Running at Disney has become super popular with all of the RunDisney events happening, but if you don’t want to do a ton of miles, come on a crowded race weekend, and get up at 3 in the morning, Disney is starting to offer some fun resort run options!
The Beignet Dash at Port Orleans French Quarter was the first resort run to start, and it happens at the resort every Sunday morning. Registration is at 7:30am and the run begins at 8. At about 1.5 miles and no timing it’s a relaxed, fun way to still get a little exercise in for the whole family. The price is $15 per person and includes a rubber medal and free beignets.
I had heard about the run and stopped by the front desk to double check it was still happening. They confirmed it was and suggested I preregister, so I went ahead and did that and paid my $15 at the front desk the night before. The next morning I headed over with my confirmation. It seems there is still some confusion with cast members about all of the details of the run, as a number of people there were told by the front desk that they couldn’t preregister and should just show up the morning of. It didn’t matter too much as they were happy to do registration right there, but it seemed a little confusing.
We filled out waivers and then got bibs where we could write our names on the front and put an emergency phone number on the back. The recreation cast members were enthusastic and reminded us that the run is not timed and to just have fun, run or walk, whatever you’d like to do. Check in and the race start/finish were between building 5 and the pool. Despite the fact that it’s not overly advertised there were still close to 40 people who showed up that morning, which I thought was a great turn out and a good sign that they will add more of these races at other resorts.
The path went around the running trail at French Quarter and Riverside and then looped back. It was a pretty, easy run with only a few small inclines and then downhills (pretty much nothing if you’re from hilly Pennsylvania like me!). Cast members were stationed every so often to cheer us on and point us in the right direction.
When we finished they gave us a cute medal. It was made out of rubber, had a mardi gras mask on it and said “Beignet Dash 2018.” Instead of a ribbon it had a mardi gras bead necklace. It’s super cute but the one downside of it was that when I got back to my room I realized that the coloring from the green beads combined with my sweat had turned my skin green all around my neck! Nothing a good shower couldn’t fix but I was surprised to see I was starting to look like Shrek when I looked in the mirror!
They also encouraged us to take some photos with the signs and props that they had out, and there were some decorations including balloons. Steve, the greeter of French Quarter was also on hand to cheer us on and take photos at the finish line.
Attached to our bibs was a coupon for 3 free beignets that could be redeemed at any time that day only at Sassagoula Floatworks. I headed back to my room, showered, and then grabbed my order on the way to the bus stop to go to Animal Kingdom. They were piping hot, delicious, and much bigger than I expected! I certainly didn’t need three of them, but I definitely ate two and half.
It was super hot for a morning run in the middle of August in Florida, but I’m really glad I particpated. It was nice to still get a run in while on vacation, no matter how short, and to try the beignets at French Quarter. While I’m sure some people would wonder why you’d want to pay $15 when you could just run the path yourself, there’s something exciting about doing it with a group of people and having the cast members cheer you on. It’s motivating, and that sort of group spirit is one of the things I love most about running. It’s why I continue to run, even though my training runs are often difficult and frustrating. Plus the medal is cute too!
Have you heard of the Beignet Dash at Port Orleans French Quarter? Does this sound like something you might want to do?
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