The Great Leap into Running and DVC Ownership.

[annmarieda]

Race pace is typically faster than a training run, and it should be. I totally get it, I have never run at the pace I did that 10k in since! But I wouldn't stress about the training run being slower, it is supposed to be. That said I think you'll be happier running your own pace. You deserve to be in E, I think you'll be fine and remember that those up front won't necessarily be looking to be fast but rather to have that time and corral advantage for photos! I see what you mean, it does look like they are starting to fill the times in. What time did you submit?

I actually find that my race pace at RD events is a lot slower than my training. I think between the zig zagging needed because of the volume of people, the change in climate and the change in elevation... it just makes me slower. I still hope to do better than I did at the phm. So I hope to finish with a pace less than 11 minutes per mile. Total time... maybe around 2:15?

What I submitted was my 10k time of 55:59. Honestly, I wonder why that didn't then put me in F. Looks like E is for estimated finish of less than 2:00. I would have to maintain 9 minutes per mile - my 10k pace for the entire half in order to do that and even then I would come in at 1:57. So while I am excited to have been put in E. I don't know... I think they may have got it wrong. My guess... I will come in 2:11. Ideally a bit faster...but even then it would be 2:05. If I sub'd 2:00 I think I might

 

[eandesmom]

I actually find that my race pace at RD events is a lot slower than my training. I think between the zig zagging needed because of the volume of people, the change in climate and the change in elevation... it just makes me slower. I still hope to do better than I did at the phm. So I hope to finish with a pace less than 11 minutes per mile. Total time... maybe around 2:15? What I submitted was my 10k time of 55:59. Honestly, I wonder why that didn't then put me in F. Looks like E is for estimated finish of less than 2:00. I would have to maintain 9 minutes per mile - my 10k pace for the entire half in order to do that and even then I would come in at 1:57. So while I am excited to have been put in E. I don't know... I think they may have got it wrong. My guess... I will come in 2:11. Ideally a bit faster...but even then it would be 2:05. If I sub'd 2:00 I think I might

Agreed but I think they figure it like a normal half if that makes sense and in a non Disney race pace is generally faster than training so they go with what the calculator says versus factoring in stopping for character pictures etc. I do agree though most calculators would put you over 2:00 with that 10k, though not by a lot (2:03-2:05) Still, take it and enjoy it! I bet you can sub 2, just maybe not at a Disney race lol!!!

Should be less zigging especially in E

 

[annmarieda]

I am really not sure where all my time goes. Christmas is in less than a week? then the trip isn't long after thant? I have a couple days off and despite the fact I have scheduled work on 12/25 and 12/26... I will not be working. (I don't work on Christmas or my birthday ) However, since I will be doing that - I will basically work non stop from 12/27 until the trip.. 12 days in a row of a LOT of work. Apparently, things are picking up (ie. more projects/clients) so my boss wants to form a plan of attack on some stores she originally today wanted me to take over. When does she want to do this? after the holidays... so right when I am taking the trip. See... for those of you who follow my reports... I rarely give much notice of the time I am going to take off. My schedule is mine to set... and as long as I get my work done, I can take what ever days I want. The other thing is that we rarely know for sure what projects will come through more than a week or two in advance. So other than our "regular" stuff... it makes it hard to plan and my manager just kinda tunes out what ever I say if it is too far in the future. So she does not yet know I will be out. As soon as I get most of what I need to get done in order before the trip, I will touch base with her. However, given that she now has "more" for me and doesn't know how to get it planned... I have a bit of stress. I am hoping I can get her to hire on Kira. All I know is I just can't do more. We will see though.

So yesterday, despite really needing to get things in order for the holidays and trip, I let Kira and Josh convince me to take a road trip. They told me to be ready at 7am and we would head to the other side of the state for the day. We arrived to my mother's at 1pm. We gave her her Christmas presents and went out to lunch. Then we went to my in laws house to drop off presents for their clan. They had prior commitments though so our visit with them was cut short. Since it was it allowed us to make a short out of the way jaunt on the way home. 4 hours later and we arrived to Leavenworth at 9pm.




















