(NEW TR LINK) Mickey MMMouse,McDonald Duck& Memo: 12 Days & 13.1 Miles. Nov 2013 TR

[Imbri]

Yay, race!

Not gonna lie, I may have teared up a bit at the Osborne lights picture and then for the finish line pics! So exciting!

Can't wait for the Princess run! I hope ours has as many varied characters out.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I did actually cry reading it. I don't know if it was joy for you, seeing you crying while running or total and complete terror that I will be doing this in 67 days!

I love the photos, especially the one of you crossing the finish line...and the crying. What can I say, I'm a sucker for photos that capture REALITY and I love it. So they had water too, right? I have no interest in gatorade. blech. I also plan to bring my chocolate GU's, that's what I use.

I really needed to read this today! I had an 8 mile run the other day and not only was it really hard but all my runs feel hard lately. Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip!

 

[skier_pete]

Wow! That was amazing...but boy did it NOT look fun AT ALL!!! My foot started to ache just looking at your pictures.

You did so great though, making it through that race. You should be super proud of yourself. I hope that medal is getting a prominent display in your house.

 

[Tinker326]

Yay, race!

Not gonna lie, I may have teared up a bit at the Osborne lights picture and then for the finish line pics! So exciting!

Can't wait for the Princess run! I hope ours has as many varied characters out.

Thanks! You are so close to yours! Woo!

I did actually cry reading it. I don't know if it was joy for you, seeing you crying while running or total and complete terror that I will be doing this in 67 days!

I love the photos, especially the one of you crossing the finish line...and the crying. What can I say, I'm a sucker for photos that capture REALITY and I love it. So they had water too, right? I have no interest in gatorade. blech. I also plan to bring my chocolate GU's, that's what I use.

I really needed to read this today! I had an 8 mile run the other day and not only was it really hard but all my runs feel hard lately. Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip!

Thanks! And yes, they do have water. It's usually after the gatorade, so run PAST the gatorade to the water. I use chocolate GU too & so when they had the other chocolate gel, I tried that since I figured I'd save myself digging it out of my pouch.... that was a mistake. So bring your chocolate GU and use it- don't use theirs!

Sorry your runs are hard- I'm sure it's the combo of the weather & the Tread Mill and a tiny bit of fear of hurting yourself again. Pixie dust to you that they get better! I had so many bad runs and they really can drag you down and make you wonder if you can do it.... but I know you will! You are stubborn too- just like me!

Wow! That was amazing...but boy did it NOT look fun AT ALL!!! My foot started to ache just looking at your pictures.

You did so great though, making it through that race. You should be super proud of yourself. I hope that medal is getting a prominent display in your house.

My foot hurts just looking at my picutres! Hahahaha!

Thanks & eventually I plan on making a shadowbox with my bib, medal & a picture crossing the finish line. Notice the word- eventually... which means it'll get done in 2024.

 

[-Hope-]

Congratulations! I am SO happy and excited that you finished! And impressed.

I can't believe you ran with a migraine. I'm coming off of one of the worst I've ever had today and I can't even imagine pushing through to start a 1/2 marathon with one! I definitely teared up at your crying pic but especially the finish line pics. Love, love, LOVE!

I hope you got some much deserved rest after this!

 

[B&WMickey]

Congrats on finishing the race. 13.1 miles is about 13.05 miles more than I've ever run.

 

[Tinker326]

Congratulations! I am SO happy and excited that you finished! And impressed.

I can't believe you ran with a migraine. I'm coming off of one of the worst I've ever had today and I can't even imagine pushing through to start a 1/2 marathon with one! I definitely teared up at your crying pic but especially the finish line pics. Love, love, LOVE!

I hope you got some much deserved rest after this!

Aww, thanks!

I can't believe I did either- honestly.. .migraines really hit me hard & there's no way if someone told even the day before that I would do it with a migraine, I would have said... sure.... but I had worked hard and the adrenline of the race must have pushed me to the point of 'no return'. Do or die!!

Congrats on finishing the race. 13.1 miles is about 13.05 miles more than I've ever run.

Hahahahaha, thanks! Believe me, most of my life.. it was 13.05 more miles than I have ever run. And truth be told- I have not run a lick since the race. Although I do hope to change that first of the year!!! Get my rear back in gear! (but NOT for any 1/2.. no way!!)

 

[Tinker326]

Howdy everyone! I hope you all had a nice holiday. Figured I would try to get one more update in before the New Year. January and February are incredibly hard months for me at work so figured I would get in one now while I can.

Plus it’s literally 1 degree here this morning so it is nice to be taken back to nice, warm, sunny Florida.

