Where in WDW? Challenge 119

It's time once again to play our favorite quiz game ... Where in WDW? where you get to test your knowledge of Walt Disney World. Everything shown will be in areas where guests can see them - in other words, no backstage shots. From time to time, however, you may be asked to identify something that was but no longer exists. Have fun ... either post your guess in the comments below or other location on which this was posted.


Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found at the entrance to the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below or other location on which this was posted and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

Where in WDW? Challenge 118

It's time once again to play our favorite quiz game ... Where in WDW? where you get to test your knowledge of Walt Disney World. Everything shown will be in areas where guests can see them - in other words, no backstage shots. From time to time, however, you may be asked to identify something that was but no longer exists. Have fun ... either post your guess in the comments below or other location on which this was posted.


Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found in the Art of Animation Resort in the Cars section.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below or other location on which this was posted and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

December Trip Report ... Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT -or- Where’s my phone?

Day 3 ... December 12

This morning Jenny was dealing with a migraine, so it was just Cathy and me to start the day. 

Not that I was in top shape myself after last night’s tumble. My knee was very stiff when I first got out of bed but continued to loosen up as I walked a bit. Combined with the previous discomforts, it might have prevented me from a day at the parks, but I decided that it was something that I could deal with and if it got to the point that I couldn’t tolerate it any longer, I would simply go back to my room. I took some Aleve and put something on my knee that I had used on my feet in the past, and soldiered on. 

First fasspass for the day was Toy Story:Midway Mania at The Studios. Once there I found that my knee actually wasn’t an issue and my walking was only slightly more uncomfortable than it had been. Standing still had always been the issue for me and today followed that pattern. We arrived and the line to enter the fastpass queue was longer than almost any I had ever seen. It went quite a ways towards the end of the building. But it moved and after we tapped our magic bands and were inside, it continued. At the merge point we were directed towards the new track (to the left) which I had never ridden before and rather quickly found ourselves on the ride. Neither of us did spectacularly - both earning no higher than beaver. 

When we exited, we still had quite a while until our next fastpass … Tower of Terror … so we decided to sit at a table right there for a while, and enjoy the sun and the company … and not push my knee if we didn’t have to. We hadn’t been sitting there long when Jenny texted that she was leaving the room and on her way. I told her where to meet us and then Cathy and I headed over there - though it would still be a while until she could arrive. 

When Jenny got there, there was still quite a bit of time until out ToT fastpass window opened, so we decided to get something to eat at the marketplace along that street. While I was sitting at a table waiting for the girls to get something, I spotted another RADPer, Michele Gregory and her husband Tom. I called them over and we visited for a few minutes before they had to move on. At that point Jenny had to use the ladies room … pay attention, this becomes important … and when she returns, our fastpass window is upon us and we make the short walk to the ToT, stopping to have our picture taken.

Walking along the fastpass queue we pass a gentleman and his children, who were waiting for his wife who had left her phone and went back to find it. We wish him luck and continue on. At this point Jenny realizes that she does not have HER (only days old) phone in her pocket and realizes that she must have left her own phone in the ladies room moments earlier. She leaves to find it while Cathy and I wait. She returns shortly without it, but decides that we should continue to ride and she would check at Guest Services after we finish … allowing some time for the phone to hopefully be turned in. 

After we are finished, we start to head towards Guest Services but the girls suggest that rather than make the walk all the way back to Guest Services that I rest my knee at a table behind the Starbucks while they take care of it. The phone isn’t there when they arrive but they wait for the next park sweep to be turned in. When that turns up empty, It’s suggested that Jenny try the nearest gift shop to the ladies room in order to see if anyone turned it in. Cathy came to sit with me and let me know what was happening while Jenny proceeded to do as suggested. It wasn’t there, but they in turn suggested checking with a bellhop at the ToT. Turns out that they have a lockbox where they store lost items. As she came back to the table at which Cathy and I were sitting, we were both relieved to see her phone in her hand. Relief all around!!!

Now it was time to save the galaxy so we headed over to Star Tours. 

