A few years ago, we took our oldest son (who is now 12), on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage. It was an absolutely magical night. The character interactions were wonderful, the Electric Water Pageant was great, and watching Wishes from the water was perfect. It was one of those unforgettable Disney nights that we still talk about, years later.
This year, when we decided to celebrate our youngest son’s fourth birthday at Walt Disney World, we knew that this would be a perfect way to celebrate! We booked our tickets, got the birthday boy a Captain Jake costume, and we were all set to sail!
The Pre-Party
The adventure begins at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. We arrived early and were checked in by Cast Members and then given a scavenger hunt to complete in the lobby of the resort while we waited for the event room to open. Once completed, our little buccaneer got to pick out a small prize. At this point, we were given our pirate bandanas and allowed to enter the party.
Check-in area – the main room was blocked off until party time!Pirate decor set out for the party.
There were lots of food and drinks to choose from – ice cream bars (Mickey’s ice cream sandwiches and popsicles – I was disappointed that there were no Mickey bars!), fruit (bananas, oranges, and apple slices), small bags of pretzels and popcorn, chips and salsa, and two kinds of cake. There were also chocolate doubloons and cotton candy, which many people were taking to snack on later. The drink selection included lemonade, punch, coffee, and tea. I wasn’t super excited about any of these options – I would’ve loved a soda!
A Mickey ice cream buffet!Vanilla and chocolate cake!The kids thought the cotton candy was better than treasure!Healthier options – fruit, pretzels, and popcorn.
Captain Hook and Smee soon made their appearance! They posed for pictures with a backdrop (and there was a PhotoPass photographer), then roamed around the room, interacting with the kids. Everyone had ample opportunity to take pictures and get silly with the pirates. The first time we attended, I remember the characters playing games with the kids, but this time, they just walked around and interacted.
After about 30 minutes, the guests were rounded up and prepped for heading out to the boat. Our pirate guide, Patch, was excellent! They chose a couple of kids to carry flags and the characters led us outside. After a quick group photo with all of the kids, we arrived at our boat!
Heading out for our voyage!
The Cruise
Each family was assigned a row on the boat. I have no idea how the assignments were made, but I would strongly suggest trying to request a seat on the left-hand side of the boat when you call to make your reservation! The view on that side was much better.
It was just approaching twilight, and it was absolutely beautiful out on the water! While we cruised toward our destination, Patch entertained us with Disney trivia, a sing-along, and lots of jokes. He made sure everyone was laughing – it was a festive party atmosphere! It was so cool to see familiar landmarks from a new perspective!
We reached our destination just a few minutes before the fireworks began. This was my first time (but certainly not my last!) seeing Happily Ever After. The music was played on the boat, and we had a spectacularly unique view!
The only negative thing I can say about the entire experience is that there were times when our view was blocked by railings on the boat. The people seated on the left hand side wouldn’t have had this issue, but we still had a really cool view! I found myself leaning up and almost sitting on my knees to get a view above the railings.
Once the show was over, we headed back to shore for one more surprise. We didn’t get to see the Electric Water Pageant this time, so I’m guessing that doesn’t always coincide with the time of the cruise. But, even better, Peter Pan was waiting for us on the dock! He led us to a spot at the end of the dock where he took time to meet everyone and take pictures. It was a great ending to a fun night!
The cost of the fireworks cruise is currently around $72 for adults and $43 for children under 10. It’s a pricey adventure, but if you’re looking for a special way to celebrate a special occasion or just add a little extra magic to your trip, I think this is a great way to do it. You get fireworks, desserts, characters, and a boat ride – this seems like a better value than just going to a dessert party. It’s an evening that can be enjoyed by the entire family, and one that I would definitely do again.
Last year, I ran my first Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. If you’re not familiar with the Dopey Challenge, it’s four races over four days, for a total of 48.6 miles. It starts with a 5K, then progresses each day with a 10k, half marathon, and full marathon. It’s often said that the hardest part of the challenge is waking up so early (buses begin running as early as 3:00 am for certain races!), and I can agree that getting up in the middle of the night was a huge challenge. This year, freezing temperatures added another level of difficulty!
Last year was an incredible experience – from running at my resort when the Half was canceled to the triumph of completing the entire challenge (read all about my adventures last year here). I couldn’t wait to do it all again! This year would be a very different trip for me, because I’d be traveling solo and my family would be cheering me on from home. I went into the weekend slightly apprehensive about undertaking such a big event without my usual support team.
Marathon finish line 2017!
I arrived in Orlando on Tuesday night and hit the expo first thing on Wednesday morning. It was cold and rainy, and the expo was quickly filled to capacity with lots of runners waiting in a miserable outdoor queue. I was able to get in and out, and the sun was shining by the time I left. Due to a combination of cold weather and crowded parks, I was back in my room early and ready to start my Dopey adventure.