So the race finally ended and that got crossed off the bucket list. I ran. I threw up. I dragged my tired and sore body back to the room and I crashed right around 4am. And slept till about 10:30. Which, trust me, is super late for me. I am surprised I slept that much.

I woke up and celebrated with (what else?)-my diet coke, my balcony and in honor of my recent feat- my new favorite running shirt…………..



We had zero plans today. We had discussed spending some time at Stormalong Bay. But the cuz piped up that she was going back to Downtown Disney to gather up some last souvenirs for her kids for Christmas. And that sounded like a good plan to me & the Big D. So we made that our new plan for an hour or so….

Ha. Right. For anyone who hasn’t been- Downtown Disney is a joke of a mess right now and our ‘little’ foray of an hour or so took about 5. And 3 of that was transportation.

It went like this. We all loaded into the rent-a-car. Wearing our medals of course. Oooh. Ahhh. We drove to the street that DD (new abbreviation) was located on . And we stopped. And stopped some more. And then stopped some more. It took a good- eh- HOUR to get through the approx. 4 lights that make up DD. Each light was a nice sign that said ‘lot full’ or ‘lot closed’. Most excellent. After the last one- at Marketplace- I said.. ok… $crew this… and we drove out of Disney- up to I-4 and took the roundabout way right back to our hotel. 1.5 hours later- we were right back where we started and still had not made it to DD.

We walked to the bus. And took that over. Because, well, the traffic & construction is horrible in DD- even the backroads took us a good 45 minutes by bus to get back there. So a nice 2.15 hour journey TO DD. Thank goodness kids (or whiney hubbies who would have gone ballistic) were not present. Because I was in whatever, whatever mode. It was a big.. whatever. I had no plans.

First order, was a much overdue big lunch to satisfy the big appetite worked up by a big race. We decided on Wolfgang Puck. Always good.

I had BBQ Chicken Pizza.



Mmmm. So good.

Cuz had BBQ Chicken Salad. Please ooh & ahh at the medal.



Ooh. Aah.

We shopped for maybe an hour or so. I ended up getting a sweatshirt that I was so glad I bought . I saw it & hadn’t seen it yet. But it was pricey (as all good Disney Souvies are!) and so kept hemming and hawing. I’d pick it up & then put it back down. And wander…and come back. And pick it up. I really loved it. But it was really expensive. (so you are not left in suspense on what the cost of the prized shirt could be rendering you unable to finish the report… the cost was $59). I ultimetly bought it with the notion of “I’ll return it later in the trip if I don’t like it.. and just keep my tag on it). To also kill that suspense. I never did return it- I also never saw that sweatshirt ANYWHERE in the park again although I did wear it a few times with the tag..just in case. (shh- don’t tell anyone). You’ll have to wait for a picture of me in it- I’m sure I have one somewhere.. but not here & now…. Sorry for that disappointment. It’s huge, I know.

We decided to head back- that was my only purchase. We walked to the bus stop. And waited. And waited..and waited. Maybe ½ hour later a bus showed up. We got on. It was freezing. Thankfully, I had one over-priced Mickey sweatshirt just bought to throw on (tags still on- just in case!). And our bus to the Beach Club shared a route with not one, not two..but FIVE resorts. FIVE! Really? FIVE. You pay deluxe prices and you end up on a bus with way too many stops. For those who want to know.. that’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin. We arrived back at our resort finally. Approximately 10 years after we left DD. I can now collect social security- that's how much I aged.

And that killed our entire afternoon. No Stormalong. Whatever, whatever.

Back in our room- we arrived to find the most awesome Disney hotel towel animal ever. Ready for it.. ready?



Ehh... Err... Um... ?

Yhea ,this required a good 1/2 hour discussion & a post to facebook to elicit repsonses. We got lots of great suggestions & lots of dirty ones too.

So we did the only responsible thing and took the picture down to the Front Desk to ask. What we got in response was a lot of laughs and a "wow, that Housekeeper must be new & in training".

So we never did find out what this was. Anyone, anyone? I call it a big ole' Mousekeeping fail. But oh so entertaining. Anyways.... moving on.....

We got dressed. Someone was tired & hurting from the previous night’s running adventure.



Decided to head here for dinner.



Only the wait was something like 1 hour. Eh. No.

So we just got these from the takeaway window instead.



Dessert before dinner. My motto. Remember?

And walked (this was lovely- really lovely) to here to begin our fun evening.



First order- was dinner. Which we decided would be…. Well…. Boardwalk fare. Fried food.

Our main goal was to try out Jellyrolls- the dueling piano bar on Boardwalk. Something none of us have ever done.





