Neverland Press

Restaurant Review: Woody’s Lunchbox

Eating at Woody’s Lunchbox was one of things I was most excited to do in Toy Story Land! The food looked delicious, the seating area was adorable, and I couldn’t wait to experience all of it! The small menu made it even easier to try all the things!

Breakfast

Our first visit was during morning Extra Magic Hours, and we knew we wanted to try breakfast. I was particularly excited to try the Lunch Box Tarts, so we got both the Raspberry (which is coated in strawberry fondant) and Chocolate-Hazelnut (coated in maple fondant and candied bacon). Both sounded wonderful, but were very, very sweet – even for this girl who has a super sweet tooth! My son liked them, but the rest of us were done after just a bite. These are reminiscent of a pop-tart, but are served all day as a dessert.

We also tried the Breakfast Bowl, which contained Potato Barrels (aka Tater Tots) smothered in Brisket Country Gravy with scrambled eggs on top. I like these things separately, but I wasn’t a huge fan once they started all getting mixed together. My husband liked it, but I would probably try something different next time. The S’more French Toast Sandwich is definitely on my list to try!

Lunch/Dinner

During our trip, we were fortunate enough to make two more trips back to Toy Story Land, and we tried almost everything on the lunch and dinner menu. You may have already heard that one menu item has been removed since the restaurant opened. There was originally a Monte Cristo sandwich on the menu, but it was quickly removed. The sandwich did not get good reviews, but the official cause of the removal is unknown.

The Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich was a favorite with our group! This grown-up grilled cheese features melted provolone and cheddar, along with a cheddar cheese spread on Garlic Bread. It was creamy and delicious, and I would definitely recommend!

My husband and son both enjoyed the BBQ Brisket Melt – sliced smoked brisket, cheese, pickles, and BBQ sauce on sourdough bread. The sandwich was big (my 12-year-old couldn’t finish his), flavorful, and they both agreed they’d eat it again. Available sides with this sandwich are Potato Barrels, Tomato-Basil Soup Dipper, Vegetable Macaroni Salad, or a Mandarin Orange.

My other favorite was the “Totchos” – definitely something I’d only eat on vacation! This was a bowl of Potato Barrels covered in beef and bean chili, shredded cheese and queso, with a sprinkling of corn chips, and topped with sour cream and green onions. Using the Mobile Ordering app (more on that in a minute), I was able to customize this exactly the way I wanted it.

The only entrée we didn’t try was the Smoked Turkey Sandwich, but from all accounts, this is just a typical turkey sandwich and nothing extraordinary.

Woody’s Lunchbox offers several fun drink options – Mystic Portal Punch, which has a base of Powerade Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon lime and tangerine. As you may have guessed, it is a green alien-themed drink, and for an extra charge, you can get it served in a cute souvenir cup with the claw and an alien. They also have classic root beer floats and your usual fountain beverages.

For the adults, there are several drink options including beer and hard cider. They also have a Grown-Up’s Lemonade that was absolutely delicious! It features Odwalla lemonade mixed with cherry vodka. If you’re using mobile ordering, you will also have the option to turn this refreshing drink into a float by adding a scoop of ice cream! This (currently) is not an option on the regular menu.

Photo of the Grown-Up Lemonade by the great Robert Schulz.

There are so many cute details around Woody’s Lunchbox, starting with the restaurant itself, which is literally a lunchbox propped open by a thermos! Our favorite is the table made from a note that Andy’s mom put in his lunchbox. Who doesn’t want to have dinner sitting on a huge piece of cheese? My boys absolutely loved this table.

All of the seating is outdoors, but there are umbrellas over the tables, which come in really handy when those “just an average summer day in Florida” thunderstorms roll in.

Mobile Ordering

Mobile ordering is like having a Fast Pass for a restaurant! Using the My Disney Experience app, you can select a restaurant and enter your entire order right from your phone. It allows you to customize your order if there are things you want to add or remove to an entrée. Best of all, it recognizes the Disney Dining Plan and will apply your credits accordingly. When you arrive at the restaurant, there is a button to press in the app to let them know you’re there so your food is prepared fresh.

Pro tip: click on any item to see a picture of it! You can also customize to make it just the way you want it. So easy!

I highly recommend using Mobile Ordering, especially when lines are long! There is a special counter for mobile orders, so you don’t have to wait through the regular line. It doesn’t seem like a whole lot of people are using this service yet, but I’m a big fan of anything that will save me time while I’m at the parks!

