#Wine&DineHalf: I'm Only Running for the Food & Wine FINISHED

[momabaarjo]

#Wine&DineHalf
I'm Only Running for the Food & Wine

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Let’s be honest, RUNNING 22.4 miles in 3 days is just a way to ease my guilty conscience when it comes to be able to go on a GIRLS ONLY TRIP to WDW and EATING & DRINKING anything and everything I want during that trip.

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Come along as I share my FAVORITE MORSELS, MOMENTS, and LIQUID REFRESHMENTS as well as RUN REPORTS from Mickey’s Holiday 5K and Lumiere’s Challenge (the Inaugural Wine & Dine 10K and the Wine & Dine Half).​

 

[momabaarjo]

Table of Contents
(Going to Try my Best to do a Better Job of Hyperlinking)
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Cast of Characters: Tammie
Cast of Characters: Buffy & Debra
Cast of Characters: The Flats

Thursday: Best Day Ever
POFQ Review
Wine & Dine Expo
Thursday: Eats & Drinks

Training Interrupted

Friday: Best Day Ever
Mickey's Holiday 5K
Beach Club Resort Review
Beach Club Room Review
Friday: Eats & Drinks Part 1
Friday: Eats & Drinks Part 2

Saturday: Best Day Ever
Wine & Dine 10K
Saturday: Eats & Drinks

Sunday: Best Day Ever
Wine & Dine Half Marathon
Sunday: Eats & Drinks Afternoon Delights
Sunday: Eats & Drinks Afternoon Delights CONT
Sunday: Eats & Drinks Evening at the W&D AfterParty
Sunday: Eats & Drinks Evening at the W&D AfterParty CONT

Training Interrupted Update

Monday: Best Day Ever
Monday: Eats & Drinks

Tuesday: Best Day Ever
Tuesday: Eats & Drinks

Wednesday: WORST Day Ever
Wednesday: Eats & Drinks

Departing Thoughts

 

[momabaarjo]

Cast of Characters: Tammie​

I am Tammie, your narrator. Everything is being seen from my one eye...

(because I am selfie challenged)...a 40 something (getting closer to that 50 mark but that is the next PTR) Disney Queen. I am a wife and mother of 3, who get left behind at home during my RunDisney Girls trips…I know bad mom, but really a good mom because these little breaks from reality assure I am a little less grumpy than I would be if I had not gotten away (plus the fact that DH goes on his boy’s only hunting and fishing trips more times than I can count). I work in education, in a position that I like to call between a rock and a hard place. I love to scrapbook, read, explore and most importantly dream. I also find myself a bit of a newly discovered foodie and willing to try almost anything, once and a big talker when it comes to drinking as this my PTR (all talk) and TR (no action) for this trip will prove.
This will be my 3rd RunDisney adventure…






I am not sure if my husband or I am more amazed that January will mark the start of my 5th year into this running adventure. I still like giggle when I think about myself running. Up until 4 years ago I had basically never run a moment in my life except for when forced to due to circumstance which usually included a child, but then this thing called GIRLS ONLY trip to WDW entered my mind and running became the perfect “LINE” to use on my DH. After many false starts into the world of running,

I was introduced to Jeff Galloway and his method of run/walk/run and everything changed. Thanks to the Galloway Method have completed 17 half marathons in the last 2 years and in 2016 have Run/Walked over 2016 miles. While I might not be fast, in fact BOTP (Back of the Pack) I am out there enjoying (there I admitted it) the “ME” time that running has given me.​

 

[momabaarjo]

Cast of Characters: Buffy & Debra

There are 2 more ladies with me that are in it for the food & wine too…



Meet Buffy (Center) & Debra (Right)​

I met both of these ladies on-line a few years ago as I began my running adventures. They have become more than virtual friends, but true friends in every sense of the word. I enjoy the moments that we are able to spend together and their constant encouragement and support both in running and life.

Debra-Actually lives about 3 hours from me! We have met up several times for run weekends in Dallas and hope there will be more as I set out on my next training adventures in a few weeks. She even convinced me to do a 25K in the middle of the night, in July, in Dallas. She has great persuasive skills.

Buffy-We are proof that is this a very small world, who knew that you would met a long lost relative you never knew you had on the DIS and end up taking a trip with them? Buffy and I are cousins on my father and her mother side. Pretty crazy! We are a pretty perfect match when it comes to running...and I am so glad she was there by my side and wanted to take part in my race antics!


Buffy & Debra put up with me…enough said!

