The Long Walk-26.2 Miles of Dopey Fun

The Age-Old Running Question

Can you walk the (insert runDisney race) without being swept? Visit any runDisney Facebook page or social media forum and you will see this question asked hundreds of times, especially as challenge weekends loom and nerves build. And people ask for lots of reasons…first time runners, life events, lack of training, injuries, illness, corral placement. But the stakes are even higher for Dopey-four races over four days totaling 48.6 miles.

The problem was…I didn’t realize I would soon know the answer first-hand, and that answer was YES!

If you can dream it, you can do it!

Walt-We Have a Problem!

About halfway through the Half Marathon, I felt some pain on the outside of my left knee. It was simply a nuisance at first…didn’t affect my speed or my gait-I didn’t even think to tell my running friend, Meghan. From Corral D we easily made the castle by dark and I just assumed the pain would subside.

The calm before the (overused IT band) storm…

It didn’t. The last five miles had longer and longer walk intervals, and shorter running ones. The pain was sharper and more acute. I could have favored one leg if I allowed myself. I knew I was going to need a plan to tackle the full on Sunday, another 26.2 miles on top of the 23.9 I’d already run over the last three days. (If my math seems faulty it’s only because I logged an extra 1.4 miles…I wanted to run a full 50 miles to celebrate my 50th birthday this past November!) LOL!

Proactive Prep

I was hopeful I could get myself set up for success for the full marathon the next morning. We rolled and buffed (Yes, my friends and I travel with a handheld car buffer-our economy version of the Expo’s BFF!). I taped. We agreed to shorten our intervals from the 1:30/:30 the day before to :30/:30. It wasn’t enough.

I was so nervous I even checked my ears-a first.

We crossed the start line and I did two rounds of intervals. I knew immediately-the stopping and starting was not going to work. I think my exact words to my friend Jess were, “Just go. You actually have a shot of finishing this thing.” It seems overdramatic-but the wear of tear of four days of running combined with the four early wake-ups inspires doubt in the best of us. I wasn’t the only one questioning if I would be able to finish.

And it was a feeling I’d had once before…when I ran the Glass Slipper Challenge with Bronchitis and Walking Pneumonia (read about that here!) But this time was different-it was my legs versus my lungs, the distance was doubled and the Dopey Challenge medal was on the line.

Miles 1-5: Castle Bound

One of the perks of walking-all my pics came out nice and clear!

Once I resigned myself to walking and I knew I wasn’t holding my friends back, my new plan was easier to accept. I was still nervous, though. I had no idea of knowing how long my knee would hold up. Luckily, I also had some great friends spectating, and they were tracking both me and the Balloon Ladies. (They are the last runners to cross the start line, and maintain a 16 minute mile. If they pass you at any point on the course you are in danger of being swept.) I was already at mile 3 when they began, and that was the biggest lead I had all day.

My first goal was hitting the castle, so I chose to pass character stops for Pirates, Guardians of the Galaxy and Zootopia characters, as these were all ones I’d met on previous runs and trips. My only stop was for a real bathroom at the TTC location!

Last mile marker before Magic Kingdom!

Magic Kingdom-One Magical Mile

Entering the Magic Kingdom was a huge boost! It was gorgeous all lit up and still decorated from Christmas, which was a surprise. The crowds were amazing with all their clever signs, and it made me want to break into a run. It was hard to walk in front of a cheering crowd!

This moment never stops being special or surreal…!

The best was yet to come though…I had two things to look forward to-Cinderella Castle and my friends cheering for me on Main Street, USA!!!

Cheering crowds as we make our way down Main Street, USA!

I was thrilled to see Jess and Sharon right by Casey’s Corner! They assured me I was doing great and would be able to stay ahead of the Balloon Ladies at my current pace. I just had to keep it up. Just love my runDisney peeps!

Jess and Sharon-runDisney cheerleaders extraordinaire!

It was noticeably lighter than the day before by the time I reached the castle. I also knew I was only going to get slower once the sun came out and the miles piled up. I had to make a decision about characters. Though I love my photos and character stops are my weakness, I decided I would only stop IF the line was extremely short (under ten people) or it was a rare character I’d never met before.

