A Few of My Favorite Things from Star Wars Half Marathon - The DarkSide!

This was the race we had all been looking for - The second leg of the Kessel Run!  It was so exciting for all of us who started this journey in January to finish in Walt Disney World! (It's still hard to believe that we have 2 Star Wars Races!)

And although I went into the weekend with bronchitis and not feeling well, I was still overjoyed to be there!  It was a weekend packed full of Star Wars fans and lots of fun! And I thought I'd share a few of my favorite things from the weekend:

The Dark Side Race Maps: Star Wars Half Marathon

Updated March 21, 2016:
Run or Run Not, There is no Try!

It's time to look at a very exciting runDisney race course!

Your Journey to the Dark Side Starts at Epcot

The starting zone for the race is the Wonder Parking Lot at Epcot.  Everyone will have to walk through security, and all running packs and check-in bags will have to be checked.  Please be prepared for extra time getting into your Corral.
 
There will be lots of excitement in your Corral though and watch for guest appearances of your galactic favorites on the race monitors!  Get Ready - Because your tour of Epcot will be a quick one! You will rocket around the World Showcase, entering by Mexico and exiting by the United Kingdom.  You will then jumping to Hyperspace as you fly off to Hollywood Studios!

Virtual Coast 2 Coast Interactive Map: Beta Version!

The Virtual Coast 2 Coast is on!  We have so many great challengers out there; the competition is stiff!

As promised, the IT Department has developed an interactive webstie which displays our progress on a map!  And the Beta Version is out!

http://stickconsulting.elementfx.com/disneyapp/c2c_v2.php

Here is how it works:

-on the left menu, select the names of those members that you would like to see on the map

-click on "Submit" to load

-click on "Submit" again to display

** not all the members are in the database yet

** not all step numbers are in the database yet

However, we should be live on Monday!

If you haven't turned in your steps for January, just email (kesselrunner77@gmail.com) or message them to me! 

Just a reminder on the challenge guidelines:

- You will have from Monday, January 5th 12am to Saturday, November 7th Midnight to complete the challenge.

- The Goal is 4,800,000 steps 

- Everyone who finishes will receive a Finishers "Coast 2 Coast" Medal

- There will be mini goals and prizes each month to boost encouragement and motivation

- Anyone and everyone can join - as long as you have a pedometer/tracker - invite your friends!

I'm very excited about the map and seeing where we all are!

Let us know what you think!

Comment Below or contact me at kesselrunner77@gmail.com

Tips on Seeing Anna and Elsa

Frozen's Anna and Elsa are the most sought after Princesses in the Magic Kingdom!  And they are great to meet because they interact with the crowd so well!  But getting that chance is a tough job, and you must attack this goal  through planning.  I've compiled some great tips for you on meeting Anna and Elsa!

1.  FastPass+

Resort guests can start booking FastPass+ 60 days before arrival, and Annual Passholders and Day Passes can book starting 30 days before arrival through their My Disney Experience account.  You will need to link your upcoming trip or passes to this account to get started.

Tips:  

You will need to start checking for FastPasses at midnight on your 60 day window.  If you don't get a FastPass, keep searching each day.  Going into my May vacation, I did not have FastPasses for Anna and Elsa.  I kept reviewing my options for Magic Kingdom each day, and was able to get a FastPass.  Plans change and guests have to cancel, so Don't give up!

Also when signing up for FastPass+, select the least number of family members as possible.  It might be easier to grab a 2 or 3 spot than the whole crew of 6!

2.   Cruise

Elsa and Anna will be together on upcoming cruises on the Disney Cruise Line.  This move provides families who enjoy an exciting Disney-themed cruise  with the opportunity to meet these amazing Princesses!  

Tips:

Disney tries to pack in as many character encounters as possible on the cruises:  check your Personal Navigator for character schedules and add them to your plan!