Day 1: 5k!
The morning of the 5k was cold. And I don’t just mean Florida-cold, I mean COLD! It was in the low 30’s, which meant lots of costume adjustments! I had planned on a tank top and skirt, but put on several layers instead, and took a mylar blanket, gloves, and a hat.
On the way to the pre-race area, I ran into my friend and Team Shenanigans teammate, Laurie, who was volunteering. HUGE thanks to all those volunteers who got up even earlier than the runners, were out in the cold, and weren’t earning a medal for it! Once inside the pre-race area, I met up with some other teammates before heading to the corrals. I like to be early to my corral so I can be toward the front, and relax before the start of the race. Usually I don’t mind the wait, but it was so cold that I felt like time was standing still. I finally put in my headphones and turned on an audiobook to pass the time.
At last, the race began! We started in the parking lot of Epcot, and the first characters on the course were Chip and Dale. I didn’t stop for them, since they can easily be found in the parks. Around mile 1 (right when I could finally feel my toes again), we entered the park backstage. When we entered World Showcase, the Vikings were out in Norway. There wasn’t much of a line, so I stopped. Next up was Jiminy Cricket, then Vacation Genie in Morocco (another skip since he’s a frequent race course character), and Koda and Kanai in Canada. As is my tradition, I also stopped to take a few scenic pictures and soak up the magic of running through World Showcase.
After leaving World Showcase, the course continued around past The Land (with a quick stop to see Horace Horsecollar) and then back around to Spaceship Earth, out of the park, and to the finish line!
I was happy to find another teammate at the finish line! Anita presented me with my medal, and just like that, the first three point one miles of the Dopey challenge were done. It was so cold that I didn’t want to stand in any character lines (which is extremely rare for me!). I headed straight for the bus and back to my room, where I took a nap and waited for the temperature to rise a little. Due to another cold and crowded day at the parks, I once again found myself back in the room and ready for bed earlier than expected.
Day Two: 10k!
Friday morning was another cold one that required adding (unflattering) layers underneath my Peter Pan costume. I huddled together with teammates again to stay warm before heading to the corrals. After another chilly wait, we were off! This race begins in the Epcot parking lot, and the first three miles are on the highway.
The first character stop was Pocahontas and Meeko, with a fun backdrop. The line was already long, but I figured I’d wait since she had on her cold weather outfit and I don’t have a picture of the two together.
Next up was Flik and Atta from A Bug’s Life. I’d gotten a picture of them at a previous race, and their line was long, so I kept on running. A little further down the highway was the Old Hag from Snow White. Yes, please! Just let me warm my hands on your cauldron for a minute…
One of my favorite things about Disney races is running into friends on the course. From friends that I’ve met in various Disney facebook groups to more of my Team Shenanigans teammates, it’s great to see friendly faces out there!
Before I knew it, we were entering Epcot and were halfway through the race. Running into World Showcase in the dark, with torches lit and music playing, really is one of the most magical feelings. All of the pavilions in World Showcase are lit up, and it’s just beautiful.
Pinnochio was out in Italy (I didn’t stop – his line was long and I’ve gotten a picture with him before), and Rapunzel and Flynn were in Germany. I was excited and immediately got in line, only to be told by a Cast Member that it was about a 30-minute wait. There was no way I could justify stopping that long in the middle of a race, so off I went. I ran by Marie in France, and then headed down the International Gateway and around the boardwalk.
Then it was time to run back into Epcot, past Spaceship Earth, and to the finish line where another teammate, Kenny, gave me my medal!
I was freezing by the time I walked through the post-race area, so once again I headed straight for the bus and back to my warm room. There was a team breakfast at Trail’s End (check out my previous review here – it’s delicious!), followed by park time with some teammates, and then it was back to the resort to meet up with Jessica.
Jessica is a friend that I originally met online, but who has now become a “real life” friend, as well. When some things with school changed and I posted about being bummed that my family wasn’t going to get to come, she quickly decided to fly down for the weekend to cheer for me. I was extremely grateful, and excited to spend some time together! We had an early dinner at Disney Springs, followed by drinks at the Contemporary, and then back the room to get ready for early wake-up #3.
Day 3 – Half Marathon!
Another cold, early morning. Today’s costume (little green alien from Toy Story, a Team Shenanigans group costume) got some additional layers added, but I was still happy with the end result. After more meet-ups, hugs, and laughter, I headed off alone to my corral.
