Wine and Dine...to the Finish Line! Fall 2017 TR NEW 1/25 The Last Day - THE END!

[missjackiemcg]

Really?!? Good to know. @Lesley Wake and I are going to tackle New Years in 2019!

WAIT just a minute here!! In a new development, Rob, Jimmy and I will be there for NYE 2019, too

 

[pkondz]

Why, us DISboarders of course! duh.

True!

 

[chunkymonkey]

WAIT just a minute here!! In a new development, Rob, Jimmy and I will be there for NYE 2019, too

Are you there for 2018-2019 or 2019 to 2020? We will be there for the latter. Although I think I can probably swing this year as well, but I think I'm a little late on planning it now as hotel prices are a bit steep.

 

[Lesley Wake]

WAIT just a minute here!! In a new development, Rob, Jimmy and I will be there for NYE 2019, too

I thought you would! I knew your vacation count happened in December but didn’t know how long you would be there! It’ll be so awesome if we can all meet up!

 

[missjackiemcg]

@chunkymonkey @Lesley Wake
We are cruising til 12/27/19 then decided we wanted to stay for another NYE because nobody celebrates a new year like Disney!! Not sure if we will do one of Disney's NYE events again like we did to ring in 2018, but it's a maybe for us. If not, we'll be in MK with the masses. Since you're park pros, you will find it totally manageable with a plan :-D

 

[chunkymonkey]

@chunkymonkey @Lesley Wake
We are cruising til 12/27/19 then decided we wanted to stay for another NYE because nobody celebrates a new year like Disney!! Not sure if we will do one of Disney's NYE events again like we did to ring in 2018, but it's a maybe for us. If not, we'll be in MK with the masses. Since you're park pros, you will find it totally manageable with a plan :-D

Yes!! We should definitely meet up then!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Ok everyone, I've started my new trip report for last week's trip:

CRAZY DIS ASIANS! a September 2018 Trip Report

Hope to see you all there!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

November 2nd: Pre-Race Day

Today was the day before the Fall Feast 5k and we had scheduled a morning at AK followed by an afternoon at the Race Expo and then an early dinner at Citricos! We dined there for the first time on our Sept trip that year and we enjoyed it and since we were staying at the GF we thought it would be a perfect evening meal before our 5k.

We caught a bus from the GF to AK. It was a beautiful day - you'd never have known that 3 days ago it was 45 degrees as today was a beautiful 75 degrees.

A couple of Magic Shots:

I am wearing my favorite elephant shorts. I don't wear shorts all that much but if I do it has to have elephants on it.

Then we headed to Pandora for our first FP for Flight of Passage! Still an amazing ride although the pre-show is getting a little...annoying now, especially when you're being disinfected, LOL. Damn parasites!

While in Pandora I had a DISmeet with Natalie @Nhebron! So nice to meet you Natalie! She was running the 5k the next day and it was her first Run Disney event! Hope you had a fabulous time in Disney last week Natalie!

Our next FP was for the Safari. It was a really fun safari, lots of animals out!

We decided to have some lunch before heading to the Run Disney Expo. We decided on Flame Tree Grill. We have not eaten there in a long time, but I was glad we did. We shared the following:

Watermelon Salad
Watermelon, Mixed Greens, Feta, Pickled Red Onion with a White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Whoa look how big the portion is! huge chunks of watermelon. It was nice and refreshing!

French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese

These were delicious! I had not heard about this until I saw @cinderkelly post about them and they are so yummy. I normally am a bit picky about BBQ but the meat was so tender and paired with the cheese and fries made it so tasty!

Steve apparently thought it wasn't enough food so he got the kids chicken meal which is really just a little drumstick. He liked it enough though, LOL.

Baked Chicken Drumstick
includes Grapes and GoGo squeeZ® Applesauce and choice of small Lowfat Milk or small Dasani® Water

After lunch our next FP was for Adventurer's Outpost so we headed to meet Mickey and Minnie in their Safari Gear.
This is a really cute meet n greet, I always enjoy it!

We had to make it to the Run Disney expo to pick up our bibs so we left AK after our last FP. We used Uber to get to the ESPN Wide World of Sports.

We picked up our bibs then headed to where all the merchandise is.

