DizzyDancingDopeRunsDisney... 17nights at Disney PTR

[dancingtodisney]

DizzyDancingDope@Disney

Marathon Week 2016 I’m going Dopey

Hi there! I’m Karen, a new poster on the forum but I’ve been lurking for quite some time, freaked out yet??? No??? Good! Please continue reading....

I’m an Irish Disneyworld addict and even though I live approximately 4,000miles away I’ve manage to visit a grand total of 7times and right now I’m planning my 8th. Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP??? Anyone? SOLO DANCE PARTY

Anyway, I digress, so my last trip included my first ever RunDisney Race being the Wine and Dine in November 2014 and well… I’m hooked! I like running and I LOVE running at Disney.

I’m from a small town in Dublin, Ireland and within that town is a local cancer support centre that I hadn’t even heard of until my Mam started attending. That centre made a massive difference in my Mam’s life all throughout her treatment and recovery and I want to give back. Myself (26), my Dad (48) and my Sister (21) will all be travelling to Orlando in January 2016 to participate in the Dopey Challenge with the aim of raising funds and awareness for this wonderful support centre. As it turns out the day we complete the challenge is also the exact date 2years on from her operation to become cancer free. We’ll be working our butts off between now and then and I’ll be documenting my training plan and progress separately HERE and will keep this PTR for the rest of my trip planning because we’re hardly going to go all that way and not have a holiday too!

So for the holiday side of things my flights are booked and I’m spending a grand total of 17nights in Disneyworld!!

Let's get started!


**NEW** I'm currently writing a TR covering our last vacation at Disney CHECK IT OUT
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[dancingtodisney]

The Cast

Me (Karen)

My Sister (Rachel)

And my parents

​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Accommodation

We’re waiting on the UK Disney Holiday site to release it’s 2016 free dining packages (due out late this month) but our current plan is to stay at OKW for 10 nights*
*Update - OKW IS BOOKED

​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Following along. I shall live vicariously through your training while pretending I'm totally into running too! I can run...I just choose not to!

Hey! Thanks for commenting! I've had to set up a new account and start a new thread, somehow I got confused between 'name' and 'username' and apparently that's just a bit IRREVERSABLE

Anyhoooooo I’m totally cool with the whole living through my training thing, I’ve always wanted a running buddy but then again I kinda like running alone and going at my own pace so having a virtual pretend running buddy could be the solution!

I'm lying I look like a demented llama when I run

Ok I’m imagining this right now

It sounds like a dope (get it??) trip.

Hehehehehehe

I love OKW and we are staying at AKL in September 2016. It looks awesome.

Oh have you stayed in OKW before? I haven't! Very excited about a boat to DTD! Have you stayed in ALK?? I stayed there in November last year and it’s SO FRICKEN COOL!!!!!!!! Obviously we’re going back so that totally speaks for itself… but seriously… SO FRICKEN COOL…

So pleased that your mum is doing well. My mum was diagnosed with cancer in October and its so scary. Super happy your mum is now cancer free.

Thanks very much, it’s a really scary time! I’m sorry to hear about your mam (or mum as you say), I am wishing all the best for you and your family

 

[dancingtodisney]

Accommodation

We’re waiting on the UK Disney Holiday site to release it’s 2016 free dining packages (due out late this month) but our current plan is to stay at OKW for 10 nights*
*Update - OKW IS BOOKED

We have rented vacation points at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for the remainder of our trip

I’m anxiously awaiting the Dopey sign up, I really hope that goes smoothly!
​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Accommodation
Part 2

We have rented vacation points at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for the remainder of our trip

​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Hi found you! First off congrats virtual running buddy! Under an hour! That's 10Ktastic!
I also dynamic stretch before a run. I stretch down to put my trainers on, up to look out the window then back down to take them off


Because then I remember I can't run!! One day buddy...one day
Now as for the visual of my running style. It is really a combo of:

A bit of this...

And this...

Resulting likely in this...

There is your runny buddy's signature style. Image that running beside you. Your !

We used to own Vacation Club membership and our home resort was OKW. It's like home. Never stayed at AKL it's the first time! Very excited by the prospect. So excit!
My mum (or mam!) is doing well. They hope that she will make a full and lasting recovery Glad both mommas are on the mend.

P.s. I always think it's time for a solo dance party!

 

[dancingtodisney]

Dining Plan – OKW

One of the favourite parts of any Disney trip is the FOOD. I get so darn excited about Disney Food. Well… I get excited about food in general but here’s a visual
Food

Disney Food

This trip we have 10 full days on the dining plan. TEN DAYS. Our 180 day window opens on July 5th so I’ve been busy planning and come up with the list below:

01/01/2015 California Grill 9PM
02/01/2015 Chef Mickeys 7.30PM
03/01/2105 Akershus 7PM
04/01/2015 Whispering Canyon Café 8PM
05/01/2015 1900 park Fare 5PM
06/01/2015 Raglan Road 7PM
07/01/2015 Teppan Edo 6PM
08/01/2015 Kona Café 6PM
09/01/2015 Tutto Italia Ristorante 5PM
10/01/2015 Be Our Guest 7PM
11/01/2015 Boma 6PM

California Grill will be the only one not on the dining plan (11days of eating but 10nights so 10days worth of credits) as it’s a two credit table service.

