Magic Kingdom 9:30am-about 10:30am

After an amazing early morning of the Double Dumbo's we ventured into the "old" Fantasyland.  Before getting over near King Arthur's Carousel we stopped for a journey into the Hundred Acre Wood in one of Pooh's Hunny Pots.

When we arrived where I am used to seeing Dumbo and all the kids lined up for the 45 minute plus wait at about 9am it was quiet and empty looking.  It was sad not seeing the Dumbo attraction here and the empty space left behind.  I suppose it will be less obvious once they take down the Dwarf Mine Train fencing.

 Dumbo has been partially replaced by partial castle walls.  Here you can see the little bit of curb on the left is about where the center of Dumbo used to be.  They are also doing some work to the left of the carousel for future enjoyment.

 It is so empty looking and open here without Dumbo.  We skipped our surprise fast passes for Mickey's Philharmagic since we've seen it before and it does make us both a bit nauseous with the flying carpet scene.

We picked up a fast pass for the Little Mermaid attraction outside Mickey's and then headed over to it's a small world.  One of our favorites and we could both go on this about 30 times (enough for a 5k of singing animatronics of the catch tune).

Around this time it was getting close to our fast passes for Little Mermaid so we ventured into that area of the new Fantasyland.  We stopped by Gaston's Tavern to check out the antlers in all of his decorating.  They are a quick counter service place.  It was small inside so it's more of a grab and go place for a snack from our brief visit (we were going to wait in line starting around 10:30 for the Be our Guest restaurant for our lunch very early).

It was time for our Little Mermaid attraction.  This was a cute little attraction, actually from what I recall, almost identical to the one at Disney's California Adventure Park.  From here we waited in line for the Be Our Guest Restaurant to open for lunch.

Magic Kingdom before 9:30 am

So, this isn't really about running, but you have to have fun at Disney for a running event.  Especially when you and your perfectly Goofy momma are on vacation.  We arrived for the park opening, which was at 8am.  I love the little song and dance they do to welcome you to the Magic Kingdom.  Of course I could not wait to see the new double Dumbo!  I figured it would be super crowded over there, but we were in luck since it was not.  

 We stopped along Main Street, USA for our picture in front of the castle.  Mommy and me trips are so much fun.  Although we are constantly on the go we take some time out to enjoy the yummy goodness of food and the entertainment.

I stopped to peak through the fence at the Dwarf roller coaster that is also part of the expansion. It was looking good.  They also had signs up on the fence about how to get to the Story Book Circus (home of the one and only Dumbo!)

 Here is the warning.  I am obsessed with Dumbo.  He is my all time favorite and I could spend all day at Dumbo (but I don't).  We headed over to the new Fantasyland Story Book Circus area.  I was in love.  I'm pretty sure my mom was smiling as big as I was or she just gave a cast member some look that was to the effect of, "she's special."  The cast member said we appeared to be extra chipper that morning at which point I confessed my extreme love of Dumbo to him and how it was my first time seeing the new double Dumbo.

Look at that awesomeness!  Not another person in sight, except the cast member who was probably radioing security to check out the 30 year old visiting the circus.  All the details were amazing.  We walked around and took photos since there was no line at all for either Dumbo.

We even got fast passes for Dumbo because there has never been a fast pass for Dumbo before.  And when our fast passes came out we also were surprised with a surprise extra magical bonus fast pass for Mickey's Philharmagic.  Just one small piece of awesomeness that made this day the BEST EVER!

First flight on the new Dumbo double for me!  I loved it.  I am a little disappointed to not be soaring over Fantasyland and seeing the castle and carousel, but am quickly over that because of no line!

The second time around!  At this point the cast members in Story Book Circus are smiling at me and probably thinking, "grown up way too excited for this."  After 4 or 6 more flights they are probably really confused as to who in their right mind loves Dumbo this much to keep going through the line without kids.

