The Road to runDisney – Princess 2018

Posted on January 18, 2018 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Next month we’ll be on our way to the much-anticipated, long-awaited Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World. Raymond, Megan, Joseph and I are really looking forward to all the fun and excitement runDisney events hold. Raymond will be there to cheer us on for what will be Megan’s first runDisney experience. (Go Meg!)

The Road to runDisney – Princess 2018

When the three of us registered for the Fairy Tale Challenge (10k Saturday, Half Marathon Sunday), I remembered how I felt when Raymond and I flew to Disney World in 2015 for my own first runDisney experience. We flew from our local airport in Louisiana which is tiny and flights to Orlando always involve a trip west to go east. So, if memory serves we changed planes in Dallas. Lo and behold, there were a big bunch of other (mostly women) runners headed to Disney World! How did I know? They were wearing EarHats, tiaras, and Disney shirts. They were carrying Disney tote bags and backpacks – all were as excited as I was and I struck up a conversation (you know me) with a few of the other runDisney people.

Many were repeat runDisney participants, most were as excited as I was. One lady in particular stood out in my mind and had an impact on how I thought we should prepare for this year’s events. This particular woman was about to run her very first 10k. At Disney World! She wasn’t excited, but super worried instead. Her apprehension stemmed from the fact that she didn’t know if she could complete the distance.

When it came time for Megan, Joseph and I to make our training plans for Princess 2018, I couldn’t shake the memory of the worried women I’d met in 2015. I suggested Megan run her first 10k to use for proof of time and then we could run her first half marathon together in December. That way, she wouldn’t be worried a bit about her ability to complete 13.1 miles and she’d be able to focus instead on the fun and excitement of runDisney events.

So, in early December, we ran the Cajun Country Half in Lafayette, Louisiana. It was a great course – flat with beautiful scenery and excellent places for Raymond to meet us along the way and cheer us on. Santa Claus theming created a bit of fun for running wear and the weather was cold and crisp – perfect for Megan’s first half!

We weren’t in a hurry, having already submitted our proof of time to runDisney, so we spent our time along the way enjoying each other’s company and listening to the eclectic music I played out loud for our entertainment. When we crossed the finish line, I could tell Megan felt great! We had a wonderful family adventure for the weekend – Lafayette has some of the very best food in the state! Megan put her first half marathon successfully behind her.

I understand for many Princess Half/Fairy Tale Challenge participants, part of the fun and excitement is participating in a 10k or half marathon (or both) for the first time. For our family, we believe knowing we can complete the distance comfortably and stress-free will allow us to confidently immerse ourselves in the Disney magic that is especially plentiful in runDisney events.

Are you participating in any Disney Princess runDisney events? We’d love to hear from you!

New Year, New Disney Plans

Posted on January 3, 2018 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

2017 was such an exciting, action packed, fun-filled year! So much so, 2018 has a lot to live up to. I believe in you, New Year! You can do it! Adventure is out there and we’ve got a big Disney to-do list ahead of us. Since I’m not one to make official New Year’s resolutions, this is as close as it gets… Magic Picture with Tinker Bell

New Year, New Disney Plans

Disney Park Firsts – Raymond and I have an unbelievable four Disney trips planned this year with opportunities to try some things for the first time.

New Festival: We’re excited to have a couple of days to experience Epcot’s Festival of the Arts later this month. The festival’s 2017 inaugural year went so well, we heard nothing but glowing praise for this brief, but fun event from everyone we knew that attended.
Tiger Cubs! It’s no secret that I’m an Animal Kingdom fan & have often touted the joys of the Maharajah Jungle Trek…these new babies are yet another reason to spend all day in this park!
Disneyland (Finally!): After last year’s anniversary trip was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma and 2016’s family vacation was interrupted by Hurricane Matthew, Raymond and I are taking no chances this year. We’ll be celebrating our 29th anniversary on the West Coast and we couldn’t be more excited to finally get to explore Disneyland’s parks and restaurants. I’ll be working on my must-do list shortly and welcome any and all suggestions you may have!

Disney Movies to See – Nick, Dave and I just talked about Disney’s 2018 movie line-up on The Disney Exchange (Episode 159). There’s a lot to look forward to! Honestly, I’m pretty stoked about Solo: A Star Wars Story (May) and Wreck-It Ralph 2 (March), but if I narrow down the list to my top three, I’m most excited about these…

Avengers: Infinity War (May) – I’m geeking out about this one! It had better be as good as it looks because my expectations are really high. Avengers and Guardians…how could that not be awesome!?!
The Incredibles 2 (June) – We’ve only been waiting 14 years! That’s practically forever. The original has always been one of my all-time favorite movies and with the way it ended, didn’t we all thing the sequel was right around the corner? It’s about time!
Mary Poppins Returns (December) – I didn’t care for Saving Mr. Banks at all, so I’ve got my heart pinned on this movie to recapture the magical, whimsical wonder that was the original Mary Poppins. C’mon, Disney, don’t let me down.

Disney Recipes to Try – I’ve barely tried anything from the Raglan Road cookbook I got for Mother’s Day last year, so cooking up some Irish dishes is high on my priority list. I’d also like to try Sanaa’s Naan Bread, ‘Ohana’s Stir Fried Noodles, Jiko’s Macaroni & Cheese.