Once we safely delivered the Rebel spy, we were all ready to eat again, and with the paucity of options at The Studios, we left for EPCOT. We boarded a Friendship (a concession to my knee once again I’m afraid) and soon entered the International Gateway on our way to Japan where we go to Katsura Grill - the counter service restaurant. 

From there we continued around World Showcase until we arrived at Mexico for a boat ride. There are rumors swirling around that this will eventually become a Coco themed attraction. While I miss the original theme song from the boat ride’s former incarnation … I think that a Coco theme would work very well here. You already have a large Day of the Dead presence during the trip, and I could easily see bits of the movie fleshing out (if you’ll pardon the pun) an entire trip. This would be a change that would very likely be popular. I for one would like to see it. 

The ride came to an end, and with a bit more effort than usual … even me with my short legs didn’t have much room to stretch them out causing my knee to be a bit angry at the moment … I managed to get out of the boat. We started heading back towards Future World where Jenny mentioned that she would like to see the fountain show after dark. As we walked that way, we passed a sign for the Cookie shop that had set up in the former Odyssey restaurant. It was indeed time for some cookies for all three of us, and wine for the girls (I passed on this one as I had just taken a pain killer) - while watching old Mickey Mouse shorts.

After a quick stop at First Aid so I could get a new bandaid or two for my hand, we started heading towards Future World. Jenny and I found a spot to watch the fountain show while Cathy took a brief look through Mouse Gears. Cathy soon joined us. Once the show was over, we headed to the buses where this  time I managed to stay on my feet!!!

Day 4 … December 13 … Back to the real world -or- The party’s over, it’s time to call it a day

Unfortunately, at least for two of us, our time here comes to an end today. Jenny has to return to Tennessee and the farm for business commitments she must keep followed by family obligations. I have to head back to NYC where I have a date with a syringe of medication … the fourth in a series of 6. I will have to return north once more in January and then once in February before I complete my cancer treatments.

Cathy, however, gets to stay and have a second Disney vacation as her husband and son will be arriving the next day.

For me - even with the pain of the radiation side-effects and then my self-inflicted injuries - it was a diversion that couldn’t have come at a better time. But now back to NY for a couple of days and then right back to Florida.

See you at the parks!!!

December Trip Report ... Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios -or- Things that go bump in the night

Day 2 ... December 11 ... 

Today’s plan is to start in Animal Kingdom where we have a 10:00 fastpass for Primeval Whirl. Still unusually cool for Florida in December, but it is warmer than yesterday and should make its way into the 60’s today. But we are still rather bundled up. We arrive at Animal Kingdom and since neither of the girls carry bags with them, we are able to go through the No Bags line as we do all week. (Cathy is questioned at one time about her wallet, but that is quickly dealt with and no harm, no foul.) 

We headed towards our first destination and rode Primeval Whirl ... once. Unlike last time when we were there in a torrential downpour and they let us ride over and over without getting off, today we had but one go ‘round.

And then ... it was lunchtime. We walked over to Flame Tree where the line was long - it may have just opened - but moving rather quickly. By now the sun had warmed the air sufficiently that eating outdoors was not uncomfortable. Pleasant meal - pleasant company ensued and after a while it was time for our next fastpass ... Dinosaur. 

And then - our final original fastpass for today - Expedition Everest. 

Now let me explain - while there is no doubt that I do enjoy this ride, I do have an issue with the part where you go backwards. Not even the whole time that you do ... but there is about 12 seconds where you feel like you are being folded in half rather aggressively. I am less than thrilled about those seconds, but I deal with it and always enjoy the rest of the trip though Everest. Hopefully some day they will get the Yeti back to its full glory. I have been lucky enough to have seen it as such in the early days of the attraction. Now you could almost miss the Yeti entirely if you don’t know it’s there.

I later discovered that I actually appear in this photo as well ...

Once we have braved the Yeti, it is time for our traditional treat - a FROZEN BANANA!!! While we partake of our snacks, we check to see if the nearly impossible can take place as we check for fastpasses for the Pandora attractions. No luck so we decide that after naps for all and a change of wardrobe to deal with the colder weather we will encounter this evening, we will go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With that decision made we check to see what fastpasses are available there. We settle on the holiday show of the Frozen Sing-a-long.

