Running... From Coast to Coast and Back Again - Tink 1/2 TR, Princess TR

[20thingamabobs]

Running… it’s one of those things that most people have a passionate relationship with, usually a love-hate kind of thing. It helps keep you healthy, relieve stress, burn off steam… but it’s boring, tiresome, and in some cases long. That is, unless you’re running at Disney. I mean, leave it to the most magical place on earth to take this tedious sport and make it enjoyable even for the least Disney enthusiastic people and the least running enthusiastic people.

In September 2010, when I decided to run my first half marathon, I saw it as an opportunity for another trip to Disney and as a “once in lifetime” goal for myself. I mean, I was a sprinter on my college track team but distance? Eh, I could do without too much of it. But, we trained… we ran it… and we had the most amazing time. I’d been bit by a whole new Disney Bug that I call Disney Running. Even my poor DBF (now DF - see my Expedition Everest Challenge TR), who is far from being a Disney Enthusiast like myself had enjoyed himself and I mean REALLY enjoyed himself. The boy who once took weeks to convince into running with me has agreed to do it again… and not just once.

If you’d like to read about our first half marathon, you can check out my TR below:

Every fiber of my being hurts, but this is SO cool”.. Our 13.1 Mile Disney Journey
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2631069

So, shortly after our return from our WDW half marathon trip, I began to explain to him what it meant to complete the Coast to Coast Challenge. I told him how you have to complete at least a half marathon in both Florida (which we already had) and in California in the same year in order to complete the challenge and receive the special medal. Well, while it had taken him weeks to decide about the WDW half, it only took a couple hours before he agreed and we were on the computer completing our registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon in early September 2011. I was content at this point.

I also learned about the ESPN 5k that runs in March and I was already going to be there during that time so I competed in it as well with my Dad. Well, when I returned from my March trip, I just couldn’t help getting the Disney Blues and started looking in how to get myself back sooner than my 6 month wait till the Disneyland Half. That’s when I discovered the Expedition Everest Challenge. It takes place in May and isn’t just a 5k through a park but also a scavenger hunt and after party! I was in. Now, I just needed to find someone to run with me. I felt like I may be pushing my luck with DBF/DF asking him to visit Disney 3 times in the same year but I was wrong as I barely had to ask before he was agreeing to go with me! (I would find out during the trip why he was so easily convinced)

If all that wasn’t enough, I’d been telling my friends/college roommates how much fun we’d had and they too couldn’t wait to experience Disney running! So, after much debate, we decided on the Wine & Dine half marathon at WDW in late Sept/early Oct! It’s funny because I kept telling myself that in 2012 I would try to run all the Disney races (except the ESPN 5k unless it fell during my annual spring break trip) but it turns out that I will have run all of them except the Princess Half in 2011!

So there you have it, we’ll be traveling back to WDW in May to compete in the Expedition Everest Challenge and then to Disneyland in early September for the Disneyland half and then back to WDW for the Wine & Dine half in late Sept / early Oct! It’s going to be a running whirlwind through Disney and I hope you’ll join us for the journey!

So, to get started… I think it’s time I formally introduce “us”.

First, there’s me, Whitney. I’m a 24 year old graduate student studying to get my Master’s and license in School Psychology. I take classes at night while working full time as a sales manager at a local marina in Cleveland. I’ve been to WDW 20 times and Disneyland 5 times (since my brother moved to CA 4 years ago). My favorite character is Tinkerbell. My favorite ride is Expedition Everest and Splash Mountain. My favorite park in Animal Kingdom because I love the animals!

Then there’s DF. He’s a 24 year old Merchant Support Specialist at an IT company. He’s been to Disney 7 times, once as a little kid, four times with me, and two day trips during his spring training in Florida for baseball (also with me). I think his favorite character is Goofy and he really only likes the thrill rides. His favorite park is Hollywood Studios because of ToT, RnRc, and the Animation Academy.

Here’s a picture of us from our half marathon trip in January 2011:

Stay tuned to hear all our plans for many more journies running through Disney!

 

[jenseib]

I'm in!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Hey Whitney! I'm in too

 

[20thingamabobs]

I'm in!

