DisneyRunFest2012 - Part 5 - Tues Morning Run

Tuesday morning we woke up at 6:15 threw on our cloths and headed out to the pool to go...running! It was just Marcia and myself, but we were not alone...we were meeting Bob Hitchcock (runDisney's Public Relations Manager/Content Producer). Bob had already done his morning run with the Orlando Galloway group, but was willing to come out and run another 2 miles around Port Orleans with us. Marcia took most of the photos on our run.

Bob made my day right from the start. As we walked toward each other he smiles and said "We have met before haven't we." All I could think was why yes we have Bob. We met the first time at the Princess social media meetup and Galloway run this February. Our matching shirts were probably also a clue. There were 80 people at the meetup and they ran out of black women's cut runDisney shirts. So I ended up with a men's cut. I had no idea which shirt he would be wearing, but we look like brother and sister in the photo!

Bob and I were chatting away about all things running and runDisney.  He has been with runDisney for 2 years now and really was not a runner before joining the team.  We talked about our upcoming races and past runDisney races.  He really was not spilling any details about future runDisney events.  I let him know that I was going Dopey in January and he confirmed that they are not intending to make Dopey a formal event.  They like that it is an underground runDisney lovers thing.  

Happy Runners!

There were other runners out that morning,
but we mostly had the resort to ourselves!

It was a beautiful morning.

For now the water was in the river.
Later in the afternoon the water would be everywhere!

If we were not headed to rope drop I would have loved to keep running and check out that green path.
Has anyone run on the green path?

There are so many great paths and walkways all over Disney property. I could easily spend a week running here and there and everywhere around the resorts. So when you go to Disney don't leave your running gear behind. You will be a much happier you if you get out in the morning and get a few miles under your belt before you head to the parks.

In attendance:
Erin Williams – for the love of Disney running on FB; @lovedisneyrun on Twitter; and http://lovedisneyrunning.blogspot.com/
Marcia Barton - @TravelRunEat on Twitter and Travelruneat.blogspot.com
Bob Hitchcock - runDisney's Public Relations Manager/Content Producer

If you want some other running route ideas for your next Disney World vacation check out Lori's runDisney route ideas. Lori is the runDisney specialist on the Disney Mom's Panel. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/06/stay-on-the-run-at-walt-disney-world-resort%E2%80%A8%E2%80%A8/
You should also check in at the main desk at your resort and ask about the resorts running routes.

Have a great vacation and runDisney!

DisneyRunFest2012 - Arriving

One July 6th I decided that the best and only way I could use my expiring Southwest Airlines standard award ticket was to fly somewhere and go running.  The next thought in my head was "I am going to go running at my favorite place - Disney World!"  

The trick was I could only fit in an overnight trip from Monday July 16th through Tuesday July 17th!  The next thing to figure out was if anyone else wanted to get in on the fun with me.  I let friends on Facebook and Twitter know what I was up to and people reacted in one of two ways: I want to go & I so wish I could go!  

With six friends interested I came up with an itinerary and a name for the trip - DisneyRunFest2012!  My flight was scheduled to get me into Orlando at 1:30 am, but lucky for me SWA was willing to switch me to a direct flight once I was at the airport (carry-on only pays off)!  So I got into Orlando at 10:15 am!  

We always stop for photos outside of the EarPort!
A nice Disney Store employee took all of these for me!

2013 is the year of Goofy!
 Of course I am going to add the 5k and go Dopey marathon weekend!

Aren't we lovely!

My photographer insisted on capturing the different faces on the mirror!

She did a nice job don't you think?

Next she wanted to dress me up with a little store merchandising.
Too bad they don't sell runDisney at the airport!

Then it was off on the Magical Express to Port Orleans French Quarter.

Happy buses filled with happy riders!

There I am on my way with my blue camera clicking away!

These chaps were out to welcome the guests!

And here is where we were staying for the night.
Nice room on the first floor!
The resort was not busy at all and it was nice and quiet at night.
(Marcia's photo)

Welcome to the room to me!

And a nice hello from Mickey!

I was sharing the room with another runDisney loving runner that I only knew through Twitter (Marcia Barton - @TravelRunEat on Twitter and Travelruneat.blogspot.com) 

Marcia was coming down from Jacksonville.  I was able to get settled and check out the resort with my bonus 3 hours from SWA before she arrived.  We really hit it off - proving that splitting a room with an almost complete stranger can work out great!

So that brings DisneyRunFest2012 up through the check-in at the resort.  If you want to see the itinerary check a few posts back at http://lovedisneyrunning.blogspot.com/2012/07/disney-run-fest-july-16-17-2012.html.

Right now I need to get out for an evening run so more later!

Disney Run Fest July 16-17 2012

Nothing like planning and anticipating a trip to Disney all in one week!  

Here is what my Monday and Tuesday next week will look like!  I am meeting up with some great runDisney loving runners while I am down there to get out for two runs on property and some fun in Magic Kingdom.  I am so excited!  

If you are going to be at Disney at the same time let me know...especially if you want to join us for any of these activities!

We will probably be most places 15 minutes early to get organized and to allow everyone a chance to meet each other should anyone new join us. 

Monday July 16th

Erin arrives at Orlando (MCO) at 1:45 PM J

Travel to and check in at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

5:00 PM Dinner at The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney's Contemporary Resort
(If you are joining us please make a reservation and ask to sit at a table near Erin's so we can all talk.)

7:00 PM run around Seven Seas Lagoon
(Meet inside the lobby of the Contemporary near the check-in desk - we will get our run on at 7:15)

9:00 PM at the Polynesian for Dessert, Drinks & Fireworks
(We will be on the beach with cold drinks and yummy treats!  What more is there to say?)

10:00 PM Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

Tuesday July 17^th

6:30 Run at Port Orleans with Bob Hitchcock from runDisney!
(meet at French Quarter near the sea serpent water slide at the Doubloon Lagoon at 6:15 am)


8:15 AM head to MK

9 AM Rope drop at Magic Kingdom

Mickey Waffles at Sleepy Hollow

Fantasyland the day away

Lunch at either the Diamond Horseshoe or Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
(Where should we eat?  I have never been at MK when the Diamond Horseshoe has been open!)

5:30ish Erin returns to the airport L

Erin departs Orlando(MCO) at 8:35 PM

Attendees

Erin Williams – @lovedisneyrun on Twitter and lovedisneyrunning.blogspot.com

Marcia Barton - @TravelRunEat on Twitter and Travelruneat.blogspot.com

Rachel Wright - @runnerstales on Twitter and http://runnerstales.com

Megan Wood - @irun4wine on Twitter and www.irunforwine.net

Kirsten Reutebuch  - Facebook

Jen Kelly - Facebook