I thought the Food and Wine stuff was so cute, but of course pricey. I bought this jacket which was over-priced but I love it. It's really thin and it's made by Champion so not even really high-end although it was priced like The North Face. I just loved having the logo of Chef Mickey running with a tray of food. It's definitely something that speaks to me, LOL.
I also got some equally pricey capri sweatpants in black, that say "Eat Drink Run Disney" because when in Rome...

Also know that when you see a skinny mirror it's a fact that you take a picture of yourself in said mirror.
(i.e. a mirror that makes you look thinner and not a mirror that is narrow)

I also spent a bit of time in the Expo floor looking at merchandise. Sparkleskirts was there and as many of you know it's what I mainly wear to the parks, so they were having a sale of buy 3 get one free and even though they are super expensive, I really love them and they rarely have sales so took full advantage of it .

When we were done, we headed out and grabbed a bus back to the GF.

After resting in the room, we got ready to head out to our early dinner at Citrico's which was a 3 minute walk from our room, yay!

i got a drink to start and Steve had a glass of wine.
I think this is the Solerno Prosecco Cocktail: Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Orange Juice, and Acinum Prosecco

I got the octopus appetizer, which was fabulous. I had this early on our Sept trip and thought it was delicious! Sadly it seems it's not on the menu anymore but it was done in a Mediterranean style with chickpeas tomatoes and paprika with a potato or cauliflower foam. Yum.

Steve got the Florida Shrimp: House-made Gnocchetti Sardi Pasta, spicy Puttanesca Sauce, Baby Spinach, Parmesan which he enjoyed but seemed more like an entree to me rather than an appetizer.

I think I got the same entree I got last time: Wild-caught Halibut Saffron Jasmine Rice, Cedar Key Clams, Calico Scallops, Chorizo Vinaigrette. It was obviously good enough to order again! I love a well-prepared piece of fish and the rice was good for carb fueling, LOL.

As an entree Steve got the Scallop Risotto: Grilled Corn, Fava Beans, Crab Meat, Risotto, Pistou. They were very good!

Dessert was the Baked Chocolate-Banana Torte with Vanilla Ice Cream and Handcrafted Belgian Couverture Chocolate Crown. I think they have changed it to Chocolate-Cherry torte now but I really love when chocolate and banana are together so this dessert was very up my alley.

After a really nice dinner, we returned to our room and tried to wind down. We were lax with this whole race that it was like, ok I'll wake up whenever, run, no big deal. Whereas back in Feb during the Princess 5k I was very adamant about getting to sleep at a certain time, and not drinking the night before, and doing stretches like I was a real athlete. So this time, being it our second time at a Run Disney event, and the race being towards the end of our trip, we just seemed a bit more relaxed.

I did try on my running outfit just to make sure it looked alright with the bib.

Can you guess who I am? LOL. Wait till you see Steve!

I took a bath and used a bath bomb from BASIN.
So convenient that there is one in the GF, I love those things and they smell so good!
I don't think I got to sleep as early as I wanted to though!


Coming up...Fall Feast 5K around Animal Kingdom and the most decadent dinner at Victoria and Albert's!!
​

 

[RedK]

I love Sparkleskirts too - you're right, when they are on sale, you have to buy them. They are perfect for the parks (and for a run).

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi Su-Lynn! We MUST get back to Citricos!!! Your meals look sooooo good!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

LOVE your running outfit - you look great - and cannot wait to see Steve's. "I'll just wake up whenever, run, no big deal..." Citrico's looks delicious - I haven't been in a while. May need to try to work it into the October schedule. And the jacket you got at the Expo is fantastic! I want one... without having to run.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Still an amazing ride although the pre-show is getting a little...annoying now, especially when you're being disinfected, LOL. Damn parasites!

I found it annoying the only two times I ever rode FOP, so I can understand this!

This is a really cute meet n greet, I always enjoy it!

Great picture! I love this meet—especially because of their awesome outfits.

I got the octopus appetizer, which was fabulous. I had this early on our Sept trip and thought it was delicious! Sadly it seems it's not on the menu anymore but it was done in a Mediterranean style with chickpeas tomatoes and paprika with a potato or cauliflower foam. Yum.

Yummmm! What a shame it's no longer on the menu.

and the most decadent dinner at Victoria and Albert's!!

Oooooh, I'm excited to hear about this!

