Swimming in Bay Lake, and I may dump my Disney Hating Sister in with me.

[OhMari]

Wonder why I am going to be swimming in Bay Lake?

That trip will be after I go with my 2 Disney hating sisters.

You probably wonder why?
Why would anyone go with people that hate Disney.

I'm doing it, because one my sister's son,
my nephew,
will be marching with his highschool band
at the Magic Kingdom.

So, I need some Disney Magic to turn these two
wicked step-sisters,
though they are not my step-sisters,
they are my real sisters,
(sounds better doesn't it)?
to "get it".
It.
It=The Magic of Walt Disney's World.

I already received a little bit of magic.

Peter Pan sent me an e-mail in September that I
didn't find till October,
a 25% of pin code -off any Deluxe Resort.
Made a ressie for the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

But Cinderella sent me an e-mail code for:
40% off Deluxe Villa Resorts

Read the small print and it said 35% off Deluxe.

So I played around on the WDW website and I saw that we can stay
for a lot less at
Old Key West.
But it would be a Studio.
Really not enough room.

Plugged in Poly-Garden View
and it was the same amount of money as AKL.
(This is so my dream pick).

Contemporary was a few dollars less, if we wanted the back 40.
The back 40 rooms at the Contemporary-look exactly as stated as
the back 40-. If I am going to stay at the Contemporary-I would want to
see the Magic Kingdom-that is for another day, and lots more dollars.

I started reading about the Yacht Club,
and it said you can get one King bed with a pull out coach,
or 2 queens and a pull out coach.
That would mean, no one had to share a bed.
We don't mind sharing,
but if you can get your own bed, why not.

So I brought the Yacht club up on my screen,
and saw it was the same amount of money
for what we had at the AKL.

I called the number on my e-mail confirmed ressie--
I figured I should cancel, before I make a new ressie.

I called today, Sunday,
free long distance, and free minutes.
love cell phones.


A CM answered right away without all the automated choices.

First thing I said,

"I have a ressie, but a new pin code."

Pin Code for 35% off.

Got a great CM-

CM said to me,
"Hello computer, we have a hot red guest on the phone,
let's do our magic."

We did all the exchanges of info and he asked for my new pin.

CM told me how much more I am saving--
and I told him,
nope, I am moving.
I said I am on the web page and I was going to book online,
and he yellled-- STOP~~~~

"I hope you didn't do it yet",
"Um, no I didn't, I am just looking at the cost."
Then the cm said,
"I can transfer everything for you, and you don't need a new down-payment."

Cool-so that is what they did in the new upgrading.



I booked our flights, and I will add more in the next post,
like this isn't enough in this post.

Here is a picture of us a few years ago,
when I was paying my dues.
I chaperoned when my kids marched in the band at WDW-The Magic Kingdom.
I met up with my sisters that day at The Magic Kingdom.

I'll try to find a more updated photo.

 

[lovealldisney]

Hi OhMari!

I'm in! Can't wait to read all about your plans. I hope your sisters finally get IT!

 

[OhMari]

Hi OhMari!

I'm in! Can't wait to read all about your plans. I hope your sisters finally get IT!

So do I.
It is going to be a mountanious task.

 

[OhMari]

I thought I better explain swimming in Bay Lake.


I am training for Trek's mini Tri-athalon.
The event is Labor Day weekend,
at WDW.
I want to do Trek's, because it is my birthday that weekend too.
What a way to celebrate turning 50.
Achieving a goal and spending it at the happiest place on earth.

When I told my Dr. what I wanted to do,
he told me to loose 50 lbs. and then really re-consider .
Nice guy.

I've always exercised and took classes at the YMCA
and other work out centers.
But a year ago, I decided this was something I really wanted to do.

So, I stepped on a tread-mill and found out I had no idea how to run.
I couldn't even run a minute without dying.
But a year has gone buy and I can do the 5K under 45 minutes.
Trek's recommendation is to do your miles under 16 minutes a piece.

I have to swim 1/2 mile
Bike 12 miles
and run 3.2 miles, which is a 5k.

