Four Parks, One Dope: A 2015 Dopey Challenge Trip Report!

[Ariel484]

Thanks so much for sharing, what an amazing experience!!

It really was!! Thank you for reading!

Congrats!! I enjoyed reading your report a lot. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! And thanks for reading.

Thanks, I know we will! You will love Disneyland! We stayed at the Grand Californian our last trip and it has it's own entrance into CA! And definitely do the hopper tickets because you can walk back and forth all day. It's an easy walk also to Downtown Disney.

Awesome! I don't know much about Disneyland (yet) but I did know that about Grand Californian. My friends and I tried to rent points there for the race weekend but (unsurprisingly) it didn't work out. We do have a room booked at Paradise Pier though!

Great point about the park hoppers - I was pretty sure we were going to get them anyway but I keep forgetting how walkable everything is!

I am very excited because I just signed up for my first 5K!

Ahhhh congrats and good luck!! I think it takes a lot of courage to sign up for that first race, so good for you!!

I really enjoyed reading this! Congrats!! I won't be doing a marathon, but I will go to the Yachtsman!

Thank you!! Yes, definitely go to Yachtsman! It was sooooo good! Might be my new favorite Signature at WDW.

I loved your TR! I'm trying to get started running (did my first 5K in the fall and hope to do another this spring with my daughter)....and hope to work up to doing some Disney races. I'm sure I saw this in your TR somewhere, but where did you find your cute running shirts for each costume?

Thanks for reading!

Cute shirts are here: www.rawthreads.com

A couple of notes about them...
1. They are pricey! But the website had a HUGE sale around Thanksgiving where most of them were 25-50% off so I really stocked up them then.
2. They are not very breathable...actually I don't think they are all that great for running (which is why I did not wear one for the marathon - for the half marathon the shirt I wore really showed the sweat pretty badly but some color correction on the pictures helped out ). I really love those shirts just to wear any other time though, and I WOULD run in one again but it would have to be a black one!

 

[ddm118]

Loved your trip report! My daughter and I were near Innoventions for about three hours on Marathon day cheering on all the runners! We could have stayed til the very end but had to tear ourselves away. Awesome job on completing Dopey, congrats on your inspiring accomplishment.

 

[Ariel484]

Loved your trip report! My daughter and I were near Innoventions for about three hours on Marathon day cheering on all the runners! We could have stayed til the very end but had to tear ourselves away. Awesome job on completing Dopey, congrats on your inspiring accomplishment.

Thank you!! Thanks for reading and for cheering!! Really, really appreciated by all of the runners.

 

[ZellyB]

Anyway...Will flipped out when he saw me - I told him not to touch me since I was drenched in sweat and rain (mostly sweat), but he did anyway - gave me a hug and told me how proud he was.

Is there anything better than having your favorite person in the whole world tell you that they're proud of you? I'd say not.

I completely agree. That kind of support is the absolutely best thing in the world. I'm so glad he was there with you to share the accomplishment!

I do all of my runs at home solo, but throughout the fall Courtney was my long-distance training buddy. We used the same training plan and after each long run we'd text one another a full report, celebrating the good ones and commiserating over the bad ones. I knew how nervous she'd been for this race, but I also knew all along that she'd finish. It made me so incredibly happy to see her here at mile 24.5, looking awesome, about to become a marathoner.

What a great way to help each other with training. I know that I wouldn't be as consistent with my training if not for Chris and our other running buddies. And congrats to her on her first marathon!

I'd been hoping to take a little stroll around World Showcase, but we bagged the idea in favor of heading back to the Boardwalk to change - we were both in jeans and a little too warm. Oh, and those new flip flops I'd just bought? They gave me a BLISTER. Seriously, feet?! Running 48.6 miles over the course of four days: zero blisters. Wearing Mickey crocs for like an hour: blister. ARG!!!

Will suggested I just wear a pair of my running shoes for the rest of the weekend (as they have very good arch support), so that's what I ended up doing. By now it was almost dinner time, so we headed over to the Yacht Club.

Oh no!! Stupid crocs. I also just wore my running shoes the rest of the weekend. Mostly because I didn't want to pack more shoes.

Last day! Waahhh!!

Noooooooo!

The characters were a little weird this morning. Holly's kiddo was with us, and the characters would just go right to him, take a picture and leave. At one point I remember Holly and I exchanging a *look* - they barely interacted with the rest of us, which we found pretty odd. I mean...the kiddo is cute, but come on!!

That's a bit of a bummer, but the pictures you got are great. Although LOL about the nuclear event remark.

Love this shot!

So glad to have had the chance to read another one of your trip reports. When we first decided to run our first marathon back in 2013, reading your trip reports before that was a great motivator and also just so informative. I felt like once we got there that I'd actually been there before since everything looked familiar from your reports. What a great accomplishment. I'm so excited for you to run the DDD and get that lovely coast to coast. Can't wait to read your future trip report from Disneyland!!!

