Marathon Weekend 2027

[MissLiss279]

SAFD:
Lion King

If it was a different Star Wars, I may have made a different choice, because I do really like Star Wars! For some reason, Empire was my least watched of the originals growing up - so I haven’t voted for it a single time. I should probably watch it again, since it has been a while.

 

[Barca33Runner]

When I introduced my oldest daughters to Star Wars a few years back, our watch order was 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6, which I stand by to this day. You get the big reveal in Empire, the "how did we get here" of the prequels, and then the conclusion with Jedi.

This is my preference. I didn’t want to get caught up in the minutia of explaining the pros and cons of 456123 and 451236, when the primary point was that 4 and 5 have to be watched before 123 for it to be Star Wars rather than “A Chronological Retelling of the Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire (From a Certain Point of View)”.

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: Although I think it is proper that an animated feature will likely win, as animation is the foundation of Disney, The Empire Strikes Back is the superior film and probably my third or fourth most watched movie (behind Raiders and Back to the Future and even with A New Hope). So, Empire gets my vote.

I’ll take a moment to address something odd with the Star Wars franchise that I’ve seen in recent years, the endorsement of or even advocation for watching the films in chronological order for first time viewers. I think this is pure insanity and can only be done by those with complete ignorance to the power and intention of storytelling or hatred of Star Wars. We are meant to meet all of the characters in A New Hope as fresh faces about whom we have no prior knowledge. I’ll avoid spoilers (even if it’s probably unnecessary) but there are things that happen in A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back that fall completely flat if you’ve watched 1/2/3 first and things in 1/2/3 that don’t carry nearly the emotional weight if you haven’t seen 4/5 first. After the first time through, knock yourself out, watch them in any order you want; but to do the movies any degree of justice, they must be watched 4/5/6/1/2/3 the first time through (or 4/5/1/2/3/6 which also works great narratively). <rant over>

Anyway, Lion King is a movie made by Disney that exists and is therefore a perfectly cromulent winner.

As a retired high school Literature/Writing teacher, I love your analysis of narrative structure and characterization, as well as the vocabulary you use to express it! I’ve always thought I’d love to meet you, but I understand that social anxiety keeps you from meetups. I think that is a loss for the rest of us! Maybe one day?

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: Lion King FTW!

As a completely unnecessary aside - it is a travesty that Disney never made a LK attraction before now. I'm glad Paris is getting one and hopefully it will be replicated elsewhere (cough AK cough). I LOVE the Festival of the LK but Simba deserves a ride!

 

[Novatrix]

Seconding @Disney at Heart, @Barca33Runner.

Also, in case you ever wanted to dip your toes in, the annual mini golf outing is usually ~2 hours before Hurricane Hannahs. There's usually around 10 people who participate, and the groups are further split into 4/5 people to go around the course. None of us are the next Tiger Woods, and sometimes it takes the pressure off to have something active to do when meeting new people.

 

[marty3d]

Seconding @Disney at Heart, @Barca33Runner.

Also, in case you ever wanted to dip your toes in, the annual mini golf outing is usually ~2 hours before Hurricane Hannahs. There's usually around 10 people who participate, and the groups are further split into 4/5 people to go around the course. None of us are the next Tiger Woods, and sometimes it takes the pressure off to have something active to do when meeting new people.

Seconding (or thirding? )The mini golf is super low key and a great way to meet some new people in much smaller groups. And you can make fun of me when the course eats my golf ball. Join us next year and maybe you can figure out where my ball went.

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: Empire

If you haven’t watched Clone Wars you are absolutely missing out on some of the best story telling they have produced. Heck even Yoda gets tempted. You can see the transformation and temptation to the dark side and how Anakin actually brings balance to the Force. The last season and last few episodes are simply amazing!

Rebels is even better than Clone Wars. Both should be included in any Star Wars rewatch.

