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

[Nermel9]

Wow the EE race looks like it was so much fun! It sounds like it was really crowded though. I'm not sure I could deal with all of those people all crammed together in the beginning and end, especially in May when it's so hot! You should be really proud of yourself for doing it, it's pretty amazing going from being a non-runner to doing a 5K!

 

[wakica]

Loved the last 2 posts Kim! And glad we got to say Hi even if it was quick.
We were confused about lining up too so we picked someone in our wave (2) who looked like they knew what they were doing - 2 fit looking guys in matching shirts that said Tampa Bay Boys - and followed them. When they announced our wave, they said that they had won the race twice before I think. I think they came in second maybe this time if I remember right. Guess we know how to pick em...LOL!
It was really confusing though - I thought there was going to be a marked off section where we went to wait.
The end of the race part was not well marked either - I didn't even realize when we came across the mats - all of a sudden there were people with clues and markers. We also missed the first clue checking area and got all the way to Camp Minnie Mickey and had to come back. I knew something was wrong but everytime we asked a volunteer they just kept pointing us to go on. When we got back there was someone yelling not to leave the area until you had 2 clues so I think it happened to others too. That probably added a good 15-20 min on our time.
Oh well - we had fun and finished - so that's all that matters.
Here is a link to the chocolate race. http://www.chocolate-fest.ca/eventdetails.php?view=22
I was hesitant to register in local races because I didn't know if people took walk breaks - but this one is called a run/walk. Next year for sure. I hear you on the motivation - same for me. I just want to run another Disney one.

Oh boy!!! I BET you know how to pick em!! Tampa Bay Boys??? Fit looking?? Whoo eee! LOL

Thanks for the link. It's a bit far for me but we really want to do another trip out to the east coast again so once we get our camper who knows!! I just might have to show up at that one

Wow the EE race looks like it was so much fun! It sounds like it was really crowded though. I'm not sure I could deal with all of those people all crammed together in the beginning and end, especially in May when it's so hot! You should be really proud of yourself for doing it, it's pretty amazing going from being a non-runner to doing a 5K!

It definitely was lots of fun!! I'm not a crowd fan either - I had to leave Dh in the middle of the crowds taking photos of the fireworks in MK bc it was too crowded for me. So it was a bit annoying but everyone was moving fairly decent bc nobody really wants a BAD time in the race. LOL So once we got a little ways along we were able to do some weaving in and out and that helped alot. The end well, ya, that was DEFINITELY ANNOYING!!! but all you are focused on at that point is GETTING THE MEDAL!! lol. so that was helpful too.

And thanks We were very proud. I need to find another good race to get motivated again now.

 

[amazingact21]

Whoo, loved your recap of the race! Definitely describes the positives and negatives of the event. There were 2,000 more runners in that race than in last year's, and I could tell. I was not happy at all with how crowded it was.

And, yeah, they really need to work on the finishing line. It's lacking a little bit.


You and your DD had great times overall, though! And it's so awesome that you can now say you completed a Disney race!


Man, you guys must've been one of the last few people out of the park if you were able to find your vehicle somewhat quickly. That's pretty cool.

 

[hjd0411]

Great race update Kim!! Good on you both for doing it and finishing in such good times. I'm afraid running and I have never got on very well, and I think it's a life long thing!! The best I could do would be a brisk walk!!!
But I must say it doesn't seem like the organisation was very good - but maybe there were just too many people this time.
I have a great way of finding my rental car in the WDW car parks - I bring with me a window shade which goes in the front window and it is the Australian flag. I know there won't be too many of them in the US..!! It makes the car easy to spot!! It also helps keep the car a bit cooler in the hot Florida sun!

 

[wakica]

Whoo, loved your recap of the race! Definitely describes the positives and negatives of the event. There were 2,000 more runners in that race than in last year's, and I could tell. I was not happy at all with how crowded it was.

And, yeah, they really need to work on the finishing line. It's lacking a little bit.


You and your DD had great times overall, though! And it's so awesome that you can now say you completed a Disney race!


Man, you guys must've been one of the last few people out of the park if you were able to find your vehicle somewhat quickly. That's pretty cool.