Naps taken and wardrobes adjusted, we make our way to the Studios. Have I ever mentioned how bad my singing is? As Music Director for many a musical over the past few decades, I have often had to sing cue lines for my actors during rehearsals. My ear is good but my singing is terrible. I even offend myself, and my band has been known to throw things at me at these moments! Happily neither of the girls threw anything at me today. (Jenny has a beautiful singing voice I should mention.) I don’t know if it’s because of the added holiday component of the show, or just not the best “royal historians” we saw, but the jokes and “ad-libs” today left a bit to be desired. The holiday overlay generally consists of songs from the controversial short that was shown before Coco and then pulled to be shown as a TV special. (By the way, I was very impressed with Coco and do highly recommend it if you haven’t yet seen it.)

Our fastpasses now all used, we went to see what the standby wait was at Star Tours. It showed 40 minutes but we decided to give it a go. However, while waiting in the queue and before we actually got into the building, the line came to a complete standstill, and since we had fastpasses for it the next day, we decided to bail out and try to find something for dinner. Our target was the former Pizza Planet ... Pizza Rizzo. None of us had been there since the changeover. However, when we got there it was closed so we needed to consider other options. Mama Melrose is nearby so I went in to see if we could get a walk-in seating, but was denied. So we started walking. 

Not too long into our journey, we passed the former spot of the Writers Stop (Buy the Book before that)  which is now Baseline Tap House, so we decided to see if this would provide anything for us. It did. A cheese and meat selection went very nicely with ciders all around ... so we sat, ate and drank and generally had a good time. 

The sun was now down and time to see the nighttime projection shows, starting with the one on the Tower of Terror followed by Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! Then it was time to leave the park. 

Although I was having some physical side effects from the radiation treatments, I was able to get through the discomfort and not really have to slow down. That would soon change. As we are walking to the bus - remember it’s dark and at the moment a bright light is in front of me - I step down on the soft material that they have around the trees. Ordinarily that’s a good thing and feels nice, but it was quite unexpected and I felt myself lose my footing. I thought I could recover but quickly realized that I was not going to be able to avoid the inevitable, and in seconds went down hard!! I rolled and was completely laid out face down on the pavement. (Embarrassing to say the least!) At first I felt that I was okay other than a bit of a scrape on my hand, but on the bus I noticed the blood on my hand from a nasty cut. I also felt my knee start to tighten up. Later on I would notice bruises on my arm where I landed. This could not be good!!

December Trip Report ... December 10 ... Magic Kingdom and EPCOT -or- This is Florida, why is it so cold?

Day 1 

Fastpasses start this morning at the Magic Kingdom. It was a very cold night (into the 30’s) so we are quite bundled up. Also, I am feeling some muscular/skeletal issues from the sessions of radiation I had just finished before coming down. That would stay with me throughout this trip. Arriving at the park, Jenny, Cathy and I head towards Space Mountain, our first fastpass of the day, but notice that there is zero line for the Astro Orbiter. Jenny and I had only been on that once in the past and I believe Cathy had never been on it so we decided to take advantage of the situation. Remember it was cold and we were now going up in the air and round and round. We survived! So now it was time for Space Mountain. 

After Space Mountain it was time for coffees (Jenny and me) and a hot chocolate (Cathy) followed by a tour of Tomorrowland on the TTA Peoplemover. Our next fastpass takes us towards the Jungle Cruise, now wearing its Jingle Cruise overlay. 

After a pun filled trip, hunger started setting in and Jenny suggested Columbia Harbour House which met with all of our approvals. While all three of us got the clam chowder, it’s not served in the bread bowl as in days past, but a plain cardboard container. It was tasty and did however warm us up.

Lunch done, our next fastpass would be Splash Mountain, but as we headed over there, we discovered that Cathy had never experienced the fun that is the Country Bear Jamboree, and since there was still some time until our fastpass window opened, it became a necessity to introduce her to the bears. I dare say that a good time was had by all.