We went to check out the Big Top Tent that sold goodies.  It smelled delicious!  Cotton candy scent wafted through the air.  They had delightful looking candies and snacks, plus lots of Dumbo items.  I did not purchase anything (surprise of the century).  Lots of shirts/backpacks and little dishes for kids.  

Casey Jr. (the train that brings the circus to town in Dumbo) has been turned into a splash park.  Would be a ton of fun to cool off on a hot day as long as you have a change of clothes.  The details in the whole area make you feel like you stepped back in time to the days where the circus really traveled by train.  There were animal prints and peanuts in the concrete.
After checking out the Big Top Tent we went on the Great Goofini Coaster (mom's idea).  She survived it and I told her that Dumbo was much milder and ...

 Mom went on Dumbo for the first time!  I am so proud of her and when it was over...we had to take flight on the other Dumbo!  It wasn't so bad after all.  So far the awesomeness of the day has been bonus fast passes, mom riding Dumbo (don't worry, there is more as the day happens).

This is a photo of the Double Dumbo from the Great Goofini.  After mom took flight with the one and only Dumbo I decided it wasn't getting better at the Circus and we headed over to the "old" part of Fantasyland.

Marathon 2013 (mile 18-the end)

So the race isn't going how I would have liked.  I am not exactly un-happy but I am not exactly enjoying the race as much as I have in the past.  I feel extremely guilty that my momma has to sit in the grandstand bleachers for longer than ever before.  I know she won't wait until I am closer to the finish to hang out up there (she has to get a good spot and won't leave).

We head out to the Wide World of Sports on a single lane out and then back.  It is awful.  People are hot and walking.  You can't really get "around" or find your stride.  I am frustrated and thinking, "this mile 20 extravaganza better be worth it."  We take almost a full lap on the track.  A high school team is having practice on part of it (about 75 meters).  The kids waiting their turn for block work/hurdles aren't even paying attention to the endless stream of people running by.  No words of encouragement, etc... perhaps it is me but as a coach I would have encouraged my athletes to cheer for and the runners, clap, good job as they rotate through their turns.  Oh well.

 We head past a giant Mickey balloon--which was very cool but it could have just as easily been put up on the traditional route in the highway divide of grass.  We get to run on the track of the baseball stadium where the Atlanta Braves have their spring training.  There are some people from the chEAR squad here.  My mom was going to try and catch the bus to be at this part of the race but was told no guarantee on her getting to the finish in time.  Even if she did make it to this part I wouldn't have been able to stop and get things from her.
Now, here comes the mile 20 extravaganza.  I hope you aren't holding your breath.  Giant puppets of characters (6 total) and a stage near the arch that had a few characters on it you could stop for pictures.  Characters stayed on stage and you were on the ground.  The arch had a picture of each of the previous years marathon medals.

 That's all.  That's the mile 20 extravaganza.  After this section of about 300meters where it was about 2 1/2 lanes it went back to single lane and past all the poor people that were still heading into the Wide World of Sports complex.  Fortunately mile 22 wasn't far away and it was Hollywood Studios Time.

 Usually there are a few more characters, but the park was way past open at this time (I am usually running through about as it opens).  I passed on Monster's Inc. dudes since it was the let's just finish mode and I was basically frazzled mentally trying to get through.  I had to keep thinking, "coolest medal ever," and "I've got to keep my perfectly Goofy status.  I've only got 4 miles to go, I can't quit now."

 Thanks for greeting me as I left Hollywood Studios.  I texted my mom just before entering EPCOT to let her know about a mile to go.  She was probably relieved to get that message.  I know she worries when things aren't going well for me.  The one year I ran with a fever and upset stomach--it was awful, but not as awful as this in terms of time.

on the Boardwalk

 Hello EPCOT!  I love that you have a character at almost every nation.  Most people don't stop at this part of the race knowing how close the finish is as well as starting to notice the time and possibility of hitting a specific time.  Stopping at this point is also very painful.  You practically cramp up immediately stopping for the character photo.  Also, EPCOT is kind of rolling with lots of mini up and downs with twists.

