graphic - it was a nice way to relive the trip!

I hope you will share your training with us...can't wait to see what your rundisney adventures are like...I agree so addicting!

We'll see ... I'm thinking about it. If I do choose to do a PTR/training journal, I'll try to remember to come back here and post a link!

 

[afwdwfan]

That is an iced coffee with nonfat milk and caramel. Beth and I got the same thing. And she definitely called it right … AMAZING COFFEE!! We both loved it … which is saying something, because we have very different tastes in coffee.

Wow. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

We sat by the water and drank our coffee and ate breakfast. And decided that this would be a new departure morning tradition. From this trip forward, on trips when we’re not leaving at some obscene hour of the morning (which is what we usually do), we will spend our last morning at Downtown Disney, drinking Ghirardelli coffee and relaxing/shopping.

Looks like a nice, laid back way to end the trip. Not a bad tradition at all!

One thing that really appeals to me visually is something that’s unintentionally very appropriate. Like rain at a place themed around a typhoon. I took out my phone just to take a picture of the sign … but the rain made it really such a perfect picture.

I like it!

So I’m left with the following question: do I do Disney alone, still trying to take in some races (and maybe also some non-race trips)?

Yes!

Or do I try to go with Beth when she can get the vacation, which would mean dealing with peak crowds (not really our preferred way to vacation)?

Yes!

Ok, maybe you can't do it all. But if there's an opportunity, I'd say go for it. Nothing wrong with a solo trip to enjoy the magic, but if you'd happen to be able to get away and join her for a trip for a few days, then why not? There's advantages and disadvantages either way, but I'd just see what opportunities present themselves and act accordingly. But this is coming from someone who never has to have his arm twisted to go to Disney World?

Solo trip in January? Don't mind if I do.

Want to go on the hottest, most crowded day of the year? Well, it's still Disney World, so heck yeah!

 

[SarahDisney]

Wow. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks! I pretty much enjoy everything I get from Ghirardelli ... how could you not?

Looks like a nice, laid back way to end the trip. Not a bad tradition at all!

It was really nice! Just very surprising, since we usually skip the "relaxing" while at Disney ... it was a bit of a shock for me, someone who is very much 'go hard or go home" while at Disney to actually enjoy relaxing.

I like it!

Thanks!

Yes!

Yes!

So ... you're in favor of me going back at some point in time?

Ok, maybe you can't do it all. But if there's an opportunity, I'd say go for it. Nothing wrong with a solo trip to enjoy the magic, but if you'd happen to be able to get away and join her for a trip for a few days, then why not? There's advantages and disadvantages either way, but I'd just see what opportunities present themselves and act accordingly. But this is coming from someone who never has to have his arm twisted to go to Disney World?

Solo trip in January? Don't mind if I do.

Want to go on the hottest, most crowded day of the year? Well, it's still Disney World, so heck yeah!

I think we'll probably be back to our old habit of booking 1-2 months before the trip, even though that's a little harder in the era of FP+, just because we won't really know what will work for us any earlier. If anyone can make a quickly planned trip work, I think we can do it. We'll see what happens.

But yeah, if Beth wants to go and I can swing it, I'm not saying no. I'm still a little surprised I didn't go with my parents in January (although ... it would have been a little awkward ... like, "hi, welcome to Magic Kingdom, you guys can do the slow rides, I'm running for Space Mountain").

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Thanks! We really liked having a relaxing last morning.
I actually really enjoyed making the graphic - it was a nice way to relive the trip!



We'll see ... I'm thinking about it. If I do choose to do a PTR/training journal, I'll try to remember to come back here and post a link!

Please do! I know I'd like to follow along

 

[KatMark]

I like your new tradition of hitting up DTD for coffee and shopping before heading to the airport for the sad trip home. I've never had coffee at Ghiradelli's, but I only drink cappucinos 95% of the time. Glad it was an uneventful trip home...isn't the exit row awesome?

I'm sorry Beth won't be able to do "off" times with you for vacation. As much as I am looking forward to my girls trip in July, I am NOT looking forward to the crowds.