Trip Report: DVC Split Stay, MNSSHP, F&W, & ToT 10-miler (Complete)

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alicemouse's picture
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Trip Report: DVC Split Stay, MNSSHP, F&W, & ToT 10-miler (Complete)

AKA the most stressful Disney trip ever. Ok, not really. After all, we do have 11 days to accomplish everything. My biggest source of stress is that I'm running the ToT 10-miler on the next to last day of our stay, which means that I will have to keep a tighter reign on what I am eating than I otherwise would and we will have to pace ourselves with park touring so that my feet are still cooperating by race day. I knowingly did this to myself though. We scheduled the trip from September 25-October 5 long before I decided to do the race. Those dates allowed us to take advantage of two free vacation days for Benn because the law firm where he works will be closed for the Jewish holidays. I've been wanting to do a runDisney event and ToT was the only one the corresponded with any of our trips this year. I knew when I signed up that it was on the last full day of an 11-day trip, so I knowingly put myself in this situation, but now that tomorrow marks 2-months until race day, I'm starting to get nervous!!

Also, this will be our first split stay and we are visiting three different resorts--Wilderness Lodge Villas, Bay Lake Tower, and Saratoga Springs. I was trying to get Grand Floridian Villas at the end of the trip, but when I couldn't get it at the 7-month window, we opted to save some points and stick with Saratoga. As it turned out, that was a solid plan because we ended up using some of those points to snag a room at Boardwalk for a quick weekend in August.

SO the plans so far are as follows:

Thursday, September 25
Arrive at MCO around 12:30pm, grab the rental car and head to WLV for 3 nights
ADR: Very late lunch at Whispering Canyon
FP+ Test Track & Maelstrom (this combo worked for this day, but not for any others on our itinerary???)
Dinner: grazing at F&W
Meet up with Amy & TheColonel for IllumiNations

Friday, September 26

Hollywood Studios w/ FP+ at Toy Story, ToT (Benn only--I'll be at Animation Academy), Star Tours
Lunch: Probably at Fairfax Faire or maybe give Backlot Express another try
Dinner: Possibly pop over to EPCOT for F&W. If we do, that will definitely be early.
Fantasmic!
Pool time--hoping to be able to see Wishes from the DVC pool at WLV. Has anyone tried this before?

Saturday, September 27
Magic Kingdom w/ FP+ for BTMR, 7DMT, and PPF
Lunch @ Columbia Harbor House or Pecos Bill's
Hang out in the park and catch Festival of Fantasy or maybe take a nap before dinner
Dinner ADR @ 'Ohana
Head back to MK for evening festivities

Sunday, September 28
Check-in at BLT
MK w/ FP+ at BTMR, Meet Cinderella, and Haunted Mansion
Today's must-ride is the WDW Railroad because it goes down for maintenance on 9/29
Lunch ADR @ The Wave
afternoon nap/ get ready for MNSSHP!!!
arrive back at MK around 3pm (maybe this would be a better day to catch Festival of Fantasy)
collect our party map and bracelets around 4pm
Dinner at Pinocchio's
MNSSHP!! Priorities are Boo to You, HalloWishes, meet & greets

Monday, September 29
AK w/ FP+ for FoLK, Kali, and Primeval Whirl (Plan to ride Kilimanjaro first thing during EMH)
I had a FP for Benn for Everest, but the way he talked today, I don't think he wants to do it again, so I guess he'll get to try Primeval Whirl with me.
Lunch will probably be at Flame Tree because we love the food there, but we're also considering trying Yak & Yeti.
After lunch, we'll head over to Blizzard Beach. We've never done the water parks and I've been wanting to check them out. Hopefully I can coax Benn into a round of mini golf at Winter Summerland when we're done.
Dinner is most likely at Contempo Cafe
Evening is probably hang out at the pool or walk to MK for the sheer novelty of the fact that we can.

Tuesday, September 30
EPCOT w FP+ for Character Spot, Test Track, and Spaceship Earth (probably not going to use--hoping to switch to Maelstrom)
It's a MEMH day, so we'll probably do Soarin' on Standby.
Lunch & Dinner are F&W booths or WS quick service
Afternoon activity is WS cruising
Evening activity is pool time! Once again, hoping we can sort of see part of Wishes from the pool??