Cinderella Castle lit up in the early morning hours-perfection.

I passed Buzz in Tomorrowland, but I was thrilled to see this guy in Fantasyland! It was Ulf-the mime from Tangled!! I was so excited, and shocked that there were only five people in line! Maybe they didn’t know who he was?? This was my favorite character stop of the entire race!!

Doing “jazz hands” with Ulf-the mime from Tangled!

I walked through the castle (it really took restraint) and I got the requisite castle pic. I knew better than to try my trademark jump-I needed to play it safe with twenty (twenty!!!!) miles still in front of me. It wasn’t hard to pass on a character stop in Frontierland with Woody and Jessie, as I got Bullseye the day before, but passing on the male villains was harder-when do you ever get to see Dr. Facilier and Jafar together? The line was simply too long.

No jump pic today…have to show a little restraint!

Miles 6-13: Grand Floridian and Highway

The next stretch was highway, but had plenty of photo ops to keep it interesting and mark the passage of time. First stop were the groomsmen. They represent the Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian. Just the day before we were cracking jokes about “bad girls” (I was dressed as Maleficent for the Half) but today just a quick smile and moving on!

The Groomsmen from the Grand Floridian! Not too shabby!

Starting in Corral D and only stopping for three photos up to this point meant I still had a ton of people behind me. Perfect time to stop for these fun photo ops with no line! First up were retired ride vehicles! Loved seeing the sub from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea-so nostalgic-loved this ride from my childhood! Also represented was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and Star Jets. Star Jets??? Then some interesting busts (never quite figured these out) and the iconic Orange Bird!

Seeing the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues was particularly nostalgic!
Mardi Gras? Haunted Mansion? Hmmm….
My daughter and I are both big fans of Orange Bird!

The sun was also still low enough in the sky not to be a factor, so I stopped for this fun photo op with the Adventurers Club. They were mic’d up and pretty funny…he quipped how I wasn’t doing that bad, but I wasn’t doing that great, either! That got some laughs from the crowd, and reminded me I needed to keep moving!

Oh how I wished that oversized Martini was real…! LOL!

As a Disney fanatic, I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know who Bowler Hat Guy was. But I did know this was a rare appearance and a very short line, so I stopped to meet him. I did rectify this as soon as I got home…watching Meet the Robinsons with my kids. What a great movie! *sniff*

Not sure what my pose is supposed to be (?) but still funny!

Animal Kingdom-A Wild Mile!

Hitting mile 13 means things were starting to get real! The sun was up and it had already taken me close to four hours to get to the half way point. By now I was hitting each and every medical tent-loading up on Biofreeze and taking the maximum number of Tylenol. (They mark your hand with a Sharpie so you can’t request too many!) The knee was twingy but holding up. I was tired though…I could feel the last few days catching up with me.

Sunglasses came out for the first time just outside the AK entrance.

I was still excited to see this frame opportunity right before the entrance to Animal Kingdom, though! There was also an animal handler a few paces away but the line was too long. I know my friends got some great shots with donkeys and exotic birds, depending on when they passed by! I was also pretty excited to see the ostrich from Fantasia-with no line!

A rare character AND a nonexistent line-a win win!

This is where I started to get a little in my head. One of the perks of running the full is that if you time it just right, you can ride Expedition Everest during your race. It was something I was really excited about and planned to do. Except I never saw it, or even thought about it. (Which was good considering the narrow margin at which I finished!!)

I was starting to get preoccupied. If there was a photo op by the Tree of Life, I don’t remember that either. When I stopped for this photo-I wasn’t quite sure who they were…Lion King or Festival of Fantasy parade performers? (They were in fact parade performers from the Little Mermaid section.) I had started to go on autopilot.

Sure, I’ll pose with you ladies, whoever you are!

