The Darling Family Takes on Marathon Weekend: Jan at the Boardwalk Villas

[ellajeansmom]

First of all, on finishing the marathon... CONGRATULATIONS!!!
That is an amazing accomplishment and you have every right to be proud of yourself and let people know it!

My DD Jean is very jealous of your meeting with Phineas and Ferb as she is a huge fan - we're hoping they will still be doing their meet 'n greet in Nov.

Your DH is such a good sport, showing up at so many places to cheer you on and then doing all the pedalling on the surrey bike when he had just run his own race the day before

Your drawings were all great. It is hard for the younger kids - DD Ella got behind when she and DH did the class and ended up in tears, but she is also a perfectionist and expected hers to look like the instructor's

I hope you don't get too soaked in that rain.

 

[Stefy]

Great DHS day although a shame about the rain.

Awesome PP pic, never seen that kind of shot before

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I love all the pics of the Mickeys!!! I guessed right! I wonder where you went? Little Mermaid show maybe or One Man's Dream???

 

[dismagiclover]

You should show Michael my Tigger drawing...he'll feel so much better about his Mickey! I think everyone did a great job....I love doing that!

That picture of Peter Pan is gorgeous.....

Keeping my fingers crossed that you didn't get soaked

I did show Michael your Tigger drawing and I think it helped The drawing class is a really fun activity.

I was behind an update or two (or maybe three) but I'm all caught up again. I laughed out loud at your surrey bike story and your hubby having to push the bike. We almost had to do the same thing when we rented one at the CBR. The hill was steep and we were pedaling with all our might too. It did make for great memories.

We've never eaten at Biergarten because I'm afraid that my picky eaters wouldn't find anything they'd like. But, after seeing your pictures of the buffet, I may just have to reconsider.

It sounds like your day at Hollywood Studios started off pretty darn well but I'm worried about those darkening skies. Tell Michael that he should see some of the drawings that I've done in the Animation Studios and he'd change his mind about how critical he was of his.

You took a picture of the Peter Pan painting too! I wish I had the money to buy one of the paintings in the shop there at Hollywood Studios. I could go spend happy there.

I think your family could find something to like at Biergarten. John is a very picky eater and he did just fine. I actually thought of you when I saw that painting. In fact it was your trip report that made my pay attention to the paintings in there. Good thing I didn't buy anything or my wallet would have been cursing you

First of all, on finishing the marathon... CONGRATULATIONS!!!
That is an amazing accomplishment and you have every right to be proud of yourself and let people know it!

My DD Jean is very jealous of your meeting with Phineas and Ferb as she is a huge fan - we're hoping they will still be doing their meet 'n greet in Nov.

Your DH is such a good sport, showing up at so many places to cheer you on and then doing all the pedalling on the surrey bike when he had just run his own race the day before

Your drawings were all great. It is hard for the younger kids - DD Ella got behind when she and DH did the class and ended up in tears, but she is also a perfectionist and expected hers to look like the instructor's

I hope you don't get too soaked in that rain.

Thank yoiu! Rumor is Phinieas and Ferb are coming to the parks this summer so they will probably be there in November. I wonder how long the lines will be. My DH was so supportive of me that day. He's a great guy I didn't even think about how the Animation Studio might be a problem for Michael until we were sitting down waiting for it to start. It worked out OK though. He can watch himself improve over the years

Great DHS day although a shame about the rain.

Awesome PP pic, never seen that kind of shot before

This was really the only storm of the trip so I can't complain. Very different from our summer trips where it rains every afternoon.

I love all the pics of the Mickeys!!! I guessed right! I wonder where you went? Little Mermaid show maybe or One Man's Dream???

You did guess right! I was going to mention that was a really good guess in my last reply, but I forgot. As far as where we're off to next . . . it is very close to Toy Story Mania.

 

[LKMang]

Hi! Coming out of lurkdom to say you are awesome and your trip report is so fun to read! I love what you wrote about becoming a marathoner! It is such an amazing accomplishment. I’m just starting my journey and it really gives me hope and makes me wanna keep going when I read about how other people can actually do this!

Your family is so cute! And I also think I would run a marathon just to meet Phineas and Ferb! Really hoping they are in the parks when we go in December.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Congratulations Marathoner!!!! Such an inspiration!!!!!

Love all your photos. You looked so great in all your race photos. Love all the photos of the Darling Family with their medals.