Time to walk over towards Splash Mountain, but it wasn’t yet time for us to use our fastpass, so we just hung out for a while until the window opened, at which point we proceeded on. The cold weather did not dampen (see what I did there?) our spirits and while we did get a bit wet, it was nothing like the soaking you would get on Kali RIver over at Animal Kingdom. (That had been the ride that I had never experienced until last year - on a day that even with my big umbrella we couldn’t get any wetter - Jenny and Cathy did get me to ride.) Jenny is there ... hanging on to Cathy's arm.

Lunch would happen at Coral Reef over in EPCOT, and since the day was winding on, it was time to head over there. Don't you love the Disney Magic Pictures? 

Perfect timing as we got there right as our reservation time approached. I checked in and then we had a short wait until we were called. I had been there in the past a number of times but neither Jenny nor Cathy had. We were seated up close to the tank - though you have a good view from wherever you sit - with a wonderful view. The food was good and the adult beverages went down nicely.

After lunch we went on a quest for a cider flight ... not really sure where it could be had. At Canada Jenny and I decided to each get an icewine flight, and Cathy would get a wine of her choosing. Turns out that one of the wines that made up the flight was out of stock and as such the flight was unavailable, so Jenny and I got  Riesling icewines. While there, the cast member pointed us to the location of the cider flight - the Bavarian stand in Germany. We headed over there. They did indeed have the flight we were looking for, and three flights were ordered. 

By this time it had started to get quite cold, so it was time to head back and call it a night.

Where in WDW? Challenge 117

It's time once again to play our favorite quiz game ... Where in WDW? where you get to test your knowledge of Walt Disney World. Everything shown will be in areas where guests can see them - in other words, no backstage shots. From time to time, however, you may be asked to identify something that was but no longer exists. Have fun ... either post your guess in the comments below or other location on which this was posted.


Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found in New Fantasyland and is part of the Beast's Castle above Be Our Guest restaurant.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below or other location on which this was posted and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

December Trip Report - Prologue & Day 0 -or- Let's Get this Show on the Road

Prologue 

This would be the trip that was on - off - on - off and then on again.

A little background. In June of this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After tests and more tests, I wound up at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY where we decided on a treatment of radiation and hormones. Radiation was originally scheduled to begin on November 20 and end (5 sessions later) on November 29. I would then take the Auto Train down in time for the beginning of RADP XXII. Then, I was informed that the November 20 date was not going to happen because of an unscheduled upgrade to the equipment. The start date would now be two days later, on November 22. Okay - I would miss the first two days of the RADP meet, but I would be there for the last two days. I cancelled my room reservation and changed my Auto Train departure date. 

Then I was informed that my insurance would not cover the 5 session treatments as I did not fit their profile for that protocol. The hospital tried to appeal it but added a 6th radiation session as they knew that my insurance would cover that. I wouldn’t know until the last minute which treatment I would be getting. Moments before my first radiation treatment I was informed that I would be getting the six session treatment and not the five. This would be as far as I could delay things because even though I would now miss the RADP meet, I had a Peaceful Pastures meat shipment scheduled for December 9 from RADPer Jenny Drake, and that would not be able to be rescheduled. Just as important in my mind would be spending a few days in Disney World with Jenny and mutual friend Cathy after the delivery. Once again I changed my train reservations.

The treatments went off without a hitch and on December 5 my car and I boarded the Auto Train and were on our way.

It was warm as you would expect when I arrived in Florida, but the forecast was for rain on the day of the delivery and severe (for Florida) cold for the following few days. Time to pull the warm clothing out for this trip.

Day 0 - December 9 ... Delivery day ...

This would be an early morning as I would meet Jenny and her BAMT (Big A** Meat Truck) at 7:30 and I wanted to make sure I was there early - not that I really expected traffic between my house and the Tampa delivery location, but I didn’t want to take a chance of being THE ONE who was late or missed the delivery entirely. There had been a terrible thunderstorm through the night in my location, but Jenny (and co-driver David) had driven through a heavy snowstorm through Georgia the previous day before they too hit the heavy rain that was now in the area. It rained on and off as I drove to the delivery point. I was there quite early as expected (a habit of mine all my life) and was there when Jenny and David arrived. I had planned on taking pictures as I had in the past, but the light was so terrible that even the ones I took came out awful. I could have increased the sensitivity of the camera, but it would produce lousy photos anyway, so I put my camera down, and helped out with the distribution. There's a large group of customers at the Tampa delivery location.  Once I got my order squared away, I got a picture of the BAMT for the long time members of the RADP usenet group - and those on the RADP Facebook page - who know of it.

