Trip Report *Completed* The Running Princesses PHM 2015

Hi everyone! I can't believe we are already home from our trip . It went by so fast, but we had a great time and I can't wait to share it with all of you!!

Here is my PTR if you want to see it : http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/birthday-surprises-and-running-princesses.888457/

Ok lets get started! I'm going to try and get as much of this TR done before I start my month of nights
Who? :
My Mom (Mary), my sisters Jill and Betta (her name is Elizabeth we call her Betta) and myself (Megan)
In the picture from Left to right is Me, my Mom, Betta and Jill

When?: Feb 21 - March 2 2015 (my sisters left Feb 28th)

Where?: The Wildness Lodge - our first time staying there and we loved it! I definitely would love to stay there again if I had the chance! It was our first time staying at a Deluxe Resort as well and it was a great experience. I upgraded from POFQ with the Stay Play and Dine discount.

Why? The Princess Half Marathon happened to coincide with my vacation time (in residency you have to pick your vacation at the beginning of the year and in 2 week blocks - I ended up jokingly picking Feb based on the low predicted crowd levels at Disney assuming I wasn't actually going to go!) and I always wanted to do a Run Disney event so it ended up being the perfect plan! Also, my sisters and my Dad and I gave this trip to my mom for her Birthday in August as a surprise

Ok First Day Saturday Feb 21st:
I think I slept like 3 hours at most before officially getting up around 5:00am to head to the airport. It was all good though I was going to Disney!!! (And ICU really helped me prepare for living on no sleep haha)
My mom, Jill and I all flew down from Buffalo together and Betta was flying down from Rochester and meeting us there (our flights were actually landing at the same time). Oh I also woke up at 3:30 am to find a text from Betta about how she thought we were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and she was worried her DME tag said the wrong thing I corrected her and then took that chance to check on some of my ICU patients and asked a fellow resident about an update on them before he told me "go on vacation already" haha.

There was a long line for Southwest and I was apparently mad about it haha

This was my first time flying Southwest in a very long time. It was really nice to check two bags for free, especially since we had to bring all our running stuff down. I am by no means a light packer so it was especially nice to bring two suitcases so I had room for souvenirs haha

Here are the Magic Bands! I decorated them with a decal I got off Easy

Here is Jill with my Ewok...of course he had to come...along with like 8 other stuffed animals

We briefly decided that we would wear masks on the plane so we wouldn't get sick. We told Betta our plan and she made fun of us...and then everyone on the plane looked at us funny so we took a picture and then immediately took them off haha

As if the masks didn't draw enough attention to us I got a peanut shell stuck in my tooth and my mom (who is a dental hygienist) and Jill (who is a dentist) had to floss it out of my teeth because it was literally driving me insane. Yep..we were the weirdos on the plane haha

The flight was otherwise uneventful and we found Betta waiting for us when we got off the plane

We made our way down to DME but not before I made everyone take this picture!

First "ride" at Disney

When we got down to DME is was really crowded, but who cares we are in Disney!
It was a little chilly outside but sunny so it was good to feel some warmth after being stuck in the coldest winter I've ever lived through!
The bus definitely took forever since the Wilderness Lodge was the last stop. There were a lot of fellow runners on the bus which was cool! We sat behind some ladies that had some drama about buying park tickets (who doesn't buy them before they leave?! haha) and the one kept insisting that she would never use the Magic Band with a credit card attached to it because it if gets lost someone can spend all your money (it took everything in my power to not speak up and tell her you get a pin with it).

I missed the picture of us going under the arch but did get this one!

Having never stayed at a MK resort before I thought it was so cool we got a sneak peak of the castle and of MK itself!
Betta took this picture of the sign with my ears

Anddddd finally we were at the Wilderness Lodge!!

It took my breath away it was so amazing! I of course cried a little when I saw it haha

We're here!!!

I have more pictures of the hotel later but we were a bit rushed to get to the expo so I didn't stop and take too many pictures. Check in was painless and our room was ready! Room 3022!