 

[ARmom30]

Thanks for sharing your Dopey experience! This TR was fantastic, as I'm getting ready for my 1st 1/2 marathon during PHM! I read your training PTR too and it helped encourage me to keep going! I have my last long run today, woohoo! I can't believe you finished this so quickly!

 

[Ariel484]

I completely agree. That kind of support is the absolutely best thing in the world. I'm so glad he was there with you to share the accomplishment!

Me too! I never make him come to races at home (because they're boring) so it's really nice to see him at Disney races.
[QUOTE="ZellyB, post: 53038708, member: 303905"]What a great way to help each other with training. I know that I wouldn't be as consistent with my training if not for Chris and our other running buddies. And congrats to her on her first marathon![/quote]
Yeah normally I am super independent with running (except for over-sharing here with the PTR ) but it was nice to have someone to talk to about it!

During training we both agreed that we were done with marathons after this year but now we're both planning on Dopey at some point. So addicting!!

Oh no!! Stupid crocs. I also just wore my running shoes the rest of the weekend. Mostly because I didn't want to pack more shoes.

I know! I was so sad. I need to try to sell those Crocs on FB. They're just too loose on me.

Noooooooo!

That's a bit of a bummer, but the pictures you got are great. Although LOL about the nuclear event remark.

But really. It's like the sun is exploding behind my head!
[QUOTE="ZellyB, post: 53038708, member: 303905"]Love this shot![/quote]
Yes!! Free cookie and a medal. Does it get any better?!

So glad to have had the chance to read another one of your trip reports. When we first decided to run our first marathon back in 2013, reading your trip reports before that was a great motivator and also just so informative. I felt like once we got there that I'd actually been there before since everything looked familiar from your reports. What a great accomplishment. I'm so excited for you to run the DDD and get that lovely coast to coast. Can't wait to read your future trip report from Disneyland!!!

Thanks Gisele So nice of you to say...glad it was helpful for your. Now you are a pro!!

Oh you KNOW there will be a Disneyland report!

Thanks for sharing your Dopey experience! This TR was fantastic, as I'm getting ready for my 1st 1/2 marathon during PHM! I read your training PTR too and it helped encourage me to keep going! I have my last long run today, woohoo! I can't believe you finished this so quickly!

Thank you for reading!! Hope you have a great last long run...good luck at Princess, you are going to have a blast!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Just commenting so I don't lose you. Back to read later!!

 

[Ariel484]

Just commenting so I don't lose you. Back to read later!!

 

[emilyindisney]

It's been a very busy/snowy week so I unfortunately well a little behind but... CONGRATULATIONS!
I'm glad to hear that the marathon went so well for you and that you were really able to reflect back on all the races with good thoughts (because not every run can be so awesome!)

You're right- after a marathon you can eat whatever you want! And as much as you want!

Bummer that the Ohana characters were not so awesome. It irritates me a little when stuff like that happens. I guess some of the characters are just better with adults and others are better with kids but it's still a little annoying

Glad that you can look back so fondly on your trip! I kind of understand what you mean about not being sad to leave. Sometimes Disney is just behind exhausting that by the time I'm back at MCO I just want to go home to relax. After quite a few back to back trips myself I'm not sure the next time I'll be at WDW (definitely not this year either!) Perhaps November 2016? We'll see!

I hope you'll continue to write TRs for all your upcoming Disney adventures! It's been a BLAST following along!

 

[Ariel484]

It's been a very busy/snowy week so I unfortunately well a little behind but... CONGRATULATIONS!
I'm glad to hear that the marathon went so well for you and that you were really able to reflect back on all the races with good thoughts (because not every run can be so awesome!)

Oh I know! I'm glad that the marathon happened to be one of the awesome ones! Lucky me.

You're right- after a marathon you can eat whatever you want! And as much as you want!

AMEN TO THAT! Too bad my stomach wasn't quite caught up just yet.

Bummer that the Ohana characters were not so awesome. It irritates me a little when stuff like that happens. I guess some of the characters are just better with adults and others are better with kids but it's still a little annoying

That is absolutely true. I wasn't heartbroken or anything, but still...it IS built into the cost of the meal, so it was a little annoying.

Glad that you can look back so fondly on your trip! I kind of understand what you mean about not being sad to leave. Sometimes Disney is just behind exhausting that by the time I'm back at MCO I just want to go home to relax. After quite a few back to back trips myself I'm not sure the next time I'll be at WDW (definitely not this year either!) Perhaps November 2016? We'll see!

This was definitely an exhausting trip! I was so happy to be able to sleep in, in my own bed!

November 2016 will be here before you know it!

I hope you'll continue to write TRs for all your upcoming Disney adventures! It's been a BLAST following along!

