Today was race day for us. When we’ve run in the past Steve has always done additional races by himself, but the double early starts really impacted the end of the trip and so this year we decided to just stick with the one race.
The 5k race starts at 5am, and it’s recommended you’re on the bus as close to 3am as possible. The girls wanted to meet a character at the start so we got up at 2.30 and we’re on one of the first buses. It’s quite a walk to the start area from the bus stop, but when we got there we immediately got in the queue to meet Donald before heading to our Corral. There’s a DJ playing music (90s hits this time as it was the 30th anniversary of the marathon, so that was fun) as well a live stage with presenters talking/ interviewing people which is shown on big screens.
We were quite near the front (I think the 4th group to start) and when we got to the front the presenter saw our costumes and the camera showed us on the screen. She then got the whole crowd singing ‘Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow’ which was brilliant.
It was a really warm morning and very muggy but we had decided that we wanted to queue to meet a few characters this year so hoped that would cool us down a bit (Winnie and I have a lovely issue where our bodies don’t have the ability to cool us down meaning we get hotter and hotter, redder and redder until it literally feels like you’re going to explode!)
Tarzan and Terk were the first and we queued did a good 20 minutes to see them. It gave Winnie’s legs a rest though, which was good! The first part of the race is in the car park/ backstage at Epcot so isn’t the prettiest, but once you get onto World Showcase, it’s amazing.
Mushu was meeting in China so we queued again (even longer!!) as the girls love Mulan. By this time we were stuck right in the crowd, so running wasn’t easy, but we managed as best we could. We decided not to meet the other characters as they were all ones we’d met before, and it we knew it would make us really late finishing, so we set off with purpose to finish the race.
We crossed the finish line together and the girls were so proud of themselves. We got our medals and had a photo before heading for the bus back to the resort. It’s honestly such a great thing to do. If you do ever have a trip planned that coincides with a race, I would definitely recommend doing one. The atmosphere is amazing, and it is such a special experience.
We decided to jump off the return bus at The Boardwalk and head to the deli for some breakfast, which we ate outside just as it was getting light. We then walked back to the Yacht Club where the girls and Steve had a nap.
Once everyone was awake we decided to head to Magic Kingdom. The girls are getting quite emotional about it being their last chance to see the 50th celebrations, so wanted to do the Friendship Fare show and see the cavalcade. We arrived just before 12 (I had no idea what day it was never mind the time) and realised a rainy day cavalcade was on its way, so we stood and watched it on Main Street as there was loads of space thanks to the heavy rain that occurred just before we got there. I love the rainy day cavalcade. Wendy again came over to the girls and said that as she’s seen them so often they must be best friends now and should go for tea together in London! Winnie couldn’t stop giggling. Donald and Daisy were on our side of the parade too, so it was smiles all round.
We then decided to head for People Mover while Steve got coffee, before heading to the stage for the Friendship Fare show. We knew it may not go ahead with the rain, and as the start time came round there was an announcement saying it was cancelled but that all the characters would come and say hello. The girls were very happy as it meant Donald and Daisy didn’t have specific dances to do, so spent ages communicating with them.
We then decided we ought to eat something (Steve and I hadn’t eaten all day) so went to Columbia Harbour House for a lobster roll. We then watched the 50th cavalcade (again) before watching Country Bear Jamboree and heading back to the hotel for a swim before tea. The girls loved joining in with the dancing lifeguards and playing in the pool.
At around 5 we came inside and got ready for our O’Hana tea. We decided to surprise the girls with a Minnie Van to the Polynesian as a treat for their 5k run, and although I think they’re overpriced for a glorified Uber, the girls loved it and didn’t stop saying thank you the whole journey.
We waited a while to be seated, but once we were we enjoyed the mountain of food that seems never ending at this meal. It was all lovely and hot, and the only thing we didn’t polish off completely was the shrimp as only I like that.
We had initially intended to eat and then head into the park for Enchantment, but after the long wait for for our table and knew it would be a rush. We asked if the girls would rather watch it on the beach or at the park and they both said the beach, so we carried on with the meal and ate pudding until we thought we’d explode before heading to the beach.
We knew it could be a bit emotional tonight with it being our last time watching Enchantment (even though we’re all incredibly excited for Happily Ever After coming back). As well as that, the race had made us all quite tired and emotional too, so it possibly wasn’t the wisest choice of activity! Before we left the meal Polly said she was feeling sad about the 50th celebrations ending, but that she felt really bad because she was lucky to be at Disney and shouldn’t feel sad. I told her not to ever apologise for her emotions, and managed to cheer her up. Then, as soon as we got to the beach Winnie broke down sobbing, saying that she was so sad that she’d never see Donald in his 50th outfit again after this trip, and that she loves her 50th outfit so much. This set Polly off, and in turn set me off (because as Winnie said, their hearts are made from my heart so when they hurt, my heart hurts.) We ended up watching the fireworks in a big group hug, crying our eyes out. I bet people around were wondering what was going on!!
After the fireworks we couldn’t face using Disney transport, so we got an Uber for $10 and had a hot chocolate whilst watching Bluey in the room (Bluey is our guaranteed cheer-up programme!)Tomorrow is set to be a bit cooler so we’re off for an Epcot morning then hopefully Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic.
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 