Marathon Weekend 2012 - Day 3: A "Half" Day

Today was a special day. Not necessarily for Teresa and myself, but for everyone participating in the Half Marathon. I had De'Dee, my 70 year old grandmother and my grandfather all walk and FINISH the race!

As some of you may know, grandma attempted the half back in 2010 but was swept at the 11 mile mark. She was so upset that she didn't get a medal. But she was bound and determined to get it this time, and she did it! She has inspired me to commit to running at least the full next year and she has inspired Teresa to run in next year's half (she said it on Facebook, so it's now official).

As for our day, Teresa and I began over at Animal Kingdom. This has never been my favorite park, but I have to say that it has a lot of great things to photograph. We rode Expedition: Everest at least four times, but that was pretty much all we road. We mainly just walked around the park and took in all of the natural beauty that the park has to offer.

For lunch, we stopped by Pizzafari for lunch and split a kid's meal. I have to say that we've been damn good for food this trip and one of the things that we have learned is that you can totally share a kids meal. It comes with a smaller version of what ever you order, but also, a cookie and a bag of grapes and a small coke (which can be refilled) is included. We found that this is just enough food for us and even if you didn't share, $5.50 for all that you get is a damn fine deal.

After Animal Kingdom, we went back to the resort to visit with De'Dee, grandma and grandpa and congratulate them. We intended on going out for a celebratory lunch, but we just ended up hanging out at the resort for a while.

After recharging for a boy, we headed to Epcot and again, we really didn't do much. We saw Spaceship Earth, Figment and Captain EO... Mostly because I HAD to take Teresa onto Captain EO just to show her just how ridiculous the attraction really is. It's so bad that even the Cast Members are making fun of it. Disney... It's past time to put EO back on the shelf.

After EO, we just sort of wandered around Future World, taking nighttime photos of the pavilions. I've always wanted to do that and now I have a decent camera, so I took advantage of it.

Then we went over to World Showcase and met up with Jeff, Lisa, and Trace. There we rode the Maelstrom together, then found a spot to view IllumiNations. Then we parted ways. It was SO good to see them again. Good people.

At this point, Teresa and I decided to walk around the World Showcase Promenade and take some pictures of the different national pavilions. Got some great shots.

Marathon Weekend 2012 - Day 2: Let the Magic Begin!

Today was our first day in the parks and we began it at the Magic Kingdom. We got there just in time for the opening ceremony, which is always fun for me. I mean, it's very hokey and what not, but it's always fun for the opening of the Magic Kingdom to begin your Disney experience.

After the ceremony, we made our way to the Main Street vehicles and road the horse drawn trolley down Main Street, U.S.A. I have never done that so that was fun.

Then, Teresa and I decided to go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad since it wi be closing for refurb this weekend.

After that, we just meandered around the park, taking in the sights and details. I love doing this. It soothes me for some reason. You get to just take in the entire experience and see all the little details that the average guest never notices.

Around 11:30, we headed over to Disney's Hollywood Studios. I like this park for its detail, but as far as content, I'm not a huge fan of the park. Especially when it is packed. However, we hit all the highlights (hitting Tower of Terror at least 4 times).

Later in the evening, Teresa and I met up with De'Dee and we just walked around the park and eventually saw Jeff, Amanda, and Justin. We were all headed in separate directions, but it was good to see them for a few minutes. I know we'll see them again.

After we parted ways, Teresa and I took De'Dee onto the new and updated Star Tours. I thoroughly enjoy the enhancements to this attraction. Each ride is a totally different experience.

Then we all went over to see the last night of the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite holiday traditions at the World and it was great to see it.

De'Dee then left us, since she had to get up at 3:30 in order to be up for the half marathon in the morning. So, Teresa and I went to see Fantasmic! She thoroughly enjoyed it.

After that, we just walked around the park and took in the sights. I'd say that it was an over all good day!

Planning on heading over to Animal Kingdom and Epcot tomorrow. See you then!

Marathon Weekend 2012 - Day 1: The Big Beige Burb

Today was our travel day to the World. We boarded the Suburban (aka "The Big Beige Burb") at Teresa's place in Hattiesburg around 7am and made it to the World around 8pm. That's including about two hours of non-driving time and a time change, so we made pretty good time actually.

This trip was pretty much like any other road trip to the World with my grandparents. We hit all of our usual "spots" (The Burger King in Mobile, the Florida Welcome Center and the Rest Area on I-10 just past Tallahassee) including dinner in Ocala. This time we went to Outback, which wasn't too bad I have to say. We also had a little bit of drama with a RedBox machine, but I won't get into that.

For the most part, things were pretty calm. Since we left from a different location, we didn't have to pass by the Coast, so we were spared the Katrina and Camille horror stories. We of course we got the run down of the toll road situation (apparently you have to pay a toll to use a toll road... That's why they're called till roads) and we heard the "this used to all be orange groves but the freeze killed them" story for the one hundred millionth time.but all in all every thing went smoothly.

