We Eat, Drink, and Run Disney!<---- Not even close! BIG DEVELOPMENTS New Title Needed

[MrsZ]

Happy 3 year anniversary-- that's awesome! And how awesome to be at the 1 year mark!!

Awe thank you girlie!!!

 

[MrsZ]

Hey guys!

It's been a crazy whirl wind of a week! Not to much Disney planning went on but let me update you on some of the happy craziness that distracted from the Disney planning.

DH and I had our 3 year wedding anniversary and we became an Aunt and Uncle on the same day! We went up to the hospital on Thursday to say hi to our friends and meet our new nephew.

IMG_1376 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Look at those beautiful eyes!!

IMG_1381 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Big Yawn!!! Auntie was making baby mad! lol I had to un swaddle him and investigate! Ya know, make sure we had ten fingers and toes!

IMG_1378 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
I am so in love with this little guy, it sealed the deal when he started holding on to my thumb.

We hung out at the hospital for a couple hours and then left to give the new momma and the new grandparents some time to rest and enjoy the new guy alone. Dh and I feel very blessed to have some awesome friends and that we are allowed to be in their little ones life.

Friday night, DH and I went out to celebrate our anniversary. There is a lovely little place that DH and I go to that serves very authentic Irish food. YUM! (Dh and I love all different kinds of authentic food) It was nice to finally relax. And check this out....

IMG_1383 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
I ordered a cucumber melon martini and it came with cucumber in it! IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!

Yesterday DH and I went to the "Powder Keg Festival" it is all about beer and chili! DH and I arrived early to pick up our tickets

IMG_1396 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
We had about an hour to kill before the beer and chili tents opened up so what are two adults to do?... Hit up the petting zoo!

IMG_1397 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
hello Llama!!!!

IMG_1391 by KZwicker21, on Flickr

IMG_1398 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Hello Chicken!

IMG_1399 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Laughing Llama!!!!

Next we walked over to the scarecrow making contest. Nothing really caught my attention other than this one...


IMG_1400 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
JACK!!!!

Once we were done walking around it was time to line up for the opening of the beer and chili tents. After we had our ID's checked we were handed our glasses and tickets!

IMG_1404 by KZwicker21, on Flickr

We just jumped right into the beer tasting. First up was Henniker Brewing company beer. I love trying local beer!

IMG_1405 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Next up was Lagunitas... VERY good and VERY flavorful!

IMG_1406 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Moving down the line I went to KONA Brewing company's booth and got some "Big Wave" beer. It was sooooooo good! omg can't say enough about it. AND they were giving away Lei's

IMG_1410 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Continuing on... I swear I'm not an alcoholic.... We went to red rack ale. Here not only did I receive beer but I also am the proud owner of a new sash.

IMG_1413 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
Also notice that I was lovingly photo bombed.

IMG_1416 by KZwicker21, on Flickr
We had a great time!!!

So it wasn't food and wine festival, and it definitely wasn't like going on the Kilimanjaro safari but hey it was still fun!

I'm hoping to start planning actual vacation bits soon. I hope you enjoyed this non-Disney post!

xoxo

Mrs Z

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I definitely read this update and didn't comment it! Sounds like you guys had a great time!

 

[MrsZ]

Well It's that time again, time to get you all updated!

I've had an awesomely crazy weekend! I participated in my first 10K!! I was lucky enough to participate with my company in The Dempsey Challenge. **A brief history of what the Dempsey Challenge is - Patrick Dempsey grew up in Lewiston Maine. To help the community and family members of his who were battling cancer he opened the "Dempsey Cancer Center" in Lewiston. Every year he hosts the Dempsey Challenge which is a weekend consisting of a 5K and 10K run, and a 25, 50, 75, 100 Mile Bake race.**

Lewiston Maine is about two hours from my house. I decided to work from home so that I could multitask doing some quick household chores and pack, while answering emails and checking in on the office. I left my house around 11am and made the trek up to Maine! I made pretty good time and checking into the hotel was pretty uneventful. (Other than the feact that the hotel was like a hot tub time machine back to 1985) So yea pretty uneventful!

