We did it ALL!! 19 days Apr/May 2012 (updated! check in ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT)

[wakica]

bumping for those that missed that I did an update a week ago.

Everyone must be enjoyin summer holidays or something I know I have been.

 

[momabaarjo]

What an awesome day at DHS...the start of it had me scared and I love your reference to the Running of the Bulls! I love your pictures so much, especially those taken from a slightly tilted angle!

 

[wakica]

Thanks I had to look back and see which ones we had taken at tilted angles. LOL We like to get a different perspective on photos, well - DH and DD do anyway.

I actually heard the term "running of the bulls" from a cast member at one of the parks. Not sure which one but i assume they have the same stampede at all of them so probably use the term at them all too.

 

[Nermel9]

Great DHS day! It must be so cool to be the first riders on TSM!

Sometimes I find RnRC really jerky, and other times it's smooth...I think it depends on how you position yourself in the seat. Sometimes my head gets slammed between the restraint so bad, I have a headache when I get off. It's so much fun though, I've never been able to walk on!

Everything at 50's PT looks SO yummy, but I wish you could request a server who doesn't do the antics...I can't be bothered, I just want to eat and leave. I mean, I guess I could play along, but if someone was poking me while I was eating, I'd be kind of annoyed! I really want to eat there, but I'm nervous!

 

[hjd0411]

Great update Kim! I did miss your update, but I have been sick with the flu for the past 3 weeks!!! Back on my feet now though, and playing big catch ups with every thing!!!
Love Cali's Minnie ears - all glittery!! Very pretty.
I am thinking of trying the animation classes this time - maybe! I can't draw a straight line, so I just wonder at how much I would get out of it! A bit of fun though.
Will wait patiently for more when you can - you enjoy all the summer that you can!!!

 

[LGH1946]

I love the pics from HS, especially !! It is my favorite park mostly because of my favorite ride, TOT!!

 

[wakica]

Great DHS day! It must be so cool to be the first riders on TSM!

Sometimes I find RnRC really jerky, and other times it's smooth...I think it depends on how you position yourself in the seat. Sometimes my head gets slammed between the restraint so bad, I have a headache when I get off. It's so much fun though, I've never been able to walk on!

Everything at 50's PT looks SO yummy, but I wish you could request a server who doesn't do the antics...I can't be bothered, I just want to eat and leave. I mean, I guess I could play along, but if someone was poking me while I was eating, I'd be kind of annoyed! I really want to eat there, but I'm nervous!

It was cool to be the 1st ones on TSM - we even told them we were surprised to be the first ones bc we didn't even run! and they thanked us for that. LOL
Ya, we are not much for the antics always either but we decided to just enjoy it. I'm glad we did it this once but it's not something I'd do often. haha

Great update Kim! I did miss your update, but I have been sick with the flu for the past 3 weeks!!! Back on my feet now though, and playing big catch ups with every thing!!!
Love Cali's Minnie ears - all glittery!! Very pretty.
I am thinking of trying the animation classes this time - maybe! I can't draw a straight line, so I just wonder at how much I would get out of it! A bit of fun though.
Will wait patiently for more when you can - you enjoy all the summer that you can!!!

Glad your feeling better Heather. It must be less than 3 months for you now isn't it?? Hope I get my whole tr done by then. haha
You should definitlely try the class!! I'm no artist either but they take you step by step and I am always shocked at how good my pictures turn out Do it, you'll be delightfully surprised!

I love the pics from HS, especially !! It is my favorite park mostly because of my favorite ride, TOT!!

I know!! ToT is SO great!!!! It's a top on our lists too. I found Dr. Doom FearFall is a great thrill too - same sort of idea but not as much fun theming like ToT so ToT takes the cake

 

[wakica]

MAY 3 - DAY 8 - SEA WORLD

This WAS supposed to be DH's Exotic Car experience day but AGAIN - I waited too long to book so I had to shuffle our schedule around and swapped SW with ECE. So, it would be another early morning as we set off to Sea World.

I think we could have totally lived without SeaWorld this time around except that we just love MANTA toooo much to turn it down.

We did go in though knowing it wasn't going to be a very long day bc we had no intentions on hitting any shows unless we absolutely felt compelled to do so while in the park.

We got there just before opening YAY us!!! and JUST about got into the park before opening but they started playing the national anthem so the lady stopped us bc we had to wait. Once it was done we were in and off to none other than MANTA!!!!!!!!

