Running on Fumes from Start to Finish

[annmarieda]

It went well....we had a great trip. Although my time wasn't fast, it's was pretty good for me. I wish that I could have gotten into the 10k, especially after I found out that Elsa made it snow (my youngest is absolutely in love with frozen).

Congrats!

Elsa made it snow!!??

 

[annmarieda]

After spending too much time the night before debating what we would be doing in the morning, we slept in rather than get up early for rope drop. The decision was made to take it easy.

This was in interesting thing. The concept of considering how a days events would affect another runner. We are all different after all... we all need different things AND we approach things differently. Me - I know that getting up early and "wearing myself out" would be a good thing in order to have me settled down in the early evening. This was NOT what Steve saw as a good idea for him. He thought rest and lots of it was a good idea. It was his first half though, so I thought it best to "cater" to him more.

So again, we slept in. Once we were up, we meandered a bit and then decided to head to the park that would probably allow us to walk the least - DHS. I made some changes to our fp+ reservations (from my phone - super easy) and we hopped on the bus.

First thing we did was go on Star Tours. I can't remember the sequence. It was a good one though. Steve had never seen it and was highly impressed. He didn't realize it was like that now. Just how long has it been since the refurb? almost 3 years? Yes, Steve likes to think he knows everything about the parks and could "walk them blind folded" I think he could do that as long as I was holding his hand...and that is why he thinks he can...cause I "hold his hand" when it comes to all of our trip activities.

Steve then needed coffee. Well since I do know a little something more than him I knew that Writers Stop was close. I may have regretted pointing us in this direction. Coffee in hand as well as a snack..we may have sat in WS for about an hour and a half. One thing about me... I am not an idle sort of person. If I have to wait for a bus... I consider walking. (and this is how I came to prefer to walk between DHS and Epcot) So all this sitting and waiting for him to relax and enjoy his coffee did was stir up anxious energy in me.

At least I got my carrot cake cookie.



Meanwhile, Kira and Josh were in AK. Want proof? We have a photopass pic.


After we had our quiet time in Writers Stop, we meandered a bit. I had made fp+ reservations that gave us quite the gap. Well, since the snack took quite a while and we were headed toward our fp+ reservation AND we were hungry.... we stopped for a light lunch.

I have to say, this was a much better choice for lunch than what I originally had planned. Starring Rolls has the best sandwiches - although I think they are smaller than they once were.




Then it was time for Zoe and Alex to make use of the fp+ reservation on RnRC


Steve and I waited outside.


Then we moved inside the dump shop.



Looking back, this was possibly a factor in the plague we had. As we were walking in, someone sneezed on Steve. Not just a little movement of air in his direction but full on... well, it was wet and all over his arm.


Zoe and Alex had a great time.



Then it was time to wait again for our next reservation. It is amazing how little time we spent using our reservation... and how much time in between we had left to wait until the next one. So we fit something else in.

But there was a 20 minute wait until the next "class". So we sat on the floor when we waited. This looking back also could have been a contributing factor in our acquisition of the plague. Normally..floors... railings... are OFF limits. I am not quite sure what made me want to sit.


I was so excited when we found out who we would be drawing!! I love the frozen characters, so Olaf... yeah!!! I about squealed when it was announce he would be our character.





Meanwhile, Kira and Josh.....


I wonder if the gal behind Kira was really that scared?


Finally, it was time for the last fp+ reservation. Alex was starting to feel off though and needed water. I am not allowed on this ride. So Steve agreed to take miss Zoe on ToT.


Now the funny thing is - the woman next to my husband. When the first drop happened. She grabbed him and wrapped herself around him. Similar to how I did the one and only time I rode this ride. When the ride was over she apologized profusely. Steve laughed and told her at least she didn't bite him.

Next Up: 1/10 - DHS Part 2

 

[dizneeat]

Okay - I LOVE sleeping in, nothing wrong with it, especially on vacation. But I do understand that sometimes you just need to get going to get into the right rythm.
An hour and a half at Writer's Stop? What did you in there for so long - well, I know you had coffee, but that is a LONG time to have a cup of coffee.

