Orlando, Florida
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 - Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Our Walt Disney World Marathon weekend actually started on Wednesday evening. We drove from Binghamton to Allentown, PA, staying at the Comfort Suites on Hamilton Boulevard. Terrible hotel - never again! Found someone casing the car when we came out after checking in, and there a couple of other shady looking folks around as well - did not feel safe at all.
Flew out of Allentown on Thursday morning, arriving 'home' around 10:30. For this trip, we stayed at All-Star Sports (our favorite cheap on site resort for sure!). Thursday afternoon we had lunch at Via Napoli, one of our new favorite places to eat in all of the World! On Thursday night, a new eating experience for us - Todd English's bluezoo! We had a very good meal there, and will definitely return!
On Friday, we hit the expo and picked up all of our race goodies! Friday evening, we went for carb up #1 at Ciao Italia. It wasn't the place we were looking for, but the food was good none the less. Back to the resort after dinner to take a nap!
EARLY on Saturday morning (3:00AM) we were up and out of the room, ready for the first race of the weekend - the Donald Half Marathon. For this race, Jill and I ran together, getting some good photos along the way! On Saturday night, it was time for carb up #2, and this time around we got it right - Fresco Cucina Italiana was a place we found on a previous trip (when looking for a carb up) and decided to go back to. The food here is great, the service, well, sucks. One waiter in particular actually - he was bad the last time we were here, and just as bad this time.
Sunday morning brought with it another early start, this time for the Chip and Dale Relay for Jill and the WDW Marathon for me. After the races, we went out with all of our racing friends to celebrate Della Riccardi's 50th birthday. On Sunday night, we had the honor of going out to dinner with Della and Paul at the Rose and Crown, complete with lagoon side seating so we could watch Illuminations! A great top off to a great weekend!
Monday we made our way slowly around the parks (a little sore and all). Monday evening we found ourselves at the Celebration Town Tavern (and we must have looked like we belonged there because they gave us the 'local resident' discount!). On Tuesday we made the most of our last day at 'home', having lunch at the San Angel Inn (better than it has been in the past!), before heading to MCO, flying direct to Allentown, then making the long drive back to Binghamton, arriving here after midnight at some point.