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

[Mimsy Borogove]

I can't imagine what people feel or go through when they can't finish a race or are sitting on the side watching people go by. My heart goes out to them too especially if an injury is what caused.

I'm sure that some of them are undertrained, but my heart still breaks a little for them when the realization dawns on them. It must be awful.

I have heard about the Red Hat Society ladies. It looks like they come out in full force!

They totally did! It was almost overwhelming!

I love the school bands and such that come out to support runners as well.

My favorite is still one of the Orlando high schools playing the theme for Rocky at PHM last year, but it's so awesome that they get up so early and come out to play and cheer runners on!

 

[rteetz]

Woohoo finish line!

Congrats on the finish! One day I'll do coast to coast.

I'm glad the weekend exceeded your expectations. I can see why Kessel run is something you want to do because it's definitely something I want to do.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Woohoo finish line!

Always a welcome sight and oftentimes gives you a boost!

Congrats on the finish! One day I'll do coast to coast.

Thank you! Last year was my first C2C (Star Wars then Princess, no challenges) and it was such a rewarding feeling! Especially since after my 2013 W&D Half, my very first, I wasn't too sure I'd continue on with half marathons. Tink was my 10th half marathon!

I'm glad the weekend exceeded your expectations. I can see why Kessel run is something you want to do because it's definitely something I want to do.

It really did exceed my expectations. I mean, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I honestly think it was my best rD race experience to date, with Star Wars Light Side being pretty much a tie (mostly because of the 501st Legion). Maybe it's the California races? I must do the Kessel Run - I need that Millenium Falcon medal in my life. One of my happiest days during last year's Star Wars Weekends (may they return some day!), no lie, was getting a Millenium Falcon glow cube in my drink. I love that bucket of bolts.

 

[cavepig]

Great recaps! Jumping shots, wow, you go! I know I'd hurt myself. Hyperspace Mt. sounds very cool. I don't see how Kimberly and her friend ran with those monarch wings, always such fun outfits but crazy to think of running in them. I would be like you in the no wings to run, I like how you added them.

 

[SarahDisney]

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who listens to rap music during runDisney events (although I don't have any Disney on my playlist ... oops?)

I love all of your race selfies! For someone who claims not to be veyr good at selfies, you got some pretty good shots! And your castle jumping pictures are pretty great - definitely entertaining!

I know the race is Tink-themed, but ... that's a lot of green. I think that if/when I do the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I'll dress up as Wendy. Partially to be mean, and partially so that I'm not wearing the same color as everyone else.

So awesome that you ran into Jenni and got to run with her again! I'm also very much an introvert, so I get what you're saying about it being out of character, but sometimes these races make you do something you wouldn't normally ... and it sounds like running with Jenni worked out well for you!

I have to say ... I'm really impressed with the people along the course to support and entertain the runners. That stretch of the race really has the potential to be boring, but from everything I've seen, the people of Anaheim really make it a great experience.

And OMG the tuba player with the Zac Brown beard. My brother had a beard for a while in high school (for a few months in his senior year), but ... not like that.

Yay for finishing and getting lots of bling!

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the race experience! The reports from this year's Princess really freaked me out, so I'm glad to hear that Tink weekend being much nicer ... despite the weekend's namesake being a bit of a brat.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I had somehow stopped getting updates to this TR, but I stumbled upon it last night and have been reading away! So fun!

It sounds like you had a great weekend. Here are some random comments I remember (I should have written them down!!)

I LOVE your Dapper Day outfits AND your mash up Captain America tee!! Cap is most definitely my favorite superhero and Civil War was AWESOME!!

Both your 10K and Half outfits were great! That orange skirt was gorgeous. You have the same philosophy that I do for runDisney races (though I've only done the Princess half!). RunDisney is for fun, local races are for pushing yourself. If I am going to pay that much money to run in a race, I want to thoroughly enjoy it. It looks like you do for the Tink races too! I love that you met up with someone and enjoyed running with her.

Oh, and I'm just the same with my playlists. It is filled with Disney, rap, and Broadway and I always put it on shuffle, so I never know what will pop up haha

Congrats on doing the challenge and getting all that bling. Those are some purdy medals!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Great recaps! Jumping shots, wow, you go! I know I'd hurt myself. Hyperspace Mt. sounds very cool. I don't see how Kimberly and her friend ran with those monarch wings, always such fun outfits but crazy to think of running in them. I would be like you in the no wings to run, I like how you added them.

Thank you! I really don't know what I was thinking with that jump, but running does something to my brain where I kind of get giddy and do silly things.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who listens to rap music during runDisney events (although I don't have any Disney on my playlist ... oops?)