Miles 14-18: We’re on a Road to Nowhere

There was an awesome surprise waiting for me in the parking lot just outside Animal Kingdom at mile 14-the parking lot was filled with cheering spectators-including my friends! Jess and Sharon had been joined by our friend, Jenn, and hearing them call out my name was pure joy! It was great to grab a selfie, some sweaty hugs (mine) and assurance that I was still well ahead of the Balloon Ladies, though the lead was narrowing.

All of these girls are multiple Dopey finishers-I’m not worthy!

Another awesome perk was all the organized cheer groups-many of which were offering runners snacks! I’m pretty sure I remember stuffing chocolate (Twix, KitKats?) in my pockets-but I had my eye on the prize-someone was handing out jello shots!! I was ridiculously excited to see these and pretty sure I remember choosing green to match my Dole Whip outfit. I really wasn’t thinking clearly at this point. LOL! A fellow runner and I sucked these down together-instant bonding! Cheers!

I’ve always had a weakness for jello shots…!

Pride is a funny thing. I had always coveted the race photos I saw with the Grave Diggers, Haunted Mansion-style, and this was my chance! Common sense told me to stay upright, but no, I couldn’t pass up on this ultimate photo op! Getting down was easy, and I remember popping up as if I was perfectly fine. (Nothing to see here…!) It cost me for sure…but I didn’t regret it. I still don’t!

The Grave Diggers claim their next victim!

Once I exited the parking lot, it was highway. Miles and miles of highway. Miles of up and backs with nothing to really break up the monotony. Now walking in full sun, no shade. Tired. Knee hurting. No characters. Too much time to think…

This was the first time it occurred to me that walking, even brisk walking, is very different from slow running. I trained to run 26 miles, not speed walk 26 miles!! It is a very different skill that uses totally different muscles! I was now “running” a race I hadn’t trained for. It was humbling.

Pluto doing some “excavating” at the construction site!

By the time I realized I probably should have put on sunscreen the medical tents had run out. It was okay-I was still a frequent flier with my Biofreeze fix. Pluto was a sight for sore eyes when I finally saw him around Mile 18 with no line. I was now headed for ESPN’s Wide World of Sports for the first time ever!

Miles 18-20: ESPN’s Wide World of Suck

I didn’t coin that phrase-a veteran Dopey friend did, and I have to say I didn’t buy in. Initially. With the exception of picking up my bib, I had never spent any time at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. I was excited to see something new-and anything that wasn’t highway miles! What was really cool was that it was an up and back…as we were entering the Sports Complex, you could see all the runners ahead of you pouring out! (This is an important part of my narrative…and contributes to the “suck” factor!)

The first nice touch were the wet sponges! It was hot, and a Heat Advisory had been issued for the day of the race. Walking instead of running meant I was spending a lot more time on my feet in the heat of the day, but it also meant I was expending less energy. Luckily, I love the heat and was not uncomfortable. My friends poke fun at me for running with my hair down, but even that felt okay. I did not use my sponge (and mess up my hair and outfit??) but I did take one for a photo op…my runDisney friends and I have an inside joke about, what else?…sponge baths. LOL!

Time for your sponge bath, Bergatroids!

There were some super cute character interactions along the course here, including Mickey and Donald in referee gear and Goofy in sportswear. The lines were longer here than for other meets, so I only stopped for my Home Girl, Minnie. This was also the last time I remember having my readers. (see hand) LOL! Turning 50 means readers in your Sparkle Skirt pockets are a necessity if you want to read anything!!

My Sparkle Skirt pockets are seriously like Mary Poppin’s carpet bag-they have everything in them!

I had met Joy and Sadness from Inside Out before, but since there was no line I jumped in. My expression here says I’m over it. Still more joy than sadness, though.

Still more Joy than Sadness twenty miles in…but not much!

The last lap through ESPN had us running (walking) through the stadium. That was pretty cool and some runners were called out by name! Some wonderful spectators were camped out by the exit, and I helped myself to both a mini-Coke and a handful of potato chips. Omg sooo good!!!!

A nice distraction…walking through ESPN’s stadium.