Hey Whitney! I'm in too

Jen and Tracy! I'm so glad you've both decided to join along for another one of my PTRs and running adventures! I'll try to take less motion sickness prone videos this time!

 

[20thingamabobs]

When I’d gotten it in my head to plan another trip to Disney for the Expedition Everest Challenge, the idea was to make it a budget trip. Do everything as cheaply as possible. Also, I didn’t think DBF would dare step foot in Disney more than twice in one year so I actually asked my dad to run with me again first. He turned me down saying running was too hard on his 56 year old body but that if I could talk Ian into, we could use his reward flights on Southwest. So back to DBF I went… I explained that we could use the reward flights and that I was pretty sure that with me having an AP and Tables in Wonderland card, we would be able to cover our registration, room, food, and his ticket for about $700. Which when you break it down, $350/person for all of that is pretty good!

Well, when I made that calculation, I had planned on using my AP discount for a standard room at a Value resort. Pop Century to be exact. The only value resorts I haven’t tried yet are All-Star Music and Pop Century. I’m booked to stay at All-Star Music for my W & D half so the only one I wanted to stay at was Pop. PC isn’t a Host resort (meaning it doesn’t provide direct transportation to and from event related things) but I was willing to work through that. Well, that was all until I realized that I created a resort snob out of DBF. When we went for our half marathon in Jan., we stayed at Bay Lake Tower in order to be able to take the monorail on race morning (fyi: best decision ever, the buses were so backed up). Well, when I showed him Pop Century, he informed me that he didn’t want to stay there and that he wanted to stay somewhere “newer and cooler”… So, I said alright and began to show him other options. To start, I said if we were going to stay at a moderate or deluxe, we should try to stay at a Host Resort. That narrowed our options down to either Caribbean Beach or Animal Kingdom Lodge. I sent DBF links to their websites as well as photos on Allears.net… Well, apparently they aren’t “newer and cooler” either… So I had to break it down to him that none of the resorts are as new as BLT and that it’s a very “contemporary” look and just because these other resorts aren’t “modern” doesn’t mean they aren’t nice… It was like trying to convince a 5 year old that Broccoli tastes good…

So, after more debate over the hotel than it took to talk him into the trip in the first place… Dbf finally decided that he wants to “stay with the animals”. So I explained one more time that it was going to cost more and he said that was fine. Then, I explained that we could get a room with a standard view or a view of the animals. Once again, he told me that he “wants to see the giraffes when he wakes up”. Well, that would be fine except the only savannah rooms left were the Arusha views and well, quite frankly, there’s no way I’m paying an extra $60+ just because there’s Zebras in the savannah outside my room. So, that night, we went to bed with our registration, dining reservations (which I’ll get to later), but no room…

The following morning, I decided to check again. I logged onto the Passholder website and started pricing out my options. There were still no Savannah view rooms available so, I decided to try Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani village in the hopes that may we could get a Savannah view room there. Well, no luck, they only had standard views. So, I logged onto the regular Disney website to see if they had any availability under their general public offer… just Arusha at AKL, Kidani had a standard view, check Jambo, back to Kidani and wait, what? A Savannah view just opened up. I started to hit book it but decided I’d go back to my AP discount one more time to see if it showed up there and it had for even less money since my AP discount was better! So, I booked it. I know they upgrade Standard views to savannahs a lot but DBF was set on it so I didn’t want to take my chances… So, here are the final plans:
Dates:

May 6-8, 2011

Where:

Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani in a Deluxe Studio – Savannah view

 

[jenseib]

How cool. I wish my DH would become a resort snob!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

My six year old loves broccoli

I'm with Jen, I wish I could turn my DH into a resort snob too! NICE!! But alas, to him it's "just a room to sleep".

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

Hey Girl! I'm here! I know what you mean about the "Disney" running bug.. The ESPN 5K was the most fun I have ever had running a race. I had this stupid grin on my face the whole time!

