Pixie Dust Challenge Accepted: a Tale of a Fairy Odd Duck at Disneyland

[cavepig]

One thing we did note at DL is that there is no benefit to having no bags; you are required to go through bag check regardless.

Yeah, I thought that was weird last Sept when I was there. I didn't know that and using the Grand Californian entrance to DCA I just cut ahead cause I had no bag and got yelled at, I was like "but at Disney World..." oops, I had no idea.

Compare away, it's fun I think.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 2, May 6 part 3 - The Eighth Wonder of the World!

We thoroughly enjoyed the DL version of Haunted Mansion, including the old-school hitchhiking ghosts, and when we emerged from our ghostly encounter, it was raining. We walked down to the riverfront where there were some umbrellas set up in the smoking area and stood for a bit, hoping the rain would lessen soon. It gave us some time to catch up on social media, strategize our next steps, and watch some Disneyland Ducks (and Canada geese!). In actuality, we probably only waited 10 minutes or so and then we walked past POTC, under Tarzan's Treehouse, and on towards Jungle Cruise. We passed by Indiana Jones even though it only had a 15-minute wait because we'd ridden it on our last visit and it really wasn't a favorite. Jungle Cruise had a 5-minute wait and we thought we'd be sheltered from the rain in the queue. Not so much since the "roof" is actually slatted planks so huge collective raindrops fell through and plopped on your head. Hee!

.

The wait was short as advertised and we boarded our trusty river-going vessel. Jungle Cruise is one of my favorites, especially when you get a skipper who really sells the corny jokes. We were lucky this time in that our skipper did just that. And even though there is a Jungle Cruise at WDW, I love that there are different versions at each park - there are some fundamental similarities, but there are also some very cool and distinct differences.


Tigers and crocs guarding an ancient Cambodian ruin. Photo from January 2015 - we saw no sun that day!


We were encouraged to take photos of the elephants - it was completely proper as they had their trunks on! Ba-dum-dum-tish!


Pirahnas!


West Coast Trader Sam - he'll sell you two of his heads for one of yours!

We of course saw Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous Dr. Albert Falls, and the Eighth Wonder of the World, the backside of water!!! How exciting! Of course, since it was raining and I was sitting in water on the boat, you could say that I was the Eighth Wonder of the World (because my backside was water - *groan* corny joke). Man, I love that ride.

After disembarking from our tour of the world's rivers, we headed over to Tomorrowland. Now, I'm a huge Star Wars fan. I'd prove it by posting a photo of 4-year-old me who'd insisted my mom put Princess Leia braids in my hair, but I can't find that particular photo. Just trust me on this one. So I (and DH as well, he's also a fan) was excited to see all the Star Wars paraphernalia all over Tomorrowland, it was reminiscent of Star Wars Weekends at WDW. We made our way over to Space Mountain, which currently has a Star Wars overlay and is called HyperSpace Mountain, and obtained FastPasses for later on since time was growing short to our Radiator Springs Racers FastPass. But we still had a little bit of time to kill, so we popped into Launch Bay and looked around a bit. I really like how the flow is more smooth in California versus Florida (I always, always, ALWAYS end up with people stopping short or suddenly turning around and whacking me - I hate it when I go all invisible), there is a central roundish area with little antechambers surrounding it. Just a few photos because the two Launch Bays are very similar in content.


Had to take a photo of Rey, since she was my race costume for Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon. Also, she's awesome.


Rey's speeder and my new BFF, BB-8.


I am really terrible at selfies, it had been raining, and my braid was falling apart, but I had to get a photo with my BFF! Love that little astromech droid so much!

One last stop before we trekked across the expanse of the plaza to California Adventure. When I was little, my grandma had a book about Donald Duck taking his nephews to Disneyland, and one of my favorite parts of that was the ducks riding the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Even at a young age, I thought it was just so cool that a roller coaster went through water! And so I couldn't wait to ride it on my first visit to Disneyland. Unfortunately, it had been closed last year for renovation, so I never got to ride it. Sadface.


This is the book!

When we'd entered the parks that morning, I noticed on a sign that the bobsleds were also closed today. Nooooooo! I can't be that unlucky, can I?! But we walked over to the entrance, and sure enough, closed. Boo.



Here's a little more backstory about me: I grew up in a small Swiss town. As in, people live in chalets, there is yodeling and accordian music on the streets, my dad plays the alphorn (that long horn seen above on the Matterhorn sign, he'd even played it atop of the Jungfrau in the Alps), and I myself am a quarter Swiss. I loved seeing all the canton shields on the entranceway to the Matterhorn, though it made me a bit homesick for my childhood. My hometown's canton shield is even up there, aw.

I must have been looking sad and dejected because a lederhosen-clad Cast Member walked up to me and said that the ride would be open later in the day, perhaps around 3pm. And suddenly, metaphorical sunshine broke through the clouds and I couldn't wait to return in the afternoon!

Next Up: Going Back to Cali, Cali, Cali

 

[rteetz]

I'm loving your report. I really need to get to Disneyland even if it's just a trip and not RunDisney related.

They love their RSR in DCA so I can imagine the FP line being long.

Honestly I've never actually seen the enchanted tiki room. Yes I know bad Disney fan but I do like the music.

I think the way their pirates is set up is much cooler than WDW with the blue bayou restaurant and entrance.

I've heard great things about Indiana jones which makes me want to ride it even more.

Jungle cruise is always fun and disneylands just came out of that big refurb to make it look great.

I'm not good at selfies either but I wouldn't pass one up with BB-8.