Thanks for reading! Next trip is a cruise so perhaps I'll post about that...

 

[joeyvt]

I was wondering if you could give me some input. I have been running races for about a year only 10K and below so far and am starting to train for some longer distances. I know I will have to do run/walk intervals do you suggest a certain app or watch for this?

 

[Ariel484]

I was wondering if you could give me some input. I have been running races for about a year only 10K and below so far and am starting to train for some longer distances. I know I will have to do run/walk intervals do you suggest a certain app or watch for this?

Try the RunKeeper app! Some GPS watches also do intervals (Garmin Forerunner 15 or 220).

 

[travisx4]

See you in California, I just registered for the Dumbo Challenge, 4 more medals to add to my collection!

 

[Ariel484]

See you in California, I just registered for the Dumbo Challenge, 4 more medals to add to my collection!

WOOHOO!! I am so freaking excited!! Cannot wait to get that beautiful partners medal!

 

[mbwhitti]

In for Dumbo!! Excited to go Coast to Coast! Also, we had been talking about phone cover designs: here are the ones for Princess http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...hon-weekend-2015-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[Ariel484]

In for Dumbo!! Excited to go Coast to Coast! Also, we had been talking about phone cover designs: here are the ones for Princess http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...hon-weekend-2015-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

Yes!! So glad that you got in! Isn't it the most stressful thing ever?!

Thanks for the link!! Love those phone cases...I hope they have them at Disneyland too! (I definitely have a merch problem...)

 

[pxefig]

I'm so proud of you! I know the whole thing with training is to be prepared to know you will finish what you set up to accomplish, but there are so many variables with a multi day even that these things make me nervous! I'm glad you are officially Dopey! I agree that the medal isn't quite up to par with the mileage accomplishment. I also personally feel that Dopey doesn't really mesh with the Fab 5, but I get why they call the challenge what they do. At this point I'm figuring it'll be 10 years before I try Dopey! I feel like the marathon is something I'll do every five years, so five years from now I'll do Goofy and five years after that try Dopey.
I'm looking forward to your Dumbo experiences. Can't wait to hear what you think of running on the West Coast. It's different, and has its own set of pros and cons, but, as with everything, is so much fun when you love it for what it is!

 

[pxefig]

You will like Paradise Pier. It was the first Disneyland hotel I stayed at and I just stayed there for Avengers. Disneyland Hotel is my favorite of the three, but honestly, Paradise is #2! Grand Californian is beautiful and the most like a deluxe resort you would find at WDW, but the extra $$$$ in pocket for staying at Paradise Pier over GCA puts it higher on my list. Same early entry benefits, and I'd rather buy more expo merchandise than pay more for a room I'm only sleeping in!

 

[Ariel484]

I'm so proud of you! I know the whole thing with training is to be prepared to know you will finish what you set up to accomplish, but there are so many variables with a multi day even that these things make me nervous! I'm glad you are officially Dopey! I agree that the medal isn't quite up to par with the mileage accomplishment. I also personally feel that Dopey doesn't really mesh with the Fab 5, but I get why they call the challenge what they do. At this point I'm figuring it'll be 10 years before I try Dopey! I feel like the marathon is something I'll do every five years, so five years from now I'll do Goofy and five years after that try Dopey.
I'm looking forward to your Dumbo experiences. Can't wait to hear what you think of running on the West Coast. It's different, and has its own set of pros and cons, but, as with everything, is so much fun when you love it for what it is!

Thank you!! You are so right about all of the unexpected things that can pop up - I feel so, so lucky that I got 4 great days in a row!

Awesome plan with Goofy and Dopey! I really feel like doing Goofy first was incredibly helpful. Knowing I had done that made Dopey a lot less intimidating.

I'm so looking forward to Disneyland! Especially with the 60th anniversary stuff. Great year to be there!!

You will like Paradise Pier. It was the first Disneyland hotel I stayed at and I just stayed there for Avengers. Disneyland Hotel is my favorite of the three, but honestly, Paradise is #2! Grand Californian is beautiful and the most like a deluxe resort you would find at WDW, but the extra $$$$ in pocket for staying at Paradise Pier over GCA puts it higher on my list. Same early entry benefits, and I'd rather buy more expo merchandise than pay more for a room I'm only sleeping in!

Yeah, we are all trying to do this trip on the cheap! As cheap as possible anyway. Disneyland Hotel was my first choice but we all decided we wanted to save the money. VGC...maybe someday if I win the lottery. now I'm just stalking flights!!

 

[dta87]

First off, Congratulations on the Dopey! Next thank you so much for writing such an outstanding TR, it really brought the events of the weekend back to life for me, the Dopey weekend was a complete blur. I wish I could put something together this thorough and entertaining. I am going to have to go back and read your 2013 TR since that was my first marathon.