View from our balcony: (it took me nearly the entire vacation to realize we could see the monorail from here and Bay Lake towers haha)

We were starving and as much as I wanted to get to the Expo I eventually agreed we needed to eat so we headed to Roaring Fork for a quick bite to eat:
My mom, Betta and I split Turkey Wraps which were good and Jill had a cheeseburger which she loved

Then we headed to the Expo! Next post Expo and MK!

 

[Brian & Jill]

Loving the TR so far!!!!! I have to agree that the Magic Cookie Bar is freekin awesome!!!! We cannot wait to go down in July and have our nephews try them. Love your animal pics!!!! Can't wait to read more of your report.

 

[LisaBelle]

Enjoyed your pics of WL. Makes me want to go back right now. Glad you enjoyed staying there.

 

[Doc Disney]

Awesome pics!!

Thanks

Hooray! I am glad my hot tip paid off for you.

Also your AK animal photos are great, even the super scary gorilla shot. Not sure what you did to make him/her so angry at you.

Yum Flame Tree BBQ is so good so happy you told me about it! I'm not sure why he was so angry looking haha

Wonderful day at Animal Kingdom. All of the pictures of the wildlife turned out beautiful. Flame Tree BBQ is my family favorite and the food still looks good from the temp location. Following along.

the food is definitely just as good from the temp location! I think they have a smaller menu maybe but thats it

 

[Doc Disney]

Whoa that gorilla picture was pretty freaky! It made me sit up straighter in my chair and everything. He did look a bit peeved, didn't he? Either that, or he's a prince trapped in a gorilla's body, trying to reach you telepathically .... with his very piercing eyes .....

When we looked at my camera to see what picture I got we got got really freaked out and swiftly walked out! I mean..if he was a prince that would be pretty cool maybe I should have stayed haha

I'm definately going to try the Magic Cookie Bar when I go in couple of weeks! I've heard how good they are! Enjoying your report so far!!!

Yum! They are so good! Can't wait to hear about your trip soon!

Loving the TR so far!!!!! I have to agree that the Magic Cookie Bar is freekin awesome!!!! We cannot wait to go down in July and have our nephews try them. Love your animal pics!!!! Can't wait to read more of your report.

Thanks I wish I ate a Magic Cookie Bar more than once but I always have a hard time sticking with one snack because I want to try everything haha

Enjoyed your pics of WL. Makes me want to go back right now. Glad you enjoyed staying there.

We loved it! So happy we took the plunge and stayed there even though my mom was hesitant. When we go bak we will prob stay at POFQ unless we get a discount code again which I hope we do so my Dad can stay there too

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 5 continued: (ps I'm exceptionally tired right now so don't judge me if things don't make sense and the grammar is off haha)
So after AK Betta went back to the hotel and my Mom, Jill and I went to the Polynesian for a drink (we were in search of Lapu Lapus)
We headed to the bar and found what we were looking for! The hotel was pretty dead which was kind of weird (although it was the middle of the day I guess)
As you can see in the picture my mom had another glowtini haha

Look at those beautiful pineapples!

Those were seriously so good...and strong haha
I had to post this picture to make everyone back home jealous

When we headed to the monorail to take it to the MK for a boat home there was some weird thing about the monorail only going to the GF and MK and not Contemporary it was weird..we waited an unusual amount of time for a monorail

We eventually made it back to the hotel and got changed before heading to Downtown Disney for shopping and dinner!
When we got there we split up to do some shopping. I bought Betta a monogramed Mickey ear hat which said "My First Ears" for the baby obviously not her! I wish I had a picture maybe she will send me one.
I also bought this train and shipped it home! I wanted it for under my Christmas Tree and it was a bit pricey but I used the Gift Card I got from signing up for the Visa. Also they said it would take like 4 weeks to get to me and it came less than 2 weeks later!