We almost pulled away when we were told the cover was $12. But decided- whatever, whatever…and went in. And thus began a new love affair. Oh my… I fell instantly in love. WAY FUN!

Place was already packed for a Sunday. We were already off main floor and in the back. We got some drinks and settled in for some pure awesomeness.



The guys who play that club are AMAZING. Like- amazing. Two sets of guys duel off on the piano and then trade with another set of two guys ever hour.



(Rob (ahem- cute) & Jason)

The place is rip roaring fun- the atmosphere is great & we had an absolute ball. We WOULD be back!





All 4 together-



(Rob, Jason, Scotty & Ray)--> the BEST four players!

FUN TIMES. We finally left around 1 and walked back (ah, so nice) to our room and crashed.

Sunday- complete. And look at that- all in one, very long post!!!

Hope everyone has a great New Year!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Whatever, whatever!

I can't wait to try out Jellyrolls! Rey & I never did fit it in on our Anniversary trip and it won't fit this time either...maybe next time!

Yep, I wouldn't try to DTD if you paid me! The parking has gotten worse and worse (exactly why they are adding a parking garage!) but the bus situation isn't much better. DTD always takes the longest to get to and the longest back to the resort. It's insane!

 

[Chaitali]

Wow, I can't believe that Downtown Disney turned into such a fiasco. I'm glad you were in whatever mode And Jellyrolls looks like so much fun! I'm putting that on my list for next time.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[Tinker326]

Whatever, whatever!

I can't wait to try out Jellyrolls! Rey & I never did fit it in on our Anniversary trip and it won't fit this time either...maybe next time!

Yep, I wouldn't try to DTD if you paid me! The parking has gotten worse and worse (exactly why they are adding a parking garage!) but the bus situation isn't much better. DTD always takes the longest to get to and the longest back to the resort. It's insane!

Yes, you have to go next time you have another adult with you. It's so incredibly awesome!!!!

Wow, I can't believe that Downtown Disney turned into such a fiasco. I'm glad you were in whatever mode And Jellyrolls looks like so much fun! I'm putting that on my list for next time.

Def. put it on your list- you won't regret it! Find their schedule online (facebook) and look for the nights Ray & Scotty play. They almost always play together & they are the best!!!

Great update!

Thanks!!

 

[Tinker326]

Greetings from the Arctic Circle. Not sure how you are all fairing but we were dealt with -20 degree temps (without windchill) part of this week. Then about 8 more inches of snow. Man, I’m READY for winter to be OVER!!!

I wanted to get a quick post in- Our night at Jellyrolls was our last night at the Beach Club Villas and we checked out early Monday morning to head over to the Dark Side. So I thought this would be a good place to do a quick BCV review.

Overall, I liked the Beach Club Villas/Beach Club. As any Disney Deluxe resort- they are overpriced for what you get. But that is the choice you make when choosing to stay at one. It helped that this room cost was split by 3 of us. We did not rent - we paid rack rate for a Villa room due to the populare choice of this hotel during F&W time/race time.

I’ve stayed 5 Deluxe Hotels over the last 2 decades: Poly, Contemporary, Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge & Beach Club. I would rate Beach club #4 out of #5 in terms of favorites. (My order is Poly, Animal Kingdom, Wilderness, Beach Club & Contemporary).

The Beach Club Front-



The Beach Club Villas-



Our room was very top floor in the large turret, the area to the left of the two pillars (that was three rooms balcony's- ours was the left).

Our room- which was handicap accessible-



The double bed & pull out sofa bed (we had a studio)-



Microwave, Fridge, Sink area:



The bathroom:



The beloved balcony & the views from it!



To the right-


To the left-


Straight ahead-


And.. straight down- the quiet pool

It was- as named- indeed very quiet. We rarely saw more than 1 person in there- ever!

The main enterance of the BCV-


The Breezeway 'sitting room':


Loved this little built in sitting nook-


Still the Breezeway-notice the Mickey shaped head table!


The big painting with lots of hidden Mickey's in it!! Can you find them?


Another painting that led into the main Beach Club area- The paintings here are filled with Hidden Mickey's. So I had fun hunting for them!



The beach front-



Now, I dont' have any pics of Stormalong. Why? Well, I'll hang my head in shame- WE NEVER GOT THERE!!! I know, I know. I can't believe we stayed at Beach Club and never got to Stormalong. I blame it on the 5 hour transportation issues to Downtown Disney!

Here’s my pros & cons

Pros:
Location. This resort was amazing for walking to Epcot quickly. Also to walk to Jellyrolls/Boardwalk. Loved this convenience.

The specific room we had was handicap accessible on top floor- which meant HUGE balcony. Love!

