Racing the Duck - Finished - 1/27 About This Page:

[luvnwdwgal]

What a fun update!! Prince Charming is such a cutie!!

[Colexis Mom]

Fantastic update Terri

Love all your pictures with CP

Hurry back with more

[Phoebe_Cates]

Additional Notes

Day 1 – Travel/Rest Day:

• The explo on Sat was crowded with a line marked off outside of the Wide World of Sports building, but it moved relatively quickly. Disney definitely knows crowd control!
• The rest of the day we pretty much took it easy, which was a GREAT suggestion made by our friend Kris (She might even join us again for the marathon next Jan). In the past, Terri and I tended to hit the parks on Sat to the point where we weren’t fully rested for the marathon, which was SUPPOSED to be why we were in Disney World to begin with. (wink! wink!) By traveling on Sat instead of Fri and extending the trip to Tue instead of leaving on Mon, we were able to concentrate of the race before going nuts in the parks!
• Also, I noticed that Poly was being remolded while we were waiting to be seated for dinner. What’s going on there? Does anyone know when that’s going to be completed?

Day 2 – Race Day/Epcot:

• Both Terri and I received an official time, which was a great motivating factor for me b/c I haven’t been training as I should have been. However, there were a couple of areas of the race itself that concerned me:
o Disney ran out of sports drink on the first stop, which is why we always bring our own.
o We didn’t see as many characters this year, which was a bit disappointing.
o We also didn’t get to run down Main Street, USA
Now, we might have seen the sports drink that was provided and more characters if we had run faster. As for the Main Street, USA detour, I can only hope that it was due to the construction in front of Cindy’s castle and will be changed back as soon as it’s completed.
• After the race, Terri and I walked around the countries at EPCOT and had a LATE lunch at Beaches n’ Cream where I had the best mushroom swiss burger ever. Hmm Hmm Good! Unfortunately, I wasn’t hungry for dinner at the Yacht Club. Opps! We might have to re-think meal times on race day next year.
• The day ended with us meeting up with some passporters for the illumination cruise. It was wonderful meeting up with people and it actually inspired me to get on the boards! )

Day 3 – Magic Kingdom

• We started the day by grabbing breakfast at the Main Street USA bakery (Who knew they had quiche?!) and headed directly to the future, where I preceded to break my personnel record of scoring over 200K in Buzz! Woohoo!
• We spent the rest of the day hitting all of our MK favorites, the mountains, haunted mansion, etc. and had lunch on Main Street, where I ordered a hamburger and was a bit disappointed b/c it wasn’t as good as the day before. Although running the ½ marathon might have affected my taste buds! lol
• Before we left, I tried to find a villains shirt that I had seen in Oct. Of course, it wasn’t there, which goes back to my theory: buy-it-when-you-see-it-or-you-won’t-see-it-when-you-want-it!
• The day ended with a character meal at the Grand Floridian, where I preceded to embarrass myself by clinging to prince charming. I think Terri had a little bit more self control! )

Day 4 – Animal Kingdom/EPCOT/Travel Day

• The day started with breakfast at Poly, where I was able to get my konga toast – yummy! … One of these days I’m going to have to bust open my “cooking w/ Mickey” cookbook that Terri got me for Christmas and make it for myself!
• After breakfast, we headed to Animal Kingdom specifically for the Lion King show, which was definitely worth it!
• Then we headed back to EPCOT for lunch in Japan (sushi) and for a couple of last min rides before Terri had to drop me off at the airport. (

Our next trip is DisneyLand in Feb, which is really going to be different for us.

Cheryl

[DopeyGirl]

[ QUOTE ]

• The day ended with a character meal at the Grand Floridian, where I preceded to embarrass myself by clinging to prince charming. I think Terri had a little bit more self control! )


[/ QUOTE ]

Cheryl . . . there is no shame in clinging to a cute boy like that!!! I should know . . . I am MARRIED and I still clung to a cute Disney boy for 2 days when I was there (although he was just a regular Disney boy and not Prince Charming!!!)!!!

[DrDolphin]

And last but not least - Day 4.
Tuesday - January 11.

The day started with us packing our bags, calling bell services and me stopping at the front desk to straighten out a wee bit of confusion with the valet parking, one room and two credit cards. I really wish that WDW would go to the accounting system they have on the cruise ships - two people in one room, two credit cards and room charging allowed.... I loved that on the cruise!!! We waited for the car to be brought by the valets and ended up chatting with Keri - a Guest Services manager at WL who is interested in running the half marathon next year. We challenged her to do it - and I got her card and have been emailing ever since.

We got our car and headed to the Poly for an 730am PS for breakfast at the Kona Cafe. Cheryl really fell in love with TOnga Toast in October when we were there for our birthdays and asked to repeat the meal... so we did.

