Jun 15, 2015

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster | #MagicalMickey

Welcome back to another edition of the Magical Mickey linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope you find this linkup as a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

I previously wrote a post about a ride I love, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. I decided to write the second of the posts by moving onto another park. We'll be heading off to Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'll be talking about...


Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith

This is one of the more popular rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is an indoor roller coaster through the dark, combined with bright neon lights and the music of Aerosmith. The premise is you're on a backstage tour and then need to rush to make it to the concert. You hop in a super stretch limo, go zero to 60 and through 3 inversions to arrive on time.


To start, the theming on the ride is, as always with a Disney ride, fantastic. Outside you have the super-stretch limo as well as a giant guitar, perfect for some rocking photo ops. You enter in G-Force Records to tour as the band is finishing recording some tracks. As you enter, look for a hidden Mickey in the tile floor. I'll look for a picture of it from my hard drives of pictures and update if I come across it. After the video scene with Aerosmith, you go out the side door into the alley to catch your ride. Here, you get a great view of the ride start, which if you fail to mention to someone on their first time can be heart pumping, either the good or bad kind, haha.


I love a good roller coaster. The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is a fun ride. The quick start is a good jump, and the overall ride is fun. The speed of the coaster makes for a thrilling ride, but also a quick ride. It's unfortunate too, the roll overs and corkscrews are a lot of fun, as is speeding through the fun signs, but its over too quickly. It's worth the ride, and I always try to ride it, but I won't wait in a long standby line for it. That's just me personally.

Do you love coasters? What do you think of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster?


Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

You also have the option to add the linkup code to your post if you'd like. It is not required, just another option. If not, please follow the above link back guideline. Get the InLinkz code


Jun 12, 2015

Five Summer Activities I "Love" | #FridayFive

This week for the linkup, I couldn't decide between two lists. This week's Friday Five linkup topic is of summer, and your favorite activities. I first wrote one post on five summer activities I love. Then, I couldn't fall asleep, and my brain wrote another list. My sarcastic side may have slipped out a little on this one.


Five Summer Activities I "Love"

1. Using 10 gallons of sunscreen or being burnt to a crisp

There's nothing us red heads love more then lathering up in SPF Ginger any time we have to go outside. Amusement park? Break out the bottle. Beach or pool? Better make it two. Getting the mail? At least do your face and arms...

2. Lounging around in 99%  humidity

I just love the humidity. Nothing like weather that feels 20 degrees hotter than the already too hot. After dark? Well the sun may be gone, but still feels like triple digits, just without the benefit of sight.

3. Car hotboxes

Nothing like getting into the oven of your car all summer long. You have two choices, roll down windows to help the in car heat escape but then trade that for letting the 99.99% humidity in or you can leave it trapped and pray the AC cools the car down before you pass out. Really, option two is like a game anyway, so do that.

4. Eating an ice cream cone in 3.2 seconds

Nothing is more refreshing than a nice ice cream cone and nothing is quite like the challenge of trying to eat it before it becomes cream soup. Of course then you drink the rest straight out of the bottom of the cone, so is it really a loss?

5. Being a feast for nature

Lastly, in summer you can be at one with nature. Yes, it's the time of the lovely little mosquito. Flying around, annoying your eyes, your ears, your nose to only just land on your arm and give you a kiss. Well, I guess it's more of a bite, but biting is just like kissing with a winner. Or maybe not your arm but your leg. Or your ankle right by the edge of your shoe so it constantly itches but you just can't seem to scratch it. But wait, there's more. You can always then paint the bites with the pink stuff all over you, so it's like an artistic form of expression.

Want some more?

Ok, maybe more than a little of my sarcastic side came out. But if you want to read about some summer activities I actually enjoy, read my other post, Five Summer Activities I Love. Note, the slight differences in titles.


Linking Up


Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, ;Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Running 'n' Reading

Haley Duke

Ice Packs + Races









Five Summer Activities I Love | #FridayFive

This week, I'm of course linking up with the lovely DC Trifecta for the Friday Five linkup. This week's Friday Five linkup topic is of summer, and your favorite activities. There is so much to enjoy about summer, but I was able to narrow the list to five, though the list is not exhaustive.