That sucks the Matterhorn was closed but hopefully you got to ride it later.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Yeah, I thought that was weird last Sept when I was there. I didn't know that and using the Grand Californian entrance to DCA I just cut ahead cause I had no bag and got yelled at, I was like "but at Disney World..." oops, I had no idea.

Compare away, it's fun I think.

Right? And the security guards would almost look angry if you didn't have a bag for them to search! Nutty.

I'm loving your report. I really need to get to Disneyland even if it's just a trip and not RunDisney related.

You definitely do! I hadn't been until last year and I loved it. DL is so different from MK but in lots of good ways, and there is a different vibe to it, much more nostalgic and welcoming, I think.

Honestly I've never actually seen the enchanted tiki room. Yes I know bad Disney fan but I do like the music.

Oh, man! You need to see it, it's so cute and almost never has a wait, even at DL. The line for the Dole Whips was longer in the afternoon! My husband isn't as big of a fan as I am of it, but his first trip to WDW was in his 20s, so he doesn't get the nostalgic factor and I have to be really nice to him to get him to go. But it's nice to get out of the sun for 15 minutes and be entertained.

I think the way their pirates is set up is much cooler than WDW with the blue bayou restaurant and entrance.

Totally agree!

I've heard great things about Indiana jones which makes me want to ride it even more.

It was fun when we did it last year, a lot like the Dinosaur ride at DAK just with Indy theme. What ruined it a little for me is that the girl (I'd say in her late teens/early 20s) behind me screamed the whole time and I had a headache afterwards. It's worth doing, but we decided not to that day.

Jungle cruise is always fun and disneylands just came out of that big refurb to make it look great.

I'm not good at selfies either but I wouldn't pass one up with BB-8.

I didn't know that JC had just been refurbed - it looked great! I am really, really terrible at selfies probably because I don't practice often enough. But agreed about BB-8! I got to have a photo with him at the Star Wars Dark Side expo, too.

That sucks the Matterhorn was closed but hopefully you got to ride it later.

Stay tuned...

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Going Back to Cali, Cali, Cali

By this time, it was around 11am, so we decided to leave DL and head over to DCA for our Radiator Springs Racers FP. Cars is probably my least favorite Pixar movie and it took me until last year to even see it (and I haven't bothered with the sequel) but the theming and attention to detail is just breathtaking. Talk about immersive. Just jaw-dropping.



As you can see, the fabled south California sunshine is still eluding us, which sort of played tricks on my camera (note: all my photos are from my outdated iPhone 5S just because I don't like carrying a lot of stuff in the parks) but you get the general idea and feel. Cars Land is great in the daytime, but it's even more striking at night! I first experienced it in the early morning hours of the Star Wars Half Marathon in 2015 and have some really great shots of Flo's lit up and a beautiful California sunrise.


Finally! The last time we were here, there was an 85-minute wait and the next FP was at a ridiculously late hour. Late for us, anyway since our bodies never really adjusted to Pacific Time during both trips. But here we were, and I was excited to finally experience the most popular ride in California Adventure!


Old-school paper FastPass system. Love it.


You are loaded into a car (yes, the windshields all had eyes, super-cute) with 5 other people and go for a spin through Radiator Springs. So here's where the WDW comparison comes (I told you I was gonna do it!): it's pretty much Test Track. But better! I like the theming much better even though it's a movie I don't particularly care for, it's fun, our car won the race at the end, and it's fast yet not upsetting to little kids who meet the height requirement.


Finishers' photo when you don't know where the camera is! It was a lot of fun and I'm really glad we finally had opportunity to ride it.

Next Up: You Got a Fast Car, I Want a Ticket to Radiator Springs

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

You Got a Fast Car, I Want a Ticket to Radiator Springs

(since I'm the QUEEN - thank you, Your Majesty [curtsies] - of obscure references, this is a modified lyric from Tracy Chapman's song Fast Car. I'm old)


Fast cars!


Everyone's watching the cars whiz by and I'm all, "look at this gorgeous Spanish bayonet!" It's what I do, folks. Hazards of being a biologist.

So Radiator Springs Racers was fun, lived up to the hype and now it was time to explore! Next we headed towards Paradise Pier.


California Screamin' roller coaster and Mickey's Fun Wheel.

We headed up and over the boardwalk towards California Screamin' and as we passed Cove Bar (adjacent to Ariel's Grotto), I mentioned that I'd like to get a drink off the secret menu later on and DH, being of an agreeable sort, simply said "OK" and we moved on. We walked past the rollicking roller coaster, past King Triton's Carousel (it's all fish and sea creatures, squee!), past Toy Story Mania! and then to the Fun Wheel. I'm not sure what possessed us, but we decided to try it. I'm not a big fan of heights and the thought of the swinging gondola option made me want to hurl, so we took the non-swinging option and waited approximately 10 minutes to board. We shared our gondola with a nice couple and their little boy, and the conversation served to distract me a bit from the fact that we might be plummeting to our deaths any second now. Slight hyperbole there.


View from inside our gondola shortly after boarding. You are literally in a hanging cage.

And then we went UP! And up. And even further up. We watched as the cars on California Screamin' whizzed by all around us, we noted the large expanse of water where World of Color lives, and even started looking around. You could see all of Anaheim, the parks, and even the mountains beyond. That was probably the coolest part for me, since I live in Florida, our mountains are landfills. Yes. Florida, home of Mount Trashmore.

But just look!