It was late and so the shops were closed. We did find a pub/brewery that was open and so we stopped in for some yummy nibbles and beer.


There are so many hotels there. It was tempting to stay in one for the night (assuming we could get a room) One year, I am going to have to make this a destination for Christmas time. The shopping..food... lights... what a way to put you in the holiday spirit.

We ended our night with Kira and Josh doing some sledding. It was so funny. I have videos.. no pics.

Once back on the road we were home by 1am. What a long day!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Agreed but I think they figure it like a normal half if that makes sense and in a non Disney race pace is generally faster than training so they go with what the calculator says versus factoring in stopping for character pictures etc. I do agree though most calculators would put you over 2:00 with that 10k, though not by a lot (2:03-2:05) Still, take it and enjoy it! I bet you can sub 2, just maybe not at a Disney race lol!!!

Should be less zigging especially in E

Well, when I argued with my rep last year for the phm... I was told they expect the pace will be slower than race calculators with characters and what not. I wonder if they assume that in those first few corrals that they won't stop for pictures? I don't know. I guess I will take it... but I do think they got it a bit wrong. Who knows though.. maybe they will prove me wrong on this one and I will sub 2. At the phm though... I proved them wrong and sub'd 2:30. I think I am a pretty good judge... I am guessing 2:15 if I stay in E. I will just have to be mindful of not blocking others.

 

[annmarieda]

Recently while listening to a radio station, they announced a contest. You know... "caller x gets x" type of thing. Just days before I had tried to call in on a different stations contest. In that contest, the winner won $1000. The winner needed to be caller twenty. I have never been able to get through when calling. In that case, I was caller..... twwwwwww (wait for it) twelve. No winner. This time the prize was no where near as large, but I figured I would call anyway and I won! Since the prize "package" included a gift card to a mall... a mall that had a disney store, guess what I got myself for the trip.



It may not pay for a quick service meal or two... but hey it was free.

 

[dizneeat]

Congratulations Ann!
Clever use of your prize!

 

[annmarieda]

Can you all believe I am still trying to plan this thing?

1/12 is the day that we will check out of POR. We will be getting up super duper early. I had really wanted a car for this day in particular because of how early we are going to hustle in order to get to breakfast.

After we bring our luggage to bell services to be transferred, we likely will take a cab to AK. The park opens at 9am. We have a breakfast at TH for well before park opening. It will just be just our four. (ie. no Kira and Josh).

Once the park opens, Kira and Josh will meet us to do all three of our fp+ together. In some ways it is almost silly to list fp+ from AK or DHS for that matter. What is there? Well, Kilimanjaro safari, EE and Dinosaur.

After we ride Dinosaur we will most likely head to OKW to check in. I am hopeful that our room will be ready, but it is very very likely it will not. We may just head straight to DTD then. I had hoped to pick up some groceries with car (again... this is the day I really wanted a car)

If we head to DTD early enough we may have lunch there and then head to Disney Quest. In fact, since this is the last day that we will be able to use the vouchers from our package, we will be headed there. I honestly have no desire to go. Steve and Alex can use the vouchers and we will just pay for Zoe (since her rate as a child is less) I wonder if we can skip all of us going back to the room and just have me check in without them? Then I can head to where ever I want while they all enjoy DQ.

Eventually though, I will have to meet up with them. The marathon weekend cool down party begins at 4pm and runs until 10pm. Not exactly sure what it all entails, but I have read it is important to wear your medal. I will play along...even though as much as I have grown to appreciate the medals...and truly do want the bling... find that they are a bit heavy to wear around ones neck.

We have dinner reservations at Paradiso 37 . (Kira and Josh will be sitting this one out) We have never been here. I have heard very little about it on the boards, so I am curious.

After dinner, if we are not ready to call it a night, we will head to MK since the park is open til 10pm. Some how though, I see us just wanting to head back to the room after we are done in DTD.


