Sunrise Yoga at Disney’s Springtime Surprise: A Journey in Flexibility and Survival

Ah, the magic of Disney. The place where dreams come true, happiness abounds, and—if you’re not careful—you may discover muscles you never knew existed. This morning, I embarked on an adventure unlike any other: Disney’s Springtime Surprise Sunrise Yoga. The experience promised tranquility, flexibility, and a gentle start to the day. What I got was an epic battle between my body and gravity.

Transportation from my hotel started at 3:30 AM, by 3:15 AM, I was walking to the buses, and it was already a balmy 72 degrees—warm enough to be comfortable, but not yet oppressive. Check-in at Hollywood Studios was at 4:15 AM, with yoga beginning at 5:00 AM. The forecast for the day? A delightful 90 degrees. But at this ungodly hour, even though my watch said 72 degrees, the weather felt perfect—cool, crisp, and full of promise.

I, however, was not.

At some point between my flight and waking up this morning, something happened to the left side of my back. Or rather, the muscle just to the left of my back. Did I sleep wrong? Sit too long? Blink too hard? Who’s to say? What I do know is that halfway through a deep forward fold, I was pretty sure I was going to be spending the rest of my life in that position.

The session itself was beautiful. Picture hundreds of people, all lying on their mats under the soft glow of Disney magic, breathing in unison as the sun slowly rises. Peaceful, right? That is, unless you’re me—grimacing through downward dog, attempting a warrior pose that felt more like “mildly irritated peasant,” and realizing that my body does not, in fact, bend that way. 

One thing I couldn’t help but notice this morning was how many empty yoga mats there were. As of this morning, the session still hadn’t sold out, which surprised me. 

I really hope this event hasn’t run its course—this is something I just started doing during race weekend, and I’m loving it. Not sure if it’s the location or something else, but it deserves to keep going. It’s such a peaceful, unique way to kick off race weekend, even if you spend half of it wondering if your hip flexors have officially gone on strike.

I had high hopes that yoga would stretch out my kinks, but when it came time for savasana (the part where you just lie down and pretend you have your life together), I had a terrible realization: I might not get up. As I lay there, staring at the sky, fully embracing my fate, I wondered if Disney would just roll me off to the side and leave me there. Maybe add some fairy lights and call me a new attraction—Sleeping Beauty’s Unintended Sequel.

Eventually, I managed to peel myself off the mat with all the grace of a baby giraffe on ice skates. The sun was rising, my body was protesting, and I was feeling a deep sense of accomplishment. Or maybe that was just the early signs of muscle fatigue. Either way, I survived.

The event wrapped up with some classic Disney flair—entertainment themed to match all three races. The Muses from Hercules kicked things off with a song and some surprise fireworks, which is exactly what you want after finally getting your breathing under control. 

Then Pain and Panic appeared (perhaps in tribute to how my muscles were feeling), 

followed by my secret crush, Star-Lord, who arrived with Gamora in tow. And to close it out, none other than Mr. and Mrs. Incredible made an appearance, reminding us that no matter how heroic you feel just for showing up to yoga at 5:00 AM, there are actual superheroes nearby doing it with style.

If you want to watch my yoga experience head to my YouTube channel by Clicking here!

Running Into Magic: My Springtime Surprise Challenge

Another runDisney weekend is in the books, and what an incredible time it was! This past weekend, I took on the Springtime Surprise Challenge, completing all three races and the yoga session. It was definitely on the warmer side, but honestly? I’ll take that over the cold, rainy Dopey Challenge back in January any day!

Three Races, One Magical Weekend

From the moment I stepped onto the course for the first race, I knew this was going to be a fantastic weekend. Each race brought its own energy, excitement, and, of course, plenty of Disney magic. The characters, the entertainment, and the camaraderie among runners made every mile special. I loved soaking in the atmosphere, pushing through the challenge, and just enjoying every step.

A Bittersweet Goodbye – Until September!

As the weekend wrapped up, reality hit: This was the last runDisney race weekend until September when I’ll be heading to Anaheim for Disneyland Halloween Weekend! While I’m already missing the race vibes, I have plenty to look forward to.

What’s Next?

• Dopey Challenge Training Begins in July – If you’re following along, keep an eye out for my training videos on my YouTube channel. It’s going to be a journey, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
• Disney Virtual Summer Series – I’m officially registered and have some really fun ideas planned for these races. Stay tuned for some creative and exciting content!
• I'll have race recaps on my YouTube channel as soon as I can and blog recaps right here - so don't go too far!

For now, I’m taking a little breather, but as Mickey Mouse says, "See ya real soon!"

 

Heading to Disney World for the Springtime Surprise Challenge!

