But I'm old school. I like being able to write down my thoughts about something so monumental that I was able to do in my life. Not only for myself personally, but also the ability to give something back through donations to the American Cancer Society. Something that is very meaningful to me.
And while I'm still clinging to the Dopey being "one and done" for me, I will be back with Team Determination most likely in 2026 for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. So stay tuned.
Let's get on with it and move back to January 7, 2025. Over 2 months ago (and maybe close to 3 by the time I actually get this posted). As I made my way from Southern California to Orlando to begin my challenge.
Day Zero - Travel Day
Seeing these signs made it more real
If you didn't take a picture of the MCO carpet, did you even go to Orlando?
Oddly enough, my first stop on my Dopey Challenge journey would not be at Disney World, but at Universal Orlando. I booked Aventura on my arrival night in hopes that I could head over to Islands of Adventure and get a nighttime ride on my favorite coaster.
I made it!
My first ever nighttime ride on my favorite coaster. It did not disappoint. And my first coaster of 2025. The year I also turn 50. So it was a good one to start with.
A few pics of the room at Aventura. I'll be honest, this was the 4th hotel we've stayed at on Universal Property, and it's 3rd out of the 4 for me. I much prefer Cabana Bay for a similarly priced hotel.
Only Dockside comes in below Aventura for me TBH.
Day One - Expo Day
Expo Day is here, but I've got some time to kill before my room at All Star Movies is ready, so after a quick boat ride I found myself back at Islands of Adventure.
Early entry is the best. 2 rides on Hagrid's and 3 on Velocicoaster before the park even opened!
And of course a quick trip to the Studios for a visit with my buddy E.T..
On my way to Disney World, had to make a stop for supplies. I think this makes me an honorary Floridian or something.
We'll get back to a tour of All Star Movies soon, but I absolutely love the decorations people had in their windows.
This was when it got REALLY real
I was wholly unprepared for how large the expo was, or what a party it is.
Merch Haul!
After the expo I decided to head over to Disney's Animal Kingdom for a last (could have also been my first) ride on TriceraTop Spin.
And of course a ride on Everest. Below you'll see my training wrap-up and my day at the Marathon Weekend/Dopey Challenge Expo!
Day Two - Walt Disney World 5k
5k Day, good start! Although it was so early, my phone still thought I was on CA time (11:33pm)
The first of 4 VERY early mornings at Epcot
Customary morning picture in front of Spaceship Earth
Absolutely loved that they put a display of what characters would be out before the race.
A full hour after the race started I finally began my Dopey Journey!
Since the 5k wasn't timed, I was in no rush at all.
It was then off to Disney's Hollywood Studios for some after race fun and pics.
It's one of the tips in our "10 Dopey Tips" video, but seriously, spring for the PhotoPass package. It's so worth it.
After a quiet morning at the park experiencing some of my favorite attractions and some gross pizza, I called it a day at about 1:00pm and headed back to the hotel.
Seriously, people are going to miss this?
This is what's going to be missed
After nap time and since I didn't think we'd ever be staying at the All Stars again, I decided to take a little tour around the hotel.
Nothing against the hotel, it's great for families. But our kids are grown. Maybe someday if/when we have grandkids we'll be back. Although we really do love the Moderates.
It was great for me for my first 2 nights of the Dopey as I was literally just in the room to sleep. Which did prove hard due to the thin walls.
If you'd like to see more of the All Star Movies resort, you can view the slideshow below.
After a quiet dinner in the room it was "put on a movie you've seen a lot and fall asleep early" time. 10k morning would be here before we know it!
Day Three - 10k Day
10k Day is here! It's another cold one, but some running would actually be taking place today!
Customary morning picture in front of Spaceship Earth
Since I had to wait so long to start the 5k I made a point to get near the front of my corral so I could start a bit earlier for the 10k
Cold morning but ready to go!
I see you balloon ladies ...
Loved seeing the World Showcase Cast Members out for pictures!
On the boardwalk. I see you hotel we'll be checking into in just a few hours!
10k day was eventful, but also not photo worthy. Had a fantastic brunch with our American Cancer Society team, got to talk about my sister a bit. Checked into the Beach Club and then had to pick up my wife at MCO. We ended our night with a nice quiet dinner at Epcot before turning in early.
Day Four - Walt Disney World Half Marathon
Now at the Beach Club, I actually had somebody to take my picture before heading to the bus!
Customary morning picture in front of Spaceship Earth
This mornings photo opportunities
I needed a re-do with Dopey.
It was Poncho day/back-up running shoes day (another one of our upcoming tips)
For the first day we ventured outside of the Epcot area
Blurry selfie with our amazing American Cancer Society Development Manager Ashley!
Running down Main Street is so awesome
OMG, Derkwerng Derck! =)
3 down ...
1 to go!
After a nice shower it was off to the Magic Kingdom for a day of fun!
I of course had to visit my buddy Donald and show off my medal. He was quite impressed.
Best time for Castle pics is when there is a cavalcade passing by.
Also went on the Liberty Belle for the first (and likely last) time
After a nice and chill few hours at Magic Kingdom, it was time for a monorail hop over to Epcot and a late lunch/early dinner at Le Cellier. Our first (definitely not last) time here.
As honorary Canadians we love our Poutine, but this was some fancy stuff.
We of course had to get the Cheddar Cheese Soup (Choup)
We had a lot of good meals during our trip, but this was probably the best one. The rest of the day was pretty much spent chilling at the hotel and we were in bed by 8:00pm. A very long day is coming up!
