Sunrise beers just hit differently - another Run Disney Trip Report

[hpygrll]

Welcome welcome to my first ever (well, I wrote one a REALLY long time ago) trip report and our 9th Run Disney Weekend! We are "perfect" Springtime Surprise Weekend runners which means we've done every Springtime Surprise Weekend since they started (they JUST started in 2022 so we're hoping at some point they recognize "perfect" status).

Cast of Characters:

Jenny and Andy



Former Disney Store castmembers (that's how we met). We've been married 25 years and have two older boys.
DVC, AP, Run Disney addicted
Love going to the parks but we're SUPER chill - we sleep in, we don't buy lightning lanes

This trip: April 2- April 7
Resort: 1 bedroom villa at Old Key West (our home resort)

Please join me as we run 19.3 miles over three days!

 

[hpygrll]

Travel Day

9:30AM flight out of Columbus on Southwest with an arrival prior to noon at MCO

We LOVE an airport selfy!



This is the first trip we decided NOT to get a rental car and just Uber and order groceries ahead of time. So once we landed, we grabbed our bags (Had to check due to all the race costumes) and made our way to OKW.. Dropped our bags off then took the walking path to Disney Springs.

Fun Fact - the walking path is a little less than 2 miles, so it's really not bad at all. First stop? Jock Lindseys and our favorite beer and pretzel combo!



We ate our quick lunch, hit some shops then grabbed some donuts at Everglazed and walked back to OKW. Room wasn't quite ready, but that was ok - it was ready a little after 4pm. Dropped our stuff then headed to Magic Kingdom! We had the dessert party for tonight!

Magic Kingdom!

First we took some pictures then ran to the People Mover!


People Mover


Then we headed over and checked into the dessert party. We LOVE the dessert parties because we love to not have to worry about the firework crowds and just chill. We took advantage of the wine and food!



Choices were made - hahaha


We had a great time talking the the people next to us and the time flew by. After fireworks it was extra magic hours for deluxe resorts so we stayed and rode Tron, Small World and Haunted Mansion




Closed the park down and headed back to the resort!

Tomorrow: Race Expo and EPCOT!

 

[hpygrll]

Thursday, April 3 - Race Expo Day!

Alarm was set for 8:30 to join the virtual queue for the Expo (in order to get race merchandise). We got a fairly early call back so we got ready and jumped on the bus to head to the Expo!

Bought our race magnets - one for each distance (5K, 10K, 10 Miler and the Challenge). Did bib pick up, shirt pick up then grabbed our Expo Beers. Run Disney has gone back to race themed weekend cups instead of generic cups so we were super excited to get these!





We saw everything we wanted to see, took the bus back to OKW to drop off our goodies, then took the bus to EPCOT.

We love doing the snack scavenger hunts where you buy snacks, get a stamp in the passport then you can collect the prize at the end, so we started to do that for lunch!

First up was from the brunch spot - avocado toast and biscuits and gravy!


Then we grabbed some eggrolls and a tart of some sort.



Then Guardians! I love this ride so much - we got Disco Inferno this time



We wandered around but decided we didn't want to stay out late - early mornings start tomorrow. We had a 6:00pm reservation for Via Napoli but were able to get in at 5pm! Then straight back to the room and in bed by 8:30PM



Stay tuned for the Springtime Surprise 5K recap!

 

[hpygrll]

Friday, April 4. The Springtime Surprise 5K

We were on the bus by 3:45AM and at the Epcot parking lot a little after 4am.

Race outfit - i just had Groot shorts and a black tank.



It's SUPER early


We were in corral C and had a great race. We did not stop for characters on the course because the 5K lines are NUTS. We did get some good pictures though:






Finish Line!


We then decided to stand in line for Pain and Panic and then Groot - the Groot line was LONG - it took over an hour, but beers and good music helped pass the time - we had a BLAST in line




Continued in next post!

 

[hpygrll]

Friday, April 4 continued

Also had to get a picture with Baymax!


So fun! We went back to our room, soaked in the jacuzzi tub, took naps, showered - then meandered over to Hollywood Studios for lunch at the ABC Commissary. We love it there for quick service as we feel the food is fairly healthy. I had shrimp tacos and Andy had a salad.

Did Mickey Minnie's railroad and single rider line for Rise then left!