I don’t know what came over me on this race. It was the first time I’d ever run this particular race, since last year’s was canceled and I ran the miles at my resort. I was particularly excited about running down Main Street, and the Disney magic had started to take hold. I decided to just enjoy myself – to stop for all the characters that I wanted, to take my time and have fun. That’s something my runner’s brain has struggled with while running at Disney. Today, it happened. I was in rare form, and I was having SO. MUCH. FUN!
The race began on Epcot Center Drive, and we ran down the highway and through the gates of the Magic Kingdom. The first character was along Mile 3, and it was Mater and Lightning McQueen. I didn’t stop, but the next characters weren’t far off, and I couldn’t resist stopping for them. Vanellope and Wreck-It Ralph, followed shortly by Jack Skellington and the lovely Sally!
From there, it was on to the Magic Kingdom! We received a warm welcome as we ran through the entrance (a great change from entering backstage!) and headed down Main Street.
This moment is one that makes all the training miles, the cold mornings, the early wake-ups, ALL OF IT, so worth it. It’s still dark, Main Street is lined with cheering spectators, and the castle is lit up straight ahead. It’s pure magic.
The course passes by the castle (don’t worry, we’ll be back!) and heads into Tomorrowland, where I ran past Sully near the Laugh Floor. There were even more characters as we crossed into Fantasyland – the Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit were near the Teacups, and Circus Goofy was by Storybook Circus. And…SEBASTIAN was greeting runners by Under the Sea! I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity, and the line was somehow fairly short.
After that, the course took us back toward the Castle. Suzy and Perla were off to the side, but I was too anxious to run through the castle to stop. I always stop for a photo in front, and then it was back through Liberty Square and into Frontierland!
My costume absolutely mandated that I stop for a picture with Bullseye and Woody, and this turned into a longer wait because Bullseye had to go check on his pals backstage.
Exiting the Magic Kingdom, there were photo ops with the train and with Cinderella, Aurora, and their princes. The penguins from Mary Poppins were near the Grand Floridian, and the singing princes (Bachelors? Groomsmen? I’m honestly not sure what they are!) were out a little further down the road. I didn’t stop, because I was now focused on getting to one place – my friends who were cheering near the Poly! Finally I saw them, and went sprinting across the grass to greet them. After hugs, selfies, and some much-appreciated cookies from the Chicken Hat Cheerer, Laura, I was back on my way.
My energy was still running high, and I was feeling great! I passed by Vacation Genie, but couldn’t resist stopping by to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. And then Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa.
As we ran up the hill after mile 10, Sarge (the green army man) ran up to me and told me “I want to see REAL running up this hill, Little Green Man!”. So I dug deep and showed him some real running!
Before I knew it, we were heading back into Epcot. I didn’t stop for the next two characters – Tink’s fairy friends or Stitch. I just kept running until I heard that sweet gospel choir singing “We are the Champions”! What a perfect finish.
This was my slowest half EVER. And yet, I was thrilled with how it had gone. I had so much fun, and I PR’d in characters! I call that a win. The weather was finally feeling warmer, so I decided to hit some character lines. I made up for lost time on previous days – I met four characters (Pluto, Goofy, Dopey, and Mickey) and even saw a proposal!
My fabulous day continued with an early dinner at ‘Ohana with some friends. A view of the castle, a pineapple drink, and a lot of laughs. I was in bed by 7:30 and managed to get an entire 6 hours of sleep!
Refueling for the next day’s race!
Day 4: Marathon!
Today was the day! My fourth full marathon and my first “official” Dopey! I was excited, but not nearly as nervous as I’d expected to be. The weather was slightly warmer and I had taken an extra mylar blanket, so I was feeling great. I hung out with a new teammate, Joe, in the corrals, and the time passed quickly as we chatted.
Before I knew it, I was off and running. The first few miles of this course are the same as the half, so I knew what to expect. I didn’t plan to stop nearly as much as I had the day before, and I also suspected I’d see some repeat characters. I ran into teammates early on the course – both running and cheering – and it was great to see friendly faces!
I couldn’t resist stopping for a double character opportunity – Maleficent (!!!) and the Queen of Hearts.
From there, it was straight on to the Magic Kingdom, for another emotional run down Main Street. It may sound cliche, but I never want to take this for granted. I feel insanely lucky to get to do this!
Exiting the Magic Kingdom, I stopped for a quick pic with Maleficent in dragon form from the Festival of Fantasy parade. I LOVE this photo op!
From here, we ran past the resorts just like yesterday, but then spent a few miles out on the road until we entered Animal Kingdom around mile 12. But there were some pretty epic character stops in those miles! I was ecstatic to get a picture with the entire Up gang, including Mr. Fredrickson! He’s at the top of my character wish list!
I couldn’t resist a quick stop for some retired ride vehicles. Last year there was a Cast Member here taking photos, but this year we just had to rely on the kindness of fellow runners.