Wednesday, October 1
MK w/ FP+ for Space Mountain, Buzz, and Anna & Elsa yay
CoP will be re-opened today, so surely we'll take advantage of that opportunity.
Lunch is an ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern
We'll take a pool break before heading over to EPCOT to graze food & wine for dinner and then hang out at the resort and since this is our last night at BLT, go to Wishes at Top of the World

Thursday, October 2
First order of business is check-in at SSR, then onto EPCOT
FP+ for Soarin', Journey into Imagination, and the Seas (probably unused); This will be a "run directly to Test Track" day
Since we're there, lunch is F&W
Afternoon activity is DisneyQuest and we're hoping to hit Characters in Flight.
Dinner will e EoS and the evening will likely be spent at the pool

Friday, October 3
Back to MK w/ FP for Barnstormer, 7DMT, and PPF
Lunch will probably be at Casey's Corner before hitting Typhoon Lagoon. After TL, we need to stop by the Run Disney Expo to pick up my race packet.
Dinner is TBD--maybe since we're down at ESPN, we might swing offsite to Bahama Breeze
If I haven't maxed Benn out on Wishes, we might head up to Top of the World and check out HalloWishes again.

Saturday, October 4
Race day...
We'll start at DHS w/ FP+ for TSM, Star Tours, and VotLM.
After a morning at a nice relaxing place, we'll probably boat over to DTD and have lunch at EoS. After that, it's enjoying some resort time and catching a nap. We'll probably have dinner at Turf Club. I'm still checking menus and debating on the best pre-race food.
I don't know yet when and where I have to report, but the race starts at 10 flowed immediately by the Villain's Bash where Benn will be hanging out waiting for me.

Sunday, October 5
We have no plans to break any speed records getting up, but we'll probably try to squeeze in one more brief MK morning. I do have FP+ for BTMR, 7DMT, and PPF if we wake up early enough to go, but we do have to leave the park by 1:00 to make it to the airport on time. If we go to the park, lunch will be somewhere CS--maybe end on BOG if we have time.

So that's the tentative plan. It will certainly continue to evolve over the next 52 days. Hopefully we're also meeting up with Sally-Ann at some point--still working out those details!

Firsts for us on this trip are MNSSHP, doing a runDisney event, split stay, staying at BLT, staying at Wilderness, Food & Wine, Disney Water Parks, eating at Whispering Canyon, 'Ohana, Turf Club, and the Wave.

I feel like we might be a little bit heavy on MK time and a little bit light on DHS time, but we'll be spending a large part of our August weekend at DHS, so I think it's ok. The spreadsheet looks light on EPCOT, but we will most likely have 6 meals at F&W and we actually have a fair number of FW FP's, so it should be fine. I scheduled way more peripheral activities time than usual, but this is our last trip on the PAP and I want to take the time to experience the Water Parks. Benn really liked DisneyQuest when we were there in December, so I want to make sure he has time to do that again while it's "free". We'll also be spending more time than usual at the pool. We really enjoyed that on our May trip.

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

JMed's picture
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Sounds amazing! I can't wait to try one of the runs! I just gotta get myself back into running and all better LOL Too many right leg injuries for this girl!

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Sounds like a great plan. I would do the run but walk most of it. I'm going to try BLT next year. Although I am not a fan of the layout, the thought of walking home after a very late night at MK really appeals to me. Also CG and TOWL!

Looking forward to the meet-up awesome

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sounds like a great trip! Are you dressing up at all for MNSSHP or the race?

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Great plan alicemouse!!!!! sounds hectic but that's the best way to be!!!

can't wait for the meet up!

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Your plans sound awesome! I love the pool at BLT, I don't think you can see any fireworks from there though, sadly x

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Spook wrote:
sounds like a great trip! Are you dressing up at all for MNSSHP or the race?

We're undecided. We have our mad hatter and cheshire cat costumes from last year and the plan was to use them for this year, but whether or not we'll wear them depends largely on the weather and the suitcase real state required for packing for 11 days.