Lunch looked good and so did your rides.
How funny is it that the lady next to Steve held on to him.

 

[saintstickets]

I was so excited when we found out who we would be drawing!! I love the frozen characters, so Olaf... yeah!!! I about squealed when it was announce he would be our character.

We found this for the first time during our trip last October. DW and I really liked it and decided it would be something we try to do each trip. Hopefully we will get a different character to draw each time. Love your TR update!

 

[annmarieda]

Okay - I LOVE sleeping in, nothing wrong with it, especially on vacation. But I do understand that sometimes you just need to get going to get into the right rythm.

I think wanting to sleep in on vacation is perfectly acceptable... and I enjoy it a bit too. (have I made rope drop to MK in the last few years? )). I think I just wanted to push us to an early morning so I could get an early bed.

An hour and a half at Writer's Stop? What did you in there for so long - well, I know you had coffee, but that is a LONG time to have a cup of coffee.

He read... I think Zoe played on my phone a bit. Alex on his game boy. I know I had my phone to read on a bit too. I do know that at some point I texted Kira about how long we had been sitting there. At least it was not busy that morning.

Lunch looked good and so did your rides.

Lunch at SR is always good. The turkey and fresh mozzarella is so yummy!

How funny is it that the lady next to Steve held on to him.

It was funny for him for sure. I think the gal was a tad embarrassed...

We found this for the first time during our trip last October. DW and I really liked it and decided it would be something we try to do each trip. Hopefully we will get a different character to draw each time. Love your TR update!

We have not done it all that often, in fact I believe this was the guys first time. Steve enjoyed it so much that we ended up doing it a second time. AND we did get a different character. The teachers are really good about asking who has drawn what and trying to offer something new for the majority.

 

[Dream426]

I love carrot cake. Your breakfast looked delicious. I can't believe someone sneezed on him. That is so gross.

Olaf is a great character to draw. Love him.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Steve then needed coffee. Well since I do know a little something more than him I knew that Writers Stop was close. I may have regretted pointing us in this direction. Coffee in hand as well as a snack..we may have sat in WS for about an hour and a half. One thing about me... I am not an idle sort of person. If I have to wait for a bus... I consider walking. (and this is how I came to prefer to walk between DHS and Epcot) So all this sitting and waiting for him to relax and enjoy his coffee did was stir up anxious energy in me.

I would have had trouble sitting quietly all that time, too. Thank goodness smartphones have come along to help pass the time in these unscheduled down times.

We've never done the Animation lesson, but it looks like fun. I'm hoping to get a chance to do it on our next trip.

 

[emilyindisney]

Olaf came out great!

I admit- I'm like Steve. I don't mind hanging out and taking my time. DSis, on the other hand, is always itching to go!

Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I like Josh's outfit- very AK explorer-ish! He fits right in!

 

[annmarieda]

I love carrot cake. Your breakfast looked delicious.

That cookie is such a yummy one. Steve is a fan of shortbread so he got one of those.

I can't believe someone sneezed on him. That is so gross.

It really was. We instantly used lots of sanitizer on his arms... but I am sure it was on his clothes too.

Olaf is a great character to draw. Love him.

He was so fun (and not to hard) to draw!

I would have had trouble sitting quietly all that time, too. Thank goodness smartphones have come along to help pass the time in these unscheduled down times.

I should have just gone off on my own. I know how I am and sitting like that isn't what I needed to do in order to prepare myself for the next day.

We've never done the Animation lesson, but it looks like fun. I'm hoping to get a chance to do it on our next trip.

It was so cool. I have only done it a few times... and loved it each time. It is worth the wait if you happen to walk up just after one class has started.

Olaf came out great!

Thanks.

I admit- I'm like Steve. I don't mind hanging out and taking my time. DSis, on the other hand, is always itching to go!

There are a lot of times I don't mind it. I think it just threw me more than usual because it was going completely against what I had planned for the morning.

Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I like Josh's outfit- very AK explorer-ish! He fits right in!