Final Thoughts

Hollywood Studios has historically been my least favorite park when it comes to dining options. Woody’s Lunchbox brings a much-needed breath of fresh air with some unique menu items. I will be interested to see if the menu will be changed or expanded at all in the upcoming months. This will definitely be a must-do for me, and a place I look forward to taking friends. The details are wonderful – each time I walked around, I noticed new things. Even if I wasn’t hungry, I’d be happy to stop for a Grown-Up Lemonade and enjoy the scenery!

Grab a friend and march on over to Woody’s Lunchbox!

Five Quick Tips for Traveling to Walt Disney World With a Large Group

Have you raved about Walt Disney World so much that your entire extended family has decided to come on your next trip? Are you planning a girls’ weekend for a dozen of your best friends? Traveling to Disney with a large group is quite different than your typical trip. However, with some careful planning, it can be just as successful!

Know Your Audience and Their Priorities

Are you traveling with small children who may need a mid-day break? Or with grandparents who need to take it at a slower pace? Teens who want to park hop from rope drop to fireworks? Take all of these factors into consideration, and understand that splitting up at some point during the trip may be necessary to maximize everyone’s needs, wants, and fun!

If you’re traveling with a group of friends, you may assume that you’ll all want the same thing. But you’ll find that ideas of “doing Disney” can wildly vary! Some friends may want to relax with a cocktail by the pool, while others are itching to spend the entire day at the park. Remember that just because you’re on vacation together doesn’t mean that every moment has to be spent together!

Find out must-do’s for each member of the party. Whether it’s a restaurant, a ride, shopping, or a specific character that they want to meet, everyone usually has something that they absolutely can’t miss. Knowing what everyone hopes to get out of their vacation will help you be a more efficient planner. If you know that Aunt Sarah is dreaming of spending a child-free evening drinking around the world, you’ll be able to figure out logistics in advance!

It will also be helpful to know what people don’t want to do. For example, if Grandma wants nothing to do with rollercoasters and Uncle Bob refuses to go shopping, you can plan accordingly to keep everyone happy. You should also find out if there are any allergies in your group. You don’t want to plan a seafood dinner if someone has a serious shellfish allergy!

Lunch with a view is great, but not when you have allergies!

If this is your family’s first trip and you aren’t sure what there is to do or what activities might be enjoyed by the various age groups, proceed directly to Tip #2, and then return to this one after some research is done.

Do Your Research!

Even if you’re a seasoned Walt Disney World veteran, you will still want to do a little research. Check crowd levels for your visit (my favorite sites for this are Touring Plans and Character Locator, but note that getting the most out of these sites requires a paid subscription) to see which park is ideal for each day, what the park hours are, and which parks have Extra Magic Hours. Check to see if any rides are under refurbishment – there’s nothing quite as sad as showing up at Splash Mountain, only to find out it’s going to be closed for the next month.

If this is your first trip, then I suggest getting a book that will outline every attraction and give you lots of helpful hints for guests of every age to get the most enjoyment out of their trip. I started with The Unofficial Guide and found it immensely helpful for my first trip! I also delved into any podcast I could find about trip planning, attractions, and WDW in general. There are also tons of ride videos on YouTube – these are a lot of fun to watch (for both kids and adults!) when prepping for a trip.

Be Ready to Make ADRs and Fast Passes!

Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) can be made 180 days in advance. That may sound like a ridiculously early time, but believe me when I say that the most in-demand restaurants fill up FAST.

If you’re not sure where to begin with choosing restaurants, menus can be found online at both the Walt Disney World site and Allears. The aforementioned books also offer lots of info regarding dining. If your party is extremely large, you may consider breaking into two groups for an easier time getting reservations.

If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you may make FastPasses 60 days prior to check in. Those staying off property may make their selections at 30 days. Important reminder: in order to make a FastPass, each member of your party must have a valid park ticket! You may want to set reminders for anyone who is waiting until the last minute to purchase their ticket. With exceptionally long wait times for the new rides in Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and with the opening of the new Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the end of this month, FastPasses are more important than ever!

Set Expectations

Once you’ve done your research and your plans have been made, you will want to communicate those plans to the rest of the group. Some people make spreadsheets (see Jacqueline’s easy and helpful spreadsheet here!), and some people create itineraries complete with photos and helpful hints. Others prefer to be more laid back and just rely on the My Disney Experience app.