The moment of truth was coming, though. As I exited Wide World of Sports, I saw something that struck fear in my heart. There was no runner traffic coming in the opposite direction. None. The road was deserted. No one was entering ESPN because sweeps were happening. The party buses were making their rounds. I had to face the reality that the Balloon Ladies could catch up with me. I may not be able to finish this race.

Miles 20-25: Hollywood Studios Bound… Freak Out Edition

The three miles between ESPN and Hollywood Studios were stressful ones. I kept turning my head to look over my shoulder to make sure there were people behind me. I had been on my feet for over five and a half hours. No sign yet of the Balloon Ladies-but I saw something even scarier. The medics on bikes. I was officially a back-of-the-packer.

They started to check on runners…asking them if they were okay. I literally avoided eye contact. On one hand, I was feeling something close to shame, but on the other hand, understood there was a legitimate need to keep close tabs on us, bringing up the rear for so many different reasons! One guy stopped to change his music and they approached-he hustled right back on the course. I remember increasing my pace as well. Show no weakness!

Still feeling strong despite a long day in the sun!

I finally entered Hollywood Studios around mile 23. It was either a blur or we only traveled through a small section of the park because I don’t remember much at all. I do remember posing with the Incredibles right inside the park. (When you’re already walking and there’s no line it’s literally a drive-by…taking up seconds, not minutes!) I was feeling strong here, and relieved to be off those empty highways!

Feeling like the end could (finally!) be in sight!

Relegated to a much narrower course, there was comfort in being part of a bigger group again, compared to how spread out we were on the highway. In this photo in front of the Chinese theater you can see plenty of people behind me, as well as one of the infamous bike medics! Could I pull this off?

Miles 25-26.2: Epcot-the Holy Land

One short highway mile and I was finally, finally in Epcot! It was a rush-pure joy! At this point I was pretty much guaranteed my medal-all of my medals-as long as I didn’t blow out my knee!

Nothing short of a disaster could take me off the course at this point!

There were various Princesses (Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White) meeting in their respective countries, but I wasn’t even tempted to stop. Epcot had already opened to the public and the lines, while short, were a mix of runners and park goers. I had a very different stop to make that was top priority!

Team Margarita…with SALT!

A few miles before, I noticed my hands felt sore, and hurt when I clenched them. They had become swollen from the heat and water retention. The salt chews I used only got me so far…what I needed was a MARGARITA!!

Best. Day. Ever!!!

Enter Team Margarita! As I rounded World Showcase, I made a quick stop in Mexico. My bib number was checked, and my pre-paid Margarita (with salt!!) was handed over. So grateful for this group who organized this genius idea online!! Absolute Nirvana!!!

That is one happy runner in front of Spaceship Earth!

My mood was 100% turned around! Margarita in hand, I happily posed in front of Spaceship Earth. To be honest-I was in the home stretch and considered a jump here-but I didn’t want to spill my Margarita! LOL!

Evident relief on all three faces here in the final stretch!

I could tell my friends were relieved and happy to see me around Mile 25! I had been on the course for over seven hours at this point, so they had been cheering all day, and I was the last of our little group to head towards the finish line. Now they could wrap up, too! What good sports!

Hey! Look at this! Got myself a Margarita!!

I was really tickled to have this Margarita! The day before I had crossed the Half finish line with a creamsicle, so this was a definite upgrade! One of the perks of running through the Parks later meant that food and drink kiosks were open. I did hear afterward (through the grapevine) that I was one of the last runners allowed to carry a drink over the finish line. I guess the rationale was that we were already taking quite a while to finish…don’t encourage bad behavior! LOL!

Crossing the finish line for the fourth and final time that weekend!

Crossing the finish line was an absolute rush! I honestly can’t remember if I mustered up the energy/strength/courage to shuffle across in something resembling a run, but I’m pretty certain I did! It was just too exciting to walk it in-what’s a little more discomfort at this point?

This photo was taken the split second my Margarita was about to be liberated from its cup, arms raised victoriously! As the runDisney volunteer placed the medal around my neck, I had a rare moment of emotion. Not just elation…I was choked up. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as I collected my commemorative Marathon Ears, blue Gatorade (clearly the best) and the requisite snack box and banana.