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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gaah But can't believe your skipping out on riding with Benn on TOT!?!
I have to endure it, so should you eek biggrin

Every minute looks great!

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Magic Mirror wrote:
gaah But can't believe your skipping out on riding with Benn on TOT!?!
I have to endure it, so should you eek biggrin

Every minute looks great!

LOL!! No way, Angie!! I get motion sick going down hills in a car! I'd probably die if I got dropped in an elevator laugh

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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Wohoo! Congrats on the TOT 10 miler! I want to do a runDisney event sooooo badly so I'm super excited to hear all about it! Pasta is always good the night before a run...what about Mama Melrose for dinner since you'll be at DHS? And yes yes YES do Yak & Yeti! It is sooooo yummy!

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Sounds like a great trip! Good luck with your race. We were at the Turf Club in January and it was amazing. And I agree with Allie - Yak & Yeti is a must try! You will not be disappointed. awesome

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sounds like a great trip. runDisney events are so much fun.

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Major milestone achieved last night--I ran my first 10-mile!! I came in at just under 2 hours, 13 minutes with a 12:57/mile pace. I'm ecstatic with anything under 13:00/mile because that puts my arrival at the finish line 30 minutes ahead of the "balloon man of doom".

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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Congrats alicemouse! That's awesome. awesome

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Thanks, Jan! I can barely walk today, but it was totally worth it!! laugh In retrospect, maybe doing the race at the end of vacation IS better. That way I'll be limping around at work all week instead of limping around in Disney!!

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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Congrats Alice! Way to go. awesome

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Whoo hoo! Way to go! stars

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congrats Alice!! Good Job.. clapping yay

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Well done, that is amazing. clapping

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That is so awesome! I envy anyone that has the discipline to train for these running events. Cannot wait for the meet up at MNSSHP!

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Thanks everyone!!

I've been working at this running thing for about a year now. I tried to do the whole distance for the first time about 2 weeks ago and I was all psyched up to go out and do it. I saw some clouds overhead, but I convinced myself that they were floating away from the route I had chosen. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Right around mile 2, I felt some raindrops--I didn't care. I kept running. Within a 1/4 mile, it was POURING! I kept running. In another 1/4 mile, I saw a lightning strike and flipped out. I was out in the industrial park because there's usually not much traffic out there, so there was nowhere to take shelter. I squatted down beside a warehouse and called Benn who thankfully heard the rain start and had already started out to find me. He was there in less than a minute. Last night was a considerably better experience!! laugh

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Great Job ! Glad to hear Ben was already on the move to find you ... Lightning can be
very bad sad

You're going to stay way ahead of the balloon man....... congrats

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Looks like it is going to be an amazing trip! clapping

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Magic Mirror wrote:
Glad to hear Ben was already on the move to find you

He's quite a good guy--but don't tell him I said that! wink

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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Congrats on hitting your 10 miles! What an achievement! awesome

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yay! Congrats! There's nothing like beating your previous personal record while running. A RunDisney event is something I have to do soon. Good luck with the 10-miler!

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Way to go alice! !

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Congrats on the 10 miles! What is this "Ballon man of Doom?

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h0ney227 wrote:
Congrats on the 10 miles! What is this "Ballon man of Doom?

Thanks for asking! I googled it and can't find a thing! LOL

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"I do not like the cone of shame."

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell."

"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

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The Huotari's Disney Adventures | Promote Your Page Too

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JMed wrote:
h0ney227 wrote:
Congrats on the 10 miles! What is this "Ballon man of Doom?

Thanks for asking! I googled it and can't find a thing! LOL

The balloon man of doom ( or sometimes balloon ladies) are the people at the back of the race with balloons that keep the required 16min/mile pace. If they pass you, it means the sweeper is coming and you either need to pass the balloon people or be swept off the course eek

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Spook wrote:
JMed wrote:
h0ney227 wrote:
Congrats on the 10 miles! What is this "Ballon man of Doom?

Thanks for asking! I googled it and can't find a thing! LOL

The balloon man of doom ( or sometimes balloon ladies) are the people at the back of the race with balloons that keep the required 16min/mile pace. If they pass you, it means the sweeper is coming and you either need to pass the balloon people or be swept off the course eek

awesome

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Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.