At 3:00 I went to pick up my race packet. When I got there I saw some of my coworkers and they showed me that the company had made these beautiful signs for all of us to personalize to commemorate any of our friends and family who passed away from cancer or beat it. I absolutely wanted to do one and this is what I did.


1376327_10202402162079458_1163663751_n by KZwicker21, on Flickr

Nana and Papa were my grandparents and they both passed away from cancer.

Grammy Zelda was DH's grandma who passed away from cancer. I never had the opportunity to meet her but I hear we would've got along.

Gina is my DHalfSis (DHSis?) She is currently battling breast cancer.

And finally Miss Anj is a beautiful friend I made via the DIS when we were both planning our Disney weddings. She kicked caners butt!

The next morning I was up early, got my running shirt on and off we went!


1395337_10202409566904574_552376313_n by KZwicker21, on Flickr

After freezing my butt of for an hour before the race started I was ready to go! I was very nervous about this race. I had that issue with my ITband and needed new shoes and since then it was like starting over with training. I got my groove on though! I was going great and making a good time until I hit the first of many hills! Not wanting to hurt myself I started a run/walk pace and I was still doing really good! I found another girl running at the same pace and she also was run/walking. We started talking and pushing each other. Before I knew it we had hit mile 5.

At mile 5 I started having really bad hip pain. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop running and just walk the rest of the way? I was starting to panic a bit. But then I ran through the "in memory of" garden and saw the sign I made. I started thinking about how strong all of the people on my sign were and what they went through. I couldn't stop now! I kicked it up a notch and pushed through the pain.


582294_10202411815520788_669940800_n by KZwicker21, on Flickr

1375073_10202411839401385_1324540934_n by KZwicker21, on Flickr

The finish line was just over this bridge and strung above were more "in memory of" banners. It was such a beautiful way to end the race.


1395270_10202411846001550_301528102_n by KZwicker21, on Flickr
The end!!!!!!!!!

I finished and felt amazing! I did it in 1 hour, 12 minutes not bad for my first attempt.

I am in some pain in that right hip now but I doubt its anything serious. I'll see how it feeling in the next couple days. Now that I know I can do it I am feeling even more confident about the TOT 10miler. I'm starting to wonder if I should consider doing the princess half in February...

So that was my weekend. Again not too much Disney planning but I do feel really accomplished and like I can easily keep up with running in Disney.

xoxo

Mrs Z

 

[MrsZ]

I definitely read this update and didn't comment it! Sounds like you guys had a great time!

Thanks Sweetie! We had a fabulous time!

 

[JessM]

Congrats on your first 10K!

I know a lot of people who did the run portion of the Dempsey Challenge this weekend and next year I definitely want to do it!

 

[MrsZ]

Congrats on your first 10K! I know a lot of people who did the run portion of the Dempsey Challenge this weekend and next year I definitely want to do it!

Awe thank you!!

It was truly an experience that I feel lucky to have been a part of. I'm still on a high from doing it. There is nothing like the feeling after finishing a race.

 

[kayemgi]

Congrats on the 10k! That's awesome!

 

[MrsZ]

Congrats on the 10k! That's awesome!

Thanks!! It was amazing! I still can't believe I did it lol. If I don't stop talking about it I think DH is going to kill me hahaha

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Wow congrats on the 10K! That's an amazing accomplishment-- and what a great cause!

I want to start running just to do one of the Disney races one day!

 

[Imbri]

Bookmarked!

Congrats on your 10k! I'm going to be running my first tomorrow! =D (Today? It's after midnight here, lol)

I'll be doing my first half at Disney, the Princess Half, in Feb. I also still only feel like 'kind of sort of' a runner, haha. I still just say "I run" not, "I am a runner." I'm getting there. =D

 

[MrsZ]

Wow congrats on the 10K! That's an amazing accomplishment-- and what a great cause! I want to start running just to do one of the Disney races one day!