Notice the name over the door handle ... and a very rare chance for me to get into one of my photos ...

Once all the business was taken care of, Jenny headed towards her Orlando drop off and I headed home to get my meat in the freezer. Then I headed to my daughter’s house and would meet Jenny and Cathy the next day. Because of the stormy weather - rain in Central Florida and snow in points north - Cathy’s flight was delayed but she did eventually make it into MCO.

Where in WDW? Challenge 116

It's time once again to play our favorite quiz game ... Where in WDW? where you get to test your knowledge of Walt Disney World. Everything shown will be in areas where guests can see them - in other words, no backstage shots. From time to time, however, you may be asked to identify something that was but no longer exists. Have fun ... either post your guess in the comments below or other location on which this was posted.


Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found by the pool at the Boardwalk Resort.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below or other location on which this was posted and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

Where in WDW? Challenge 115

It's time once again to play our favorite quiz game ... Where in WDW? where you get to test your knowledge of Walt Disney World. Everything shown will be in areas where guests can see them - in other words, no backstage shots. From time to time, however, you may be asked to identify something that was but no longer exists. Have fun ... either post your guess in the comments below or other location on which this was posted.


Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found on the scoreboard in Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below or other location on which this was posted and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

Where in WDW? Challenge 114

It's time once again to play our favorite quiz game ... Where in WDW? where you get to test your knowledge of Walt Disney World. Everything shown will be in areas where guests can see them - in other words, no backstage shots. From time to time, however, you may be asked to identify something that was but no longer exists. Have fun ... either post your guess in the comments below or other location on which this was posted.


Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found in Frontierland.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below or other location on which this was posted and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

Where in WDW? Challenge 113

Last time you were challenged to identify Where in WDW you would find this ...

This can be found at the front of The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

Didn't get it? Well, here is another one for you - Where in WDW? would you see this?

As usual, make your guess in the COMMENTS section below and then stop back next time to see if you were correct.

Halloween Horror Nights & Food and Wine 5K

You may remember that during RADP XX weekend in December, 2015, fellow RADPer Jenny Drake challenged me to prepare to walk a 5K and she would join me. After almost a year of excuses I finally took up the challenge and in April, 2017 did my first 5K … Dark Side Weekend at Disney World. Jenny would do a 5K with me during the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November. She also would do the Half Marathon in place of one that had been cancelled earlier in the year due to weather.

However, when I last returned to NYC for the summer, I developed a stress fracture of my ankle which prevented me from continuing to stay in condition for a while followed by the big blow. In June, as I was leaving All Star Sports for a 10 day cruise on the Disney Fantasy - just starting to be able to walk again - I received a call from my doctor informing me that my recent prostate biopsy had indeed showed cancer. My doctor informed me to continue with the cruise as planned and not to cut my stay in Florida short.

Jump ahead to late October, and thanks to my oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC who encouraged me to continue to plans to do the 5K during Wine and Dine weekend, I found myself once again heading down to Florida. It would be the first time I would have a chance to check out my house since Hurricane Irma had come through. I already knew that it would be okay though, thanks to yet another fellow RADPer. Mickey Birt who had kindly offered to check my house for me. (Thanks again Mickey!)

October 27

After coming down on the Auto Train, and a night’s sleep, I meet Iris for our usual Friday together, and she Brooke and I spend the day in EPCOT, my first visit this year to the Food and Wine Festival, followed by a visit by Brooke to Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. She gave Mickey such a long hug that the CM joked that they would have to close down the rest of the line.

After the day we returned to Iris’s house for pizza and then I drove home.