ALSO I need to decide when we want to book BOG for lunch because that too opens at 180days now. I find it quite difficult to pick the restaurants initially because I want to EAT AT THEM ALL and then I have to pick days which means I need some idea of what park we want to attend but it’s 6 MONTHS AWAY so that part is tricky. One thing I felt we did wrong on the last trip was our dining reservations, we didn’t appreciate the amount of time it takes to transfer parks just to eat so I really want to do a better job this time round!

I’m nervous about the first couple of reservations, we really want the California Grill one on the first night but being that is the first day of our window and we want it at a prime time we might not get it. Chef Mickeys and Akershus could be tricky too. New Years is such a busy time and those first few days there will be massive crowds at Disneyworld.

Wish me luck!​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Hi found you! First off congrats virtual running buddy! Under an hour! That's 10Ktastic!

Why thank you virtual run buddy!
I'm liking your positive attitude!

I also dynamic stretch before a run. I stretch down to put my trainers on, up to look out the window then back down to take them off

View attachment 87618
Because then I remember I can't run!! One day buddy...one day

You've already got the first step down, a lot of people really struggle with the trainers part!

Now as for the visual of my running style. It is really a combo of:
View attachment 87614
A bit of this...
View attachment 87615
And this...
View attachment 87617
Resulting likely in this...
View attachment 87616
There is your runny buddy's signature style. Image that running beside you. Your !

Haha brilliant! You should definitely come run with me in January! SO MUCH FUN

We used to own Vacation Club membership and our home resort was OKW. It's like home. Never stayed at AKL it's the first time! Very excited by the prospect. So excit!

Oh that's cool! I'm really looking forward to checking it out, I love that we'll have a boat to DTD and a Sauna... that might come in handy after our runs! AKL is just FAB! I can't wait to go back... Eeeeeeeeek!

My mum (or mam!) is doing well. They hope that she will make a full and lasting recovery Glad both mommas are on the mend.

Me too

P.s. I always think it's time for a solo dance party!

Agreed, although sometimes for special occassions I like to syncronise dance with others...

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Congratulations on your under 1 hour 10k! I've just started getting into running after I was down in Disney for marathon weekend in January. (College kid on break - no one in my family is a runner.) But I did get talked into "well you could do the half marathon next year." Doesn't look likely because I'm trying to get a job but that hasn't stopped me from putting on my sneakers and getting out there! I've improved my mile by about 30-45 seconds in the last 2 months. Now I just gotta do distance.

But I'm totally in for your pre-trip report, and I'm really curious (and delighted) that you're posting your training plan. Keep up the good work!

 

[dancingtodisney]

Congratulations on your under 1 hour 10k!

Thank you! It was a really proud moment for me!

I've just started getting into running after I was down in Disney for marathon weekend in January.

Oh that’s cool! I had tried (but not completed) the couch to 5K programme before but not really stuck with it, then when we realised our trip to Disney world coincided with the Wine&Dine Half Marathon I started running again and used the same programme. I stuck with it that time and still remember the first time I ran 20mins straight without stopping, when I started I struggled with the 1min run intervals.

But I did get talked into "well you could do the half marathon next year." Doesn't look likely because I'm trying to get a job but that hasn't stopped me from putting on my sneakers and getting out there!

Good for you! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it works out, if you do consider a half marathon in 2016 Wine&Dine is a fantastic choice plus with it being later in the year the sign up is later so more time as well to get the money together. Do you use any training programme yourself? Or any of the running apps? I like the nike plus app and was using that all the time until I recently got my Garmin.

But I'm totally in for your pre-trip report, and I'm really curious (and delighted) that you're posting your training plan. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for reading! It really helps with the motivation knowing that others are following along. I found it so interesting and beneficial to read training reports and race recaps that other people posted, hopefully you’ll enjoy following along!

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Oh that’s cool! I had tried (but not completed) the couch to 5K programme before but not really stuck with it, then when we realised our trip to Disney world coincided with the Wine&Dine Half Marathon I started running again and used the same programme. I stuck with it that time and still remember the first time I ran 20mins straight without stopping, when I started I struggled with the 1min run intervals.

I've been running for two weeks, and then taking breaks. I chalk it up to life & school getting in the way, which isn't the best thing to do.

Good for you! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it works out, if you do consider a half marathon in 2016 Wine&Dine is a fantastic choice plus with it being later in the year the sign up is later so more time as well to get the money together. Do you use any training programme yourself? Or any of the running apps? I like the nike plus app and was using that all the time until I recently got my Garmin.

Wine & Dine is a good race to consider! I've been logging my runs on Map My Run. I didn't upgrade but it seems to be working fine. One of my sorority sisters is planning on joining the Marines after graduating, and she put a plan together for me. I do some yoga on my rest days. It's interesting, because although I haven't 100% stuck to this plan, my running technique and mile time has improved by about 30-45 seconds. It's good to be under 11 minutes again!