Haha! My running playlists are very different than what I normally listen to. But I've found that rap/dance, and Eminem in particular, help keep me going because I tend to footstrike to the beat! You should get some Disney music on your playlist! I've found that some of the Hercules songs are really great motivators.

I love all of your race selfies! For someone who claims not to be veyr good at selfies, you got some pretty good shots! And your castle jumping pictures are pretty great - definitely entertaining!

I'm really not good at selfies, but maybe I should say that I'm not very good at selfies where I am happy with the results. Happy to entertain with my silliness!

I know the race is Tink-themed, but ... that's a lot of green. I think that if/when I do the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I'll dress up as Wendy. Partially to be mean, and partially so that I'm not wearing the same color as everyone else.

Wendy would be a great costume!

So awesome that you ran into Jenni and got to run with her again! I'm also very much an introvert, so I get what you're saying about it being out of character, but sometimes these races make you do something you wouldn't normally ... and it sounds like running with Jenni worked out well for you!

It did! The time passed so quickly, too!

I have to say ... I'm really impressed with the people along the course to support and entertain the runners. That stretch of the race really has the potential to be boring, but from everything I've seen, the people of Anaheim really make it a great experience.

Right? I was worried about the streets of Anaheim for last year's Star Wars, too, and right around mile 8, there was a school parking lot filled with 501st Legion cosplayers, you could get almost any character photo you wanted! The Red Hat ladies were just fantastic!

And OMG the tuba player with the Zac Brown beard. My brother had a beard for a while in high school (for a few months in his senior year), but ... not like that.

Yay for finishing and getting lots of bling!

Always a delight! On both counts.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the race experience! The reports from this year's Princess really freaked me out, so I'm glad to hear that Tink weekend being much nicer ... despite the weekend's namesake being a bit of a brat.

Thank you! I was just so pleasantly surprised. I don't mean to bag on my own gender, but you know how it can get when a bunch of women get together and there's lots of cliquish and sort of uptight/snobby behavior. There was no trace of such for this race weekend, at least none that I saw. I'm running a women-only half marathon next month and I'm hoping for more Tink-like rather than Princess-like behavior. And that's a sentence I never thought I'd type. We'll see...

I had somehow stopped getting updates to this TR, but I stumbled upon it last night and have been reading away! So fun!

Thanks for reading and no worries! I know how that goes, you don't get the notification and suddenly you have 20 posts to catch up on! Thanks for hanging in there.

It sounds like you had a great weekend. Here are some random comments I remember (I should have written them down!!)

I did! And I also have to write my thoughts down as I'm reading a TR or I forget what I'm going to say!

I LOVE your Dapper Day outfits AND your mash up Captain America tee!! Cap is most definitely my favorite superhero and Civil War was AWESOME!!

Thank you! It was fun and we really enjoyed the movie, too. Cap is fantastic - and not to shabby to gaze upon, either!

Both your 10K and Half outfits were great! That orange skirt was gorgeous. You have the same philosophy that I do for runDisney races (though I've only done the Princess half!). RunDisney is for fun, local races are for pushing yourself. If I am going to pay that much money to run in a race, I want to thoroughly enjoy it. It looks like you do for the Tink races too! I love that you met up with someone and enjoyed running with her.

Thanks so much! The first Disney race I ran, I was so stressed and uptight about finishing, I almost forgot to have fun along the way. So now I pay attention and take my time. It was wonderful to not only meet someone in person, but to spend nearly 16 miles (between the two days) with her.

Oh, and I'm just the same with my playlists. It is filled with Disney, rap, and Broadway and I always put it on shuffle, so I never know what will pop up haha

Same here!

Congrats on doing the challenge and getting all that bling. Those are some purdy medals!

Thank you! And yes, they are!

 

[GaRain]

What is the IG account that you follow for the Disneyland cats?

 

[Ariel484]

Woohoo! Loved reading your half marathon recap...DANG that's a lot of green!

Love your pictures, you got some really great ones!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

What is the IG account that you follow for the Disneyland cats?

Funnily enough, it's AT disneylandcats.

Woohoo! Loved reading your half marathon recap...DANG that's a lot of green!

Love your pictures, you got some really great ones!

Thank you! Sorry for late response, I didn't get a notification on my own thread!

I like green, but holy cow.

Thanks about the photos and for reading along!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 4: May 8 - Laissez les bons temps rouler!

(Let the good times roll!)



I forgot to upload the PhotoPass PDC finisher photo on my last post. I wasn't a fan of the generic runDisney backdrop after Star Wars Dark Side, but then you don't run into problems of standing directly in front of the race logo, and they're reusable! So I've been converted.