If you’re expecting everyone in your party to be up and ready to make it to rope drop, let them know in advance! The more prepared everyone is before arrival, the more smoothly the trip will run. If you have less experienced travelers, let them know that they can expect lots of walking and need to wear appropriate footwear. Help them create a packing list, discuss dining plans, crowds, and weather. If you aren’t using a Disney Dining Plan and will be paying out-of-pocket for dining, make sure all members of your party are aware of those costs.

It takes some stamina to make it from rope drop to fireworks!

Be Willing to Compromise

Things can change quickly – someone may decide they’re too tired to continue at your pace, or they want to go somewhere different than you’d planned, or maybe they just don’t want to pose for the 27th PhotoPass magic shot of the day! Just remember that it’s okay to alter your plans or even cancel a reservation if need be (but do note that it needs to be canceled by 11:59pm the day prior to the reservation to avoid a fee).

There will always be things you cannot control, such as crowds, weather, and long lines. If your family is hot and tired and would rather go back to the resort to relax and recharge at the pool, be willing to divert from your schedule for a break. A little R&R might be just what they need to go full speed the next day! FastPasses can be modified in the app (if a later time is available), and standing in lines will be a lot more fun if everyone is happy!

Sometimes a mid-day pool break is in order!

Planning a trip for a crowd can be intimidating, especially if you’re the one in charge of all the details! But with proper planning and the right attitude, it can be an unforgettable trip! Pack your patience, and remember that if all else fails, you can head to Epcot and drown your Disney sorrows in delicious margaritas!

Bon Voyage-a Character Breakfast Review!

Whenever Disney debuts a new dining experience, it’s a big deal. But when that dining experience is a character breakfast featuring two beloved Disney Princesses and their guys, well-let’s just say everyone is pretty excited!

Tangled and The Little Mermaid come to life!

That’s exactly what happens when Trattoria al Forno transforms itself into the Bon Voyage Adventure breakfast from 7:30 am to 11:00 am every morning! Featuring Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder (Eugene for you purists!) from Tangled, and Ariel and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, Bon Voyage is the new go-to breakfast destination!

Getting There

Located right on Disney’s BoardWalk, Trattoria al Forno is very easy to get to. Kind of. Sort of. (Depends on where you’re coming from.) LOL!

A view of Disney’s BoardWalk from the restaurant.

It’s a short walk or boat ride if you are staying at a BoardWalk resort such as Beach and Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin, or of course Disney’s BoardWalk, but if you are staying anywhere else on site, you need to make a plan. Shuttle buses only run from resorts to Parks, not resort to resort. You could take a bus from your resort to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios, but then you would still have to walk or wait for a boat.

Your best bet? Download the Lyft app if you don’t already have it and arrange for one of those adorable “Minnie Vans” to transport you for just $20! You’ll be happy, as Disney advises you to give yourself a full hour if using their transportation, and that’s a pretty early wake-up call for a 7:30 reservation!

Disney’s Minnie Vans use Lyft, similar to Uber.

Lucky for us, we were coming straight from the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, so we were able to board a bus from the Epcot parking lot and get dropped off right in front of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! (And boy, were we hungry!)

Check In

It was easy to find and we walked right in. Directly to our left was the hostess stand and we gave our name. It was quick and there was no line.

To our right was a mobile gift shop…with everything a little Prince or Princess might want! Ariel and Rapunzel princess dresses, Flounder and Pascal plush, dolls, light up toys and even some swords and hats!

The waiting area was spacious and beautiful, but we weren’t there long at all…they called us to be seated right away!

The Venue

The room was big, with high ceilings and chandeliers. Most of the tables were full when we arrived for our reservation time of 10:30…breakfast was in full swing!

On one wall was a beautiful lighted display of crystal and dishes behind glass. The center of the cabinet was filled with silver candlesticks, teapots and platters…all recovered from “under the sea”. 😉 No tables were set up against it, so guests are free to walk up and take a closer look.

The other wall featured their large, open air kitchen. It was bright, clean and bustling with activity.

We were seated promptly and given a table for four…room to spread out! The table was warm wood and the chairs upholstered. Pretty comfy! (Especially after running 13.1 miles!)

The Menu and Service

Our server was personable, and promptly brought us coffee and juice, included in the cost of the prix fixe menu. ($34 for ages 10 and over, $20 for ages 3-9) I needed that coffee!