We arrived at Manta and there were people ahead of us in line. This seemed odd to me bc it should just be everyone walking in at opening but we waited anyway. Sure enough they were having technical difficulties. BOO!!! We didn't want to come back to a LOOONG wait though so we just stood in line with maybe 15 people ahead of us. I think we stood for maybe 20 min or just over and they did finally open it. I wouldn't have stood that long except after 10 they started running it empty, then with one person in it, then empty, then a few people in it so we knew it was coming. We had experienced the same thing waaaayy back when it first opened and knew that this was a good sign. Once it opened we headed on in and it was walk on bc we were only like 15 people in. We LOOOOOOOOOVED it as usual and exited and went right back in AGAIN!!!

2nd trip on Manta we got about halfway through the walkway and they had us stop at a rope for 5 min. Really not sure why but she did open it and we proceeded in only to have to wait in line bc it wasn't running again. URG!!!! I think we waited maybe 10 or 15 this time so not as bad but our morning was ticking AWAY on us.

We loved Manta again the 2nd time except we all found we didn't get as much of a rush this time around.

Oh well, no time to dwell on it

MANTA pics...

I sat in the shade while DD and DH rode Krakken next. I can't do really jerky coasters bc I have a bad neck and found this one to be too rough last time. After a few minutes I went and got a locker by Atlantis so that we could all go on it together as soon as they finished up on Krakken

Once DD and DH joined me they said they found it more jerky too this time Hmmm, again we wonder if we're getting old or just too spoiled by all the newer and smoother coasters. Thank goodness DD was finding more coasters jerky this year too bc it helped us to not feel too old! lol

We made our way over to Atlantis only to discover we were a bit too late - they just shut it down for some technical difficulties! ARGH!!!!!! Seriously??? I was starting to get a bit fed up with shut downs already.
We decided to NOT get our bags but to instead go inside and visit the aquarium area that we would have spent tiime doing AFTER Atlantis anyway. We love looking at the shop and the aquariums in there. They have a shark tank on the floor and in the ceiling and some other cool tanks in there.

After taking our time in there we headed out and discovered the ride was open so we popped on to Atlantis. It was a walk on. PHEW. thank goodness for walk ons - it makes up for rides being shut down when that happens.

DD and DH went for a 2nd ride on Atlantisso I snapped their pics...

a closer crop...

After that we saw some alligators...

cute but check out the teeth on this next one!!!! LOL

Hahaha! He looks a little too happy flashing those pearly whites!! By the way - how do alligators keep their teeth that white?????

Next up was the new Turtle Show. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it now - sorry.
We headed into the 1st room which was a holding room where you waited and could look at some sea life in large tanks in the wall...

Then we headed into the next room which was another holding type room with a large tank in the wall of mantas and another one with Sea Turtles. There was someone talking in this room to explain the story of what we would see in the show room since there is no narration.

I hope you get an idea of the room in this pic but on the left side towards the middle you can sort of see how there is a step down towards the large tanks. You can't see the tank or step on the right bc of the people in the way. We entered on the left side and headed out to the right to go into the movie area...

The last room was the movie room. You can see the lady that introduces the show and tells us to put on our 3D glasses. She was in the center of the room and people could stand all around her in a circle. The screen was all around and above us. It really was quite cool except... well, wait - here's the pic first...

OK, so here was the problem!
While watching the show I found a bit of a fuzzy, dark spot in my left eye. This freaked me out a bit bc I sometimes get an aura as a warning of an oncoming migraine so i immediately took off my glasses and looked around to see if it was my eyes or not. I felt find without them so I figued it had to be my glasses. I put them back on and sure enough it just wasn't right on that left side. I found if I turned a different direction it wasn't quite as bad but then I was sort of facing AWAY from the direction that most of the action was directed at. Oh well, maybe I got a faulty pair of glasses I thought to myself and just tried to enjoy it for what it was.

After the show I discovered that DH and DD too had the same problem so I'm guessing it was NOT the glasses but some sort of glitch they need to work out in the whole 3D plus full surround experience. I hope they get it figured out bc it really did take away from the show. If it weren't for that the show would have been VERY enjoyable and VERY cool with it showing all sides and ceiling as well.


Next we were off to see the Dolphins at Dolphin Cove (at least I think that's what it was called. LOL)

After that we visited with the Sting Rays...