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon was the tenth half marathon I'd run (5 of the 10 have been runDisney!) and resulted the 11th runDisney piece of bling I'd earned in 2016! I'm trying to imagine how heavy all of those would be around one's neck!

But with the races coming to an end, it was now time to party! I'd made ADRs for Blue Bayou, the restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, months ago and it was the only ADR we made for our entire time in DL! So we were a bit excited to go. After I showered, updated social media (I have a bit of an Instagram problem - kikacol1 if you're interested), and rested up for a bit, we caught the ART to DL and made our way back towards New Orleans Square and to the restaurant entrance, checked in and then were directed directly in the right direction to the lounge/waiting area out front.


View of waiting area from the back facing the front door/check-in area.

We waited maybe 5 minutes, barely enough time to look around, and were soon led to our table. Sadly, we didn't get a table on the waterfront, to watch boatloads of wannabe pirates make their piratical maiden voyages, we were somewhere in the middle. Even so, I loved the ambiance. I haven't ever been to NOLA, but we've spent a lot of time in Savannah, GA (NOLA's sister city) and it had that sort of vibe to it. Just really beautiful. Our CM waiter was really nice and made suggestions as to his favorite menu items. Oh, and by the way, since it's pretty dark inside Blue Bayou, the menus are light-up tablets!


How cool is that?


My view from our table, not too shabby. Loved the oak trees with Spanish moss, even though it's all fake, and the paper lanterns.


I got up to go to the waterfront area once the restaurant had cleared out a bit.

We found out later that Blue Bayou closed on May 9, so we made it just by the skin of our teeth. Sidebar: what does that even mean? When did teeth have skin? And why is this even a saying?

Anyway, DH had been eyeing the salmon, and our waiter said it was his favorite. I ordered the chicken. Each meal came with either soup or salad, so DH ordered the gumbo (shrimpless) and I ordered the salad which came with a delicious sherry vinaigrette. We were also provided with a bread basket of hard rolls and corn bread. Honestly, that gumbo was so good, I would have been content having that and the bread as a meal!


Side salad - it was very refreshing and tasty. But I do like vinegar a lot! There were dried berries and of course pecans in it, in addition to the bleu cheese (ick), onions, and tomatoes.


Cup of gumbo with bread basket in the background.


Chicken breast over a risotto, with green beans. It was delicious!


DH's salmon.

We took our time and really enjoyed the ambiance and our meal, never once feeling rushed by cast members. In fact, when we left, I'd say that the restaurant was half-empty. When we'd arrived, the hostess CM asked if we were celebrating a special occasion. I kind of shrugged, lifted my PDC medal and said, "This, kind of!" and she smiled. She must have put a note on our tab (or whatever they do), because as soon as our plates had been cleared, our server brought out a complimentary dessert and wished us a happy anniversary. I felt somewhat badly about that, because it wasn't our anniversary (still a month out), but we figured it had already been plated and would likely go to waste. At least that's how I justified us eating our delicious chocolate mousse-like dessert:


So good!

We typically like to enjoy a glass of wine with such a good meal, but honestly we did not miss it for this meal. Our experience with Blue Bayou was that the food, service, and ambiance were all excellent. Would do again 10/10.

Next Up: Disneyland Wanderlust

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 4: May 8 - Disneyland Wanderlust

Now it was time to get down to business and take that requisite Castle-medal photo! So we walked towards Sleeping Beauty Castle and DH was just going to snap a few photos, but then we noticed there was a PhotoPass photographer out, and since I was going to purchase the all-day PhotoPass, why not have a professional do it? So I took a few photos, including one with a digitally-added Tink, and then I ended up liking one DH took. Women, amirite?


Somewhat crowded in front of the castle. Also overcast.


Loved all the 60th anniversary decorations!


Requisite Castle-medals shot. I had no choice. It's the law.

After my photo shoot, we headed to one of my favorites, the Alice in Wonderland ride. Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, it's Day-Glo. But I love it. It's something we don't have in WDW, and it's just a fun little jaunt into Wonderland.


Heading down the rabbit hole...


A very merry unbirthday to me, to me!

The wait was listed at 40 minutes, but I think we waited maybe 20. That was one thing we really noticed all weekend long, that the wait time listed was usually much longer than the actual wait. But I'd much rather it be that way than the other way around. After exiting the ride, we made our way over to the Matterhorn, which was closed again, but we noticed PhotoPass photographers at a photo spot. So we decided to go for it! They took several silly photos of us "climbing" the mountain, and then added a video with snowing effects and yodeling/accordian music. I can't get enough of that video, it just cracks me up! Here's one of the photos.



