Yesterday morning, I joined more than 12,000 other athletes for the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon here at the Disneyland Resort. Featuring an all-new course and a seriously shiny new medal (see above), the race is the latest in the runDisney line-up.

At 5:45 am, fireworks lit up the sky and the race was on! We took off on our way to Disneyland park, where pixie wings and green tutus fluttered all over the course.

Disney characters greeted participants throughout the park, including an appearance by the Lost Boys who seemed to have taken over King Arthur Carrousel!

As the sun rose over the Disneyland Resort, we made our way through the Downtown Disney District where we were cheered on by a sea of red hats. The lovely ladies from the Red Hat Society had set up a huge cheering section in front of the Disneyland Hotel.

From there, we left the Disneyland Resort and headed for downtown Anaheim – a new destination for a runDisney race. Marching bands and cheer squads from local schools were waiting to welcome the race participants.

After leaving downtown Anaheim, the race headed back to the Disneyland Resort and through Disney California Adventure park. With about a mile to go, we headed through “a bug’s land” toward the finish line.

Did you participate in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon yesterday? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Race Report: Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

So, here’s the scoop: The story behind this gift is that Mickey needs your little ones help to surprise Minnie (and Minnie needs your help to surprise Mickey) at Magic Kingdom Park from Feb. 1-15. You see, tucked inside this new offering are essentials for a “sweet” meet-and-greet experience in the parks. And, get this, it also includes a special Valentine, personalized to your little one from Mickey or Minnie; a Valentine coloring sheet they can decorate; and a special invitation to surprise them at the Town Square Theater inside Magic Kingdom Park.

Now, imagine the look on your little one’s face as they present Mickey or Minnie with their colored Valentine they made just for them while wearing their Mickey Mouse ears and BFF light-up lanyard that’s included with this gift! And, not only is it a moment you’ll want to catch on camera, it’s a moment your little one will share with their friends when they get home too.

If you think your little loved one would enjoy surprising Mickey or Minnie with a special Valentine, simply click Mickey’s Valentine Surprise or Minnie’s Valentine Surprise to learn more. Remember, this experience is only offered through Feb. 15.

In Time For Valentine’s Day: A Sweet Meet-and-Greet at Magic Kingdom Park by Jean Volante: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

For first-time Disney cruisers, that question is answered pretty quickly upon boarding. The adult-exclusive activities are abounding, so you can imagine it wasn’t an easy task to narrow down the “top five” adult activities on a Disney ship.

But here it is, a video showing the adult fan favorites for what to do when cruising with Disney. Check it out and let us know your favorite activities for grownups.

See more from Disney Cruise Line’s “Top Five” video series:

• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Kid Activities on a Disney Ship
• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Family Activities on a Disney Ship
• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Ketchikan, Alaska
• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Juneau, Alaska
• Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Skagway, Alaska

Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Adult Activities on a Disney Ship by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

“The idea is that you customize your choice,” says Chef Ed Wronski, Director, Food & Beverage Concept Development, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “From burgers to pasta, salads, ethnic flavors, omelets, even parfaits and gelatos, everything is made fresh as you order.”

There’s a big focus on beverages, too. Fresh fruit smoothies are made to order, ditto for lemonade and pomegranate limeade. They’re stocking organic teas, beer (including gluten free), wine, coffee and juices. You can get a plain cup of coffee or a French vanilla or mocha iced. And half bottles of wine are paired with cuisine from the food shops.

