Running. On vacation. Not just any vacation, but a Disney getaway. If you are committed to an exercise regime, trying to burn off a few calories (think Mickey Rice Krispie Treats) or training for your next runDisney event, it’s a no brainer. But if running before or after you traipse through the parks seems entirely antithetical to you, perhaps you should reconsider. Running though a Disney Park is the PERFECT way to stop and smell the Disney roses and perhaps experience something familiar in a completely unique way.
Recently, Disney Moms Panelist and runDisney Specialist Lori Lovell shared her favorite running paths at Walt Disney World. (Hey Lori, the trails at Fort Wilderness are now on my radar!) My personal all-time favorite Disney jogging path is the one mile trek from the Polynesian Resort to the Wedding Pavilion. It borders the Seven Seas Lagoon and has spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom; surely the closest thing to running nirvana I have found.
When I traveled to Disneyland Paris last summer, of course I needed to find a similar course to run there. Not only was I training for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Relay, I wanted to soak up all that the European resort had to offer. The one and a half mile perimeter of Lake Disney seemed my best bet–water, vistas, and a controlled albeit slightly elevated terrain. Again, my surroundings took me away:
The PanoraMagique Balloon at the edge of the Disney Village debuted in 2005, and was the predecessor of The Characters in Flight Balloon in Downtown Disney. Although it was so windy the entire 2 week period that I never once saw it in the air, it certainly was a beautiful landmark to run around!
With the Newport Bay Club in the distance, you can see the path and the Lake as it wraps around in a horseshoe fashion. (By the way, if the hotel looks familiar, it should. The architect was responsible for the Yacht and Beach Clubs at Disney World.)
Next around the ring is the Sequoia Lodge, which though in the midst of a refurbishment, was still a warm and inviting resort. We stayed here for half of our stay, and I’m sure will more to say about it in future posts.
Don’t bother adjusting your monitors, this indeed is a picture of the ice skating rink in front of Hotel New York. Yes, we were there in mid-June, but the weather was a chilly 55 degrees most evenings. As an additional, perhaps tongue-in-cheek homage to the city of my birth, skates were available for rental in the “Rockefeller” building…
Again, if this design looks familiar, it is because the famed postmodern architect of the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, Michael Graves, was recruited for this hotel as well.
As you can see, I had much to soak up while running around Lake Disney. If I had not carved out time to see these sights from the perspective of a runner, I absolutely believe I would have missed the detail and magic that I’ve shared here. Though certainly not as beautiful as “my” spot at the Polynesian, I found joy in every step, sight and sound. Not only had I finally made it to Disneyland Paris, but I took the time to see it in a way that the masses don’t. Joie de vivre!!
runDisney guru Jeff Galloway has written about running while on a Disney vacation in Runner’s World Magazine, and suggests that even a run of ten minutes or so will stave off regression. Specifically, he suggests a “room-to-ride run” when staying at a theme park, and mentions that Disney World, specifically, has designated running areas. If you are interested in my favorite WDW running path, or any other running/jogging/walking trail at Disneyland or Disney World, the site DisneyRunning is an invaluable resource.
Consider a brisk walk, jog or run on a path at a Disney Park as your next new Disney adventure. If you think you’ve done it all- you haven’t! When plotting your next Disney destination, consider packing your running shoes too!