Yep, we were walking out of the park right at closing which is i guess why we missed the last trolly to the parking lot. Our feet were NOT happy about that. LOL
I love reading all the race recaps. I saw yours but if you know of anyone else that added one to their TR let me know bc ours are the only ones I've seen.

Great race update Kim!! Good on you both for doing it and finishing in such good times. I'm afraid running and I have never got on very well, and I think it's a life long thing!! The best I could do would be a brisk walk!!!
But I must say it doesn't seem like the organisation was very good - but maybe there were just too many people this time.
I have a great way of finding my rental car in the WDW car parks - I bring with me a window shade which goes in the front window and it is the Australian flag. I know there won't be too many of them in the US..!! It makes the car easy to spot!! It also helps keep the car a bit cooler in the hot Florida sun!

i really don't like running either Heather. It took something BIG like this to make me do it. LOL Now I've only run a handful of times since then but DD and i have finally found a colour run in Canada that we will be signing up for next summer. The sad thing is that now any old race just won't do for me. i started with Disney and so I need something exciting to get me to run again. haha

LOVE the idea of the Australian flag in your window!!! That would definitely do it. haha

 

[wakica]

NEXT UP will be my RECOVERY DAY after the LATE LATE night and 5K race but I need to do some catch up on friends reports first. Hope to have it up by the weekend though if I find the time to catch up on reading TR's and on work.

 

[wakica]

wow, I posted 9 days ago that i'd put up my next post after catching up on other TR's. Well, here I am - FInALLY caught up. LOL So I will try and get a post up either tonight or tomorrow.

 

[wakica]

MAY 6 - DAY 11 - AQUATICA WATER PARK/EPCOT eve This portion will just be Aquatica

One would think that 19 days in Florida would be PLENTY of time to get done everything one wanted but we found ourselves scrambling to fit in rest days now and still getting as much done as we wanted so we decided to use our Aquatica Day as a combined slower/rest type day to recuperate after our VERY late night and 5K race.

I think it was a GREAT idea!! Not a lot of walking so my feet could rest and the water is just soothing on the feet and body too.

We arrive right around opening still though bc we wanted the PERFECT spot!!! I'm a bit anal about that. lol. However they have little orange umbrellas to sit under or GIANT beautiful blue ones that provide enough shade for this sun sensitive person to make it through a good long day in the sun and the blue ones were my goal.

In hindsight we could have gone a bit later as it wasn't all that busy in the end but better safe than sorry I say. lol

Here we are gettting settled in our spot.

It was perfect!! close to the water but also close to the walking path to head off to other things.

First off we walked around a bit for some snaps bc we didn't want to be pulling the camera out all day...

Here's the map..

DH and DD doing some shopping at the little booths along the path..

That last shot shows the little private area where you can rent a chair with an umbrella - it's across the Roas Rapids River that DD is standing by. If it's going to be VERY busy and you don't want to arrive early to get a good spot that might be a good option for some.

Here she is posing by our FAVORITE attraction in Aquatica - Roa's Rapids!!

This is like a Lazy River but think "Rapids" so it's not really lazy but sweeps you off your feet and around the river. They have a lazy river too so don't worry but we are in Roa's for a HUGE portion of our visits to Aquatica!! It's so much fun!! Watch out if you've got little ones with you though!!!

One time we were getting out and saw a bit of craziness going on with the lifeguards and realized a child had gotten seperated from their parent. The lifeguards were VERY good about it and were communicating with each other over radio. They had scooped the child out of the water and waited for the parent to arrive back around at this particular entrance. Somehow they had gotten seperated from the currents but it was very good to see how on top of things the lifeguards were. I'm sure it happens often there.

Here I am sitting by the life jackets. I don't usually wear one but dd and dh like them bc they float more when they zip around the Rapids...

and here's Roa's Rules (if you can read them)...

Here is Dd and I trying to stop in the current to pose for a picture...

Like I said, we spend a good chunk of time in roas but at one point I did do a milder waterslide (I'm not a huge waterslide fan which is why Roa's Rapids is a big draw for me and I love this park). I also went on the Lazy tube river 2 times which is cool bc it goes through little aquariums, and i popped into the wave pool twice with DD.