 

The countdown is over—tomorrow, I’m heading to Disney World for the Springtime Surprise Challenge! That means three races over three days: a 5K, 10K, and a 10-miler. But before the running begins, I’ll be getting my Zen on with Sunrise Yoga in Hollywood Studios, right in front of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Talk about a magical way to start the weekend!

Four early wake-up calls? Actually, make that six, if you count my fly-in and fly-out days. Who needs sleep when there’s magic to be had?

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney trip without some extra fun along the way. Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom, which means gorgeous topiaries, fresh food booths, and—most importantly—Orange Bird merchandise! I already know I won’t be able to resist bringing home a few souvenirs (okay, maybe more than a few).

Costumes are made, bags are packed, and now all that’s left is attempting to sleep before my early morning flight. Easier said than done when you’re about to run Disney! Let the magic (and the miles) begin!

2025 Springtime Surprise Costume reveal

So, here I am getting ready for another runDisney race weekend. Underprepared, but costume ready. Springtime Surprise is less than 2 weeks away and I can’t wait.

I have to say, I’m really surprised that the yoga event hasn’t sold out yet. Yoga at Disney is the best, in my opinion. Possibly the location is a factor this time. We all love yoga in Magic Kingdom in front of Cinderella's Castle or at Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle (which, by the way, was amazing during Dumbo Dare weekend). Disney’s Hollywood Studios just doesn’t quite have that same magic. The view of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is fine, but it’s just not as iconic, even though it’s still the classic Chinese Theatre from The Great Movie Ride days.

Not so surprised the Splash party was cancelled. It was kind of a dud last year.

Here’s my suggestion, Disney: How about some yoga in Galaxy’s Edge? That would definitely get all of us Star Wars nerds to sell out the event in record time!

But I digress. I’m really here to talk about costuming for this upcoming race weekend. Because let’s be honest, that’s what all of us runDisney participants love about these races.

The 5K is Guardians of the Galaxy-themed, hosted by Groot. My original plan was to reuse my Baby Groot costume from Dumbo weekend. However, I quickly discarded that idea when I realized I wouldn’t be able to sit down on the bus ride to the start. That costume worked perfectly at Disneyland because the start line was within walking distance of my hotel.

                             

So, I pivoted. For this race, I’ve decided to run as Rocket Raccoon and carry a potted Baby Groot. Problem solved!

The 10K is Hercules-themed. I honestly can’t remember ever watching this movie, so I fired up Disney+ and watched it — maybe for the first time? I quickly decided that Hades was the perfect character for me. This costume is going to be so much fun.

The 10-miler is Incredible-themed. Conveniently, I already have a Mrs. Incredible costume I made for the summer virtual series a few years ago. I love when I can reuse a good costume!

So, there you have it: Rocket, Hades, and the mother who can stretch for miles. Watch my costume reveal on Youtube, click here!

Hope to see you all soon! If you spot me on the course, be sure to say hello!

A Sweet and Slightly Lost Adventure at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long

My love of s’mores and those feisty little chipmunks, Chip and Dale, made Disney’s Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds an absolute must-do for me. Getting there was easy thanks to Disney’s bus transportation, but finding the exact location of the event? That was a different story. Maybe it was my lack of a sense of direction, but let’s just say Fort Wilderness is huge—with multiple trails, breathtaking scenery, and golf carts zipping around like they own the place. I was tempted to stick out my thumb for a ride more than once.

After wandering a bit, I finally found the Meadow
Trading Post area, where the fun would take place. And, true to my usual habits, I arrived way too early—a solid 30 minutes before anything even started. Better early than late, right? 

This same area is also where they show the outdoor movies, and there was plenty of stadium-style seating available.

I had assumed that marshmallows were complimentary and that you only had to purchase the chocolate. So, I came prepared with some leftover Ghirardelli Easter squares, thinking I was about to make the most gourmet s’mores imaginable. Spoiler alert: I was wrong—nothing is free, not even the marshmallows.

If you want to participate in making s’mores, you need to buy a s’mores kit for ten dollars. It comes with everything: a stick, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers—enough to feed half the campground. Since I couldn’t possibly eat it all, I ended up giving my extras to a family with several kids, which felt like a win-win.

Before the fire was lit, Chip and Dale led a game of Charades, which was hilarious to watch. The kids had a blast guessing, and those chipmunks were just as mischievous as ever.

Once the campfire was ready, everyone who had s’mores kits headed over to roast marshmallows. There is nothing better than a s’more made over an open fire. Absolutely nothing.

Then, the Sing-A-Long began. Our entertainer, a very talented guitar player, led the crowd in fun, familiar tunes before Chip and Dale took the stage for a short comedy routine. It was classic Disney charm at its finest.

After the show, the movie under the stars started, but I had to head out early. Why? Because I had to be up at one in the morning for the 10K race of the Springtime Surprise race challenge. What was I thinking? My plan was simple: head to the buses and get back to my resort.