Then it was off to one of our FAVORITE stop in SeaWorld... The Dolphin Nursery. If you go - DO NOT miss the nursery. The dolphins are SOOO stinkin adorable!!!
The little one in there really put on a show for me. I was standing in a spot on my own and it kept showing off...

jumping up...

peeking...

and sptting!!! lol...

We NEVER miss out on a Dolphin experience since our last trip when we swam with them at Discovery Cove and the dolphins NEVER disappoint us

another thing we wanted to hit before leaving was the shark encounter so we headed over there next...

We did a little shopping here and there and I'm sure DD put something on her head at one point but it was REALLY hot that day and I don't think any of us were much in the mood to pull out the camera so we didn't get all that many pics today.

We decided we didn't want to catch any shows but DD and DH decided we should go to the Clyde and Seymour show just until the show started. YEP - you heard me right. They wanted to go SIT IN the audience ONLY til the show started. WHY???? you might ask? Ya, I shook my head but went along with it. All just to see ...

Have you SEEN this Mime though?? Oh MY GOSH!! He is SOOOOO funny! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! We saw him last time and just laughed bc he is so funny! I feel so bad for the people walking in late bc they get the brunt of his act but oh well - poor them. lol
So, anyway, we got some dippin dots and watched him and then when the show started we got up and left. HAHAHA!

On the way out DD convinced us that she had to catch one more ride on Manta before we left so her and DH went and rode it 2 more times before we left.

I can't remember what time we left but I think it was between 2 and 3 somewhere. I thought we would have been done sooner since we didn't catch any shows but the technical difficulties and the time it takes to do the Turtle show really added up to suck up our day.

We enjoyed Sea World but I'm pretty sure it would not be on our list next time. Unless maybe they had the penguin experience again bc DD REALLY wanted to do that but it wasn't running during our trip time due to renovations in the penguin area.

I'm excited for the next few installments!!! Next up is Packet pick up for the EE5K challenge, an evening visit to MK and then the next day is our breakfast at Kona and RACE DAY!!!!!

 

[hjd0411]

Oh isn't that dolphin cute!! I remember many many years ago I was fortunate enough to go to the SeaWorld which is here on the Gold Coast after hours for a function. We were able to wander pretty much anywhere and a couple of us found a playful dolphin who picked algae off the side of the pool and threw it at us!! It was so funny to see! They are so intelligent - my favourite sea animals!!

Under 3 months for me now!!! Paid off my cruise yesterday, so really getting excited now!!!

Looking forward to more updates when you can!

 

[amazingact21]

I agree with you on the Seaworld shows, after you've seen them a few times (or in my case, 4!) you don't really have to focus on them anymore. Except for the mime...he's hilarious! Always worth watching if not for the laughs then for other people's reactions to him.


Manta looks so fun! I can only imagine what kind of thrill you must get on that ride. But what a bummer that it was experiencing technical difficulties the day you were at the park. Not to mention Atlantis...what is up with 2 of the headline attractions going down in one day.


Ooh, packet pickup! Can't wait to hear your experience with all the race stuff!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Sea World is definitely a place I would like to see some day. Those rides look like so much fun, and the dolphins and turtles would be amazing to see. Sounds like it was a good day despite a few shut downs. That part would be a bit annoying!

 

[maggs1035]

MAY 3 - DAY 8 - SEA WORLD

This WAS supposed to be DH's Exotic Car experience day but AGAIN - I waited too long to book so I had to shuffle our schedule around and swapped SW with ECE. So, it would be another early morning as we set off to Sea World.

I think we could have totally lived without SeaWorld this time around except that we just love MANTA toooo much to turn it down.

We did go in though knowing it wasn't going to be a very long day bc we had no intentions on hitting any shows unless we absolutely felt compelled to do so while in the park.

We got there just before opening YAY us!!! and JUST about got into the park before opening but they started playing the national anthem so the lady stopped us bc we had to wait. Once it was done we were in and off to none other than MANTA!!!!!!!!

We arrived at Manta and there were people ahead of us in line. This seemed odd to me bc it should just be everyone walking in at opening but we waited anyway. Sure enough they were having technical difficulties. BOO!!! We didn't want to come back to a LOOONG wait though so we just stood in line with maybe 15 people ahead of us. I think we stood for maybe 20 min or just over and they did finally open it. I wouldn't have stood that long except after 10 they started running it empty, then with one person in it, then empty, then a few people in it so we knew it was coming. We had experienced the same thing waaaayy back when it first opened and knew that this was a good sign. Once it opened we headed on in and it was walk on bc we were only like 15 people in. We LOOOOOOOOOVED it as usual and exited and went right back in AGAIN!!!