Day Five - Walt Disney World Marathon Day
Here we go! The last early morning and the culmination of everything!
Customary morning picture in front of Spaceship Earth
It was COLD and also the day of many hats! You'll see ...
I had thought about ditching my beanie before the start, then figured I'd just wear it until it got too sweaty and toss it. That was the right call!
About mile 8 I switched to my sport beanie ...
Flexing with Luisa
Just got this picture this week. At the TTC I got a fist bump from Ashley our American Cancer Society rock star! This is the kind of support that is priceless!
So many people warned me about the stretch between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, but TBH I didn't think it was bad. The loops around the MK parking lot were the worst IMO.
I've said this multiple times, but seriously, find you a spouse/partner/whoever who's gonna grab you a beer at mile 18 of a marathon!
Getting close to the end and now onto hat #3! We got a whole 1/4 mile in Hollywood Studios!
Almost there, I don't even care about the gut!
Wave to the camera, you did it!
Seriously, there is no better feeling of accomplishment. Look at all those smiles. We all know it's over!
And of course a celebratory ride on Guardians of the Galaxy to cap off the Dopey Challenge! Yes, we did this right after I ran a marathon!
Amazing dinner at 'Ohana. Lots of other fellow Dopey's there that night!
Day Six to Ten - The Runcation!
Shockingly enough, the next morning we found ourselves at Disney's Animal Kingdom to start our Runcation. We ended up spending 4 additional days in Florida and honestly, I was mostly okay for the duration.
In fact, the only day I went back to take a nap at the hotel was the day after the Marathon. Of course, most of our days were VERY chill.
Lots of fabulous meals, lots of medal pics in all of the parks and just a nice chill time.
We even got to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Space Mountain and Carousel of Progress (at Magic Kingdom)
Customary morning picture in front of Spaceship Earth. Well, last night in Florida Spaceship Earth picture.
Dopey Tips!
I wanted to list them here in addition to sharing the video.
- Tip 1: If you can, stay at a Monorail Resort. This is the easiest way for you to cheer your runner (and all runners) on Main Street USA. If that's not really important to you, see Step 3. =)
- Tip 2: Take the last runDisney bus in the morning. Spectators can take the same runDisney bus as their athlete. But if you don't want to get up as early, check the schedule and take the last bus to the start line. From there you can cheer at the start line or hop the Monorail over to Magic Kingdom to cheer on Main Street and/or the Ticket and Transportation Center (dependent on speed of your runner/monorails)
- Tip 3: Cheer at Disney's Animal Kingdom (Marathon Only). My wife loved cheering here. It was easy to get to from our hotel (Beach Club) and she was able to get back to the finish line to see me there too. This tip does require a park ticket unlike Magic Kingdom cheering.
- Tip 4: See your runner at the finish. Marathon finish lines are just amazing, and the festival area is super fun.
- Tip 5: Celebrate Your Accomplishment! Don't just run off to the airport to fly home or drive home if you are in Florida. Stay for the day, enjoy the parks. Or if you can't, have lunch at one of the resorts or at Disney Springs. For us it was a ride on Guardians, lunch at Epcot, a beer and a walk around World Showcase before showers/naps.
- Tip 6: Spring for the PhotoPass Package! It's so worth it. I am so glad we did it. Join some runDisney groups before race weekend (likely applies to all race weekends) and you'll find people putting a group together to share the cost of the package. It'll be harder to find your pictures, but you'll be glad you did it.
- Tip 7: Get Recovery Sandals. I was honestly shocked these worked. I put them on after the Marathon and didn't put shoes on the rest of the week.
- Tip 8: Have a "Runcation". If you can, spend a few days in the parks. You'll want to get pictures in the parks with your medals anyway. You don't have to rush through the parks, just take it chill and have a nice few days of celebration.
- Tip 9: Pack, Pack, Pack and OVERPACK! It was very cold this year for the Dopey. Which meant lots of throwaway clothes. I went to my local goodwill a few weeks before and got some hoodies/sweaters that I could just toss at the start, or during the race.
- Bonus Tip: Take backup shoes! It's Florida. It's going to rain at least one day. You don't want to run in wet shoes.
- Bonus Tip: Do not check your running clothes and ESPECIALLY shoes if you are flying. You don't want to risk them being lost. You can replace pretty much everything else, but not your broken in shoes.
- Tip 10: Have fun! This is a Disney race. We run them to have fun. See the characters. Don't worry about setting a Personal Record for all 4 races (unless that's your version of fun). Take it all in.
I also want to give a shout out to my amazing wife and family for support through this entire thing.
And most importantly, thank you to everybody who took the time out to donate to the American Cancer Society and all of the other charitable organizations. It's truly amazing to see the generosity of others, during a time when we can really use it.
That last bit is kind of an extra bonus tip!
If you want to do any runDisney race, and don't want to worry about registration issues, find one of the many charities that are offering bibs for any of the races (it's not just for Dopey). I promise you the satisfaction you will get from fundraising for an amazing charity will be just as amazing as the rewards at the finish line!
- A Farewell and Tribute to It's Tough To Be a Bug
- HalloweenTime 2023 at the Disneyland Resort - September 13, 2023
- Preview of Journey of Water Inspired by Moana at Epcot - September 6, 2023
- Foodie Guide to Halloween at Disneyland Resort 2023 - August 17, 2023
- Accessing and Ranking All Single-Rider Lines at the Disneyland Resort - June 7, 2023