The next character stop was another must-do: Hades with Pain and Panic! Eeek!
On the out-and-back that was mile 11, I ran into my buddy, Mark – the two of us usually cross paths somewhere along the race course!
Then it was time to head into Animal Kingdom! I had to stop and greet the animals that were out.
I had hoped to ride Everest this year, but unfortunately, I had entered the park too early. The good news was that I was now halfway done with this race, and I was still feeling awesome!
We exited Animal Kingdom and headed into the dreaded slog through the parking lot. This time it wasn’t so bad because I knew I had friends ahead! I was thrilled to see them, and they had snacks! Seeing your people on a race course is incredibly invigorating – I hope that spectators know how important they are.
Directly across from where they were cheering was the Haunted Mansion gravediggers. I couldn’t resist this fun photo op!
After this is when the race really becomes a mental game. You know that you have a lot of boring road miles to log before you hit another park, including those at the Wide World of Sports. Luckily, another teammate came along just when I needed him! Taylor and I spent the next few miles running together, and I was surprised several times to look down at my watch and realize that we were running faster than I had expected to run at this point in the race. The miles passed quickly, and before I knew it, we were heading into Hollywood Studios. We happily accepted the candy that was being handed out – M&M’s, Snickers, and Skittles. I’m always grateful for ANY kind of small snack at this point.
We had hoped to ride Tower of Terror, but the CM at the gate told us that they couldn’t let us in the Fastpass (which we expected) OR the regular line, since we hadn’t entered the park with tickets. I know that other people were successful in going on several different rides, so it is possible (2019 goals!)! Taylor’s family was cheering in DHS, so he stopped to see them and I headed on to finish alone.
We ran out of Hollywood Studios (and I passed Jeff Galloway during mile 23, which gave me a little boost!) and down the path that leads to the Epcot resorts. There were lots of people cheering there, which was awesome! We headed into Epcot and there was a special Mile Marker at 25, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the race.
From there, it was through World Showcase, and I didn’t stop for any characters (except a quick hello to my friends serving as Team Margarita!). Then past Spaceship Earth, and the sweet sounds of the gospel choir singing me home! There may have been some happy tears at this point – it’s impossible to run 26.2 miles and not have emotions run high! And even though this was my fourth marathon, I am still slightly incredulous every time that I’ve accomplished this.
I got a finish line shoutout for my Team Shenanigans shirt, which is always awesome! And there was another great surprise at the finish line – each runner was gifted an ear hat commemorating the 25th anniversary.
As proud as I was of my own accomplishment, I was even more proud of two of my teammates (Sandy and Dale, I’m looking at you!) who were completing their first marathons. There were more happy tears when I saw the video of a large group crossing the finish line together.
I will warn you: the excitement of Marathon weekend is contagious. Before the weekend was over, I was making plans with a group of friends for next year! Until next year, Dopey…
When I found out that I would be arriving in Orlando on November 1st, the last night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party , I knew I had to be there. I have been to the party before, but it had been a few years. I had originally planned to hit the party solo, but my friend Kerry ended up rearranging her schedule to join me. I’m so glad she did – we had such a great time!
Costumes are allowed (although there are some rules!), and I usually jump at the chance to wear something fun. However, since whatever I was going to wear had to be worn or carried onto my flight that morning, I kept it light and recycled my Officer Judy Hopps costume from last year’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon.
Kerry and I are ready to party!
We ended up arriving right around 4:00 pm, which is when you can enter the park with your party ticket (even though the party technically doesn’t begin until 7:00). Party-goers are given special wristbands and then guided into a backstage area by cast members, where we were given our trick or treat bags, along with the first candy of the evening. There were also several photo ops along the path, before we were routed back out into the park.
Around 7:00, when the party officially began, the atmosphere of the park changed dramatically. The lighting and music changed to a festively spooky tone. Guests were also asked to show their wristbands in order to go on any attractions, and I saw several cast members explaining to day guests that it was time to leave unless they wanted to purchase a separate party ticket.
Spooky lighting (and a perfect sky to match!) at Pirates.
My friend and I had both previously been to the party, and we knew the importance of having a plan. We each had a couple of must-do’s, but we also knew that it would be impossible to do everything. Since we had both previously met the most popular characters, standing in a 2+ hour long line wasn’t on our agenda.
Party-Exclusive Snacks
One thing that was on the agenda was trying as many party-exclusive snacks as possible. My favorite of these was easily the Pumpkin Mickey Waffle at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. It came with two waffles, delicious vanilla ice cream, and a caramel drizzle. Perfect for sharing!
