The Running Thread - 2018

[Barca33Runner]

ATTQOTD:

I guess I've done three extra ticketed events, all in the last year. I'd give a strong recommendation to one, a mild recommendation for another, and a meh for the third.

Strong Recommendation-MNSSHP

This was an absolute blast. There was so much to do and it was so amazing to be in the park without absolutely gigantic crowds. There were things for everyone to do regardless of age. Lines were short for the rides (7DMT was our longest wait at ~30 minutes). We aren't huge meet and greet people, but those opportunities are abundant (lines were a bit longer). The shows and parade were great. Really no complaints at all. Plus, Trick or Treating.

Mild Recommendation-Fantasmic! Dining Package

We ate at Mama Melrose but they do this for other restaurants at HS. The big perk is prime seating for Fantasmic! which, depending on when you are there, can be very important. We were there over the Holidays and it seemed like 75% of the amphitheater was reserved for Dining Package and FP+, with Dining Package having the central seats. We also thought it was a pretty decent (for Disney) value on the meal, although I must preface this by saying we received an appetizer, entree, and dessert for our package and, I believe, they have lowered the price by $3 and removed the appetizer. That wouldn't seem like quite as decent a deal. Anyway, the seating for Fantasmic! was much better than any we've had during other visits and it was a much more relaxing experience getting to our seats. This wouldn't be for everyone, but if you want a chance at some of the better seats for Fantasmic! and know you're going to be paying Disney prices for a meal anyway, it's not too bad.

Meh-Tiana's Riverboat Party and Ice Cream Social

I must preface that we did this on New Year's Day this year, it was ~45 degrees F and raining, they cancelled the Parade (Well, Festival of Fantasy was replaced by the Rainy Day Cavalcade (not making this up) which was about 20 characters waving from two vehicles), and we eventually were refunded our money. It was booked by another member of our group fearing huge crowds which never materialized because of the weather. The "meh" isn't based on our experience, but rather my opinion of what the experience would have been on a better day. My main complaints were that it would be too crowded and the VIP viewing from the Riverboat is too far away to really feel VIP to me (I think part of the magic of the parade is being there ground level and seeing the interaction up close). This could probably work well on hot, crowded days when the ice cream would feel refreshing and you didn't want to fight crowds for Parade viewing, but I think most days this would be pretty underwhelming for the value.

 

[Princess KP]

ATTQOTD: We have only done Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and we had a great time. Liked that there were less people and to see snow on Main Street. (Although I see enough snow here in Toronto LOL). We were waiting in line for the 7 Dwarfs and we thought Sleepy was really in character cause he kept wanting to lie down and leaning on the others. In reality, the cast member was feeling faint and ended up passing out. They quickly escorted all the dwarfs back and I am guessing they had another cast member take over.

 

[LilyJC]

ATTQOTD: We did the Halloween party at Disneyland several years ago when our kids were fairly young. It was fun, but I doubt we’d do it again.

This past NYE we did the Fantasy in the Sky plaza garden view dessert party on NYE in MK, and it was amazing!! It was so nice to not have to fight the crowds and just relax for the countdown. And super sweet to see a couple right next to us get engaged.
I actually just made reservations for the HEA dessert party when DH and I head back to WDW for the Darkside Challenge in April. Also tempted to try the Star Wars dessert party a few days later....

 

[FredtheDuck]

ATTQOTD: When we had APs at DLR we did the WoC dining package and loved it. It was up on the terrace at Wine Country Trattoria in DCA, and while the food was "meh," I always liked the ambiance of that place. WoC was just coming out at the time and it was (and still is) stunning. I loved it.

As for ones I want to do... we were just debating between going to WDW in October or November this year. We landed on November, but I was bummed because it means we won't be able to do MNSSHP, which I think kiddo would have loved. I also don't think MVMCP will be going as early in November as we'll be there, so we'll miss that, too. Oh well, another time...

 

[Dis5150]

ATTQOTD: Have not done any. I have thought about MNSSHP or MVMCP as we have been there while they are happening but it turns out I am cheap and prefer to spend my $$ elsewhere, lol. I think I would like the after hours at MK. I have seen YouTube videos of some people's experiences and it looks so deserted! That would be awesome!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

ATTQOTD:

We've done a lot of the various special extras.

