Mickey's Holiday 5K


We are back from Disney and I am finally ready to share about the Jingle Jungle 5K race, which  apparently is now called Mickey's Holiday 5K! 



 1.Who: For this particular race, I was running with one of my very best friends who is NOT a runner. I emphasize that she is not a runner to show you how much this meant to me that she actually wanted to run a race with me AND that she wanted it to be at Disney. I guess over the years she really was listening when I would talk about running and figured she'd like to participate in something that meant so much to me!

2. What: Mickey's Holiday 5K race is part of Disney's Wine and Dine series of races.  I have actually done this particular race before (When it was called the Jingle Jungle 5K) and thought it would be a great race for first timers that wanted the Disney experience and wanted to do a 5K. If you would like a full race report with more details you can read the blog posts HERE and HERE.


3. When: The race started at 6:30 on Friday morning, which is actually quite late for a Disney race but I didn't mind that at ALL, I was very tired from the night before. 


In fact, I never even made it to the expo to pick up my bib on Thursday. However, there was a runner relations tent set up at the race on race morning so it was not a problem to get my bib there. All I had to do was bring a photo ID with me. I did however have to go back to the expo and get my race t-shirt.



4. Where : The race started at Animal Kingdom. The start line and finish line were both in the parking lot. The first mile was run in the parking lot and then the second mile started once we entered the park.  There were a couple characters in the park but like the last time I ran it, they were mostly characters from the Jungle book that we weren't that familiar with so we didn't stop. I was waiting to see Chip and Dale ( they were there last time I ran it) but I didn't see them this time.  We came upon Pluto during the last mile and ironically enough, that's the same character I got a photograph with last time!



5. Why: Since I was doing this race with my friend, we of course were doing it for fun. We did a combination of run-walk. One thing I noticed from the last time I ran it is that it seemed to be darker A LOT longer. It was dark the entire time we were running through the park so it's not like my friend could really experience (or remember much) about the inside of Animal Kingdom.  That's okay though because we certainly had fun after the race!

I didn't wear my Garmin so I don't know what our official finish time was. Also, I noticed that there wasn't even a clock at the finish line or at the mile markers. I know this was considered a fun run and not officially timed, but I remember the other Disney 5Ks I did had the clocks out.  I didn't really care though because running with my friend was the main goal.

I always liked this race and I would say that I would consider doing it again, but now that all the Disney races have added the "challenges" with the 10Ks, the 5Ks get pushed back to Friday mornings instead of Saturdays which doesn't make traveling all that convenient.  -M

Thanks for joining us for this Friday Five!






38 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun time! I guess they can't start too late (when it would be lighter) since they have to finish before the park opens. Happy Friday!

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    1. I just read through my race recap from the last time I ran this race and noticed that it started at 7:00 am last time. That may be why it was so much lighter then!

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  2. Looks like fun! You guys looked so cute. Yeah, when I ran WDW half, we started at 5:30! The whole race was in the dark.

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  3. I have done a nearby holiday race the past couple years that has a clock at the finish line, but none of the participants have timing chips (or numbered bibs). All prizes are by raffle, and not by finish times. It's all about fun and most people are dressed in holiday attire. It's kind of a nice change from the usual race routine ;-)

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  4. It's on Friday? Is there more on the weekend? (Not a Disney racer). This seems great to get friends to try out a 5K. Looks like you had fun!

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    1. Yes, the 5K is on Friday, 10K on Saturday, and half marathon on Sunday. It makes for a very busy weekend!

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  5. Sounds like a lot of fun, except I'd want to see the animals. :( They need like big spotlights on them -- although I suppose most of them are just sleeping at night and then it would take me waaaay too long anyway!

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  6. I've always loved the theme of this race. We contemplated doing it this year, but in the end decided that we wanted one full park day during our Wine and Dine trip. Looks like it was a fun experience for your friend's first race!

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    1. We still finished in time to go to the park but it did make for a very long day.

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  7. Doing Mickey's Halloween 5k was what got me hooked on Disney. We had clocks too during that race. I wonder if Disney is starting to phase that out with the 5k's. Glad you and your friend had fun!

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    1. It's funny that they got rid of the clocks yet they upgraded the medal! It's Huge!!!

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  8. I think I wouldnt even bring a watch or care about time if/when I ever do a Disney run - I 'm going for the atmosphere & FUN.

    OK... you two look so stinkin' ADORABLE!!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Rebecca, my friend put together the outfits for us!

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  9. You two look so cute! I need to run a Disney race one day with you :)

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  10. Sounds like so much fun!! I love that your friend wanted to run with you. That's the sign of a true friend right there!

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  11. You guys look freaking adorable in your holiday race outfits! Love that you did this with your best friend. :)

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    1. Thank you Shelley! I'm glad she finally got to experience all the fun we talk about!

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  12. I always think it's funny to see snow with Mickey mouse in Florida! Looks like a fun time for you and your friend

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    1. They actually had a snow machine at the start line too!

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  13. Adorable! And I agree with Deb--the snow in Florida (with you all with bare legs) is pretty comical!

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    1. My friend actually had the idea of wearing scarves and hats...lol

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  14. This looks incredibly festive and fun. How sweet that your non-running friend wanted to run this with you!

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  15. How great to run a race with a friend. I have been trying to talk my husbandinto a 5K for years.... just can't get him to do it. Glad you enjoyed it !

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    1. One day you'll get him to run a 5K, don't give up...lol

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  16. Okay you both are adorable and that medal is adorable! I'm so glad runDiney went to metal 5k medals! Sound like so much fun - I have this planned for next year! Congrats!

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    1. The 5k medal is HUGE. It is just as big as my Marathon medal and that's just not right...lol

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  17. Ahhhhh, FUN!! I've done one RunDisney race (the WDW Half) and it was beyond incredible. I so want to go back...!

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  18. I'm currently trying to get my kids to run a 5k and they're not ready to jump on that wagon. Your outfits are really cute!

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  19. Looks like a great time! I think its super fun that they have it Christmas themed! I've never a 5k at Disney, just longer races, but if I had to pick a Disney 5k I think it would have to be this one! You two look adorable by the way! :)

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.