I swam all summer in our local pool,
which is a sand bottom, and is pretty wavy,
so I am confident about my swimming.
This winter I am swimming my laps at least once a week at my YMCA.
Next summer I will resume my laps at the outdoor pool.

I work on running at least twice a week.
I do the elliptic machine at least twice a week for 45 minutes.

The bike part is hurting my back.
I'm not going to worry about biking right now.
I am building up my endurance with weight class 3 times a week.
Step once a week. Cardio Jam twice a week.


I put the 3 elements together last week,
and my legs felt like noodles when I was finished.

So, that is why I'll be swimming in Bay Lake.

The swimming portion is at Camp Wilderness.

The biking portion is around the campground and to the Wilderness Lodge.

The running trail is around the Campground and to and from Wilderness Lodge too.

I made our ressies's and we are staying at the Campground in the Cabins.
With free dining.

My dd's are coming with me, and so is my dh.
If the boys decide to come, the cabins are suppose to sleep 6.
Things may change yet, but that is the plan so far.


I plan on doing the Trek tri-athalon in August at Pleasant Prairie in Illinois, plus doing it again in September in Florida.

In Florida, me and the girls may split the segment up, and each one of us, can do a portion of the race. The race in Florida is suppose to be for my birthday and to have fun.
So I would probably do the swimming,
my oldest would do the biking,
and my youngest dd would run.
This is still undecided and I will have to see how my back does this summer on my bike.

 

[OhMari]

Wow, I really understand how members loose track of Trip reports and pre-trip reports.
I'm even having a hard time doing my "moderating duties".

I'm trying to get to the YMCA each day and sticking with my training.
I'm even being sabatoged there too.
The other day at step-class, the music wouldn't play for the instructor, and she fiddled with the system during each song, which lasted 5 minutes each time. I felt like I barely sweated.


Update with my Sister vacation.
I keep watching airline flights.
I posted way back when, that I already had issues.

DELTA--(which means "DOESN'T EVEN LEAVE THE AIRPORT)"
has already cancelled one leg of our flight.
I'm glad I check them each day.
Since they moved our flight time to later,
it meant we didn't have time to catch our connecting
flight to Savannah.
So they moved us to a much later flight.
I agreed at first, and we would be getting into Savannah around
8:00 p.m. in the evening.
Then I got to thinking-
"I don't want to wait around all day and not eat"-stomach issues
So, when I got to work, I called "DELTA"
and I was able to switch our flights,
and we will be leaving O'Hare ate 6:00 a.m. and should be in Savannah by 11:00 a.m.
Much better and a whole vacation day is not shot, sitting in an airport.


Now I have to go online and change our car rental.
I was picking up our vehicle at 4:00 p.m.
Our drop off at Disney's Car Care would of been 4:00 p.m.
I have to switch the times, and we are going to have to get to WDW
a lot earlier.
My sisters are going to love this one.

I should also go online today and pick out a resturant for our first evening.
I booked O'Hana's, but I also booked it for the day we are at the MK. I thought it would be a nice break, before the parade in the evening.
So any suggestions where to eat around the Boardwalk area?
No-buffets, my sister hates Buffets.

 

[nebo]

Hello Marissa, I have a dumb question;
When are you going?
And do I have to worry about running into my moderator when I'm there?

 

[OhMari]

Hello Marissa, I have a dumb question;
When are you going?
And do I have to worry about running into my moderator when I'm there?

My sisters are driving me crazy, I don't even know what day I am getting there. But I know I made a ressie at the Yacht Club for March 30th. We are flying out of O'hare March 27th 6:00 a.m. Thinking about staying at the airport hotel the nite before. How far away is the bar where Smidgy works?

And I am going back for my birthday to run the Mini-Tri-athalon over Labor Day weekend. Finally booked the Free Dining. I feel like I've been a missing out at that little perk for way to many years now.

 

[bumbershoot]

And do I have to worry about running into my moderator when I'm there?

(I once got a ride from LAX to DLR from a mod on the Disneyland forum. )



OhMari, hopefully your sisters will be good and you won't have to have all sorts of pesky questions from the police department when the sisters go missing on a boat ride.