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

I'm all caught up! What an awesome race report. I love the pictures, especially the one of you in front of mile marker 9. You look so happy and excited to be there! I can't even imagine how sore you must have been the next morning. You're a trooper for getting up and going park touring! I just booked my room for the Wine and Dine half! Are you going to do that one? I was thinking how fun it would be for the bunch of us to do that race together! Let me know what you think!

 

[dismagiclover]

Hi! Coming out of lurkdom to say you are awesome and your trip report is so fun to read! I love what you wrote about becoming a marathoner! It is such an amazing accomplishment. I’m just starting my journey and it really gives me hope and makes me wanna keep going when I read about how other people can actually do this!

Your family is so cute! And I also think I would run a marathon just to meet Phineas and Ferb! Really hoping they are in the parks when we go in December.

Thank you so much! I'm glad you made it out of lurkdom! You really can do this running thing! So much of it is mental. And rumor is Phineas and Ferb will be out in the parks soon.

Congratulations Marathoner!!!! Such an inspiration!!!!!

Love all your photos. You looked so great in all your race photos. Love all the photos of the Darling Family with their medals.

Thank you! We really did get some great pictures this trip!

I'm all caught up! What an awesome race report. I love the pictures, especially the one of you in front of mile marker 9. You look so happy and excited to be there! I can't even imagine how sore you must have been the next morning. You're a trooper for getting up and going park touring! I just booked my room for the Wine and Dine half! Are you going to do that one? I was thinking how fun it would be for the bunch of us to do that race together! Let me know what you think!

Welcome back! It was such a great race! I don't quite know how I feel about the Wine and Dine. I don't like working out at night and this race starts so late. Plus the whole thing is in the dark. I'm definitely doing the January half next year. I already have a reservation at BLT. I wasn't considering the wine and dine, but you've got me thinking about it.

 

[dismagiclover]

We were being forced out of the TSM ride into a torrential downpour. I told everyone to run as fast as they could across the way. This was a chance to visit some old friends.

There were two men behind us that followed us to the meet 'n greet. I’m just guessing here, but I think this was an unplanned stop for them. I don’t think they even knew where they were going; they were just following. I didn’t mind meeting Buzz and Woody one bit. There was a time long ago when Buzz was John’s very favorite. Here are a couple of shots from his first time meeting his hero.

It had been quite a while though since my kids had any interest in these guys. I'd kind of missed them though. The wait was pretty short though we did manage to get this picture in the queue.

Can you tell he is a little wet? And that is from just running across the street. Here we are greeting our long lost pals.

The guys were in great moods. I complimented them on their latest film. Toy Story 3 is one of my current favorites. Buzz insisted that he was better than Woody in the film. I reluctantly agreed. (I mean he did some great comedic work what with the whole Spanish thing.) However, I reassured Woody that Toy Story 2 was his mea culpa. They both liked me so much they insisted I join them for a picture which of course forced DH to join to so we could get a family shot.

See Woody did like me. That guy is very tall. So after this fun diversion we were once again being forced out into the downpour. DH suggested we buy some ponchos. He insisted that would be the best way to make the rain stop. I was a bit hesitant because the ponchos are $7 each. If you are good at math you realize that would cost the Darling Family $35. However, I reluctantly agreed because I wanted the rain to stop. So we darted out of the meet ‘n greet to the little covered shop next door where we bought our Mickey ponchos. As I browsed around the store I saw the perfect shirt for our darling Michael.

It says, “Don’t make me put on my angry eyes.“ Michael, however, didn’t thing it was perfect. He didn’t think it was funny at all and proceeded to give me his angry eyes. (Which I didn’t take a picture of because Michael can be volatile at times.) So we didn’t buy the shirt. It was $18 or something like that and I’d just spent $35 on ponchos. Plus Michael swore he would never wear it. So we all donned our ponchos and headed out into the rain. DH’s plan kind of worked. The rain was now just a light shower. There was something I wanted to do before we left the park. I led my clan over to Starring Rolls so that we could procure these jewels.

Don’t those look lovely? They tasted just as good as they look. No one was hungry at the moment so the CM packed them up for us. We headed for the exit, but the kids mentioned they’d never been in any of the shops on Hollywood Boulevard. So I figured we would remedy that situation. We headed into one of the shops and they mostly had just the normal stuff. There was one thing I saw that I wanted.

This is the last frame I needed to complete my frame collection for every park. I must say this one is the best too. At this store they had a different spend so much buy this thing deal. So they got me to buy this bag as well. (I'm such a sucker.)

After this we once again headed to the exit. On the way out we stopped for a family shot in front of the hat. Here we are in our newly acquired wardrobe.