Other trip related news

I pre purchased the memory maker. Honestly, I was just learning what one had to do in order to make the pp+ work. Not sure exactly how this will work. I am the only one who can order the disk? But as long as I can view everyones picks from their bands, I can have all of them included? Somehow I hope Cynthia (eandesmom) figures this one out early enough on her trip so that she can share her wisdom with me... other wise I am sure to be

Next Up: 1/13

 

[annmarieda]

Congratulations Ann!
Clever use of your prize!

Thanks Karin.

 

[dizneeat]

Can you all believe I am still trying to plan this thing?

YES, I can! Nothing better than planning a Disney trip!

1/12 is the day that we will check out of POR. We will be getting up super duper early. I had really wanted a car for this day in particular because of how early we are going to hustle in order to get to breakfast.

I can understand that you were looking forward to having a car, but a taxi will do too!

After we bring our luggage to bell services to be transferred, we likely will take a cab to AK. The park opens at 9am. We have a breakfast at TH for well before park opening. It will just be just our four. (ie. no Kira and Josh).

We have never been to TH. Buffet AND characters does not draw us in. But I will be looking forward to your pics.

Once the park opens, Kira and Josh will meet us to do all three of our fp+ together. In some ways it is almost silly to list fp+ from AK or DHS for that matter. What is there? Well, Kilimanjaro safari, EE and Dinosaur.

I just got to make our first FP+ choices and am loving it! It will completely change our park experience to know that we will definitely be able to at least ride three things.

After we ride Dinosaur we will most likely head to OKW to check in. I am hopeful that our room will be ready, but it is very very likely it will not. We may just head straight to DTD then. I had hoped to pick up some groceries with car (again... this is the day I really wanted a car)

Ann, did you do online check in? You can request an early "room ready". We have never tried that as to us it is more important to have a higher floor, but it's worth a shot.

If we head to DTD early enough we may have lunch there and then head to Disney Quest. In fact, since this is the last day that we will be able to use the vouchers from our package, we will be headed there. I honestly have no desire to go. Steve and Alex can use the vouchers and we will just pay for Zoe (since her rate as a child is less) I wonder if we can skip all of us going back to the room and just have me check in without them? Then I can head to where ever I want while they all enjoy DQ.

Don't blame you for not wanting to do DQ. Been there once and that was enough. Not our cup of coffee. And I am sure you will be able to check in on your own.

Eventually though, I will have to meet up with them. The marathon weekend cool down party begins at 4pm and runs until 10pm. Not exactly sure what it all entails, but I have read it is important to wear your medal. I will play along...even though as much as I have grown to appreciate the medals...and truly do want the bling... find that they are a bit heavy to wear around ones neck.

Yeah, a party with lots of medal wearers.

We have dinner reservations at Paradiso 37 . (Kira and Josh will be sitting this one out) We have never been here. I have heard very little about it on the boards, so I am curious.

Never been to Paradiso 37 but have always been intrigued. So looking forward to what you will have to say about it.

After dinner, if we are not ready to call it a night, we will head to MK since the park is open til 10pm. Some how though, I see us just wanting to head back to the room after we are done in DTD.

My money is on heading back to the resort.

Other trip related news

I pre purchased the memory maker. Honestly, I was just learning what one had to do in order to make the pp+ work. Not sure exactly how this will work. I am the only one who can order the disk? But as long as I can view everyones picks from their bands, I can have all of them included? Somehow I hope Cynthia (eandesmom) figures this one out early enough on her trip so that she can share her wisdom with me... other wise I am sure to be

Next Up: 1/13

I would really like to try the MM. But it's not worth it for us as we only have 3 1/2 park days in February and will not be back for 13 months!
But I guess we sure will read about your experience with it and then decide if we will buy it for summer 2015!

 

[swwake]

Your trip is sneaking up on us!

I have never heard of Leavenworth, but you have me wanting to go. Bavaria is so beautiful and those pics made me feel like I was right back there. We are hoping for another Germany trip this summer.

Congrats on winning the prize. Every little bit of extra helps, right?

Merry Christmas to you and yours! We head out Thursday for a week in the Colorado mountains.