Thanks girl!!! It was awesome! The cause was what made it ever more rewarding

You totally should! Disney running events are so much fun! There is nothing like it!

 

[MrsZ]

Bookmarked! Congrats on your 10k! I'm going to be running my first tomorrow! =D (Today? It's after midnight here, lol) I'll be doing my first half at Disney, the Princess Half, in Feb. I also still only feel like 'kind of sort of' a runner, haha. I still just say "I run" not, "I am a runner." I'm getting there. =D

That's great!!! I saw something online that said "you know you're a runner when you plan vacations around a run!" Hahaha which all of us Disney runners do!

I'm hoping to run the princess half at some point. I'm trying to figure out my future running schedule.... More on that later

 

[tankgirl427]

Hi Mrs Z!

I'm going to follow along since I know exactly how you feel. Last year I did the TOT and I'm not a runner, I only signed up for it because it was during the time I was going to be down there, and while training signed up for Princess because it's only a 5k more. I finished both and went to Disneyland to get my Coast to Coast. I've signed up for the Half in January and I'm looking towards doing Wine and Dine next year, it looks so cool!

While you enjoy watching the Revs, I'm trying to keep my calm after last night's Sox game and the sad excuse of the Pats. I live north of Boston and about a mile away from a Disney store, so you can imagine what might end up hiding around my house.

 

[MrsZ]

Hi Mrs Z!

I'm going to follow along since I know exactly how you feel. Last year I did the TOT and I'm not a runner, I only signed up for it because it was during the time I was going to be down there, and while training signed up for Princess because it's only a 5k more. I finished both and went to Disneyland to get my Coast to Coast. I've signed up for the Half in January and I'm looking towards doing Wine and Dine next year, it looks so cool!

While you enjoy watching the Revs, I'm trying to keep my calm after last night's Sox game and the sad excuse of the Pats. I live north of Boston and about a mile away from a Disney store, so you can imagine what might end up hiding around my house.

Hello there!!!

Its bad, I'm planning all of my trips around rundisney events! I'm going to stick to the 10 miler next year but I REALLY REALLY REAAAAAALLY want to do a half in Disney.

You need to private message me where you are at! My DH and I both grew up in a town north of Boston too..... I'm very excited for the next Revs game tonight! We are so close to the play offs!! and DH promised me that if we get into the play offs I WILL be going to a game if they play at home.

So glad you're following along!

 

[MrsZ]

Let’s get to the nitty gritty of Disney planning shall we? I’ve been dying lately since we aren’t going to Disney this year. I am 100% blessed to have our dream home and I’m in no way saying I would change that we moved but what the move did to the bank account, for lack of a better work, sucked! I need alittle Disney magic so let’s talk Disney dining!

DH and I always go with the dining plan. It works great for us! We love trying different restaurants and consider ourselves “foodies”. We usually plan our day around our ADR’s!

Here is a list of the restaurants that we have yet to try in Disney and think we want to go to next trip.

Donald's Safari Breakfast 
at Tusker House
Animal Kingdom
Buffet


Donalds Safari Lunch by KZwicker21, on Flickr

we love character dining. There are enough people waiting to see the characters without two adults clogging up the line. We figure character dining kills two birds with one stone. I’ve always wanted to try the Tusker House breakfast because we would love to get into the park early! We do AK in the morning anyway so it will work great for us.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Princess Storybook Character Dining
Norway - World Showcase - Epcot
Dinner


Akershus by KZwicker21, on Flickr

This is all about me! I’m not going to lie I’m being selfish here. We’ve done CM and Ohana but I have no pictures with Princesses! I really want to meet snow white since she is my favorite.

Restaurant Marrakesh
Morocco - World Showcase - Epcot
Dinner Menu


Inside-Marrakesh by KZwicker21, on Flickr

DH wasn’t so sure about this one. However last year at F&W he tried some falafel and liked it! Plus I reminded him about the belly dancer and somehow that swayed him to agreeing to it.

