After surprising the kids at 4:00 a.m. that we were taking them to Disney we arrived at the airport, had breakfast there and boarded our plane. I heard that the Osborne Lights were being extended another few days into Wednesday so we had to change to a flight that had a connection in Baltimore. We landed in Baltimore and hung out at the airport for a little less than two hours, had lunch and then boarded the plan for Orlando.

Once we arrived in Orlando, we picked up our rental car and went to Target to get groceries for the week. The plan was to surprise the kids once again, with the arrival of my parents. As we left Target and were heading back towards the airport, my mom called pretending to be someone from the airport and told us that we forgot something. I told the kids we had to head back to pick it up. When we arrived at the airport the kids spotted my parents and were very surprised! I love tricking them with our surprises.

We dropped off our bags at the hotel and my mom, dad and I went to the Expo while my husband stayed with the kids so they could swim. We arrived to the expo around 5:00 p.m. and picked up my Dopey challenge gear, my mom’s 5K bib and the kids’ race bibs and shirts. I saw Mandy, Kenn and Diana at the Expo at the bib pickup. Mandy had a 5:00 appointment with New Balance and I also had one from earlier in the day and I really wanted to check out the shoes

We headed over there after picking up my mom and kids’ bibs and I saw Kenn and Mandy and Diana there too. I had to check in with my actual appointment time because there is a limit of 6 pairs of shoes that could be purchased per appointment. I tried on the Dumbo and Ariel children’s sized shoes and was able to purchase them at the lower price than the adult size shoes.

After the New Balance booth I went to the shirt exchange area to exchange my shirts. They always run narrow for me. Then my mom and I went to the official merchandise booth where I picked up the Anger Shirt from Inside Out, sweaty bands, a Dopey sweatshirt, a magnet, a wine glass and a water glass. I was so happy to see that they had things still there that are usually gone by the time I arrive to the expo.

After making our purchases, we had to rush back and eat a quick sandwich for dinner so we could go to the Osborne Lights. We knew they were on display from 5:45 to 9:00 and it was already 6:00. As we arrived towards Hollywood Studios there were signs directing us to Animal Kingdom because the parking lot was “full” at Hollywood Studios and we would have to take a bus from Animal Kingdom.

When we arrived at Hollywood Studios we had to activate our military tickets that my dad got and then we were inquiring on how to upgrade them. We lost a lot of time while standing at that ticket counter. When all was said and done it was 8:30 and we had to pay for a full park admission in order to see the lights. My parents decided to sit it out and would wait for us while having coffee outside the gates. It was painful to pay all that money for what we thought would only be a half hour of the lights.

We arrived to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights and the children loved the show! They had music playing to the lights so they were dancing and there was fake snow being blown down to the street from the rooftops. It was very fun. Someone was passing out 3-D glasses and it made the lights look like they were snow flakes! Thankfully when 9:00 came the lights were not turned off, they continued to play the music and the lights until park close. We left around 9:45 to take the bus back to Animal Kingdom. I was glad that I Was able to share that experience with the kids. I wished my parents were able to participate also; but I completely understand the cost factor involved, especially when retired and on a fixed income.

It was a very long day and my mom and I had to get back to get to sleep for the 5K the next morning. When we got back to the hotel, we got everyone situated and I went to bed while my husband took care of the kids. I believe i was in bed before 11:00. I knew the 5K started later than the rest of the races so we could get away with waking up at 4:00 and leaving the hotel by 5:00 for the 6:00 start. Especially since we weren’t in the front corrals.

It was a fun and long travel day and I was getting excited to get the races started.

Stay tuned for the recap of the 2016 WDW Marathon Weekend 5K!