WDW Wednesdays: Halloween 5K

Now that I’m back in the swing of blogging again, Walt Disney World Wednesdays are back, too!  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–I always have a WDW trip in the works!  The present time is no exception.

I’ll be going to WDW with my family (plus sister’s boyfriend) the last week of September to celebrate sister Amanda’s birthday, and to hit up the opening weekend of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. 

When I was working at EPCOT, I was lucky enough to be there during Food and Wine.  I was able to hit up so many of the food booths because I lived there and went during lunch breaks or just on days off with friends.  The festival features so many different ethnic foods, and I’m so glad I get to go back with my whole family this time.

3.1 miles around Animal Kingdom

As part of the Food and Wine Festival, runDisney is hosting the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend that same opening weekend.  While I am in no shape to run a half or even a half relay, the family Halloween 5K is definitely doable.  I may even run some of it if the Couch to 5K Challenge continues to go well considering my herniated disc. (Injection #2 is tomorrow. Ugh)

The best part is that both my mom and sister will be participating with me!  When I did the Beauty and the Beast Royal Family 5K in February, all I thought was, this would be so much fun with Mom and Amanda!  What could be better than racing through a WDW Park? With characters along the way! And you get a t-shirt!

From disneystore.com, nothing says Halloween like Jack!

Needless to say, I’m excited.  Plus, we bought Jack Skellington t-shirts to wear during the race to keep with the Halloween theme and to match as a team.  We’re going to be so cute!

The 3.1 miles takes us through Animal Kingdom, which should be gorgeous early in the morning, and a little creepy, too, with all the shade (which fits since it’s the Halloween 5K).

The last few years I’ve been forgetting to get in the Halloween spirit. This race should do the trick!

WDW Wednesdays: Contemporary Eats

Me, my Ke$ha wig, and faux nose jewelry

I’m home safely after a crazy awesome Halloween spent in Madison with good friends, food (Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace, or Cadillac Ranch as it’s now called) and drinks (forgot how giant The Real Thing is at Red Shed).  I had some serious fun in my Ke$ha costume, which has made me consider dying my never-been-colored locks blonde.  Doubtful, but I’m considering it.

Last weekend I drove to Cincinnati to visit my older sister in her new-ish house.  We bummed around all weekend, playing Wii, watching girly movies on We Entertainment channel and making some of our fave meals from childhood (hot dog pizzas, anyone?)  I also got to see the Hofbrauhaus, which totally took me back to Germany and yes, Epcot’s German buffet, Oktoberfest.  Sue me!

Speaking of WDW, it’s Wednesday!  Time for my next WDW Wednesday installment.  I’m now less than a month away from my next Disney vacation, and I couldn’t be more excited!  The thing I love about WDW is that no matter how many times you have been there, there is always something new to try, or something old you never got around to trying.  In December, my parents and I will be dining at the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill.  I’ve heard great things about it, and I’m excited for some fancy drinks and Cali-inspired dishes.  If I ever make it out to Disneyland someday, you can bet I’ll be trying the Napa Rose restaurant for the same reason.

California Grill is located in the Contemporary Resort, one monorail stop from the Magic Kingdom.  Considering its location and rooftop view, Cali Grill is one of the best places to view MK’s Wishes fireworks show.  We have a reservation right around 8:30 p.m….perfect timing for the 9 p.m. show!

Goat Cheese Ravioli, courtesy of http://www.waltdisneyboards.com

The menu is always changing, but right now both raviolis are looking amazing to me:  Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Pesto, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Basil; House-made Potato and Cheese Ravioli with Florida Corn Purée, Summer Squash, Vidalias, and Black Truffle.  Since that’s probably too many carbs for one meal, I’m eyeing the Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese Polenta, Button Mushrooms, Zinfandel Glaze, and Sage or the veal chop or the filet.  Can’t go wrong with a steak at WDW!  But’s that’s a whole other post!

Hmmm, what am I missing?  Dessert!  Say ‘coconut’, and I’m there.  Coconut-Mango Panna Cotta: Coconut Infused Panna Cotta with Mango Gelée, Almond Biscotti, and Coquitos.  Not sure what a coquito is, or a gelee for that matter.  But I’m willing to take one for the team to find out.  Plus, there’s no sugar added, so I don’t have to feel guilty for indulging!

