OK. so DAY 2! Lets do this.
Maggie and I ended up staying up late catching up and talking the night before so we decided to sleep in a bit to 6/630am so we could catch the shuttle to the Royal Family 5K that my sister and her friend Sara were running. I told them to enjoy it and stop for pictures and just have fun running in an empty Epcot (they ran through the world showcase!!!)! Well, we ended up at epcot around 730 and they already finished! Apparently they didnt stop at all for any pictures and 'ran' in the crowd of 8000 other 5K runners. Well, ok then. I was so proud of them though for finishing the 5K! They had a good time and they finished so thats all that really matters.
After their 5K, they were exhausted so we headed right back to the Coronado Springs after taking some pictures and then while they got cleaned up/rested, Maggie and I hit up the expo to get taped by the KT tape people and get her bib/race stuff! We walked around a bit so Maggie could see all the fun booths.
Before I get onto the rest of the day, let me get on my soapbox about this stuff called KT Tape. First off, I am in no way being paid or compensated for my comments and shameless promotion of KT Tape but I just think anyone who is active in any sport, not just running, and has soreness in joints and muscles should try it!
I was skeptical at first when my sorority sis told me about the wonders of this KT Tape when I was complaining about my shin splints last November at the beginning of my PHM training. But one day I got curious, and then I did my research and thought it just might help but everything I read online said they recommend having a trained professional to apply it. Well, that was confusing because they have these great instructional videos on their website for any bodily ailment you may have so WHY were there these videos if Im supposed to have a trained professional apply it instead?? WELL. The fabulous KT Tape people were at the PHM expo and I purchased 2 rolls of pink and purple pre-cut Pro tape and brought it with me to FL (but I forgot to bring it to the expo!!!). I talked to the lady applying it and she explained how I need to apply it to my leg for shin splints (she could only do one leg unless I purchased a roll and clearly that wasnt happening b/c I had 2 in my luggage haha!). I was nervous about trying something new for such a big race but I was like 'what the hey!" The tape application was pretty simple (I do a new application every week because my "short runs" are about 5 miles 2x a wk and a long run ranging from 5-12 miles on the wkend) and straightforward. Here is their Website and their facebook page and twitter page if you want to learn more. They are great about responding quickly to their FB and twitter posts if you do have questions. And good news, they are now selling the regular and Pro KT tape at CVS!
I applied the KT tape for my other leg while we waited for the bus to the parks. We decided on Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios (ugh disney, I know it's Hollywood Studios now but I refuse to call it that!) in the evening. Before we got the bus to AK, Maggie and I checked out of our room and left our bags to be sent over to the Art of Animation for the next few nights! I was a bit worried about changing resorts for such a short trip but Disney made everything easy and straightforward for switching resorts and our bags were already in our room when we checked in (more on that later) at the Art of Animation.
Onto the parks!! Let me start by saying, I love Animal Kingdom!
We went all over Animal Kingdom but without an organized plan so that was a bit hectic. We got fact passes for the Kilimanjaro Safaris and had virtually no wait. I love riding the safari, so much fun seeing all the animals up close! Especially the African Elephants and the ostriches! We ended up having lunch at Yak and Yeti for their counter service. I was a bit nervous because I didn't really see any vegetarian options but I learned through research on the amazing Disney Food Blog that if you just ask the counter person for veg options, they will gladly tell you some items that weren't on the menu board. My sis and I ended up getting the sweet and sour veggies with steamed rice and I got a basket of fries to share with the table. Everything was so delicious and so filling! We were definitely fueled for a long day ahead for visiting the parks! Again, I fell down on my usual photog tendencies and failed to take pictures of our yummy lunch!
After lunch, we walked around the Asia area more and rode on my favorite attraction at Animal Kingdom-- Kali River Rapids! We had fast-passes we picked up before lunch and were right on time for the fast past line! This ride is way too short but so much fun!! A much needed cool-down from the hot and sticky/humid morning. We moseyed around Animal Kingdom, saw the live Finding Nemo show (so much fun!) and ventured into DinoLand, USA before we headed over to MGM.
By the time we got to MGM, we were so tired! We decided to definitely do the Great Movie Ride and the Muppets show. Both were just as much fun as I remembered. I loved being here at night! Seriously, Disney World is magical at night!!!
We had dinner at the ABC Commissary counter service at MGM. Again, no veg options but we asked the castmember at the counter and he gave us some great options. My sis had the veg Asian Salad and I had the veg Quinoa salad. I had a taste of my sis' and she had some of mine and both were delicious but way to much salad for me to have in one sitting. We had a fun convo during dinner about our respective college experiences and sorority happenings. I think my sis was a little bored during that part of the conversation because she wasn't in a sorority during her time at uva haha but just the thought of my sis in a sorority at uva makes me giggle a bit. It definitely would not have been a good fit for her!!
ANYways. Maggie and I decided we wanted to leave earlier than later because we would be up at 2am to get ready for our race on Sunday so we needed to get at least a few hours of sleep! We knew walking around all the parks and being on our feet all day before we were going to run 13.1 miles was dumb but it's Disney World so what are you going to do?!!
We split from my sis and Sara as they took the bus back to the Coronado and we took the Art of Animation bus. The ride was longer than expected but I was SO excited to stay at the newest Disney resort! (You can read more about how the resort started and was built over 7 years HERE.) Let me tell you, driving into here, I fell in love. They had 4 themed areas based on popular Disney animated movies- Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King (my abs favorite disney movie!!!), and The Little Mermaid. We stayed in the standard rooms (the Little Mermaid area) which was a good 7-9 min walk from the lobby and bus stop/pick-up but I think it was worth it! Also something interesting I noticed was one of the only interior room buildings in the Disney resorts (the Lion King family suites).
