For our final morning we did not need to rise quite so early because we had no plans to be at any park for park opening. I was planning to meet some folks from the WISH running team at the Boardwalk and Kirk was going to DHS where we would meet up later. WISH (We're Inspired to Stay Healthy) is a Facebook group and discussion forum on the DIS boards. My initial plan was to take a bus to Epcot or DHS and walk to the Boardwalk but Kirk was leaving about the same time so he gave me a ride.
It was, as it had been for the entire trip, a beautiful and warm day with clear blue skies. I got to the Boardwalk a bit early, got a cup of coffee and a danish at an outdoor stand (the bakery was being refurbished) and strolled the Boardwalk. I love the Boardwalk. There may be DVC properties that are more luxurious. There may be DVC properties with bigger or better rooms. There may be DVC properties with more amenities. But my home resort is the Boardwalk, and I feel more "at home" there than pretty anywhere else at WDW. The patio facing Crescent Lake is one of my favorite spots in all of WDW.
It was coming up to 9:00 which was the agreed upon meeting time. I walked up to a couple of people who looked like they were waiting for others, but they were not from the WISH team. I walked up to a couple of other guys and this time I was right. We introduced ourselves - they were Richard and Kipp. We chatted a bit and I met some other folks, notably Shelly, Lilly, Rod, Mike and Kim. We had a terrific time talking about the races, our experiences and our love for everything Disney. What a great group of folks.
It was about time for me to leave to meet Kirk, but before I left we took a group photo - thanks to Richard for sharing this with me:
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| A terrific group of folks at the WISH meet. That's me in the yellow shirt in the back fourth from the left. |
After we ate we got a FP for TZToT (12:10) and used our FPs to ride ST. We saw the Darth Vader intro, the first planet was Tatooine, followed by Yoda and Naboo. Kirk is not crazy about flight simulator rides and, as he put it, he would probably never ride ST unless I was there so he wanted to check it out. After ST we both had Mickey Bars, and then we used our FPs for a ride on TZToT. After that it was time for us to leave so I could catch my plane. I was disappointed at having to leave so early - I had made a 6:50 reservation but, for some reason, my flight was changed to 2:50. Perhaps the later flight was cancelled. Well, anyway, it was a fun trip and I felt great about having completed the marathon. I met a lot of terrific people who I hope to stay in touch with. And now I'm looking forward to my next half marathon.
Here are shortcuts to all the entries in this blog:
Intro and Day 1
Day 2 and the Race
Day 3 in the Parks
Final Day 4
Here are some quick links to some of the more popular posts:
Europe trip 2012 including Santorini Greece, Athens and London
John & Kirk go to Williamsburg VA and Washington DC
Orlando 2010 including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando
Adventures with my good friend Kirk including Walt Disney World, Vegas, Disneyland and more
A Daddy/Daughter jaunt to Walt Disney World in 1998
A trip to Southern California including Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in 2002
Middle School Rock Band trip to Walt Disney World 2010
Key West 2002
South East Florida 2012