Loved:
Pirates & Princess Party - This is now defunct but the price was reasonable. The fireworks were some of the best and who doesn't love Pirates and Princesses?

Star Wars Dessert Party During Star Wars Weekend - Loved having a spot for the parade and the fireworks with nice goodies!

Food & Wine Festival Signature Adventures in Dining Events - Our favorite! We've done a few at various restaurants and love the quality of the events and the meals.

Not Anymore:
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - Crowded. Price is out of control.

Party of the Senses - Price Outweighs Quality

 

[camaker]

ATTQOTD: Have not done any. I have thought about MNSSHP or MVMCP as we have been there while they are happening but it turns out I am cheap and prefer to spend my $$ elsewhere, lol. I think I would like the after hours at MK. I have seen YouTube videos of some people's experiences and it looks so deserted! That would be awesome!

Don't expect it to feel deserted, especially around parade and fireworks times, but MNSSHP has, by far, the best experience just around the parade. It opens with the Headless Horseman riding through. I think that's the only time that character makes an appearance. Then you have appearances from the grave diggers striking sparks off the pavement with their spade and the tattered ballroom dancers from HM. The classic characters in their Halloween costumes are great, as well!

 

[baxter24]

ATTQOTD: We have done the Halloween party and it was a lot of fun. The trick or treating and parade were awesome but we didn’t get to do much after that because our kids were exhausted. My husband and I have said we would love to go back to it or the Christmas party but wouldn’t take the kids back until they were able to handle staying up a lot later.

 

[Nole95]

We have not done any of the special after hours parties. If I had to choose one right now, I would choose the Star Wars one, closely followed by MNSSHP.

Once DHS is all done with Galaxy's Edge open, I am sure they will come up with some kind of after hours event there, which would probably be very popular.

 

[jennamfeo]

I need what to wear advice and I feel like the WDW Marathon crowd is gonna be my best help. I looked up the temps for my race tomorrow and BRRRRRR. I actually don't know if I have ever ran in this cold of weather ever, so that's fun. Which means I don't know if I will ever get warm enough to take any layers off, but the fluctuation of temps from start to finish is pretty big, so I think I will need at least a throw away top. What do you all suggest? I have running tights, PC socks, & gloves. I am going to get a long sleeve shirt (yeah I don't own any) but maybe wear a tank top under it. Grab a throw away hoodie from St. Vinnies and a beanie. Am I missing anything??
Temps:
Drop off - 6am: 25* / feels like 18*
Start - 7am: 27* / feels like 21*
During - 8am: 33* / feels like 30*
During - 9am: 37* / feels like 33*

 

[SheHulk]

I've done three of the extra ticket events:

Pirate & Princess Party (now defunct)
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

They've all been very enjoyable with their own highlights. The special fireworks, parade and trick or treating make MNSSHP our favorite. MVMCP has "snow" on Main Street and hot cocoa and cookies as highlights. Ultimately, though, while enjoyable, my complaint with them is that Disney has progressively sold more and more tickets so that the party has gone from a much reduced crowd event to being just as crowded as the park is on a normal day.

I agree with this assessment of MVMCP. My extended family all went in 2012 and loved it, couldn't wait to go again. We went again in 2016 but like camaker said, it was so crowded. We legit spent 45 minutes or more in line for the 7 Dwarves photo opp. The parade route was so crowded by the time we got out of that photo opp that we didn't have the best view. The parade was very nice but with the increase in prices every year the value for our money just didn't work out for us. I don't think we will go back. If you've never done it and can find a less crowded night to do it, I'd still recommend doing it once. I'd love to see the Halloween party but it's a bad time of year for us to travel.