 

[KatMark]

Ann, to you and your beautiful family, a very

 

[annmarieda]

YES, I can! Nothing better than planning a Disney trip!

I agree! I just wish that I wasnt so scrambled in trying to do so.

I can understand that you were looking forward to having a car, but a taxi will do too!

It will. Given that I just had to pay for our one night "convenience" stay for that night before we fly out.. that is twice what I was looking at to rent a car for a few days.... yeah, the car will not be happening. The taxi will do for sure!

We have never been to TH. Buffet AND characters does not draw us in. But I will be looking forward to your pics.

One thing I do like about TH and the characters is that you can actually not be so inundated with them. On the girls trip this last fall we were in a room that was kinda out of the way and while the characters did filter in... there was only a couple other tables and they each had adults only seated at them.

Really, I like TH breakfast not just for the food but for walking into AK with no one around. I know CP is good for this in MK... but AK holds a special feel for me too. Different... more adventure than fantasy. If that makes sense.

I just got to make our first FP+ choices and am loving it! It will completely change our park experience to know that we will definitely be able to at least ride three things.

I think in the end, this will definitely be a good addition to disney trip planning. I just think there are some areas that will take some getting use to. Like... no more "gifting" fast passes when you can't use them. Of my 6 fp+ I had in October... I used 1.

Ann, did you do online check in? You can request an early "room ready". We have never tried that as to us it is more important to have a higher floor, but it's worth a shot.

I haven't I don't know what to request. "room ready" might be a good thing to request just because as of 7am or so we will be "homeless"

Don't blame you for not wanting to do DQ. Been there once and that was enough. Not our cup of coffee. And I am sure you will be able to check in on your own.

Really, the passes expire on 1/12 so if it doesn't happen that day it won't happen and I won't be heartbroken. The guys though...and even Zoe will really want to.

Yeah, a party with lots of medal wearers.

I know, right?!!! Do you realize how many people there will be? It will be a CRAZY number of people.

Never been to Paradiso 37 but have always been intrigued. So looking forward to what you will have to say about it.

This is definitely one of the meals I am most intrigued by. It will be our last use of our dp credits... but it is also on the "party" list. It may prove and interesting dinner.

My money is on heading back to the resort.

Mine too!

I would really like to try the MM. But it's not worth it for us as we only have 3 1/2 park days in February and will not be back for 13 months!
But I guess we sure will read about your experience with it and then decide if we will buy it for summer 2015!

Since there will be almost all of our family there... I figured we would get some shots that will be worth keeping. Add in that it is a long trip... I hope it is worth it. We will see though... I wouldn't think it would be if our trip was shorter.

Your trip is sneaking up on us!

It is! I am actually a tad stressed about it. Today is my last day off (not including Christmas) before the trip. I was going to take Thursday since it is my birthday...but I have too much work to do that I really need to get started. At least I will do it all from home...

I have never heard of Leavenworth, but you have me wanting to go. Bavaria is so beautiful and those pics made me feel like I was right back there. We are hoping for another Germany trip this summer.

Can you believe it is two hours from me and I have not been in over 20 years???!!! The holiday lights were spectacular! I know they have special lighting ceremonies... I think it is on my list for next year for sure! It is so funny though... the town is completely themed. Even the Safeway (grocery store) and McD's have "Bavarian" theming to the buildings. It is almost like going to Disney. So pretty though and totally nestled in the mountains. Lots of hotels..and we drove around looking at the ones that were "near" town. All seemed nice enough. (sometimes I worry about just booking something...cause ya never know what you will end up with) If you do ever choose to go, let me know!! I would totally drive the 2 hours to meet up with you. That being said though... I bet another trip to Germany would be a bit more authentic.


QUOTE=swwake;50319392]Congrats on winning the prize. Every little bit of extra helps, right?[/quote] Thanks, and you are right... ever little bit does help.


QUOTE=swwake;50319392]Merry Christmas to you and yours! We head out Thursday for a week in the Colorado mountains.[/QUOTE]

And to you! Enjoy your mountain vacay! I love the mountains!!!

