So the title may seem a little weird, but I had originally planned this trip to be a solo trip to WDW for the Princess Half Marathon Weekend. My DH is not a fan of WDW and since he went with me in November for the Wine and Dine weekend, I decided he could have a break and I would enjoy the parks alone. A few months ago I let it slip to my aunt that I was going alone on this trip, and she somehow invited herself to go with me. The last time she travelled to WDW with me was 6 years ago and it was by far the worst Disney trip I have ever been on, needless to say I was contemplating cancelling the trip when she decided to tag along. My DH convinced me it wouldn't be so bad since it was only for a few days and I would be busy with the races so I modified my trip to include my aunt. Fast forward to 2 days before the trip when I got a phone call saying my aunt was rushed to the hospital as she was having a stroke. My aunt lives in another state so I was not able to go to the hospital, but I was being updated throughout the day. Thankfully it was very mild and she was having no serious complications so she told me to go ahead on the trip without her. After making a few calls I was able to remove her from our Disney reservation (I was only charged for a "change fee") and also get her non-refundable airline ticket refunded. So it turned out to be a solo trip after all. Now onto the trip details:
The Who: Just me
The Where: Art of Animation Resort (with an upgrade to a Cars family suite!!!)
The When: February 18th-22nd
The Why: Princess Marathon Weekend -more specifically the Glass Slipper Challenge
My/Our painted Magic Bands (mine is the castle, my aunt's would have been Dopey):
Thursday February 18th:
I woke up at 3:00 am, kissed my sleeping DH goodbye and was on the road by 3:45. This was the first time I drove myself to the airport so it was a little weird, but I managed and didn't get lost (a huge accomplishment since I never drive into the city). I made it thru security quickly and was at my gate by 5:30 am, now the long wait until my flight at 6:55 am. I noticed other racers waiting for the flight, not sure I would walk around PHL airport with a tiara, but good for them for having the guts to do it!! Right before they started boarding I made a pit stop at the restroom then grabbed a bagel to eat on the flight since AA doesn't give snacks anymore
. The flight was quick and we landed in sunny MCO at 9:22 am, about 15 minutes early! I only had my carry on, so I quickly made my way to DME and boy oh boy the lines were insane, which was a preview of what was to come for the rest of the trip. I received a text while I was in line saying my room was ready and it gave me my room number and location, I was hoping my room would be ready early since my last trip in November we had to wait hours! I finally made it on the bus and we left at 9:50 am, we made it to AOA at 10:30 am (we were the first stop). I headed straight to my room, dropped off my bag, and was on the bus to the expo at 10:50 am.
For those of you who went to the expo early on the first day, you understand what I mean when I say the lines were CRAZY! The line to get into the HP Field House was backed up all the way to the parking lot, but thankfully it went quick. There was no one in line for my bib number for the glass slipper so I was in and out in about 5 minutes. I headed upstairs to pick up my pre-ordered pins where there was a little confusion, but it was straightened out in about 10-15 minutes. I registered for the New Balance virtual queue the night before and I was in group #5 so my estimated return time was at noon, then I saw the HUGE line for the Jostens Center and began to panic, it was out the door, down the flight of steps and back by one of the fields. Thankfully I checked with a cast member and they showed me where the check in was for New Balance. There were two lines, so I jumped in the one that was out in the sun and waited to check in, once I made it up to the front and gave my confirmation number, I was told they were still assisting group #4 and I need to wait in the other line, which by this point almost doubled (I really think Disney needs better signs for these events, I was talking to other people who waited in the long line to get into the Jostens Center thinking that was where the New Balance check in was). After waiting about 25 minutes it was finally my turn, we headed inside, I tried on my shoes and was good to go, the whole thing took about 5 minutes, not sure why it was taking other people so long to try on a pair of shoes. After making the most expensive shoe purchase of my life, I headed to the runDisney merchandise and I was surprised at the lack of line! During the Wine and Dine, the line was around the entire runDisney "booth" but thankfully there was none of that this trip! I quickly grabbed a wine glass, the "I Did It" Glass Slipper shirt and car magnet, and the "my favorite Disney Princess is my Wife" shirt for my husband and was out of the booth in about 15 minutes. By this point I had already missed my first fastpass that was scheduled for Pirates, but I didn't want to miss my other two so I skipped the rest of the booths, and was out of the expo by 1pm. I dropped off my race goodies got to the Magic Kingdom at 1:45.
I made it in time for my second fastpass (Splash)
the wait for BTMRR was almost an hour so I headed over to Fantasyland. On my way I rode HM since it was only a 35 minute wait, and then I grabbed a picture with this handsome fellow before my FP for SDMT
I had a dinner reservation at 'Ohana at 5:35 so after riding SDMT I made my way towards the front of the park and ran into these lovely ladies
They were done meeting with guests, but I would have loved to meet them as I have never had the chance and with the cuts I won't be able to unless I have dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I grabbed a selfie with the castle, stopped for some new Pandora charms then made my way to the boat docks to head over to the Poly.
I got to the Poly early and stopped to have a drink at Trader Sam's, the bar was full, so I headed outside, sat in the sun, listened to live music and sipped on one of these guys
I highly recommend the hippopoto mi ti, it was delicious! It was time for my reservation, so I headed upstairs, checked in, and was seated quickly. The food was great as usual and I had a good view of the magic kingdom. The welcome bread is one of my favorites, and the dumplings and grilled shrimp. I was sure to save room for dessert!!