I wouldn’t have much time to spend at my house however, as I would be meeting my daughter, her husband, his mother and my granddaughter in a few days and then spend two nights at Sapphire Falls at Universal so we could attend Halloween Horror Nights. This would be my second year doing with them. Iris’s mother-in-law would watch Brooke that night so the three of us could go.

October 29

Today I head over to my daughter’s house where we will all go to Universal together. After being at home for only one full day, I now was closing up the house, since I would not be returning until December. A few days at Universal were next on my agenda, quickly followed by a stay at Disney World.

We arrived at Sapphire Falls and upon checking in asked for adjoining rooms near the water taxi. Well, we did get adjoining rooms, but the walk from the water taxi entrance in the hotel to our room was quite a distance, so it was decided to see if we could get anything closer. I guess our timing was good as adjoining rooms very close to what we originally requested had just become available. Much better for returning after a long night at Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).

After settling in, Jason and his mom decided to chill out in the room while Iris, Brooke, and I went to the parks. As we were about to board the water taxi, a young man who was just exiting the boat stopped and said hello to me and asked if I remember him. I did! Just before I came down to Florida, I was having lunch at a Buffalo Wild Wings in NJ and while talking to the server found out that he was about to go to Universal in Florida for HHN. Of course I told him that I was too. He would be going the night before I would. We talked for a bit before I finished my lunch and headed home. And now here he was … what are the odds?

We started in Universal Studios, and when we got into the park decided to check Brooke’s height to see if she might be tall enough (34 inches) to ride ET. She made it … by a hair! We headed back towards the attraction where she would be measured, and not understanding what was going on, she wouldn’t stand up straight. We decided to take a break and then try once more. This time (with a little help from grandpa supporting her under her armpits) she did touch the bottom of the measuring stick! The team member really stepped up to the plate for us at this point, knowing that if we waited on line she would have to be measured again as we approached to loading area, backdoor-ed us past the queue with a stop to give our names (so ET could greet us personally at the end of the ride) and then directly to the load area, where she informed the team member there that Brooke had indeed been measured and met the requirements. We were then placed in a row and boarded the ride. Though a little apprehensive at first, she was fully enjoying it before it was over.

Next we headed directly for the Hogwarts Express (yes, it was always planned on being a rather short visit to the parks today) to head over to Islands of Adventure. Once there we made our way to Seuss Landing where Brooke could ride the Caro-Seuss-el (3 times!) and One Fish Two Fish (I got soaked!) before meeting up with Carrie and Jason at City Walk and having dinner at Bubba Gump’s

October 30

Tonight we are going to HHN and it is a lot of walking. Because of that Jason decided to stay back at the hotel rather than come to the parks with us today and save his feet. I, on the other hand, wanted to get some walking in, so Iris, Brooke, Carrie and I set out for the parks. As we did yesterday we started on the Universal Studios side, where we had lunch (no, it wasn’t an early start) at Richter’s and then once again made our way to the Hogwarts Express to Islands of Adventure. Once more we went directly to Seuss Landing where once again Brooke rode the Caro-Seuss-el before we headed back to the hotel to relax before going for an evening of HHN.

Eventually it was evening and having picked up our Express Passes and lanyards, we headed off to the park. Last year was my first time attending (it’s included in my Universal AP) and I enjoyed it so was looking forward to this evening. We went immediately to our first house which was American Horror Story, and then had some dinner at the Monster’s Cafè. A few more houses followed (and walking through a few scare zones) but when we came to SAW, it shut down and after a while we decided not to wait - as we wanted to catch the Bill and Ted Show since this was its 26th and final year.

After the show, I found that all the sitting stiffened me up and I was much more tired than I had been the year before - both side effects of the cancer treatment - so I sat while Iris and Jason went through their final house of the evening before we headed back to the room.

October 31 

Checkout today and rather than go back home tonight, I will be staying at Iris’s house which is much closer to WDW where I will be checking in to Pop Century tomorrow. I’m able to get a little walking in around her community though I know that I will be way less ready for this Friday’s 5K than I was for the last one - in addition to the side effects of the meds. 

