Still trying to decide if I want to attempt Dopey... this past marathon weekend was my first full. Running all three at W&D so part of me says just to keep up the training and try Dopey. I know what you all are going to say but I guess I need some encouragement to make the leap...
My answer might surprise you. For years, I said I would never run a marathon unless it involved being an extra in a Star Wars movie or some such similar end game. Whatever thoughts I harbored about some day running a marathon sprinted away from me as fast as they could in long training runs for half marathons.
It took 3 half marathons with one of those half marathons being at the end of my normal intense Disney World touring before I realized I could handle a multi race weekend. I ran 5 multi race weekends (all Star Wars) before finally feeling like I wanted to attempt the marathon.
Given the logistics of traveling to Disney World in January from the west coast, I settled on running my first marathon as part of Dopey in case I never had another opportunity to attempt the Walt Disney World Marathon again. I had a great experience. Yet at the same time, I had a great experience because I was ready to attempt the marathon. I could have run the marathon by itself at any other point since I took up running and probably would have a difficult experience. I enjoyed it precisely because I was ready to attempt it and thus did so on my terms and no one else's.
In the end, you need to make the Dopey decision that is best for you. I can tell you that if you're ready for Dopey and want to run it, you should have a great time. Just make sure that you're running Dopey on your terms and no one else's.
For this week's Sundays are for Disney, I want to know: what is your favorite "land" within a Disney park?
For now,
Disneyland's Fantasyland. I love how all the show buildings fit together thematically yet remain individually themed to the country of origin for the ride inside. I'm optimistic that in just a couple of weeks, Galaxy's Edge will be my new favorite land within a park.
Honorable mention goes to the Star Tours area in Disney's Hollywood Studios at night when you can hear the ewoks partying in the trees.
Honorable mention also to World Showcase because I love it.
I have two aha moments that tell me I'm at Disney.
1. Seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland.
2. Seeing Spaceship Earth at Walt Disney World. I believe I could spend a week in Disney World, never visiting Epcot, and still not feel like I'm there until I see Spaceship Earth.
Side note, I have heard several people say they don’t need to travel the world because they’ve been to WS. That is just sad...don’t be one of those people! As amazing of a job Disney does in recreating these magical places, it is not a substitution for the real thing! Try to do what I have done, visit the real countries and let WS remind you of those special memories!
I have friends who honeymooned in Paris and spent an anniversary dinner many years later at Chefs de France for that very reason. And although I am not certainly not saying the Magic Kingdom is fake, do not let Walt Disney World keep you from visiting
Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom.
This jacket is red and blue and for the marathon. I like the color scheme. But it sounds like XXL will be too big.
Thanks for the feedback!
I have that jacket. I'll try and check the size when I get home tonight. I really like it, but I need to check the size before I describe how it fits on me.