I definitely want to stay in there one time!! Here are some pictures of our super cute room. I loved how everything was so perfect and in theme with The Little Mermaid. To be honest, I've never seen this particular classic but it was Maggie's favorite disney movie so I'm glad she was able to stay here! The room was pretty clean and there was still a ton of counter space in the bathroom. One thing I loved about this room (and disney in general) is how they had a divider to close off the sink/closet area from the rest of the room. I explained how I like to have my space when I get dressed and out of the steamy shower so this just make me even happier when I got to this so-called "value" resort to see this in our room!
We still had a ton of space even though it was a smaller room and it surprisingly fit all my luggage and Maggie's on either side of the room. Love these cute little shell chairs and our table with Ariel's sheet music!
Look how cute the beds were, with my very own pearl light at the head of the bed!
Look at all that counter-space! I love how the theme is prevalent even in the mirror and lights!!
Well, that was the end of Day 2! Get ready because Day 3 includes the RACE! YAY! The very reason we went to Disney World was for the Princess Half Marathon!
Maggie and I ended up staying up late catching up and talking the night before so we decided to sleep in a bit to 6/630am so we could catch the shuttle to the Royal Family 5K that my sister and her friend Sara were running. I told them to enjoy it and stop for pictures and just have fun running in an empty Epcot (they ran through the world showcase!!!)! Well, we ended up at epcot around 730 and they already finished! Apparently they didnt stop at all for any pictures and 'ran' in the crowd of 8000 other 5K runners. Well, ok then. I was so proud of them though for finishing the 5K! They had a good time and they finished so thats all that really matters.
 |
| I love this place! |
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| So proud of them! |
Before I get onto the rest of the day, let me get on my soapbox about this stuff called KT Tape. First off, I am in no way being paid or compensated for my comments and shameless promotion of KT Tape but I just think anyone who is active in any sport, not just running, and has soreness in joints and muscles should try it!
I was skeptical at first when my sorority sis told me about the wonders of this KT Tape when I was complaining about my shin splints last November at the beginning of my PHM training. But one day I got curious, and then I did my research and thought it just might help but everything I read online said they recommend having a trained professional to apply it. Well, that was confusing because they have these great instructional videos on their website for any bodily ailment you may have so WHY were there these videos if Im supposed to have a trained professional apply it instead?? WELL. The fabulous KT Tape people were at the PHM expo and I purchased 2 rolls of pink and purple pre-cut Pro tape and brought it with me to FL (but I forgot to bring it to the expo!!!). I talked to the lady applying it and she explained how I need to apply it to my leg for shin splints (she could only do one leg unless I purchased a roll and clearly that wasnt happening b/c I had 2 in my luggage haha!). I was nervous about trying something new for such a big race but I was like 'what the hey!" The tape application was pretty simple (I do a new application every week because my "short runs" are about 5 miles 2x a wk and a long run ranging from 5-12 miles on the wkend) and straightforward. Here is their Website and their facebook page and twitter page if you want to learn more. They are great about responding quickly to their FB and twitter posts if you do have questions. And good news, they are now selling the regular and Pro KT tape at CVS!
I applied the KT tape for my other leg while we waited for the bus to the parks. We decided on Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios (ugh disney, I know it's Hollywood Studios now but I refuse to call it that!) in the evening. Before we got the bus to AK, Maggie and I checked out of our room and left our bags to be sent over to the Art of Animation for the next few nights! I was a bit worried about changing resorts for such a short trip but Disney made everything easy and straightforward for switching resorts and our bags were already in our room when we checked in (more on that later) at the Art of Animation.
Onto the parks!! Let me start by saying, I love Animal Kingdom!
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| ready for AK fun! ps you can see my KT tape here and my black sparkleskirt! |
 |
| walking towards the Tree of Life! |
After lunch, we walked around the Asia area more and rode on my favorite attraction at Animal Kingdom-- Kali River Rapids! We had fast-passes we picked up before lunch and were right on time for the fast past line! This ride is way too short but so much fun!! A much needed cool-down from the hot and sticky/humid morning. We moseyed around Animal Kingdom, saw the live Finding Nemo show (so much fun!) and ventured into DinoLand, USA before we headed over to MGM.
By the time we got to MGM, we were so tired! We decided to definitely do the Great Movie Ride and the Muppets show. Both were just as much fun as I remembered. I loved being here at night! Seriously, Disney World is magical at night!!!
We had dinner at the ABC Commissary counter service at MGM. Again, no veg options but we asked the castmember at the counter and he gave us some great options. My sis had the veg Asian Salad and I had the veg Quinoa salad. I had a taste of my sis' and she had some of mine and both were delicious but way to much salad for me to have in one sitting. We had a fun convo during dinner about our respective college experiences and sorority happenings. I think my sis was a little bored during that part of the conversation because she wasn't in a sorority during her time at uva haha but just the thought of my sis in a sorority at uva makes me giggle a bit. It definitely would not have been a good fit for her!!
ANYways. Maggie and I decided we wanted to leave earlier than later because we would be up at 2am to get ready for our race on Sunday so we needed to get at least a few hours of sleep! We knew walking around all the parks and being on our feet all day before we were going to run 13.1 miles was dumb but it's Disney World so what are you going to do?!!
We still had a ton of space even though it was a smaller room and it surprisingly fit all my luggage and Maggie's on either side of the room. Love these cute little shell chairs and our table with Ariel's sheet music!
Look how cute the beds were, with my very own pearl light at the head of the bed!
OH HEY Flounder and Sebastian!
Look at all that counter-space! I love how the theme is prevalent even in the mirror and lights!!
Well, that was the end of Day 2! Get ready because Day 3 includes the RACE! YAY! The very reason we went to Disney World was for the Princess Half Marathon!
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