In the evening, Winter Garden is having a Halloween party downtown, and Brooke, who has been wearing her Paw Patrol/Skye costume all day will go with Iris and me. We got there early and actually got parking in a business lot rather close, and I was quite impressed with the whole event … even if a very tired Brooke threw a major temper tantrum at one point during the evening.

November 1

Today I check in to Pop Century as  the start of my race weekend. However, while I was still at my house, Jenny’s mom developed a medical issue that caused her to need hospitalization, and Jenny needed to travel to her parents to be there and help out. It soon became obvious that she was going to be there long enough that her trip to Disney World would not be possible. In the end, Jenny’s presence helped bring about a good outcome for her mom.

I don’t mind being alone at WDW - I have done it a few times in the past. By the time I had checked in and brought my luggage into the room, I headed over to EPCOT where I had made dinner reservations at Teppan Edo. The last time I had eaten there was in 2000 shortly after Iris had started working in WDW. The line for the bus to EPCOT at Pop Century was very long but since I saw an empty bus for The Studios pull up to an equally empty queue, I decided that it would actually be better to take that bus and then take the boat to EPCOT from DHS. I was in no hurry at all so that’s what I did. I enjoyed the boat trip and arrived at the International Gateway with plenty of time to simply stroll in and slowly make my way to Japan. A nice couple was sitting next to me at the hibachi table and we had a very nice conversation, making it a most pleasant meal. 

I had hoped to be able to take a lap or two around World Showcase before heading back to Pop Century, but - not unexpectedly - since it was still Food and Wine Festival, it was way too crowded, so I simply walked around until I got to the bridge to Future World and decided the best thing to do was head back to the room to relax.

November 2

Today I need to go to the Health and Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports to pick up my bib for the race and spend some money. I thought I knew where everything would be having volunteered a number of times before I ran my first 5K, but it seems that runDisney has moved everything around from where it had been before. In truth, things actually worked better in the new configuration, so once I knew where things were, everything went well. I picked up my race bib and then went to the J Center where I got my shirt and gEAR bag before checking out the booths at the expo. I stopped to chat with Jeff Galloway and as I did last time had him sign my bib and then went to the official runDisney merchandise area. Not unexpectedly I spent a bit of money, but no regrets. Then having accomplished what I came for headed back to Pop Century to drop my load and head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios where I would meet Lisa and Andy Cubban (another RADP family) after lunch.

I arrived early and let Lisa (who was with Andy and their daughter and her family in 50’s Prime Time Cafè) know that I was on a bench outside the restaurant and would meet them when they were done. I settled in for some people watching when yet another RADP friend (Charlotte Johnson) stopped by to say hi! 

While Lisa’s daughter, husband and son had to leave early, Lisa, Andy and I made our way to Muppets 3-D as we had a chance to visit for a while. After that, Lisa and I went on Star Tours before I needed to say goodbye. I had an early dinner reservation since I had to be up at about 2:30 the next morning and wanted to be back in my room before 8;00 PM. 

In the past, I have had many very enjoyable meals at Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk and had made an early reservation there … they open at 5:30 PM and I was going to have dinner there when they did. I took the boat over to the Boardwalk and again had plenty of time to sit and people watch. When it cam time for dinner, I have to say I was sadly disappointed. In the past they had a full menu with many appetizers and entrees to choose from. Tonight there was a single sheet with a very limited menu. I ordered the chicken parmigiana and found it to be rather generic (for lack of a better term). Not bad, and had I not had previous good experiences there would probably have been (just) satisfied, but I have and I wasn’t. The service was fine, I had a very attentive server, and the ambiance was unchanged. I was disappointed.

After dinner I took a leisurely stroll around Crescent Lake before taking the boat back to DHS when I caught to bus to Pop Century. I prepared my gear for the morning, making sure everything I needed was ready to go and then got into bed and hoped to get some sleep. I set the alarm for 2:30 AM.

November 3 - Race Day

Last time I did this I found that if I had gotten 20 minutes sleep I was lucky, but here was an instance where one of this side effects of my cancer meds was a plus - I fell asleep at 8:30 PM and actually got my normal 6 hours sleep before Mickey called to wake me up. I made sure to give myself enough time to shower which was more important to wake me up than to clean up. The first bus to the Animal Kingdom parking lot where the starting line was left at 3:30 AM and I was there right on time to be on the first bus. Because of this I was able to get in a rather short line to have my picture taken with Donald and Goofy. 