 

[JeffW]

I need what to wear advice and I feel like the WDW Marathon crowd is gonna be my best help. I looked up the temps for my race tomorrow and BRRRRRR. I actually don't know if I have ever ran in this cold of weather ever, so that's fun. Which means I don't know if I will ever get warm enough to take any layers off, but the fluctuation of temps from start to finish is pretty big, so I think I will need at least a throw away top. What do you all suggest? I have running tights, PC socks, & gloves. I am going to get a long sleeve shirt (yeah I don't own any) but maybe wear a tank top under it. Grab a throw away hoodie from St. Vinnies and a beanie. Am I missing anything??
Temps:
Drop off - 6am: 25* / feels like 18*
Start - 7am: 27* / feels like 21*
During - 8am: 33* / feels like 30*
During - 9am: 37* / feels like 33*

Pre-race
Hoody and sweat pants from Walmart or Goodwill for pre-race. Take a big garbage bag with a hole cut in the closed end as a wind breaker if there is any chance of wind pre-race. I have problems with my hands being cold, so disposable Hot Hands Hand Warmers are great.

Race gear
If possible, your long sleeve outer layer (over a tank or short sleeve under layer) should be a 1/4 or 1/2 zip top, as that allows you to regulate temp quite a bit without having to add/remove the layer. I personally get hot with full head covering on while running, so an ear band is my preference in the high 20's to low 30's.

 

[avondale]

Pre-race
Hoody and sweat pants from Walmart or Goodwill for pre-race. Take a big garbage bag with a hole cut in the closed end as a wind breaker if there is any chance of wind pre-race. I have problems with my hands being cold, so disposable Hot Hands Hand Warmers are great.

Race gear
If possible, your long sleeve outer layer (over a tank or short sleeve under layer) should be a 1/4 or 1/2 zip top, as that allows you to regulate temp quite a bit without having to add/remove the layer. I personally get hot with full head covering on while running, so an ear band is my preference in the high 20's to low 30's.

If you're bringing water, it could freeze in those temps toward the beginning of your window. Especially if you have something like a hydration vest with a drinking tube - those tubes freeze pretty fast. Keep the water/vest/tube under your throwaway clothes before the race to keep them warm with body heat.

 

[camaker]

Injury Update:
I went back to the orthopedist today for a read on the MRI I had done for my shin pain. The doctor was pretty sure it was a stress fracture and wanted the MRI to confirm. Well, that great whooshing sound you just heard from the East coast was my sigh of relief.

The MRI showed no sign of stress reaction or fracture in the tibia. It is apparently entirely a soft tissue inflammation issue. The down side is that we’re not sure what might be causing it or how to prevent it in the future. The initial x-ray showed I have an additional growth of bone on the back of the tibia. Speculation is that the soleus attachment there might have gotten aggravated.

At any rate, I can return to training despite the lingering soreness in the area. I just have to be careful and take it slowly. Maybe change shoes up, too. My plan right now is to drop back to a basic half marathon plan and try to use my @DopeyBadger pacing and see if I can get through that safely before I need to start training for Chicago in June.

 

[Keels]

Fun Friday QOTD: What extra ticket type of event at Disney have you done or want to do? Which would you not recommend?

I’ve done:
MNSSHP
MVMCP
Wishes Dessert Party
Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party
Star Wars Dessert Party
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM Dessert Party
Fantasmic! Dessert Party
World of Color Dessert Party
Club Villain

The only one I’d do again is Club Villain, if it ever made a comeback ...

 

[Jules76126]

I have done -

Pirates & Princess Party - found this was great at the time. It was chilly when we were there, but there was literally no lines and it was great to not feel squished when watching the fireworks.

Keys to the Kingdom - Loved this and would recommend if you want to know secrets of MK. I did this prior to my CP program. Glad I did it then as I would not pay to do it now as I know plenty of Disney secrets.

The Segway tour in Epcot - This was a lot of fun.

I would do MNSSHP some day.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I'm surprised there are so many crowded assertions on MNSSHP. Not that I doubt them, but it was different from my experience. We didn't do any of the meet and greets, some of which seemed to have the worst lines in the park, but other than that I don't think we did anything out of the ordinary that would have changed our experience. I'm guessing the crowds are highly variable (and worse as it gets closer to Halloween). Maybe going in mid-September was why my experience differed from some others.