The menu is basically set up as three courses. The first course consists of a plate of pastries for the table to share. The second course is a fruit salad that everyone in your party is served individually. The third course is the main entree you choose from the seven themed choices, most egg-based.

Every table was also given this Bon Voyage Adventure Journal. This was very cute, and I know my two children will enjoy this when we bring them during our April trip! The front had dates of travel and a place for them to write their name. When you open up the trifold journal, there were places to share your favorite Disney character, ride, show, snack and souvenir! A very cute keepsake souvenir to take home!

For Everyone to Share

I am a sucker for presentation, and the selection of pastries did not disappoint! Five different pastries were presented in a small frying pan…yes, a la Rapunzel braining Flynn! Three were themed, and all were delicious! We were asked multiple times if we would like more of any particular one.

This was both of our favorites-Rapunzel’s sun sugar cookie! It was buttery and flaky, and dusted with powdered sugar. (I regretted almost immediately not taking advantage of enjoying a second one!)

The next pastry mimicked Rapunzel’s braid. This was big and could definitely be shared by two people! It was good, too…the brown areas seemed to be cinnamon and maybe even small seeds.

The final themed pastry was Ariel’s clamshell. It tasted like it had an almond filling, with a tiny candied “pearl” on top. Too cute!

The empty frying pan inspired me to purchase one of those mini frying pans from the supermarket aisle to bring with us next time, along with some metallic Sharpie pens! Though the characters have been presenting signature cards, they will sign upon request-how cute would that be?

Second Course

The fruit salad was just the right size, and served individually. It had enough recognizable fruit that everyone in your party should be able to find at least something they like! The day we were there it featured grapes, honeydew and cantaloupe melon and blackberries. They use fruit in season- I’ve also seen strawberries, raspberries and pineapple! You could request seconds, as well!

Entrees

All seven entrees have clever, themed names like King Triton’s Shipwreck al Forno and Tower of Pancakes. Most were predictably egg-based, but not all. The Tower of Pancakes was impressive-a stack of fluffy pancakes topped with powdered sugar in the shape of a sun. It came with bacon (or sausage) and fruit compote, but my friend noticed that someone else had fresh fruit with theirs, instead. They were happy to make the substitution!

I ordered King Triton’s Shipwreck al Forno. It was billed as a calzone with soppressata, bacon, sausage, blend of cheeses and Sunday gravy. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting, but I was surprised that the calzone was actually an omelet. I was also surprised that the “Sunday gravy” was red, and not brown! (What kind of Italian am I, anyway??)

Even though it was my error, not theirs, our server was very gracious about switching out my entree at my request. This time I ordered Two Eggs Poached Underwater, which featured fennel sausage, Sunday gravy and parmesan cheese over golden polenta with toasted focaccia. This was much more to my liking…and yes, this picture was snapped one second before I almost dumped my breakfast! (No eggs were harmed during this blog post!)

Traveling with little ones? Children ages 3-9 have their own menu, with an additional four entrees, including Mickey Waffles! The other entrees include egg white omelettes, scrambled egg substitute and flapjacks. Have a picky eater? No problem! There were plenty of requests for regular scrambled eggs, eggs over easy, sunny side up, you name it!

Character Interactions

As expected, the character interactions were great, even as two adults with no children. Each character meets separately, and Ariel was the first to join us. She was wearing her “legs” outfit…her seafoam green dress.

Prince Eric came next. His costume was really impressive-very detailed! We didn’t spend a lot of time with each character, as we didn’t need anything signed (and again, were two adults!), but they were happy to interact. From what we could see, they were great with the kids!

Rapunzel was next, and she was super sweet and cute, but we were really waiting for…

Flynn Ryder! LOL! Everyone’s favorite rogue prince did not disappoint! Funny, cute, and totally in character. (Ask him about his pocketbook…he loves to talk about his satchel!)

Speaking of satchels, don’t forget to ask Flynn-Eugene, if you prefer, to show you what’s inside. Yup-that’s what you think it is-Rapunzel’s crown!

Hitting the Parks

It’s much easier to get out than get in! If you are heading to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, it’s as simple as walking out the door and lining up for the boat service right on the BoardWalk! Disney’s BoardWalk buses can take you directly to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. If you have to return to your on-site hotel, however, you would need to first go to the closest park and then board your resort bus from there.

Waiting for the boat to take us to Hollywood Studios!

All in all, we found the cost more than justified for the delicious meal, hard to find characters and fun interactions. I cannot wait to take my family here for breakfast in April! We have a 7:35 ADR and plan to spend the rest of the day at Blizzard Beach. Until then, Bon Voyage from the BoardWalk!

Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT with her husband, two children and cat, Rocky Road. She is an autism mama, runDisney enthusiast and new AP holder. You can follow her on Facebook at Neverland Press and on Instagram as @morphingintominnie.

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Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage – a Night of Adventure on the High Seas!

A few years ago, we took our oldest son (who is now 12), on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage. It was an absolutely magical night. The character interactions were wonderful, the Electric Water Pageant was great, and watching Wishes from the water was perfect. It was one of those unforgettable Disney nights that we still talk about, years later.

This year, when we decided to celebrate our youngest son’s fourth birthday at Walt Disney World, we knew that this would be a perfect way to celebrate! We booked our tickets, got the birthday boy a Captain Jake costume, and we were all set to sail!

The Pre-Party

The adventure begins at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. We arrived early and were checked in by Cast Members and then given a scavenger hunt to complete in the lobby of the resort while we waited for the event room to open. Once completed, our little buccaneer got to pick out a small prize. At this point, we were given our pirate bandanas and allowed to enter the party.

Check-in area – the main room was blocked off until party time!

There were lots of food and drinks to choose from – ice cream bars (Mickey’s ice cream sandwiches and popsicles – I was disappointed that there were no Mickey bars!), fruit (bananas, oranges, and apple slices), small bags of pretzels and popcorn, chips and salsa, and two kinds of cake. There were also chocolate doubloons and cotton candy, which many people were taking to snack on later. The drink selection included lemonade, punch, coffee, and tea. I wasn’t super excited about any of these options – I would’ve loved a soda!

The kids thought the cotton candy was better than treasure!

Healthier options – fruit, pretzels, and popcorn.

Captain Hook and Smee soon made their appearance! They posed for pictures with a backdrop (and there was a PhotoPass photographer), then roamed around the room, interacting with the kids. Everyone had ample opportunity to take pictures and get silly with the pirates. The first time we attended, I remember the characters playing games with the kids, but this time, they just walked around and interacted.

After about 30 minutes, the guests were rounded up and prepped for heading out to the boat. Our pirate guide, Patch, was excellent! They chose a couple of kids to carry flags and the characters led us outside. After a quick group photo with all of the kids, we arrived at our boat!

The Cruise

Each family was assigned a row on the boat. I have no idea how the assignments were made, but I would strongly suggest trying to request a seat on the left-hand side of the boat when you call to make your reservation! The view on that side was much better.

It was just approaching twilight, and it was absolutely beautiful out on the water! While we cruised toward our destination, Patch entertained us with Disney trivia, a sing-along, and lots of jokes. He made sure everyone was laughing – it was a festive party atmosphere! It was so cool to see familiar landmarks from a new perspective!

We reached our destination just a few minutes before the fireworks began. This was my first time (but certainly not my last!) seeing Happily Ever After. The music was played on the boat, and we had a spectacularly unique view!

The only negative thing I can say about the entire experience is that there were times when our view was blocked by railings on the boat. The people seated on the left hand side wouldn’t have had this issue, but we still had a really cool view! I found myself leaning up and almost sitting on my knees to get a view above the railings.

Once the show was over, we headed back to shore for one more surprise. We didn’t get to see the Electric Water Pageant this time, so I’m guessing that doesn’t always coincide with the time of the cruise. But, even better, Peter Pan was waiting for us on the dock! He led us to a spot at the end of the dock where he took time to meet everyone and take pictures. It was a great ending to a fun night!

The cost of the fireworks cruise is currently around $72 for adults and $43 for children under 10. It’s a pricey adventure, but if you’re looking for a special way to celebrate a special occasion or just add a little extra magic to your trip, I think this is a great way to do it. You get fireworks, desserts, characters, and a boat ride – this seems like a better value than just going to a dessert party. It’s an evening that can be enjoyed by the entire family, and one that I would definitely do again.

Five Reasons to Hit Your runDisney Corral Early!

You registered for your runDisney race! Your proof of time is submitted! You secured your travel plans, grabbed your bib at the Expo, even laid out your clothes the night before! Now the only thing you have to do is show up in your corral right before your race starts, right? Right?? Well…not so fast!

“Flat Jacqueline” ready for the Frozen 5K!