Remind me to pack stretchy pants.

WDW Wednesdays: Halloween

Around this time of year, when mornings are brisk and all I want is a cup of hot apple cider, I get all excited for Halloween, and the endless possibilities of costumes for the biggest party of the year in Madison.

Spending Halloween in Disney was almost as magical as Madison (minus a riot or two).  Magic Kingdom is all decked out in rust-colored leaves and orange Mickey pumpkin heads.

Main Street in Magic Kingdom at Halloween

One of my favorite things I did at WDW was the Legend of Sleepy Hollow carriage ride.  Being from Sleepy Hollow, and an avid fan of the Washington Irving story and Walt Disney animated film featuring Bing Crosby (love him!), this was a must-do for me!

At Fort Wilderness Lodge, a carriage ride takes you through the story of the Headless Horsemen, and after making a wrong turn, leads you into dangerous territory!

I’m a scaredy-cat, and only got mildly excited (mildly…) during the ride, but mostly it just put me in a great Halloween mood!

Walt Disney World Wednesdays (on Friday)

I’m thinking about starting a Walt Disney World Wednesdays series to my blog, so these posts will be limited to Hump Day pretty soon, but I was just so excited by this news I had to share today!

Some of you (or all of you) may know I interned down at WDW in 2008 through the Disney College Program.  It was my dream through college to work for the mouse in any way, shape or form, be it in marketing, event and conference planning or public relations.  Unfortunately, the economy didn’t allow me to continue my career path at WDW, but I still visit there often.  Not a day goes by when I’m not planning a future vacation to WDW.  Today is no exception; I’m going in December 🙂

Hence, Walt Disney World Wednesdays!  It’s my passion, and you’ll just have to deal with it!  I subscribe to the Disney Parks blog and get Google alerts about WDW (nerd, I know).  So, I’m on the up and up with all that’s going on at the parks.

Today, I was updated on two news items that caught my eye.  The topics?  Food and exercise, naturally.

I started training for 5Ks last year, suffered a setback with a groin pull, and am still recovering from that while still training for a 5K.  I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to run longer races someday.  My dream race?  The WDW Princess Half Marathon of course!  Before that, I’d like to run the WDW Wine and Dine Half Marathon relay (split 5-mile and 8-mile legs between two people, and finish at the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot!) with my mom.  I’m always looking for new information, tips and tricks for running, and one of the experts has just partnered with WDW: Jeff Galloway!  You can see the full post here, but basically Galloway will be the new training consultant for the new runDisney edurance series!  There is a facebook page and everything.  You can bet I’ll be “fan”-ing that page later tonight!

If you know me, you know I love food but am now much more interested in healthful options at WDW, so I don’t gain 5 lbs. every week I visit.  Along with some info about new designer hot dogs at the Lunching Pad at Magic Kingdom (MK’s home to the infamous turkey leg), this post offers some great news for those watching their waistlines at the World.  Here is an excerpt:

Every table-service restaurant has at least one vegetarian option, and at least one low-fat or no-sugar-added dessert.

The top-selling kids’ drink? The 5-calorie lemonade-pomegranate punch.

All smoothies are now made with non-fat yogurt and fresh fruit purees (knocking them down from 420 calories to just 120 calories).

Seventy percent of trans fat items have been eliminated in merchandise locations

I, for one, am stoked that smoothies are offered with non-fat yogurt now.  It’s an equally refreshing snack to, say, a Mickey’s Premium Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich, but with far, far fewer calories.  I’m also not ashamed to say I’ve ordered the 5-calorie kids’ lemonade.  It’s pretty darn delicious.  And, it comes with a light-up Tinkerbell clip, perfect for Fantasmic!  Too fun!

I find it ironic that the health tips come after their hot dog announcement.  I guess you’ll need to know where you can cut back after having one of those reuben dogs (you can bet I’ll be trying one)! 

But, if you’re running one of the WDW marathons, I think you’re safe to indulge a bit 😉

Ciao Ciao Ciao

Leaving in 2 hours!  I’m too excited to sleep!  Mediterranean, here I come.

I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.  In many long, long entries.