Jubilation! Crossing only my second marathon finish line.

Post-Race Celebration

I was all smiles as I took my Finisher and I Did It! photos. I grabbed my checked bag, put my ears back in their rightful position and couldn’t wait to find my friends in the Reunion area! My final net time? 7:24:23

I Did It! Showing off my new medals in my finisher photo!

Reunited and it feels so good! Lots of hugging and congratulations and catching each other up. We determined that the Balloon Ladies finished just 3/4 of a mile after me, which translates to about ten minutes. While that seems like enough of a buffer, that’s about how long it would have taken me to ride Expedition Everest back in Animal Kingdom. It still gives me chills thinking about how riding could have been the difference between being a finisher and being swept. Choose your stops wisely!

Who says you shouldn’t meet up with people you meet on the Internet?

Lessons Learned-Every Mile Still Magic?

Most people are curious if I felt compromised, if I was disappointed. After all, the reality I got was very different from the reality I trained for. Did I compromise? Yes. I completed a marathon injured. I walked instead of ran. I wasn’t able to experience it with my friends. I didn’t get a PR or a fast POT to brag about…my per mile pace is clearly even over runDisney’s generous 16 minute mile guidelines. (16:57 to be exact.)

Even so, my stats paint a different picture. I walked fast enough from Corral D that even those who started dead last couldn’t catch me. I stopped fifteen times to take pics with characters, made three location stops (Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Choza de Margarita), at least three bathroom breaks plus stops at every single medical tent.

My training did not disappoint. Though not required to run, proper training ensured that even when I was on the course hours longer than anticipated, I had not one blister, not one chafed spot, more than enough fuel. Heck-I didn’t even get sunburnt!

Was I disappointed? No way. All that talk about running being just as much a mental sport as a physical one? Totally true-all about mental toughness. I was committed to doing my very best, regardless of outcome. I never considered not starting just because I could fail-which was a very real possibility. I was alone with my thoughts for almost seven and a half hours. No music. No conversation. You have to be kind of okay with yourself to be in your own head like that all that time. I thought about all kinds of wonderful and interesting things…

And my friends? They’re the best! They were rooting for me every step of the way! Tracking me, texting me, taking the monorail all over tarnation to cheer along the course! They think I’m a Badass!! Imagine that! Who am I to correct them?!!

When everything was said and done, I logged the same 26.2 miles that every finisher did. My race, my pace. I just got to do it with a Margarita in my hand.

Undeniably Dopey. Four runs over four days totaling 48.6 miles…complete. Run, eat, sleep, repeat.

Jacqueline lives in Connecticut with her family and a cat, Rocky Road. You can follow her on Instagram at @morphingintominnie.

My Three New Fave Drinks at Animal Kingdom

After running a combined 19.3 miles as part of Wine & Dine’s Two Course challenge, you get a little thirsty.  Maybe a lot thirsty!  The kind of thirsty that Powerade alone just can’t quench.  It’s the perfect time to head to a park with adult beverages-and Animal Kingdom is one of my favorites!

A beautiful day at Animal Kingdom!

I met my friend Jess there, too, who just happens to be both my co-blogger at Neverland Press and my running buddy for the Half Marathon!  (I don’t remember exactly…but I’m pretty certain this high-five may be after we decided to hit Animal Kingdom for some drinks!  LOL!)

Dr. Facilier and Minnie make a plan!

Dole Whip

Dole Whips are hugely popular all over Disney property…but there is only one place you can get them year-round with rum!

A must-do every time!

Tamu Tamu Refreshments is located right in front of Africa, across from the Tusker House restaurant.

Always a short line, but it moves quickly!

We think this drink is a steal!  For only $7.00, a few dollars more than a cup of pineapple soft-serve deliciousness, you can have either dark rum or coconut rum added to your drink!  We both chose coconut rum…yummmm!

Dark rum or coconut rum? Choices, choices…!

(And if you like posting Instagram shots and tagging #wallsofdisney there are plenty of photo ops here, too!)

Yes, I would love a very cold drink! Thank you!