Well… it would have been simple if I had any sense of direction.

Now that it was dark, finding my way back was even worse. After wandering aimlessly for thirty minutes, I finally stumbled upon one of the Outposts and begged a Cast Member for help. She suggested I take the boat across Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom and then catch a bus back to my resort.

Great. Except… I then spent another fifteen minutes trying to find the boat launch.

Eventually, I made it out of Fort Wilderness, but let’s just say next time, I’m bringing a map or a GPS.

Despite my navigational struggles, the Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long was an absolute delight. If you love s’mores, Disney magic, and a little chipmunk mischief, it’s definitely worth checking out—just be sure to know how to get back when it’s over. 

To watch all the campfire fun on my YouTube channel, just click here

Discovering the Magic of Garden Rocks Concert at Epcot

As many times as I’ve been to Epcot, I never knew they had concerts—free concerts, no less! During the International Flower and Garden Festival, they host a fantastic lineup of performances known as the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

I happened to be at Epcot during the 2024 Springtime Surprise Race Weekend, and the featured performers were none other than Plain White T’s. The concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre, located right in front of The American Adventure attraction. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, I opted for the Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package, which offers preferred seating when you dine at one of the participating restaurants in Epcot. The cost is just under $100 and you have many restaurants to choose from.

My concert time was 6:45 PM, and my dinner reservation was at 4:10 PM, giving me plenty of time to enjoy my meal at Rose & Crown in the United Kingdom pavilion. The package included an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Of course, I also indulged in a Cider & Blackcurrant Imperial Pint, and it was absolutely delicious!

Here’s what I ordered:

• Appetizer: Scotch Egg – A golden-fried, hard-boiled cage-free egg wrapped in sausage with mustard sauce. Since I’ve had it before and loved it, this was an easy choice!

• Entrée: Bangers and Mash – English sausage with colcannon potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and red wine demi. I usually go for the Shepherd’s Pie, but this was a great alternative. I’d order it again and again!

• Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding – Steamed pudding 'cake' served with warm vanilla custard and hot butter-rum sauce. No hesitation here—this was a must!

After dinner, I headed over to the theater, where I received a wristband for my dining package. This wristband granted me early entry—a full 30 minutes before general admission. For the first time ever, I had front-row seating at a concert, and it was incredible!

The 30-minute performance flew by, but it was beyond enjoyable. To my surprise, I found myself thinking that Tim Lopez was the standout vocalist of the night. Sorry, Tom Higgenson, you’re still great, but Tim’s performance, especially a song he wrote during a tough time in his life, gave me goosebumps. Of course, they ended the night with their iconic hit, “Hey There Delilah”, which had the entire audience singing along.   

If you’ve never attended one of these concerts, you absolutely should! It’s included with your theme park admission, unless you opt for the dining package. The best part? These aren’t just local, unknown artists—they bring in top-tier bands and vocalists. While there are no bad seats in the house, seating is limited, making the dining package well worth it for priority access.

Next year, when I return for the races in April, I’ll definitely be booking the Garden Rocks Dining Package again.

Want to see my concert experience? Click here to watch it on YouTube! 

My Success Story!

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2022, I had fully intended to blog my entire journey. I had heard that writing down your thoughts and feelings is very healing. Well, that never happened. However, I did vlog the whole process on my YouTube channel. That playlist can be found here Race to Recovery. Doing this seemed to take my mind off what I was going through. Setting up cameras, thinking up content, editing, and posting took so much time that it distracted me from the reality of my situation.

 Now that it is all behind me and my recovery is over—minus the bi-yearly oncology appointments and daily medications—I have time to reflect on my journey to recovery. It was seven months from diagnosis to recovery. In the grand scheme of things, this is a blink of an eye. While some cancer patients undergo long treatments of chemotherapy and radiation after their surgeries, I somehow escaped these procedures and was able to return to normal life relatively quickly.

 I learned two things from this terrifying event. First, early detection is the key to survival. I will never again be afraid of or delay my breast exams and oncology appointments. Secondly, love and support come from the most unexpected places. Most people, if asked, would say the time they spent dealing with cancer was the most terrifying time of their life. For me, I can’t say that. I look back on those months confined to my house with fondness, almost a happy feeling. I say this because there was not a day that went by that I didn’t receive a phone call, text, Facebook message, card, or package in the mail. People I had never met but who knew me from social media reached out to me. People as far away as Europe sent thoughts, prayers, and gifts to cheer me up and help me through the sad days of waiting for test results. They rejoiced with me during the good times and consoled me during the bad times. For this, I will be eternally grateful.

 Here is my heartfelt thank you to everyone who reached out to me. I truly believe the success of my recovery was made possible by those who kept me motivated to continue moving forward and to never give up. For this, I will be forever grateful.

 To watch my recovery journey, check out the playlist on YouTube just Click here!