Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k

Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Who's doing the Jingle Jungle 5k this year? Who's done it before? This will be my first runDisney event, and I'm not sure what to expect.

Are there characters along the route? I don't know if Disney does that for the fun runs or just for the longer races. If so, which characters? Do people tend to dress for the theme like they do for the Princess half? I'm already contemplating how to mix Christmas and animal print. ;)

As for the Health and Fitness Expo, when are the best times to go, and is a cab the best way to get there? We'll be at Old Key West the day before, but we could make our way there from pretty much anywhere on property.

Thanks for all your insights!
 
Ariel484

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
ME!! My husband and I are doing it! :D

It'll be my first time doing this race, but it'll be my 6th runDisney event (2nd 5K). This will be my husband's 2nd race and first at Disney.

There will definitely be characters. I'm not sure who will be out, but I found a race report from someone who did it last year and it looked like the classics (Mickey, Minnie, etc.) in their Christmas sweaters. Yes, people will dress in costume.

runDisney picks resorts to be "host resorts" for their smaller race weekends - Wine and Dine is one of them. The host resorts are the only ones with transportation to and from the race events (expo and the race itself). Old Key West is NOT a host resort, so you could either take a cab to WWoS or get to another host resort and grab a bus there. Keep in mind that you'll have the same issue the morning of the race. Host resorts are the All-Stars, Pop, Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside, Caribbean Beach, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Saratoga Springs. The earlier, the better for the expo (and I'm talking about both time and day)...like early Friday is best. Less lines to wait in and better selection of merchandise.

Woohoo!! :)
 
Texas84

Texas84

Well-Known Member
My first was a Halloween 5K through MK. Had a blast. There were plenty of characters. It was a fun run so no timing. The 5Ks also have a 16-minute pace requirement. Yes, they definitely dress up. You should get final race instructions a few months in advance, I think. Check runDisney.com.
 
Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Ariel484 said:
runDisney picks resorts to be "host resorts" for their smaller race weekends - Wine and Dine is one of them. The host resorts are the only ones with transportation to and from the race events (expo and the race itself). Old Key West is NOT a host resort, so you could either take a cab to WWoS or get to another host resort and grab a bus there. Keep in mind that you'll have the same issue the morning of the race. Host resorts are the All-Stars, Pop, Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside, Caribbean Beach, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Saratoga Springs. The earlier, the better for the expo (and I'm talking about both time and day)...like early Friday is best. Less lines to wait in and better selection of merchandise.

Woohoo!! :)
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Thank you for this information. A cab will be the most convenient means of transportation to the race, but it's nice to know that we have options for getting to the Expo if we can make our way to a host resort. It's easy enough to get from Old Key West to French Quarter, and we'll have family staying at Riverside too, so we could very well be over that way anyway.


Texas84 said:
My first was a Halloween 5K through MK. Had a blast. There were plenty of characters. It was a fun run so no timing. The 5Ks also have a 16-minute pace requirement. Yes, they definitely dress up. You should get final race instructions a few months in advance, I think. Check runDisney.com.
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That does sound like fun! I knew about the pacing requirement, but I'm not too worried. My best walking pace is just under 15 minutes, so I think I'd be fine even if I didn't run at all. Not that I plan to walk.
 
Texas84

Texas84

Well-Known Member
Sweet Melissa said:
Do you think it would be a big advantage? I don't mind planning extra travel time for cabs or Disney transportation.
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Honestly, I don't have any experience with cabs there and I don't like depending on others, especially for a Disney race early in the morning. But I bet the CMs at OKW would help you arrange transporation. Check with the concierge when you get in. They are very helpful.
 
Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Texas84 said:
Honestly, I don't have any experience with cabs there and I don't like depending on others, especially for a Disney race early in the morning. But I bet the CMs at OKW would help you arrange transporation. Check with the concierge when you get in. They are very helpful.
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Indeed they are. We've taken a few cabs, and it's worked pretty well. Bell Services calls for you and we've always had one show up within five minutes. I will definitely allow plenty of time for Murphy's Law to execute its whims before the race, though.
 
asianway

asianway

Well-Known Member
Sweet Melissa said:
Who's doing the Jingle Jungle 5k this year? Who's done it before? This will be my first runDisney event, and I'm not sure what to expect.

Are there characters along the route? I don't know if Disney does that for the fun runs or just for the longer races. If so, which characters? Do people tend to dress for the theme like they do for the Princess half? I'm already contemplating how to mix Christmas and animal print. ;)

As for the Health and Fitness Expo, when are the best times to go, and is a cab the best way to get there? We'll be at Old Key West the day before, but we could make our way there from pretty much anywhere on property.

Thanks for all your insights!
Click to expand...
You should go to the Unofficial Disney Character Hunting Guide facebook - they have albums of all the characters for all the races the past few years.
 
Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
KLeigh said:
The DH and I are as well! This will be our first Disney race, and only our second race ever (our first is Labor Day weekend). Looking forward to running with all of you!
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We have a 5k in September too. We're doing Color Me Rad when it comes through town.
 
Mandyb4

Mandyb4

Member
I've done several of the Disney 5K's. You will love it and you will be hooked! Honestly, I would rather call a cab to get you to the race start than try to drive myself. The cabbies do it all the time and they will know exactly where to go. Since it is just the 5K it wont be that bad because no roads will be closed like during the half marathons. And yes, do dress up! Thats half the fun!!! Maybe I will see you there! Feel free to check out my post on the expo and 5K.
http://fairytalesandfitness.blogspot.com/2013/03/disney-princess-half-marathon-weekend_23.html
 
Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Mandyb4 said:
I've done several of the Disney 5K's. You will love it and you will be hooked! Honestly, I would rather call a cab to get you to the race start than try to drive myself. The cabbies do it all the time and they will know exactly where to go. Since it is just the 5K it wont be that bad because no roads will be closed like during the half marathons. And yes, do dress up! Thats half the fun!!! Maybe I will see you there! Feel free to check out my post on the expo and 5K.
http://fairytalesandfitness.blogspot.com/2013/03/disney-princess-half-marathon-weekend_23.html
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I'll definitely start following! A Disney aficionado who reads Emily Giffin? Yeah, we could be friends.
 
Longers

Longers

Well-Known Member
I am running this 5k this year. My first ever 5k and my first in Disney. I don't really run but my brother and his wife run and are joining us in Florida so my husband and I signed up so we can all do it together. Really want to run in fancy dress are there any restrictions like there are if you enter a park during normal operating hours?
 
KLeigh

KLeigh

Well-Known Member
Longers said:
I am running this 5k this year. My first ever 5k and my first in Disney. I don't really run but my brother and his wife run and are joining us in Florida so my husband and I signed up so we can all do it together. Really want to run in fancy dress are there any restrictions like there are if you enter a park during normal operating hours?
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The only restriction I know of is no masks for safety reasons. Looking forward to running with you!
 
Ariel484

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
@KLeigh is right. Per the runDisney website:

Are you allowed to wear a costume in runDisney races?
Yes, however, your costume cannot include a face mask. Anyone seen in violation of this will be removed from the course. If your costume is questionable or offensive to others, we reserve the right to either have you change into something more appropriate or remove you from the event.
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Based on the one 5K I've done at Disney (in January) lots of people wear costumes. I personally don't but it's really fun to see what people come up with. I'd suggest not wearing fabric that's too heavy or uncomfortable, but other than that and the face mask thing, go nuts. :)
 

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