From our gondola, we could actually see #allthemountains: Splash, Big Thunder, Matterhorn, HyperSpace, and Grizzly Peak. Unfortunately, I was taking this photo through the wire slats, so only a portion is visible in the photo.


Grizzly Peak!

So this wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, the view was definitely worth it and we had some fun going around twice, but both DH and I agreed that this was a one-and-done for us. At least on this trip.

At this point, we decided to head towards Cove Bar to see about that secret menu, so we walked around the World of Color and got in queue for the bar. There is limited seating and it is all outdoors, yet it is extremely popular. We deeply underestimated the popularity because when the host greeted us, we were informed that the wait was 70 minutes. At that time, the line for California Screamin' was 20 minutes. Priorities, I guess! At any rate, we were given the option of them texting us when our first-available spots opened up and since we had some time to kill after that, we got in line for the roller coaster. We figured that even if we didn't get to Cove Bar until the 70-minute timeframe, we'd still have time to get a drink and make our 1:30ish FP at HyperSpace Mountain (don't judge, we were on Eastern time, so it was really like 2pm for us at this point - and clearly we weren't the only ones! ).

So we waited for California Screamin'. I feel like I should mention that I absolutely hated this coaster the last time we were there. We rode it around 1pm on the day that I had just completed my second half marathon ever and I was tired, cranky, and sore. So I'm sure that that helped contribute to my atypical stormy mood. But I am adult enough to realize that that may have been the case and I was willing to give it another shot. However, the universe had different plans for us on this fair day, good friends! DH received a text that our seats at Cove Bar were ready (10 minutes - I'm not sure how 70 minutes was calculated, but we weren't complaining), so we made our way back through the line - I've never said "excuse me" so many times in such a short period in my life - and walked back to the host station at Cove Bar.

We were seated on the far end of the bar, so our backs were to the Fun Wheel (I said good day, sir!) and after showing DH the blog post I'd found with the secret menu, we were soon ordering. I ordered the Fun Wheel, because a) it is pretty! and b) how else to commemorate riding that thing? DH ordered the Earthquake. We were soon presented with our cocktails and they were as pretty as they were tasty!


Fun Wheel times two!! The density gradient of the various ingredients made for a lovely colorful striped drink. Though I suggest stirring prior to consumption. Hashtag for this drink: #helloimdrunk

I had just posted the above photo to Instagram and the post in my timeline immediately after was @Ariel484's photo of a cocktail at Cove Bar as well. What are the odds? DH and I continued enjoying our drinks and the sights and after wrapping it up (for those keeping score at home, no, we still hadn't eaten since breakfast ) we started to walk out and I noticed a tell-tale hoodie from a certain soCal specialty running brand right on our way out. I debated on whether to say hi because I'm an introvert by nature and I didn't want to bother a complete stranger (albeit someone I "knew" from the DIS boards); however, the Fun Wheel decided it would be a good idea to stop and say hello. So I did, I was awkward, and left not feeling very good about myself and feeling badly that I'd interrupted someone for that 60-90 seconds. Anyway.

Stupid Fun Wheel.

But! It was time to head to a galaxy far, far away via HyperSpace Mountain, so we exited DCA and walked across the plaza (I will seriously never get sick of that!) to DL.

Next Up: Yodel-lay-he-hoo!

 

[Ariel484]

Girl. You stop that! I was so glad that you said hi! I would have been too shy.

What did you think of the Fun Wheel (the drink)? I had it in December and this time I had the Melrose (also from the secret menu). I'd highly recommend the Melrose if you like strawberry - so good!!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Girl. You stop that! I was so glad that you said hi! I would have been too shy.

Well, thank you, you are too sweet! I'm normally too shy as well.

What did you think of the Fun Wheel (the drink)? I had it in December and this time I had the Melrose (also from the secret menu). I'd highly recommend the Melrose if you like strawberry - so good!!

I liked the Fun Wheel - it was sweet but not too much so, light-tasting, and evidently got the job done. I'll keep the Melrose in mind for next time!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Yodel-lay-he-hoo!

Upon our second arrival in DL that day (hence the hippity-hopping title of the first post of day 2) we headed back towards Tomorrowland for our HyperSpace Mountain FP. During our visit in 2015, we neglected to try the California version of Space Mountain because we were trying to hit the attractions we couldn't do in Florida. Evidently this was a miscalculation, even before the Star Wars overlay.



We went inside the attraction and immediately soaked in the ambiance, as well as noted differences between California and Florida. Number one, and probably the best, difference was that seating was side-by-side rather than single-file. Ooh, I wondered how that would affect this thrill ride! Also, when you enter the loading area, you are up on a balcony overlooking the loading area, so you can watch people climb in and out of the cars. Then you walk down a ramp to the loading area.





The view from above! So the whole storyline for this ride (it's Disney, there has to be a story, which I love) is that you're part of an elite X-wing squad in the Battle of Jakku. There is Star Wars music piped in your car, you also hear Admiral Ackbar barking orders (and a female pilot that sounded suspiciously like Sabine Wren from Rebels, but it was hard to tell for sure) and you are engaged in battle with Star Destroyers and TIE fighters. I ended up with tears streaming down my face - not because of the emotional aspect - because we were going so fast in an air-conditioned building that the wind forces the moisture out of your eyes. At least mine. This was such an awesome ride! Way, way better than in Florida, even without the overlay.