Can't wait to read about your Expedition Everest Challenge experience.. I'll still be here in Kuwait so I'll miss it this year. You had said in your last PTR that you were only going to write about the cruise portion of your trip but I would love to here your opinion of the ESPN 5K. I got lots of video during the race that I'll post in my TR.

 

[dismagiclover]

I'm in! I ran the DL half back in 2007. It was my first half and I loved every minute of it. I've since done the Jan half in 2010 and the full this year (2011). I love Disney races!! I'm heading back in Jan. for the half again. I can't wait to follow along for your year of Disney running!

 

[20thingamabobs]

How cool. I wish my DH would become a resort snob!

I'm excited to stay here but I have to say I think I like holding on to my money better! Maybe next time I'll get him to at least try a moderate.

My six year old loves broccoli

I'm with Jen, I wish I could turn my DH into a resort snob too! NICE!! But alas, to him it's "just a room to sleep".

Yea, I think I actually liked Broccoli as a kid too....

I think I may agree with George that it really is just a room to sleep in but I'm hoping since it'll be nice in May that we may get to enjoy the pool. I've scheduled some relaxation time so we'll hope for the best. Otherwise, I'd rather save my money for other things! Though, eventually I would like to try all the hotels.. maybe... someday...

Hey Girl! I'm here! I know what you mean about the "Disney" running bug.. The ESPN 5K was the most fun I have ever had running a race. I had this stupid grin on my face the whole time!

Can't wait to read about your Expedition Everest Challenge experience.. I'll still be here in Kuwait so I'll miss it this year. You had said in your last PTR that you were only going to write about the cruise portion of your trip but I would love to here your opinion of the ESPN 5K. I got lots of video during the race that I'll post in my TR.

Hey! Yea, I really enjoyed the 5k as well and can't wait for our Wine & Dine half! I think I'm going to try to do the whole trip now but if not, I'll at least do a section for the 5k. I took alot of pics and video too! I love the picture of you running, it's a nice shot with the hat in the background! I noticed your ticker the other day, are you staying at the Poly for the W&D? It looks like we're going to be staying at All-Star Music. We get to make Dining reservations next Sunday though so I've been trying to figure those out!

I'm in! I ran the DL half back in 2007. It was my first half and I loved every minute of it. I've since done the Jan half in 2010 and the full this year (2011). I love Disney races!! I'm heading back in Jan. for the half again. I can't wait to follow along for your year of Disney running!

I love Disney races too! I can't wait for the DL and W&D this year and if all goes well, I really would like to try all four next year. I don't mind running them by myself but hopefully I'll be able to find people to run with!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Ok, one of the reasons this trip was possible is because of the "cheap" (actually free) airfare. My dad travels ALOT for work and is constantly getting Southwest Reward flights and he told me that if I could talk Ian into going with me then he would let us have his free flights. Well, DBF obviously agreed and my dad booked our flights! Unfortunately, Southwest doesn't offer direct flights to Orlando from Cleveland though so we have a layover but it's only 35 minutes!

So, here's the plan...

Day 1: May 6, 2011 - Arrival / Expo / Epcot

It will be an early morning. We'll need to leave our house around 4:15am and make the 40 minute drive to the airport. We'll most likely leave our car in short term parking and DBF's parents will pick it up later that day. OUr flight takes off at 6:50am EST and arrives in Nashville at 8:20am EST. We depart Nashville at 8:55am EST and arrive in Orlando at 10:40am EST. We'll head straight for this:

Once onboard, I'll be awaiting my first view of this:

