*ThE FiVe LeGgEd GoAt VaCaTiOn GIRLS ONLY TRIP! *8/27*THE END*

[Queenofallthings]

No it won't and we'll probably be wishing it was cooler!

I just noticed your ticker! Animal Kingdom Lodge?! How wonderful!!

Isn't that the truth...I remember in August saying I can't imagine ever being cold here....and in January I was saying I wish it was August

Yes AKL....with my sis and her family in a 2 bedroom villa for 2 weeks and then I'm contemplating doing what we did last year and Jasmine and I staying for another week at one of the All Stars. We will wait and see how it all works. My sis and her hubby bought into DVC 2 summers ago and purchased enough points for 2 weeks in a 2 bedroom villa so that Jasmine and I could always join them on their trips....I have a wonderful family and feel truly blesssed.

Will you guys be going around that time again next year

 

[dawnbu40]

Isn't that the truth...I remember in August saying I can't imagine ever being cold here....and in January I was saying I wish it was August

Yes AKL....with my sis and her family in a 2 bedroom villa for 2 weeks and then I'm contemplating doing what we did last year and Jasmine and I staying for another week at one of the All Stars. We will wait and see how it all works. My sis and her hubby bought into DVC 2 summers ago and purchased enough points for 2 weeks in a 2 bedroom villa so that Jasmine and I could always join them on their trips....I have a wonderful family and feel truly blesssed.

Will you guys be going around that time again next year

How fortunate you are to have such a wonderful sister! 2 weeks at AKL will be amazing!

Since we have never been in August, I'm not sure yet how we will like the heat (we won't be going for Spring Break again-too cold!) BUT a free dining offer and Dis friends there would make August very attractive again

 

[Queenofallthings]

How fortunate you are to have such a wonderful sister! 2 weeks at AKL will be amazing!

Since we have never been in August, I'm not sure yet how we will like the heat (we won't be going for Spring Break again-too cold!) BUT a free dining offer and Dis friends there would make August very attractive again

I sure am....we looked at staying at SSR (it's my favorite) but it was more points so we all decided on AKL since it's their "HOME" resort and they can book in September!!!

I hope you don't think it's too hot....I'm sure there will be free dining.....and a couple of Dis friends I hope we can all meet up, I think we would have a blast

 

[dawnbu40]

[/COLOR][/SIZE]

I sure am....we looked at staying at SSR (it's my favorite) but it was more points so we all decided on AKL since it's their "HOME" resort and they can book in September!!!

I hope you don't think it's too hot....I'm sure there will be free dining.....and a couple of Dis friends I hope we can all meet up, I think we would have a blast

I totally agree that we would have a blast!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

When we last left off I had just gotten back to the room at midnight and I had to be up at 5 to go run 3.1 miles! Sounds like a lot of fun doesn't it Before I go on I want to apologize for the lack of pictures I didn't think to bring my camera because I figured there wouldn't be any thing to take pictures of

So I woke up at 5 my foot was killing me and my mom and I had talked about me just skipping it but I knew this was something I had to do. It was freezing outside so I had leggings on underneath shorts with a t shirt under my new mickey zip up under another black zip up oh and to top it all off my brand new Beaker hat I was definitely something to look at.

I called the front desk and asked them to connect me to the taxi cab service. After I was done with that I walked to the lobby and found I was one of the few people awake at 5:30 I had to wait about 15 minutes for a cab which wasn't bad but I was very anxious to get to Epcot!

The taxi driver drove me to the Epcot parking lot and after waiting in a huge line, I got out and went and checked in and got my number. I was also given a grab bag of goodies and will post the pic at the end.

There were people everywhere! I was surprised by how many people came out at this early hour to run. There were also a lot of interesting outfits one that sticks out to me was a girl dressed up like Malificent.

After I checked in I went and grabbed some breakfast. They had tents set up selling different breakfast foods, coffee, juice and water. I got a blueberry muffin and a coffee and waited around listening to the local radio station they had at the event to pump everyone up. The stage set up for it was very cute, it was the Princess Tiana run so my number had her picture on it and the stage was set up to look like the bayou.

After a while it was finally time for everyone to get lined up. I still couldn't believe how many people were there! I saw a lot of t shirts saying how groups of women had all lost weight together and were doing this for the first time. I also saw a lot of "professional" runners decked out in spandex. I found it exciting that everyone had a common goal, making it to the finish line while donating money to charity. I had never been to an event this big that supported a charity before so I felt very moved.


Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen were called to the stage to help start the race. The starting line had a banner with the alligator on it and once the Prince and Princess were done counting down it shot out confetti and everyone was off.

I ran through the parking lot of Epcot keeping a good pace. I secretly felt very cool being there so early when noone else but the CMs and the other runners could be there! After the parking lot part was done the runners came through the side of Mexico and awaiting everyone was Mexican Donald. Now I was wishing I had my camera but then realized I must look horrible and decided it was a good thing I left it in the room

The 5k continued around the lagoon and each country had characters available for photo ops. Mulan and Mushu, Snow White and Dopey, Marie, Belle and Beast, and Princess Aurora.