We got a sneak peek at the menu, and here are some of the highlights:

• The Soup-Salad-Sandwich Shop lets you create your own salad (with beef or chicken) and offers a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on focaccia, or a Buffalo-style turkey sandwich with arugula and a blue cheese-Buffalo sauce-mayo spread. Both are served with delish house-made potato chips.
• The World Flavors Shop adds Indian-African flair to breakfast, too, with scrambled eggs, tandoor potatoes, Portuguese sausage, slab bacon and a mini-naan; or a veggie flatbread sandwich on naan with cauliflower, spinach and paneer. Lunch and dinner is a choice of tandoori chicken or shrimp, Mongolian beef with vegetables, mahi mahi, Portuguese sausage or roasted acorn squash served with sides and naan bread.
• The Pizza Shop features make-your-own pasta, cheese and pepperoni pizzas and meatballs on ciabatta bread. Room delivery is an option, too.
• The Burger Shop includes a breakfast burger with chicken breakfast sausage, cheese and scrambled eggs on a multi-grain bun, and a steak-and-eggs breakfast burger with a burger topped with fried eggs, cheese and bacon. Besides the traditional burgers, lunch and dinner includes a surf and turf burger with crab cake and fried popcorn shrimp, and a pastrami cheeseburger topped with pepper jack cheese and a slice of fried green tomato.
• The “grab ‘n go” Market Shop offers drinks, yogurt, bagels, pastries, gourmet cupcakes, cookies and gelato.

The food court will be part of the Disney Dining Plan, details to follow.

Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

In this role-playing game, guests become Merlin’s apprentice sorcerers and embark on a quest to stop more than 20 Disney villains – including Hades and Cruella De Vil – from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s crystal ball. Armed with spells in the form of special cards, guests search for the magic symbols that lead them to villains’ hiding places in Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Once there, apprentices use magic keys to reveal a villain’s hideout and use spell cards to stop them in their tracks.

According to the game’s developers, the cards really are the secret weapons of the game. There will be 70 different spell cards available and guests will receive five complimentary cards when they play. Each card features a different Disney character that offers a spell unique to him or her. Guests can use more than one card simultaneously, casting multiple spells at a villain at one time.

Some of the cards you may encounter include:

• Lumière’s Candle Blast – This card shows Belle’s favorite candlestick spurred on by his loyal ally, Cogsworth.
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – This card shows Mr. Toad’s car careening through the underbrush.
• Prince Naveen’s Army of Frogs – This card shows Tiana’s prince enchanting his amphibian army to action.
• Rafiki’s Wisdom Stick – This card shows Simba’s counselor ready to imbue some knowledge on the enemy’s forehead.
• The Woozles’ Woozle Nightmare – This card shows a Woozle dreaming of his most delightful vision: A gang of other Woozles ready to bang some noggins.

I do have some additional details for guests who want to collect or trade these cards. The 70 cards are divided into nine different spell classes, such as Princess cards, Hero cards or Warrior cards. In addition, all cards are marked with one of three designations – a star symbol, which indicates a rare card; a moon symbol, which signifies an uncommon card; and a planet symbol, which indicates a common card.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will debut in late February and is included in the cost of theme park admission.

Walt Disney World Resort Guests Hold the Power With Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Cards by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

This week, Disney Cruise Line announced the 2013 itineraries for the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder and we shared all of those new destinations and ports right here on the Disney Parks Blog.

The Disney Magic is headed back to Europe and Athens, Greece, is just one of the new destinations listed in our original post. Also, beginning in December, the Disney Wonder will depart from Miami for the first time – sailing from the Port of Miami to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean. Check Jonathan’s story for more ports of call and news about Alaska.

And did you see what our Creative Entertainment team has planned for next month? A new show segment is set to debut February 1, inspired by some of the most romantic moments in Disney animation. Cinderella Castle and “it’s a small world” will be covered in red roses for one sequence and turned into a beautiful, star-filled sky for another. Be sure and check Shawn’s original post for more details and information about some amazing stained glass windows.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Exclusive Interview: Lesley Ann Warren Celebrates Her Disney Roots at Disneyland Park – Check out this interview with Lesley Ann Warren during her recent visit to Disneyland park.

Disneyland Paris Turns 20 with Exclusive High-Tech Show, Parade – Disneyland Paris is turning 20 in a few months and they’ve got a special celebration in the works, including a new show with never-before-seen special effects.