He got that hat a few years ago on he and Kira's honeymoon. I think he wears it when he is out doing his herpetology stuff even. He is total mr. explorer guy. I think friends on facebook think it is crazy that given he is in WDW he will post as many pictures of wildlife (if not more) during the trip than of actual WDW spots.

 

[KatMark]

I can't believe someone sneezed right on your husband. YUCK!

I'm glad you got your carrot cookie; I'm very upset they took the tables out of there.

Your sandwich does look like it shrunk.

Great photopass pics of Josh and Kira.

Love Zoe holding on to Steve on TOT. And too funny about the woman on the other side of him.

Your drawings of Olaf are great!

 

[annmarieda]

I can't believe someone sneezed right on your husband. YUCK!

It was quite gross. I think so many people were ill or would soon be ill that were there during marathon weekend.

I'm glad you got your carrot cookie; I'm very upset they took the tables out of there.

They took the tables out? Well, there shoots Steve's plans for the next trip.

Your sandwich does look like it shrunk.

Maybe I was just really hungry. I could have sworn they were big enough to split between two people easily before.

Great photopass pics of Josh and Kira.

Thanks. They can make a cute couple at times.

Love Zoe holding on to Steve on TOT. And too funny about the woman on the other side of him.

It was definitely another memory for them both.

Your drawings of Olaf are great!

Thanks! I really enjoy doing that class. And to think... it wasn't that long ago (I believe) I was in awe of your drawings and saying I had to try that class. (wasn't it on one of your TR's? )

 

[KatMark]

Thanks! I really enjoy doing that class. And to think... it wasn't that long ago (I believe) I was in awe of your drawings and saying I had to try that class. (wasn't it on one of your TR's? )

It could have been. The first time we did it, we drew Donald and mine turned out pretty darn good (Mark's looked like....I don't know what, but definitely not Donald!).

 

[annmarieda]

After Steve and Zoe rode ToT, we left the park. We rode the bus back to POR.

We then drove to AKL. We had dinner reservations at Boma.

When we arrived, Kira and Josh were already there.

I have found that I tolerate Boma quite well before a race. There are lean protein options and lots of rice and grain options.


That soup is sooo good! I don't do scallops normally, but I can handle them in that soup.

After dinner, we left Alex and Zoe with Kira and Josh. Zoe would be spending the night with Kira. Alex would stay out with them to allow us to get to sleep early.

The kids went to MK for the evening.






Steve and I took the car and the plan was to head back to POR to get some rest. It was early evening though and neither of us were tired. (gee sleeping in and then taking it easy all day didn't wear us out? ) So as we approached the turn to go to POR and I was in the wrong lane AND no one would let me in (thus taking us toward DTD) we decided we could go take a peak at the outlet store.

Only, I couldn't remember exactly where it was. Siri was not as helpful as I would have liked. Or maybe, perhaps it was my husband's request. Outlets? Well, turns out that the one we wanted - the one with the Character Warehouse, was not the only outletmall. So the first one we went to he insisted was the only one. Let me offer a bit of advice, after dark... do NOT go to this other outlet mall. I am pretty sure that scary things were happening in bushes around that mall. We stayed IN the car despite the fact we both now really really needed a restroom.

Back on the road, we did find the right mall. We found the restroom first and then the Adidas store. I was so disappointed to find that the Adidas store didn't have my shoes at any lower price than what they normally sell for retail. Finally, we found the store we had been meaning to go to. We shopped a bit before deciding that we really should head back and go to bed. I paid for my treasure I had found. (an iphone cover for just $5!) Then we drove back to POR. (taking far less time to get back than it took us to get there.)

Once back to the room, we began to get our race gear ready. Alex decided to come back to the room before we were even in bed. He got some of his things out as I was trying to get my stuff together. He laid his suitcase on the floor behind me. Since I now was in a rush to get to bed, I did not see it when I turned quickly to walk in the direction behind me. I hit my foot on the edge of his suitcase and went down.. I managed to put my hand out directly in front of me just in time to block the floor from hitting my face. (I went down that hard and that quick ) What I didn't block from impact though (aside from my hands) was my leg and shins. Since my foot had hit the case... my leg came down hard on it. I was laughing so hard because of how ridiculous it was that I fell that I didn't get too upset or worried over my leg. My leg and knee sadly were tweaked a bit.