Too bad I live in an apartment that likely doesn't have enough room for it...haha
I'm sure I did some other shopping for things I don't need but insisted I buy! I met up with my mom at the crystal shop to buy something for my person (we draw names before our trips and buy something in Disney for our secret person). We found Jill and then waited to meet up with Betta. Jill and I split a Rum Runner ...
aka I drank some of hers haha

See I wore my medal everywhere...haha also I have a turkey leg pin on my dress that Jill bought me (Betta has one too) and I unfortunately lost it later in the trip..but bought a replacement haha
After this it was time for dinner...at...Splitsville! I have had an unnatural obsession with eating here for unknown reasons so I secretly made a reservation for dinner on the bus to AK that morning haha I got a threatening text warning me I just had a dining reservation and no bowling! Thats fine with us! Despite our Polish blood (sans my mom) none of us are good bowlers. Although, it definitely would be fun to bowl there someday!
Considering it was like 6:30 it was pretty dead in there...at least eating wise

Jill really wanted her drink to come in that cool green cup but they can't put alcohol in those for some reason...
Their menu is seriously insane! Its huge!!!
For dinner I got The Loaded Fries...yum!

Jill had the Crab Rangoon Roll which I tried and it was pretty good. Her boyfriend is a chef and sometimes does sushi..he yelled at her for eating sushi in a bowling alley haha She had a drink of some kind and it came in that cup you see in the background (their drink menu isn't online so I can't remember what it was)

Betta had the Blazing Chicken (I think it was good)

and my Mom had Pepperoni Pizza with a Strawberry Daiquiri which was amazing

We loved this restaurant we will definitely be back!

After dinner we headed to Raglan Road because we had family who happened to be at Downtown Disney while they were in town for work so we went to say hi!

Always cool to see family out of town! We didn't stay long though because we wanted to head to Epcot to see Illuminations since we missed it the night before.
First we stopped at the dance party...I have a fun video from this if I ever figure out how to post it

Then we took the bus to Boardwalk again so that we could head to Epcot. The Boardwalk was much livelier this time around for sure!
We headed into Epcot and of course had to stop in Germany to get more chocolate and popcorn (Thats how I bribed Jill to go to Illuminations)
We found a nice spot to watch Illuminations right near the entrance of World Showcase...Some girl busted in front of everyone who had been sitting there for an hour and then tried to tell her mom to come stand with her when her mom embarrassingly told her she can't because all these other people were already there. She said "yes you can its a free country" her mom was mortified and just let her stand there. Meanwhile she kept including herself in everyones conversations and then when her little sister joined her she kicked her back to her mom and her sister cried. I felt so bad! Betta and I were highly annoyed by the whole situation but I had to remember she was a kid so I couldn't be too mad haha
We watched Illuminations which was great despite the smoke blowing into our eyes and getting hit in the head with leaves falling from the tree haha
I actually don't have pictures from Illuminations only videos (shame on me). I guess someone took our picture...

Then we headed back to our room! My mom and I heard a mom telling her kid "do not stop at go and do not collect $200" as he was dawdling down the hall it was funny!
At night I tried to look up prices to extend our trip because I was depressed it was half way over haha
Next up Epcot

 

[mrdrift]

That was a wonderful day of drinking, eating and shopping. AS my family was reading the report we were all thinking how relaxing you and your family flow through Disney World and have fun. All of the food from Splitsville looked so good that my family wants to try it on our next vacation. Following along.

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

Love the Lapu pics!! I had my first one last trip and now I'm jonesing for another one after seeing your pics! Totally worth the trip to the Poly for the drinks alone.

And just to clarify, you bought the train set for the baby or yourself ??

Also, have never been to the Bowling restaurant - how has this gotten by me all these years? You ate there and then hit up Raglan? (I'm adding this to my must do list for October)

 

[LisaBelle]

I am putting the lapu lapus on my list for my birthday trip! Splitsville looks fun and the food looks delicious. Glad you were able to see Illuminations. I hate when people cruise in and try to shove their way in front of people who have been waiting. It is so rude.

