7. RunDisney is a thing

Back when RunDisney was in its infancy, my fellow Disney cast members and I scoffed at the idea and believed that it would never take off. Well, we were wrong...RunDisney is most definitely a thing now! My good friend and fellow 1990s cast member, Kevin, joins me today to discuss its current success and talk about his small role in the development phase. Plus, you'll want to stay tuned to the end to hear about an exclusive opportunity for the RunDisney Princess weekend in 2024!

Resources Mentioned in this episode:
https://irenamiller.com/about/ (Irena Miller)
https://lovecyclingstudio.com/about-us (love cycling studio)
https://www.instagram.com/katiedabell/ (Katie, spin instructor)
https://www.instagram.com/gracekarjooy/ (Grace, spin instructor)
https://www.ouawardrobe.com/ (once upon a wardrobe)

Download my free guide: 10 Tips for A Luxe Disney Vacation or connect with me on Instagram @michelevisitsmickey.

This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher.

Transcript

Michele:

Hello, my friends. Today, I have a very special treat for you. The person who knows where all -I do mean all- of my skeletons are hidden. My bestest friend who actually is now my second best friend, and we call him hashtag runner-up. There's a total inside joke there. John, if you're listening, I love you. It's Kevin. 

As I mentioned in episode 1, cast members who were working at Disney when run Disney started we're less than enthusiastic about its potential. Honestly, we didn't think it was gonna be a thing. So imagine how stupid we all feel now especially me, who even though I'm not a runner, I am a dedicated spend cycle class student. goes to one race weekend a year and has an amazing time. 

As you'll hear, my bestest friend, Kevin, hashtag runner-up, was part of the very first marketing done for RunDisney. And even he had his doubts. I am very excited today because I have without a doubt, other than my former roommate who I am still friends and who will be a guest on this pod in the future. The person who I keep in touch with who has known me almost my entire Disney life, and we are still fast friends. And that is my friend Kevin, and I'm sure he will be on the pod again because he always has lots to say. But, Kevin, will you please tell the story, because I love it, of how we met?

Kevin:

Of course, Michele. Picture it, it was the summer of 1990.

Michele:

Okay. I didn't ask you to tell everyone when it was!

Kevin:

Give them perspective of how long we've known each other. 

Michele:

Yeah. It's been a minute. 

Kevin:

Yes. I became an employee of the Walt Disney World company as a stage technician in that summer. 

Michele:

Kevin will be forever famous as the one cast member in all of eternity that didn't get to go through traditions. So that's a thing. 

Kevin:

Yeah. And that and that really parlays into the story. 

So we met when the Disney at that time MGM Studios was working in partnership with NBC to bring the game show, Let's Make A Deal. It was a revival. This one was not hosted by Monty Hall, and instead it was hosted by a gentleman by the name of Bob Hilton. 

Michele:

I don't even remember him. 

Kevin: 

Yeah. Yeah. So the setup was that they would run the NBC show certain days and do all their tapings. And on other days, they would do a theme park version for theme park guests, and we would give away Disney prizes. So that's the concept of where we met. 

Michele was working on the production for the studio guest as as well as myself. Operations? Yes. And because, as you alluded to, I did not have a chance to go through Disney traditions for all new employees I walked into the soundstage there on the Disney MGM lot and was immediately greeted by the stage manager who said just take a seat. And I did with all the other cast members. 

At one point, I asked Michele if she could give me some information.

Michele:

- You skipped the part of why you chose Michele to ask the question to!

Kevin:

Uh-huh. I saw Michele sitting with a few other people, very outspoken, very friendly, and I thought she would be a safe person that I could turn around and just say, hey. I have a question. You know, “how do you get a name badge?” 

And from that point on, it's been 33 years.

Michele:

I know, but you're now hashtag runner-up. So, Kevin likes to tell people that he's been saddled with me for asking one question.

Kevin:

Just one. It's simply a simple question. Where do I go get that?

Michele:

Yeah. He's really forgetting the -- 30 plus years of friendship. Yes. Kevin was actually even my best man at my wedding. I didn't have bridesmaids. So Kevin gave my wedding toast on my behalf. 

Kevin:

I did. Yeah. 