RunDisney 2018 – This year, Megan will be joining Joseph and I for her first runDisney events. The three of us are headed for Disney World in February for the Enchanted 10k and the Princess Half Marathon (now called the Fairy Tale Challenge). Of course, Raymond will be there to cheer us on. (I feel like the luckiest mom in the universe.)

West Coast Disney Cruise: Before we go to Disneyland, Raymond and I are sailing on the Disney Wonder’s 4-night repositioning cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. The last time we sailed on the Wonder was in 2011 on an Alaskan cruise and that was an outstanding vacation. I’m sure this trip will be fantastic as well…can’t wait!

Still here? I’ll let you in on something – there are a couple more things planned for 2018, but I can’t share them quite yet. Check back in about two weeks and I’m sure I’ll be able to elaborate then on what special secret adventures our family has coming up soon.

Your Turn! What are your 2018 Disney plans?

Disney’s Bay Lake Tower – All About Shapes!

Posted on December 15, 2017 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Where at Disney World can you find circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, cylinders, ovals, parallelograms, and more specifically combined in endless combinations? Which resort features modern design, pops of color and whimsical artwork with an emphasis on harmony through geometry? Which unique place beautifully captures the artistry of lines, curves, and angles everywhere you look? Of course, I’m talking about Bay Lake Tower.

Disney’s Bay Lake Tower – All About Shapes!

I grew up with a fairly strong dislike for all things math-related (a polite way of saying I loathed arithmetic!). English was my favorite subject and science was fine, I simply didn’t get the lure of numbers…until 10th grade geometry. I’d finally found a form of math I loved! Oh, the fun of arcs, lines, angles and shapes and all the measurements within! Maybe that explains why while others find Bay Lake Tower lacking in theme, I find it wonderful. From the lobby through the halls and elevators, even along the walkway that connects Bay Lake Tower to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, I find the use of shapes amazing and like everywhere else at Disney World, I always find something I’ve never noticed before.

I’ll admit, It may not have the Contemporary’s Mary Blair mural or the Grand Floridian’s Victorian charm. There’s no tropical Polynesian foliage and certainly no majestic, soaring lobby. But that doesn’t mean Bay Lake Tower is boring, it means the place has a quality and ambiance all its own.

From the majestic, curving edifice to the tiniest interior details, Bay Lake Tower is a feast for the shape-loving eye. Enhanced by soothing neutrals and splashes of bright color, our favorite home-away-from-home is to us, a fun and cheerful corner of the World. Those imaginative design elements and Bay Lake Tower’s location right next door to Magic Kingdom make it practically perfect in every way. If you every get the chance to stay in this particular Disney Vacation Club resort, prepare to be amazed by the creative use of all things geometric!

Have you stayed at Bay Lake Tower? What did you think?

Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse (Round 2)

Posted on December 1, 2017 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

The first and last time Raymond and I ate at Yachtsman was in February of 2015. It was a great experience and we are always up for a good steak. When we were discussing dining plans for November, Yachtsman came up and we decided it was time for a return visit. To be perfectly honest, the food was better this time and the service was better last time. Even so, I still recommend you give Yachtsman a try if you get the chance. Let me tell you why.

Disney Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse

For us, there are three go-to steak places near Epcot. One of them, actually in Epcot, is Le Cellier (Canada Pavilion). While wildly popular with many Disney guests, this old favorite has kind of fallen out of favor with us for one simple reason – we can easily walk from Epcot to places we like much better. Places with better food for the price and where the tables aren’t so close together we feel packed in like sardines with no privacy. Le Cellier is considered a Signature Dining location and takes two Table Service credits on Disney Dining Plans. (For comparison purposes, the filet is $54 and includes Mushroom Risotto, Asparagus-Tomato Relish, and Truffle-Butter Sauce.)

For an absolutely outstanding dining experience and one of the best steaks anywhere, Shula’s Steak House at the Dolphin offers a fine-dining experience we absolutely love. The menu is a meat-lover’s dream and the steaks are perfectly prepared to order. Where the in-park atmosphere at Le Cellier is very casual, the much more formal setting of Shula’s makes us want to get dressed up a bit to eat there. It’s also relatively expensive and does not accept Disney Dining Plans. (Currently, the 12 ounce filet is priced at $55 and side dishes are a la carte/additional cost.)

Not too casual, not too fancy, Yachtsman is just right! The atmosphere is one I’d describe as neutral and even with a pretty good number of guests, the dining room doesn’t feel overcrowded. One thing we loved is that on both visits, the hostess was the same wonderfully kind lady from Louisiana. She loves her job and it shows! The menu is not currently available online at Disney’s website, but this one seems to be up to date. Notice the prices? My 6-ounce filet and Raymond’s Elk Tenderloin were each less than $50 and they both came with sides! On the Disney Dining Plan, Yachtsman, like Le Cellier takes two Table Service credits.

I mentioned the service not being as good on our recent visit and I should stress that it had nothing to do with our server. He was professional, knowledgeable, and, best of all, didn’t hover (we hate that). We ordered lobster bisque to start and the filet and elk tenderloin as our entrées. The bread service is especially good here; served with butter, olive oil, and roasted garlic – YUM! We also ordered some butternut squash risotto…which we did not receive until we were finished eating. Our server took it off our bill and brought it out to us to taste anyway. He sincerely felt terrible and was extremely apologetic, but we were overly full anyway and didn’t miss it at all. The only reason we ordered the risotto in the first place is that I make it at home and we wanted to compare flavors. For dessert we enjoyed the Seasonal Sorbet Trio and some coffee. Our meal was great!