Steve and I finally both had our stuff together and I was in bed by 11pm. Not the 8pm to pm that I had hoped for. Alex then decided to remain up for a while... on his computer. I managed to doze while he was up. Steve not so much. Then finally he went to bed around 1am. (I think Steve finally told him enough was enough) At that point though, Alex had really come down with whatever bug we all would end up catching. He coughed and hacked all night.. keeping Steve awake until he finally slept on the floor. (not sure why he didn't climb into bed with me... it isn't like we don't normally share a bed )

After a fall and getting so little sleep the previous few nights, I didn't have high hopes for the race the next morning.

Next Up: 1/11 - Donald Half/Epcot Part 1

 

[annmarieda]

The plan was...

Wake
Breakfast at Riverside Mill
Bus to MK
Rope Drop MK
Space Mountain
Stay in Tomorrowland
Winnie the Pooh
Lunch at Columbia Harbor House
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Stay in Frontierland
Bus to AK
Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade
Bus to AKL
Dinner at Boma
Bus to AK
Ann and Steve Bus to POR
Get Ready for Race (including getting bagels for the next morning)
Ann and Steve Bed
Zoe stays with Kira at her resort
Alex comes back to POR to sleep.

What we did was...

Wake (late)
Bus to DHS
Star Tours
Snack/coffee at WS
Lunch at SR
Alex and Zoe RnR
Animation Academy
Bus to POR
Car to AKL
Dinner at Boma
Drive to outlet mall.
Drive back to POR
Get Ready for Race (including getting bagels for the next morning)
Alex comes back to POR to sleep.
Ann and Steve Bed
Zoe stays with Kira at her resort

That day was VERY different from the original plan. For the most part, I am ok to go with the flow. I just think this may not have been the best day to do that.

 

[eandesmom]

After Steve and Zoe rode ToT, we left the park. We rode the bus back to POR.

We then drove to AKL. We had dinner reservations at Boma.

When we arrived, Kira and Josh were already there.

I have found that I tolerate Boma quite well before a race. There are lean protein options and lots of rice and grain options.

YUM! That looks incredibly yummy

Once back to the room, we began to get our race gear ready. Alex decided to come back to the room before we were even in bed. He got some of his things out as I was trying to get my stuff together. He laid his suitcase on the floor behind me. Since I now was in a rush to get to bed, I did not see it when I turned quickly to walk in the direction behind me. I hit my foot on the edge of his suitcase and went down.. I managed to put my hand out directly in front of me just in time to block the floor from hitting my face. (I went down that hard and that quick ) What I didn't block from impact though (aside from my hands) was my leg and shins. Since my foot had hit the case... my leg came down hard on it. I was laughing so hard because of how ridiculous it was that I fell that I didn't get too upset or worried over my leg. My leg and knee sadly were tweaked a bit.

Steve and I finally both had our stuff together and I was in bed by 11pm. Not the 8pm to pm that I had hoped for. Alex then decided to remain up for a while... on his computer. I managed to doze while he was up. Steve not so much. Then finally he went to bed around 1am. (I think Steve finally told him enough was enough) At that point though, Alex had really come down with whatever bug we all would end up catching. He coughed and hacked all night.. keeping Steve awake until he finally slept on the floor. (not sure why he didn't climb into bed with me... it isn't like we don't normally share a bed )

After a fall and getting so little sleep the previous few nights, I didn't have high hopes for the race the next morning.

Next Up: 1/11 - Donald Half/Epcot Part 1

Your outlet adventure sounds a bit nightmarish! But score on the $5 phone cover. OH I would have been MAD all around. Sleeping in would not have worked for me either and I'd have been livid if one of the E's was pulling either of those things. And they would. This is why we do not ever sleep in the same room with kids anymore, unless we absolutely have to. They are just being normal kids I get it but when you need to sleep, you need to sleep and extra people in the room make that incredibly difficult for me unless I am bone tired both body and mind.

