Well Here's My [Bib] Number, So Race Me Maybe - a Sept 2012 TR! P

Hey everyone, I'm back after another AWESOME trip to the World! And, without further ado, here is the TR (well, at least a start of it!).

The Facts:

• 48 hours
• 4 parks
• 7 rides
• 10 miles
• 2 Pascals
• 360 pictures
• As well as Instagram and cell phone photos!

And, amazingly I didn't even get to document it all in photo!


The Cast:
For starters, there is the MAIN cast of this TR, as well as a supporting cast... and then a BUNCH of Special Guests (sorry, Kenzie. I'm going to tell you now that I dropped the ball and forgot your stick at home! I'm sorry!!!).


For the cast, we have:
Me
Courtney, age 23, student teacher with some exciting news that will be announced possibly in this very post! Runner of the Tower of Terror 10 Miler.

Recognize the face with me? Unfortunately, he is NOT a part of this TR... especially since I didn't take a picture of him waiting at the airport for me at the end of the trip.


The other Main Cast
Claire, age 24 at the start of this trip, student teacher, and seasonal CM at the Bakery and Casey's. 10 Miler Spectator.

Isn't this such a precious picture?!


Supporting Cast
Angel, age 21, Nurse, Tower of Terror 10 Mile Runner. and Jerzy, age 21, Dan's brother, Angel's fiancee, bird lover, and 10 Miler Spectator.

And, as I said, there's other people making appearances in this TR, so keep your eye out for them!!!!
The dates: September 28 to 30th, 2012


The resort: All Star Music


So, really, my TR starts about a WEEK before this trip happened for one specific reason.

AHHHHHHHH I got accepted to DCP!!!! Which means, this trip also celebrates 100 days until my college program starts and I am a CM at WDW.




annnnd on to the weekendddddd.

So I can get my Race Bib!


Packing for this trip was a LOT different than February... Because, I only packed a carry on! You wouldn't believe how much I actually DIDN'T pack. It was kinda sad actually.


The bag all packed

Pascal is making sure that everything fits!
Well... you're going to have to sit with a teaser for now because I have some work to do for teaching in the AM!

 

[enchanted_belle]

are u on the bus to come meet me? or is that coming up later? HEEEEEEE I'm excited!!!

that's coming up later! Sorry I didn't respond earlier... computer problems mixed with Sandy weren't fun this week

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I'm super bummed we missed each other at the Expo... BUT - we see each other soon enough!!

And that waffle looks so good. I'm so hungry right now I want to lick my screen!!!

 

[Fashionista007]

You're too funny, I laughed when I read your TR title! Can you ask Claire where she got her Slave Leia dress? I MUST have that for SWW 2013!! Looking forward to reading about your experience with ToT

 

[enchanted_belle]

I'm super bummed we missed each other at the Expo... BUT - we see each other soon enough!!

And that waffle looks so good. I'm so hungry right now I want to lick my screen!!!

We do!!! But not TOO soon... gotta run into someone else first!

You're too funny, I laughed when I read your TR title! Can you ask Claire where she got her Slave Leia dress? I MUST have that for SWW 2013!! Looking forward to reading about your experience with ToT

I think she said she found it on clearance after SWW last year? I know she got it while down working seasonal last summer... and it's actually only a cooking apron! Crazy huh?

 

[enchanted_belle]

I'M SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!!!!!
I've had so many computer problems the past few weeks... I'm currently using my OLD crappy computer that Dan has had in his possession recently. It's so annoying and slow to use... and I'm almost done with student teaching! I have 13 days left in the classroom. It's so exciting.

Now... where were we??

Ah yes... being on the bus with the mirror shot.

Angel, Jerzy, and I headed back to ASM so that the two of them could go lay out and relax by the pool, take naps, etc. Me, being me, was going INSANE being in Disney and not being in a park. Add on top of that the fact that I was running 10 miles in about 10 hours, and I was a complete mess. To the point that I broke down bawling my eyes out on the bed while Claire was working on her school work.

I felt suffocated. And completely scared. This was the moment when I really started the mantra in my head of "what was I thinking?! I can't do THIS! I'm not ready. I'm not prepared! I'm so crazy!"

Ask Dan, he got those texts nonstop up until we actually started the running that night.

Claire noticed my freak out, so she put her computer and work away, attacked me, and went "we're going to a park. Let's go." Best friend? Yeah, pretty close to it.

Heading out the door - of course I changed into my shirt. See how messy my bed is already?! LOL.


But... where should we go? Texting with both Darolyn and Carrie, I knew that Carrie was hanging out for a bit in DHS and Darolyn was working on getting away from the expo to get to Animal Kingdom for lunch with her mom and sister. Claire and I decided we'd head there first since we knew we could get what we want done quickly.

I love that I got a picture of them taking a picture... creeper status!


Darolyn was still a ways away, so we just headed into the park... but, walking in the oasis, I decided to be super creepy and saw two people to the right that I KNEW who they were right away. Ashley and then her and Darolyn's momma!!!

Being classy, I just went up to them like "Hey! I know you from Darolyn's TRs!!!"

No name introduction, or anything. Just bam.