The next set of treats on my list were the Haunted Mansion desserts that were found in five different locations (Liberty Square Market, Aloha Isle, Storybook Treats, Galactic Goodies, and Auntie Gravity’s). The first one we tried was filled with Raspberry Compote and topped with white chocolate mousse. This was tucked inside a chocolate tart shell and had a white chocolate piece on top, with the Haunted Mansion design on it. It looked great, but unfortunately tasted a bit like cardboard. Neither of us were impressed.
We decided to give these one more shot, so we tried the chocolate peanut butter tart. Waaaaaaay better than the first one! You really can’t go wrong with peanut butter! However, we decided that we’d probably be disappointed with the other variations of this snack and agreed to abandon our mission to try them all.
Unfortunately, time passes way too quickly at these parties, and we weren’t able to try everything (although we did enjoy some delicious popcorn while waiting for the parade). The other party exclusive treats included:
-Mickey Pumpkin Cheesecake Dome
-Jack Skellington Push-pop style dessert
-Candy Corn Ice Cream (word on the street is that this is actually just vanilla soft serve)
-Worms n’ Dirt
-Vampire Mickey brownies
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular
Hocus Pocus has been very popular around my house this year, so I couldn’t wait to see this show! It was funny, and I loved seeing favorite classic Disney villains incorporated into the story. The projections onto the castle were also amazing to see!
Mickey’s “Boo to You” Halloween Parade
This parade runs twice per night, and is kicked off by the Headless Horseman riding down the street! There are classic characters dressed up for Halloween, villains, pirates, and the crowd favorites – the Haunted Mansion gravediggers and ballroom dancers! All of this, along with a catchy song that will surely be stuck in your head for days, makes for the best parade at Walt Disney World! If you’ve never seen it, I strongly suggest heading to YouTube ASAP!
We watched the second parade, which meant that crowds were significantly lighter. In fact, when we walked back to Frontierland about 30 minutes prior to the start of the parade, the area was pretty much deserted. We had a great view and got several interactions with characters.
I love all of the detailed floats in this parade!Photo by Kerry TroutPhoto by Kerry TroutWreck-it-Ralph is riding on my dream truck!
Happy Hallowishes Fireworks
Another party must-do is the special fireworks. The crowds were pleasantly light on the final night of the party, so we were able to get a great view front and center. This is not always the case, so if you are attending on a crowded night, you’ll want to stake out a spot early. Don’t get too close, though, or you’ll miss the awesome effects of the circumference fireworks. So cool!
Photo by Kerry Trout
Special Character Meet and Greets
One of the biggest draws of the holiday parties is the opportunity to meet rare characters, or classic characters in holiday attire. The most popular characters at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary are Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and the Seven Dwarfs. Both lines can easily run 2-3 hours (or more!), so it is advised to line up for those right at 4:00 if you are interested.
Other characters at the party included: Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts with Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, the Winnie the Pooh gang, Ariel and Eric, Belle and Gaston, Lotso, Anastasia and Drizella, Cruella DeVil, Tarzan, Jane, and Terk, Moana, Captain Jack Sparrow, Aladdin and Abu, Genie and Jasmine, and Belle and Gaston.
Since we had met many of the most popular characters (thanks, runDisney!), characters weren’t high on our list of priorities. However, with about 10 minutes left in the party, we stopped for a quick photo with the Queen of Hearts with Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee.
If you intend to meet characters, I strongly suggest deciding beforehand which ones are most important. Character lines can eat up a lot of valuable party time!
Trick or Treating
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary is the one place where adults are encouraged to trick or treat! There are stations set up across the park, clearly marked with a light-up sign. Lines were short on our party night, and since it was the last night, cast members were giving out handfuls. This year, the candy was Mars brand, which meant lots of Snickers, M&Ms, Twix, and Skittles. There was also an area guests could go to get some allergy-free treats. Everyone is included at Mickey’s party!
If you plan to focus heavily on trick or treating, you may want to bring your own bag. Guests are given small bags when entering the party, but they can fill up quickly! One more tip: trick or treating lines get much shorter at the end of the night!
Rides
During the party, lines for rides are typically very short, since many guests are focusing on other special experiences. The exception to this is Haunted Mansion, since it gets some special party treatment! This is the one ride that I would consider a must-do during the party. There is fog, cast members have on additional makeup, and there is a special ghost out front, chatting (aka heckling) guests, and she is hilarious!
We had ridden earlier in the evening, but made sure we stopped by just to watch Madame Carlotta (she sometimes switches out with her sister Rinotta) interact with guests. She was great – a definite must-see!
We also managed to get a ride on 7 Dwarfs Mine Train right as the party was ending. I got to walk through the queue for the first time ever (I don’t ever ride this one without a fastpass!), and our ride was a great way to end the evening.