New Tastes at Crossroads at House of Blues in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort – Here’s the scoop on new menu items at Crossroads at House of Blues in Downtown Disney from our resident food critic.

New Disney’s Premier Visa Card Launches with 8 Exclusive Designs – We shared a first look at the newest Disney’s Premier Visa Credit Card from Chase, which offers a rewards program and special perks that many Disney Parks Blog readers will just love.

Behind the Scenes: Flying With Cirque du Soleil Aerialists at ‘La Nouba’ at Downtown Disney – Check out this video when we went backstage to learn more about the performers in “La Nouba” by Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney.

Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Kid Activities on a Disney Ship – Continuing with the Disney Cruise Line “Top Five” video series, we shared some of the favorite things that young cruisers like to do on a Disney ship.

Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Born with the gift of comedic gab, Bill has turned his ability to channel stars both real and imagined into an illustrious show-business career involving a colorful array of animated characters. None are nearer or dearer to his heart than Goofy, the iconic character to whom Bill has lent his voice for decades.

As this week marks the milestone 25th anniversary of Bill’s career going Goofy, I sat down with the Disney Legend for an interview that’ll appear in a special Goofy-tribute issue of Disney Files Magazine scheduled to begin mailing to Disney Vacation Club members next month.

Here are three of my favorite Bill quotes from our visit:

On his skeptical father-in-law finally respecting Bill’s decision to quit his “real job” to focus on a career in comedy: “Well, fast forward a few years [after landing the Goofy gig], as I’m getting him backstage access to Walt Disney World Resort attractions and inviting him to private parties with celebrities, and the tide definitely turned. I’ll never forget going with him to an event at his church in Melbourne, Fla., and having him introduce me to his friends. Here’s exactly what he said: ‘I’d like you to meet my son-in-law, Bill…and his wife, Jennifer.’ I had arrived!”

On being Goofy at home: “One story that’s quintessentially Goofy unfolded when I was outside our house hanging Christmas lights. To set the scene, you had me, a bunch of tangled lights, a ladder and a pair of thorny rose bushes. Perfect setup for a Goofy moment, and you can probably see where this is going. But I didn’t just slip and fall into a rose bush. That would be too easy. I managed to snag my sweatpants on the first rose bush and fall bare-butted into the second. That, my friend, is taking your work home with you.”

On his favorite film project: “Of all the great projects I’ve been fortunate enough to take on in my career, “A Goofy Movie” has been my absolute favorite… The movie wasn’t just about Goofy’s goofiness. It was about a father struggling to connect with a son who wasn’t so little anymore. I remember taking my son, Austin, to an advance screening of the film for Disney executives in Walt’s old screening room on the lot in Burbank. Austin was pretty little at the time, and he seemed to be a bit shaken as we left the theater. I said, ‘What’s wrong, buddy?’ And he answered, ‘When you and Max were about to go over the waterfall, I thought you were going to die.’ So either we’d created a film of such emotional depth that even my own son had suspended disbelief, or my kid just couldn’t tell the difference between Dad and Goofy.”

On behalf of all Disney fans, Disney Vacation Club congratulates Bill on 25 years of the goofiest career in Hollywood.

A Goofy Milestone for Disney Legend Bill Farmer by Ryan March: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

See The World On A Disney Cruise In 2013!

Disney is offering an expanded portfolio of European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will utilize a second homeport in Miami that will offer Caribbean sailings.  Plus, there are new 2012 options, including a 14-night Panama Canal cruise and holiday sailings from Miami.

Bookings open for Gold and Platinum Castaway Club Members on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.

Bookings open to all Guests on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012!

Book early as cruise prices do change as rooms are booked.

The pricing available early will be better than the pricing available later on.

Remember, if you book now and your plans change, your deposit is refundable up to 90 days before you sail.

Contact us today at Beyond Castles Travel or 740-953-0373to get your quote!

Contact us today at Beyond Castles Travel or 740-953-0373to get your quote!