Thanks for reading! It really helps with the motivation knowing that others are following along. I found it so interesting and beneficial to read training reports and race recaps that other people posted, hopefully you’ll enjoy following along!

i'm happy to help out!

 

[dancingtodisney]

Vacation Update

So excited to report that I have booked our accomodation for our first 10days! Disney UK released their free dining and discounted room special offer today and I have booked us into OKW in a delux studio. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I get so excited when I get things booked and confirmed! Now all I have to do is wait *patiently* for next Tuesday to sign up for Dopey*

*Update - SIGNED UP FOR DOPEY!! I was such a stress pot completing the sign up. I somehow managed to get my sisters DOB wrong so I'll have to fix that but other than that it went smoothly. I'm officially signed up for the BIGGEST challenge I've ever set myself. ​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

You've already got the first step down, a lot of people really struggle with the trainers part!

Oh I am a PRO at the trainers part P-R-O ain't no one got nothing on me!! But I did make progress when I saw that there was only one pair of sparkly high heeled shoes left and another woman eyeing them up I ran and grabbed them. That counts right?

Haha brilliant! You should definitely come run with me in January! SO MUCH FUN

Yeah...mmmm...no. How about you run for both of us and I have a cocktail?

I am a master of mental running now. Just FYI. Its a thing

Oh that's cool! I'm really looking forward to checking it out, I love that we'll have a boat to DTD and a Sauna... that might come in handy after our runs!

The boat to DTD is so cool. Boats at Disney are my second favourite way to travel (only after the Monorail). Yes I think a good sauna would help after a run it always helps me after I put my shoes on and off!

Vacation Update

So excited to report that I have booked our accomodation for our first 10days! Disney UK released their free dining and discounted room special offer today and I have booked us into OKW in a delux studio. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I get so excited when I get things booked and confirmed! Now all I have to do is wait *patiently* for next Tuesday to sign up for Dopey...

ARRGGGGG! This is so exciting (that was kind of piratey wasn't it?) I think you will love OKW its just got such a chill vibe. When I got that email saying that the packages were out a freaked!! I called Virgin and got the wheels in motion of our September 2016 trip!! So far awaaayyy!!

 

[dancingtodisney]

ADR - AKL​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Oh I am a PRO at the trainers part P-R-O ain't no one got nothing on me!! But I did make progress when I saw that there was only one pair of sparkly high heeled shoes left and another woman eyeing them up I ran and grabbed them. That counts right?

I'M STILL ALIVE!!

Totally counts!!!

Yeah...mmmm...no. How about you run for both of us and I have a cocktail?

I am a master of mental running now. Just FYI. Its a thing

Ok I have a plan... I RUN... You get TWO cocktails and meet me at the finish?????
I've been trying that at my desk lately to make up for missed runs with my injury so I'm pretty sure I'm right on track with my training

The boat to DTD is so cool. Boats at Disney are my second favourite way to travel (only after the Monorail). Yes I think a good sauna would help after a run it always helps me after I put my shoes on and off!

Definitely agree! Boats and monorails count as a ride!
Haha I bet it does...!

ARRGGGGG! This is so exciting (that was kind of piratey wasn't it?) I think you will love OKW its just got such a chill vibe. When I got that email saying that the packages were out a freaked!! I called Virgin and got the wheels in motion of our September 2016 trip!! So far awaaayyy!!

Have you booked yet?? I'm so happy we're all booked now! Our ADR day is coming up next month and that's when the real countdown begins! Eeeeeeeek!

 

[dancingtodisney]

ADR Update​

On our 180 day mark for the first stint of our trip at OKW we made the following reservations:​

​

01/01/2016 California Grill 9.15PM​

02/01/2016 Chef Mickeys 7.30PM
03/01/2016 Akershus 7PM
04/01/2016 Whispering Canyon Café 8PM
05/01/2016 Be Our Guest 11:30AM
1900 park Fare 5.30PM
06/01/2016 Trex 5.30PM *
07/01/2016 Be Our Guest 11:00AM
Teppan Edo 6PM
08/01/2016 Be Our Guest 11:10AM
Kona Café 6.25PM
09/01/2016 Via Napoli Ristorante 4.30PM
10/01/2016 Be Our Guest 7PM
11/01/2016 Boma 7.30PM​

​

The only restaurant we didn't get as desired was Raglan Road which was not open at all for reservations after about the 3rd January. It still seems unavailable now so perhaps there is a planned closure, I couldn't find anything on it at the time. ​

*UPDATE: after ready @TheLittleKatie's TR we decided to change our TRex reservation to Ohana and secured a 5.10PM slot which should work well the day before our first run. ​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Update​

 

[dancingtodisney]

Update​

 

[TheLittleKatie]

Hi Karen! I found your PTR from when you commented on my TR, so exciting that you're doing Run Disney! I would LOVE to do it one day! I hope training is going well

Also, just looking at your ADR list is making me hungry... I live for Disney food And I think you need to add Ohana to your list! If that's still in your plans which makes the list even more perfect. Oh wow. I'm excited to read about this trip already