Party-Exclusive Magic Shots
This year there seemed to be more opportunities for special Magic Shots than ever before! We wanted to try as many as we could, and several of them turned out great! My favorites were the Headless Horseman and the Haunted Mansion lantern. There were several others that we just didn’t have time for or didn’t see.
One of the coolest things we saw while waiting in line for a picture was a beautiful bride and groom in their wedding attire. They said they’d gotten married a week earlier, but jumped at the chance to be able to take pictures in the park in the wedding dress!
Monstrous Scream-o-Ween Ball
Instead of the usual dance party back in Tomorrowland, Mike and Sully (and some of their pals) take over and party with the crowd. We made a quick stop when we saw George Sanderson dancing – who doesn’t want a picture with him?!
Final Thoughts
Maybe it was because everyone was already over Halloween, but November 1st seemed like a great night to be at the party! The crowds were light, everyone was still feeling festive, and we accomplished more than I had ever accomplished at a party before. I had such a wonderful time, and I’m already plotting to make it back for a party next year.
One other thing that I thought was really cool was that I exited the park around 12:30 am, and it was still fully decorated for Halloween. The next morning I entered around 8:00 am, and just like magic, it was Christmas! It really is amazing how things like this happen literally overnight.
If a party is in your future, just remember that there is no possible way to do EVERYTHING! Managing expectations and having a plan is going to be the key to a successful night. And once you make a plan, be willing to be somewhat flexible, as things can change depending on crowds and weather. Relax, enjoy it, and be ready for a magical, not-so-scary night!
For the past few years, I have stared longingly at those rope bridges every time I rode Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I love Animal Kingdom, and I really love the safari (I usually ride it at least twice each time I’m in the park), and the Wild Africa Trek has been at the top of my Disney Bucket List for a couple of years now. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that my husband had booked it for me as an early birthday gift! I was positively giddy that I was going to get to cross those bridges! I’d be up close with the animals, and I’d be eating breakfast while overlooking the Savannah. The only downside was that I’d be going alone – as much as he wanted to join me, we’d be traveling with just our youngest child, so I’d have to fly solo. But I don’t mind adventuring alone, so off I went!
I met up with the group at the gates of the park, which wasn’t open yet. A guide escorted us (through a totally empty Harambe!) back to an area beside Kilimanjaro Safaris. We were given complimentary lockers and asked to stow all of our belongings. We weren’t even allowed to wear our Magic Bands – there are very strict rules on what may be brought on the tour. Sunglasses may be worn (and a strap provided), and cameras or phones may be brought, if they’re attached to you. I purchased this strap from Amazon for my phone. However, I would definitely encourage you to just enjoy the sights and not worry too much about taking your own pictures. One of the guides was taking pictures the entire time, so every moment will be captured!
There’s nothing like strolling through an empty park!
We signed waivers, got our name tags, and (literally) weighed in. But don’t worry – no one will see your weight, even you! This is just another safety precaution. We were fitted with vests, harnesses, and ear pieces, and given a souvenir water bottle. After introductions and going over a few instructions, we began our tour!
Ready to go! Excitement level = 10!
Walking Portion: Hippos, Crocs, and Rope Bridges!
We began by walking through a portion of the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. This is not a backstage area, but the park wasn’t yet open, so we had the entire space to ourselves. Even though this was an area I’d walked through many times, it was really cool to hear new things about it, and even learn the names of some of the animals. After this, we headed backstage and through the “forest” down to an overlook by the hippos. The harnesses I mentioned earlier were used to clip us onto a bar that allowed us to safely move to the edge of the overlook.
We were met there by one of the keepers who had some snacks for the hippos. I was fascinated to learn that they are currently trying to breed these two hippos, AND they previously had a baby (who is all grown up now, and had been the hippo we saw earlier, covered in tiny fish). I loved watching the hippos eat the watermelon, and a brave duck that tried to grab some, too! Our guide did a great job of posing each person for a picture with the hippos. Being this close was AMAZING!
After walking a bit further, we came to the part I’d been waiting for: the rope bridges! We were given a quick demonstration on how we’d be secured, and then one of our guides crossed first so she could photograph the rest of us. For safety purposes, there can only be two people on the bridge at a time, and there was no rush. And let me tell you – it was worth the wait! It was absolutely exhilarating to be up there. I tried to savor every moment and take in every sight. I still get excited when I think about how it felt!
When I crossed to the second bridge, the crocodiles seemed so close! As I passed over, the ones behind me began splashing and causing quite a ruckus! The guide called to me not to be worried, that it had nothing to do with me. I assured her I wasn’t worried – this was AWESOME!
After everyone crossed, we met with one of the keepers of the crocodiles. We were again clipped on to a safety rail and allowed to get a little closer to the animals while she told us about them and answered our questions.