I was worried that the boat back to the resort wouldn’t be running because of the storm. It was drizzling enough that we didn’t want to walk back. Luckily though the boat was docked waiting for us. This was another moment where I would not forget yesterday’s race. Normally if the boat was waiting for us we would all run to make sure we caught it. Well everyone else in the Darling Family ran. I hobbled rather slowly and felt bad about keeping everyone waiting. I made it though. It was a pleasant boat ride back to the Boardwalk. I like this boat much better when it is not summer. In the summer it is hot, stinky and crowded. Once we were back to the room, the kids settled in to work on their homework a bit. We’d talked about miniature golfing this day, but the weather wasn’t cooperating. So we spent a few leisurely hours in our spacious villa. We still had the evening ahead though.

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

I love that your husbands way to stop the rain is to spend money on ponchos! It's so true though!
I don't work out at night either but I'm sure I would get more rest before a night race than I would if I had to get up at 3 am. We'd be able to have a nice dinner together and do some park touring the night before and sleep in late on race day! It would be so much fun!! I mentioned it to Carrissa too.

 

[Shannon84]

Even though it rained on you guys...it still looks like you had a lot of fun!! I love the picture of you guys with the ponchos on but holding out your medals

All of your Mickey drawings look much better than anything I have done in that class...it is tough even with instructions for some adults

 

[dismagiclover]

I love that your husbands way to stop the rain is to spend money on ponchos! It's so true though!
I don't work out at night either but I'm sure I would get more rest before a night race than I would if I had to get up at 3 am. We'd be able to have a nice dinner together and do some park touring the night before and sleep in late on race day! It would be so much fun!! I mentioned it to Carrissa too.

I saw you mentioned it on Carissa's thread! I can't commit at the moment, but I am thinking about it!

Even though it rained on you guys...it still looks like you had a lot of fun!! I love the picture of you guys with the ponchos on but holding out your medals

All of your Mickey drawings look much better than anything I have done in that class...it is tough even with instructions for some adults

I like Florida rainstorms. They are just so extreme though lightning makes me pretty nervous these days. That picture of us in our ponchos and holding our medals is the picture I have in the Hollywood Studios frame. So obviously I like it too.

 

[carissanboys]

Those cupcakes look delicious! Love the picture of you guys wearing your ponchos and showing off your medals. So cute! And that is an awesome frame.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

great update and I love all the buys!!!!

I always buy a poncho and then it stops raining! I bought one in Dec for when it rained and never even wore it bc the rain stopped by the time I was done shopping and buying the poncho!! Can't wait to see what the night brings!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Oh, you did two of my favorite things at HS...animation academy and Sci-Fi! My youngest DD7 got sooo frustrated with the drawing but in her defense, we had to draw Flynn Rider from Tangled and he was kinda hard to draw!

Love the photopass pics of you guys in your ponchos too! You all look so cute together!

The family shot of you all with Buzz & Woody is fabulous! I loved Toy Story 3 as well, it made a tad teary-eyed at the end for some reason. Maybe it was how Andy had moved from boyhood to adulthood and it made me realize that all too soon my own kids will be there too! Ugh, that makes me feel all weepy again!

Ok, what kind of cupcakes were those beauties? They look scrumptious!

So Michael has those angry eyes too? And here I thought only my youngest DD had them!

Great updates! Love that you're still wearing that medal, I would've too and only taken if off to shower!

 

[dismagiclover]

Those cupcakes look delicious! Love the picture of you guys wearing your ponchos and showing off your medals. So cute! And that is an awesome frame.

That is the picture I put in that frame! It looks great!

great update and I love all the buys!!!!

I always buy a poncho and then it stops raining! I bought one in Dec for when it rained and never even wore it bc the rain stopped by the time I was done shopping and buying the poncho!! Can't wait to see what the night brings!

I'm glad to know we aren't the only ones the poncho trick works for

Oh, you did two of my favorite things at HS...animation academy and Sci-Fi! My youngest DD7 got sooo frustrated with the drawing but in her defense, we had to draw Flynn Rider from Tangled and he was kinda hard to draw!

Love the photopass pics of you guys in your ponchos too! You all look so cute together!

The family shot of you all with Buzz & Woody is fabulous! I loved Toy Story 3 as well, it made a tad teary-eyed at the end for some reason. Maybe it was how Andy had moved from boyhood to adulthood and it made me realize that all too soon my own kids will be there too! Ugh, that makes me feel all weepy again!

Ok, what kind of cupcakes were those beauties? They look scrumptious!

So Michael has those angry eyes too? And here I thought only my youngest DD had them!