We checked into Pop Century around 8:00. It doesn't seem to be that crowded. Some interesting thing to note...

It looks like they have redecorated the rooms in the preferred rooms in the 60s section. It's really nice. They've included an big screen HD TV, new carpeting and a curtain separating the vanity and the bedroom. Very nice! I'll include some pictures in my picture follow up post after the trip.

Also... $14.45 for the effin' refillable mugs??? They must have lost they're damn minds!!! So totally reusing all mugs and even paper cups at this point. I used to be against that, but to hell with that! They're robbing us blind with that scheme!!! Be prepared for a rant post on this topic in the very near future.

Well that's it for me now... Getting up tomorrow morning for our first day of Park touring at the Magic Kingdom!

Marathon Weekend 2012: The Pre-Trip Report

Well, it's official! I WILL be going to Walt Disney World for Marathon Weekend! So I will be seeing most you very soon. So, like I do before every trip to the World, I'm writing a pre-trip report to fill you all in on my plans for the trip.

As far as I know, my grandparents, Teresa, and I will be leaving for the World on the 5th and will drive all the way, checking in to Pop Century around 9:00 that night. De'Dee should be flying in earlier that afternoon.

Friday will be our first day at the parks, and as usual, we will be starting our day at the Magic Kingdom. We're planning on getting there a little before rope drop then staying until around noon, then head over to the Studios to see what can before the first showing of Fantasmic. Then we'll see the Osborne lights, then head back to the room.

Saturday, I will attempt to be on Main Street to take pictures of my friends and family who are running the race. I don't know if this will be possible, but I am certainly going to try. If you'd like, call me when you are close to the Magic Kingdom so I will be on the lookout for you. After I've had my feel of the race, Teresa and I will be starting our day at Animal Kingdom to see the few things that we'd like to do there. I'm thinking that we'll be done by 1ish. Then we'll head over to Epcot and kill some time before Illuminations.

Sunday, we'll begin our day at Epcot. De'Dee will be finishing the marathon sometime that morning, so I will have to leave the park at some point that morning, but the plan is to stay in and around Epcot from rope drop until around 6. That way Teresa, De'Dee and I can make it to the Polynesian for dinner with all of my Team Voice friends at Ohana. After dinner, Teresa and I are planning on resort hopping along the monorail line.

I always like to end my Disney vacations at the Magic Kingdom and since Monday will be our last park day, we are planning on staying in the Magic Kingdom all day, from rope drop until close. That way Teresa can see all of the little details of the park and still have time to see all of her favorites.

Most of you guys will be there during this time, so feel free to text or email me while you're there. Can't wait to see you all! I will also be posting blog posts and will be tweeting and Facebooking from the parks, so be sure to add and follow me!

Just a Reminder

Don't forget that Daylight Savings Time ends tonight, so be sure to set your clocks back an hour! Look for some announcements coming tomorrow. Until then, take care!

Test Track Goes Pixar?

The other day I was listening to WDW Radio's NewsCast from a few weeks ago. On the show, Lou talked about Test Track going down for an extended refurb and the rumors surrounding it. One of the possibities he talked about was that Disney was turning Test Track into a miniuture "Cars Land" attraction. It was at this point that I began screaming at my iPhone. Lou did say that this was just speculation, however, Lou's speculation tends to become fact.

Quite frankly, I am sick to death of this Pixar invasion into the Parks. Sometimes it works, but when it doesn't the attraction blows...

I think what really struck a nerve with me was the "Pixarification" of another Epcot attraction. I just don't think that Pixar works in Epcot. It takes away from the futureistic theme and really doesn't make sense. It also takes away the educational aspect of the park. Take The Seas with Nemo... Once one of the coolest, best themed attractions in Epcot. Now that Nemo has taken over, it's just a shell of it's former self. Now the focus of the attraction is the ride in the begginging. The aquarium is just a post show now when before it was the main event.

I just feel like that if Disney were to put Pixar into Test Track, it would destroy the educational aspect of the attraction and it would just become another ride for kids that will just annoy adults. I really hope that this does not happen. I think Test Track is fine just the way it is. Sure, it could use a little sprucing up but I don't think it needs to be totally overhauled and it certainly doesn't need "cute" characters all in it.

Disney... I beg you... please leave Test Track alone. That is all.

A Magic Happy

Today at the office, I found this little gem on my desk. One of my co-workers was cleaning out a closet at her house and found this pin, and since I'm the office's resident Disney freak, she brought it to me. The really cool thing about this pin is that it was clearly made for Walt Disney World's 100 Years of Magic promotion, but the back of the pin is marked Disneyland Paris. I've never seen or heard of this happening before. I thought that was interesting.

Very sweet of her to think of me and made my day just a little more magical! Thanks Kim!!!