runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World

We got a taste of our first runDisney race when we walked/ran in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 5K a few weeks ago.  Now, we are getting ready to make our first attempt at running a half marathon.  Why not make our first try a runDisney event?  Registration opens on March 17, 2015 for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend events at Walt Disney World.  Here's a schedule of what you can expect:

runDisney Health & Fitness Expo - Friday, November 6, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 7, 2015 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste - Friday, November 6, 2015 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Theater

Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K - Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 7:00 a.m.
Start: Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Finish: Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

runDisney Kids Races - Saturday, November 7, 2015 starting at 10:00 a.m.
Dashes at 10:00 a.m.
1-Mile Run at 10:45 a.m.
Location: New Balance Track & Field Complex

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon - Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 10:00 p.m.
Start: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Finish: Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Finish Line Party - Saturday, November 7, 2015 10:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m. Sunday, November 8, 2015
Location: Epcot

For more information about the races, visit www.runDisney.com

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom

Party dates for 2014's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party have been released and tickets are now on sale.  The Party dates, prices and discounts are:

Date	Adult/Child Advance Purchase	Adult/Child Annual Pass and DVC Member Discounts	Day of Prices
9/1	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/9	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/12	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/14	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/16	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/19	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/21	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/23	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/26	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/28	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
10/2	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/3	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/5	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/9	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/10	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/13	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/16	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/17	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/19	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/21	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/23	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/24	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/26	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/28	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/30	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/31	$77/$72	N/A	$77/$72

* Please note that specially priced tickets must be purchased in advance.  Passholders may purchase discounted tickets for themselves and up to three guests.  DVC Members may purchase discounted tickets for themselves and up to five guests.

What is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?  It's one of the coolest events at Walt Disney World! The Magic Kingdom closes at 7pm on scheduled party days, and opens to Party ticket holders from 7pm-12am, however in the past, they have allowed Party guests to enter the park at 4pm.  Guests are not only permitted to dress up in costume, they are encouraged to.  There is a special parade "Mickey's 'Boo-to-You' Halloween Parade, that is lead by the Headless Horseman, and there are trick-or-treat stations are set up throughout the park (don't worry, if you forget a bag, there are free bags provided).  My personal favorite, is the special fireworks show "HalloWishes"..it's AMAZING!  Of course there are lots of characters around the park for meet & greets - some are wearing their own Halloween costumes. There's a Villain's party, where you'll get to meet some of you favorite villains.  Other special characters you'll have the chance to meet are the princes with their princesses, all seven dwarf's together...you might even meet some hitchhiking ghosts..

It's truly a fun experience for the entire family. 

Disney Visa Perks - Private Character Meet 'N' Greet

Did you know that there are special perks for Disney’s Visa card from Chase?  As a cardmember, you and your family can experience extra perks every time you visit Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, or Disneyland Resort.  

My favorite perk is the Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at the Private Cardmember Location.  If you are headed to Walt Disney World, be sure to stop by the Innovations West building at Epcot.  If you head to the back of the building, between 1PM and 7PM and you’ll find a special roped off section where you and your family can line up to be part of an exclusive Meet ‘N’ Greet with some of your favorite Disney Characters.  Who’ll you’ll meet is always a surprise until you are allowed behind the curtain, but it’s usually at least 2 of the “Fab Five”.  

When you join the line, you’ll be asked by a cast member to show your Disney Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card in order to enter.  Once it’s your turn to go behind the curtain, make sure you have your autograph books and photo pass card ready.  There will be a photo pass photographer who will take several photos of you and your family with the characters. They will give you a special voucher with the last four digits of your Visa on it to hold onto.  Make sure you put it someplace you won’t lose it, so that you can take it to the Photo Center on your way out of Epcot for a free 5x7 print.

In addition to the Character Meet ‘N’ Greet, the Disney Rewards Visa Card offers the following year round perks:

• Earn 1% or 2% (depending on what card you have) in reward dollars on card purchases
• 10% off on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at DisneyStore.com and Disney Store locations.
• 10% off on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• 10% off on select dining locations at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• 20% off non-discounted price of select guided tours at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• Special vacation financing
• $50 Onboard Credit on a Disney Cruise

There are often “Limited-Time Offers” as well.  For example, at the time of this writing, cardholders can order an exclusive cardmember pin.  Also, at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival there is a special lounge open just for Chase Cardmembers where you can recharge your phone, get complimentary soft drinks, or just put your feet up and relax for a little while.