After breakfast, we got back in the car and headed to the Animal Kingdom to FINALLY see Festival of the Lion King. We were supposed to have seen it in October -- or that was the ruse I used to get Cheryl to AK for our Backstage Safari that Kris bought us for our birthday presents.... We entered AK and they had the Opening in front of the Tree of Life. We took a couple photos holding Simba (ugh photos... I am SO not photogenic) and started to head to Camp Minnie Mickey...

As we approached, a CM said that nothing was open yet - but that an animal training session for Pocohontas and her Forest Friends would be starting in 10 minutes and we were welcome to watch that. It was interesting!! Cheryl and I did comment that Poch looked a bit like she needed a few sessions in the tanning booth.... but they worked with a turkey, a skunk and a racoon during the session. It was very interesting.

After that, we decided to find a bench and just relax until FOTLK opened for the 1040(?) show. Had it been any other day of the week, there would have been a 940am show -- but not on Tuesday. Oh well.

As we came out of the Animal training session - who should be there - but two other crazy animals - Ranger Donald and Fisherman Goofy!! We took a few photos and I danced a bit with Goofy (hey -- he's as tall as Scott is!!!).

And then we waited... for about 10 or 15 minutes before they opened the queue area to enter the waiting area to enter the theatre. We ended up being seated in the 3rd row (1st elevated row) of the elephant section... I SO need to work on my elephant sound... sounded like I was having trouble blowing my nose (hmm wonder if I would sound better now all stuffed up)...

This is a WONDERFUL show... One of the CMs pulled two kids from Canada out of the audience to help teach the hand jive - and they had NO idea what she was talking about . It was kind of funny. I took a few photos... My favorite parts were the Monkeys, the birds and the Timon song that we sang with him.... Cheryl and I had that in our heads for quite awhile (Awheem away, Awheem away....)

After LOTK -we headed out of AK and headed to EPCOT, where we had decided to spend the rest of our day. We drove over and ended up in the first row of Section C - right behind the canal. We immeadiately headed to Spaceship Earth, and then got a Fast Pass for Test Track for after lunch.

Before we headed back for lunch - we decided to stop at Mouse Gear to see if we could exchange Cheryl's Mickey Mouse Club shirt for a size smaller... and make one last look for a certain beloved donkey. Cheryl found the right size, and while we were standing in line, she noticed the woman in front of us had THE DONKEY!!! We asked her where she got it - and there he was right around the corner -- so mission accomplished! Donkey Found. I played around a bit with bridal ears... didn't look half bad!!!

Purchases complete and exchanges made, we had decided to have sushi-sushi for lunch (say the two together fast) and walked around to Japan. The lounge (which is where we ended up having lunch) does not take the DDE card (even though the rest of the place does).... but they do give a 10% annual/seasonal pass discount for weekday lunches.... so instead of 20% of - we got the 10% off. Cheryl ended up getting Chicken Tempura and I got sushi-sushi... but I did not remember to take photos .

After lunch - we decided to take our loop around Test Track (wheeee) and then for our last stop - see "Impressions de France" - we both really enjoy this movie. Scott called while we were waiting to enter the theatre to check and see when I was leaving and what time I thought I would be home.... and to make dinner arrangements.

After the movie - we headed to the car. I was sad to think the trip was coming to an end... but also excited about my upcomign trip with Scott.

I dropped Cheryl at MCO and then pointed my car north on 417, I-4 and I-95 arriving right about 530pm.

So there you have it - TR complete. I need to come back in here this weekend to add the last set of photos....

Next up - the "Grown Up" WDW with Scott.

[disneyfan4994]

Great report! Thanks so much for sharing!

[DopeyGirl]

You know, Terri . . . I actually sat here and tried to say "sush-sushi" fast (out loud) . . . once it came out "shounding short of like thish" and the next I said a "bad word" somehow!!!

Great report!!! Sad to see it come to an end, but I'm looking forward to hearing about the "grown-up" trip with Scott!!! (Will you be wearing the "WANTED" shirt then? )

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks for sharing Terri!! You and Cheryl always have such a fun time together!! Looking forward to your next trip report!!

[LizardCop]

Thanks for sharing a great trip report ladies!!!!!

[pparm]

One trip down, one to go!!! This was a great one. Hope you and Scott have a great time! Looking forward to hearing about it when you return.

Paula

[2princessmom]

WOnderful report! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait for your next one!

[stretch2864]

Great TR! DM and I really enjoyed meeting you and Cheryl for the Illuminations Cruise!

[wendydiz]

What a great trip report. Reading all these reports is helping me get through these last couple of days before my trip...I CAN'T WAIT!
Michelle

[Colexis Mom]

Great report Terri and Cheryl

Can't wait for the next one

[mom2my4dwarfs]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.