2nd trip on Manta we got about halfway through the walkway and they had us stop at a rope for 5 min. Really not sure why but she did open it and we proceeded in only to have to wait in line bc it wasn't running again. URG!!!! I think we waited maybe 10 or 15 this time so not as bad but our morning was ticking AWAY on us.

We loved Manta again the 2nd time except we all found we didn't get as much of a rush this time around.

Oh well, no time to dwell on it

MANTA pics...

I sat in the shade while DD and DH rode Krakken next. I can't do really jerky coasters bc I have a bad neck and found this one to be too rough last time. After a few minutes I went and got a locker by Atlantis so that we could all go on it together as soon as they finished up on Krakken

Once DD and DH joined me they said they found it more jerky too this time Hmmm, again we wonder if we're getting old or just too spoiled by all the newer and smoother coasters. Thank goodness DD was finding more coasters jerky this year too bc it helped us to not feel too old! lol

We made our way over to Atlantis only to discover we were a bit too late - they just shut it down for some technical difficulties! ARGH!!!!!! Seriously??? I was starting to get a bit fed up with shut downs already.
We decided to NOT get our bags but to instead go inside and visit the aquarium area that we would have spent tiime doing AFTER Atlantis anyway. We love looking at the shop and the aquariums in there. They have a shark tank on the floor and in the ceiling and some other cool tanks in there.

After taking our time in there we headed out and discovered the ride was open so we popped on to Atlantis. It was a walk on. PHEW. thank goodness for walk ons - it makes up for rides being shut down when that happens.

DD and DH went for a 2nd ride on Atlantisso I snapped their pics...

a closer crop...

After that we saw some alligators...

cute but check out the teeth on this next one!!!! LOL

Hahaha! He looks a little too happy flashing those pearly whites!! By the way - how do alligators keep their teeth that white?????

Next up was the new Turtle Show. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it now - sorry.
We headed into the 1st room which was a holding room where you waited and could look at some sea life in large tanks in the wall...

Then we headed into the next room which was another holding type room with a large tank in the wall of mantas and another one with Sea Turtles. There was someone talking in this room to explain the story of what we would see in the show room since there is no narration.

I hope you get an idea of the room in this pic but on the left side towards the middle you can sort of see how there is a step down towards the large tanks. You can't see the tank or step on the right bc of the people in the way. We entered on the left side and headed out to the right to go into the movie area...

The last room was the movie room. You can see the lady that introduces the show and tells us to put on our 3D glasses. She was in the center of the room and people could stand all around her in a circle. The screen was all around and above us. It really was quite cool except... well, wait - here's the pic first...

OK, so here was the problem!
While watching the show I found a bit of a fuzzy, dark spot in my left eye. This freaked me out a bit bc I sometimes get an aura as a warning of an oncoming migraine so i immediately took off my glasses and looked around to see if it was my eyes or not. I felt find without them so I figued it had to be my glasses. I put them back on and sure enough it just wasn't right on that left side. I found if I turned a different direction it wasn't quite as bad but then I was sort of facing AWAY from the direction that most of the action was directed at. Oh well, maybe I got a faulty pair of glasses I thought to myself and just tried to enjoy it for what it was.

After the show I discovered that DH and DD too had the same problem so I'm guessing it was NOT the glasses but some sort of glitch they need to work out in the whole 3D plus full surround experience. I hope they get it figured out bc it really did take away from the show. If it weren't for that the show would have been VERY enjoyable and VERY cool with it showing all sides and ceiling as well.


Next we were off to see the Dolphins at Dolphin Cove (at least I think that's what it was called. LOL)

After that we visited with the Sting Rays...

Then it was off to one of our FAVORITE stop in SeaWorld... The Dolphin Nursery. If you go - DO NOT miss the nursery. The dolphins are SOOO stinkin adorable!!!
The little one in there really put on a show for me. I was standing in a spot on my own and it kept showing off...

jumping up...

peeking...

and sptting!!! lol...

We NEVER miss out on a Dolphin experience since our last trip when we swam with them at Discovery Cove and the dolphins NEVER disappoint us

another thing we wanted to hit before leaving was the shark encounter so we headed over there next...

