Pre-Trip Our laces 'em up, tiara on, 10 days of run and fun PTR

Hi everybody!

The Cast of Characters: My DH, Niles, and I

Supporting Cast: my parents and perhaps my brother and his girlfriend Emily

Where: We are staying at Beach Club/Yacht Club (maybe the Villas depending how many characters we get)

When: February 21, 2014 to March 2nd, 2014

What: A 10 day, fun filled trip to the World with a wee run thrown in. Planning on a MYW package with dining and 10 day park hopper tickets.

Why: I'm running the Disney Princess Half Marathon!!!

Many of you know my personal journey to start a family with my wonderful husband. After years of shots and treatments and living via the IVF calendar, we have taken some time off and are just enjoying life and making plans that are not driven by a doctors calendar. This journey has made my weight yo yo and I have always struggled with my weight and body image. So crossing that finish line is a personal goal for me - to put all those struggles and issues behind me and take control of my life again.

Here's what we have planned so far:

Friday February 21:
Arrive via MCO and the wonderful crew of DME
Check into Beach Club/Yacht Club
Check out the Expo for the Marathon
Head to Epcot via the International Gateway in the evening for the Pasta in the Park Party and watch Illuminations

Saturday February 22:
A lazy Resort Day
Start the day with breakfast at Cape May. Then spend the day relaxing and resting at the pool and resort. Head to Epcot in the early evening via the International Gateway for Dinner at Rose & Crown - a tradition for Niles and I. Head back to the resort after dinner and watch Illuminations from the Resort or I might already be sleeping. Big Day next day!

Sunday February 23:
RACE DAY!
After the race and a nap, head to Magic Kingdom for dinner at Be Our Guest.

Monday February 24:
This day is predicted to have EMH for Epcot. So via International Gateway, head to Epcot in the a.m., early lunch at Le Cellier, then back to resort in afternoon, and back again in the evening for EMH. Probably just grab dinner in the World Showcase.

Tuesday February 25:
Head to Animal Kingdom - very excited because we got rained out both days in September. Lunch at Yak and Yeti, our favorite! Head to DHS via bus after lunch. After an evening at DHS, head back to the resort via the boat.

Wednesday February 26:
A big fun filled day at MK! Have lunch at BOG. Don't know yet for dinner.

Thursday February 27:
Head back to Animal Kingdom and after lunch, head to Epcot via the bus for dinner at Les Chefs de France and Illuminations

Friday February 28:
DHS is predicted to have EMH. So head to DHS in the a.m. via the boat, lunch at pizza planet, then a resort break. Back to DHS for dinner. Don't know where yet.

Saturday March 1st:
Spend the day at Resort and head to MK for predicted EMH. No dining decisions yet here.

Sunday March 2nd:
Final morning at MK. Breakfast at CRT. And head back to DC via MCO.

Of course, dining is speculated because I can't make ADR's yet.

So that's all I have for now!

Any advice and suggestions are great! I have never run a Disney half marathon before so any advice is great too!

Thanks for reading!!

 

[jdnetone]

Great to hear you are going back enjoy the run and you and your husband just relax and have fun. We are praying that you and your husband’s dreams will come true.
My wife and I are looking at going in December; I know it has to be a magical time for sure at Christmas with all the Christmas decorations. We have never been at Christmas and hope to pull this off this year.

 

[disneygirl76]

Great to hear you are going back enjoy the run and you and your husband just relax and have fun. We are praying that you and your husband’s dreams will come true.
My wife and I are looking at going in December; I know it has to be a magical time for sure at Christmas with all the Christmas decorations. We have never been at Christmas and hope to pull this off this year.

Christmas is such a magical time to be at WDW! I hope that it all works out for you to go!!!! And thank you! We really appreciate the prayers.

 

[disneygirl76]

Offiically started the couch to 5 K running program today!!! Also, a crunch and squat challenge. I made a 9 week program to stick to. WOO HOO!!!!

 

[Englebabies]

I would love to do a Disney Half Marathon. I am working on getting myself healthier and slimmer. You are still in my heart with the baby wishes too. Have fun.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

This trip sounds sooooooo great! I can't wait to see what you pick for your running gear. I have never been able to run (health issues), but I wish I could...just to do the princess 1/2. So, I shall live vicariously through your run and wish you all the best! Awesome that you guys will also be able to work in your R&C tradition. I swear, I can't even think about the place w/o thinking of you and your wonderful suggestion to try the sticky toffee pudding.

I can only imagine how stressful everything is with trying to get pregnant. My brother and SIL went through IVF twice only to be disappointed. They decided to give themselves a 6 month break to see if they wanted to try again or consider adoption and got pregnant during that downtime. My nephew will be 1 this coming week, but they will be enduring the stress again and starting IVF in the fall.

 

[disneygirl76]

I would love to do a Disney Half Marathon. I am working on getting myself healthier and slimmer. You are still in my heart with the baby wishes too. Have fun.

Thank you so much! That means so much! Running the half marathon will be the end of a very long weight loss and getting fit journey.

 

[disneygirl76]

This trip sounds sooooooo great! I can't wait to see what you pick for your running gear. I have never been able to run (health issues), but I wish I could...just to do the princess 1/2. So, I shall live vicariously through your run and wish you all the best! Awesome that you guys will also be able to work in your R&C tradition. I swear, I can't even think about the place w/o thinking of you and your wonderful suggestion to try the sticky toffee pudding.