It’s almost comical watching the dawning realization cross a new runDisney runner’s face when they start doing the backwards math…okay, race starts at 5:30 a.m. Buses run from 3:00 to 4:30, but they recommend getting on the bus no later than 4:00 to guarantee getting to your corral on time. I need an hour to shower, dress, tape up, fuel and hydrate. (More if your routine includes some specialized costuming like incorporating props or facepaint, adding a “tattoo” or donning a wig. Yes-those are real things!!) Don’t forget quality bathroom time, too! 😉

Before…my daughter realizing she had to wake up in the middle of the night.

So, do you really need to get to your corral THAT early? The answer is a resounding yes! Here are the Top Five Reasons you want to be in your corral hours before the sun rises…remember-the early Donald gets the worm!

Characters also stick around after the race for those coveted medal shots!

5. Travel Time and Last Minute Emergencies

You’ve heard the mantra-Hope for the best, prepare for the worst! It applies to runDisney, too! We have been extremely lucky with bus service from Pop Century, never waiting more than a few minutes for a bus. With its single stop, it’s not uncommon to fill the bus quickly or even have a second bus already waiting! We had to wait a bit longer the one time we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside with its multiple bus stops, but got there with time to spare, too. Others, however, report that bus service can be hit or miss, so shoot for an earlier bus!

Pop Century’s bus transportation is great!

Once you get off your bus, you start logging your miles…but not your race miles! LOL! You have to walk through the parking lot with hundreds of people, have your bag inspected, go through gear check and locate your corral. It all takes time, and it’s not uncommon to log your first mile this way!

Sometimes you have a last minute situation that needs to be addressed. Say your flight was delayed, causing you to miss the Expo the day before. You need to leave time to go to Runner Relations to pick up your bib the morning of the race. This service is not advertised, but is a courtesy currently offered to runners in the event of an emergency. Make sure you have your license and signed waiver-though they can help you out with this as well!

Masses of people…don’t leave anything to chance!

At Wine & Dine, if you were running the challenge, they gave you your bib, but also a bracelet to indicate you’re participating in the Two Course Challenge since you weren’t able to get your picture taken at the Expo. Same with t-shirts…you have to go to the Expo to pick them up afterward! And you can always grab some safety pins here if you need them, too! (Remember-no guarantees…this service could be discontinued at any time, so only take advantage of this if you really need it!)

Delayed flight means early morning bib pick up!

It’s also a good idea to keep a little bit of cash on you just in case! Most runDisney races have a table where you can buy a cup of coffee pre-race. I’m not brave enough to do this, but many do! They also have a large water station, typically set up by the corrals. This is complimentary and a great way to ensure you are properly hydrated. Since I usually travel late and have all my liquids confiscated, I often feel under hydrated and am very grateful for this service! (Though both of these could lead to needing #3…again!)

4. On-Site Entertainment

I remember showing up for our very first runDisney event-the Frozen 5K back in February 2015 for Princess Weekend. (The theming wasn’t just Frozen…it was an unseasonably cold 37 degrees! Brrrr!) We were bright-eyed and bushy tailed…and took advantage of our early arrival to do it all! There were all kinds of photo ops (more on that later!) and a DJ leading a dance party! We answered trivia questions, did popular group dances, sang along, took selfies…anything to stay warm! It was tons of fun!

Announcer Rudy Novotny chats up Elsa and Crew!

Though we have not been as ambitious since (I think we were on that very first bus!) we always try to leave enough time to take it all in!

DJs spinning music and revving up the crowd!

3. Porta-Potty Row

The bane of runners everywhere…the dreaded porta-potties! No one likes having their routine disrupted, and runners are no exception! Whether your body clock is off, you’re experiencing nerves or are just over-hydrated, the porta-potties are in high demand! Even though runDisney does a great job of supplying hundreds of units, thousands of runners are vying for them! Lines can get loooong, so you don’t want to wait too long! They do move relatively quickly, and there are more porta-potties closer to the corrals, so it’s always a good idea to keep moving towards the farthest ones for the shortest waits!

2. Fun Photo-Ops

This is the best reason to get to your corral early! There are so many great opportunities for fun photo ops! First, themed race characters are available with Photopass photographers before every race! Lumiere was on hand last November for his Two Course Challenge during Wine & Dine Weekend, and this year Mickey and Minnie were the stars of the show in their chef gear! Since the lines get very long, and they’re strict about ending the character meets in time for runners to make their corrals, I chose to wait in a shorter line to see Chip and Dale, who were adorable in their aprons. I was one of the last runners to meet them-but don’t worry-they’re also available for pictures after the race as well!