We did a little shopping here and there and I'm sure DD put something on her head at one point but it was REALLY hot that day and I don't think any of us were much in the mood to pull out the camera so we didn't get all that many pics today.

We decided we didn't want to catch any shows but DD and DH decided we should go to the Clyde and Seymour show just until the show started. YEP - you heard me right. They wanted to go SIT IN the audience ONLY til the show started. WHY???? you might ask? Ya, I shook my head but went along with it. All just to see ...

Have you SEEN this Mime though?? Oh MY GOSH!! He is SOOOOO funny! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! We saw him last time and just laughed bc he is so funny! I feel so bad for the people walking in late bc they get the brunt of his act but oh well - poor them. lol
So, anyway, we got some dippin dots and watched him and then when the show started we got up and left. HAHAHA!

On the way out DD convinced us that she had to catch one more ride on Manta before we left so her and DH went and rode it 2 more times before we left.

I can't remember what time we left but I think it was between 2 and 3 somewhere. I thought we would have been done sooner since we didn't catch any shows but the technical difficulties and the time it takes to do the Turtle show really added up to suck up our day.

We enjoyed Sea World but I'm pretty sure it would not be on our list next time. Unless maybe they had the penguin experience again bc DD REALLY wanted to do that but it wasn't running during our trip time due to renovations in the penguin area.

I'm excited for the next few installments!!! Next up is Packet pick up for the EE5K challenge, an evening visit to MK and then the next day is our breakfast at Kona and RACE DAY!!!!!

We want to go to Sea World in May 2013, sometime between the 9th and the 17th, was it crowded in May? Your trip report didn't sound like you had much of a wait for anything?

 

[wakica]

Oh isn't that dolphin cute!! I remember many many years ago I was fortunate enough to go to the SeaWorld which is here on the Gold Coast after hours for a function. We were able to wander pretty much anywhere and a couple of us found a playful dolphin who picked algae off the side of the pool and threw it at us!! It was so funny to see! They are so intelligent - my favourite sea animals!!

Under 3 months for me now!!! Paid off my cruise yesterday, so really getting excited now!!!

Looking forward to more updates when you can!

I know - they are AMAZING creatures!!! I would totally have one as a pet if I could and by "if I could" of course I mean i was rich bc it would have to have the best facilities too. Bahahaha! What IS it with the bond humans seem to have with dolphins?!?!? I tear up when I have a good interaction with one.
That's so exciting that you got the cruise payed off!!! I sure hope you'll post some pics while your gone so I can live vicariously through you!!

I agree with you on the Seaworld shows, after you've seen them a few times (or in my case, 4!) you don't really have to focus on them anymore. Except for the mime...he's hilarious! Always worth watching if not for the laughs then for other people's reactions to him.


Manta looks so fun! I can only imagine what kind of thrill you must get on that ride. But what a bummer that it was experiencing technical difficulties the day you were at the park. Not to mention Atlantis...what is up with 2 of the headline attractions going down in one day.


Ooh, packet pickup! Can't wait to hear your experience with all the race stuff!

Yep, that mime is DEFINITELY a NOT to miss. He really works the crowd so well
and i'm excited to relive race day stuff too!! YAY!! Sure wish we could go and do it again next year.

Sea World is definitely a place I would like to see some day. Those rides look like so much fun, and the dolphins and turtles would be amazing to see. Sounds like it was a good day despite a few shut downs. That part would be a bit annoying!

It was annoying but it's to be expected I guess. Lucky for us we plan our day well so that little stitches like that don't throw it completely off - we can just stay longer to get done the stuff we want to since we always get there so early. Not so great if you show up later in the day, get hung up by a few technical difficulties and it causes to you miss out on a bunch of things. So, I can't complain too much. Your right, we did still have a good time

We want to go to Sea World in May 2013, sometime between the 9th and the 17th, was it crowded in May? Your trip report didn't sound like you had much of a wait for anything?

You know, I can't completely remember. For one the crowds are DEFINITELY not bad at all in May so you are going during a GREAT tiime (Unless there is some holiday that I dont' know about in mid May which might affect your time but if not your good to go). What we DO always remember to do on theme park trips though is to hit the parks before they open. This ensures that we will have the first several rides as walk ons and we can even get in a 2nd or third ride if wanted bc the real crowds show up starting around 11:00 on most days. If you can hit the parks early - you will NOT have to worry about line ups for the first 1 - 2 hours and by then you can have all the rides that get backed up already done. Happy Planning!!!

