RUNNING Down the Bayou: 5 months of Disney pre-gaming! Sept '12 PTR

[elleherself]

Hi, my name is Elle, and welcome to my very first Disney pre-trip report.

This is hopefully the precursor to my very first trip report. Despite the best of intentions on previous trips of documenting and sharing all of my fun, somehow I've never hit the "Post New Thread" button. But I'm changing all of that this time.

One thing you should know about me is that I'm a Disney demon. I wasn't born this way, but I was raised in the ways of Disney from a very young age. My first trip was at 18 months. My grandma had an entire VHS Disney collection just for me (and maybe my sister too). I did spend a few years away from the World, but I knew I would go back someday. The call was strong. One trip was all it took-- I was possessed again as an adult and I spent a glorious year wearing out the magnetic strip on my annual pass. But right now, at this moment, I haven't been to Disney World in a very long year and a half. The demon is restless! Now there's a trip on the horizon, so close I can taste it, and yet somehow still so far away. I'm planning on charging up a shiny new annual pass on this trip, because 2013 is a year of Disney plans. This trip will kick start it all-- and ALL I want to do is breath, eat, sleep, and TALK Disney in the meantime! Luckily, I have a plan to pass the time (and this trip report).

In addition to shopping, planning, and training for my very first race, I'm going to round up the very BEST places in South Florida to do some Disney pre-gaming. Once a month I'll report back on some of my favorite local places to get that Disney magic feeling until I get back to the real deal.

Hopefully this pre-trip report gives me the outlet I need to prevent my inner Disney demon from driving my trip companions and coworkers absolutely crazy.

• When: September 27-October 2
• Why: Mainly the Tower of Terror 10 mile race!
• Who: ADULTS ONLY: Elle (that's me!), my sister Buffy, our good friend Lyric (all racers) and my mom Mim
• Resort: ??? Probably off-site
• Park Plans: Epcot, Villains race party, Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Animal Kingdom
• Dining: Tables in Wonderland

 

[elleherself]

Posts of note:

• The Intrepid Travelers
• The Schedule as we know it!

 

[elleherself]

Our Intrepid Travel Team​

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​

First of all, there's me. I am the most important one. That's me there on the left. I'm Elle. I'm 26, in school part time, and I work as a spa receptionist. In my spare time I work with a local dog rescue, fostering dogs and puppies. I also take ice skating lessons. And now, also, I run. I'm the resident photographer here, but I get in front of the lens a fair bit too. I'm not too shy about it! My favorite character is Belle.

Also in the photo is my sister Buffy. She is 24 and still a pain. She works as a massage therapist and is also a part time college student. She also helps with the rescue and also ice skates. She is just like me, except she's blonde and younger. She's also the more outgoing and sociable one. She loves Disney ALMOST as much as I do. Her favorite character is Cinderella.

Then there's our mom, Mim. I picked Mim as her nickname because I like that character, but my mom is not really a mad madam. Except she keeps vacationing with her two Disney-obsessed daughters. She always has a blast while we're there, but she swears she is not as Disney-crazy as the two of us. She practices yoga twice a week and works for a product tester at a big cell phone company. Her favorite character is Tigger.

And that's the three of us on our last, fantabulous Disney trip, so long ago now.

Joining us for the very first time is our good friend Lyric. That's me, Buffy, and Lyric last December. Lyric is a teacher and a mom to a gorgeous year old baby boy. Lyric studied musical theory and opera in college and she sings, which I think is pretty neat. Lyric has also participated in Disney runs in the past, so she's the only run veteran on this trip. This is our first vacation together, and also the first time Lyric is leaving her baby behind with daddy.

Just for fun here's the three of us a few years ago on New Years, looking ultra glamorous:

As you can see we all appreciate a nice cocktail, and we prefer champagne.

 

[elleherself]

The Schedule as we know it!​

My mom and sister are quite used to my scheduling ways, but this is our friend's first Disney trip the demon way. I am trying to tone down the evil schemes, but it just isn't easy! Bolded items are hard scheduled things. Green is for planned parks and park plans. Purple is for planned eating, ADR and otherwise.

EDIT 5/2/12: It would figure that I am already changing things the day AFTER I post this!
EDIT 2: 8/17/12: Finalizing things.

Thursday, September 27

Late morning/early afternoon: Buffy, Mim, and I leave Fort Lauderdale
Afternoon: Check in to the hotel
5:00 pm: Grab some dinner in Orlando, I'm thinking sushi
8:00 pm: Metric concert at Hard Rock Orlando​

Friday, September 28: EPCOT day

Early am: Breakfast somewhere, maybe in room?
9:00 am: Epcot Segway Tour Around the World maybe
All day: Epcot Food & Wine
7:00ish pm: Lyric arrives!
7:45 pm: ADR at Le Cellier for dinner
Late evening: Illuminations, hot tub and bed!
​

Saturday, September 29: Race Day!

