Mike picked us up to take us to the airport to start our trip.
Of course, a good beer at the airport was in order.
Arriving in Orlando we picked up our baggage…
And headed to the car rental lot.
We drove to Walt Disney World and arrvived at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.
My parents met us there and we all headed to Downtown Disney together.
We went to Planet Hollywood for dinner before heading back to the room.
The room was really large…
With a seperate bedroom.
The balcony had a great view.
Our first morning there and we headed to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground to meet my parents.
We took the boat ride over to….
The Magic Kingdom.
A quick picture upon arrival.
We made it just in time for one of the bazillion parades they do all day.
And headed off to get some food.
The veggie burger was actually pretty good.
A staple of all vists, Space Mountain.
We look so thrilled.
From there we headed to the Ariel ride…
It’s a quiet ride…
But sometimes that is what you want.
Another quiet ride, Peter Pan’s Flight.
So happy!!
We had some time until it was our turn for the fast pass on our next ride, so we took the train around the park.
They had to fill it with water as it is a real, working steam engine.
After that we were just in time to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
One of the only rollercoasters my mother will ride.
It was about the time of the rollercoaster that I start to feel sick, and by the time we headed out that night, I was feeling a fever coming on.
I decided a jack and ginger at Wolfgang Pucks might cure me…
But it didn’t, and I had to buy a hat to keep from shivering so badly from my fever. I think at this point my temperature was about 101.
The next morning while I laid in bed, Kelli and my parents headed to the race expo.
There was quite a line to get into the event.
But Kelli needed to get her race stuff, so in they went.
The event was mobbed with lots of people…
and vendors selling goods.
Princess Kel with her Princes.
By the time she came back, the meds had kicked in and I was starting to feel a little better.
We sat by the pool for a few hours…
And Kelli made a friend.
Later that night we headed to Epcot. I made sure to dress appropriately for purple Friday.
We decided to to do a goofy picture, too.
Jumping on the Spaceship Earth ride.
The jumping water…
Under which I made Kelli stand. Thanks, random kid on the right, for splashing the water and getting Kelli wet.
You know I love these things.
We all decided it was time to get a drink.
Look, over there!!
My mother stopped and got some henna action.
Stitch, added by the disney photo people.
Dinner that night was in Canada.
The garden area outside was very nice.
See the baby ducks?
Dinner was good, but I was still sick so I couldn’t really taste anything.
Kelli didn’t buy a pair, but these were the Disney shoes you could get if you ran the race.
After dinner I really started to feel bad again.
But I was a trooper and did a few more rides.
someone in line with us had their toenails done in a fun manner.
I got a Mickey Mouse tag for Riley.
Not sure when he’ll wear it, but it’s fun.
Kelli designed her own car at Test Track…
Then we went for a ride…
And my father’s car scored slightly higher than Kelli’s.
Leaving later that night.
The next day it was back over to my parents. Find Kelli.
We had to go pick up their Explorer, which was getting fixed.
3 hours roundtrip later, we were back in Disney.
Wild turkeys walking around the campground.
Kelli took some time to check email and the like.
My mother was now feeling ill, so Kelli, my father, and I headed out on our own.
Again, the boat…
To the Magic Kingdom.
We started playing this really fun game called “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom”.
It involves casting spells using these cards.
Dinner at Tony’s on Main Street that night…
was carb heavy for Kelli’s run.
When we came back out the Electrical Parade was in progress.
One of my favorite Disney movies.
And another.
We followed the progression up the street…
and then caught the fireworks.
As we were leaving the park…
A light show started on the castle. So we stayed and watched.
4am, and it was race time.
She wasn’t the only one running. There were 35,000 runners registered.
After dropping her off at Epcot…
I grabbed a coffee…
and headed to the Magic Kingdom.
I took a picture of the race map for reference.
The park opened…
and everyone made for their spot.
I set up just at the end of Main Street between mile 5 and 6.
It was odd being there at 5:30am.
The iPad fools.
The lead runner came through…
and 15 minutes later Kelli came by.
She ran over and gave me a kiss…
Before heading off towards the castle.
Taking the monorail back, and I went by lots of runners.
I got back to the finish line just around 7am.
Only about 1-2 minutes beofre the lead runner finished in a course record time.
Kelli made her way to the finish about 35 minutes later.
I saw her coming around the corner at a distance.
And knew she would see me any second.
Hi!!!!
So happy to be almost done.
I grabbed a shot of her heading to the finish…
And made note of her time.
So happy to be done!!!
Reunited!!! I wore that shirt so I would be easier to find in the crowd.
Tada!!!!
She had a blast talking to Ariel after the race. Make sure to ask her about the conversation she had.
Yup, that is me, too.
When we left, you could see all the runners still on the course.
We headed back to the Magic Kingdom for a few hours.
And had a nice relaxing afternoon.
We gave Kelli’s legs a rest and did some easy rides.
Later it was back to playing our game. Notice the camera in the barn that recognizes which card you play?
On our way out, we caught the band.
If you have kids that are into games, make sure to check out “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” when you go. (Fire Station on Main Street).
Saying goodbye until next time.
Our flight left that night.
So it was back to the daily grind, but it was a fun trip!!!