There's Magic in the Night

With Andrew's 13.1 miles under his belt, it's time to don his well-earned medal and head over to the Magic Kingdom for some fun, food, and Fantasyland.

The obligatory Main Street, USA shot in front of Cinderella's Castle

Something about DisneyWorld just makes Heather and Jack get a skip in their step.  Happens every time. 

Sadly, despite trying every time he passes by, Andrew has yet to be able to pull Excalibur from its stone.  He's persistent, though, so someday..... 

Connecting with Clan Scanlon in the newly opened piece of Fantasyland, with the Beast's castle providing the backdrop. 

Walking through the village when lo and behold!  Who did we encounter, but Gaston and Belle 

Heather quickly fell for the debonair and charming cad 

In fact, she positively swooned 

Gaston had no problem posing with Andrew, though he needed to show off the biceps that were more medal-worthy, apparently, than Andrew's 13.1 mile feat 

Game of Thrones- Jamie and Tywin

Hoisting an ale with Gaston and Lefou

Followed almost immediately by one of the Magical candied apples made by one of the creationists along Main Street

And of course, what would a visit to the Magic Kingdom be without a visit to the Magician behind the House of Mouse himself?

This being the hottest of the days, we thought we'd head back to the pool for a few so everyone could regenerate before the nightside, as well as the Marathon to follow the next day. 

And yeah, while it was sub 20 degrees back here in Massachusetts, this is what we had to contend with in Florida. Glorious for a January weekend. 

Rested up and recharged, it's back for another leg of the Magic Kingdom

Andrew, at one of the most photographed spots on the face of the Earth 

Because you're never to old for a ride in Dumbo 

Finally, it's off to Be Our Guest, the newest restaurant in the Disney line, inside the Beast's castle.  Heather escorted us in with our own Lumiere 

We were seated directly below the chandelier made famous in the classic Disney flick

My Beauty in the Grand Ballroom

My Beast in the West Wing

The Lord of the Castle made a point of stopping by our table on his way into the hall for dinner

And after a positively sumptuous meal, it was dessert time.  And naturally, the kids just had to try the grey stuff.  And yes, it's delicious.  And they didn't even have to ask anyone.

Finally, before heading out, it was time for a quick shot with the Lord of the Castle himself.  Really, he's not all that scary a guy once you take the time to talk to him.  And his restaurant really is Magical. 

Next up - 26.2 miles with some of the wildest characters we've ever run with!

Reach for the Sky!

Time for the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon, and Andy, or in this case, Sheriff Woody, is ready to represent the E Streeters in Toy Story style.

First though, his support team has to stage an episode of the Amazing Race, commandeering a taxi-cab, kidnapping a Disney employee and taking back roads and parking lots to help navigate around closed streets, half marathon runners, and multiple other obstacles.  In the end, it all paid off.

This leg of the face also featured some high-speed running from Heather and Jackie.  I would have had more pics, but they were running too fast.

Their Amazing hustle landed us primo viewing spots on Main Street, in front of Cinderella's castle, where we waited for our intrepid sheriff.

He meanwhile, was posing at the starting line over at EPCOT.

With some of his closest friends

Suddenly, from around the corner at town hall comes a riotous Andrew, inciting the crowd to hysteria, and running the most memorable 200 yards of his running career, cheered by thousands Running Right Down the Middle of Main Street, USA.

Over in Frontierland, he paused with his fellow sheriff

Andrew's chEAR squad, meanwhile, had moved over via monorail to the Finish Line at EPCOT

For his part, Andrew continued to pose with his buddies, checking in with Sarge for a Mission Report

Finally, one knee wrap later, Andrew hustled across the finish in style, finishing in the top 1,500 out of more than 20,000 runners!   Cue the confetti.

And just to prove that the Purple is everywhere, he bumped into fellow Holy Cross runner Kerry Dunne in the finish chute.  Bleeding Purple in Disney! 

Taking two for an ice-pack and to have the snake removed from his boot.

Then flashing a sweaty, medal-winning smile and thumbs' up

An amazing army of volunteers was at the ready, waiting for the onslaught of other finishers. 

Plenty of Powerade to be found

Finally, just like the sign says, this is where you go for buses from your mom 

And high-fives from your finish line fashionable sis 

And finally, back at the hotel, maybe he just can't wait to be king, but he just can't wait to crash after getting up at 3 a.m. for the half marathon, either! 

Huge props also to fellow runner Cherie Comeau, who EARmarked this half marathon half a year ago and spent most of 2013 training for it.  Sadly, I didn't get a chance to see her among the 21,000, so I don't have any pics to share, but she's got the bumps, bruises, and great memories to prove she was there!

Friends, Food and Fezzes Around the World

Take a break from the barely noticable snowfall and bone-biting wind chills for another trip down to warmer climes, where you can get away with wearing shorts and tee-shirts in January and hang out with characters a lot more savory than the ones you find roaming the streets 'round these parts.

It's time for a romp around the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow!

Andrew's got his date lined up for the Holy Cross formal

Beauty and the Beast, indeed.  She really rung Andrew's bell.

Two Beauties

Not far away, Angelina Jolie was ready to strike a magnificent Maleficent pose.

Lunch break, enjoying Fish and Chips in the United Kingdom.  Andrew might still be sitting there now if we hadn't made him get up

A smooch for my sweetie

Let the professionals take your pic, they'll make you look like a postcard

Alas, poor Yorick, Andrew can't ditch his Shakespeare geek even in Disney

We met up with Clan Scanlon again in Italy

Where Andrew and Heather contemplated a gondola ride

On to dinner!  Via Napoli, a more recent addition to the Italy pavilion was like home away from home for Andrew's appetite

Also home, I might add, to what he called the best pizza he's ever had.  He had to pay his compliments to the chefs.  And the brick oven ogres

Going for the more casual look, Heather had another Belle encounter

And then I bumped into a different belle, colleague and fellow Disney freak Julie Hay, making her way around the world with her beau John Robinson (and sporting Just Engaged pins to boot!)

Over in Morroco, the kids and I test the 11th Doctor's truism.  Turns out fezzes aren't cool on everybody.  Just the Doctor.

In case you're wondering where he's been, Heather found him at the fountain in Italy

And finally, because I know so many of you were frantically worried that it hadn't happened yet, Andrew did secure a famous Disney churro, so rest easy, everyone.  It's just the fuel he needs to help him motor through the Disney Half-Marathon just a few hours later.

Next up will be Sheriff Andy's 13.1 romp through the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.  Hopefully without a snake in his boots.