I had mentioned that during the 10K was my first time in Toon Town, so we decided to walk back that way and check it out and maybe ride the Roger Rabbit attraction. I love that movie, especially the part where Donald and Daffy play dueling pianos Hungarian Rhapsody. Good times.


Walking past the happiest cruise that ever sailed!


Entering Toon Town.


Roger Rabbit!


Alas, the wait for Roger Rabbit was too long for DH's taste, and by this time, it was probably around 3pm or so. We decided to head out, go to the hotel to chill out for an hour or two, then head back for the evening. But first we went in search of a tasty treat my running buddy Jenni had recommended during our conversations. She had attended a dessert party at the Wine Country Trattoria and was describing the goodies. I told her that I wasn't much of a desserts person, but that I had loved the Star Wars Dessert Party at DHS during Symphony in the Stars (TR post here). She then recommended a treat that she thought I might like even though I don't eat a lot of sweets.

Next Up: It's a Jolly Holiday (Bakery)

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Looks like a great meal- fun you got a complimentary dessert!

And I love the castle shot! Super cute skirt by the way!

 

[rteetz]

Great finish photo!

That's funny you say how heavy it would be to wear all of the medals around your neck. I know when Kimberly Markey got her 100th she wore them all in front of the Disneyland castle. I can't imagine wearing 100 medals around my neck!

Blue Bayou looks good, I just love the atmosphere. I know those light up menus are fairly new as well.

Great castle photos! The castle just looks great for the 60th.

I really need to get out to Disneyland and them having an Alice dark ride and roger rabbit makes that need even more needy lol.

 

[SarahDisney]

I love your finisher photo!

1 medal is heavy enough for me ... I can't imagine trying to wear 11 of them!

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Blue Bayou! That's one of the places I'd like to check out eventually, so it's always nice to hear a great report.
And I think saying no to free dessert is illegal or something ... so you definitely were right to eat it!

Castle medal picture is awesome!

I'm with you on Alice in Wonderland - I don't love the movie, but that ride is super cute, and I'm always in favor of riding things that they don't have in Florida.

And I'm officially following you on Instagram (I'm slkworks on there (and on twitter, which is the social media platform that I tend to overuse), in case you were wondering).

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Looks like a great meal- fun you got a complimentary dessert!

And I love the castle shot! Super cute skirt by the way!

Thanks! It was a good meal and even though I'm not big on desserts the mousse was really good! The skirt is a SparkleSkirt, and if you're not familiar, don't visit their website. You'll start a brand-new addiction (I may or may not have just ordered one after all the InB talk on another thread).

Great finish photo!

That's funny you say how heavy it would be to wear all of the medals around your neck. I know when Kimberly Markey got her 100th she wore them all in front of the Disneyland castle. I can't imagine wearing 100 medals around my neck!

Thank you! 100 medals is insane! Though I do intend to take my 14 medals after W&D and get a castle shot. I was worried about schlepping 14 medals in a bag to MK, but it sounds like that is not an unprecedented move!

Blue Bayou looks good, I just love the atmosphere. I know those light up menus are fairly new as well.

It was really great! We've dined at a lot of places in WDW (that Tables in Wonderland discount is awesome), but this was the first time we felt like we could take our time and really enjoy a meal without being rushed out so they could fill the tables back up again. Actually, I take that back - when we had a meal at Bistro de Paris (now Monsieur Paul's), it took almost 2 hours for the 3-course Prix Fixe menu and is to date the best meal I've ever had.

Great castle photos! The castle just looks great for the 60th.

I really need to get out to Disneyland and them having an Alice dark ride and roger rabbit makes that need even more needy lol.

Thanks! I loved all the 60th anniversary decorations, and it's really too bad it was overcast for almost the entire time we were there because there were glittering little diamond details all over the place that must be gorgeous in sunlight! I didn't get to go on the Roger Rabbit one, so that'll be one for next time! But I always have time for the Alice ride.

I love your finisher photo!

Thank you!

1 medal is heavy enough for me ... I can't imagine trying to wear 11 of them!

Right? And can you imagine all the clanking involved with that many?

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Blue Bayou! That's one of the places I'd like to check out eventually, so it's always nice to hear a great report.
And I think saying no to free dessert is illegal or something ... so you definitely were right to eat it!

Agreed with all of this! I really enjoyed our meal there.

Castle medal picture is awesome!

I'm with you on Alice in Wonderland - I don't love the movie, but that ride is super cute, and I'm always in favor of riding things that they don't have in Florida.

