Day 1: Disney Travel & Arrival

Back in August, we spent a very quick weekend at Walt Disney World and although we were short on time, we had a ton of fun!

Earlier in 2019, we scoured the calendar for a weekend that would work to take a short getaway. I didn't think it was going to happen at first, but I'm so glad everything worked out and fell into place!

We also had several reasons for this trip - the number one reason being that we had some extra DVC points to use! Among other reasons, we also wanted to get Brayden's AP activated and take him to see the new Lightning McQueen Racing Academy (which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip)! More on that in the next post, though...

We left on a Friday, I worked until noon that day, then we drove to New Orleans to catch a 6 p.m. flight. We knew our Friday would be long but we didn't care - we were going to Disney!!

We arrived at MCO around 9 p.m. and headed straight for Magical Express. Due to the time change, our bodies thought it was technically 8 p.m. and we hadn't eaten dinner yet. Although none of us were starving, we definitely wanted to eat dinner somewhere.

Magical Express was technically a ghost town which meant we were the first one on our bus! This also meant we got to sit for a while....a long while....and wait on the bus to fill up a bit more before taking off. Whomp whomp.

Finally though, we were off! We were also super excited to discover that Old Key West was our first stop! YAY!

Welcome Home! Best feeling in the world!

On our way to Old Key West, we received a text that included our room number. Since this was a new resort to us, (and it's BIG) we were completely lost. After attempting to figure out our way on a map, I asked a cast member at the hospitality house which way we should start walking. She asked if we'd ever stayed there and when we told her no, she asked us to wait. Minutes later (and much to my surprise), a very friendly bellman wearing a navy blue name tag (you know, those extra special ones) pulled up on a golf cart to take us to our room!! Along the way, he also gave us a "tour" of the resort which was super nice. What a special touch!

By this time, it was approaching 10:45 p.m. and we still hadn't eaten dinner. While waiting at the hospitality house earlier, we asked about dinner and they recommended calling out a pizza. Even though we had a long day and yes, I know it was late, we decided to take a bus to Disney Springs for two reason - #1 was to activate Brayden's AP so we wouldn't have to wait in line the following morning at the parks to do so and #2 we saw that Blaze Pizza was open until midnight or 12:30 a.m. and we really wanted to try it!

So, off to Disney Springs we went!

Since it was so late, Disney Springs was rather empty and I loved it! After asking about activating AP's at Guest Services, we were directed to the new ticketing location just down the way. Brayden loved playing on the colored bean bags by the TV in the back corner while we activated his ticket!

Finally, it was time to eat dinner! Jason ordered a pizza for himself and I ordered a pizza for Brayden and I to share. It was SO good, y'all!

I also found out that there's a Blaze pizza about an hour up the road from where I live! What a fun little way to have a piece of Disney at home with you!! I'll definitely visit in the near future!

The best part of all of this is that Brayden took a super late nap on the plane, he slept the entire flight, and he was good to go for the evening! We were shocked and pleasantly surprised to say the least! Yes, we were those parents who had our toddler at Disney Springs at midnight. It's vacation - YOLO!

Have you ever spent a late night at Disney Springs? What's your favorite quick service location at Disney Springs?

Three Things Thursday...Again!

Today is Thursday and that means another day of rambling thoughts, because that's just how my life seems to be going here lately.

Have I mentioned before how much I hate hurricane season? Everyone here in the south is always on edge and on their toes, just in case. It makes the traveling process tricky, because you seriously never know. Some years might bring along zero hurricanes and others might bring along several back to back hurricanes.

 Hurricane Irma

Thanks to Hurricane Irma, my cruise has officially been cancelled by Disney Cruise Line. Yes, we were scheduled to be on one of the three sailings that were cancelled. When we received the news on Tuesday night, we immediately began looking online for another cruise date and spent several hours doing so, trying to work with work schedules and off time. I'm not mad that the cruise has been cancelled AT ALL as I appreciate Disney looking out for everyone's safety. Our cruise was supposed to be an Eastern itinerary and have you seen the devastation on some of those islands after Irma passed through? It's insane. On top of everything, we have received a full refund from everyone and everything we booked (except airfare) and are receiving a 25% credit off a future cruise booking with Disney. Since I'm fully packed and honestly would like to stay that way, we are looking at an October or November cruise date instead. The devastation that Irma is causing on these islands is mind blowing. I feel so bad for everyone because I know a huge chunk of their income is travel related. Definitely keeping them and Florida in my prayers.