Boardwalk food...Kouzzina?

-Molly aka mollyeilis on SR

 

[OhMari]

(I once got a ride from LAX to DLR from a mod on the Disneyland forum. )



OhMari, hopefully your sisters will be good and you won't have to have all sorts of pesky questions from the police department when the sisters go missing on a boat ride.

Boardwalk food...Kouzzina?

-Molly aka mollyeilis on SR

Kouzzina sounds good, but I've been reading some disappointing reviews. I think the food is a little too exotic.

I am giving my sisters Disney gift cards from Sunshine's that I earned. With 7 survey's a day, it is easier to earn money now. I'm going to pay for most of the TS meals too. I have over $600 and I'll probably cash out for another $200 before I leave.

 

[podsnel]

Hey there Ms Moderator! A lot of my friends do Tris- I am in awe of ALL of you!! That's incredible!! So...you're staying at the Yacht Club now? Excellent- love it there (well, when I'm at the BCV, anyway). Some VERY VERY helpful CMs there- they hunted down a phone charger for me (I had left mine at home- they looked in 3 different places for me until they found one I could take on the cruise). One was Grace, the other one was Theresa. I hope you come across them- please say hi from the woman who was so excited to get a phone charger! That was just last month. Great place.

 

[OhMari]

Hey there Ms Moderator! A lot of my friends do Tris- I am in awe of ALL of you!! That's incredible!! So...you're staying at the Yacht Club now? Excellent- love it there (well, when I'm at the BCV, anyway). Some VERY VERY helpful CMs there- they hunted down a phone charger for me (I had left mine at home- they looked in 3 different places for me until they found one I could take on the cruise). One was Grace, the other one was Theresa. I hope you come across them- please say hi from the woman who was so excited to get a phone charger! That was just last month. Great place.

I heard each resort keeps phone chargers that people leave behind. I just wish they were universal, like remotes for tv's. I have so many different one's laying around my house. I should take them along and donate them.
Thanks for the thumbsup with Yacht Club. They guaranteed us 2 queen beds and a pull out. I think by the time we check-in, I'll want my own bed, even though it is the pull-out.

 

[OhMari]

Haven't posted in awhile.

Nothing to new, but I convinced my sisters to stay an extra day.
I didn't want to come home on Saturday,
because we really had no "rest day".

I want Friday to be a wind-down day.
I want to do something really fun and different.
PrincessV took her little guy over to Camp Wilderness and
shot some bows and arrows.
When we were in highschool, we did this
and we all remember it fondly.
That would be fun.
My older sister is a huge golfer-I used to be-but I don't find time---
that would be fun.
Sitting by the pool-drinking and relaxing and then going to
Disney Studios for awhile and watching Fantasmic on Friday
would be fun too.
My sister would be able to say good-bye to her son
before he heads home on the bus-
which is going to take 24 hours.

This trip sort of took a back burner.

Me and my dh are taking 3 of our kids
to visit their sister in Arizona.
"Merry Christmas".
I told everyone no presents this year.
This is their presents to each other.
Spending time together on a vacation.

We are spending a day in Phoenix and work our way
to the Grand Canyon.
My dd said it is really cold up there, so it is
going to be a stop on the way to Vegas.
Spending 2 days in Vegas and then driving
back to spend Christmas Eve and Day with our dd again.
She has to work those 2 days.

 

[podsnel]

Sounds like a great way to spend Christmas! Very happy for you- getting to add another day to Disney!

 

[OhMari]

Sounds like a great way to spend Christmas! Very happy for you- getting to add another day to Disney!

I'm excited too-I always wanted to take a vacation over Christmas. Our youngest turns 21 in February-and she is wondering if she should take her fake ID. Like that is going to work, when the rest of us are the "Griswolds"-(you know what I mean) and why do I know my dd has a fake ID. My dh really wanted to go the 2nd week in January to see the Jackson-Barrett Car auction. But hotels are literally sold out.


WDW-The extra day is costing me $75 and my sisters $33 a piece. I had the cheaper airline ticket. I hope Southwest lowers their rates. It is real easy to get a credit with their site. And you don't have to pay any change fee.