Riding Portion: Savannah!
After leaving the crocs, we boarded our very own safari vehicle (smaller than the ones used on Kilimanjaro Safaris, with benches on the sides instead of in the middle) to head over to the Savannah. Waiting for us on board were binoculars and cooling towels, which were much appreciated! As we drove across the Savannah, we were able to stop several times for a closer view. As we passed the elephant habitat, we noticed there were no elephants out yet, but there were keepers driving around and dropping food in various places. Our guides told us that we might get to see the elephants entering their habitat a little later!
We stopped for breakfast at a scenic overlook with an amazing view of all the animals roaming the plains. My favorite part was when the elephants made their appearance – we got to watch them parade out, and the baby (Stella) was running to keep up.
Our breakfast was presented in a camping-style tin, and included air-dried beef and prosciutto, smoked salmon roulade with dill, fig cake with Boursin cheese, Brie cheese and apricot, berry yogurt and dried cranberries, and fresh fruit marinated in mint and ginger. It was delicious! I’m not a big meat eater, but I enjoyed almost all of it, especially the fruit. There was also carafes of water and the delicious juice that is served at ‘Ohana and Tusker House. This was also the only bathroom break on the trek!
After eating, we were able to walk around and take pictures and enjoy the view. The photographers offered to take pictures of all of us, and there were also walkways behind the enclosure where we could wander by ourselves and see the animals. It was so serene and beautiful! I could’ve easily stayed there all day.
All too soon it was time to board our vehicle and continue our journey. Along the way, we got a great view of the white rhino – so cool!
The three-hour tour seemed like it flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to say “kwaherini”. As we exited the tour, we were each given a stone. We learned that a portion of the ticket price for the trek is donated to the Walt Disney Conservation Fund. They went a step further and let us choose which branch of the fund our money went to, by placing the stone in the corresponding box.
We were also given a code which allowed us to download all of the photos that the guides had taken on the tour. This is included in the price of the trek, and the photos were amazing!
Final Thoughts and Tips for Future Trekkers
If I was giddy with excitement before the tour, I was even more so afterward. It was such a wonderful experience, and one that I can’t wait to do again! The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. They made sure that everyone in the group felt included, and they clearly loved the animals. The cost of the tour is $189 – $249, depending on the time of year, and worth every penny. Annual passholders do get a discount, and there is also a summer special that offers $50 off of afternoon tours.
I would highly recommend the early morning tours (they begin at 8:00), and you’ll want to make sure you wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes. I also suggest wearing comfortable pants or shorts – remember, you’ll have a harness around the tops of your legs! After talking to some experienced trekkers, I chose to wear athletic capris, which worked out great.
I am already planning to do this tour again! I’m sure every trek is different, since you can’t predict what the animals will do or where they’ll be. If you love going on Kilimanjaro Safari and want an even closer look, I can’t recommend this tour enough! It is an unforgettable Disney adventure.
Our amazing guides made sure this was the best day ever!
One piece of runDisney advice that you always hear is “take it easy at the parks the day before a race”. This is the thing that I struggle with the most – I love being at the parks so much that it’s difficult for me to leave and go rest, even when I know I’m going to have to wake up in the middle of the night multiple days in a row. The day before the 10k, I had to see Rivers of Light (article on that coming soon!), even though that meant only getting about 3 hours of sleep. I got up at 2:30 a.m. to make sure I was on one of the first buses. My costume for the 10k was another mashup – Leia Poppins. Two ladies that I adore, and I’d never seen them done together.
Dark Side 10k
The pre-race area was much like the day before, with the same characters and backdrops. I decided to get in line for Jabba the Hut, since a lot of the other lines were really long. The line moved quickly since this isn’t an actual character, and I even ran into some friends who were waiting in the next line over.
After that, I stopped by to say a quick hello to my teammates from Team Shenanigans, and then I was off to my corral. I would be starting in B (corrals were A-F), and I was initially disappointed that I didn’t get there in time to be toward the front. However, I ended up having a really fun experience because of this! Due to the new system of releasing the corrals in mini waves, volunteers split the corral in half, and I was directly behind the ribbon they used to separate us from the front half! I helped carry the ribbon to the starting line (they even told us to step up to the line), and I was on the very front row when we were released! It was SO cool to start a race and have absolutely no one in front of me! I probably took off too fast, but I couldn’t contain my excitement.
The race started in the parking lot of the TTC. We ran through the back side of the Magic Kingdom toll booths (I always love seeing that sign!) and down World Drive. There was some construction, and I found some areas to be a little dark, but the first three miles passed quickly. I didn’t stop for any characters, because they were all repeats of the day before. There was a marching band playing Star Wars music, R2-D2, the Emperor’s Chair, and Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger. Finally I found a character that hadn’t been at the 5k: Darth Maul! I’ve gotten pictures with him before, but I was so relieved to have found a new character that I decided to stop.