After a very filling meal, I jumped on the monorail back to MK and grabbed a spot for Wishes. One thing I noticed was how many adults were okay with breaking rules and actually putting their children at risk of getting hurt. I was off to the side close to tomorroland and even after cast members told parents their children could not stand on top of trash cans and guard rails, they kept putting them up there!
After watching Wishes, I went on Pirates and IASW where I noticed a lot of broken effects (the flying carpets were not moving, the sun was not spinning, the first hot air balloon in the white room was not moving) this ride needs a serious refurb. I then grabbed a spot in Liberty Square/Frontierland to watch the second MSEP. I have never watched the parade from that side of the park and it was great, and since it was the second parade there was hardly anyone there!
The Who: Just me
The Where: Art of Animation Resort (with an upgrade to a Cars family suite!!!)
The When: February 18th-22nd
The Why: Princess Marathon Weekend -more specifically the Glass Slipper Challenge
My/Our painted Magic Bands (mine is the castle, my aunt's would have been Dopey):
Thursday February 18th:
I woke up at 3:00 am, kissed my sleeping DH goodbye and was on the road by 3:45. This was the first time I drove myself to the airport so it was a little weird, but I managed and didn't get lost (a huge accomplishment since I never drive into the city). I made it thru security quickly and was at my gate by 5:30 am, now the long wait until my flight at 6:55 am. I noticed other racers waiting for the flight, not sure I would walk around PHL airport with a tiara, but good for them for having the guts to do it!! Right before they started boarding I made a pit stop at the restroom then grabbed a bagel to eat on the flight since AA doesn't give snacks anymore
. The flight was quick and we landed in sunny MCO at 9:22 am, about 15 minutes early! I only had my carry on, so I quickly made my way to DME and boy oh boy the lines were insane, which was a preview of what was to come for the rest of the trip. I received a text while I was in line saying my room was ready and it gave me my room number and location, I was hoping my room would be ready early since my last trip in November we had to wait hours! I finally made it on the bus and we left at 9:50 am, we made it to AOA at 10:30 am (we were the first stop). I headed straight to my room, dropped off my bag, and was on the bus to the expo at 10:50 am.For those of you who went to the expo early on the first day, you understand what I mean when I say the lines were CRAZY! The line to get into the HP Field House was backed up all the way to the parking lot, but thankfully it went quick. There was no one in line for my bib number for the glass slipper so I was in and out in about 5 minutes. I headed upstairs to pick up my pre-ordered pins where there was a little confusion, but it was straightened out in about 10-15 minutes. I registered for the New Balance virtual queue the night before and I was in group #5 so my estimated return time was at noon, then I saw the HUGE line for the Jostens Center and began to panic, it was out the door, down the flight of steps and back by one of the fields. Thankfully I checked with a cast member and they showed me where the check in was for New Balance. There were two lines, so I jumped in the one that was out in the sun and waited to check in, once I made it up to the front and gave my confirmation number, I was told they were still assisting group #4 and I need to wait in the other line, which by this point almost doubled (I really think Disney needs better signs for these events, I was talking to other people who waited in the long line to get into the Jostens Center thinking that was where the New Balance check in was). After waiting about 25 minutes it was finally my turn, we headed inside, I tried on my shoes and was good to go, the whole thing took about 5 minutes, not sure why it was taking other people so long to try on a pair of shoes. After making the most expensive shoe purchase of my life, I headed to the runDisney merchandise and I was surprised at the lack of line! During the Wine and Dine, the line was around the entire runDisney "booth" but thankfully there was none of that this trip! I quickly grabbed a wine glass, the "I Did It" Glass Slipper shirt and car magnet, and the "my favorite Disney Princess is my Wife" shirt for my husband and was out of the booth in about 15 minutes. By this point I had already missed my first fastpass that was scheduled for Pirates, but I didn't want to miss my other two so I skipped the rest of the booths, and was out of the expo by 1pm. I dropped off my race goodies got to the Magic Kingdom at 1:45.
I made it in time for my second fastpass (Splash)
the wait for BTMRR was almost an hour so I headed over to Fantasyland. On my way I rode HM since it was only a 35 minute wait, and then I grabbed a picture with this handsome fellow before my FP for SDMT
I had a dinner reservation at 'Ohana at 5:35 so after riding SDMT I made my way towards the front of the park and ran into these lovely ladies
They were done meeting with guests, but I would have loved to meet them as I have never had the chance and with the cuts I won't be able to unless I have dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I grabbed a selfie with the castle, stopped for some new Pandora charms then made my way to the boat docks to head over to the Poly.
I got to the Poly early and stopped to have a drink at Trader Sam's, the bar was full, so I headed outside, sat in the sun, listened to live music and sipped on one of these guys
I highly recommend the hippopoto mi ti, it was delicious! It was time for my reservation, so I headed upstairs, checked in, and was seated quickly. The food was great as usual and I had a good view of the magic kingdom. The welcome bread is one of my favorites, and the dumplings and grilled shrimp. I was sure to save room for dessert!!
After a very filling meal, I jumped on the monorail back to MK and grabbed a spot for Wishes. One thing I noticed was how many adults were okay with breaking rules and actually putting their children at risk of getting hurt. I was off to the side close to tomorroland and even after cast members told parents their children could not stand on top of trash cans and guard rails, they kept putting them up there!
After watching Wishes, I went on Pirates and IASW where I noticed a lot of broken effects (the flying carpets were not moving, the sun was not spinning, the first hot air balloon in the white room was not moving) this ride needs a serious refurb. I then grabbed a spot in Liberty Square/Frontierland to watch the second MSEP. I have never watched the parade from that side of the park and it was great, and since it was the second parade there was hardly anyone there!