 

[momabaarjo]

Cast of Characters: The Flats

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Meet Cammy (Center), Amy (Left) and Kendra (Right)​

For one reason or another 3 of my biggest fans and supporters from PHM and all through W&D training were not able to make this RunDisney trip…and of course no trip would be the same without them, so they all came along in flat form!


Cammy-My RunDisney Partner in crime whose classroom is down the hall from my office. She has been there since my first running step in this adventure called running and part of both TOT and PHM. Her excuse to stay behind was a cute man...

okay so he is only 8 months old but he is the love of her life behind the ever patient DH. I know that is was hard for her to watch me leave, but I know that one day we will get started back on our running adventures!


Amy-My DisneyStepSista. Amy started out as a DIS friend almost 6 years ago when we were both planning a Christmas family trip. We become fast friends. She was supposed to come on the TOT trip, but had to cancel…made it to the PHM trip. Her excuse to sit W&D out a school teacher, mom and cheerleading coach at the end of football season...


Kendra-A RunDisney DIS Virtual friend whom I met up with at PHM15 and have continued to be inspired by her faith and her unwavering encouragment. Her excuse, she lives for PHM…

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Following along...I was there for some of this

 

[momabaarjo]

Following along...I was there for some of this

You think...you better follow along just to see what I am saying and to set the record straight!

 

[rteetz]

Yes! So excited to hear all about it!

 

[SarahDisney]

Yes! Trip report time! I'm excited to read about all the fun, food, running, and drinking!

 

[lovingeire]

I'm here...mostly to share blurry visions of cocktails shared...

 

[momabaarjo]

Yes! So excited to hear all about it!

So glad you are along Ryan...I promise I was a good role model for you and your parents wont be too shocked. I am so excited for your upcoming race!

Yes! Trip report time! I'm excited to read about all the fun, food, running, and drinking!

YAY, Sarah is here! I hope I don't disappoint you!

I'm here...mostly to share blurry visions of cocktails shared...

I am sure you will sneak in an appearance or two...I wished there would have been more meet ups with you and Jan!

 

[momabaarjo]

I have decided to do this Trip Report a little different and knock it out as fast as I can (you will find out why when it is finished)...





Here is my plan share things that made that day the BEST DAY EVER, the food I ate that day and those 5 O'clock Somewhere beverages, because anyone that has followed along or even lurked know for me it is all about the experience of the trip!​

 

[momabaarjo]

BEST DAY EVER
Thursday, November 3​

1. Traveling



Getting there is always half the fun and this trips departure was bitter sweet as I had to leave my RunDisney Partner in Crime, Cammy, home. Rest assured that she came along in spirit, aka flat form! I had to practically drag her away from the margaritas in Dallas because it was only like 8 am and we had 20 minutes to connect flights. There was a funny moment in SW cattle line for our flight to Orlando. The lady standing next to me looked very familiar, she and I both commented on the fact. Just as we boarded we remembered that she was in the same corral as me a few years ago at Hot Chocolate Dallas, had on a sparkle skirt that was on my holy grail list and we had run into each other at the PHM Expo the following year. The flight went fast, as everyone around me was headed to WDW for Wine & Dine weekend as the conversation was flowing!

2. Arrival



Getting off the plane and having both Buffy & Debra waiting was so nice. Our flights all came in within about 15 minutes of each other! We stopped to take a few of the fun arrival pictures before getting on the Magical Express bound for our resort.

3. POFQ

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4. Wine & Dine Expo



5. Frozen



We scheduled Fast Passes for Frozen on arrival night, because you have to ride it at least once, right? I was shocked on how long the fastpass line wait was…15 minutes and disappointed on the lack of theming that we could not see from the Fast Pass line, but the stand by line was 90 minutes so I got over it really quickly. We were lucky to ride with a grandfather, who knew every word to Let It Go and was not afraid to sing it! The ride was “okay”…wish that the music would have blared in the Ice Castle because that is the best way to listen to Let it Go. I was never a huge fan of Maelstrom either, and I would say I like Frozen better! ​

 

[rteetz]

1. Traveling to Disney is always fun, traveling home is the sad part.
2. That's so nice that they were there waiting and that your flights arrived so close together.
3. I stayed at POFQ once when I was like 4, don't remember much but interested to hear more about your stay there.
4. The expo! Can't wait to hear how that went!
5. We have Frozen scheduled for arrival day as well. That sucks that the FP line isn't all themed.

 

[emilyindisney]

Hi Tammie! Excited to hear your take on Wine and Dine. I like the way you're writing your TR- something new to read! Can't wait for more!