 

[DisSplash]

I am totally stealing your family's souvenir exchange! I love that idea!! It's just the four of us, but it would still be a fun thing to be doing while roaming the World! Plus maybe it will help with the brother/sister bickering ....in fact, I think I'm going to start doing this on our cruise trip next January!!

 

[Doc Disney]

That was a wonderful day of drinking, eating and shopping. AS my family was reading the report we were all thinking how relaxing you and your family flow through Disney World and have fun. All of the food from Splitsville looked so good that my family wants to try it on our next vacation. Following along.

First of all I love that your family reads Trip Reports together! I wish my family was into that! And second off Splitsville is great! Huge menu and great food! Its funny you say it seems like we are relaxing through Disney because we always say we are go, go, go! But thats how we like it

Love the Lapu pics!! I had my first one last trip and now I'm jonesing for another one after seeing your pics! Totally worth the trip to the Poly for the drinks alone.
And just to clarify, you bought the train set for the baby or yourself ??
Also, have never been to the Bowling restaurant - how has this gotten by me all these years? You ate there and then hit up Raglan? (I'm adding this to my must do list for October)

Yum Lapu Lapus...and the train is for me Because I'm 5 and thought it would be cool for Christmas haha You should def put it on your list! We are there and just stopped in Raglan for like 10 minutes. I've never actually eaten at Raglan their menu is not appealing to me at all but I feel that way about a few places and always end up liking it

I am putting the lapu lapus on my list for my birthday trip! Splitsville looks fun and the food looks delicious. Glad you were able to see Illuminations. I hate when people cruise in and try to shove their way in front of people who have been waiting. It is so rude.

OMG yes Lapu Lapu is the best way to celebrate a Birthday! I would have been totally bummed if we didn't seem Illuminations so I'm glad we went back..even with all the commotion haha

I am totally stealing your family's souvenir exchange! I love that idea!! It's just the four of us, but it would still be a fun thing to be doing while roaming the World! Plus maybe it will help with the brother/sister bickering ....in fact, I think I'm going to start doing this on our cruise trip next January!!

It worked out fine with just the 4 of us this trip! Thats how we exchange things for Christmas too actually so we don't buy everyone all these things. Its really fun looking around shops thinking about what to buy for your person! Betta had me and bought me these ornaments I always wanted because she saw me look at them in the store so it was pretty neat!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6: Epcot
We got up in the morning and headed down to Roaring Fork. My mom and I were pretty hungry so she opted for Mickey Waffles and I got the croissant sandwich again (I was worried I just thought it was good after the half marathon because I was so hungry but it was actually just straight up good). This would turn out to be the day I ate a disturbing amount of times..and food. Jill ended up not eating with us and said she would grab something in the park.
We headed to Epcot and got there right around the park opening time. As everyone rushed to Test Track and Soarin we took a relaxing stroll to get Jill some breakfast at Starbucks. Our plan was to head to Living with the Land after so we figured no need to rush!
Look...I'm a bossy person/or I was explaining something who knows haha

My mom and Betta were twins this day

After eating we headed over to The Land

Living With the Land had no wait...good thing we did not rush over haha
Sand guy snowman!

I love Living With the Land! I think its pretty neat..my mom thinks its pretty boring haha
We had Fast Passes to Soarin after that so we headed over. I was telling Betta how everyone always talks about how dirty the screen is and how I never noticed it but this time I did...probably because we were looking for it though! There was a woman on this ride who was in row 2 and her dad with her son were in row 3 and she literally for like 5 minutes kept screaming at her dad to make sure her son was buckled in (as if the employees don't check) and to make sure he wasn't scared to hold his hand and stuff. It was sweet in an annoying way that she cared so much but perhaps she should have just sat with him herself haha
We headed to Figment after this and then to Captain E.O....I have never seen Captain E.O. before but Jill insisted we must see it since she saw it last year. She warned us about getting whipped so I made sure to keep my legs up (it actually didn't work I still got whipped). I'm not sure I have ever laughed at something so hard in my entire life...I could not stop laughing I was crying...I hope no one thought I was crying because I was so into the video haha. That show is ridiculous I don't even get what was happening and I'm still not sure why Jill loves it haha
We started to see that some of the topiaries were out for the Flower of Garden festival (I used the sticker even though we weren't actually there for it)