It is not so bad on a cruise as there is a privacy curtain in between and it keeps it pretty dark, plus we stay up late so the kids crash hard too. But before an uber early morning???? Yikes. Steve slept on the floor??????????

Dude, you really need to upgrade to 1B's on a permanent basis, or just do a hotel room or studio for that first night if you arrive in the evening as it's not worth the points and one night anyone can live though. I know they suck the points up but....

Just sayin...

It's funny though, I'm reading this as I was just looking at my options for Aulani for next spring break and no matter how I slice it, I can't do 7 nights in a 1B no matter what view category I pick. Which is ok, I suspect we want 1 night in a studio anyway (or the new hotel room category which is actually my preference) but if we want a 7 night trip, we will either have to downgrade our preferred view, or do 2 nights in a hotel room. It will be interesting to see what Jeff wants.

Good sleep the night before is key. Granted, I have a total of one race to go on so far and I didn't sleep great but I can only imagine that normal nerves cause enough disturbance, then add not being in your own bed, and someone else keeping you up...UGH! I had actually thought we were just going to get up early for the 15K...if we got up at 5 and drove it's doable to make it in time. I was ok with that. I though Jeff was, why spend the money? Apparently he is NOT ok with that so we are going up the night before. In a way I didn't want to as I would generally sleep better in my own bed but he decided that being 15 minutes closer to the race start made sense so sprung for Semiahmoo so now I am totally excited!

Plus check out isn't until noon which means we can go back and shower before the drive home

Totally excited! (sorry for the hijack lol)

 

[annmarieda]

YUM! That looks incredibly yummy

It really was... and just like my post race breakfast... Boma is now a traditional last dinner before a race. I did PM when it was a buffet before the first ToT.. and it worked well too. I think in general, buffets can allow me to pick and choose what I feel up to eating. More than that though, both of these had rice that I could eat. I know pasta is often thought to be a good prerace food, but for some reason I gravitate toward rice dishes.

Your outlet adventure sounds a bit nightmarish! But score on the $5 phone cover.

It was really a bad idea on my part. I just had too much energy still to consider going back to the room. The $5 phone cover made it worth it though. Getting there though was very odd...

OH I would have been MAD all around. Sleeping in would not have worked for me either and I'd have been livid if one of the E's was pulling either of those things. And they would. This is why we do not ever sleep in the same room with kids anymore, unless we absolutely have to. They are just being normal kids I get it but when you need to sleep, you need to sleep and extra people in the room make that incredibly difficult for me unless I am bone tired both body and mind.

I think the worry of getting sleep doesn't help. I think had I not HAD to be up the next morning I may have fallen asleep and stayed asleep much easier. I stand by my though though that what really would have made it easier is making it to rope drop at MK that morning. I get saving my legs for the race and not running all over the parks. That made sense. But I needed to be tired enough to go to sleep early enough.

I had worries about Alex coming back to the room. I assumed he would stroll in and wake us. I didn't even think it would be that he would keep us up.

It is not so bad on a cruise as there is a privacy curtain in between and it keeps it pretty dark, plus we stay up late so the kids crash hard too. But before an uber early morning???? Yikes. Steve slept on the floor??????????

First off, yes.. ewe.. on the floor! Second, I am not even sure why. I guess I could see Alex was coughing and shaking the bed so that kept him up. I also know the plan was that I would sleep alone and he would too as long as Alex was out of the room. I really thought that Alex would not get back to the room until midnight or later... I guess Steve assumed that I still wanted to sleep alone. I did wake at one point and notice him on the floor next to my side of the bed. Knowing how hard it was staying asleep, I decided that since he looked like he was sound asleep I wouldn't wake him. I feel kinda bad for that, but in the end I think even though it was floor sleep it was still sleep. I am not sure either of us would have got back to sleep if he had joined me in bed.

Dude, you really need to upgrade to 1B's on a permanent basis, or just do a hotel room or studio for that first night if you arrive in the evening as it's not worth the points and one night anyone can live though. I know they suck the points up but....

Just sayin...