 

[momabaarjo]

Love the Sea World pictures!

 

[wakica]

Love the Sea World pictures!

glad you enjoyed them.

 

[wakica]

sorry for the delay. Wow, how time flies! We`ve been getting lots of orders in for work and I`m having a hard time finding time to get my trip report pics together and get all my work done too. `SIGH` Work just interferes with life too much. haha.

I`m going to try my best to get an update done tomorrow though. Fingers crossed that I find time to do it.

 

[hjd0411]

Oh Kim - work is a curse!!! But it is good that you are busy!!
We will see your update when you are ready!
I hope I will be able to put some pics up on FB when I'm away! I will only have my iPad with me, not the laptop, so I have to practice downloading photos to it and then to the web!! Better get on to it really!!!

 

[wakica]

oh yes, definitely try to figure it out so I can live vicariously through you
Does your ipad have a camera in it?? but then maybe you won't take that into the parks anyway because it's a bit big hey?

I'm ready to do an update right now

 

[wakica]

DAY 9 - MAY 4 - PACKET PICK UP, GOLDEN CORAL & 3rd VISIT TO MK
PART 1

We are back onto a resting day. Had to get ready for the big 5K run and scavenger hunt to come on Day 10 so this day was for some rest and some laid back fun

We started out by sleeping in. YAY for sleep ins!!

I think we sent DH to do some groceries bc I didn't want to wear out our feet. We needed to be in prime form for the race so no excessive walking! lol.

Finally after we had an early lunch we headed off to the WDW Sports Complex to pick up our race information.

I HAD wanted to be there right around noon so I coud pick up my things and hit the 1:00 talk time (not sure WHY I had in my head it would be at 1:00)

Unfortunately we didn't make it out there on time and it was probably right around 1or just after when we got there. i was a bit grouchy bc I figured waiting around til the next talk was going to take too much time and get in the way of our plans for the rest of the day.

Oh well, we were able to find a parking spot in the parking lot still - it was hard but we did do it. They must have been having lots going on bc we saw other people in the parking lot with baseball equipment and the lot was VERY full!! But at least we didn't have to park on the grass which we saw them doing when we came out to leave.

Everything seemed to be well organized - it was easy to spot the signs and know exactly where to go so we were at the tents in good time.

Here we are at the tent...

and here's a shot showing the signs set up by the tents...

getting our stuff yay!!!

I figured we might as well take our time since who knows when the next talk would start.
Then Wayne noticed this sign...

Well, luckily we didn't arrive in time for the 1:00 talk after all bc I would have been ticked to discover that it actually started at 12:30 and then I REALLy would have been waiting! But since we were late we only had to wait til the 2pm talk. What luck!! The timing ended up being perfect after all!!

I let DD sign our team name on the big sign...

Here's a close up of it...

DD designed thatlittle logo quite some time back and if I had realized it I would have made our special race necklaces more like that. Oh well, I love how they turned out anyway and you'll see them later in this post.

And here's the pulled back shot. Our name is just above Mickey's foot.

Then we hung out at camp for a few minutes to get some pics LOL

and checked out some of the merchandise they had to show...

ya, not a whole lot but they did have some medals from other Disney races so we checked those out too. There are some REALLY cute medals!! I'm so sad I live too far to be able to get more Disney race medals.

After looking around a bit and then finally having to ask where we go next we found the tables where we get our shirts! i was SOOO excited to get a shirt (until i peeked at the colour)!

We were right by the talk area at this point so we just hung out for about 10 min until the next talk started...

and here's the person that did the talk and answered questions...

It didnt last too long and I didn't really learn anything new from what i had already found out on DISboards 5K EE thread but we stayed anyway just in case we heard something new.

After we got home we laid out our goodie bag contents...

We got...
our T-shirt (I have to confess the green isn't my fave colour - I would have prefered a blue or black personally) and i also find the shirt to be quite warm so I'm SOOO glad I had no intentions of wearing it for the race. I also would have preferred there to be a bit of a V in the neck as I find the neck somewhat constricting and again makes the shirt warm.

We also got...
a page of information
a map of AK
a pin (which we had pre ordered)
a white pin that you could list how many EE5K's you'd done
a bag to check our items in at the race
tatoo
bracelet
our number with safety pins


I think this is as good a time as any to make a break.

for supper we hit Golden Corral bc we don't have one ANYWHERE near us!!! So when we are near one we MUST STOP!!! We are the same way with Sonic drinks but we didn't hit one of those til later in our trip.