Then we headed to the Seas with Nemo again. Jill and Betta were in a clamshell together and through a lot of the ride we could hear Jill singing the song and my Mom and I found that pretty funny for some reason! We walked around the aquarium a bit then it was finally 11:00 am so we headed to the countries to walk around
My mom loves Winnie the Pooh

I wanted a Grey Goose slushy but they weren't open yet so we kept walking around (my mom tried to convince me to get a slushy in Morocco but ew no thanks .. jk I'm sure they are good but I wasn't into it)
Jill decided to be a model

We happend to be walking by America right as the American Adventure was about to start so we headed in! None of us had ever seen the show before so we didn't know what to expect! I loved it, I just wish it wasn't so long. I definitely got a little teary eyed and so did Betta. My mom said she fell asleep haha. We all agreed that my Dad would like it so we would have to go back.

I'm going to have to do a separate post for Topiaries because I have a bunch of pictures
We were all getting hungry by this point so it was time for a snack. Betta got another jalapeño pretzel and the rest of us headed to La Cantina de San Angel (this place is tricky the inside seating is kind of hidden haha)
Jill and my mom split the Nachos which were good

I got the Empanadas con queso they were good but I kind of wish I got the kids meal instead

Jill then got a cherry turnover from some place near the beginning of World Showcase she said "tell the TR people that was good"
Because I didn't just have a snack I had my eye on some flavored popcorn that I saw before and we wanted to head to Innoventions West anyway so we went in search of it..
I found it and got the Buffalo Bleu Cheese kind...it sounds gross but it was really good! My mom got a Mickey Bar

After this we headed to go get our free 5 x 7 from the Visa card place! I hope this isn't going away with the demise of Innoventions West because it was pretty neat (even if the lady working it made a weird comment about me eating popcorn in line...)

Pluto wanted Jill to hold up her pig tails like they were her ears

This was really cute and there was barely any line so I would definitely recommend it if you have the Disney Visa!
We decided to take a small break after this and head back to the hotel. We just missed the bus (we tried to run but right after saying my legs felt back to normal they were incredibly sore while running haha) so we waited a bit. We took that opportunity to look up more Run Disney events!
When we got back to the hotel we picked up our packages from Downtown Disney and it gave me the opportunity to dress my penguin Petey up in his new outfit ... don't judge...it was on sale for $10 and I got Duffy a Sailor Suit for $12 haha

Next up Topiaries

 

[Doc Disney]

I have nothing to say this post except here are some topiaries...so cool!

The CMs who make these are so talented! They are really cool, pictures don't really do them justice

Next up Dinner and MK

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I just stumbled upon your trip report and am loving it! Wasn't Wilderness Lodge just the greatest? I am getting goosebumps looking at your pictures.. I absolutely adore that place and don't know how I will survive not staying at a deluxe resort next time. Wilderness Lodge spoiled me!

Loving all the food pics Splitsville looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.. you can just tell you're having a wonderful trip. I want to go back so bad!! Thanks for allowing me to tag along.

 

[Doc Disney]

I just stumbled upon your trip report and am loving it! Wasn't Wilderness Lodge just the greatest? I am getting goosebumps looking at your pictures.. I absolutely adore that place and don't know how I will survive not staying at a deluxe resort next time. Wilderness Lodge spoiled me!

Loving all the food pics Splitsville looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.. you can just tell you're having a wonderful trip. I want to go back so bad!! Thanks for allowing me to tag along.

Omg WL is the best! I know what you mean about being spoiled with Deluxe resorts there are definitely just subtle differences between the moderate and deluxe resorts (like towels out when its raining) and having easy access to MK is so nice! Don't get me wrong we love POFQ and we were talking about staying there next trip but I told my parents if we get a coupon code or there are discounts we are upgrading! haha Thanks for following along? Do you have a next trip planned??