Ann, to you and your beautiful family, a very

Thank you so much, Kathy!


And thank you to all of you who have sent me Christmas cards. Know that each and every one I get brings a smile to my face. Also know that I wish you a wonderful holdiday season as well. I am just really bad about sending out cards.

 

[eandesmom]

I am really not sure where all my time goes. Christmas is in less than a week? then the trip isn't long after thant? I have a couple days off and despite the fact I have scheduled work on 12/25 and 12/26... I will not be working. (I don't work on Christmas or my birthday ) However, since I will be doing that - I will basically work non stop from 12/27 until the trip.. 12 days in a row of a LOT of work. Apparently, things are picking up (ie. more projects/clients) so my boss wants to form a plan of attack on some stores she originally today wanted me to take over. When does she want to do this? after the holidays... so right when I am taking the trip. See... for those of you who follow my reports... I rarely give much notice of the time I am going to take off. My schedule is mine to set... and as long as I get my work done, I can take what ever days I want. The other thing is that we rarely know for sure what projects will come through more than a week or two in advance. So other than our "regular" stuff... it makes it hard to plan and my manager just kinda tunes out what ever I say if it is too far in the future. So she does not yet know I will be out. As soon as I get most of what I need to get done in order before the trip, I will touch base with her. However, given that she now has "more" for me and doesn't know how to get it planned... I have a bit of stress. I am hoping I can get her to hire on Kira. All I know is I just can't do more. We will see though.

Ok, that would be stressing me out!

So yesterday, despite really needing to get things in order for the holidays and trip, I let Kira and Josh convince me to take a road trip. They told me to be ready at 7am and we would head to the other side of the state for the day. We arrived to my mother's at 1pm. We gave her her Christmas presents and went out to lunch. Then we went to my in laws house to drop off presents for their clan. They had prior commitments though so our visit with them was cut short. Since it was it allowed us to make a short out of the way jaunt on the way home. 4 hours later and we arrived to Leavenworth at 9pm.

How out of the way was it for the ride home? I adore Leavenworth in the winter. Actually I adore it year round. We've been to that brewpub, pretty tasty beer and decent food too! Long hike from there home though, that is a seriously long day for you! We've had a hard time finding hotels there actually, while it seems like there is a lot of options, it's not really as many as it seems.

Well, when I argued with my rep last year for the phm... I was told they expect the pace will be slower than race calculators with characters and what not. I wonder if they assume that in those first few corrals that they won't stop for pictures? I don't know. I guess I will take it... but I do think they got it a bit wrong. Who knows though.. maybe they will prove me wrong on this one and I will sub 2. At the phm though... I proved them wrong and sub'd 2:30. I think I am a pretty good judge... I am guessing 2:15 if I stay in E. I will just have to be mindful of not blocking others.

I can see it being slower than a race calculator but not slower than tyraining pace. I swear you are the only person I know who is worried her corral is too high put yourself at the back, or drop to the front of F if it makes you feel better.

Recently while listening to a radio station, they announced a contest. You know... "caller x gets x" type of thing. Just days before I had tried to call in on a different stations contest. In that contest, the winner won $1000. The winner needed to be caller twenty. I have never been able to get through when calling. In that case, I was caller..... twwwwwww (wait for it) twelve. No winner. This time the prize was no where near as large, but I figured I would call anyway and I won! Since the prize "package" included a gift card to a mall... a mall that had a disney store, guess what I got myself for the trip.



It may not pay for a quick service meal or two... but hey it was free.

Every little bit helps!

Can you all believe I am still trying to plan this thing?

Yep. You should have heard Jeff's response last night regarding FP+ and the idea of putting the MDE app on his phone so he'd have a clue.

After we ride Dinosaur we will most likely head to OKW to check in. I am hopeful that our room will be ready, but it is very very likely it will not. We may just head straight to DTD then. I had hoped to pick up some groceries with car (again... this is the day I really wanted a car)

I've had great luck with grocery delivery services, I have 2 that I've used in the past and one I continue to use now. I'd be using it this trip but Pat has insisted on running me to the store, so I don't have to! I can PM you her info if you want.