So here's the part where I confess to something quite embarrassing to me as a WDW AP Holder and frequent visitor to the Florida parks. When we stopped and got out to go look at our ride photos, I realized I'd left my sunglasses in the car pouch. D'oh! I've never ever done that! So we walked back through the exit at a CM's direction (after confessing how stupid I felt) and back to the ride loading/unloading area. I explained to the CM where my seat had been in the car, and he diligently searched that seat pouch in every car that came through. He seemed irritated about it at first, but then asked me what kind of sunglasses and when I replied that they were Ray-Bans, he got serious. Long story short, he found my sunglasses, I thanked him profusely and I am emailing Disneyland so he can get some recognition. I realize that CMs probably experience this sort of thing hundreds of times in a day (hence his initial irritation, I'm sure), but it was the first time it'd happened to me and I was grateful that he was so thorough in looking for my sunglasses.

After exiting HyperSpace Mountain, we walked past the Nemo submarines ("Mine! Mine! Mine!") and noticed that there was a line wrapping around the Matterhorn Bobsleds. What? So we followed the line as it snaked around and soon happened upon the wait time. 35 minutes. I looked at DH to see if he was cool with that wait time and he totally was. So we got in line. I was stoked to finally be riding a coaster I'd been fascinated by since I was a little kid and hoped that it lived up to the hype in my mind.



I'm guessing that this guy is wondering why I'm taking a photo of a wait time sign!



Soon we were up and loaded into our sleds. Yay! And despite some people chanting from Cool Runnings (um, wrong country, guys), I had a blast! Basically you go up and then whiz around the mountain with some twists and turns. I'm not sure when they revamped the ride to mimic some storylines from Expedition Everest (lost base camp, Yeti) but the Yeti here is so much cooler and scarier than Everest's. Which is strange, because to my knowledge, there are no mythical apelike creatures in the Alps. But c'est la vie, I went with it!

And that little dip into water at the end? So cool and we didn't get wet, it was just a nice little dip and then we were done! Loved it!

By this time, we still had not even walked past or nearby Sleeping Beauty's castle, and I wanted to see all the 60th anniversary accoutrements. How we managed to park hop, and hop, and hop, and hop and not see the castle is a question I can't answer. Maybe it was the rain or the gloomy overcast weather and I didn't want to see all the sparkly diamond jubilee decorations in such conditions? At any rate, it was time!


We passed by when Bert and Mary Poppins et. al were performing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but at least we saw it. And the sun was peeking out just a bit!

At this point, it's about 3pm and I am starving. If you're still keeping score at home, we hadn't eaten since breakfast at Jazz Kitchen, so we decided to head over to DCA (yet another hop!) for a carbtastic meal (I had a 10K race the next morning) at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta. There, I got spaghetti and meatballs and a side salad - I was craving lettuce like nobody's business - and we sat down to eat outside. No food photos because I pretty much dove right in. The lesson learned here is that you don't purchase food when you're so hungry you could eat #allthefood, because after noshing on the delicious spaghetti and one meatball (gave the other to DH because I'm very careful what I eat before a race) I had zero room for a salad, even a side one. At first I was going to just take it back to our hotel room, but now that the sun was out, I also didn't want to risk the salad dressing getting cooked on the way. Ultimately I picked at it, but not much since the honey mustard dressing was a bit spicy and as I mentioned, I'm very careful what I eat before a race. The last thing any runner wants during a race is gastrointestinal issues!

Now it's nearly 4 o'clock (which felt like 7pm to us) and my race is at 5:30am, so we walked back to the hotel to just chill out and relax the rest of the evening, go to bed early (even DH), and be up around 3:30 or so to get ready for the race. I probably didn't need to set an alarm because I'm normally awake by 6:30am Eastern every day, but I did just in case. I also laid out my 10K race costume, which is one of my favorite characters.



The Cheshire Cat!!



Next Up: Another Rainy runDisney 10K?

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 3: May 7 - Another Rainy runDisney 10K?

Sure enough, I woke up pretty much on my own before my first (ahem) alarm even went off. One of the benefits of a DL race! For Florida races, you have to get up pretty early because of how spread-out the resorts and parks are on property, catching a bus by 4am is recommended. At DL, everything is so much more compact so there is a lot more flexibility on arrival times, which is really nice. I dressed in my race costume: Sparkle Athletic visor with my handmade Cheshire Cat ears/eyes clip-on, Raw Threads "Cat Lady" tank, arm sleeves (I prefer these to long-sleeved shirts because they're more easily removed), Rock City Cheshire Cat skirt, running capris, and my purple Brooks Ravennas that have been my trusty footwear for 2 half marathons, a 10-Miler, countless training runs, and now this last 10K race (I'll miss you, garishly purple shoes!).


And even the Cheshire Cat I take everywhere with me (my one and only tattoo that I got well into adulthood after many years of contemplation).

The day previous, I'd debated either walking to the corrals (it was about a 10-minute walk) or just taking the ART bus, which drops you off at the main gate of DL where you walk through security, across the plaza, through Downtown Disney, and finally to the corrals. The corrals are located on Disneyland Drive, which would be a pretty short walk from the hotel. However, I wasn't sure about where we'd have to go through security, and I didn't want to have to walk to the corrals, only to have to walk goodness-knew-where. So I played it safe and took ART transportation. Also, even though I knew there would be lots of runners along the way, I didn't really want to walk all by myself in Anaheim. DH walked me downstairs to the ART and I was on my way!


10K Course Map. The corrals were located on the straightaway just below the Start.