I can only imagine how stressful everything is with trying to get pregnant. My brother and SIL went through IVF twice only to be disappointed. They decided to give themselves a 6 month break to see if they wanted to try again or consider adoption and got pregnant during that downtime. My nephew will be 1 this coming week, but they will be enduring the stress again and starting IVF in the fall.

I love those stories b/c they give us hope! I am very happy for them! Oh, that sticky toffee pudding! mmmmmm...... I am already planning my outfit! Hee hee I have not decided - go the minnie route or a princess. I think it has to be princess...but then which one????

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Hee hee I have not decided - go the minnie route or a princess. I think it has to be princess...but then which one????

I thought I saw you previously mention Belle since she's a brunette, but I think it could be fun to go a little crazy with it...like buying the Rapunzel braid and being a blonde with exceptionally long hair, for the run. I mean, you could probably pin it up to make it a bit more practical for a run.

Or maybe Ariel...to go running through WDW with a head full of flaming red hair. On the flipside, unless you actually dye your hair...you'd be stuck in a wig which seems horribly uncomfortable for any kind of exercise, let alone a run.

There are also a handful of places online that sell pettiskirts and tutus for adults. I forget if the princess is run at night, but some of them even have fiber optic accents...so if at night, you could glow as you run! They also make similar fiber optic hair extensions which could be fun. Ok...I'll stop...I just have fun with these things.

 

[disneygirl76]

I thought I saw you previously mention Belle since she's a brunette, but I think it could be fun to go a little crazy with it...like buying the Rapunzel braid and being a blonde with exceptionally long hair, for the run. I mean, you could probably pin it up to make it a bit more practical for a run.

Or maybe Ariel...to go running through WDW with a head full of flaming red hair. On the flipside, unless you actually dye your hair...you'd be stuck in a wig which seems horribly uncomfortable for any kind of exercise, let alone a run.

There are also a handful of places online that sell pettiskirts and tutus for adults. I forget if the princess is run at night, but some of them even have fiber optic accents...so if at night, you could glow as you run! They also make similar fiber optic hair extensions which could be fun. Ok...I'll stop...I just have fun with these things.

Check this site out! And good thing I checked!! Belle is endangered. I wonder what size I should get????? What am currently or a size smaller after 9 months of running!

http://www.sparkleskirts.com/sparkletech/

 

[disneygirl76]

UPDATE!

Just registered for the Princess Half Marathon! It's official!!!!

Now...just need to have them open up booking for MYW pkgs for 2014!

 

[oogravyoo]

Thumbs up!

 

[Jayhawkie]

Congrats on signing up Disneygirl!! Love your trip reports. Every time I lost weight I got pregnant. I know of people who had to gain weight to get pregnant. I hope all your dreams come true. Good luck in the marathon!!!

 

[disneygirl76]

Congrats on signing up Disneygirl!! Love your trip reports. Every time I lost weight I got pregnant. I know of people who had to gain weight to get pregnant. I hope all your dreams come true. Good luck in the marathon!!!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

 

[disneygirl76]

Thumbs up!

Thank you!!

 

[mousefreak]

Chip and Co reported yesterday that the 2014 Packages should be out soon! Let's hope...I'm ready to book.

 

[disneygirl76]

Chip and Co reported yesterday that the 2014 Packages should be out soon! Let's hope...I'm ready to book.

Oh me too! I have my money ready to plunk down!!!!! This is almost worse then waiting for the trip!!!

 

[disneygirl76]

July 10th and this trip will be booked! WOO HOO!

 

[mousefreak]

Our booking day is tomorrow!!!!!!

We are way too excited...and bet you are too!

Unfortunately, we have to go to work first. Hope to keep busy so the day will go fast. We have an aunt and uncle that we'll be traveling with on our next trip and we are planning on having a "Disney inspired" dinner tonight before we call and make our reservations. We're making O'Hana chicken wings for sure, but still have to finalize the rest of the menu tonight.

We're going Feb 7-14 and staying at POP. Praying that free dining or a room discount will be released during that time.

Happy Booking!!!

 

[disneygirl76]

Our booking day is tomorrow!!!!!!

We are way too excited...and bet you are too!

Unfortunately, we have to go to work first. Hope to keep busy so the day will go fast. We have an aunt and uncle that we'll be traveling with on our next trip and we are planning on having a "Disney inspired" dinner tonight before we call and make our reservations. We're making O'Hana chicken wings for sure, but still have to finalize the rest of the menu tonight.

We're going Feb 7-14 and staying at POP. Praying that free dining or a room discount will be released during that time.

Happy Booking!!!

I HAVE TOMORROW OFF! Can you believe it? This is a sign! MUST BOOK TOMORROW! I love your Disney themed dinner! Love that! I can't wait to see that confirmation email!! WOO HOO!!! Happy Booking to you too!

 

[disneygirl76]

And....we are booked!!! YIPPEE!

We just booked Feb 21 to March 1st. I am considering adding a day later depending on what kind of discounts are released for early 2014. I am considering adding a day to depart on March 2nd. I am hoping for a good one to save some moola. Wow! Paying full price is, well, I choked at the price! Haha! At least I am paying off a big number and hopefully it will come down and then I will have a lot paid off faster. That is my plan and hope anyway!

We have booked a MYW package, an 8 day park hopper ticket with dining. I get to make dining on the 25th of August. I am in the process of finalizing the plans for what to do each day based on touringplans.com predictions.

So excited!!