Eventually though, I will have to meet up with them. The marathon weekend cool down party begins at 4pm and runs until 10pm. Not exactly sure what it all entails, but I have read it is important to wear your medal. I will play along...even though as much as I have grown to appreciate the medals...and truly do want the bling... find that they are a bit heavy to wear around ones neck.

I've always wondered about that!

We have dinner reservations at Paradiso 37 . (Kira and Josh will be sitting this one out) We have never been here. I have heard very little about it on the boards, so I am curious.

After dinner, if we are not ready to call it a night, we will head to MK since the park is open til 10pm. Some how though, I see us just wanting to head back to the room after we are done in DTD.

I am very curious to see what you think of it!

Other trip related news

I pre purchased the memory maker. Honestly, I was just learning what one had to do in order to make the pp+ work. Not sure exactly how this will work. I am the only one who can order the disk? But as long as I can view everyones picks from their bands, I can have all of them included? Somehow I hope Cynthia (eandesmom) figures this one out early enough on her trip so that she can share her wisdom with me... other wise I am sure to be

Next Up: 1/13

Memory Maker is actually different than PP or PP+. It is all digital download, no CD. It should work good for you guys since you all have bands and are linked in MDE. If you aren't, make sure you are so all the photos get up there. We have a PP+ Pre purchase CD so will be using bands and cards and since not everyone has bands, it works best for us. Good thing too as if I tried to buy it now, I couldn't since MM has replaced it.

As I understand it, memory maker is unlimited downloads and anyone can download? Not positive but that was the implication and also that it had extra "features" that PP and PP+ do not (digital features).

 

[Woth2982]

Such a wonderful day you had with Kira and Josh! That place looks amazing! I would definitely try and fit a night in there one of these years!

Hopefully your work wont be too overwhelming in the days leading up to the trip. It is getting so close! Don't worry too much about corral E. I am sure you will do great with it! Just go with the flow and have fun! I just found out my corral for Tinkerbell is C. I am kinda in shock over that one! Granted the corrals only go up to F, but my group is supposed to sub 2:45 and I submitted a time of 2:55. Maybe they think I have improved drastically since May??? We both know due to my back issues it is worse lol. Now I have a horrid chest cold too that I am fighting. Stuff always happens right in the home stretch of these races!

 

[eandesmom]

Just popping in to say I hope you have a great trip and a great race!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Ok, that would be stressing me out!

It really is stressing me out. I have 10 days now to get everything done. Even when I last posted, I was not aware of just how much there is. It has me a tad freaked out. Why couldn't it be like last month. The load was light... like overall about a third of what is scheduled for this month. I haven't heard anything else regarding Kimberly's territory... but it does worry me that I am leaving when there is a possibility that more stuff will have to be done while I am gone.

How out of the way was it for the ride home? I adore Leavenworth in the winter. Actually I adore it year round. We've been to that brewpub, pretty tasty beer and decent food too! Long hike from there home though, that is a seriously long day for you! We've had a hard time finding hotels there actually, while it seems like there is a lot of options, it's not really as many as it seems.

In total, I think it only added an hour to the drive. (if that) It took us 4 hours to get there and then 2 hours from Leavenworth to home. If we are flying, I think it takes us about 5 hours to travel between Spokane and home. Knowing it didn't take that long to get home from there will make it so that I will want to go there as a day trip some time. All in all... home to Spokane, Spokane to Leavenworth and then Leavenworth to home in one day was WAY too much.

I can see it being slower than a race calculator but not slower than tyraining pace. I swear you are the only person I know who is worried her corral is too high put yourself at the back, or drop to the front of F if it makes you feel better.

I know...I over think EVERYTHING! Seriously though... it may be ok. I ran 10 last saturday. It was so funny. I was running at a phenomenal pace the first 5 miles. It felt great!!! Then turned around on the trail and ran the same course back and became...slower...and slower. Turns out the trail was downhill the first 5 and back up the entire 5 miles back. Still managed to finish the 10 in 1:30...so yes... that is a 9 minute mile pace so I might not be so misplaced after all. I just wont worry about being at the front of my corral.