 

[radiodome21]

SAFD: Lion King. Love Empire but to me it’s not Disney. Love that they acquired it and have expanded the universe but I have to go with Lion King. Even it were Mary Poppins or some other musical I don’t love and my was a Disney movie I would still pick it over Empire for the same reason.

 

[Barca33Runner]

As a retired high school Literature/Writing teacher, I love your analysis of narrative structure and characterization, as well as the vocabulary you use to express it! I’ve always thought I’d love to meet you, but I understand that social anxiety keeps you from meetups. I think that is a loss for the rest of us! Maybe one day?

Seconding @Disney at Heart, @Barca33Runner.

Also, in case you ever wanted to dip your toes in, the annual mini golf outing is usually ~2 hours before Hurricane Hannahs. There's usually around 10 people who participate, and the groups are further split into 4/5 people to go around the course. None of us are the next Tiger Woods, and sometimes it takes the pressure off to have something active to do when meeting new people.

Seconding (or thirding? )The mini golf is super low key and a great way to meet some new people in much smaller groups. And you can make fun of me when the course eats my golf ball. Join us next year and maybe you can figure out where my ball went.

Thanks for the kind words and the votes of confidence. I tend to think that I’m the one missing out.

My family has a big contingent coming this year (11 people), which happens quite often for Marathon Weekend. I don’t get to see most of them as often as I’d like, so it’s tough to carve out time away. I attended once at HH about 10 years ago and everyone I met was amazing. I will make an effort to find time in the coming years but cannot make any promises.

 

[dobball23]

SAFD: This will likely be blasphemous to many, but I am not a fan of Star Wars. The movies are OK, but I don't see how they are so popular. I feel like I'm missing something. For that reason, I will choose Lion King (and because it is good!).

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD: Empire


Rebels is even better than Clone Wars. Both should be included in any Star Wars rewatch.

Rebels is solid but the Altar of Mortis and the last three episodes of Clones Wars is fairly insane. Yet Twin Suns with Mauls final death has SO MANY subtle background significant moments in Rebels

 

[Psymonds]

Good morning RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week’s edition of Sundays Are For Disney (SAFD) where we’ve reached the grand finale of our March Movie Madness event! So, for our first order of business, here are the semifinal results:

Woody and friends weren’t much more than chew toys for the lions and hyenas as Lion King absolutely devoured Toy Story 25-13.

The other side of the bracket was a much closer affair with the lead being traded back and forth several times, but in the end the combined power of the Dark Side and Empire was just too much for the crew of the Black Pearl. Empire Strikes Back prevailed over Pirates of the Caribbean 21-18.

Which brings us to the glorious finalists. Will it be animation or acquisition carrying the day as the top Disney movie? Cast your votes to see!

View attachment 1064042

empire

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: on the losing side of this one but going with Empire. I’ve tried to use the test of “if both of these were on, which would I watch”.

@camaker thanks for setting this up. Was a lot of fun!

 

[wilbur]

SAFD.....Lion King

 

[UNCBear24]

SAFD: My vote is for Empire.

 

[Psymonds]

SAFD: on the losing side of this one but going with Empire. I’ve tried to use the test of “if both of these were on, which would I watch”.

@camaker thanks for setting this up. Was a lot of fun!

there is still time to turn the tide!

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
Lion King gets my vote, but I like Empire more. Lion King just feels more Disney to me.

 

[The Expert]

SAFD:
This is tough, but I have to stick with the OG Disney rather than acquired and vote for Lion King.

 

[Psymonds]

Ok, so I was not feeling it after my long run today but I started to distract myself by thinking about costumes for MW. Nothing concrete yet, just some scribbles. need to ask DD and DS if they want to coordinate for their races.

is it too early?

 

[Barca33Runner]

is it too early?

This should be a subjective question, but RunDisney decided we needed to commit large amounts of money to register for these races in March; so I’m going to say, objectively, any and all planning for Marathon Weekend 2027 is allowable and appropriate.