Morning: Animal Kingdom
2:00 pm: Pick up race packets, then pool or nap
5:00 pm: Dinner, maybe at Downtown Disney
8:00 pm: Head back to the room, get dressed and ready to run
9:00 pm: Head to Disney's Hollywood Studios for the race
10:00 pm: Run the Tower of Terror 10 mile race!
3:00 am: Leave the Villains Party
Way too late: In the hot tub, and then bed.​

This schedule is starting to look a bit demonic.

Sunday, September 30: MNSSHP!

Morning: Sleep in!
11:00 am: Nothing! Still sleeping! (I am so nice.)
1:00 pm: Lunch somewhere, maybe in room
2:30 pm: Costumes on, park preparation procedures.
3:30 pm: Magic Kingdom bound!
Late afternoon/early evening: Park fun. Maybe a quick hop on the boat for a drink at the Grand Floridian or the Poly before the party starts.
7:00 pm: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
12:00 pm: Leave the party, having had an awesome time, and go to bed.​

Monday, October 1: Magic Kingdom day!

7:15 am: Everyone should be awake and mostly ready to go to the Magic Kingdom.
8:30 am: TOP SECRET SURPRISE ADR at Cinderella's Royal Table for Breakfast
Morning: Magic Kingdom time
1:00 pm or so: Lyric heads home (probably)
6:45 pm: ADR at 'Ohana for Dinner
After dinner: Monorail crawl?
9:00 pm: Wishes
Whenever the demon is satisfied: Hot tub and then bed.​

Tuesday, October 2

10:00 am: ADR at Kona Cafe for Breakfast
Then: We go home!
Only to begin planning my next trip immediately.

The demon made me do it.​

 

[elleherself]

So I've been checking for open ADRs obsessively for Cinderella's. My sister and I have eaten there before for dinner, but my mother and friend never have. Since we are celebrating this run and my mom's birthday I really wanted to make one extra special extravagant ADR, and what is more extravagant than the castle? I had my heart set on breakfast.

There was one ADR showing for 10:15, but my Disney demon would not stop pestering me about seeing Main Street before opening. Plus I figured we would all be hungry before then. I checked today and scored a 9:15 am for four!

Just had to share with those who understand. Especially because I'm keeping this one on the down low. I want to tell Buffy so bad, it is just killing me.

 

[elleherself]

Some interesting developments today!

I found out through Facebook that Metric (Buffy and my favorite band) is planning a US tour! They have never done such a thing in the last three years so this is a VERY big deal. We saw them just once at a festival (Art Basil) in Miami two years ago and it just about made our lives. A free concert on the beach ON THE SAND, with the stars above and waves crashing on the shore. It was amazing.

Well it just so happens that they are playing Miami again... on the 28th. We plan to be in Orlando then, and our race is the 29th. No good.

BUT! They are playing Hard Rock Orlando on the 27th! This will mean an extra night... an extra night at Disney AND my favorite band in concert? Well, twist my arm.

So my tickets are in hand, now all I need to do is figure out how I'm going to adjust my plans! I didn't think I could possibly be any more excited for September to arrive... but it's happened.

In other news I had a training run last night and it went very well. I ran for 30 minutes at a light pace (13:45 mile). I'm really happy with where I'm at right now, I know I'll be ready to tear up that Tower of Terror track come September. Yesterday was an ice skating lesson night which I use as a weigh-in day, and I am happy to report I have now lost 20 lbs since February! 20.5 to be precise.

I really wish I'd taken some sort of posed before picture before I started, but I didn't and it's too late now! I did take an "interim" picture today. Maybe later on I'll see if I'm brave enough to share it. I have a bikini I am determined to wear while sipping something yummy next to the Stormalong Bay Pool.

 

[Alysa]

Oooo - I am jealous of you doing the Tower of terror run. Sounds like you are going to have an awesome time! Looking forward to hearing about your costumes for the Not So Scary Halloween Party too!

 

[elleherself]

Thanks Alysa! I believe I do have something in the works for MNSSHP costumes-- and for the race as well!

But that will all come later, as Buffy wanders around with only one flip flop on... better to work the sewing machine pedal with. I guess I could help her, but she's so much better than I am at sewing. There's a reason why she identifies with Cinderella.

Today I have been playing musical ADRs. I don't know why eating is so much more special at Disney World, but it is. I am feeling right now like I might be letting this trip get away from me and perhaps I should rein it in. Before this trip even gets here I will be planning another one, after all.