Now I don't know if you all realize this because I never realized it before but the running path set for us made the international gateway bridge seem very hilly! A man was running alongside me and turned to me and said "We are all running along fine and then they have to throw in the hills." At this point I was starting to feel the run so between huffs and puffs I smiled and laughed.

We continued throughout the World Showcase and into Future World where the Fab 5 was waiting for the runners. Also along with the characters were CMs who would cheer you along and yell out your name That made me feel good!

Now infront of Spaceship Earth I ran into a mom and her 5 year old son. She was yelling at her son to keep running while she kept checking her watch to see what her time was. I thought this was horrible I was having a tough time with this and couldn't imagine how a 5 year old must feel!

They ran along and the next group of people cheering us were dressed up like old New Orleans jazz dancers which I thought was very cool! We missed the Tiana showboat so it was nice to see what the costumes looked like!

On and on I ran and I finally made it to the finish line my time..... 30 minutes!I was very proud of myself since I am not a runner! I grabbed another grab bag that had an orange and banana in it and got my medal which also had Tiana on it. I also grabbed a powerade and headed for the buses. I decided to ride one to ESPN since POP is next door and I know they have buses running back and forth from them.

When I got there a bus was right in front of the POP sign and I felt so excited to be heading back! I got onto the bus and we pulled away. We started driving but we didn't head to POP We also didn't stop anywhere on property!!! Turns out I had gotten onto the CM bus! I don't know how that happened since all of the other CMs who got on the bus had to show their ids but I got on without an issue We went to both of the CM apartments and they are both very nice! One had a pool and the other one had that plus a baseball field, soccer field, tennis court and basketball court! I was impressed! I was texting my mom along the way and finally gathered up the courage to ask the bus driver if we were indeed going to POP. He said no, of course, and everyone looked at me. I guess I stuck out in my Beaker hat I ended up having to stop at two more stops and during that time my orange rolled out of my bag and continued to roll around this bus while it was moving... Like I wasn't embarassed enough?! Eventually a CM caught it and handed it to me and at the next stop CSR I got off and walked to the front to hail a cab.

I finally got back and the funny thing was I told my mom I would be back at 9:30 and that was exactly the time I got back! So yes I got done with run at 7:30, got to ESPN around 7:50 and got back to the hotel at 9:30 so it was a little over an hour bus ride!

I really enjoyed running in the 5k and if any of our trips coincide with one again I will definitely do it!

Picture of goodies as promised

 

[thecapells]

Congratulations Caitlin!
I'm glad you were able to get all the way through - especially with the mishap to your foot before you left.

Were runners actually stopping to take pics with the characters along the way?

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Congratulations Caitlin!
I'm glad you were able to get all the way through - especially with the mishap to your foot before you left.

Were runners actually stopping to take pics with the characters along the way?

Thank you!

Between my bruised toe and my other foot hurting I was very thankful for alieve

They were! I was sort of surprised that people were stopping and there were also lines of 3 or 4 people for some of the characters.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

That is so cool! Love the goodies you received and sounds like there were some cool photo ops along the way! That was too funny about the CM bus and the orange rolling. sounds like something I would do!

 

[MEK]

Way to go Caitlin! That's a respectable time, especially with an injured foot. It sounds like a really fun run, but I am curious as to how you got on the CM bus. That is crazy! Well, at least you got a little unexpected tour of the CMs' housing.

FWIW - no 5 yr old should be running a 5K. They should be in a jogging stroller.

Nice loot! I like the yellow socks!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

That is so cool! Love the goodies you received and sounds like there were some cool photo ops along the way! That was too funny about the CM bus and the orange rolling. sounds like something I would do!

I thought the goodies were very nice!

There were some very cool photo ops I sort of wish I had brought my camera!

I was sooo embarassed on that bus!

Way to go Caitlin! That's a respectable time, especially with an injured foot. It sounds like a really fun run, but I am curious as to how you got on the CM bus. That is crazy! Well, at least you got a little unexpected tour of the CMs' housing.

FWIW - no 5 yr old should be running a 5K. They should be in a jogging stroller.

Nice loot! I like the yellow socks!

Thank you!

I just got onto the bus it was parked infront of the POP sign so I walked over and got on. I think the bus driver must have thought I was a CM and decided not to ask to see my id? I loved the tour and I am currently thinking of applying for the college program at DL.


I know I thought it was horrible and especially since she was yelling at him to keep up! They also allowed jogging strollers but they had to leave before all the regular runners.

I thought the loot was pretty impressive!

 

[LilAnn]

Sounds like a fun experience, the 5K. I'm glad that you made it through okay with your toe. I think it sounds awesome to get through run through Epcot when it's empty. Does it help distract you from how tired you may be getting (I'm so not a runner, so I'd be huffing and puffing from the start).

I was wondering if people stopped to get pics with the characters too! Did they carry cameras with them on the run?