While on line I was talking to the woman behind me who recognized me from a runners group (Grumpy Runners) I was invited to join last year when I first decided to attempt this. We talked a while and then it was time to have my picture taken.

Speaking of Grumpy Runners, we all met and took a picture before we got into our assigned corrals. The members of this group have been very encouraging and supportive of my less than speedy efforts, as well as being a very friendly group of people. I am so happy that I was invited to become a member last year. 

Then it was time to get into our assigned corrals. I was happy to find that I wasn’t in the last corral and that there were still quite a few people starting after I did. I was also surprised that while the last 5K I ran in WDW went to an F corral … this one only went as far as D. Seventeen minutes after the first runners crossed the starting line, my wave was up and off we went. 

When we got to Pandora, it was amazing to see all the nighttime effects as we ran through that land. In my last 5K I had enough self discipline to make myself back off a bit when I saw that I went off faster than I had planned. I started this one faster than I should have and for the first mile was feeling pretty good and while I should have slowed myself down more than I actually did, I allowed myself the little extra. I managed to do the fastest mile I had ever done, but then I started to pay the price. One of the things that my cancer meds can do is mess with your heart rate and speed it up more than normal. I started to feel that happening and noticed that my heart rate was much higher than I should allow so reality came back to me and I slowed down to where my heart rate was within a range that I was comfortable with. I was then at the mile and a half point in the run - just about halfway through - when I heard the last wave that I would hear being started. By the time I reached the two mile marker, I felt some fatigue setting in. Part of that was due to the meds, but perhaps more than that, I was feeling the results of a lack of training as I should have. 

I knew that I still had a bit more than a half mile left until the three mile marker when I knew it would take a supreme effort to finish, but there was no way that I wasn’t going to finish - though the thought did cross my mind once very briefly. Eventually I was at the three mile marker, but it was on the return side of the road on which I was now heading away from the marker. I would actually pass it on the way back. By now I knew my energy was drained but I knew I would soon reach the finish so though my body was going on fumes, I kept going. I reached the end of the road where we turned around and headed towards that marker - only 0.1 miles from the end. 

I had hoped to sprint across the finish line as I did during the Dark Side 5K, but when I approached the finish line I found I didn’t have the energy left to do that, so I walked across the line and was happy to receive my medal. 

I picked up my Powerade and then had my picture taken before I got my banana, and snack box and walked towards the bus back to Pop Century. The sun was just starting to light the eastern sky. It would come above the horizon on the bus trip back.

I got back to my room and tried to take a short nap, but it soon became obvious that I wouldn’t be able to. That became a certainty when the construction site on the lake started driving piles shaking the entire resort … and it was right outside of my room! So I took a shower, got dressed and grabbed a bite to eat at the food court before heading back to EPCOT. Having just upgraded my AP from Weekday Select to Gold so I could get my race pictures now and in the races I still have scheduled, I decided to take advantage and find some Disney photographers. 

Towards evening I headed back to my room where Iris and Brooke would meet me later and we would go out to dinner. Friday and Saturday are Iris’s days off and I usually come out to see her on Friday, so today wouldn’t be an exception. Jason gets together with friends on Friday nights so Iris, Brooke and I went to Chuy’s for dinner. 

November 4

Rather than go to a park today, I used the opportunity to sleep in and then would meet Iris, Jason, Brooke and Carrie at the Ale House for lunch, after which Iris and Jason would get their traditional pre-cruise pedicures (they are leaving on a cruise tomorrow) while Carrie and I would take Brooke while they do. I decided that the easiest thing would be to take her back to my room where she could play, watch Disney TV, take a walk or even go swimming. Iris and Jason would meet us at my room when they were finished.

Once everyone was gone, I now had to pack since I had a date with the Auto Train on Sunday. Time to get back to my treatments. 

I will be back at the beginning of December … at least until I once again have to return for an injection … but then right back to Florida.