Michele:

So it's been a lot of years. But this kinda parleys into the topic of this week's episode, which really is RunDisney. I don't think we were working in the same place necessarily. It wasn't the summer of Let's Make A Deal…it might have been…I don't remember. But when RunDisney started, which was really they started a sports division, And it was in conjunction with the World Cup. I do remember that. They opened it in conjunction because Orlando was gonna be a host city for the World Cup that year, and Disney was tagged to plan the halftime. So they opened this whole new division, and I was like, this is never gonna be anything. I just totally remember my gut instinct was it's never gonna work. 

I was obviously quite wrong about that one. But 33 years later, I was finally right about something that Disney was not gonna do well, and that was the Star Cruiser concept. So my apologies to all my friends and listeners out there who are sad about the star Cruiser and who got to go or didn't get to go and wanted to, but I thought Disney had it wrong from the very beginning. 

Kevin:

Yeah. I agree.

Michele:

So what do you remember about the launch of RunDisney?

Kevin:

So at that point, I was working for Disney's Creative Entertainment division, which was event management - trade shows promoting the Disney property, Disney, different departments, And, you know, like, I did stuff for fairy tale weddings, for example, some travel industry. We did events when we were launching Disney Cruise Line. So different kinds of trade shows. Even shows, like, for the NAACP, we would go as a sponsor. 

But for RunDisney, I actually did the first promotion of the Disney Marathon at the Boston marathon up in Boston. -- did not work for that. Yeah. We created a booth. And the whole purpose was to get people interested and let them know that Disney was creating this marathon you know, there wasn't really anything to sell or anything like that. But a lot of people don't know that when you go to a run like that, the athletes have to pick up their materials. They're running numbers. 

At the convention center in Boston, the Heinz Convention Center, which is downtown, they would come in, pick up their badge numbers, but there was also a trade show exhibit. So it included, like, all of the athletic shoe -- Right. We have that trade show a Disney. I mean but other marathons aren't there, I don't think. Yeah. They're apparel makers, you know -- Yeah. humans, well, foods, whatever it was. But we had for Disney, a booth that was really launching and just getting people aware And, eventually, you could and I'm not a runner, so I don't know the whole background. 

But I know you have to, like, qualify and Disney was saying that eventually this marathon at Disney would help runners qualify for the Boston marathon. But it was unique. You know? what you try to explain to people, like, oh, well, you're gonna have an opportunity to run through the theme parks and things like that. So it was gonna be a little bit different. And I think you know, for serious runners at first, I was kinda like you, Michele. Like, I don't know if this is gonna work. Like, both of the marathon people, they're serious runners, right? They're not going out there and just like I'm having fun and I'm gonna dress in a funny costume or something like along those lines and be with my friends. And I think at first, it was kinda like a but, obviously, today, it's enjoyed not only by those runners who are true run but also families and, like, yourself.

Michele:

Yeah. Like me. And, I mean, it's huge, and Disney does a great job attracting people who aren't serious runners like that. 

Now that you've heard how it all began, Here is how I got addicted to RunDisney. I was a perennial overweight child. In fact, I didn't get my dream job at Disney because I couldn't fit into the highest costume size for guest relations at Epcot of a size 12 skirt. Thank goodness. Those requirements are long gone. 

But I finally had weight loss surgery, and I shed 50lbs, and I needed to start exercising to help keep the weight off. And I got inspired by Oprah Winfrey and how she ran a marathon after she lost all her weight and somehow thought that that meant that I should do it too. Back then, the wine and dine race was held at night. The wine and dine I always call it the wine and dine race. It was a nighttime race that was held the opening weekend. Back then, it was in November. It was literally the opening weekend. Now the Food And Wine Festival starts in July. But back then, it started in late October, November. And they always had a food and wine festival race that weekend that I still call the wine and dine. And it was held at night, and it was something I really always wanted to do. I just thought running at night into upcot would be really fun. But I put it off. I put it off, and now the race is during the day. Sad face. 

So once I had found spin cycling class - shout out to my local love cycling studio - I figured it was time to take my endurance out for a test. And with not doing any actual race streaming, I still wanted to do the, quote, wine and dine race. And I managed to finish a 10k that first time I tried it at RunDisney. And finishing is actually a big deal. congratulations to anybody who has ever finished a run Disney race. 