Seriously though... I think you are very wise. I know that it can work to have people in the room and still get sleep...but Alex in general can be a tad oblivious to what is going on around him. Steve has already balked on our January 2015 trip being in just a studio. It will just be just 3 of us, so I think it should work. Oh my gosh though... I JUST this second as I was typing that realized that we will be off to run the half and what happens with Zoe? do the services operate that early? Or maybe a 10 year old is old enough to stay in the room by herself? This definitely is going to take some thought.

It's funny though, I'm reading this as I was just looking at my options for Aulani for next spring break and no matter how I slice it, I can't do 7 nights in a 1B no matter what view category I pick. Which is ok, I suspect we want 1 night in a studio anyway (or the new hotel room category which is actually my preference) but if we want a 7 night trip, we will either have to downgrade our preferred view, or do 2 nights in a hotel room. It will be interesting to see what Jeff wants.

I was telling Steve (when he was feeling frustrated by me wanting a studio trip) that Disney gets ya... you stay in a deluxe and realize "wow, this is nice.. I want to always stay in a deluxe" So you buy DVC to accomplish this. Then you stay in a 1 bedroom and you think "wow, all this space is nice. How can I ever go back to just two beds in a room". Then you see that trips you have planned are going to not be as possible with 1 bedroom stays... So you buy more points to accomplish this.

Good sleep the night before is key. Granted, I have a total of one race to go on so far and I didn't sleep great but I can only imagine that normal nerves cause enough disturbance, then add not being in your own bed, and someone else keeping you up...UGH! I had actually thought we were just going to get up early for the 15K...if we got up at 5 and drove it's doable to make it in time. I was ok with that. I though Jeff was, why spend the money? Apparently he is NOT ok with that so we are going up the night before. In a way I didn't want to as I would generally sleep better in my own bed but he decided that being 15 minutes closer to the race start made sense so sprung for Semiahmoo so now I am totally excited!

While I can appreciate not wanting to spend the money on a room the night before just to save a little time... Semiahmoo looks so nice! We very very VERY briefly looked at it for Kira's wedding. A... too far from home and B. spendy. I bet you will have an awesome time!!!

check out isn't until noon which means we can go back and shower before the drive home

That right there is a HUGE plus. I almost would prefer somewhere to go back to after a race than somewhere to come from that is more convenient.

Totally excited! (sorry for the hijack lol)

PLEASE! Hijack away!! I am excited for you and can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

It could have been. The first time we did it, we drew Donald and mine turned out pretty darn good (Mark's looked like....I don't know what, but definitely not Donald!).

Sometimes they turn out better than others.

 

[KatMark]

I'm still on the fence about whether to book Boma for dinner, but glad it is a good meal for you before race time.

That was nice of Kira and Josh to keep Zoe overnight and let Alex hang with them for a bit.

I'm so sorry you tripped over Alex' suitcase.

How awful that he ended up sick (and eventually all of you) and kept Steve up.

 

[annmarieda]

I'm still on the fence about whether to book Boma for dinner, but glad it is a good meal for you before race time.

Boma is a fairly unique buffet. I think the food is just a bit better than other buffets.

That was nice of Kira and Josh to keep Zoe overnight and let Alex hang with them for a bit.

It was. Kira is turning out to be much more patient and compassionate than I ever thought possible. She is quite the caregiver when she wants to be. So having her take Zoe for the night went flawlessly.

I'm so sorry you tripped over Alex' suitcase.

It just shows how really... there were too many of us in that room. It was funny in some ways though because I went down... not just a stumble, but DOWN.

How awful that he ended up sick (and eventually all of you) and kept Steve up.

He was so sick almost the entire trip..yet was such a trooper. I think what we caught was the flu... as in influenza. It took forever for us all to get better.

 

[disneyhorselover]

Ah just found this, finally getting caught up!

Love the glittery magic bands and the royal rooms at POR look so cute! How did you like them?

The same thing happened when we were late to Ohana....showed up about 10-15 minutes late and the buzzer went off almost before we could sit down...is that the secret to getting in without an additional wait?