At this point, it's chilly and somewhat drizzling. Gah. I was glad I'd packed my runDisney heat sheet from the Star Wars half last month because those things keep you warm and dry. Something I had experience with for the Marathon Weekend 10K, where it poured the entire race (race recap here). Eventually, I made my way through the plaza, Downtown Disney and then turned left towards the corrals. For the 10K I was in Corral B, which I was really excited about since at my fastest, I'm a middle-of-the-pack runner. It started raining harder and luckily, the back end of Corral B was located under the Downtown Disney overpass, so it was nice to stay somewhat dry while waiting for the race to start. It soon became crowded, though, because no one wanted to stand out in the rain, so the front 75% of the corral was empty!


Terrible photo, but you get the idea - look at all that wet, empty space ahead of me!

During this time, I was getting a little annoyed. Would every Disney 10K I did be rainy? But then I gave myself a little pep talk. If it was raining again, who cares? You're here, you're awake, you're ready, and it's a 10K, so it'd be over relatively quickly. May as well just go with it and have as much fun as possible. Soon, the rain dissipated a bit and people started ambling up the hill towards the front of the corral. Since I had the heat sheet/poncho, I did as well and not long after that the rain stopped completely. Whew!


The corral started to fill up.

While we were waiting, I had some nice conversations with people around me. I'm typically very shy and won't initiate conversation with strangers, but I am happy to talk to most anyone who wants to talk with me. Already, this was a different experience than many of my other runDisney races that I've run solo. Pretty neat! It took almost no time before our Corral was launched (I think we were 9 minutes behind the 5:30 start time) and it was time to Go!



Woot! One difference about DL races is that there are no starting line fireworks, but since the parks are completely surrounded by the City of Anaheim, this is understandable.

We first ran around the perimeter of the parks and my plan was basically to run outside the parks and then to take it easy once inside so I could enjoy the park atmosphere and sights. I think there were two overpasses (so, "hills") at the start, and once I reached the top of the first, I recognized some familiar costumes. I follow Run All The Races on Facebook and Instagram, especially after my first encounter with the ladies during last year's Star Wars Half (they were dressed as Tinker Bell Stormtroopers because Star Wars had displaced the Tinker Bell weekend in January) outside the restrooms in California Adventure. I next saw them during all four races marathon weekend, then at Star Wars Dark Side Half, and they'd posted photos of their costumes pre-race for Tink weekend. So when I saw them at the top of the overpass, I shouted, "Run all the races!" as I ran by. They smiled and waved.


Super-cute monarch butterfly costumes!

On top of the next overpass, I ran into another familiar costume; there are a lot of us runDisney addicts on Instagram who follow one another and I had spotted one based on her race costume. Now despite the fact that I'm painfully shy and terrified of rejection, I said hello as I came up alongside her. She also recognized me and we chatted each other up for a bit and before we knew it, we were inside of the parks! First up, Toon Town in Disneyland. This was one corner of the parks that DH and I had neglected first trip out, so it was kind of cool to be seeing it for the first time while running through it.



It was at this point that Jenni (my new Instagram friend) and I realized that we were having a good time chatting with each other and we were both taking the 10K somewhat easy since we also had the half marathon the next day. Jenni was also just coming off of a bad cold and kept insisting that she didn't want to hold me back, but I was cool with it and said that if she didn't mind the company that I'd stick with her. And so we did. The beauty of it also is that since we are both Instagram posters, we both had a "thing" for taking photographs, which worked out on course if we wanted a random photo op. This worked out for both of us: for me at the Teacups (since I was the Cheshire Cat) and Jenni at the pirates area (she was Captain Hook).


I love the uncovered Teacups at DL, and that the paper lanterns light up!

And then we ended up going through Sleeping Beauty Castle! I'd run through Cinderella's castle three times now, for Princess Half Marathon in 2015, then twice during marathon weekend for the Dopey Challenge, and I'd run around Sleeping Beauty's castle for Star Wars, so this was the first time through. Loved it! And then Jenni and I stopped for a quick photo op in front of the castle.



It was really nice to just run with someone who is also laid-back about Disney races. I understand why some people get competitive and want to PR or do their best, but for me, that's why I do local races with smaller fields. Disney races (for me, and I'm not judging others who do not share my philosophy) are about having fun, character stops, enjoying the parks, really taking in the course, and of course finishing for the pretty, pretty bling. And Jenni seemed to share that philosophy and attitude, so that was really wonderful for me.

Next Up: A Captain and a Cat Finish a 10K

 

[SarahDisney]

Okay, lots for me to catch up on...

I have to say, I'm not a huge POTC fan (I know, blasphemy), but DL's version is definitely better than WDW's. The beginning part really makes a difference.

I actually think I have never been on Haunted Mansion at DL. I have no pictures of it, and none of your pictures look familiar to me. Weird ... I guess I'll have to do it next time I'm out there ... I definitely need to see that Hatbox Ghost in person!

I love all the Jungle Cruise pictures! That's another one I think I've never done at DL (I haven't done it in years at WDW) ... I think what I'm learning from reading this report is that I really need to get back out to California!

Cars Land is so amazing. I love it all lit up at night ... but it's pretty nice during the day too. We saw it decorated for Christmas, which was pretty fun - it was all car-themed decorations. I totally get the RSR/Test Track comparison, but the theming on RSR is definitely better. I really loved it.

You are officially braver than me ... I refuse to go on Mickey's Fun Wheel of Death. Some day someone might force me to go on it ... but it'll be bad news. Even the pictures of the amazing view can't convince me to try that death wheel.

So fun that you ran into @Ariel484! Even if it was a short encounter ... it's always fun to meet someone you know from the boards!