And if you’re wondering…Where’s the rum??  Don’t worry-they left a nice hollow space in the middle and filled it allllll the way up!  Just be careful when you poke your straw in and take your first sip!

How happy are we right now?

Coconut-Lychee Lemonade

This is Jess’ must-do and she quickly got me on board!  This drink is sweet, tart and very refreshing!  It is made with Parrot Bay coconut rum, lychee and Odwalla lemonade.

Our gorgeous view of Discovery Island!

You can find Anandapur Frozen Beverages in Asia, right in front of the bridge to Discovery Island.

We were the first customers of the day!

This drink was a little more expensive at $8.25, but I still had a $2.oo credit from the Food & Wine Festival, so I put it towards the cost.  Either way it was well worth it-this sweet and tangy drink will cool you off on even the hottest days!

The frozen Coca-Cola looks good, too!

There’s even another #wallsofdisney Instagram opportunity, too!

Coca-Cola in Nepalese!

We found an adorable little hut overlooking the bridge and water to sit and enjoy our drinks.  They even had butt-shaped stools!  LOL!  Perfect place to relax, recharge and people watch!

This is being added to my list of must-dos!

Smokey Bones Chocolate Shake

I’m always looking to try new things, and when someone mentioned a chocolate shake with bourbon AND bacon on one of my Disney Facebook pages, I was all ears!  Turns out it’s much less elusive than the Yeti-it’s been hiding under my nose this whole time!

It has BACON!!!

You can find this hidden gem at Trilo-Bites, a tiny stand on the path from Discovery Island to DinoLand USA.  I can’t tell you how many times my kids have dragged me past here on their way to Primeval Whirl!  (I know-I don’t know why anyone would want to ride that, either!!)

This was the steepest price tag at $10.00, but this was more of a meal than a drink!  It was big, it was thick, it was delicious!  A chocolate shake with bourbon, topped with whipped cream and candied bacon.  I mean-how many of your favorite things can be found in a single drink?

The Countdown Lime Margarita looks good, too!

And that piece of candied bacon?  If you were thinking it was simply a garnish on top, you’d be wrong!  It’s a full size strip of bacon…some floating on top, the rest dangling down all the way to the bottom!  I wish we’d taken a pic of us trying to maneuver this into our mouths!  LOL!

This photo looks eerily like our Dole Whip photo…! LOL!

The only thing better than turning your friend on to your new favorite drink is recruiting MORE friends to join you!  Our running friend Kerry wanted in on the action, and she was a big fan, too!  (Even though she tried to sneak in a sip when she thought Jess and I weren’t looking…!)

Three amigas enjoying a liquid lunch!

This was pretty filling, and since it was our third drink before noon we were  satisfied with our day so far!  (We were even able to squeeze in Flights of Passage, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari around our demanding drinking schedule!  LOL!)

A final “not-so-hidden” Mickey for you Instagram fans…Fichwa means hidden!

Though this is by no means an exhaustive list (Nomad’s Lounge, Yak & Yeti, Pongu Pongu in Pandora-The World of Avatar all have amazing offerings!) these are some of my new faves paired with old favorites!  I’d love to know your favorite Disney drinks…but-do they have bacon??

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 her on Instagram at @neverlandpress and @morphingintominnie.

 

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Adulting at Disney-5 Reasons to Leave the Kids at Home!

The first time I left the kids (and the hubby, for that matter!) to go to Disney with a friend, I didn’t feel a bit guilty.  I really needed it.  It was the first time I had gotten away solo since my oldest was born a decade before.  Like many moms, I worked two full-time jobs…one outside of the home, one in it. (And I didn’t get pay for the more demanding job-you moms can guess which one!)   You could say this trip was well-deserved!

The second time I went to Disney childless (and yes, again husbandless!) I did feel a small frisson of guilt.  It was Mother’s Day weekend after all, and here I was cavorting again with Mickey and Minnie, 2,000 miles away!  The kids were still supportive, but not quite as much!  LOL!

Character meet and greets are fun for grown-ups, too!