Five Summer Activities I Love

1. Ice Cold Drinks

I decided to start the list off simple. Nothing quite as good as an ice cold drink on a hot day. There are plenty of choices here: ice tea, Arnold palmer (the drink, not the golfer on ice), Nuun, beer, frozen blender drinks, you get the picture here. Have a seat in the shade, an ice cold drink next to you with a bead or two of condensation rolling down the glass, and enjoy your moment in a TV commercial setting.

2. Boardwalk

Nothing says summer like the beach. I love the sand, I love the water, but know what else is great? A nice boardwalk. I grew up going to Rehobeth Beach, and while there was more sand when I was there, they also had a great boardwalk (or great boardwalk to kid me). There were tons of little shops, a carnival area with games and rides, and even a building with minigolf on the roof. I still love a walk down a boardwalk in the evening, waves rolling in the background. Very relaxing.

3. Watching Fireflies

For the third, we'll move into the night time. Maybe it's less an "activity" but I love seeing fireflies out at night. Just invokes that summer time sitting on the back porch kind of memory. As a kid it was so fun to run and try and catch them. As an adult, it's just nice to look at and maybe soon my daughter will be chasing them down soon.

4. Drive In Movie

Next is an item from growing up I always enjoyed. Every weekend you could go by Haars Drive In, and catch two movies for the price of one. You park the car, put out a blanket or some chairs in front of the car, a cooler of drinks, bag of snacks and enjoy the show. It was always such a good time. The drive in at my hometown is still open. In fact, they have Jurassic World and Furious 7 playing, if you happen to be near Dillsburg PA and want to catch some movies. See them both for $8.00

5. S'mores

Last, we're going to stay with a predominently (though not exclusively) night time activity: S'mores! Put a marshmallow on a stick, hold it over the fire, lightly toasted (not flaming, sorry all you charred marshmallow people), then place it with your graham and your chocolate. So tasty and comes with a side of sitting around a fire. Being an Eagle Scout, I also love a good campfire or fire pit as well.

Want some more?

I was in an odd mood last night when writing these, so a sarcastic side came out as well. So why not go see Five Summer Activities I "Love".


Linking Up


Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, ;Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Deb Runs

French Inspiration

See Jess Run








Jun 8, 2015

The Red Tag | #MagicalMickey

In the past, I’ve shared with you some of my family’s traditions in the park, such as 10 o’clock ice cream and the hunt for hidden Mickeys. Today I wanted to share with you a sort of ongoing unofficial game we play in the park. It’s a quest really, but one you have little control over. I’m sharing with you, the Quest for


The Red Tag

In my family, getting this little guy is considering a “winning moment”. It serves no real purpose other than you don’t see them too often. This tag is what is used to track wait times. They give them to guests as they get in line. Then when you reach the end of the line, they take it and scan it in, therefore tracking how long it took you to get to the front of the line. This helps calculate the wait times for rides that you see on the signs and app.

We love getting our hands on one of these.
Getting one really means nothing other than you’re carrying a lanyard through the line. But to us, it’s just a little bit of fun, and we’ll see how many we get during vacation. There really is no point other than the point we make it. If we see the cast member with one ready at hand, it's like a mission to swoop in and hope to get the tag.

I did a quick little research (read: Google) to see if we were the only ones that enjoyed this, but I quickly found proof that we are not.

Have you ever gotten the red tag?


Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

You also have the option to add the linkup code to your post if you'd like. It is not required, just another option. If not, please follow the above link back guideline.


Jun 4, 2015

The Power of the Group - Jeff Galloway Training and Motivation Tips

For some of us, running is a very solo activity. For others, it is very social. Even for the solo runners, there can be benefits to running with others. I'm happy to let you know I already have another set of tips from Jeff Galloway, as part of the Jeff Galloway Blogger Program. These latest tips from Jeff, look to the side of running that involves more than just you.


The Power of the Group

By Olympian Jeff Galloway

The fun of running with a group pulled me into the sport 57 years ago.  Running and training with my friends Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter Bill Rodgers, brought out the best of running in me—while we became good friends, and Olympians.  As I travel the US this season, for our Galloway training program kickoffs, I see the same fun, support and friendship development.  I hope to see many of you at our free clinics.  Here are the ways I’ve observed runners of all abilities improve more and have more fun when in the right group.