Stormalong Bay although we didn’t get a chance to really explore.

Beaches and Cream. Um. Yum!!

Resort is close together (the food, main areas, rooms). Little walking to get items, refills, parking.

Cons:
Seemed to me an ‘1980’s Country Décor’ For the price- I wanted more ‘elegance’.

The buses are awful. They share with FIVE resorts making long commute times to anywhere other than Epcot or Hollywood Studios

The Villas seemed run down- could use some updates/replacements in the room.

The Quick Service “Marketplace” was small in offerings. Like Tiny small.

Our bathroom- but then again.. it was most likely because it was Handicap accessible. I'll take the trade off of the bigger balcony!

Overall, not sure I’d stay there again. If I was in the area- I’d be more likely to try Yacht Club instead.

Next up: A Date with Snape!

Stay warm & snow free. How many days till summer?

 

[skier_pete]

If we can't get free dining for our next trip (tentative last-August 2015 - ugh too far), I am seriously thinking about renting DVC points and staying at Beach Club Villas. Your comments pretty much mesh with what I was thinking. (Nice location for Epcot & DHS, busing sucks...etc.) and I know it is extremely hard to get in there during food and wine or other Epcot celebration seasons, so I'm hoping that in late August it will be easier.

 

[Imbri]

Dang, how did I miss 2 updates?? (I was sick during one, that's how...Darn flu!)

I love all your pictures from BC, and it's totally on my list of places to stay.

Where did you get your running sucks shirt? I may need one too....

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Darnit Nicole, I wanted pics of Stormalongbay! Thanks for the BCV lowdown, we're pretty excited to stay 2 nights there on our split stay in Feb! I would not pick BCV if it weren't for the location, and I'm most looking forward to our DHS and Epcot days while staying there. I think I have us only using a bus once coming back from MK, all other times we'll be at Epcot or walk thru Epcot to jump on the monorail. The girls are looking forward to the pool, so hopefully some nice weather in February! I think after running I might be up for some laying around too! The balcony looks fab!

 

[Tinker326]

If we can't get free dining for our next trip (tentative last-August 2015 - ugh too far), I am seriously thinking about renting DVC points and staying at Beach Club Villas. Your comments pretty much mesh with what I was thinking. (Nice location for Epcot & DHS, busing sucks...etc.) and I know it is extremely hard to get in there during food and wine or other Epcot celebration seasons, so I'm hoping that in late August it will be easier.

The location for Epcot can't be beat. That really was fab. And renting points is the way to go!!!

Dang, how did I miss 2 updates?? (I was sick during one, that's how...Darn flu!)

I love all your pictures from BC, and it's totally on my list of places to stay.

Where did you get your running sucks shirt? I may need one too....

Oh, hope you feel better. Flu is no fun!!

One of my best friends got me that running sucks shirt as a gift right before I left. I wore it proudly the day after the 1/2. Hahahaha!!

Darnit Nicole, I wanted pics of Stormalongbay! Thanks for the BCV lowdown, we're pretty excited to stay 2 nights there on our split stay in Feb! I would not pick BCV if it weren't for the location, and I'm most looking forward to our DHS and Epcot days while staying there. I think I have us only using a bus once coming back from MK, all other times we'll be at Epcot or walk thru Epcot to jump on the monorail. The girls are looking forward to the pool, so hopefully some nice weather in February! I think after running I might be up for some laying around too! The balcony looks fab!

I know- I suck!!! It really is a major fail anyway I look at it.

I guess it's just a reason to go back. Right?!

 

[Tinker326]

After a late night at Jellyrolls, we arose early to check out of the Beach Club & drive over to check into our new resort for the night: Universal’s Royal Pacific.



I have stayed here 3 times before and have always loved it. It’s such a short walk to the parks & it offers Unlimited Express Pass to the parks. And it’s considerably cheaper than Disney Deluxe’s with better amenities. As much as I love that mouse- Universal has a good thing going- for sure!



The Cuz had never been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter & so that was our destination for the day. When we arrived to our room, it was ready and we moved our luggage in. And quickly headed off to walk the sort distance to the park gates before opening-

The walkway- so lush and pretty



The plane in the lake outside the resort



We were in the park before opening (early entry for onsite guests) and quickly made our way to Hogsmeade!



Please note that I am in full costume for my stay at Hogswart-my Gryfindor shirt!!! (Even though I secretly long to be in Slytherin- I have a crush on Snape- shhhh- don't tell Harry!)

All aboard!



Welcome to Hogsmeade!





Honeydukes Candy & Butterbeer stand all in one place. HEAVEN.

But that must be bypassed for now. We are on a mission to get to the castle!!