I skipped Duffy the Disney bear and headed to the finish.  The photos of me finishing are still on my Momma's camera card.  I felt so bad when I saw her I cried and apologized for making her have to wait so long.  She said she was just glad I was ok and proud of me for finishing. She felt bad for me that I was so miserable and not having a good day. 

 

Just in case you are wondering I drank a water and powerade at each aid station or 2 cups of the same at each station.  This is in addition to 1/2 a bottle of powerade at the start corral plus a bottle of Coca-Cola.  I went potty at mile 4ish and that was it.  I sucked down a bottle of water after finishing plus 1/2 a bottle of Coca-Cola on the bus back to our hotel.  It was that hot out.  I finally did go to the bathroom about an hour after finishing the race.  

Despite my miserable feelings during the race it all worked out in the end.  I had a Mickey Bar and took a nap.  Then we had dinner:

Marathon 2013 (mile 11ish-mile 18)

As you already know it was somewhat warm and I was not having a happy thoughts kind of day.  Smiling cause I'm at Disney but my brain is just not in the mood for this course change and weather.  I apologize for this being so negative, but I wanted it to accurately reflect my feelings during the race.  Most of the time I love running but this day was just not the day.

Anyways, Animal Kingdom and the road there did not disappoint in terms of characters and things to help keep you interested.  I love how at this part in the race you find clumps of characters instead of just one.  I also enjoy how they often try to use a parade float or something else as a prop for nifty backgrounds-you won't typically get this in the parks when you wait for a character.  I suppose if one was so inclined they could get some great autographs on the course.

 They had this "couple" asking for directions and asking why we were all going the same direction.  Meanwhile there was a bored "teenager" in the camping parade.  You can hear them for about a half mile saying things like, "ooh, that guys shorts are nice, I bet he is nice and could give us directions."  "Does anyone know when this parade will be over?"

 Only the coolest thing ever!  I have always wanted to come and see it decorated over and above for Christmas along with parades and such.  Just a little taste of the awesomeness that Disney Christmas has to offer.  Please take me for a week Manfriend!

 All this and we still haven't entered Animal Kingdom yet.  They also handed out wet sponges so people could squeeze the cool water over their heads or wipe off their arms/legs/faces.  Jiminy Cricket was the "entrance" to Animal Kingdom.  It was the Conservation Station train stop.

 Taking a quick look back as I wait to see some characters.  Yep, that 2 minutes you wait for characters means about 100 people pass you.  It also gives you a chance to check out some costumes and possibly notice trends in running outfits (like sparkle skirts or compression leg sleeves).  I noticed a lot of people with the leg sleeves a few years ago and figured there had to be something to them.  I bought a pair and they work great for me.  I haven't run in them but after racing hard I wear them around and they really help me to not feel as sore and recover quicker.  Also, I've worn them to fly and notice that my ankles don't swell as much.

 After Safari Minnie and Daisy I entered Dino-land at Animal Kingdom.  The song playing was Riding with the King by BBKing.  I thought of my Papa Bear because he likes lizards and dinosaur type things--he's part lizard in case you are wondering.  That was just the little boost I needed at the time.

After exiting Animal Kingdom I busted out my phone and texted and ran again.  Time was not a factor today.  I apologized for the slow go and realized that I was only at mile 14, ugh.  Usually I leave AK and it is about mile 16/17.  I skipped the "grave" site where they have undertakers with shovels and you can lie down next to a tombstone.  I wouldn't have gotten up.
Trekking on down the "boring stretch" that was made more boring this year en route to the mile 20 extravaganza.  The highway to get to Wide World of Sports was nice and 3 lanes wide allowing me to stretch my legs and pick up the pace a bit.  I started to get into a groove and then BAM, single lane road going into Wide World of Sports.  Narrow and crowded meant unhappy and watching all the people leaving (already ran past mile 20) meant more unhappy me.  I had to look at the thousands of people for almost 3 miles (it wasn't any more pleasant on the way out seeing all the people heading in and knowing their frustration at seeing all of us).