RunDisney - Day 5 - Lake Buena Vista

It certainly felt good to sleep to post dawn hour this morning. We took our time getting ready and then getting to the Central Market of the resort for breakfast. It was then to the Skyliner and our day at Hollywood Studios. It was a much more pleasant day today weather-wise  - low humidity, temp in the 70s' and a breeze. Neither of us were sure what to expect and decided that we would spend as little or as much time that we needed there. 

It really was a surprise how much we found to do. The main street is chock full of stores and emporiums, but because of crowds and Covid-19 we really didn't go into any of them. Since neither of us is a Star Wars fan, we agreed to skip that part of the park. 

After looking at the map and semi-planning a course of action, we opted for the Frozen Sing-a-Long. Figuring that it might be hokey, we went into a huge theatre with what was a live show. Boy, were we wrong. It was a delightful comedy half-hour that targeted the adult sense of humor. We did have a great time and some good laughs. 

Then it was around the corner to the Muppet Vision 3D for a cute show featuring the Muppets, of course. 

The park was incredibly crowded and so we had to figure out what was worth waiting over 90 minutes in line. The Tower of Terror was not recommended for those with insulin pumps, so we passed on that. The Slinky Dog Dash out of order so we decided on the Alien Swirling Saucers.  The are similar to the teacups in the Magic Kingdom and it was a fun ride even though we couldn't control the spin. 

Time for a Mickey Ice Cream bar for Amy and a Strawberry fruit bar for me as we headed to Mickey and MInnie's Runaway Railroad.  It was another long line, but we managed to make it under cover when it started to rain. It was a short shower and by the time the ride was over, it had quit. 

Back on the Skyliner to the hotel to change for dinner. We caught the shuttle to Disney Springs from our close by Trinidad stop. On a quest for margaritas, we headed to Dockside Margaritas where we enjoyed some beautiful scenery and a very good drink. 

Reservations were at The Boathouse, about an 8 minute walk. We celebrated Amy's accomplishments and our last night at Disney with cocktails, lobster bisque for Amy, a Caesar salad (loaded with anchovies) and Lobster Oscar for the both of us. 

What a wonderful 4 nights of dinner we had, thanks to the expert selection skills of Amy. 

We got the shuttle back to the hotel and then spent the rest of the night packing our bags for the trip home on Tuesday. 

NO alarm again tomorrow. 

RunDisney - Day 4 - Lake Buena Vista

 1/2 Marathon Day

So the third day of predawn awakenings arrived. This morning we decided that it would be best if I went with Amy on the shuttle bus to the race course. So she did her prep and I threw some clothes on and ran a brush through my hair and off we went to catch the 3:30 shuttle. 

For today's race spectators could see the runners at two points on the course. I hung around the Epcot monorail entrance for a bit until they opened it at 4:30. Then took the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center where the first observation post was. It was a very, very humid morning and cool pre-dawn. It was nice to chat with another mother from Jamaica and her two friends from Port Charlotte, FL and Cambridge, Ohio. While waiting the race marshals came past and said that the race start had been delayed by 20 minutes because a couple of buses were stuck in traffic. The spectator point was about 4.6 miles into the course and I caught a picture of Amy as she ran by. She was so focused that she never saw or heard me. 

I then scrambled to the Magic Kingdom via monorail to catch her there. She was obviously enjoying the run and all that she was experiencing. 

From Main Street I went back to Epcot to await her at the finish line. But then I got a text message that she wasn't feeling well (around mile 8)and thought she might have to abandon the rest of the course. By this time (thanks to the delay) the sun had gotten high in the sky and with the oppressing humidity and direct sun, it was absolutely oppressive. It was a very good decision to take care of herself and not endanger her health by continuing. I was very uncomfortable just sitting in the sun. 

But we still celebrated her for making the right decision to abandon the course. She was not the only one - nearly 30% of the challenge runners did the same. 

We made our way back to the hotel and showered and napped.

The rest of the day was spent at Epcot. The Caribbean Beach Resort was so convenient for transport to Epcot because of the Skyliner. Somehow during the run, Amy sprained her knee and with my blisters we were quite a pair hobbling around. 

The Caribbean Beach Resort from Skyliner

We thought we could find some good food at Epcot, but, not wanting walk all around in search of it, we decided on a very good mango/lime swirl ice cream. 

We walked through the International Showcase since we were coming back there for dinner and headed to Journey into Imagination with Figment and Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival. 

Then to Living with the Land. This was a relatively long ride that featured the Earth's ecosystems and cultivation. There were beautiful flowers and even pineapples!

Then it was The Seas with Nemo. The pavilion also housed many underwater aquarium tanks.

We had gone to Space Ship Earth, but it had broken down, so returned after Nemo and didn't have to wait that long to get in. It is a wonderful ride through the history of man on earth and at the end you can decide your future. We had wondered why a photo was taken when it first started and at the end it became obvious. 

From there we re-entered the International Showcase and walked through the various countries. Did the ride at the Mexico pavilion of the Gran Fiesta Tour with the 3 Caballeros. It was good to sit for a minute.

Then to China to look at the exhibits and around to Italy where it was necessary to stop for a prosecco and limoncello refreshment.

By that time the sun had gone down and the weather was a bit more tolerable. It was nearly time for dinner and so we headed over to the Canadian pavilion where we had dinner at Le Cellier. So nice and cozy, it reminded us of a real wine cellar. 

We both had the same dinner - a wedge salad and NY Strip steak with a bottle of a really nice Pinot Noir. (we were so hungry we started to eat before photoing the food!)

After dinner we headed back to the Skyliner and to our hotel. I went barefoot except on the Skyliner since there were other people in the car with us. 

I don't remember falling asleep, but when I awoke around 1 a.m. all the lights were off and Amy was sleeping soundly. 

NO alarm tomorrow. 

Run Disney - Day 3 -Lake Buena Vista

10k Day

It was very dark when the alarms started going off. Amy had set numerous wake-up alarms with 2:50 being the ultimate one for getting out of bed. She is a master of getting dressed quickly and getting all her gear ready on race day. She was out of the hotel by 3:20 to catch the 3:30 shuttle to Epcot. 

I got up a bit after she left and was on my way on the 4:00 shuttle. It was a short ride to Epcot, but a long walk from the parking lot to the finish line where I would wait for her to cross. It was pitch dark, but I had my Kindle and actually spent a most of the wait time talking to a nice guy from Liverpool, New York, who was there in support of his wife. 

 

The 10k is a relatively short race for runners. 

Some of the photos from the course from the Disney photo service that haven't been purchased yet as well as some selfies

At the start line

With Nemo

So it wasn't too long before Amy crossed the finish line.

And then there was the celebratory champagne

We headed back to the hotel and took nap and showers before heading out for some breakfast and then some pool time, which also involved a couple of delicious Caribbean Smugglers. On our way we encountered this very friendly heron. 

Back to our room to get dressed and head to dinner. We took the bus to Magic Kingdom and then the monorail to the Grand Floridian. Lesson learned: do not wear new shoes when you have to walk a mile. Before we even got to the restaurant I had worn two huge blisters that really begged to have no shoes on. 

Dinner was at Citricos and it was fabulous.
 

Overlooking the main floor of the Grand Floridian

We enjoyed a corn bisque and Amy had tilefish while I had mahi mahi. Of course a bottle of wine was enjoyed also.

Corn bisque

Mahi mahi

Tilefish

Because my feet were hurting so badly we used  Lyft to get back to the room. Definitely worth the fare!. 

Quick change into night clothes and into bed with alarms again set for 2:50 a.m.