Category Archives: Walt Disney World

WDW Trip Recap – January 2020

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This particular Disney vacation’s going to stand out in my memory for a number of reasons…all of them great! Our first Dopey Challenge, nearly perfect park-touring weather, new experiences, old favorites – lots to love! I’ll provide tons of details on specific experiences in later posts. Today I want to share the highlights.

WDW Trip Recap – January 2020

First, let me remind you of the reason for this trip – The Dopey Challenge. After The Fam completed the Natchez Trace Ride early last May, Joseph and I started training for Dopey. Having completed several other runDisney challenges, we knew we’d have to plan early dinners and skip evening activities in favor of sleep. I booked dining reservations and FastPasses accordingly.

The Planning Paid Off!

In a nutshell, the Dopey Challenge was a fantastic experience! Worth every bit of effort; we could not have been happier with every magical mile. Unfortunately, the weather for Sunday’s marathon was incredibly warm (especially for January) and made that one event extra difficult. We felt mostly well-rested each morning and still managed to have a great time in the parks.

Dining Pros and Cons

Boy, did we put our Tables in Wonderland card to good use! We may have eaten dinner unusually early every day, but we went all out! Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs), The Wave (Disney’s Contemporary Resort), Il Mulino (Disney’s Swan), Citricos (Disney’s Grand Floridian), California Grill (Contemporary Resort), and Shula’s Steakhouse (Disney’s Dolphin) – all delicious with wonderful service. More details later, but I have to admit…even at 5:30 or 6:00 in the evening, we were often too tired by then (having had to wake up between 2:30 and 3:15 am each morning) to do justice to our excellent meals. Our lunch ADRs at Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom), Kona Cafe (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort), and Yak & Yeti (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) were all outstanding – probably because we were not as tired at lunchtime and extra hungry after all the running.

When We Weren’t Running or Eating…

We used the “keep moving” school of thought. Some runners chose to stay off their feet between races, we opted for park-touring in moderation so our muscles would have less time to stiffen up. We enjoyed plenty of attractions, snacks and beverages. We hung out at Jock Lindsey’s (Disney Springs), the lounge in The Wave (Contemporary) and Enchanted Rose (Grand Floridian) between park touring and dinner reservations. We may have had to turn in early and, in spite of Joseph and I having to cover those 48.6 Dopey miles, we still felt like we were truly enjoying a Disney vacation.

Sure, the weather on Sunday during the marathon felt like we were 7-inches from the sun, but the rest of the time that warm weather was amazing! The sky was unbelievably blue and it made for some beautiful pictures.

Finally, let me mention that we had one day where riding Rise of the Resistance would be possible and we were able to make it happen. Come back tomorrow for the entire (spoiler-free) story, but let me just say…HOLY MOLY! Even if you’re only passingly familiar with Star Wars, this experience is not to be missed! Try it at least one time and tell me it’s not one of Disney’s most unique and special experiences.

If you have any questions about the Dopey Challenge, our touring or dining plans, or anything else, ask away. I still have so much to share about this amazing trip! Please stop by again soon…Lisa

Review: Grand Floridian’s Enchanted Rose

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As huge fans of Mizner’s Lounge, we were prepared for sadness and crushing disappointment when it was replaced by a new pub. Full of happy memories and low expectations, we visited our former favorite stop on the Resort Loop Pub Crawl. Here’s what we found at…

Grand Floridian’s Enchanted Rose

Let me say up front that Enchanted Rose’s prices are high. If you can afford the splurge and can get over missing Mizner’s, it’s a very cool place. Designed around Beauty and The Beast, Enchanted Rose is oddly themed for a Victorian-inspired resort, but surprisingly, it doesn’t feel out of place. The details are charming and the vibe is classy and just a tad bit formal – but still quite welcoming.

Three Sections

Enchanted Rose is divided up into three distinct areas – the library-esque room is where Mizner’s was located. Two other rooms have been extended from there – a garden room and a room themed around the ballroom from the Beast’s castle. There’s also a new outdoor patio area. We sat in the library and enjoyed beer and wine but wished later we’d sat in the ballroom bar – it had a lively crowd and was bright and cheerful.

The three separate parts of Enchanted Rose make it an appealing choice for a variety of libation-seekers. Relaxing after a day in the parks, indulging in some quiet alone-time, or bellying up to the bar for some grown-up fun are all great ways to enjoy this lounge. For sure, if you’re looking for a place to grab a drink before dinner at Citricos, Narcoossee’s, or Victoria and Albert’s, Enchanted Rose is an excellent choice.

Final Thoughts

Personally, we miss Mizner’s – so many happy memories! We’re also really disappointed about the relocation of Grand Floridian’s Lobby Society Orchestra to the lower level lobby area. One of the very best parts of enjoying a beverage at Mizner’s was being able to listen to the Orchestra, formerly located right outside the lounge’s entrance. One thing you can always count on at Walt Disney World is change. We’re embracing this one a little bit un-enthusiastically.

Have you visited the Enchanted Rose? How was your experience?