 

[SarahDisney]

I love that other people on your flight were going for Wine & Dine! And so awesome that you guys were able to coordinate your flights and land around the same time!
I'm excited to hear that you liked Frozen better than Maelstrom. I was never a Maelstrom fan (I thought it was super creepy), so I'm really excited to try it whenever I manage to get back to Florida...

 

[momabaarjo]

1. Traveling to Disney is always fun, traveling home is the sad part. you are 100% correct
2. That's so nice that they were there waiting and that your flights arrived so close together. love it when plans workout...I was a little worried someone would get delayed
3. I stayed at POFQ once when I was like 4, don't remember much but interested to hear more about your stay there.
4. The expo! Can't wait to hear how that went!
5. We have Frozen scheduled for arrival day as well. That sucks that the FP line isn't all themed.

I liked Frozen but just like Maelstrom, it will be a ride if there is no line. Nothing special!

Hi Tammie! Excited to hear your take on Wine and Dine. I like the way you're writing your TR- something new to read! Can't wait for more!

Welcome along...loving your Wine & Dine Report! I am really trying to pump this TR out fast, usually I have almost 2 years between trips...this one will be LOTS shorter...that is if the doctor gives me good news on Monday.

I love that other people on your flight were going for Wine & Dine! And so awesome that you guys were able to coordinate your flights and land around the same time!
I'm excited to hear that you liked Frozen better than Maelstrom. I was never a Maelstrom fan (I thought it was super creepy), so I'm really excited to try it whenever I manage to get back to Florida...

you know we probably will be hung for talking just talk about Maelstrom...

 

[momabaarjo]

POFQ Resort & Room Review


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Resort Rating: 7 out of 10


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I had never stayed at POFQ and have always wanted to! And this trip, I fulfilled that wish, if only for a night. I must say that I loved POFQ! The atmosphere theming was so much fun and really but me in a celebration mood (and I did not have to flash anything to get a string of beads). POFQ change in vast size of POR, next door, and other moderate resorts that I have stayed at. The short time we were there never seemed really busy or crowded (that is what I hate about Value Resorts). POFQ was very tranquil and calming. We stayed in Building 2 which was right off Port Orleans Square Lobby and facing the pool on the 3rd floor, perfect location. My only real negative with the location was the elevator and ice machine were on the complete opposite end of the building (which would have been painful had we been staying there the entire trip after running). However, the foliage really needs to be taken care of here as the tree limbs are growing into the walkways to the rooms and pretty much encase the part of the building we were in. I felt totally safe Thursday night when I walked in the dark between POFQ and POR to drop off Jan & Gretchen’s custom ears/shirts. Although I have to admit, I was alert for those reptiles that were mentioned on the multiple signs along the pathway. I was disappointed that Sassagoula remodel was still not finished, making the area to eat small and pretty much lack of theming. We took a look at the pool, but really did not have time for it in the plans of the day. I really wish I would have taken advantage of the hot tub that evening we were there. What really made this resort a 9 were the Cast Members, some of the most friendly people I have ever encountered at a Disney Resort. They went out of their way to engage us in conversation (even remembering our names as we came in and out throughout the day) and making sure everything was right with our stay!

Room Rating: 5 out of 10


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I was very disappointed in the rooms in general, and my lack of room pictures is a sign of that. There is NO THEMING or many touches that scream Disney or Mardi Gras once you get in the room. In fact, if this room has been remodeled, it must have been really bad to start with. The room was DARK, seemed bare of anything festive like New Orleans, the colors seemed dated…IT WAS BLAH and SHABBY, no life. The pocket door on the bathroom did not like to stay shut and the bathroom needed a deep cleaning (especially in the corners and along the baseboards). It was not comfortable, not something you would want to have a lot of down time in (like I had planned for this trip). The table and chairs did not match the other wood furniture in the room and looked almost like something you would find in a thrift store as an afterthought. The room felt dusty. I am certainly glad that we only stayed a night…

Would I recommend this resort? Of course I would, but for a running trip it really does not work for me and have what I want. If this was a family trip of the all day in the park and only sleeping here, perfect but when you know you have to save your legs and need that down time…

 

[rteetz]

Interesting review. I'm a big fan of Riverside and I wouldn't say there is a whole lot of theming in those rooms either. Interesting you didn't like it for a running trip since I've heard a lot of runners recommend it because it's small and does it's job. Everyone is different though. I enjoyed reading your thoughts.

 

[emilyindisney]

Though I agree the room is a little blah I do like those purple throws at the end of the beds. They look like they should go with the Royal Room decor at POR!