Were you? How did I not realize this? I swear I should have seen that on Facebook....
I present you with.....the reason to watch the torch lighting ceremony.
I had the gluten free wings at 'Ohana and I loved them, too. We are going back there in June for the first time since 2013 and I'm glad to hear that they still have the delicious wings.Caitlin has a gluten allergy, so she really loves the options that they give here there as well. The wings especially, which I think is all she ate.
nd were ending the day with an early dinner at Ohana around 6pm.
I really wanted to go in, grab the iguanadon, and get out.
Nope, I'm not joking. There were no Dooneys. I don't know all of the details behind it, but apparently there were production issues. Could have been quality or timing, but either way they weren't there. Meaning, the wristlet that I wanted wouldn't be there. I had to order it and it would be delivered, get this. In APRIL
It really frosts my cookies
Because apparently the entire world still thinks that women want everything covered in glitter.
We don't. Please, just stop the glitter bombing!
I know, this group of six is really easy to miss. Totally understandable.
We did get drinks at that point, so it was ok. But server didn't get a tip.
I said goodnight to everyone as they were planning on going to Trader Sams. That wasn't in my future, since I had to wake up at 3am.
"It's the Expo.....It's Like Guerrilla Warfare In There!"
Friday January 8, 2016
OK, it's not really like guerrilla warfare, but let me tell you. Sometimes, the WDW expos can be crazy. Based on my experience with the Princess Half Expo, I was ready for the craziness. Nothing like waiting an hour and a half for a Dooney and Bourke.
NOT.
Today the plan was to go only to the expo. After that, we were pretty open regarding what we were going to do, and were ending the day with an early dinner at Ohana around 6pm. Early was important, because Caitlin and I had a very early day the following morning.
We were planning on heading to the expo to be there at 9am, so we were up around 7am.
This is the only day I really did a makeup look, because I was being more low-key, but this reminded me of Rey. Her color palette at least.
It was a rainy day, but the rest of our time in Florida was supposed to be pretty clear. The 10k was being run on this day, and I know from posts I had seen on it they were pretty wet. Glad it wasn't me, that's for sure. Haha. Although when I look through my pictures from the half marathon, it was pretty foggy.
We met Caitlin and family in the lobby around 8:45am. We were heading to the expo together, since Caitlin had waited also to pick up her stuff until I had arrived. It was nice to be able to go together and take a gander at the goods.
On our way out, we were all somehow CONVINCED that we remembered where the Wide World of Sports was. All three of us had an absolute brain fart and thought that it was by the speedway.
Don't ask me why.
We got a little turned around. Thankfully Dale knew what he was doing and we just ended up following him. In a roundabout way. I'll just say we didn't know where we were going because we were SO EXCITED!!!
Finally arrived at the Wide World of Sports and actually found parking in the lot. Which was a world of difference from when we went for the Princess Half. We had to park all of the way in the back on grass that time.
Of course Caitlin and I had to prove that we were ready to run.
We had a clear mission here. Last time at the expo, we spent more than half a day there. It was insane! I didn't want that this time. I really wanted to go in, grab the iguanadon, and get out. So I didn't spend time taking any pictures, so if anyone was really interested in that, I'm sorry.
It was not crowded at all, which was awesome. The booths were completely empty, so Caitlin and I were able to walk right up and get our packets. For anyone who hasn't done this before, it works as follows:
Each race has a different series of booths that you go to so you can pick up your packet. You have your waiver already, so you already know your bib number. Each booth is designated for a bib number range, so you find your range and head over to get the bib and packet. You'll also get anything like the pins you may have preordered.
After that, you have to head over to Jostens across the way so you can pick up your shirt. I'm not sure why they haven't taken the route of just sticking your shirt into your packet and then telling you if you want to exchange it to go across to Jostens.
A few short minutes after entering, we had our bibs in hand. And I had my lovely pin.
We walked around for a little while and of course had to hit the swag. Not before I took this picture though. I thought it was so sweet!
One thing that was important to note.
THERE WERE NO DOONEYS!
Nope, I'm not joking. There were no Dooneys. I don't know all of the details behind it, but apparently there were production issues. Could have been quality or timing, but either way they weren't there. Meaning, the wristlet that I wanted wouldn't be there. I had to order it and it would be delivered, get this. In APRIL.
On the plus side, it made the expo much faster, because the crazy Dooney snatchers weren't around. The people who buy them and sell them on Ebay, which still kills me. They need to figure out a better was so the RACERS can get the stuff without having to contend with everyone else. It really frosts my cookies, especially with the Dooneys.