Before you judge me for being a terrible and self-centered mommy, you need to know that my kids haven’t wanted for much.  In the last three years, they have visited Disney four times…three visits to Disney World in Florida, and one to Disneyland in California.  They have more Disney tees, refillable mugs and Stitch plush than you can count!

Disney frequent flyers!

What they don’t always get is the chance to tag along for every trip-and that’s okay!  Here are five guilt-free reasons why a child-free trip to Disney is THE BEST!

5.  No Scheduling Snafus

During our first family trip, I mapped out our itinerary with the precision of a general executing a military drill.  Not just Fastpasses and ADRs, but wake-ups, built in rest periods, pool time, travel times, staggered bedtimes…you name it.  After all, the “ticking time bombs”, aka my two children, needed to be fed and watered regularly.  (Didn’t I just feed you two yesterday???)  Naps were a thing of the past at six and eight, but nothing can prepare you for those first exhausting rope-drop to Kiss Goodnight days at Magic Kingdom!

Crashing hard after a full day in the parks!

When I travel with my girlfriend, Tiffany, it is a totally different story!  We are not “fly by the seat of our pants” travelers by any means.  We still make our dining reservations religiously 180 days in advance, and Fastpasses at 60 days out.  The difference?  If we pack bathing suits and then decide not to swim (we never even saw the pool at Port Orleans Riverside!) no one has a meltdown!  If we see a rare character that we want to meet with a ridiculously long line, we just wait!  No frantically pawing through my backpack to see if I have enough Goldfish and crayons to weather the storm.

Two hour wait? Sure! All we have is time…!

Also, when I travel with my kids, they are go-go-go!  They might agree to ride the PeopleMover, if only to eat a quick snack and get out of the sun for a few minutes, but people watching?  No way!  So when I happened to find myself alone for a few hours at Magic Kingdom, I was able to scratch something off my bucket list.  A tour of Cinderella Castle?  The Keys to the Kingdom Tour? you may ask.  No, just a stop at the Main Street Bakery for my Iced Chai Latte to be enjoyed on the hub grass while the Festival of Fantasy parade passes by!  Sometimes it’s the little things…!

Starbucks AND the castle?  Yes, please!

4.  Easier Dining Decisions

I was going to be the mom whose kids ate everything…and I have failed miserably!  LOL!  Criteria for choosing restaurants at Disney largely hinges on the question, “Can you make a grilled cheese?”.  Don’t get me wrong… we have been able to take our children to some awesome restaurants.  They love the buffets and can usually find something they like, especially if it’s dessert!  We have been able to eat pizza at Via Napoli and cheeseburgers at Whispering Canyon Cafe.  But some more grownup-oriented dining options have eluded us for sure!

Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy

Grown-up pizza…kids ordered cheese, of course!

Traveling with other adults opens up a whole world of other possibilities!  And I’m not even talking about the ultra-pricey and exclusive Victoria & Albert’s, though some day that would be lovely!  Dining child-free means you can skip a meal if you want to.  Or you can decide on the fly that a baked potato from Sleepy Hollow for a snack credit sounds like the perfect lunch!  Or simply having the flexibility to change plans at the last minute.  This happened to us when my friend woke up not feeling well one morning.  I just showed up solo at Garden Grill while my friend rested… much less complicated than regrouping around a sick little one.

An intimate, solo breakfast with Dale!

Two years ago, we traveled to Disney over our 19th anniversary.  We had been to ‘Ohana for breakfast with the kids, but wanted to have an adults-only celebratory dinner.  You see, my daughter is a vegetarian who doesn’t eat vegetables, and my son lives on pizza, so the “meat-on-a-stick” menu wasn’t going to work for them.  What’s a parent to do?  We found a win/win…we booked them for the Poly’s Kid Club! (Now Lilo’s Playhouse!) They played games, made crafts, and yes…ate pizza, while we enjoyed our beef, pork and most importantly, Lapu Lapus!

Meat on a stick…yummmm!

I would love a Lapu Lapu!