Here we are enjoying the little waterfall at the entrance to the wave pool...

and bobbing around in the wave pool...

DD and DH did leave me for some time to go on the waterslides but i was all set with my book and a GREAT shady spot. The thing I like about the umbrellas at Aqu is that the sun actually does come through them a bit so I'm not left in complete full shade but rather a little protection from the sun and still able to be warm and get some colour. I think I sat reading for over an hour while they enjoyed the slides. I may have nodded off a bit too. LOL

Around 3 in the afternoon it was time to get ready to leave. We wanted to eat at the condo and head to Epcot for the evening.

here's me all rested and happy after a great day in the "partial" sun. If it had been full sun I wouldn't look so happy - I would have looked fried and red and wanting to get home to air conditioning and advil. LOL

(just to give you an idea of how much shade it is - in that last pic you can look behind me to see the full sun hitting the chairs in the back, then look at the chair I'm sitting on and you can see the dark shadow of the post in the umbrella - you can see the dark shadow behind me too on that chair - and beside the post shadow it's lighter where the sun comes through the umbrella. Hope that makes sense).


On our way out we stopped to listen to the talk about the parrots (they have these throughout the park throughout the day...

DD had to pose by the sign...

A quick visit to the aquarium - this one has a waterslide that's a clear tube that goes right through this aquarium so it's like your swimming with them! I never went on it though. lol

A quick pose of my happy crew near the entrance on our way out..

AND, a pic of the sign with their food policy in case anyone is interested

I couldn't have thought of a BETTER way to recuperate from our late night and race day but still be doing something than relaxing at a water park. DD and DH still had energy to go and they got to do that but i got my down time off my feet and relaxing.

I also totally love this water park and would have visited it again if we had the time. They have a GREAT park area for kids too that DD and DH usually go check out too. They love to shoot people with the water cannons. LOL. so Aquatica has something for EVERYONE from little kids to big kids to moms like me who just aren't all that into watersliding. I give this park 2 thumbs up!!

Next up is our evening at Epcot to watch the fireworks.
Did my restful day help me to make it through an evening of walking at world showcase?? Tune in soon to find out.

 

[Kblue]

Thanks for your review on Aquatica. It really make me want to check it out. We are talking about going to Disney for our 5th anniversary in two years, and I might have to schedule an Aquatica day. (I know it is sad that I am already a trip that is 2 years away. Lol.)

 

[Soarin4Disney]

Love your TR so far. I have to do the Everett Challenge now!!!

Tell your husband his night time photos are beautiful. What type of camera does he use and how does he get them to look so good? My pictures never turn out that nice.

 

[keishashadow]

hi, was hoping you'd post a reminder of your completed TR! Was waiting to see your pics of Aquatica, can't wait to check it out in October.

Your DD is a cutie. Glad you included the pic of the reserved 'island'. Not sure of the scope of the map but it looks a little further from the wave pools than i'd like. Think we'll just get there early (shouldn't be as crowded as the summer) and grab a blue umbrella.

We plan on doing epcot too that day. I have a F&W seminar booked for 5 pm. DH does the speed slides, i'll do the family one and maybe a tandem then flop until he's done then do the lazy rivers. Park opens @ 10 am that day, do you think we'll have enough time to accomplish everything if we leave by 2:00 pm?

 

[wakica]

Thanks for your review on Aquatica. It really make me want to check it out. We are talking about going to Disney for our 5th anniversary in two years, and I might have to schedule an Aquatica day. (I know it is sad that I am already a trip that is 2 years away. Lol.)

oh no, not sad at all! You can never start planning too soon for a Disney trip LOL You are in very good company on DIS. haha

Aquatica is my fave waterpark. DH and DD love Blizzard beach best bc there are more thrill slides and we all love Typhoon Lagoon for the awesome tropical atmosphere but b/c Aquatica has so stuff to meet everyones likes it's my fave. They don't have much for thrill slides though so keep that in mind if you have a thrill slide seeker.

Love your TR so far. I have to do the Everett Challenge now!!!

Tell your husband his night time photos are beautiful. What type of camera does he use and how does he get them to look so good? My pictures never turn out that nice.