I've always wondered about that!

The after party or how heavy the medals are to wear?

I am very curious to see what you think of it!

I will be sure and give a detailed review.

Memory Maker is actually different than PP or PP+. It is all digital download, no CD. It should work good for you guys since you all have bands and are linked in MDE. If you aren't, make sure you are so all the photos get up there. We have a PP+ Pre purchase CD so will be using bands and cards and since not everyone has bands, it works best for us. Good thing too as if I tried to buy it now, I couldn't since MM has replaced it.

As I understand it, memory maker is unlimited downloads and anyone can download? Not positive but that was the implication and also that it had extra "features" that PP and PP+ do not (digital features).

Yeah... it is weird. I have a card they sent. Not sure why I need it? No longer do we get the hard copy photos at the restaurants... I have to find the time to call and figure it out more. I know you are correct... all digital and I think unlimited. Rides are included as well as those photos taken at the dinning... I think. However, do we all just scan our band? Do we need that card? Is is just me that can scan?

Such a wonderful day you had with Kira and Josh! That place looks amazing! I would definitely try and fit a night in there one of these years!

It is really a neat place. I know WA state has another themed town. I have not been there since I was a teen. It is themed like the "old west" Not sure if it is as all encompassing like Leavenworth.(nothing seems to be outside of the bavarian theme there) Kinda makes for a fun place to see. If you do head out west to try... do know that you would have a 2 + hour drive after you arrive at the airport.

Hopefully your work wont be too overwhelming in the days leading up to the trip. It is getting so close!

It is WAY to much... but I will handle it and I will get it done. I just may have a couple 10 hour days in there.

Don't worry too much about corral E. I am sure you will do great with it! Just go with the flow and have fun!

Thanks! I will.

I just found out my corral for Tinkerbell is C. I am kinda in shock over that one! Granted the corrals only go up to F, but my group is supposed to sub 2:45 and I submitted a time of 2:55. Maybe they think I have improved drastically since May??? We both know due to my back issues it is worse lol. Now I have a horrid chest cold too that I am fighting. Stuff always happens right in the home stretch of these races!

That is AWESOME! I think you will do fine there. I just hope you feel better between now and then. You are right... seems like stuff always happens in the home stretch. Just today, Steve skipped his run cause he fell and his ankle is hurting. Two weeks better be enough for it to heel!!

As for the number of corrals... I wonder why the tink is only going to F? Even the ToT went higher. Are there not many people total or are there just more people per corral?

Just popping in to say I hope you have a great trip and a great race!!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Today we split up to start. The boys will probably sleep in and have breakfast in the room. I still need to decide if I am going to shop for some breakfast food or just pack some. Steve looked at garden grocer and decided that the cost of eggs through them was too high so has nixed the ordering idea.

Zoe and I will meanwhile meet Kira at the GF for breakfast. What is better for breakfast than lobster eggs benedict or strawberry soup at 1900 PF? Not a lot! Seriously, I am not a big breakfast eater at home. Some how all that changes when I am on vacation. Breakfast becomes one of my most favorite meals!!!

Once breakfast is over, the girls and I will make our way to Epcot. The hope is that the guys will meet us there. Then we will all go on Soarin together.

After Soarin, Kira and Josh will split off on their own while Steve, Zoe Alex and I head to Via Napoli for lunch. I know... seems like it was just breakfast, right? However breakfast was early and we are only planning to grab a pizza to share (and maybe some dessert )

Once we are done with lunch, we will again synch up with Kira and Josh. We should be able to then enjoy our remaining fp+ reservations together. Those would be Journey into Imagination and Living with the Land. I will be honest, I have never really had to wait for either of those rides let alone use a fast pass. We will see. It may be that we ride LWTL once we are off of soarin. This is kinda what I saw in October. I had fast passes scheduled but didn't use them because I happened to walk by and see there was no line for a ride I was scheduled for later in the day.