I can't believe that woman had her 5 year old run a 5K with her and then was yelling at him? That makes me so upset!

Fun loot!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Sounds like a fun experience, the 5K. I'm glad that you made it through okay with your toe. I think it sounds awesome to get through run through Epcot when it's empty. Does it help distract you from how tired you may be getting (I'm so not a runner, so I'd be huffing and puffing from the start).

I was wondering if people stopped to get pics with the characters too! Did they carry cameras with them on the run?

I can't believe that woman had her 5 year old run a 5K with her and then was yelling at him? That makes me so upset!

Fun loot!

Thank you! It was a lot of fun running through Epcot. I hate running on a treadmill or on a track because I love to have a change of scenery while I am running so Epcot was definitely a fun run!

I am not a runner either so once I passed the 2 mile point I started slowing down

I also wonder how they did and you were allowed to run with a backpack on so a lot of people had their cameras in their bags.

Yeah that mother was ridiculous!

I thought the loot was very cool and I love the Tiana tshirt!

 

[WrightFamily06]

Wow! What an interesting morning for u Caitlin

How cool that you could have got pictures w/ the characters along run route !

Congrats on finishing the race with a great time & with an injured foot too !

How cool that u got on the CM bus and got a behind the scenes look at what there living quarters looks like , to bad u didn't have your camera but then they probably would have really been looking at you then lol

Poor thing I would have been embarrassed too and tried to get off that bus asap ! lol

the loot from the race !

 

[Queenofallthings]

Oh Caitlin, you always bring a smile to my face, I actually burst out laughing when you mentioned the orange! When we first moved to Winnipeg (from a small army base) I was downtown applying for jobs and hopped on what I thought would be my bus to get me home....nope....your story brought back those memories for me

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Wow! What an interesting morning for u Caitlin

How cool that you could have got pictures w/ the characters along run route !

Congrats on finishing the race with a great time & with an injured foot too !

How cool that u got on the CM bus and got a behind the scenes look at what there living quarters looks like , to bad u didn't have your camera but then they probably would have really been looking at you then lol

Poor thing I would have been embarrassed too and tried to get off that bus asap ! lol

the loot from the race !

I thought the characters were a nice touch and even though I didn't stop to see them having the face ones cheer me on was still pretty cool!

Thank you!

Yeah I think I would have stuck out even more if I had begun snapping pictures of the CM bus stops

I wanted to get off asap but the first couple stops were behind the scenes and I had no idea where we were! Thankfully I knew my way around CSR from when we went in '08 or else I would have ended riding the bus all day

Oh Caitlin, you always bring a smile to my face, I actually burst out laughing when you mentioned the orange! When we first moved to Winnipeg (from a small army base) I was downtown applying for jobs and hopped on what I thought would be my bus to get me home....nope....your story brought back those memories for me

Thank you! I always love hearing from you! I consider you my second DIS mom

Ah I couldn't believe it when the orange rolled out of the bag I wanted to just pretend like it wasn't mine but that didn't work out so well

I really think buses should be labeled better!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Thank you! I always love hearing from you! I consider you my second DIS mom

Ah I couldn't believe it when the orange rolled out of the bag I wanted to just pretend like it wasn't mine but that didn't work out so well

I really think buses should be labeled better![/QUOTE]

Awww, thanks Caitlin, you have no idea what that means to me

I agree about the buses

 

[mermaid764]

Congrats on finishing your 5K, especially in that amount of time! That's such an awesome accomplishment! Too funny about the orange, but I would have been horribly embarrased too, but I guess it's something you can probably look back on and laugh at now. I love the Tiana shirt that you were given, that must have been an awesome souvenier! Looking forward to hearing more

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Awww, thanks Caitlin, you have no idea what that means to me

I agree about the buses

I am really hoping we enjoy August and get a bounce back to book for next August!

Congrats on finishing your 5K, especially in that amount of time! That's such an awesome accomplishment! Too funny about the orange, but I would have been horribly embarrased too, but I guess it's something you can probably look back on and laugh at now. I love the Tiana shirt that you were given, that must have been an awesome souvenier! Looking forward to hearing more

Thank you I felt very proud of myself!

I do look back on it and laugh but at the time being I was sooo embarassed!

I thought it was a very souvie as well! I was a little disappointed that the special pin didn't have Tiana on it.

 

[Queenofallthings]

I shared your comment with Jasmine and she said "if you get the bounceback she's sure you can convince your parents to go for it" Probably wouldn't hurt if I sent you a gift card to buy your mom and dad a couple of grey goose slushies, just in case we need a little more enticing

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I shared your comment with Jasmine and she said "if you get the bounceback she's sure you can convince your parents to go for it" Probably wouldn't hurt if I sent you a gift card to buy your mom and dad a couple of grey goose slushies, just in case we need a little more enticing

I am sure I can convince them too! Thank Jasmine for the vote of confidence!

It might not hurt

*edited because I just talked to my mom and she said we will go in August next year!!!!!!!!!!! So it looks like there will be DIS meeting going on!