 

[missjackiemcg]

This sounds like a perfect pre-race day!! We did the Highway in the Sky dine around the night before my first runDisney 5K. I think your plan was better!! LOL

Love your Snow White costume!!! Can't wait to see Steve. Was he Dopey!?

 

[missangelalexis]

Nice morning at AK!

Your meals at Cirtricos looked yum!

Love your race outfit!!

 

[pkondz]

we thought it would be a perfect evening meal before our 5k.

Sure. Sure. Gotta carb load. Yep.

Steve's expression is perfect.

I don't wear shorts all that much but if I do it has to have elephants on it.

Still an amazing ride although the pre-show is getting a little...annoying now, especially when you're being disinfected, LOL. Damn parasites!

Stupid Florida mosquitoes.

Our next FP was for the Safari. It was a really fun safari, lots of animals out!

Wow! Almost like it's a zoo, or something. Of course we know it's not a zoo, though.

Animatronic lions. They should program them better.

Watermelon Salad
Watermelon, Mixed Greens, Feta, Pickled Red Onion with a White Balsamic Vinaigrette

That sounds (and looks) good.

French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese

Probably just as healthy as the salad.

Steve apparently thought it wasn't enough food so he got the kids chicken meal which is really just a little drumstick. He liked it enough though, LOL.

That just looks.... so inadequate.

We had to make it to the Run Disney expo to pick up our bibs

Because you're messy eaters?

I thought the Food and Wine stuff was so cute, but of course pricey.

Pricey? In Disney??? Huh!! Who'd a thunk it!

I just loved having the logo of Chef Mickey running with a tray of food.

Like that too.

I also got some equally pricey capri sweatpants in black, that say "Eat Drink Run Disney" because when in Rome...

... wear a toga?

After resting in the room, we got ready to head out to our early dinner at Citrico's which was a 3 minute walk from our room, yay!

Nice. I'd like to be able to do that (or similar) some day.

Love the top!

Steve got the Florida Shrimp: House-made Gnocchetti Sardi Pasta, spicy Puttanesca Sauce, Baby Spinach, Parmesan which he enjoyed but seemed more like an entree to me rather than an appetizer.

Me and Steve. We understand shrimp.

and the rice was good for carb fueling, LOL.

SEE?????

As an entree Steve got the Scallop Risotto: Grilled Corn, Fava Beans, Crab Meat, Risotto, Pistou. They were very good!

mmmm.... love a good risotto...

Wow, that's pretty!

1. Running bare foot. Impressive.
2. Kinda loving the outfit.

the most decadent dinner at Victoria and Albert's!!

ooooooh.... niiiice.

 

[annie170]

I love that jacket with Chef Mickey on it! Out of curiosity, would you wear that outside of Disney? I have friends who give me a hard time wearing Disney apparel in real life.

Your meal at Citricos looked delish! How convenient for you also.

Love your Snow White running outfit. Looking forward to seeing Steve's and reading about the race.

 

[Steppesister]

I am wearing my favorite elephant shorts. I don't wear shorts all that much but if I do it has to have elephants on it.

I noticed those!! CUTE!!!!

LOL!! I love this one!

Watermelon Salad
Watermelon, Mixed Greens, Feta, Pickled Red Onion with a White Balsamic Vinaigrette

This looks amazing! Perfect for a light snack on a hot day!

I just loved having the logo of Chef Mickey running with a tray of food. It's definitely something that speaks to me, LOL.

we got ready to head out to our early dinner at Citrico's

I can't wait for my dinner here in 2 weeks!!

but seemed more like an entree to me rather than an appetizer.

I was going to say the same thing. Looks rather heavy and large for an appie.

I still think I"m going to get this one. Looks fantastic!

Normally I detest banana, but I think I could do this one with the banana being cooked and caramelized. We shall see...

So adorable!

 

[paradesintherain]

I decided we should be an actual couple for our anniversary otherwise Steve would just be Gaston again.

Cutest couple!

It's a very hard parade to photograph because it's so dark and everyone moves very fast!

Ugh it is so hard. Some of your pictures actually came out! None of mine did. Also I looked in the background of all your pics to see if maybe i was in them but no luck

Still an amazing ride although the pre-show is getting a little...annoying now, especially when you're being disinfected, LOL.