But then there's that demon, always persuading me to make one more ADR. Practicality (or is it frugality?) is just not my strong suit!

 

[earthfaries]

Hi there! Congrats on your upcoming trip ~ it's going to be fun! My son ran the Tower of Terror 5k back in 2009 and loved it. The after party was super fun, and staying in DHS, and riding TOT at 3am in the morning was an awesome experience .

I am excited to read about all your planning adventures, and eventually your trip report .​

 

[Alysa]

The only thing about the ToT run (when I eventually get to do it) is that I am never going on that ride again!

 

[elleherself]

Last night was another run training night. I've decided to follow the Galloway outline for training for the Tower of Terror run. Seems like it could not be simpler than that. Last night I ran a little over two miles, and according to dailymile my pace was 13:27. My time is improving and so I am happy!

In other news Buffy and I are taking our mama out of town this weekend for a much-deserved vacation. We're not going too far... just down to the Keys. I have a feeling I might have some pseudo-Disney fun on this trip to fill my first month obligation. Actually right now I'm having a hard time deciding WHICH thing I will report back on! The Keys are just as much a happy place for me as Disney World, if in a much more laid back, let everything unfold kind of way. Which is very good for me.

We may have made a Mother's Day "ADR"! Disney has us well-trained now.

And speaking of ADRs I have added in Le Cellier and Brown Derby to our trip. Le Cellier will be a first for us. The time isn't the best but I plan to stalk it of course-- what better way to spend my pre-trip months? We were planning on just grazing at the Food & Wine that day (and Buffy still wants to do just that) but as it's the very first day I'm not so sure about the lines. If it's too crowded I want some definite eats and I've never tried Le Cellier before. I've always been sort of underwhelmed by the sit down Epcot eateries. Teppan Edo and San Angel Inn were okay, fine food, lovely atmosphere, but nothing I'm clamoring to head back to. I'm hopeful Le Cellier will live up to it's reputation-- IF I can get everybody to agree to go.

Brown Derby was Mim's one request to return to from our last trip. I was sort of surprised as I loved the food, but did not enjoy the lost park time at this lingering dinner. BUT this trip is all about those extra experiences. I've ridden the rides SO MANY TIMES, this time I'm going to slow down and smell the roses and really taste that grapefruit cake! (It was perfection last time I must say.) If I can tamp down on the ride demon (rope drop to close!) I think Lyric and Mim and even Buffy will have a much more enjoyable trip, and we'll have better memories.

 

[elleherself]

Well, what a difference a few months can make!

I sort of went hands off on the trip for awhile, focusing on other things over the summer. But I have not slacked off in my training. Watching the Olympics was a great motivator. Last night I ran 5 miles, with a pace of 11 minutes per mile. I am so excited to run this race! My very longest training run so far was eight miles, next Saturday I'm set to bump it up to 9.5.

Not only that, but I have lost twenty five pounds from the start of this pre-trip report. A healthier diet and the running are the culprit there. I am probably in some of the best shape of my life right now.

Unfortunately I could NOT get my travel companions on board with the Beach Club, even with a pretty good AP discount. We will probably stay offsite for the extra space afforded. BUT I am pulling hard to add on just one night at the Polynesian at the end.

Meanwhile, I added some NEW ADRs to my trip plans in the last week! The 4:05 pm Le Cellier dinnertime did not impress me, but now I have a much more agreeable dinner time of 7:45. We will be snacking around the world for lunch, but we have never eaten at Le Cellier before so I'm excited to try this one. And it's late enough that Lyric should be able to join us! She actually got an annual pass in the spring and has been hitting up Disney all summer long. I've been so jealous!

I removed the Brown Derby from the trip plans and replaced it with an 'Ohana dinner. I just didn't think hopping to Hollywood made sense, not with so many big ADRs that day. We have also never tried 'Ohana before, although Kona has long since been a staple, so again I'm really excited. 6:25 is prime dinner hour and leaves plenty of time for a cocktail and a leisurely trip back to the MK for fireworks.

Also on Monday, I snagged an earlier Cinderella's time, 8:30 a.m. (from 9:15 before). I am so very excited about getting into the Magic Kingdom before opening-- we've never done this. Also excited about Cinderella's new breakfast menu. BUT I also really want to hunt for paint brushes on Tom Sawyer's Island. They open at 10:00 for prime paint brush hunting. I hope we can make it. And I hope everyone's not crabbing at me too much for the early breakfast after a late MNSSHP. Hey, I let them sleep in on Sunday!

We've also made some progress on our costumes, but this update is already pretty long. I am going to need a ton of new clothes for this trip due to the weight loss, so I have some shopping to do!