Space Mountain at DL is amazing. I'm not a Star Wars person at all, so I was hesitant about Hyperspace Mountain at first, but from everything I've seen/heard/read, it really sounds like it just made an amazing ride even better.

Matterhorn Bobsleds is amazing (I feel like I use that word a lot to describe my favorite Disney attractions). One of my favorite rides at DL! The water at the end is great - it's a nice little element that the other rides don't have, but there's no wet involved.

I love the Cheshire Cat outfit!

So awesome that you made a friend at the 10K! And I totally understand your view of Disney races - sometimes it's nice to just relax and enjoy the experience of the race, and Disney races are perfect for that!

 

[Ariel484]

Love the 10K recap so far...your outfit looks familiar to me and I was in corral B too. I bet we were near one another!

How was the pasta from Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta?

So agree with you on Space being better in California!! The overlay was so awesome.

I'm totally with you in relaxing for Disney races, they're way more fun that way!

 

[rteetz]

So many updates how can I keep up!

Everyone keeps talking about carsland I just need to go there already!

Dis meets are awesome I can understand being shy but I don't think I've ever regretted going up to someone especially at Disney.

I secretly want to go on the moving gondolas of mickeys fun wheel. I'll probably freak out once I'm on but I want to do it to say I did it lol. That view of grizzly peak is amazing.

Hyperspace mountain sounds awesome and as a Star Wars fan I really want to do it.

Matterhorn is one of those classics that everyone and to do once.

Yay 10K! Looks like an awesome race! Great outfit. Those butterflies you saw were The RunDisney famous Kimberly Markey and Perfectly goofy Gail!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

I have to say, I'm not a huge POTC fan (I know, blasphemy), but DL's version is definitely better than WDW's. The beginning part really makes a difference.

Not blasphemy - everyone has their favorites and must-dos. Totally agree that DL's is better for a lot of reasons.

I actually think I have never been on Haunted Mansion at DL. I have no pictures of it, and none of your pictures look familiar to me. Weird ... I guess I'll have to do it next time I'm out there ... I definitely need to see that Hatbox Ghost in person!

One of my favorite mashup artists, Karen Hallion, did a really great mashup (I have the t-shirt) of Jack Skellington and the Hatbox Ghost, which made me want to see it all that much more! Someday, we'll have to go to CA during Christmas season (hmm, maybe an Avengers race weekend?!) because I'd love to see the HM overlay and all the decorations. For the Star Wars race weekend last year, the Christmas overlay was still up at It's A Small World and it was beautiful. Though I will say that there is a worse earworm song for that attraction, and that song is Jingle Bells.

I love all the Jungle Cruise pictures! That's another one I think I've never done at DL (I haven't done it in years at WDW) ... I think what I'm learning from reading this report is that I really need to get back out to California!

You definitely need to get back out to Cali! Or WDW, whichever... Not that I'm enabling or anything! I'm a huge fan of punny/corny jokes, especially when delivered with enthusiasm, so Jungle Cruise is one of my favorites at both parks.

Cars Land is so amazing. I love it all lit up at night ... but it's pretty nice during the day too. We saw it decorated for Christmas, which was pretty fun - it was all car-themed decorations. I totally get the RSR/Test Track comparison, but the theming on RSR is definitely better. I really loved it.

It must have been fantastic at Christmas! And I totally agree that RSR theming is far better than Test Track.

You are officially braver than me ... I refuse to go on Mickey's Fun Wheel of Death. Some day someone might force me to go on it ... but it'll be bad news. Even the pictures of the amazing view can't convince me to try that death wheel.

Honestly, I'm not sure what came over us. But the view was really breathtaking.

So fun that you ran into @Ariel484! Even if it was a short encounter ... it's always fun to meet someone you know from the boards!

Indeed!

Space Mountain at DL is amazing. I'm not a Star Wars person at all, so I was hesitant about Hyperspace Mountain at first, but from everything I've seen/heard/read, it really sounds like it just made an amazing ride even better.

It was soooo much fun! Loved it! I'm not sure I'll even be able to enjoy the WDW version now.

Matterhorn Bobsleds is amazing (I feel like I use that word a lot to describe my favorite Disney attractions). One of my favorite rides at DL! The water at the end is great - it's a nice little element that the other rides don't have, but there's no wet involved.

Amazing is a good descriptor for lots of the attractions! I was pretty stoked to finally get to ride the bobsleds, especially with them being closed last visit and in the morning of the first day this visit.

I love the Cheshire Cat outfit!

Thank you! It's one of my all-time favorite characters in literature and Disney.

So awesome that you made a friend at the 10K! And I totally understand your view of Disney races - sometimes it's nice to just relax and enjoy the experience of the race, and Disney races are perfect for that!

Yes, despite me repeatedly insisting that I'm shy and introverted, I'm not really making a case to back that up, am I? It's weird how Disney can do that to you. At Disney races, there's just so much to take in and I take a lot of photos so going easy during them is definitely my preference.

Love the 10K recap so far...your outfit looks familiar to me and I was in corral B too. I bet we were near one another!

Thank you! And how funny we were in the same corral!

How was the pasta from Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta?

Both DH and I thought it was quite good. A huge plate of spaghetti was $10 (pretty reasonable, right?) and it was on par with Tony's Town Square in WDW (my pre-TOT10M carb-load) or Via Napoli in Epcot. The meatballs were really tender and not too spicy, the sauce was tangy, and the spaghetti was about perfect. They also had a chicken penne pasta with (I think) a pesto sauce and then something with white sauce (maybe an alfredo?). There was also a counter for pizzas, salads, and draft beers. In short, I would do it again during race weekend.