We'll check-in and drop off our luggage (either in our room or with bell services) then it'll be off to the race expo. I'm sure DBF will want to explore a little but that'll have to wait for now. I'm hoping the registration for this race goes a little more smoothly then it did for the ESPN the weekend 5k. I'd rather not stand in the cold rain for an hour again. Once we've received our bibs, goody bags, and t-shirts, it'll be back to the buses. We'll take a bus back to AKL and then directly to Epcot. If I had to guess, I imagine we won't arrive at Epcot until 1:30-2 at the earliest. I'll cross my fingers that there are still some Fast Passes available for something but I'm certainly not counting on it. If there are, we'll grab some before probably heading off to wait in line to ride something. That's probably all we'll get in (if we're lucky) before we need to head to our dining reservation. I gave DBF options of what reservations were available and allowed him to pick. He chose Coral Reef but the only reservation time available was 3:00pm which I wasn't crazy about. But, I booked it anyway. That being said, I had my mind set an even more impossible reservation for Le Cellier. We ate here in March and LOVED it and I really wanted to take DBF back but it books up forever in advance so I knew chances were slim. I checked about 5-10 times a day from the moment I booked the trip. Finally an 8:50pm reservation became available so I took it but still wasn't happy because we wanted to watch Illuminations. Then the next day, a 1:25pm reservation but I knew we would never make it with having to go to the Expo. A couple days later a 12:10pm became available but once again, we were definitely not going to make it. So, I was starting to give up hope... Then, finally, today I checked this morning when I got up and there it was... a 4:00pm reservation at Le Cellier!!! I was so excited I almost knocked over my cereal. I can't wait to take DBF here, I know he'll love the food!

So, after our dinner, we'll probably try to hit up a couple other attractions that have shorter lines or use our Fast Pass if we were able to get one. Around 8pm, we'll headback over to the WS to find a seat for Illuminations. I think I'm going to try watching from France or Norway this time depending on where we are in the park. There's Extra Magic Hours this night from 9pm-12am. Hopefully we'll have been able to get FP for Test Track early and we'll be able to spend our EMH in line for Soarin' because DBF really likes this ride. We'll probably head out afterwards. We'll get a good nights sleep just to be up early again the next morning!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Ok, one of the things that I find really amusing about Disney races is the costumes. Now, I have to admit that I really wonder how people run in some of them but most are really cute! For the half marathon, I went with something basic. You can see a picture of it in my first post. It was basically just a pair of red Soffe shorts that I put white polka dots on and then wore a black Under Armour t-shirt with a red and white polka dot hair bow. For the ESPN 5k, I got a little more into it. To go with the sports theme, my dad and I showed up supporting our favorite college team.. the Ohio State Buckeyes. I'll have to post a picture later. My dad and I had a friend of the family make us screen print shirts where my dad's said OH on the front and mine said IO. The back of mine said OH while his said IO so as long as we were in the right order, our shirts read OHIO. They were red tank tops with white letters. My dad wore a pair of OSU shorts and socks while I sported a much more elaborate outfit. Not only did I have shorts and socks, but I also made a Scarlet and Gray Tulle skirt complete with glitter! I also had an OSU hair ribbon and faux face tattoo (more on the face tattoo later).

For the Expedition Everest Challenge, I would definitely like to do a cute costume again! I'm just having a little trouble coming up with something. Most of the pictures I've seen from previous years, people dress up like hikers/mountain climbers. But, I think I'd rather to something more Animal Kingdom / Yeti themed. I'm pretty sure I'm going to make DBF a tshirt with either a Mickey head wearing a Safari hat or a Yeti wearing Mickey Ears. Not that he's agreed to wear it yet but I'm working on it . So for me, I'm leaning towards either being a giraffe, zebra, or a yeti. But, I'm just not sure what to do...

What are your ideas? I would love the help!

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

I like the animal Idea. Zebra would be super cute! I'm so bummed that I'm not home to participate in this race. I had a great time at the ESPN 5K but this one seems like even more fun. Next year I suppose. I'll just have to live Vicariously through you for this one! See you in October for Wine and Dine though!
I had planned on staying at the All Star Sports for that trip but I got an email for a bounce back offer while we were there a for 45% off a room only so I jumped on the chance to stay at my dream resort. My DF also officially decided to join me so having someone to split the cost with helps too! I can't wait!

We love The Mara. The falafel pita is so good there and everything is cooked to order. I love AKL But my one and only issue with it is how out of the way the QS is. That's what I love about the values. It's so convenient to stop for coffee or grab a quick something on your way to the buses. Not with AKL or the other deluxe resorts I suppose. There's also more room to get drinks and stuff at the values.