Great updates! Love that you're still wearing that medal, I would've too and only taken if off to shower!

I didn't just get teary eyed at the end of TS3. I cried like a baby! The cupcakes were a marble swirl thing I think. So yummy! Michael definitely has angry eyes! Nice to know he is not alone. You will see plenty more of that medal. I don't think there is another picture where I don't have it on.

 

[dismagiclover]

OK so my memories of this evening are a little sketchy. I think I was super tired and still recovering from the race. We had no ADR for this evening so the plan was to head over and eat at my favorite CS in Epcot. We walked over and went straight to Morocco. I was obviously not thinking about my upcoming trip report because I have no pictures of us in Morocco. After dinner the boys starting talking about buying a Duffy pin they had seen in the store at the International Gateway entrance. (I told you they are obsessed with Duffy.) If I remember it seems like there was some grumpiness this evening from several members of the Darling clan (who shall remain nameless, but when you hear Grumpy and Darling the 6 year old is probably involved.) We began walking back toward the store. I was feeling a bit sad that we wouldn’t really do anything but eat in Epcot this night. Then as we walked over the bridge after France I remembered something I’d wanted to do this trip. I had never seen the movie in France and now seemed like a fabulous time. So I announced I was heading that way. The boys groaned and DH said he would take them to get their pins. Wendy happily agreed to go with me. So Wendy and I headed to France where we enjoyed the movie. Beautiful music and some really lovely shots of the countryside of France. Plus I told Wendy she could count this as her learning experience of the day. After we exited the movie I was surprised to see two blond boys I know sitting at the Kidcot station. I’d assumed they would just head back to the hotel, but instead they decided to come over and do some Duffy coloring. (I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. It involved Duffy.) Wendy joined in.

Here is one of the newly acquired Duffy pins.

DH also decided to buy a Conservation pin which surprised me a bit because he isn’t a pin collector.

While the boys were still working on their Duffy coloring, Wendy did some browsing around the shop. Unlike the boys, she hadn’t really bought much this trip so she still had plenty of spending money. Here she is looking French.

This is what she finally bought.

The boys eventually finished up with their Duffy’s. Here is a shot of all of the Darling children.

I now felt like we had actually done enough that we could head out of the park. It was a pleasant walk back to the Boardwalk and we saw this guy entertaining the crowd.

We just caught the tail end of the show, but it was still fun. As we walked by the hair wrap place I noticed it was open. I thought this was something Wendy would love. So much of what we do at Disney seems to focus around the boys because there are two of them and one of them is a bit temperamental. (I don’t think I need to mention names here.) So I suggested to Wendy that we try this out. She thought it was fabulous idea. We sent the boys back to the room and headed to the hair wrap stand. I asked the lady all kinds of questions about it. Things like will it bug her when she sleeps? Will she be able to still put her hair in a bun for ballet class? How long will it take? (I looked very surprised when she answered only about 15 minutes.) How long will it last? How will she wash her hair with it in? The woman patiently answered my questions, but both her and Wendy gave me a few strange looks. I finally realized she wasn’t going to get her whole head put into wraps, just one strand of hair. I told Wendy this later and we had a good laugh at my stupidity. Anyway, here she is getting the wrap.

Here is the final result.

Wendy was very happy with it and kept it in for well over a month. By this point I was ready for bed. Even though I wasn’t as tired as the previous day, I was definitely still feeling the residual effects from the race. So we headed back to the room and all settled in for another night of Disney Dreams.

 

[DizGirl20]

So I finally got caught up on the ending to your journey... can I just say that you are such an inspiration!

I just started running myself (last month) with the goal to run a Disney Half. Your comment about now wanting to run when it was cold and snowy outside... that's how I feel today. But you have inspired me to get off the computer and get outside this morning. So that is where I am heading right now! I am always amazed at how generous people are on these boards for taking the time to share their stories. It must take a lot of work to write and post your pictures. THANK YOU! Looking forward to the next one!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Your night sounds great! I'm actually a little envious b/c I plan things out so much that sometimes I forget to just slow down and enjoy the little things and go with the flow more. The hair wraps are fun, my dd's friend got one on our first trip, but my dd wouldn't have it...she didn't want anyone to touch her hair! Her friend loved it though and it lasted a long time.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a nice way to "wrap up" the evening. Sorry, could help myself. I'm a dork. Seriously, it did look like you had a lovely evening. I know I would have been just like you and would have had to do something in the park too.

Lacey got her hair wrapped many moons ago and I asked the same questions you did. I guess it's the Mom in us.