Southwest Airlines

So I mentioned that I was able to receive a full refund on everything except airfare, but I have a cool story with this one, too. As we sorted through possible dates and plans, I also searched for the price of airfare on our projected dates. A lot of families on our sailing received a credit from Southwest which is what I was anticipating as well. After choosing the October date, I realized that with a credit, we would still have had to pay an additional $300 to fly the October dates (due to the higher price of these specific October flights). Southwest has been great through this whole ordeal and online, I was actually able to choose my current flight and change my round trip flight from September to the October dates without any extra penalty. They honored my original booking price for September! I've always enjoyed flying with Southwest and will definitely continue to do so every time I'm able!

Madalynn

If you've been following my Madalynn saga, you know that she gave us a big scare last week when her vet discovered a lesion on her hard palate. The lesion was removed and sent off for biopsy to determine exactly what was going on. Her vet and I then discussed possible treatment options if it was cancer which ranged from another surgery to radiation, both of which were probably impossible due to the location. Well as of yesterday, I hadn't heard back from the vet and since I'd already had some bad news, I figured why not. Within a few minutes, the vet returned my call and I seriously couldn't believe my ears. Y'all. It's NOT CANCER! Somehow, she must have chewed on something which caused a foreign body to get stuck in her palate and her body had an inflammatory response which caused the ulcerated like lesion to form! OMG. I could NOT believe my ears. I had to get her to repeat herself because I was floored.

So as you can see, it's been a roller coaster of a week. I also haven't had a chance to read and commend on blogs as much as I'd like this week due to our serious scramble to change plans last minute, but I'll get back to that today and tomorrow for sure!  Oddly enough, I am grateful for the ups and downs of life as it causes us to be more grateful for the things we have and the relationships we have in our lives!

Have you ever had to change travel plans due to the weather or a storm of some sort?

Destination Race Packing List–Involving a Flight

Welcome to Part 2 of my Destination Race Packing series!

To see part 1 (Packing for a non-flight race), click here.



Princess Half Marathon Week is finally here! Registration for this race began (and sold out) last July, so I feel as if it’s been a long time coming.

I treated this past weekend as if we were leaving today (Monday morning). Apart from packing cosmetic items and finishing up my Half Marathon costume, I’m ready to go!

Just three work days remain between me, a mouse, and lots of bling. :0)



Like all my other packing adventures, this one began with a list.

I separated my list into three columns: race items (carry on), paperwork (also belongs in the carry on), and suitcase items.

My carry-on of choice:



Vera Bradley Lap Top Backpack and Disney Dooney (Marathon Weekend) Crossbody

Current TSA regulations allow 1 bag and 1 personal item per passenger. I have used a variety of bags in the past, but I’ve found a backpack to be the easiest and most convenient for me.

What’s in my bag? Well, let’s take a look!



For starters, I always carry-on everything I might need for a race. This includes shoes, costumes/race outfits, GU, my Garmin, etc.

Being that the above items are liquid/gels, I pack them along in my 3-1-1 bag (3 oz or less, 1 clear zip top bag, 1 per person) with my other small cosmetic items.



My 3-1-1 bag (from Thirty One).



Clear Check On Bag:

• GU
• Sunscreen
• BioFreeze

Travel-sized Items (3 oz or less):

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Contact Solution/Case
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Lotion
• Body Wash
• Extra Contacts
• Body Spray
• Face Wash
• Deodorant
• Makeup does not have to be in a clear bag unless it’s liquid or gel-like :0)
  

Running shoes, race outfits/costumes, and accessories also travel in my carry-on.

• Race Top
• Race Bottom
• Running Shoes
• Headbands/Sweaty Bands
• Socks
• Sports Bra

I keep all of these items together in a gallon sized zip lock bag (for easy storage).

Since it would be unreasonable to bring my entire race bag on this trip with me, I chose items from the bag that I absolutely use (or might use) every time I run.



Race Day Accessories

• Garmin
• Sunglasses
• Headphones (I do not use these during Disney races)
• Body Glide (might have to add this to my clear 3-1-1 zip bag)
• Poncho
• Knee Sleeve/KT Tape

Quite possibly the best piece of carry-on advice I ever received was from my friend Kelli. She suggested that I bring my flat iron along with me in my carry-on (she does this as well). I have crazy, thick, frizzy hair that doesn’t respond well to humidity and this flat iron has been a life saver on more than one occasion!



Chargers

• Phone
• Garmin
• Race Camera

(My other chargers are packed into my suitcase.)



Somehow, I fit all of these items into my carry-on (with room to spare)!

Last but not least, I also like to carry an empty water bottle with me through security (to fill after I pass through security).

For this trip, I’m also bringing along a suitcase (to check). This suitcase will have my non-racing items, day clothing, and other essential items.



My mini-travel-sized foam roller will be placed in my suitcase, only because I can’t fit it in my carry-on. Along with my foam roller, I’m also packing my compression tights for post-race recovery.



Any additional advice? What essential items do you carry-on when flying?