 

[20thingamabobs]

I like the animal Idea. Zebra would be super cute! I'm so bummed that I'm not home to participate in this race. I had a great time at the ESPN 5K but this one seems like even more fun. Next year I suppose. I'll just have to live Vicariously through you for this one! See you in October for Wine and Dine though!
I had planned on staying at the All Star Sports for that trip but I got an email for a bounce back offer while we were there a for 45% off a room only so I jumped on the chance to stay at my dream resort. My DF also officially decided to join me so having someone to split the cost with helps too! I can't wait!

We love The Mara. The falafel pita is so good there and everything is cooked to order. I love AKL But my one and only issue with it is how out of the way the QS is. That's what I love about the values. It's so convenient to stop for coffee or grab a quick something on your way to the buses. Not with AKL or the other deluxe resorts I suppose. There's also more room to get drinks and stuff at the values.

I did some research on costumes and I'm leaning towards the zebra too! I really wanted to be a yeti but I think that would be hard to make and really hot in the May heat.

I hope you love the Poly! It was/is my dream resort too! We stayed there last April using a pin code too and I loved it! It's my all time favorite resort! If I go back down for marathon weekend, I'm going to stay either at the Poly or Contemporary because I like having the monorail on race morning.

Where exactly is Mara? I tried to find in when I was stopped by in March but never did find it... I agree with you that the values really are great when it comes to proximity. Same with POFQ, you can't beat the size of that resort.

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

If you go out the doors just past Boma, towards the pool, but stay to the left you'll see The Mara tucked away in a corner. Not at all a convenient location for us either time we stayed but it would really depend on where your room is located I suppose. We were in a standard view on Ostrich Trail in 2010 and this past time we were at the very end of Kudu Trail. But no matted where you are it's not really on the way to the bus stops like at the Values and POFQ, which is my favorite Mod too by the way. I think Scott and I are going to stay there again solo (no kids) some time next year.

 

[20thingamabobs]

If you go out the doors just past Boma, towards the pool, but stay to the left you'll see The Mara tucked away in a corner. Not at all a convenient location for us either time we stayed but it would really depend on where your room is located I suppose. We were in a standard view on Ostrich Trail in 2010 and this past time we were at the very end of Kudu Trail. But no matted where you are it's not really on the way to the bus stops like at the Values and POFQ, which is my favorite Mod too by the way. I think Scott and I are going to stay there again solo (no kids) some time next year.

Thanks! That's good to know where it is finally. It's going to be really inconvenient for us because we'll be all the way over in Kidani... I know they don't have a quick service restaurant so if I want breakfast at the hotel, do I have to go all the way over to Jambo? I wonder how close they really are.. I feel like that could get annoying...

That'll be nice to stay at POFQ just adults, I think it's such a quaint hotel. Are you planning on running any of the races in 2012? I think I may try to do all of them in one year in 2012 and then after that just pick my favorite and run it every year. DBF said he would run one with me but that's it so I may end up running three of them (maybe four depending on what this new race turns out to be) by myself...

 

[20thingamabobs]

Oh, I forgot to add that I've decided to be a Zebra for the race. I really wanted to be a Yeti but I couldn't quite figure out how to make it without being really hot. So, here's the part of my costume that I've figured out so far:

I order this running "skort" in a zebra print (which who knew they even made something like this).

Then, I have two options for the rest of the costume.

1.) A black tank top with a Zebra print Mickey head on the front with Zebra print Mickey ears

OR

2.) A Zebra print tank top with regular zebra style ears

What do you think?

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

Oh my god that running skirt is so perfect! I like the mickey t shirt idea the best. I have the zebra print one in white and another with a sparkly leopard print mickey head in black.

Right now I'm planning on the Princess Half, the Expedition Everest Challenge and the Wine and Dine again for 2012 but depending on airfare prices I may end up doing more. There's some new race about to be announced this month too so that may change my plans.

We're planning a family trip for next August which will include Scott's 4 kids so the cash flow is going to be a bit tight next year.

 

[disneygeeks]

You can also count me in. I've read 2 of your TR and I think they are great

 

[disneygeeks]

I like the yeti idea. don't know how easy it would be to make one but go for it