OK after Golden Corral we went back to MK for the 3rd time this trip so stay tuned for more on that in the next post

 

[wakica]

DAY 9 - MAY 4 - PACKET PICK UP/GOLDEN CORRAL/MK
PT 2

so we were very nice and relaxed since we slept in only did packet pick up and a relaxed supper at Golden Corral! Now we were ready for some excitement. The idea was to try and be up a bit later this evening and sleep in again the next day bc the race wouldn't be starting until 9:30pm at night!!!

Good thing I always run later in the day hey?
I wasnt so sure how DH would handle that tho!!!

OH! and I gave DD our matching necklaces for the race somewhere on this day!

Here they are...

I had hoped DD and I could be colour coordinated or something for the race but she was having NOTHING to do with being matchy matchy so I hired a friend of hers to design some necklace charms for us to wear that went with our team name Stoked Coconuts. Thank goodness she Looooved them so at least we had matchy necklaces.

Anyway, We needed some excitement!!!
So....

OFF TO MAGIC KINGDOM for the 3rd time this trip we go!! lol

Originally this would have been our 2nd trip there but our first day if you recall DD and DH could not resist heading back in. LOL So, this was even MORE so a leisurely tirp to the park to just enjoy the atmosphere and do whatever would work.

Some pics of us on the tram to the park (Often we would just walk but NOT when we're reserving our leg power for a race!)

You can also see in those pics that we are wearing our race necklaces We are READY for the big day to begin already!!!

I think we started out by zipping by Splash Mntn but the wait was too long so we grabbed FP's and headed over to ride POTC. The line wasn't long at all - maybe 5 - 7 minutes total.

Then we had to stop for DD to get spit on by the camel...

grrrr! I removed this pic bc i had too many. it wasn't all that great anyway.


This is where my memory got fuzzy. I'm not sure what we did or when - sorry No good notes for this evening. The notes pretty much stopped after the 1st week so I'll just post in a general estimate of what came aprox. when and explain what was going on...

here is DD collecting special little memories of the trip. She saw how these glittery micky heads were piling up in the gardens after each dance party went by so tonight she just decided to go for it and grab out as many as she could. LOL

DH in front of the castle...

We didn't end up hitting carousel of progress last time bc DD decided it was blah looking on youtube but this time since we had time and wanted lots of foot breaks I insisted...

a look at some of the construction. blah

Who can resist trying to pull out that sword??? Not Cali. lol

There's no resisting the stocks either right?? bahaha! wish I had these at home sometimes

Me in front of a lit up castle...

I know during these pics we did ride Buzz, People Mover, Splash with FP but I think that's about it.

At this point it was pretty dark so I'll show off some of DH's night time shots that he got...

I hate to admit it but I just could NOT handle the crowds right on Mainstreet where DH parked himself to get the castle and firework shots so DD and I only stayed for the show where they show memories of the day on the castle and then we left him to get his firework shots.

On our way to our meeting place which was a quiet little side street running off of Main Street we stopped for some fun first...

We drooled over the giant rice crispie treat!!

and we could not RESIST having me put this one bc it just goes so well with me being a red head - don't you agree??? hahaha!

Just so you know DD DID try some on however I'm shocked we didn't actually photograph it this time!! It definitely happened though!

AHHHHH, we finally made it to our quiet place!! It was SO beautiful, peaceful, and NON crowded on this street! I'm SOO glad we thought to use this spot as our meeting place! We even got to hear some sort of singing and dance lessons going on upstairs in one of the buildings. LOL Disney just thinks of everything!

ya, not too sure what that reaction is exactly. haha

and when DH saw how beautiful the meeting spot was he couldn't resist taking some shots there too.
We wanted to let some of the after firework crowds filter out anyway.

This one is a time exposure which is why some things are blurry but not the things (or security guard) that stayed still.
I think it's called painting with light or something like that...

We really enjoyed our evening at MK and our relaxing day. nobody had sore feet bc we made sure to take it easy.

The only downfall was the mass exodus. We tried waiting it out but that didn't seem to work!!! EVERYTHING was backed up like crazy to get out - the monorail AND the ferry!!! We decided to go with the ferry and it was an INSANELY long wait but oh well. We just went waited patiently and eventually made it home quite late which is what we had wanted anyway.

Next up will be RACE DAY! and what we did to be rested and ready to run.