 

[LSUlakes]

Have any of yall heard of a race series called "Best Damn Race ______"? This will be its second year in New Orleans and was curious if any knows anything about them. I'm considering this race as a backup plan to my POT race since I have not been able to train as I wanted to so far and my race is in two weeks. This race would be another 2 weeks after my first one and I think I would make some gains between the two, or at least enough to get sub 2 hours on a second try.

 

[LSUlakes]

I need what to wear advice and I feel like the WDW Marathon crowd is gonna be my best help. I looked up the temps for my race tomorrow and BRRRRRR. I actually don't know if I have ever ran in this cold of weather ever, so that's fun. Which means I don't know if I will ever get warm enough to take any layers off, but the fluctuation of temps from start to finish is pretty big, so I think I will need at least a throw away top. What do you all suggest? I have running tights, PC socks, & gloves. I am going to get a long sleeve shirt (yeah I don't own any) but maybe wear a tank top under it. Grab a throw away hoodie from St. Vinnies and a beanie. Am I missing anything??
Temps:
Drop off - 6am: 25* / feels like 18*
Start - 7am: 27* / feels like 21*
During - 8am: 33* / feels like 30*
During - 9am: 37* / feels like 33*

This isn't singlet weather?

I'm kidding of course. Long sleeve warm layer with a long sleeve running shirt over it. Gloves, something for the ears, normal running shorts and then some sweat pants and shirt to wear pre race. You may get a little warm towards the end with the top layer, but I dont think it will be to bad. You could lose the gloves mid race if needed. Post race make sure you have something dry and warm to get around you as you will cool off fast once you are done. Best of luck!

I agree with this assessment of MVMCP. My extended family all went in 2012 and loved it, couldn't wait to go again. We went again in 2016 but like camaker said, it was so crowded. We legit spent 45 minutes or more in line for the 7 Dwarves photo opp. The parade route was so crowded by the time we got out of that photo opp that we didn't have the best view. The parade was very nice but with the increase in prices every year the value for our money just didn't work out for us. I don't think we will go back. If you've never done it and can find a less crowded night to do it, I'd still recommend doing it once. I'd love to see the Halloween party but it's a bad time of year for us to travel.

Our major debate right now is which day to go. If we base days off of last year, the easiest one to make will be the Friday. We drive in on a Tuesday and leave on Sunday. The other idea is to maybe drive through the night Monday night and maybe we could check in early and take a nap before the party. BTW the dates of our trip are check in 9/11 - 9/15. The drive during the night idea isnt gaining much momentum from DW, but I am telling her the experience will likely be better on a Tuesday and a few less dollars. She loves a deal, even if it's only a total of $15 for all of us.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Injury Update:
I went back to the orthopedist today for a read on the MRI I had done for my shin pain. The doctor was pretty sure it was a stress fracture and wanted the MRI to confirm. Well, that great whooshing sound you just heard from the East coast was my sigh of relief.

The MRI showed no sign of stress reaction or fracture in the tibia. It is apparently entirely a soft tissue inflammation issue. The down side is that we’re not sure what might be causing it or how to prevent it in the future. The initial x-ray showed I have an additional growth of bone on the back of the tibia. Speculation is that the soleus attachment there might have gotten aggravated.

At any rate, I can return to training despite the lingering soreness in the area. I just have to be careful and take it slowly. Maybe change shoes up, too. My plan right now is to drop back to a basic half marathon plan and try to use my @DopeyBadger pacing and see if I can get through that safely before I need to start training for Chicago in June.

That's a relief!

So in all, how much time did you have to take off (between last run and now) and were you doing any leg aerobic exercise during that time? I ask because I'm going through the same motions/research right now with my own confirmed low grade fibula stress fracture. I just wrote a post about it (The return to running and determining current fitness after an extended break) detailing Jack Daniels regimen for a safe return to running after an extended period of time off (4-8 weeks). At the immediate moment, you may not want to come back at the pacing from previous (needs to be slower) and the time building the base back up should be equal to time off (example: no running for 5 weeks = 5 weeks of building mileage back up slowly) before even starting a basic training plan.