Trip Planning Brainstorm - A First Timer + the Dopey Challenge

Walt Disney World
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Good morning, all!

I am currently in the middle of planning a weeklong trip with my friend for the Dopey Challenge in January!! She has never been to Disney, loves running and this is a huge bucket list race + trip for her. She wants to visit all four parks as well as experience Harry Potter at Universal. I told her to choose between Epic and IOA/UO. She’s currently trying to decide. I want to plan something magical without overdoing it with my Disney lover enthusiasm.

We are staying in a 2 bedroom villa at Copper Creek on my DVC points.

Here’s our current plans:

1/7 - Arrival day, Expo, Disney Springs

1/8 - 5k + Hollywood Studios

1/9 - 10k + Animal Kingdom

1/10 - Half + Resort Day

1/11 - Marathon + Epcot

1/12 - MK

1/13 - Universal for HP

1/14 - Home

I don’t know why that’s double spacing the itinerary but that’s what I have so far. What have been things that first timers you have taken or planned trips for have loved? Faves of your fam? Adults only fave things? Any and all tips appreciated!

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The one biggest tip I can give, and this is true normally, but even more so with 48.6 miles on the clock: temper the expectations. For the parks, keep it to the bigger things. Is she more into thrill rides and might enjoy things like Guardians or 7D, or would she be more laid back and want things like Peter Pan and Navi?

And, also, because of all the running, make sure she doesn’t mess with her diet too much. That can make for some real bad mornings. Also, try and wind it down maybe around 7:00 pm is or so? DW and I get up around 2:30 am to get ready for the drive to the Epcot parking lot.

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This is what I’m thinking also.

I’ve done several RunDisney races (including the marathon) and the closest I’ve ever done to Dopey would be Princess doing all three races and it was rough that last day. My body was so wiped. She’s done a few full marathons and a couple Ultras. We need to strategize fueling for sure as we need a lot of it but to your point we don’t want to jack with risking creating unnecessary GI issues.

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I’m really glad we have a few days after the races are done to explore and play.

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