Thank goodness Ashley followed it with "you're Courtney, aren't you?"

lol. Thanks Ash! No pictures were taken, because I felt a bit awkward with the moment... but it was still really cool!



Some Animal Kingdom and Quote shots!

I have an obsession with those signs... there's like 3 more, but I'm not gonna post them all for you.

Claire and I did have a destination in mind when we set in to the park...

Dinosaur! It was really hard for me to be in Disney without Dan, especially on Dinosaur... I just kept remembering how much he loved the ride, and it really made me miss him a lot. Meaning, DCP is going to be a HUGE feels rollercoaster for me!

But, there was something new Claire and I noticed while on the ride, so I grabbed a picture after:

CLOTH PADDED SEATING INSTEAD OF THE CRAPPY LEATHER TYPE!!!!

It was such a nice difference to February's ride!


It was extremely hot in AK, as always, so we decided it was time for a nice snack. And I have one more snack that is a MUST for any Disney trip:

it was SOOOOO delicious. I'm craving one right now actually.

Next on the agenda was that Claire and I wanted to do some exploring and see if we could spot the ever-famous Yeti.

Unfortunately for us... Everest was closed, and they didn't think it would be opening any time soon. I heard the next few weeks after that it was still having problems.

Besides those two rides, Claire and I really didn't have much else to do in Animal Kingdom (thus the reason it came first), so I shot a text to Darolyn telling her that we were heading out of the park. The ladies were in Rainforest Cafe having lunch, so Claire and I made a beeline for the gift shop to meet up with D!

Disney Girls! Hiiii @derelicte19 !!!!

I was so excited to finally meet her! And this wasn't the last picture Darolyn and I would get together during the day either... so keep an eye out for her.

After seeing D, we headed back to the bus for the next stop on our "Keep-Courtney-from-freaking-out-about-running-10-miles" tour.

My awesome headband!:

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Awwww yay!! Although I look awful in that picture, it's so super cute!

And no need to feel awkward about running into my other two travel companions. They thought it was totally cool. It takes a lot more than that for them to be like "ummm.... ?!" lol

Yeah, that was the day that we got on EE just as it reopened after being down since park opening. Must have closed down again after that. Glad we got on it at least a couple times!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Finally catching up again! MY FLYNNN!!! That's all

<3 you!

Now hurry up and write more!!!!!!

 

[enchanted_belle]

I feel like I can never apologize enough for the length of time it's taking me to write this thing (I obviously don't want the weekend to be "over," even though it was just about 2 months ago now). I can give you a list to blame if you would like... included are student teaching and more computer problems.

But I have a new computer now. And it has Windows 8. And student teaching ends NEXT WEEK. So these excuses are not useful anymore. Which is why there's an update.


For those who don't remember... since it's been a while... we last left this TR with my finally meeting @derelicte19 in person at AK during the afternoon on Saturday of Race Day, and then Claire and I were off to the second park of the day.

About this point, my phone was on it's last 5% of battery life, which is what I get for going on Oovoo to talk to friends from DCP. But, while on the bus, my phone rang. It was @mamamouse saying that she was waiting for us towards the front of DHS! WOO.

It's good to be home again.


For those of you who have read Carrie's TR, you know that this was her FIRST time riding Tower of Terror.. and she rode it with moi! woo!

Before we got on the ride, I had to get one very important picture taken:

Tower, I am here to conquer you.


Now if only I still looked like that. Oh well, working on it again!

My new ride buddy!!!!!!


My whole determination for this trip into the park was to get on Tower just in case I didn't get to ride during the after party after the race... which was a good thing because, well, we'll get to that after the race!

And this makes ride number 4 of the weekend as well.

After, we decided to walk over and ride Star Tours once just so that I could say I rode it as well over the weekend - I had to get my best two rides in, didn't I?

Before we got there, however, we went on a hunt for the Tower of Terror ears in the shops.

Belle shirt I really really really want.

She is seriously the sweetest person everrrrr.



No ears Apparently they stopped selling the ears literally two weeks prior so I missed out. I was hoping to wear them for the race that night, but now I wouldn't be able to.

Claire getting on Star Tours!


After this, we decided to say goodbye and head back to the hotel since it was getting closer to 4pm... and I was exhausted. Which wasn't good when I wanted to run 10 miles that night. So, we said our goodbyes and went to wait for the bus that would take us back home.

Pascal gets bored easily waiting around

he gets it from me, don't worry.

Oh hey Claire! Sneak attack!


We waited for a good half hour for that bus to come... then, it was off to the food court to get some dinner, and have Claire get into a fight with the manager over her cast member discount (it was taken that morning, but now not allowed? It was confusing). I got a bunch of carby stuff and fell asleep on the bed eating it. Like literally, I fell asleep with my head next to my tray of food.


Finally: Next up, the Tower of Terror 10 Miler Race! (as well as pre- and post- race moments)

 

[enchanted_belle]

Ahhhhh PLEASE don't hate me for not updating... I promise the race is coming soon!