In addition, Photopass photographers are roving around, and will happily snap pictures of you and your friends before, you know, you get all sweaty! You don’t need a magic band or card of any kind…as long as your bib number is visible you can link your photos to your account on the My Disney Experience app. (Directions how to do this are clearly stated on the back of your bib!!)

Finally, pre-corral is a great time to take your own photos and selfies! It’s crazy…you wouldn’t believe how often, despite the literally thousands of people, you run into people you know-often from all around the country! Running Club members, runDisney peeps, Facebook friends, Instagram followers…it’s unbelievable! It’s also fun to take pics with other runners dressed in similar themes, or just totally fan-girl over some of the more epic costumes people create!

Some Princesses from our Fabulous and Fantastic Corral F Facebook running page!

Epic-the first year of the “Princess Men”!

1. Corral Placement

First, you have to get to your corral. During Wine & Dine Weekend, the corrals are relatively close together, so you can accomplish this easily. For larger races like Princess and Marathon Weekend, there are more corrals and more people in each corral. That means you sometimes have quite a long trek to find your corral. (And if you closed down Hollywood Studios after partying at Club Villain the night before your Half Marathon, the walk seems endless…!)

My first ever-Fabulous and Fantastic Corral F!

They will also check your bib to see if you’re in the right corral, so leave time for that, too. Remember, you can always go back to join a friend in a later corral, but you can’t move forward! And if you’re not in your proper corral before they start the transition walk to the starting line, you’ll have to fall back to a later corral. All that work for your proof of time-don’t chance it!!

Corral D selfie before the Wine & Dine Half!

Regardless of your corral, there are advantages to being as close as possible to the front of it! As each corral takes off, those in front have the best view of the starting line, the announcers and the fireworks! Now that they release each corral in mini-waves, more people get to experience this!

Mini-waves are runDisney’s attempt to consolidate the corrals. For example, the Princess Half Marathon used to have corrals that stretched from letters A-P…that’s sixteen corrals! This year they only have eight, corrals A-H. Less corrals equals more people in each corral. Instead of everyone starting at once from any given corral, two volunteers will divide the crowd with a rope, and walk that group right up to the starting line.

It’s so fun to see your friends up on the big screen!

Doesn’t seem like a big deal until you do the math. This year for Princess, Corrals C, D and E have about 2,000 people each. It is speculated that each of those corrals will include two mini-waves. But what if you’re in Corral F? There are almost 10,000 Princesses there!! It is speculated that they’ll be released in six mini-waves. This is huge!! With possibly eight waves spaced out between Corrals A-E, your position in Corral F could place you in the ninth mini-wave if you’re right in front, or as far back as the 14th mini-wave if you’re all the way in the back! The final two Corrals will have less people and less mini-waves, but this logic applies to every corral-so stake your spot out early!

Also, starting in front of your corral means that you have open road in front of you, at least for a little while! No crowds, no bottlenecks! Establishing your pace, finding your groove and stopping for characters is a little bit easier!

Still dark, and no bottlenecks through Animal Kingdom!

Getting to your corral earlier also allows you to position yourself strategically. When I run intervals, I like to place myself at the right side. This allows me to easily transition from running to walking just by raising my arm and moving a few steps to the right. If I am running straight through (and by “straight through” I mean only stopping for characters!) I like to be front and center!

Front of your corral can mean shorter character lines!

If you are in a farther corral or concerned about the 16 minute mile requirement, being at the front of your corral gives you an additional buffer between yourself and the Balloon Ladies, too. These ladies (which can actually be women and men!) are the last people to cross the start line and walk the course maintaining a consistent 16 minute mile…you just have to stay in front of them and you’ll have your Finishers Medal in no time!

Okay, your teeth are brushed and your “Flat” is laid out-time to set the alarm and go to sleep! Have Siri wake you at 3:00 and set a back-up for 3:15…maybe even ask the Front Desk to call if you’re worried about oversleeping! (And good luck if you’re doing this two, three, even four days in a row!!) Keep the Visine handy and fuel up-you’re going to need it to rock your runDisney race! Just remember to get to your corral on time!

Finisher! You did it! Now go take your nap…!

Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT with her husband, two children and cat, Rocky Road. She is a runDisney enthusiast, new AP holder and autism mama. You can follow Jacqueline on Instagram at @neverlandpress and @morphingintominnie.

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