Okay. Small stop at the bathroom because I have teeny tiny bladder (just ask DH!). Moaning Myrtle has a presence in these bathrooms!



Now on to the glorious Hogwarts Castle. I am coming home! (it's my secret desire to be a wizard. Just so ya'll know)



Welcome to Hogwarts!



We quickly got into the line for the Forbidden Journey which is possibly my all time favorite ride ever in any place in the whole world.

Plus you get to go through the castle... how cool is that. For a true potter fan- it's as close to you get. It truely could only be better if Snape was there- but alas- he is not..

First you walk through the greenhouses- Is Prof Sprout around? Nope, just lots of Mandrakes...



Once into the castle you find the founder of Hogwarts...



He holds not only Hogwarts, but all four House mascots.

The pheonix that guards Prof. Dumbledors Study..



What is that password to get in anyways?

Oooh, I know it & got in. Can't share on strict orders. There's the pensive.



Onwards to the Defense of the Dark Art Classroom. Look who is here with us! Hi guys!!!



That's where that dragon went... I was wondering.....



Teacher's missing. Has anyone checked a trunk?



We were hearded quickly from that point onto the awesome ride. And then ran off to ride single rider again about 3 more times. We'd be back later. How could we not?

We hopped over to the Flight of the Hippograph. There's Hagrid's Hut..



And squeezed ourselves into the tiny carts...



Before we headed out of Hogsmeade- we made sure to stop for the all important- best drinks ever- BUTTERBEER! Frozen, of course. YUMMY!



Next up- off to other parts of the park. That are fun. But not as fun as Hogsmeade. That is their official name in case you were wondering. "Lands not as fun as Hogsmead but still fun"

 

[Tinker326]

From Hogsmeade we ventured onwards to those fun but not quite as fun lands. First up was Jurassic Park (aka the perhistoric fun land but not quite as fun as wizard land) where I might have made the comment:

"This ride is kinda fun.. it takes you on a boat ride through the Jurassic park-like the movies".

Then we got in line and we saw people boarding with ponchos and the Cuz said something like...

"wait, do you get really wet on this?"

And I said something like..
"No, just a small drop.... it's a big boat- we shouldn't get wet"

Cuz "Good because my a hair goes flat as a board if wet & I have jeans on"

Umm....



Oops.

Yhea. Sorry about that. We were, ahem, soaked. And the cuz was, ahem, not happy with me. At all.



In my defense, I really don't remember that drop being THAT BIG or THAT WET. She must have forgiven me a little as she did pose for this picture. Although I did hear about it for the rest of the day.

So, now I was on the naughty list with her for the second time (First time- talking her into the race, second time- Jurassic Park).

But it was lunchtime. So we found a place to eat and ate. We purchased the meal plan which was $20 bucks and turned out to be a great deal. I think it gave us 2 full meals, 2 snacks & 2 drinks? This was what my lunch looked like from Jurrassic Bites.



Eating lunch & Drying off....



With full bellies and still wet bodies- we set off to spend some time paying money to soak others riding The River Rat Ride. This was great fun as the water sprayed directly onto the people coming off the drop. They had no idea..and it soaked them. Well worth the 25 cents per squirt. We must have spent an hour here soaking others....and laughing at them.



We moved into the fun caption area...



Yhea, it's definietly an 'or what'

Then it was time to move into Marvel Island and onto Spiderman. (or aka the superhero land that is fun but not as fun as the wizard land) We boarded, all ready for our adventure...and then...kaboom. The ride broke down. Right as the statue of LIberty was coming down on us...

Ahhhh!!!



And so while we waited, we took pictures...





And eventually they moved us through the ride in the lights and told us to come back 'later'. O.K.

So we did.

In the meantime we rode Dr. Doom



And Hulk (but it gave me an instant headache and hurt so bad). This is proof I am getting old. I can no longer drink like I used to or ride fast roller coasters. Give me my walker now. Boo.

We ran into this guy.



There was no line. I'm guess because kids don't know who he is?

It was only about 2 o'clock and the Cuz's feet hurt so bad from race injuries that she couldn't walk. She decided to just go ahead and pop it with her earring and then decided 'well that was stupid'. So we walked to first aide where the nurse told her...

"well, that was stupid". And taped her up and told her to take ibprofin.

We hobbled back to the park... and decided to head next into Suess land.

Which will be the next post because I really need to get some work done!

 

[skier_pete]

One of these days we have to go to Harry Potter land...I mean Universal. I refuse to spend the money until DD is willing to go on thrill rides without a hammer to the head. It looks like you had a good time.

Adult only is SOOO much fun when you usually go with your kids, isn't it?