 

[Doc Disney]

I swear I didn't fall off the face of the Earth
For those of you who are as interested in River Country as I am here is a great article!
http://www.themeparktourist.com/fea...ed-rise-fall-and-decay-disney-s-river-country

I will talk about my obsession with it in my next post...which I promise will come as soon as work stops being insane !

 

[mrdrift]

What a wonderful start to Epcot. We loved all the pictures of the topiaries. I have to ask about the sisters pictures with Pluto and Minnie and how it looks like Jill is holding a knife in her right hand with a smile, who made her angry? Sorry my DD pointed that out . Following along.

 

[Doc Disney]

What a wonderful start to Epcot. We loved all the pictures of the topiaries. I have to ask about the sisters pictures with Pluto and Minnie and how it looks like Jill is holding a knife in her right hand with a smile, who made her angry? Sorry my DD pointed that out . Following along.

Haha no she's holding up her braid because Pluto told her to! He said it looked like his ears!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 6 continued:
When we got back to the room we relaxed for a few minutes and then got dressed to head over to Fort Wilderness for Hoop Dee Doo Revue! I was really excited about this! I had been reading about Hoop Dee Doo for a few years and it always looked so cool but I knew it was expensive so never said anything. This trip I decided we were going to go and it would be my treat so I asked everyone to make sure it would be something they were interested in and they all said yes!
We stayed at Fort Wildnerness when I was a kid (and they stayed there before I was born) but I had not been back there since 1997! We stayed in the cabins back then. Honestly I would like to say I remember staying there but I really don't remember much other than the cabins themselves (and what I remember from our old home movies!)
In any case we took the short boat ride over to Fort Wilderness!
As you may have gathered from my previous post I have a weird obsession with River Country and why its just sitting there rotting so I was pleased that the boat would take us right by it so I could see it! I remember River Country and how fun it was! So weird that its just sitting there!

Also..look at all these shoes hanging from the tree...what the heck is that about?!

In any case I kind of wish I knew there was fence right behind Pioneer Hall that you could kind of see into Discovery Island or River Country...not to sneak in or anything just to take a peek haha
I like how close the boat dock is to Pioneer Hall! Made for an easy commute

When we first got there they asked for our ticket and I got a little nervous because I didn't have one; but then the other worker was behind them with a file thing of tickets (I didn't know you could pick them up beforehand!)
I like this picture!

I apparently decided to book us as category 1 so we got to sit pretty close to the stage!

I feel like everyone talks about the food being so so but we thought it was great! Especially the cornbread!

My mom and Jill and I had the Sangria! It was pretty good!

The problem with sitting close is peoples heads being in my pictures haha

Yum Fried Chicken!

Bad picture of the ribs!

My plate before we got the potatoes..figured you didn't need to see the corn, beans or potatoes pictures haha
As you can tell I don't enjoy food touching on my plate haha

And dessert!

I don't have many pictures from the show because I didn't want to keep taking pictures and not enjoy the show!

I really can't say enough good things about Hoop Dee Doo! We had a great time, the food was great, and it was cool to have bottomless drinks! It was expensive but totally worth it!! My mom and I were saying we definitely want to go back so my Dad can enjoy it too!
I posted too many pictures so next up is brief trip to MK!

 

[LisaBelle]

Loved the River Country article. Until I read a post on these boards I had no idea that it was just sitting and rotting. Watched a you tube video of someone who snuck in. It was very eerie with music playing an no one was there.
I really want to try Hoop de Do! It looks like a blast.

 

[Doc Disney]

Loved the River Country article. Until I read a post on these boards I had no idea that it was just sitting and rotting. Watched a you tube video of someone who snuck in. It was very eerie with music playing an no one was there.
I really want to try Hoop de Do! It looks like a blast.

Yea its so weird! I watch that video too! Its so weird...it just doesn't seem like Disney I think thats why I find it so fascinating! You guys definitely had to try Hoop Dee Doo! It was so fun!