So agree with you on Space being better in California!! The overlay was so awesome.

Right? That TIE fighter flying right towards you is so surreal!

I'm totally with you in relaxing for Disney races, they're way more fun that way!

Definitely more fun! I'll never be an elite or a 90-minute half marathoner (and I'm totally fine with that), so I want to get my money's worth by time on the field. At least that's what I tell myself.

So many updates how can I keep up!

Ha! Yeah, when the writing bug strikes, I have to go with it.

Everyone keeps talking about carsland I just need to go there already!

You do! I don't even like the movie all that much (and haven't seen the sequel) and I loved Cars Land!

Dis meets are awesome I can understand being shy but I don't think I've ever regretted going up to someone especially at Disney.

Agreed!

I secretly want to go on the moving gondolas of mickeys fun wheel. I'll probably freak out once I'm on but I want to do it to say I did it lol. That view of grizzly peak is amazing.

You are braver than I am, good sir. There was no way I was going up in a swinging cage!

Hyperspace mountain sounds awesome and as a Star Wars fan I really want to do it.

As a Star Wars fan, you'll love it!!

Matterhorn is one of those classics that everyone and to do once.

Yes! I'm so glad I finally was able to.

Yay 10K! Looks like an awesome race! Great outfit. Those butterflies you saw were The RunDisney famous Kimberly Markey and Perfectly goofy Gail!

Yep! I wasn't sure if that was Gail with Kimberly, but I knew it was her. I ran into them outside the bathrooms in DCA during Star Wars last year, and then I realized how famous they are afterwards! They were in my corrals for Dopey this year (I remember seeing the Lone Ranger group about 10 feet away, I think for the 10K?), and then during Star Wars in WDW, I ran past them in DAK while they were filming in line for a character, I waved, and she sort of paused and smiled at me. So when she posts the video and you see her smile off-camera, that was for me!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 3: May 7 - A Captain and a Cat Finish a 10K


Matterhorn race shot, because why not?

After enjoying the sights in DL, it was time to go past the cheering throngs in the plaza and then down through the underground tunnel to DCA! For those who've only done WDW races, this was similar to the underwater tunnel nearby the Contemporary between miles 4-5 in the WDW/Princess Half. So yeah, steep grade. Yikes! But it seemed to go quickly, it's really amazing how a bit of conversation can make that happen.



The last time I'd run in DCA was the very first time I'd even been inside the park, so it was nice this time to be a little bit better oriented. We passed through Hollywoodland and then outside of the parks past Tower of Terror and then entered Cars Land. This is one of my favorite raceday views:



Though, this one isn't so bad, either!



Lots of people were pulling over to the side to get selfies and such. And here's where I found that DL races are a bit different than WDW ones: most people didn't care! I saw so many runners cut others off to get a photo op and the cut-off people were like, "eh, no worries." Such a different attitude than, for instance, during Princess Half when many participants exhibited a not-so-royal attitude! We then went through A Bug's Land, which I still haven't spent any time in outside of races, and then found ourselves at the foot of the bridge to Paradise Pier. Perfect timing for a great photo op!



Then it was around PP, through the Grizzly Peak area and we passed only the third character stop in the entire race (Tinker Bell and friend had been in DL, as well as Rosetta and Iridessa, maybe?) and it was Fawn! Fawn is one of Tinker Bell's friends in Pixie Hollow and she is an animal talent fairy, which means she talks to and nurtures animals. Since I am a biologist, I'd decided that my race costume for the half marathon would be Fawn. Also, it's my BFF's name, except hers is spelled differently. So Jenni suggested we stop for a photo just in case she wasn't out for the half the next day. While waiting in line, the CM (they had 2-3 extra CMs who'd take your phone/camera and it was very efficient, making the character stop very quick) asked if I made my costume and I told him I'd only made the eyes/ears, and he said he approved. Funny!

Then it was my turn to meet with Fawn and I told her I'd be dressing up like her the next day. She replied that she couldn't wait to see my costume because she'd be out tomorrow as well. Quick, but nice, interaction. And surprisingly my only character stop! Most of the photo ops in DL races seem to be park landmarks themselves.



We then left DCA and ended up in Downtown Disney. Prior to the race, I'd told DH to meet me at the stage next to Earl of Sandwich, but on the walk to the corrals, I noted it was actually part of the course! So I texted him and he said he'd just wait outside Earl of Sandwich, so when we ran through Downtown Disney, he was taking some photos of us running along, which was really nice!

And just like that we approached the finish line - I can't remember which characters were out there - and were very nearly done! It wasn't my fastest 10K time, but it was on par for my rD 10K times (as I said, I tend to take it easy during Disney races!), we got our medals and other paraphernalia. Jenni was going to go find her mom but before she did, she said she wanted to get a selfie with our medals, so we did that. And then we said a heartfelt good-bye - we didn't think we'd see each other the next day since Jenni was in Corral B and I was in C for the half.


Finish line!


Cat, Captain, bling!



Just once, I'd like to have a finisher's photo where my outfit isn't all messed up. Some people can make it through a marathon and still look put-together and great. Me? I can't walk across the street without getting mussed up. What can you do?

I really liked this race course, there seemed to be a lot of park time, even when we were running around one rather than in it, and it was nice to finish up through Downtown Disney and the crowds! Hmmm, Tink sure isn't my favorite, but I'm now having second thoughts about this race weekend being a one-and-done...

Next Up: A (Former) Cat Goes to See Another Captain

 

[rteetz]

I love running through any Disney park. I think running through something like carsland period be amazing.