Rose and Crown Dining Room
United Kingdom - World Showcase - Epcot
Dinner Menu


stormalong-epcot-121 by KZwicker21, on Flickr

This one i’m on the fence about. DH wants to try it, I could take it or leave it. If anyone has any reviews or tips for dining here they would be greatly appreciated!


San Angel Inn
Mexico - World Showcase - Epcot
Dinner


San-Angel-inn-Disney by KZwicker21, on Flickr

DH and I LOVE Mexican food! The waiter at our local mexican place knows us by name. I’ve always wanted to try SAI but i’ve seen it get some pretty rough reviews. I think we are going to bite the bullet and give it a shot. Not everyone likes Mexican food or only likes the “Taco Bell” version of Mexican and doesn’t really like the True Mexican flavors. I’m going to go in expecting nothing and hope to be pleasantly surprised.


Cape May Cafe
Clam Bake Dinner Buffet
Beach Club Resort


a1d1666709ec4f9b8422e752a6108fd0_prefRes by KZwicker21, on Flickr

DH and I did the Cape May Cafe character breakfast in 2008 and loved it! Now being from New England we have clam bakes all the time which is why we never had dinner there. I want to try it though. There are things other than clams available on the menu and I just love the BC and YC. Just being there makes me all happy inside!


Rix Lounge
Coronado Springs


Unknown by KZwicker21, on Flickr


I had never heard of the Rix Lounge before. It wasn’t until I saw another fellow Disney Bride take pictures there that I even knew it existed. It is beautiful! They have some yummy apps and some “light eats” along with a fantastic drink menu! I think this would be a nice “first night” in Disney date.

Now DH and I have are “old reliable” Disney restaurants that we love and I’m sure will eventually make an appearance on our final list but I wanted to get your opinions. What do you think of this list? Any “Must Do’s”? Any “Must Don’t’s?” Any help is always appreciated!

Hope you all have a great week, and I promise I’ll be around more often now. The past two weeks have been crazy!

xoxo

Mrs Z

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We've never done breakfast at Tusker House but we love lunch there! I think you'll enjoy it and the characters are fun in their safari gear!

San Angel is one of the restaurants at the very top of my list of restaurants that I want to try on our next trip!

I'm with you on the princesses. I really want to do a princess meal on our next trip. I don't think I can justify the price/2 credits for CRT without kids but Akerhaus seems like a good alternate!

We did the Cape May Clam Bake dinner on our last trip. The food was all good but we weren't particularly impressed. The Beach Club was gorgeous, as is the whole boardwalk area so I enjoyed seeing it, however I think we would have enjoyed breakfast better.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We've never done breakfast at Tusker House but we love lunch there! I think you'll enjoy it and the characters are fun in their safari gear!

San Angel is one of the restaurants at the very top of my list of restaurants that I want to try on our next trip!

I'm with you on the princesses. I really want to do a princess meal on our next trip. I don't think I can justify the price/2 credits for CRT without kids but Akerhaus seems like a good alternate!

We did the Cape May Clam Bake dinner on our last trip. The food was all good but we weren't particularly impressed. The Beach Club was gorgeous, as is the whole boardwalk area so I enjoyed seeing it, however I think we would have enjoyed breakfast better.

 

[Chaitali]

Hi, I came across your PTR today and I wanted to follow along . I just decided a couple days ago that I'm going to run the ToT 10 miler next year too! I just started running this year. I did a 5k earlier this year and I have another one coming up in a couple weeks. But I've never run a longer distance so I've got a lot of work to do! I'm going to try the Jeff Galloway training plans too. We haven't gotten any further in planning the trip since I just made the decision. My husband requested a MNSSHP so we'll probably do that the night before the race.

I look forward to hearing more about your trip and your running

 

[momabaarjo]

Joining in...just ran the ToT this year...my first long race ever! While I wont be running next years ToT ...have plans for PHM 2015 though!