3.  Festival of Fantasy Parade

If you or your child would be happy with just seeing Anna and Elsa, then the Festival of Fantasy Parade is for you!  This parade, currently scheduled for 3PM each day, travels through Frontierland, passes in front of the Castle and then down Main Street.  They have a beautiful float and it is definitely worth viewing them in this dazzling processional!

Tips:

This parade has premium seating in front of the Castle and is obtained through FastPass+.  If you are not able to get FastPass+, anywhere along the parade route will be great viewing.  Just be sure to check the times guide, get to your spot at least an hour ahead of time, bring an umbrella for shade, carry a towel to sit on, and add some extra water to your backpack!

4.  Standyby

If all else fails, your next option is Standby.  And with the wait time for standby being lengthy, it is best to get in Standby as early as possible.  Cast Members are controlling the sprint to Fantasyland but you want to be in the front of that line. Your best bet is to be outside the gate at least an hour before the park opens.   And be sure you know when the Extra Magic Hours are for your stay and factor those times into your plans.

Tips:  

Even if you have an early Breakfast at Cinderella's Castle or the Crystal Palace, guests are not allowed into Fantasyland until the Magic Kingdom officially opens.  

Bottom line, FastPass+ is the best way to visit Anna and Elsa.  Meeting them this summer was so much fun!   They were just as cute in person as they were in the movie, and absolutely a must do for your Magic Kingdom visit!

(I did have to ask if they had met Princess Leia:  they had not but would love to meet her!  Elsa was especially interested in this thing call "The Force")

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I can help you plan your Anna and Elsa Experience and get those FastPass+ reservations, please contact me at

kesselrunner77@gmail.com

The Harmony Barbar Shop at WDW

Disney is a magical place, that provides so many experiences that allow you to amerce yourself into different worlds and feel completely at home in your surroundings.  Whether you may be battling Pirates in the Caribbean, visiting an authentic Haunted Mansion, enjoying many of your childhood stories and fantasies to traveling to the world of tomorrow, you can quickly lose yourself in all the awesomeness of Disney.

Even with the Harmony Barber Shop tucked away, it is still a popular stop for many families at the beginning of their vacation.

My favorite place in all of the Magic Kingdom is the early 20^th Century experience of Main Street, U.S.A. As you enter into Magic Kingdom, every building, storefront, restaurant and shop quickly transports you into the middle of small-town America.  There is no detail that is missed through Disney’s magic, including a honest-to-goodness nostalgic barber shop.

Circle marks the location of the Harmony Barber Shop; you can't miss the red and white striped pole out front.

Disney has taken something as normal as a haircut and turned it into a memorable attraction. The Harmony Barber Shop does offers normal haircuts for all ages, but what makes this experience magical is the opportunity to have your child’s first haircut be performed in Disney.  Each child (or adult) that gets their first haircut here will receive a certificate and special Mickey ear commemorating the event.

Whether it be your first hair cut, a trim, or some special styling your visit to Harmony Barbershop will be magical.

Don’t worry, if this is not your first haircut, but just your first Disney haircut they do offer special haircuts, hair gel, pixie dust and even some amazing styling.  This fun experience is very popular and even though walk-ins are allowed, reservations are a must to get your haircut in a timely manner.

Prices for your haircut are pretty standard for any barbershop or salon, and they do offer rates for baby's first hair cut, children's, adults, bang trip, and for some gel and pixie dust.  Each barber is a state-licensed cosmetologist who knows how to make you and your child's haircut amazing

And if this experience couldn’t get any better, the Dapper Dan singers perform down the block from you, which their musical stylings quickly transform the atmosphere from a scene out of Norman Rockwell painting to a reality.  I can’t imagine a better way to spend our time in Magic Kingdom, and to do something very special and unique for you and your family.

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Hours of Operation: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Reservations: Suggested, but walk-ins are welcome

Cost: Haircuts $15 - $19 (Gratuity Extra)

Ages: All ages allowed; guests under 17 will need an adult over 18 present

Note: $10 charge will be made for no-shows on your reservations

Contact me if you need help planning your perfect haircut or any other Disney travel needs. kesselrunner77@gmail.com