Made dinner reservations at Olivia's - early of course - had a delicious Old Fashioned and the salmon







And that was a wrap for the 5K day - back in bed before 8:30 for another 2:45AM wake up call. 10K tomorrow!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

What a great start to race weekend! I can't wait to hear about the other runs!!

 

[hpygrll]

What a great start to race weekend! I can't wait to hear about the other runs!!

Thank you! I'm hoping to update today at some point but work has been nuts! Definitely more to come!

 

[hpygrll]

Saturday, April 5. The Springtime Surprise 10K

This race them was Hercules! So here I am in my Hercules Sparkle Skirt!



Another 4am EPCOT picture!



This time we got to be the front wave of our corral! - so cool!



And we were off! This time we did character stops because the lines aren't as bad during the 10K - including Robin Hood (I mean, my first animated crush, how could I not stop?)





And some great action shots through EPCOT





Continued in next post!

 

[hpygrll]

April 5 continued:

We met Dr. Strange after the race


And while we wanted our post race beers, we decided it would be cheaper to buy at the resort. So went into the breakfast line at OKW while families were ordering eggs and ordered our beers (I mean, it WAS 7am at this point) - and oh the looks we got!



After resting, hot tub, showers, coffee we were off to Animal Kingdom for the sole purpose of rope dropping Nomad Lounge. Bar seats secured we ordered drinks, bread service and a charcuterie. Delicious!


Walked the trail to see the baby tiger and then ran into Kevin on the way out!


Back to the resort to rest because we were meeting our son and his girlfriend (they live in Tampa) at Ale and Compass at the Yacht Club. Had a great dinner and great time with them.



Then, once again, back in bed by 8:30. Tomorrow is the 10 miler and the completion of 19.3 miles!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Another great day! I love your character photos on the course. I was never able to stop for those on either of my 2 RunDisney events because this chick is slow and did not want to get swept.

And of course you had a beer at 7am. At that point, you've been up for like 4 or 5 hours. For "normal" people, that noon/1pm. Plus, it's vacation!! If you can't day drink on vacation then what's the point?

 

[hpygrll]

Another great day! I love your character photos on the course. I was never able to stop for those on either of my 2 RunDisney events because this chick is slow and did not want to get swept.

And of course you had a beer at 7am. At that point, you've been up for like 4 or 5 hours. For "normal" people, that noon/1pm. Plus, it's vacation!! If you can't day drink on vacation then what's the point?

This is my daily philosophy! haha.

 

[hpygrll]

April 6 - The Springtime Surprise 10 Miler

Last early morning wake up - today was Incredibles themed so I'm wearing my Incredibles Skirt. Husband was dressed as Wonder Bread which you will see in later pictures!


Had to get our 4AM Epcot picture


And off we went! Skipped a few characters that had long lines, but Ralph wasn't bad so jumped in here!

In Galaxy's Edge the line for the Mandalorian was REALLY long - but we did it

And you HAVE to stop for the bell hops

This is a fun course and we kept a slow pace between characters



Stitch!

Onward

Continued in next post!

 

[hpygrll]

April 6 continued

Almost done!

Then just an ok finish line photo


We didn't hang around much after because we had 10:50 reservations at Steakhouse 71 for breakfast - but we still had time for our resort beers! OKW had a fun table outside for runners to take pictures with etc



We showered and took the bus to Magic Kingdom and walked to the Contemporary. Only picture I have of brunch is this one


We took the monorail to EPCOT and walked around a bit - but then we came back to the resort to nap.

We decided to grab dinner at the Polynesian - we LOVE the new Wailulu lounge at the new tower - so took the bus back to Magic Kingdom and walked to the Poly. Sat at the bar and had the poke bowls and a couple of glasses of wine. Then early evening!

The next day we had lunch at Splitsville then flew home - Great weekend and we can't wait to do it again next year!

All the bling


Thanks for reading!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

What a great trip!! I love all your character photos, although I do think they could have added a bit of light for the Mandalorian. Are we sure he's even in that picture??? Congrats on doing the challenge!!!

 

[hpygrll]

What a great trip!! I love all your character photos, although I do think they could have added a bit of light for the Mandalorian. Are we sure he's even in that picture??? Congrats on doing the challenge!!!

RIGHT? We waited so long for that one and I was like, where is he? haha - thanks for the congrats!