  1. Great friendships
  2. The miles go by quicker—telling stories, sharing life experiences
  3. Guidance in running with the right group for you, with the appropriate run walk run strategy
  4. Because the group is waiting for you, you will stay motivated and get out there more often
  5. You’ll learn about some interesting races, places to run, fun running experiences
  6. On the really tough workouts and races, the group will pull you through
  7. Access to tools for management of nutrition, fluids, motivation, aches/pains
  8. The right group leadership can fine-tune the pace of each workout, avoiding injury/exhaustion
  9. Helping others who are struggling bestows an amazing sense of achievement
  10. Sharing the empowerment of finishing a long run can change your life

Most groups, like our Galloway programs allow runners to try them out for free. Together we can celebrate fitness and inspire others to improve the quality of their lives.

Highlights of this year’s Galloway Training Programs:

  • Discount on the Jeff Galloway 13.1 and Barb’s 5K
  • 50% discount of Jeff Galloway’s Running Schools and Blue MT Beach Retreats
  • Discounts on Phidippides products – Jeff’s store and the original running specialty store
  • Discounts on ElliptiGO, my favorite way to cross train outside
  • Discounts on Pacific Health Products Accelerade & Endurox
  • Discounts on Cooper Complete vitamins
  • Galloway Alumni hat available just for those who have been a part of our team before
  • Newly redesigned Galloway Training medal to celebrate completion of this year’s program



Olympian Jeff Galloway has coached over a million runners to their goals through his clinics, wonderful retreats, training programs, books and e-coaching.  Sign up for his free newsletter at www.JeffGalloway.com.

Do you do group runs for training?

A Note from Jeff:

Visit http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training-groups/list-of-cities/ to find your closest Galloway Training Program, and ask me for more details about what I love about my Galloway group.

Jun 3, 2015

Proud Dad Moment | #NationalRunningDay

Today is National Running Day. I started my day off with a great run (ok, as I write this, it is the night before National Running Day, National Running Eve, and I plan to run first thing in the morning. update: I did). I decided today was a good time to share a story I've been wanting to share with all of you.

Proud Dad Moment

I have a proud dad moment I'd like to share with you. No, it's not the other night when my daughter was practicing memorizing the names of all the ninja turtles at the dinner table, though that did warm my heart. No, this moment occurred on a run, or more specifically on a stroller run. It was a sunny day, so I geared up, threw on my Sport Kilt, ate a Honey Stinger waffle, made up my Nuun and hit the sidewalk. Of course this was not before first snapping a pre-run selfie with my best little running gal.


Off we went. We were cruising right along and after about a mile, my daughter said she wanted to run too. We took a pause, then she grabbed my one hand and we ran and pushed together. Then she took her turn to lead the run and I had to follow. We'd run for a short bit then it was time for a "walk break" so she could get her breath and drink some water.



I have to admit, it was a really proud moment. I'm happy that she wants to run. I try hard to be a good example for her and her little brother. It made me really smile. I will always be supportive of it and hope she continues to enjoy it. So, enjoy your National Running Day, get your there, run, and smile.



Jun 1, 2015

Cinderella Wishing Well | #MagicalMickey

Welcome back to another edition of the Magical Mickey linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope you find this linkup as a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

This week I want to talk to you about something small in the Walt Disney World parks. Tucked in the Magic Kingdom is a little something that won't take much time but is worth the visit. For this week, I'll be talking about...


Cinderella Wishing Well

Just off to the right side of Cinderella Castle, along a pathway near Tomorrowland you'll find Cinderella's wishing well. This lovely themed wishing well is perfect for a small photo op and big wishes. The path isn't highly used, so the alcove is perfect for a stop away from the crowds for a short break.



With the light foot traffic, you can be sure to grab a great shot with no one else in the frame. That's something that's not always easy. The theming on the well is fantastic. You'll find Cinderella's bird and mice friend gathering ribbon and beads for her dress while Lucifer lurks around the corner.


While the tradition of wishing wells involves leaving a token for your wish, the coins dropped into the well for wishes are periodically collected and given to children's charity. So make that wish, and it will go towards making some children's wishes come true.

Have you ever visited the wishing well?


Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

You also have the option to add the linkup code to your post if you'd like. It is not required, just another option. If not, please follow the above link back guideline.