Thank you, I will let him know He has a few Nikkon cameras, he mostly used hi D300 on the trip, it's 4 years old now. The trick to using a camera is knowing how to use all the settings. There are SOOO many to go through and know and you need to be changing the settings constantly depending on what type of lighting you have. The fancy cameras are GREAT and can take GREAT photos (ocassionally when lighting is ideal) but to get good photos on a regular basis you need to really understand your settings. It takes a LONG time to know how to use them all - I always pass my little Nikkon D40 to him to change the settings for me bc I just don't always get it. LOL.
Another trick is that we usually like to edit them a bit too. It does take a GREAT base photo to make a great photo though.
Good Luck with your camera. If your not familiar with how to use the settings you should definitely find a course, it will help a bit. Alot of it is trial and error too as you learn.

Thanks for reading and looking too

hi, was hoping you'd post a reminder of your completed TR! Was waiting to see your pics of Aquatica, can't wait to check it out in October.

Your DD is a cutie. Glad you included the pic of the reserved 'island'. Not sure of the scope of the map but it looks a little further from the wave pools than i'd like. Think we'll just get there early (shouldn't be as crowded as the summer) and grab a blue umbrella.

We plan on doing epcot too that day. I have a F&W seminar booked for 5 pm. DH does the speed slides, i'll do the family one and maybe a tandem then flop until he's done then do the lazy rivers. Park opens @ 10 am that day, do you think we'll have enough time to accomplish everything if we leave by 2:00 pm?

Yes, I agree, the private island is a ways from the wave pools. I guess you could hop onto the rapids and make your way around to blue entrance and get out there and you'd be close??? LOL but ya, I'd rather be on the beach area by the wave pool. We got the 2nd last row at the back right by the entrance to Roa's so that we were by my favorite rapids and by DD's favorite part the wave pool. DD and DH can just do all the wlaking for their slides. LOL.

Oh one thing I didn't mention!! The ground gets VERY hot!!! I usually have to dart from one water splashed area to the next when walking on the paths bc they are so hot!!!! So if your feet can't handle hot surfaces like mine you will want to take something that you can slip on and off at the entrance to each area you go to.

HAVE FUN!! You will love it

 

[wakica]

MAY 6 -DAY 11- PT 2 - EPCOT EVENING

We were very well rested after a day at Aquatica and ready to take on Epcot World Showcase again. This time we wanted to be there in the evening and catch the fireworks.

Since we were having a hard time cramming everything and Dh really wanted to get to Boardwalk (a Disney tradition for us just like DTD), we decided to park at one of the Boardwalk resorts and enjoy Boardwalk going to and from Epcot.

It was a pretty low key evening - we didn't do any rides. We just walked around and enjoyed the atmosphere and took our time checking shops and things out.

Here are some pics. This first one is of DD and I in our EE5K shirts from the race the day before. You can see the pins we got from our server at Kona the day before too. Lots of Cast Members noticed the pins and the shirts and gave us congratulations. It was kind of cool and I'm so glad that we chose to wear them into the park on this evening.

DH got a nice shot of some of the flowers...

Enjoying the inside of Mexico! DD bought one of those famous Mexican sweaters and absolutely ADORES it!!! So do her friends. I think you can see me in this pic looking through the sweaters.

Another shot from Mexico. I've never eaten here. I should try it some day though, I've heard many good things about it...

We always stop here for some pictures bc I love it so much. I REALLY want to visit Venice someday!!!

About this time the clouds started rolling in and the wind REALLY picked up. I was getting a bit freaked out so DD and I booted it out of that area thinking DH would follow but NOPE! Her just took pictures of us high tailing it out of there instead. LOL

and then while we stood around wondering where we should head when the rain comes down he took his sweet time and enjoyed getting some pics of the building with the ominous clouds rolling in.
You'll have to forgive me for posting doubles of some but I couldn't decided if I liked the colour or black and white versions better or a few pics...

DD and I decided we wanted to head to Japan to do some shopping before the rain hit and DH could just take his sweet time and radio us when he wanted to join us.

We were in Japan for only a short time (DD had bought a pair of Hello Kitty pj shorts - who doesn't love Hello Kitty??) when we heard the downpour start and WOW was it loud!!! Even inside the buildings it sounded harsh!!

