By |

Episode 482: This week on Traveling with the Mouse, I’m taking you through my first-ever experience running in the Walt Disney World Half Marathon! From the moment I decided to sign up to crossing the finish line, it was an unforgettable journey filled with early mornings, thrilling moments, and, of course, a well-earned margarita at La Cava del Tequila.

The Road to RunDisney: Signing Up and Training

If you’ve ever looked into a RunDisney event, you know that signing up is an event in itself! Spots fill up fast, and you’ve got to be ready when registration opens. Once I secured my spot, then the real work began—training.

Race Weekend: The Energy, The Magic, and the Early Wake-Up Call

Race weekend is a full experience, and Disney does it BIG. From the expo, where I picked up my race bib and some exclusive merch, to the pre-race energy on race morning, everything was electric. Except for the rain! The 3:00 AM wake-up call was tough but the adrenaline and excitement take over. Being there with thousands of other runners and a touch of Disney magic, it was worth it.

The race itself? Absolutely incredible. Running through Epcot and Magic Kingdom as the sun began to rise was surreal. Seeing The electric water pageant boats our in the lagoon to welcome us into the Magic Kingdom was a fun surprise. (We love the Electric Water Pageant) Seeing my family as I ran down Main Street, U.S.A., was a highlight I will never forget, and the character stops along the way is what makes a Disney event truly unique. The crowd support, cast members cheering, and Disney’s impeccable organization made for an unforgettable experience.

Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely! The Walt Disney World Half Marathon was a one-of-a-kind experience that blended my love for Disney with the personal challenge of a race. The community, the energy, and the magic of running through the parks made every step worth it. If you’re considering doing a RunDisney event, I say go for it—you won’t regret it.

So, what’s next? Maybe a full marathon? We’ll see!

By |

Episode 481: Welcome to the latest episode of Traveling with the Mouse! This week Adam and Jon share exciting details about their upcoming Disney trips. This episode is packed with Trip previews, goodbyes to beloved attractions, and everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World in early 2025. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect.

Adam’s Half Marathon Prep

Adam is gearing up for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, part of the runDisney event series that draws athletes and Disney fans from all over the world. He’s sharing his thoughts pre-race and since it’s his first time, He talks about what it’s like from the newbie’s perspective. Tune in next week for the full breakdown if the race experience and lesson’s learned from taking on a run Disney race!

Jon’s upcoming Trip Plans

Jon’s upcoming trip coincides with EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts, one of the most vibrant events on Disney’s calendar. He will be staying at Wilderness Lodge and talks us through his plans to experience some new things and say goodbye to some old ones.

Ride Closures and Early 2025 Tips

Disney is starting 2025 with several ride closures as part of their ongoing park updates. In this episode, we discuss what this means if you plan to visit in early 2025. We discuss the attractions that will be unavailable during early 2025 and how to navigate these closures and when to expect attractions to re-open. There’s also some good discounts that Disney is rolling out for early 2025 that guests should take advantage of even if some rides are down for refurbishment.

By |

Episode 478: In this week’s episode of Traveling with the Mouse, we’re diving into Disney’s big year at the box office, looking ahead to what 2025 holds for the company, and covering some major updates that Disney fans won’t want to miss. From the surprising success stories of 2024 to the latest theme park changes, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s break it all down!

Disney’s Box Office Domination in 2024

2024 was a banner year for Disney at the box office. Moana 2 continues to perform strong and with Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine making billions, all eyes are now on Mufasa: The Lion King, set to release this week. In the episode, we discuss whether Mufasa can live up to the hype and continue Disney’s winning streak into 2025.

Another Unexpected Ride Closure for Refurbishment

This week we were surprised to learn that Gran Fiesta Tour is closing for refurbishment in early 2025. It will be closed from January 6th through March 15th. We speculate on whether this is just a standard routine maintenance or is this enough time to convert the ride to a Coco themed attraction?

Updates to the Run Disney Marathon Course

Calling all Run Disney fans! The 2025 Marathon course map has been released, and there are some changes to look out for. This year’s course offers a few changes to the Magic Kingdom section of the route, including a run through Cinderella Castle!

Previewing the 2025 Epcot Festivals

Epcot’s festivals are always a highlight of the Disney calendar, and 2025 is shaping up to be no different. From the International Festival of the Arts to the 30th year for the Flower and Garden Festival. We did notice that Disney seems to be returning to a more traditional schedule for these festivals. It looks like 2025 will have more weeks of “diet Epcot” than any other year since the pre-covid era.

Exploring the Disney Treasure

Last but not least, we take a closer look at the Disney Treasure, the latest addition to Disney’s cruise ship fleet. This ship brings a whole new level of storytelling to the high seas with its unique design, themed dining experiences, and entertainment options. We discuss what sets the Treasure apart from Disney’s other cruise ships and why it should be on your travel bucket list.

By |

Welcome back, Disney fans! In this episode of Traveling with the Mouse, we dive into our hopes and predictions for the upcoming D23 Parks panel. From anticipated announcements to our ultimate wish list, we cover it all. Plus, we review Inside Out 2 and discuss the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass system. Let’s get started!

As the D23 Parks panel approaches, excitement is building for what Disney might unveil. We anticipate more details about the transformation of Dinoland into the tropical Americas. This new land will feature Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions. We also expect Updates on the Beyond Big Thunder expansion including potential new lands and attractions that will enhance the Magic Kingdom experience. We’re hoping for some unexpected surprises that will thrill Disney fans, such as new attractions or experiences across various parks.

We also take a look at Inside Out 2 and share our thoughts on the film. We share Ideas for how Inside Out 2 could be integrated into the Disney parks. There’s some existing structures that could easily house an attraction based on this franchise.

Finally, Disney’s new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass system is rolling out, and we’ve got some early thoughts as this new system is rolling out. As with any new change Disney makes there’s pros and cons. Being able to book in advance and hold 3 lightning lanes at a time is a good thing but same day availability is in short supply. The kinks will get worked out and we hope with time that this system will have more positives than negatives.

By |

Episode 449: Welcome back, Disney fans, to another episode of Traveling with the Mouse! Today, we’re packed with fresh news and exciting updates from across the Disney universe. From anticipated attractions to anniversary celebrations and beyond, we’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s dive in!

First up, we discuss the much-anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Disney enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the official opening date, and rumors are swirling about possible preview dates. Disney’s Hollywood Studios just celebrated its 35th anniversary with new Merch and that’s about it. Speaking of anniversaries, can you believe it’s been 25 years since “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” was released? We discuss our thoughts on the film looking back 25 years later and if we want to see it again in theaters while it is on it’s limited run.

In Disney Cruise line News, Disney has recently shared the map of their new private island, Lookout Cay. It is definitely impressive but will we miss seeing the ship off in the distance while we are chilling on the beach? Lastly, Adam vents some frustrations with the Run Disney registration process. Many fans have encountered challenges and complexities when signing up for these popular events. Adam shares his personal experiences and offers tips on snagging a registration.