One of the new meet and greets is for Anna and Elsa. I have added a time to my itinerary on MDE.

The last thing on the agenda for the day is dinner all together. We are planning to eat somewhere none of us have tried yet. Biergarten! Josh and Steve are looking forward to some beer together. It should be a fun experience.

The park closes at 9pm. So we may stay around for illuminations after dinner. It is unlikely we would have time for anything else.

Next Up: 1/14

 

[dizneeat]

Great plans for the 13th!

A girls only breakfast looks like a lot of fun.

Your day at Epcot is perfectly planned out! Soarin' in the morning, than Via Napoli! Be sure to try the Zeppole! They are so yum, dipped in chocolate sauce and whipped cream spooned on top.

I am with you on the Figment ride and LWTL. We have never used a FP there either, so maybe you can change it to something else that HAS a line while you are there?

Biergarten for dinner? Interesting. We have never been, the real Germany is too close to us to do that.
And consider yourself brave if you stay for Illuminations. Your day will have been real long already when you finish dinner.

 

[annmarieda]

Great plans for the 13th!

Thanks.

A girls only breakfast looks like a lot of fun.

I think it will be! Like I said.. I love breakfast. The guys are so much into it, so they can just stay behind and sleep.

Your day at Epcot is perfectly planned out! Soarin' in the morning, than Via Napoli! Be sure to try the Zeppole! They are so yum, dipped in chocolate sauce and whipped cream spooned on top.

I have tried them... and they were definitely yummy. However, I am really curious about this dessert.

I am with you on the Figment ride and LWTL. We have never used a FP there either, so maybe you can change it to something else that HAS a line while you are there?

Thing is there isn't many rides that a. we don't already have a fast pass for or b. that I would want to ride again.

Biergarten for dinner? Interesting. We have never been, the real Germany is too close to us to do that.

I would imagine. Still... pretty far from us and since we have never been and we are a larger group than normal, it seemed to be a good fit.

And consider yourself brave if you stay for Illuminations. Your day will have been real long already when you finish dinner.

I kinda neglected to realize we would be there all day. I know Kira can go all day... so can I - or at least I use to be able to. And since the guys get to sleep in and they are the babies when it comes to how much park time they have to endure, it may work out.

 

[annmarieda]

I see this being one of our most laid back days. The plan is to wake and have breakfast in the room. We can't linger too long since we have early fast passes that start our day in DHS.

Although our fast pass times are slightly different from Kira and Josh's our first two do overlap. And... by "our" remember I do mean mine since I still have to copy mine to Steve, Alex and Zoe once I get their tickets sorted out. (yay for a package with people having different ticket needs )

First we will head to TSM. I do like that we don't have to run to the ride at park opening in order to possibly ride or bare minimum get a fast pass.

Next we will hope over to Star Tours. We actually will have some time between TSM and Star Tours, so I could see stopping in for a snack somewhere.

Once we are done with Star Tours, I am sure we will meander a bit before Zoe and Alex take a ride on ToT.

Then it will be time for lunch. Again this will be a new restaurant for us. We have stayed away from this restaurant because of the scoldings that can occur. Steve and Alex both are not much into the crowd participation/shenanigans. However given the menu, they agreed they wanted to give it a try. So we will be trying 50's PT.

After lunch, we will choose one of two plans.

1. We stay and watch LMA. After LMA, we will head back to the resort and have dinner. Dinner will possibly be in the room or at Olivias. Then we will likely hang out in the room or at the resort.

2. We leave and spend some time at the resort. The weather is not looking as though it will be HOT, but it may be just warm enough to swim. We would have an earlier dinner than in option 1. After dinner we would head back to DHS to watch Fantasmic. Kira and Josh have fast passes for fantasmic, so we would at least all be in the same place at the same time. This option would leave us getting back to the resort later and just heading to bed.

Bottom line between option 1 and 2 is do we want to spend time at the resort in the afternoon or in the evening and do we want to see LMA or Fantasmic. I suspect weather may play a huge role in our decision.

Next UP: 1//15