SO ANNOYING. Wish there was a way to bypass it

 

[chunkymonkey]

I love Sparkleskirts too - you're right, when they are on sale, you have to buy them. They are perfect for the parks (and for a run).

They are my favorite thing to wear in the parks! I have spent an exorbitant amount of money replacing every horrendous pair of shorts I have with a cute sparkleskirt but I love them so much!

Hi Su-Lynn! We MUST get back to Citricos!!! Your meals look sooooo good!

Hi Jenny! I agree! It really was delicious!!

LOVE your running outfit - you look great - and cannot wait to see Steve's. "I'll just wake up whenever, run, no big deal..." Citrico's looks delicious - I haven't been in a while. May need to try to work it into the October schedule. And the jacket you got at the Expo is fantastic! I want one... without having to run.

Haha ok for the record, that was our Attitude going in but our Reality was much different. I cannot run for the life of me and ever since I broke my ankle last year it's just all been downhill.
Technically anyone can go to the expo and buy stuff so you can totally get merchandise without running!

I found it annoying the only two times I ever rode FOP, so I can understand this!

Yeah there should be a FP to bypass the pre-show LOL.

Great picture! I love this meet—especially because of their awesome outfits.

Agreed! They are so cute and especially cuddly at this meet n greet!

Yummmm! What a shame it's no longer on the menu.

I hope they bring it back, it was delicious!

This sounds like a perfect pre-race day!! We did the Highway in the Sky dine around the night before my first runDisney 5K. I think your plan was better!! LOL

I remember reading that in your TR! It sounds like an amazing experience and I have booked it for January! I'm sure it will be cold, but I really want to do it!

Love your Snow White costume!!! Can't wait to see Steve. Was he Dopey!?

Thanks! Yup he was Dopey

 

[chunkymonkey]

Nice morning at AK!

Your meals at Cirtricos looked yum!

Love your race outfit!!

thank you so much! It was a good pre-race day!

Sure. Sure. Gotta carb load. Yep.

Any reason to carb load is a good one. I don't even have to be running!

Exactly the way I feel about my elephant shorts!

Wow! Almost like it's a zoo, or something. Of course we know it's not a zoo, though.

It's a Disney zoo so it's magic.

Animatronic lions. They should program them better.

No, they are magical lions, duh.

Probably just as healthy as the salad.

Haha probably the same amount of calories!

That just looks.... so inadequate.

It was...sad.

Because you're messy eaters?

Yes we are that too.

Pricey? In Disney??? Huh!! Who'd a thunk it!

But in Disney Math, pricey is ok!

... wear a toga?

only if you do!

Love the top!

thanks! It's a dress! I'll add it to the list of things you are going to borrow.

Me and Steve. We understand shrimp.

Good to know you can have a shrimp bro-mance!

mmmm.... love a good risotto...

me too!

1. Running bare foot. Impressive.
2. Kinda loving the outfit.

1. The splinters were horrendous
2. Thanks!

I love that jacket with Chef Mickey on it! Out of curiosity, would you wear that outside of Disney? I have friends who give me a hard time wearing Disney apparel in real life.

Yes I have worn it outside of Disney! I wear the more "subtle" Disney attire out, and not something that screams DISNEY TOURIST but I do like wearing Star Wars stuff a lot.

Your meal at Citricos looked delish! How convenient for you also.

Best of everything!!

Love your Snow White running outfit. Looking forward to seeing Steve's and reading about the race.

Thank you!!

I noticed those!! CUTE!!!!

Thanks!

This looks amazing! Perfect for a light snack on a hot day!

It was great! We were surprised at the portion size!

I can't wait for my dinner here in 2 weeks!!

YUM! So jealous!

I was going to say the same thing. Looks rather heavy and large for an appie.

Yeah, although the pasta portion wasn't too big. But certainly big enough to share.

I still think I"m going to get this one. Looks fantastic!

It's a great entree!

Normally I detest banana, but I think I could do this one with the banana being cooked and caramelized. We shall see...

I think they have changed it to cherry instead of banana but who knows it may have changed again.

Cutest couple!

Thank you!

Ugh it is so hard. Some of your pictures actually came out! None of mine did. Also I looked in the background of all your pics to see if maybe i was in them but no luck

LOL were you in that same spot too?

SO ANNOYING. Wish there was a way to bypass it

Yes! They need an FP for this! Haha.