In addition to a host of fabulous restaurants, Epcot also has amazing food kiosks during seasonal special events.  When we visited as a family during the Flower and Garden Festival, the kids were impatient and wanted sit-down meals…none of this “tapas” BS.  The only special treat we were able to score was the Dole Whip with rum (which is pretty much my favorite!) so we had to settle for that.  When I attended the Food & Wine Festival after running Wine & Dine, we had a veritable feast!  Filet mignon and cheese soup from Canada, Apple Pie frozen cocktails in Poland…and yes, more of those delicious Dole Whip with rum floats!

Dole Whip rum floats at the Food & Wine Festival!

3.  More Attractive Attractions

I’ll admit it-my kids are adrenaline junkies.  They rode Tower of Terror at six and eight and never looked back.  Our Fastpass selections are primarily made up of multiple coasters and they argue the merits of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios vs. California Screamin’ at California Adventure!  In fairness, I love all these, too.  Except maybe not for every single ride.  Over and over.  Until the park closes.  And again the next day.

Riding Rock ‘n ‘Roller coaster…again!!

When I visit the Parks without my children, I’m able to go on some rides for the first time!  We had never seen Mickey’s Philharmonic-we were too busy racing off to Big Thunder Mountain-but I wandered in one afternoon during an adults-only trip to take a break from the heat.  It was fabulous!  Fun, funny and very engaging…I can’t wait to take my kids now!  Same with It’s Tough to Be a Bug.  I had never contemplated it before because reviews suggested that kids with sensory issues may be scared.  Now I know my son will love the gross-out humor!  (However, I think it was a “one-and-done” for Tiffany!  LOL!)

2. Run, Run runDisney Races

After running my first three runDisney challenge weekends, I wanted to get my family in on the fun.  This was especially true for my at-the-time nine year-old daughter, Lola.  I was so excited when my she agreed to train to run the Neverland 5K with me in Disneyland for Tinker Bell Weekend!  It was a totally different story when it came time for the 3:00 a.m. wake-up call, and that was with the three hour time difference in our favor!

Pre-race face plant. Too early!!

She came around eventually!

Running at least one runDisney race should be mandatory for every woman, regardless of age, shape or level of fitness.  It is a once in a lifetime experience (that for many of us becomes an addiction!) that is so empowering and female-focused that it’s hard to put into words.  Tiffany and I have now completed five challenge weekends together, and come back refreshed ready to resume our busy lives.  Our motto?  We’ll sleep when we’re dead!  LOL!

Who needs sleep? We have each other!!

While I wouldn’t change my bonding experience with my daughter for anything, running a runDisney race solo or with a friend (or friends!) is an amazing experience!  Getting up before the sun, seeing the Parks in a whole new way, and celebrating with champagne at the finish line are just a few of the reasons to runDisney child-free!

Cheers to my co-blogger and friend Jessica after the Wine & Dine Half!

1. Drinking Around the World

Okay, let’s face it.  You can only visit so many KidCot stops in Epcot before someone realizes that you and your hubby are trying to keep the kids busy while you surreptitiously try to sample a drink in every one of Epcot’s countries!  They colored multiple Duffys on sticks and had their Epcot passport books stamped while we took turns rushing around ordering Rose Margaritas in Mexico and Grand Marnier slushies in France!

Kidcot Stop in Epcot’s Norway!

Passports can be purchased at Epcot-so fun!

An adults-only trip allows you a more leisurely, responsible way to indulge! Not to mention you might even get to wander in a shop or two…something I never managed to do with two kids in tow!  (And it’s how I finally discovered the amazing Laila perfume in Norway!)

Tipsy Ducks in Love in Epcot’s China!

Coordinating my Grand Marnier cocktail with my Cheers Sparkle Skirt!

In truth, one of the greatest joys of my life has been introducing my children to Disney…but I have to admit, an adults-only trip is a close second!  Pack a carry-on bag and your lipstick and leave the Goldfish at home-you’re going to Disney!  I mean-someone has to eat these lobster nachos…and I know my kids won’t!

Our fave-Lobster Nachos with fresh jalopenos!

Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT with her husband, two children and cat.  You can follow her on Instagram at @morphingintominnie.