DH had just radiod us and found us and here's a shot he got when the rain started coming down...

I think the rain only lasted about a half hour so we just kept shopping in our favorite country to be shopping in and that just happens to be where DH thought we should watch the fireworks from.

We popped upstairs to find a good spot for the fireworks and I sat down to rest my feet. YEP, they were getting sore again
I was getting a bit cranky bc my feet hurt again and it was all wet and rainy and I wanted something to snack on to cheer me up but didn't want to walk around for anything so DD and DH left me there with the camera equipment while they went and hunted down a funnel cake for me!! YAY!! That cheered me up. LOL. Me and my wimpy feet hey? LOL

Here's Cali while Wayne was getting his camera settings ready for the fireworks...

and now for a few fireworks shots...

The fireworks show was GREAT as usual and we were so fortunate that the rain didn't return. We took our time leaving the park after the rain and Dh got this pretty shot...

Then we headed back over to boardwalk (I was regretting all the walking through boardwalk we had to do to get to our car now but in reality it would have been just as much walking to head to the front of the park and to the parking lot I guess so either way it would have sucked).

Unfortunately it was past blue light so DH didn't want to stick around boardwalk too much and we were really starting to feel the tiredness of last nights race kicking in, so we didn't take many pics. This one is of DD and I sitting on a bench resting my feet again. LOL. We are a bit blurry but DH had a long time exposure so the camera could absorb in all the lights in such a dark environment...

And that concludes Day 11.
We were VERY excited for our next day bc DH would be doing the new Exotic Car Experience!!!! Well, ok, I admit - he was more excited than we were. LOL. But I was thrilled for him to get to experience it. So tune in to see what that all entailed.


.

 

[hjd0411]

Another good update Kim!! I do like the look of where you watched Illuminations - where abouts were you for that? I'm looking for a good spot to see it (and photograph if I can!) and that looked really good!!
What is Cali's Mexican sweater like? I can't say I've ever noticed them there!! I might have to check them out! It looks like I've got a lot of things to check when I get there!!!

 

[sbsmommy]

We were inEpcot Sunday night too. We ended up inside Mexico for the big rainstorm. We left before Illuminations. Though because we had a really early flight the next day.

 

[amazingact21]

I don't blame you for wanting to rest your feet that night. Epcot is such a huge park, it's no surprise your poor feet were tired!

A bummer about the rainstorm. (I can't remember it raining, but we were in MK and were eating around that time. ) But at least you were able to shop in a favorite store and stay relatively dry.


Those IllumiNation photos are beautiful. Makes me wish I were watching the show right now.

 

[CinderALLIE]

Just found your TR. Looks like a great time.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

WHEW! It has taken me a while to read it, but I am officially caught up!!! I will only comment on your last update to save time and brain power.

GREAT fireworks pictures! Those are by far the best ones I have seen on here! And the nighttime pics of Boardwalk are gorgeous! Yes, your DH is quite the photographer! What a downpour while you were in Japan! Gotta love those central FL showers!

I am subbed now and will keep following along until it ends now!

 

[Sandite]

I have been lurking on your TR for awhile and figured I would at least say hi. Looks like you all have had an awesome time and have done so much!! Your husband takes beautiful pictures!

 

[keishashadow]

Yes, I agree, the private island is a ways from the wave pools. I guess you could hop onto the rapids and make your way around to blue entrance and get out there and you'd be close??? LOL but ya, I'd rather be on the beach area by the wave pool. We got the 2nd last row at the back right by the entrance to Roa's so that we were by my favorite rapids and by DD's favorite part the wave pool. DD and DH can just do all the wlaking for their slides. LOL.

Oh one thing I didn't mention!! The ground gets VERY hot!!! I usually have to dart from one water splashed area to the next when walking on the paths bc they are so hot!!!! So if your feet can't handle hot surfaces like mine you will want to take something that you can slip on and off at the entrance to each area you go to.

HAVE FUN!! You will love it

we always wear our dorky water shoes. Thanks i'll try to set up camp in that area.

i don't think we've ever thought to take a pic of the infamous afternoon disney showers, another note to self

thanks again.