But I didn't get to take part in any of fun things associated with it. Like, my flight was late, so I didn't get to go to the runners Expo. I didn't understand what a drop bag was. I wasn't up to a time, a speed since I had done no training. The race limit to where I could stop and take pictures along the way. So, basically, I was a run Disney neophyte, and I had no idea what I was doing. And so that's how it started. And I swore I was never gonna do it again until I realized that I needed to do it and actually enjoy all the fun stuff that was associated with a run Disney. And so let me tell you all about the fun stuff about a run Disney race. So for one thing, there is a magical atmosphere. I mean, come on. You're at Walt Disney World. But run Disney races are known for their immersive and enchanting atmosphere. So even if you're not a runner, you can be part of the cheer. and that's spelled C-H-E-A-R squad. But you'll see everyone enjoys the magical experience of being surrounded by beloved Disney characters and some that you wouldn't imagine seeing in the parks ever. Like, my inner spirit animal, miss Marie, from The Aristocats, vibrant costumes, and enthusiastic participants. It's a huge bonding opportunity. 

If you and your friends participate in the race together, you'll find yourself walking or running next to people you've never met before and cheering each other on to the next milestone. You will cross that finish line, and you will have your friends and family there cheering for you. These create the unforgettable memory that making memories travel is based on. Cheer each other on, celebrate your accomplishments. It's the perfect time to get all your girls together and do it. Stilish and fun costumes. A girl's only vacation to a run Disney race offers the perfect excuse to unleash your inner girl. Have your creativity and have fun with costumes. Many participants, even those in the cheer squad, dress up in whimsical outfits that are inspired by the race theme, Disney characters. It's a chance to let your inner child shine. You get to embrace your Disney spirit animal, turn heads with your fabulous and imaginative costumes, maybe even get on the run Disney Insta Vibrant and lively atmosphere of the race becomes even more enjoyable when you're part of that magical spectacle. 

There are memorable souvenirs and experiences. A RunDisney race provides an opportunity to collect one of a kind souvenirs, and merch. The commemorative metals, the race shirts, other race specific merchandise become cherished mentors of the adventure. I'm still mad. I didn't buy the race exclusive launch fly from this past January and the marathon weekend. And don't sleep on those photo pass picks that you can take at the parks when you go after the race is completed and you have your medal. -- or medals for those of you overachievers, those are just priceless memories. 

Ultimately, RunDisney is an unforgettable experience. Participating in a RunDisney race is not just about the running itself, but also about making those lasting memories. It's an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and accomplish something extraordinary. the sense of camaraderie among participants and your friends and even those watching back home the cheerful encouragement from the spectators that includes tons of Disney cast members who get up before their shifts to come cheer you on when you enter the Magic Kingdom and are running on Main Street to get to the castle. The joy of crossing that finish line, it's truly an unforgettable experience. I cried the first time I got to run through the castle. It was I cried. It was I was speechless. And that's regardless of your running abilities. I will still never call myself a runner. I am definitely a spinner. 

But if that sounds like something that you wanna be a part of, then I want you to join me as I continue my own RunDisney journey in February of 2024 at the princess half marathon weekend. It is my favorite of the RunDisney race weekends. And included in a special package that I am putting together for you is not only a tailor-made room ticket and photo pass package that suits you at the price point that you wanna be at, -- with as many people in your room up to a maximum of 5 at some resorts. As you want, you will get a personalized race weekend itinerary done by me. 

So you'll tell me what your favorite rides are, attraction shows, what characters you most wanna meet maybe you just wanna count the hidden mickeys or take pictures with your medals. I'm gonna tell you the itinerary to make the most efficient use of the time and do what you want to accomplish. 

You are also gonna get a training program designed for spinners like us by my 2 favorite cycle instructors who also happen to run marathons. A race day look from my gal pals over at once upon a wardrobe. An energy session with my energy alchemists and my manifestation cheerleader, miss Irina Miller. 

You can check out the show notes on information on how you can follow her so that you'll get super excited by that little inclusion. And an opportunity to go on a VIP Disney tour with your fellow Run Disney Half Princess Marathon weekend race peeps. You will get plenty of chances to take pictures with your medals on that VIP tour. I promise. 

So if you are ready to unleash your inner princess, that is the theme of the 2024 Princess top marathon weekend. Head to the show notes to find out how you can get added to the wait list and be the first to hear more about this package. See you real soon.