But for now, a DCP update: I moved into my apartment yesterday in Orlando! So right now I am acclimating myself to the area, and getting real excited for working (and homesick for Dan hugs... But he left yesterday and we had a nice mini Disney vacation before he did so), which starts on Thursday! The move, and the other recent stress, is what's to blame for my absence.

I'll do my best for a real update tomorrow!

And for those wondering.... I'm at Team Mickey in DTD.

Though... I'm 99.9% sure no one reads this anymore.

 

[Kristia]

Ahhhhh PLEASE don't hate me for not updating... I promise the race is coming soon!

But for now, a DCP update: I moved into my apartment yesterday in Orlando! So right now I am acclimating myself to the area, and getting real excited for working (and homesick for Dan hugs... But he left yesterday and we had a nice mini Disney vacation before he did so), which starts on Thursday! The move, and the other recent stress, is what's to blame for my absence.

I'll do my best for a real update tomorrow!

And for those wondering.... I'm at Team Mickey in DTD.

Though... I'm 99.9% sure no one reads this anymore.

I am still reading! Was hoping to see some race stuff before we leave for the marathon! You will be starting work and we will be arriving on Thursday!

 

[enchanted_belle]

I am still reading! Was hoping to see some race stuff before we leave for the marathon! You will be starting work and we will be arriving on Thursday!

working on it right now for you!

 

[tiaragirl]

SO MANY DISNEY UPDATES FROM YOU IN MY LIFE FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS.

JOY.

PS See you April 30 - May 7 hollaaaa..

 

[Ariel484]

Ahhhhh PLEASE don't hate me for not updating... I promise the race is coming soon!

But for now, a DCP update: I moved into my apartment yesterday in Orlando! So right now I am acclimating myself to the area, and getting real excited for working (and homesick for Dan hugs... But he left yesterday and we had a nice mini Disney vacation before he did so), which starts on Thursday! The move, and the other recent stress, is what's to blame for my absence.

I'll do my best for a real update tomorrow!

And for those wondering.... I'm at Team Mickey in DTD.

Though... I'm 99.9% sure no one reads this anymore.

Um...I am totally coming to see you. TOMORROW.

 

[joanna71985]

Nice! DTD should be a fun location

 

[val002]

Still reading! Good luck starting work!!!!

 

[enchanted_belle]

Um...I am totally coming to see you. TOMORROW.

too bad I didn't see this til AFTER you were here

Another DCP update (because that's about all I have time to do with life since I'm working a lot, and playing in the parks on my only days off lol), I am through my training AND not only working in Team Mickey, but also TrenD, Pin Traders (yesss), the stroller rental in Marketplace, and then a bridge cart by Pleasure Island. So many costumes, so many hours.

Also:

 

[Ariel484]

too bad I didn't see this til AFTER you were here

Another DCP update (because that's about all I have time to do with life since I'm working a lot, and playing in the parks on my only days off lol), I am through my training AND not only working in Team Mickey, but also TrenD, Pin Traders (yesss), the stroller rental in Marketplace, and then a bridge cart by Pleasure Island. So many costumes, so many hours.

Ugh, I know!

Hope you're having a fantastic time during your program!! Love the Gaston pic.

 

[enchanted_belle]

Ugh, I know!

Hope you're having a fantastic time during your program!! Love the Gaston pic.

I have SO many pictures from being here already... I feel like I'm gonna have to start blogging or something here soon so everyone can follow along in my adventures!!! thoughts?

 

[enchanted_belle]

The race... Finally


Well, this took me forever to get to this part... and since I have about 6 hours until work, I figured I would start the race updating! As I said two months ago, I fell asleep with my head literally next to my tray of food. I slept for a good hour or two and got myself reenergized for my first big race. After napping, we met back up with Angel and Jerzy to head over to DHS for the race. EEK.

had to get the obligatory picture of how empty it looked when we first got there -- everyone was in line to get their pictures with the ToT-10 sign. Not us!


We decided to head into our Corral (D) early, like super early, 7pm early. I'm still not sure why we did that... I blame that we were both crazy nervous.

So we got the other obligatory picture taken before parting ways with our cheerleaders!

Some pre-race pictures

During this time, my phone was getting lots of texts... from @derelicte19!!!

(we now has friends! yay!)

Darolyn and I were texting with @Fashionista007 the whole time as well, trying to figure out where she was... so off we went to do a Team Studios Central meet up with some awesome people we got to know (leaving Ashley and Angel to hang out in the corral)...

Finally got to see my twin @PartOfYourWorld. Hi Jess!

The whole team meet-up

Shelley and I realized after that we still never got a picture of the two of us... that's something we remedied when Dan and I stayed with her and Jason just a few weeks ago prior to me moving in! Yay finally!

But... Shelley and Darolyn got a picture together at least!

After some pictures and talking, Darolyn and I went back to the others and hung out... with new glow bracelets thanks to Jess's mom! (this post has all the exclamation points, I swear)

The corral's finally starting to get crowded.....

(by this point, Ashley was hiding somewhere in there....)

 

[Ariel484]

I have SO many pictures from being here already... I feel like I'm gonna have to start blogging or something here soon so everyone can follow along in my adventures!!! thoughts?

DO IT!!!