We entered Hollywood Studios by Tower of Terror, and in the Fantasmic area, there were lots of cosplayers! They were amazing. I snapped a few selfies and then hopped into a line to get a picture with Jango and Boba Fett. Coming down the street to head out, there were some storm troopers with a very minimal line, so I stopped again.
We headed out of the studios and down the path to the Boardwalk. I stopped again to hop on the speeder bike (I can’t resist these – I wish they’d make a ride using them!).
The sun was beginning to rise at this point, and it was beautiful! Some of my teammates were cheering at the bottom of the bridge, and seeing them (and getting one of Anita’s legendary caramels) was just the boost I needed.
Chewbacca was in the same spot as he’d been the morning before, right before the gate to enter World Showcase, but I didn’t stop again. I ran the short distance through Epcot and toward the finish line.
This is the second runDisney 10k where I have felt like the first 3 miles were fairly boring, but the second half was a blast. After finishing the race, I rushed back to my resort so I could quickly clean up and head off to breakfast with some teammates.
Dark Side Half Marathon
I got to bed slightly earlier the night before the half. My family stayed at the Magic Kingdom to watch Wishes one last time, and I headed back (I was a little sad to miss it, but I got to hear and see part of it on my walk to the bus stop).
Before I knew it, it was 2:00 a.m. and my alarm clock was going off. Today I’d be running as Belle Fett – complete with a wig. I wasn’t sure how 13.1 miles would go in a wig, especially with the heat.
I got to the pre-race area and immediately headed for the Boba Fett line. That was my mandatory photo stop of the day! After that, I met up with some other ladies who were also doing mashups with Boba Fett – there were some great and extremely creative costumes! After standing in an extremely long line for the porta-potties, I headed into my corral – I was starting in D this time.
This was a new race course for runDisney. We started in the same place as the day before, and ran past the marching band and the toll booths. Then we headed down Bear Island Road. I passed up R2-D2 again, and then in the midst of mile 2, we encountered a battle. There were lighting effects coming from the woods on either side, sound effects, and music. In the dark, it really looked and sounded like a battle – it was awesome!
Around mile 2.6 were the Ewoks again! I didn’t stop, but I was happy for friends who had missed them at the 5k. My first photo stop ended up being the trash compacter backdrop. I spotted some teammates exiting it while I was in line, so I caught up to them when I was done, and ran with them for a little while.
We briefly ran through Animal Kingdom – we entered backstage and then ran through Asia and back out by Dinoland. There were a lot of cosplayers in the backstage area where we exited. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to run by the Tree of Life. Running by it at Wine & Dine while the Awakenings played on it was such a cool experience!
Next up: the Animal Kingdom parking lot! There was a photo op here for the Hoth ice cave. I love this one! My teammates weren’t going to stop, so I broke off from the group to get in line. I’m endlessly entertained by this picture!
The next few miles were on the highway, but I did run into Mulan Fett, which was as good as a character stop!
We passed Darth Maul and entered Hollywood Studios at the same place, and I was disappointed to see that the cosplayers weren’t there today. The storm troopers were in the same spot, and there was no wait, so I stopped. Then it was on to the Boardwalk, which is always a boost because of the crowds.
We entered Epcot and I stopped for my own photo shoot with the Belle & Beast topiaries. I enjoyed running around World Showcase, and I made one last character stop before the finish line – cosplayers dressed as Chewbacca and Princess Leia.
At the finish area, volunteers were passing out cooling towels and insisting that water or Gatorade be opened and runners start hydrating before leaving.
Thoughts on running in a wig: it was HOT. Several times, I lifted the back and attempted to dump some water on my head during the half. I also left it unsnapped for part of the race because it was so tight (I have a large head, okay?) that it was giving me a headache. I also had a slight mishap when I tried to take my headphones off to enjoy the music in Epcot. My headphones got caught in the hair and I couldn’t get them out. I had to just run with them tangled in the wig for the last portion, but luckily you couldn’t see it in the pictures. Would I wear a wig again? Absolutely! It was fun and added so much to the costume.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, I highly recommend this race weekend. The costumes are fun, the camaraderie between runners is a lot of fun, and runDisney listened to complaints and improved this weekend over last year. My only complaint is that I would like to see more variety in characters from day to day. There are so many to choose from! Overall, I loved the race and hope to be back again next year!
Then it was time to run back into Epcot, past Spaceship Earth, and to the finish line where another teammate, Kenny, gave me my medal!
