(this is from the 2016 race. For the 2017 trip report, head here. )
I just got back from Walt Disney World and the RunDisney Star Wars Half Marathon, The Dark Side! What an AMAZING weekend! I have a lot to share so I’m just going to get right into it. For those of you who want to know more about me or my RunDisney adventures, click on the top where it says Run Disney and it will take you to all the words!
I arrived Friday and headed straight to the hotel. Sara, My Best Running Friend for YEARS, was meeting me at the hotel (Port Orleans French Quarter) so we could head to the expo together.
The hotel was FABULOUS and I highly recommend it for race weekends or any WDW stay. The grounds are lovely and the staff was friendly and magical! In fact, I would like to testify to the fact that the rumors of the demise of Disney Magic are UNTRUE. At every turn we were met with the great customer service and consideration that we’ve come to expect from Disney.
After I got checked in and settled, I had to do something to pass the time. What should it be? Quick trip to Disney Springs for some shopping? Or perhaps a refreshing swim, or maybe a walk around the grounds?
Nah. I’ll do this.
When we got to the Expo, we went to race relations to see about moving me up in corrals. Although we had passed the deadline to turn in proof of time when we registered, Sara had put her time in anyway. I had not. She was in E and I was in L. So we were really hoping it was fixable!
The volunteer was very helpful and because I had my proof of time on my phone (my 2:18 PR half from last April) she was happy to oblige. She also shared that they always look at proof of time (even after the deadline has passed). Good to know! So corral E it is. Whew!
We shopped a little and I bought my favorite expo goodie to date: My Minnie New Balance shoes! And no line or anything. I just walked up and bought them. And I could have had my pick of the litter (Ariel and Dumbo were the other two women’s choices). Aren’t they just so adorable?? And because I can wear shoes like this to work, I think they’ll be a lovely addition to my daily life.
We then headed (briefly) back to the hotel to drop our loot and off to Magic Kingdom! Which was DELIGHTFULLY uncrowded. We had a wonderful meal at the Jungle Skipper Canteen- great service and very good food. They make everything fresh there and it shows! The only thing we were regretting was no wine with dinner because most of the MK is dry. But we made up for that later:).
We rode Pirates and Space and the People Mover and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. Where we threw our hands in the air like we just don’t care.
We both had a slight desire to see Wishes, but we were TIRED. Travel days are tough and when you add the Expo and park touring, it makes for two runner girls that are ready for bed. I think we were back in the room with lights out by 9pm! Which wasn’t terrible since we knew that 2am wake up was looming.
Saturday we headed to Animal Kingdom and were immediately happy when we woke up that we didn’t sign up for the challenge! The medals are nice. The early early wake ups multiple mornings are NOT.
The weather was PERFECT which is very surprising for WDW in mid April! We saw The Festival of The Lion King in the new theater and, as always, that show just amazes me to no end. SUCH talent and truly not to be missed.
We rode Dinosaur (terrifying as always), EE (best roller coaster IN THE WORLD), and had my new favorite margarita, The African Margarita, at the bar outside of Tusker House. And our bartender, Michelle, was running the race Sunday! She actually saw us during the half and said “Hello you two! Remember me?” So fun! Our last event there was the safari and the animals were EVERYWHERE. Best ever. I think they were loving the cooler temperatures as well!
That night it was off to Disney Springs for dinner with friends at Morimoto. The company was amazing and fun. The food and service were not. The food was good (not great) and the service was TERRIBLE. We won’t be back. My poor friend, Darcie, actually never did get her food and at the end of our meal they brought it to her in a to go box. Not OK. Add to that the server’s extreme attitude and it really made for a rotten experience. But I love my Run Disney friends and time with them is always wonderful so that saved the meal. For good Japanese food and great service, I would choose Tokyo Dining over this any day.
Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the race! Let’s get that alarm set for 2am and go to bed! Sara gave me some melatonin and it really worked. I was asleep nice and early!
Next up: The Race itself! 13.1 magical miles.