Thanks! And Alice in Wonderland is pretty much my favorite thing ever, so I of course love the ride. I really like the teacups better at DL, too, it seems more in line with an English garden than at WDW.

And I'm officially following you on Instagram (I'm slkworks on there (and on twitter, which is the social media platform that I tend to overuse), in case you were wondering).

Yay! I followed back and will follow you on Twitter the next time I'm on (I used to tweet all the time and have been neglectful as of late).

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Wow, am I behind on this TR! Sorry everyone, just lots going on at my job (working for a failing company is fun and not stressful at all!) and last week we adopted a kitten from the Humane Society, so we've slowly been integrating her into our multi-pet household. Here's a kitty photo (acclimating her to our back porch sanctuary) to tide you over until I get back to the TR - hopefully later today!

 

[rteetz]

No worries were still here. Congrats on the new cat! I'm not a big cat person but getting a new pet is always fun and a bit crazy.

 

[tigger536]

So pretty!

Loving your report so far! No worries!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Day 4: May 8 - It's a Jolly Holiday (Bakery)

On our way out of Disneyland, we stopped by the Jolly Holiday Bakery to check out the desserts selection to take something back to our hotel room. My new friend Jenni had recommended the Matterhorn Macaroon because she knew I am not a sweet-sweets person but that it was really good. So in my new obsession with all things Matterhorn, I was game to find this delectable dessert and give it a try. DH and I walked in and gawked at the choices, and lo and behold there was a coconut-lime cheesecake - earlier at Blue Bayou, DH had asked our server if they had Key lime pie, which sadly they did not. I pointed out the cheesecake to him and asked if that was an acceptable alternative?


Stained glass windows at Jolly Holiday - I do like those penguins!


I loved this tile mosaic that evoked the chalk drawings Bert had done in the park. So cute!

So DH got his cheesecake, I got my Matterhorn, the CM carefully wrapped both up to go and we headed out and back to our hotel where we took the opportunity to just sit down and relax for a bit, have a cocktail, catch up on social media, and just generally take it easy. However, we did NOT eat our desserts at this time; that actually happened the following day. But just so you're not kept in suspense, here they are:


Coconut-lime cheesecake and Matterhorn Macaroon.

I didn't have any of the cheesecake, but the macaroon was awesome! I don't know what I was expecting, but the texture was somewhat dense cake-like inside with a crunchier exterior - I couldn't cut it in half with a plastic knife, so I just broke it apart a bit so DH could try some. I wish I could describe adequately what it tasted like, it was sweet, but not so much so and almost had an almondy-buttery taste to it? I guess if you've had French macarons, it's very similar to the pastry portion of those but without the filling. The stuff that looks like icing was very thin and hard, kind of like the "icing" on animal crackers or ginger snaps. At any rate, I highly recommend!

Once we'd relaxed for about an hour or so and had a chance to wash faces and get cleaned up a bit, we went back out to go to California Adventure. We were hoping to fit in some attractions and hopefully stay awake long enough to watch World of Color, but we'd be fighting our internal Eastern Time and also the fact that both of us had been up and awake since the early parts of the morning. We were also starting to feel a little hungry, so we decided to go to Cove Bar again to try another drink off the secret menu and maybe get some appetizers. The wait to get in was 40 minutes at this time and unlike Friday's experience, they did not take your name and cell phone number, you physically had to wait. So we did. And our turn arrived and we were once again seated at the bar.


Waiting in queue for Cove Bar

I think I ordered a Fun Wheel again and so did DH. I didn't take any photos of our drinks because I was really just ready to have a drink and some food and take it from there. DH was on board with that plan, too. We'd seen some of the offerings at Cove Bar from the tables/patrons around us on Friday and we'd already decided that we needed lobster nachos in our life.


Yes, everyone should try these if they like shellfish and nachos.

So we sat at Cove Bar for maybe an hour or so and it was starting to get dark, but nowhere near the time for World of Color. What to do, what to do?


View of Mickey's Fun Wheel from Cove Bar.

We decided to just walk around Paradise Pier area and kill some time. Neither one of us was really in the mood to go on any rides, especially having just eaten some delicious crustacean appetizer. So we walked around. And walked around. And finally around 7:30 (which is 10:30 Eastern, already past my bedtime even when I hadn't gotten up insanely early to run a half marathon), we decided to just pack it in and head back to the hotel. Very anticlimactic ending to the day, but tomorrow will be better! Last day at Disneyland, boo.






So pretty at night, and a crowd was already gathering for World of Color. I just didn't have it in me to stay awake another 90 minutes and then walk back to the hotel (or worse, wait for the ART bus). Sadface.

Next Up: More Cars But of the Unfast Kind