I'm still waiting for my wristlet by the way. Yes, I did end up ordering one, and it still hasn't been shipped or arrived. I'm being patient though.
All of our swag picked up, it was time to head out for lunch. It was around 11:30am, so we decided that we would head to Downtown Disney and go to Earl of Sandwich. I hadn't actually eaten at Earl in forever. We made it there quickly. We love the new parking downtown, makes things so much easier. I'm a fan of the garage. Before heading over to eat, we stopped in the Coop, because Caitlin and I wanted to get the phone cases for the race. They were only available at the Coop, so away we went.
This is how mine turned out. I named myself tortoise, because it's true.
Earl of Sandwich was busy, as per usual. But everything went pretty quickly and I was actually able to score a table for all six of us! Granted, I got it by stalking other diners, but hey. You gotta do what you gotta do.
But the sammiches are always worth it.
After lunch, we all decided to head back to the resort for a little bit of pool time before dinner. Well, at least jacuzzi time. Haha. But you don't care about jacuzzi time! You probably are like "what did she buy at the expo?!"
One of the things that I really loved about the merch at this race instead of the Princess was the lack of glitter. Because apparently the entire world still thinks that women want everything covered in glitter.
We don't. Please, just stop the glitter bombing!
After that, we all headed down to the pool to relax for a while. Where someone was watching, always watching.
I didn't tell Caitlin that she was being watched, since I'm pretty sure she might have freaked out.
After pool time, we all agreed that we would meet outside for the torch lighting ceremony, before heading in to the Tambu Lounge for some drinks before dinner.
I present you with.....the reason to watch the torch lighting ceremony.
Just what I needed before dinner! We were all happy girls. The guys...they dealt with it. LOL.
We headed up to the Tambu Lounge where we encountered some of the worst service I've ever had at Disney. This is a rarity for me. I had all intentions of telling them about this particular server, but it slipped my mind with all the madness the following day with the race.
We all headed in to sit down as a small table was available. The other table to the right of us had people already at it, and the table to the left looked like it was emptying out soon. The server came out from the back to check on the table to the right, and walked right by us. OK then, it's ok. We'll wait for you to come back. We all chatted and looked at the menu at this point.
Five minutes go by and she doesn't come back out. Another group comes in to the table on the left. A few more minutes go by and the server comes out from the back. Goes straight to the new table on the left and greets them.
While we are still sitting there, no greeting, no drinks, no nothing.
At this point, we were all pretty frustrated and trying to get her attention. Still didn't work.
Pop and Dale decided at this point they would go straight up to the bar instead to get the drinks. The bartender, who was busy working the bar area and handling the drinks for the restaurant took note of this right away when they went up there to get the drinks. He basically chastised the server right there and asked "they want drinks. Why have you not taken their order yet?" Then she acted all surprised about us being there!
I know, this group of six is really easy to miss. Totally understandable.
We did get drinks at that point, so it was ok. But server didn't get a tip.
Dale was demonstrating the back scratcher here.
Oh that's right, I'm supposed to have this rule that I'm not supposed to drink before a race. Yup. Until a Lapu Lapu appears.
Soon we checked in to Ohana and were basically seated right away.
Mom had lost her mind though.
I didn't take any pictures of dinner, because I just didn't think about it. I was so distracted by the lovely food options, I just didn't think. Sorry guys!
Dinner was great as usual. It's one of our favorites and it's Dawn's favorite too. Caitlin has a gluten allergy, so she really loves the options that they give here there as well. The wings especially, which I think is all she ate.
As dinner started to wind down, Caitlin and I said goodnight to everyone as they were planning on going to Trader Sams. That wasn't in my future, since I had to wake up at 3am. I headed up to my room to grab the bag I had packed. I was staying with Caitlin in the second room of the suite for the night, so that we could get out without disturbing anyone too early before the race.
We were pretty excited, but tried to get to sleep as soon as possible. I think our heads hit the pillow around 9pm. I really wanted those few precious hours of sleep!
Up next: I win at Fitbit.
Love that picture of your mom with the glow cube. I feel just like that some days when I eat too many Jalapenos!
I really wanted to go in, grab the iguanadon, and get out.
After that, we all headed down to the pool to relax for a while. Where someone was watching, always watching.
Glitter is evil.
At home, we seriously have dinner at like 5:30/5:45pm When my friends invite me to dinner and they're like, "Let's go at 7", I die a little