Watch for Okapis – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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There are so many cool animals to see at Walt Disney World! In Animal Kingdom, between the walking trails, the exhibits, and Kilimanjaro Safaris – the number of birds, reptiles, fish, and mammals guests can see and, more importantly, learn about is amazing. Today I want to share with you some fun facts about one of the cutest and most bashful animals you can find in Animal Kingdom – The Okapi.

Watch for Okapis – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Okapis are shy. So shy, in fact, that their existence remained nothing but a rumor (like unicorns) until around 1901! They hide from their only predators, leopards and humans, and would live peacefully and very happily alone, but are now considered endangered due to hunting, mining, and deforestation.

Okapis are often called “forest giraffes” and indeed, they are the only living relative of the more popular and well-known giraffe. While giraffes live on the African savanna, okapis spend their lives in the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both animals have long, dark tongues and love to dine on local vegetation. Both have long necks (although the giraffes’ are much longer) and the males of both species have ossicones (short, skin-covered horns on their foreheads). Also, both species walk the same way – both feet on one side step forward at the same time. Aside from those similarities, okapis have a unique look all their own.

Okapis in the Wild

Okapis live solitary lives and only occasionally graze and play together in small numbers. Their bodies have dark brown fur and their legs are striped like zebras. This allows them to blend in well among the plants of the rain forest. With lighter-colored faces and large ears, okapis are completely adorable! Those dark-colored tongues are 14-18 inches long which means that okapis can lick their own ears and eyelids! Male and female okapis stand about 5 feet tall but the females grow a bit larger (495-770 lbs.) than males (440-660 lbs.). Adult okapis eat between 45 and 60 pounds of vegetation a day! They live between 20 and 30 years.

When a mother okapi gives birth (after a 14-16 month-long pregnancy), she has a single calf that stays in a “nest” on the ground for the first 6-9 weeks. This helps to the baby safe from leopards. The mother okapi communicates with her calf using an infrasonic call (at around 14HZ) which is too low for humans to hear.

Okapis are territorial animals with males having larger home areas than females. Okapis produce a sticky, smelly tar-like substance from scent glands on their feet and use it to mark their territory. When I see an okapi in Animal Kingdom, it’s easy to imagine them happily spending their days munching on leaves, fungi and fruit in the forest.

Okapis in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney is a leader in animal conservation and is recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for its okapi conservation efforts. In October 2018 Animal Kingdom’s okapis, Zelda and Mandazi, welcomed a baby – helping to boost the world’s okapi population.

If you’re headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be sure to look for okapis on Kilimanjaro Safaris and on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. If, like me, you love them and can’t get enough, you can purchase your very own okapi and take it home with you. (I found mine in Mombasa Marketplace.)

What’s your favorite animal at Walt Disney World?

Dopey Challenge 2020 – Training is Over

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We’re finished! After many months of long runs, short runs, hill runs and tempo runs. Running in the dark, running in the heat, and running in the rain – it’s time to put all those training miles to the test. Joseph is confident! I’m nervous. I’ve run a marathon before and I know how painful it is. I’ve never, ever run a marathon after running a 5K, 10K, and half marathon first.

The Plan

We weren’t able to stick to the plan exactly, but we did our best. A few obstacles got in the way and we made every effort to work around them. To stay motivated, I sweet-talked Joseph into getting up at 4:30 am a couple of times a week to run with me.

These outings meant a break from the treadmill for me and in the cool (sometimes cold) morning air, the miles flew by. I listened to music and enjoyed the starry skies and pretty sunrises. I’m thinking Joseph didn’t get as much enjoyment from these times, but he’s a good sport anyway.

The Fuel

We tried a lot of new running foods and relied on old favorites. New items included Clif Bloks and Tailwind (drink mix). The old favorites we relied on were Sport Beans (watermelon is the best!), GU, and Honey Stinger Waffles. All were tested for energy provided, ease of consumption, and intestinal compatibility. We especially liked the fact that the Sport Beans and Tailwind we used had a bit of added caffeine. Now we know what to bring along with us to keep us going for those 48.6 miles.

The Gear

Here’s my biggest and best discovery: men’s running shorts. I borrowed a couple of pairs of Raymond’s for the Wine & Dine races and I’m never going back! I wish I’d known – the length is perfect (no thigh touching) and there are extra pockets! Plus the shorts Raymond lent me were lightweight and the waistbands hit me in just the right place – made them extra comfortable! Maybe they weren’t the most flattering, but I’ll take feeling good over looking good when I’ve got to cover those loooooong distances.

Joseph and I needed headlights and reflective vests for those dark early morning runs and I found both on Amazon. Economically priced and perfect for our needs, the Petzl headlamps and GoxRunx vests were just the ticket. We wanted to both see and be seen by motorists (and not be mistaken for deer by any hunters)!

Dopey Challenge 2020

It’s time to put it all to the test. One little short run between now and Thursday’s 5K is all we have left. Nervous, excited, and most of all ready – Joseph and I would welcome some friendly thoughts and any advice or words of encouragement you’d care to offer. Wish us luck! We’re gonna need it.