So...one of the coolest things about a race at Disney (besides the fact that you are running a race at DISNEY) is the Expo you get to attend. The expo is where you pick up your race packet (bib number, shirt, swag, etc) and it's also the place to get additional merchandise (runDisney swag or just new earbuds, etc). Another neat thing about the Disney World Expo is that its held at the ESPN Sports Complex, which is honestly something I would never get to see as I would probably not voluntarily travel there.
I worked on my 'costume' as well as Stacie's...because let's face it. You go to Disney, you better dress up like a character in some form or fashion. So...as it was a 'Villian' race, we went as the infamous Disney Villains: Malificent from Sleeping Beauty and Ursula from The Little Mermaid.
We even signed the Hollywood Tower Hotel's guest book...
Now, for the race details. The race takes you to a couple different locations throughout the WDW Complex.
You start just outside of Hollywood Studios (in one of the parking lots to be more precise). So you can see the Tower of Terror (your destination) in the distance, along with the gigantic Sorcerer Mickey hat (which you will also run by at the end of your race).
Each mile is marked by a villain. Sadly, not all of these markers actually have a villain character there, in some cases it was just a picture, but there was usually music associated with each marker. Having heard so many stories of Disney races, I was disappointed at how few characters there were during this race. Granted, it was the inaugural race, but still, Disney knows how to do it up...so maybe I just misinterpreted others' experiences.
Anyway, you are on a long stretch of open highway until you reach the entrance of Disney's Animal Kingdom (miles 2 and 3). Sadly, you don't get to go into that park, but we did get to hear some "Be Prepared" from The Lion King...appropriate. AND the hyenas were there!
At mile 5, I felt like we were running through a haunted trail. We were literally running through the woods and in rough terrain. I didn't think I had signed up for a trail run. It was kind of fun but I was concerned for my foot (yes, I was still battling the fractured foot) and one slip could mean I was out of not only this race, but the full marathon in a few weeks.
We survived and the woods opened up to the ESPN Sports Complex. We ran through the baseball field and around the track...
...and encountered my favorite alien...STITCH! We were lucky to catch him. We were his last picture before he went on break. Apparently he was missing his ohana and had to go spend time with them.
At mile 7, we were leaving ESPN and we were back out on the open road. I was starting to struggle at that point. My foot was hurting. The air was ridiculously thick, which made it hard to breathe. But then we were in the final stretch as we arrived back at Hollywood Studios!
As we ran past Mickey's Hat and saw the Tower of Terror in the distance I was fried. Who knew this would be so tough. Not the distance necessarily, but the humidity and the running at night...for those who know me, you know I'm NOT a night owl. Stacie kept me going.
Finally, we finished...and did the obligatory photo outside the Tower of Terror ride...
...before we each proceeded to get sick. I won't go into the gory details, but it wasn't pretty. Luckily, we each felt better after the fact and did a few more poses...
...including one with the Evil Queen from Snow White (we missed Malificent by a hot second...I was so mad!)
Then it was time to go home. Not bad for our first Disney race. Looking forward to doing another, hopefully soon!
PS...those medals...GLOW IN THE DARK and the elevator can move up and down! Disney swag is the BEST!
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