 

[OhMari]

86 more days.
I didn't realize I was under the double digit dance.

Hopefully with the New Year, my sisters will want to do some planning.


Me and my dh took our family to Phoenix for Christmas.

It was so nice, not having to worry about shopping,
wrapping presents,
decorating.
We actually did not get a tree this year.

While we were in Phoenix, we had great weather
and every day the Weather channel said Phoenix was the
"hot spot of the day".
It was 75-78 everyday.

We climbed Camel Back Mountain,
went to Sadona, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Vegas.


Flew with Frontier for the first time.
My 3 kids got bumped up to Stretch Seating in Row 3.
I don't know how that happened, but I wasn't going to question it.
Me and my dh were in row 8 in an isle seat each.
When I checked me and my dh in, it asked me if I wanted to upgrade to stretch seating for $50 a piece.
Now how did my kids get it for free and I had to pay for it.

I kept our seats, and waved at my kids up in row 3.
I had free tv and they didn't.
We did have to ask the flight attendant though to scan our tv's.
We got missed when the other flight attendant was activating everyone's.

We flew home AirTran and they had free WiFi for Christmas.
My dh got me an IPad, after he got a new TV.
Airtran let you be on line for 45 minutes, then they kicked you off.
But it said it gives second chances and it asked for another e-mail account.
I just kept giving my same e-mail. My boys were using all their friends, thinking it needed new e-mails.

I hate the new policy that jets are flying slower to save on jet fuel.
The trip out to Phoenix took over 4 hours.
On the way home it took only 3-Good Tail Winds.


Anyways, I am more excited for my trip next Labor Day. I was looking for airline tickets and Frontier had some today for $96 one way. Southwest hasn't opened yet, nor AirTran. Hopefully tickets won't be as expensive as Spring Break. SouthWest is still at $288 one way home. Nuts.

 

[AlternateEgo]

Sounds like you have been busy!!

How exciting for your first tri-athalon!

I was reading your pretrip and got sidetracked with the information that frontier had their airfare rates out for September just not late September, lol

 

[OhMari]

Sounds like you have been busy!!

How exciting for your first tri-athalon!

I was reading your pretrip and got sidetracked with the information that frontier had their airfare rates out for September just not late September, lol

Thanks for reading. I am excited for the Tri-athalon.
I really want to do all 3 elements at the Tri-athalon in Pleasant Prairie IL. I wish that one was held in May and not August. I am thinking of splitting up the one in Orlando with my dd's. I would swim, my one dd would bike and my youngest would do the running. I could join her in the run.



While we were on vacation, we stayed pretty active with walking and hiking.
When we got home, I went to our YMCA on Monday and came in 2 minutes quicker on my 3.1 mile run. I'm going through a germaphobic stage again, and I'm getting grossed out with the pool at the Y and some of the equipment. I have to get over it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi Marisa, haven't posted yet but have been following along on your PTR. Yes, we are in double digits now...I almost missed it too with school and everything. All I know is that I am ready to go NOW. I can't believe winter break is almost over but the good thing is that the next big break from school will be spring break. Woo hoo! Anyways...

That is awesome you got to go to AZ. We went a couple years ago (mostly for Brewers spring training, haha). I saw the pic of you guys on Camelback Mountain on facebook. I remember seeing it but we didn't climb it. Jealous about the Grand Canyon! That must've been neat.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm joining in too! All your training is completely inspiring. Wow! I dream of even doing a 5k, but I have hardly any discipline.

Sounds like you had a great holiday!

 

[OhMari]

Here is my top pictures of our vacation.
My family didn't like me taking pictues,
but they all down loaded "my" pictures for their collection.

Camel Back Mountain in Phoenix/Scottsdale actually AZ.

Waiting for our "Dam tour" at Hoover Dam.

Bellagio in Vegas.
The dancing waters just finished. It was my highite of Vegas.
Plus we watched "The Pawn Stars" tape.

The Grand Canyon brought tears to my eyes. It truly is over whelming.