Trip Report Again? Seriously?? Live-ish

Yup. Its only been 3 weeks and we’re headed back to the World.

3 weeks ago was our daughter’s 21st. Now, Princess weekend. @MeffysMom is doing 10k and half and me and my old man knees are just doing the 10k. Sadly, no daughter this time. She’s doing all the learning at college.

No previews, just reporting as it happens or as close to that as I can. Which means… welcome to BWI airport!

 

[littleroo]

Congratulations!!! Love the costumes! What a great accomplishment

 

[brifraz]

But… the best part of every race.

Honestly, I’ll just buy a few gallons of that amazing fake cheese food product.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Congratulations on the race and having photo stops on the countries

 

[brifraz]

We finished up a little before 7am, but somehow both missed our alarms to get into Guardians. No worries, it wasn’t a huge priority. After the far too long walk back to our van, we still had a good half hour to relax before heading into Epcot early entry.

At 8am we were in and made a different rope drop choice than usual.

Always good to learn about our past.

Visit with this amazing lady.

And experience some great ‘new’ technology.

 

[Plowboy]

Hmm… not quite the compact we reserved.
View attachment 845327

You know, when they don’t even mention the ‘free upgrade’ until you are walking to the car…. It’s like I ordered a dole whip but I got a kitchen sink. I really just wanted a dole whip.

So long as you're not paying for the kitchen sink..., but I get your point.

 

[brifraz]

After Spaceship Earth, it was over to The Land for two of our family favorite rides. Soarin was up first, but sadly no pictures. Second stop, though, was more picturesque.

Just hoping a boat actually shows up for us.

It did, eventually.

Then it was over to visit the manatees! Well, Nemo first.

And happy to see the new manatees! Who were not terribly photogenic. Just imagine a big grey water potato eating lettuce.

Followed up our Living Seas time, we visited the Disney Broadway exhibit followed by Club Cool and some shopping at Creations.

And right now, it’s Encanto time!

 

[erstwo]

Congrats on the race!! You two are too adorable - LOVE the costumes.

 

[brifraz]

This. Winning.

 

[brifraz]

Love the Biergarten!!

It’s been almost a decade since we have visited the Biergarten and we definitely were happy be back. Good quality food, good beer (at a good price!),and great entertainment. Very glad to see the trumpet (and bell) player and the accordion player still here from back then!

After food and drink we slow walked and Friendship boated our way to the front and headed out.

And now, some r&r snd maybe a drink at Old Key West.

 

[brifraz]

Just hung out at OKW for a couple hours and then got to bed early. Because…

Another 2:30am wake up call and another 3:30am picture at Epcot

But this morning, my wife is headed to the race start…

…while I am headed to MK to cheer her on at mile 6. Someday maybe I’ll get these knees fixed up and do the half with her!!

 

[brifraz]

Here at MK, it’s spectator central. The new race route means a little less spectator space (used to have cheering space around a portion of the hub, now it stops just past Casey’s) which makes it pretty crowded - at least more than I’m used to at these.

Early morning train station.

Crowd lining Main Street.

Mickey and Minnie waiting to cheer runners as they turn at the end of Main St.

Oh, and this little thing.

 

[brifraz]

And there she goes!! About 5.5 miles in and doing great.

Off to TTC to catch her at mile 7.5.

 

[brifraz]

Miles 7.5 check in!

 

[brifraz]

Still a couple hours until opening, but Epcot is waking up!

For those who have never been here for a race, it’s a pretty insane production. Earlier I posted the corrals where the race starts. We’ll, this is the ending/meet-up (but also pre race fun) area.

Dj stage, which is flanked by four character meet and greets.

There is another full stage at the race start.

Reunion area, and where runners get post race snacks.

Food truck corral (there’s two other food trucks on the path to/from parking).

All the resort transport busses and one of three huge ports potty zones.

I’m on the full bleachers by the DJ stage, but there’s a couple more small bleachers scattered around and about 5 full 10-row bleachers near the race finish.

Guess having 25,000+ people here running over the course of the weekend means quite a bit going on. They really do a great job with it. Highly recommend!!

 

[brifraz]

Post race, there’s no rest for weary as we are now in Hollywood Studios.

Lines are a bit long, so we did single rider for RnRC.

Still waited about 30 minutes. Tower was showing 45 minutes so we crossed the park to where short lines live.

This guy, again!

Hopefully this flight will be easier than my last one.

 

[brifraz]

Okay, maybe there is some rest. In fact, after Star Tours, we paid what is likely our final ever visit to MuppetVision

and then grabbed a snack.

Look familiar?? But now, back in the room for some serious napping. Off to Disney Springs tonight.

 

[brifraz]

Napped, cleaned up, ready to go! Disney Springs time.

First stop, Photopass fun.

Took our time walking to Pleasure Island (yeah, I’ll always call it that). And then to Wine Bar George for some vino and appetizers.

And here we sit… might be a second round in our near future. Updates as events warrant.

 

[brifraz]

Round 2 it is!!

Please note we just had glasses of those two wines, not the whole bottles!!

Those Mac and cheese bites were so light and delicious. An unexpected pleasure!!

 

[brifraz]

Just casual walking through Disney Springs. Shopping but not buying. People watching and trying not to laugh out loud at anyone!!

And hoping nobody laughs out loud at us!!!

 

[brifraz]

I’m not sure what on Earth tastes better than a Kilkenny at Raglan Road and I don’t think I want to.