Great photo with Fawn! I'm interested to see your costume for the half.

Congrats on the finish! Bling is always good.

 

[Ariel484]

Hmmm, Tink sure isn't my favorite, but I'm now having second thoughts about this race weekend being a one-and-done...

I agree with pretty much your entire 10K recap - ESPECIALLY this point. Who am I?!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

I love running through any Disney park. I think running through something like carsland period be amazing.

Great photo with Fawn! I'm interested to see your costume for the half.

Congrats on the finish! Bling is always good.

I think running through Cars Land (especially when there's a gorgeous sunrise) is my second-favorite, after running through Cinderella's Castle when it's still all lit up in January. Thanks! Yes, I am a sucker for the bling!

I agree with pretty much your entire 10K recap - ESPECIALLY this point. Who am I?!

Hahaha! I've been following along on your TR and training log and so I know exactly why you're questioning yourself!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 3: May 7 - A (Former) Cat Goes to See Another Captain


Closer view of the bling, and my Cheshire hat!

One thing I feel like I should mention about the corral seeding for the 10K is that even though I'm a middle-packer at best, I never felt out of place in Corral B. It seemed like the people around me were all running about the same pace and I never felt crowded, either (except when the PhotoPass stations showed up, then people crowded around a bit more). It also seemed, compared to other rD races I've run, that the field here was pretty laid back collectively. Like I'd mentioned, nobody really ever got upset if they got cut off and it really didn't seem like anyone was in a super-huge hurry to finish. Very different atmosphere, to say the least!

Anyway! After the race, I met up with DH outside Earl of Sandwich, and since we were there, we picked up breakfast sandwiches to go and walked back to the Hilton. At the hotel, we ate our breakfast, I cooled off a bit, and then opened up the runDisney snack box:


Sweet fancy Moses, we've got the salty cheese! DH was under strict instructions not to touch it or the tortilla chips; he was welcome to anything else. That cheese is like crack, y'all, and I'm from Wisconsin so I know my cheese!

Weirdly enough, even though I'm singing the praises of that cheese, I never ate it in California! I packed it in my carry-on for the flight home in case I wanted a snack. What is even happening with me?

After checking out the box contents, hydrating a bit more, it was time to clean up and get ready. When we planned our California adventure (see what I did there?), we had only planned on 3 park-hopping days and we would be there for 4 full days plus arrival day. Originally, DH thought he might like to go see some Hollywood/LA sights, but when I looked into that possibility, even though Anaheim is only something like 40 miles from Hollywood, in traffic the trip can be 2-3 hours! We both felt that we didn't have that kind of time to waste in traffic, and I was also a bit worried about doing an all-day field trip the day before a race (even though we park-hopped way too much on Friday, as it turned out!). So DH had the brilliant suggestion of just making Saturday a down day, a day to relax and refresh since I'd be running a half marathon the next day. He is a smart man [/Forrest Gump voice]. And as it happened, the new Captain America movie had just been released so we figured we'd catch the first show of the day, grab lunch, and then just head back to the hotel to relax.

So we walked to Downtown Disney to see Captain America: Civil War. As a sidenote, since I'm not doing a TR for the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon Weekend, DH and I had decided to dip our toes into the spring Dapper Day because it fell on the Saturday during race weekend in WDW. So why not? I went as Team Cap and DH was Team Iron Man and even though we only spent about an hour in Magic Kingdom all gussied up, we had a blast and DH already has an idea for fall Dapper Day in November! I've created a monster! Also, we are kind of nerdy.


No fancy shoes because half marathon the next day.


Celebrating with Cap! Also, I love the tee I'm wearing, which was drawn by Karen Hallion - it's a Doctor Who/Captain America mashup where the Doctor helped Cap and Peggy get their dance. Aw.

I won't spoil the movie for you, but if you like the MCU films, you're going to love this one! It's probably the best one so far. Highly entertaining. I laughed, I cried, and I had a ton of fun. After the movie, we had a small lunch at Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria. Just a slice of pizza each and it was OK, nothing to write home about. Then we walked over to the Disneyland Hotel because on Thursday we'd forgotten to get the complimentary ART passes, and I wanted us to have them for the next day's activities. It was pretty easy, just a bit time-consuming since nothing was computerized and you had to know your bib number. Luckily, I got mine from my race photos that morning, whew! Then we walked back to Earl of Sandwich, where we picked up dinner to go. I had a Chicken Caesar wrap and some grapes, and I can't remember what DH got but he really liked it. No photos because I forgot to document them, which would have been a good idea! And at some point in Downtown Disney, we were witness to a Quinceañera (at least that's what I think it is), which was really cool! We see them from time to time in WDW, too, and it's just a really nice thing! How else to feel like a princess but at Disney?



By this time, it's around 6pm, so I laid out my costume for the half marathon, and read my book for a while (Bloodline, the new Star Wars book that centers on Leia's time in the New Republic Senate - it's really good!) to settle down for an early bedtime. Kind of a boring day, trip report-wise, but it was exactly what I needed after the previous day's overboard park-hopping and that morning's 10K.


You can't tell from the photo, but this constitutes the most sparkles/glitter I've ever worn in my life!

Next up: Spread Your Wings and Let Your Inner Fairy Fly!

 

[rteetz]

On Wisconsin! Our cheese is the best!

Great Dapper Day outfits!

I've always wanted to see a new movie at Disney but never have. Captain America is a solid choice for that!

I've never eaten at Earl of Sandwich but have heard many good things about it.