✈️🏃‍♀️ Bags, Brooks, and a Bit of Pixie Dust

Prepping for Our Walt Disney World Run Weekend!

It’s finally here! We’re leaving for Walt Disney World in just a day or two, and I can’t believe how fast this trip snuck up on us. We’ve been planning this for about six months, and yet somehow I’m still double-checking everything like it’s the night before finals. Hotels? Check. Flights? Check. Bags? Sort of check. Running gear? Probably scattered around the house somewhere.

This trip has been months in the making, and I can’t wait to share it with you all — but first, let’s talk about how we prep before a Disney Run trip (and how we try not to lose our sanity in the process).

🧳 The Luggage Situation

We’re doing the usual “weigh the bags and pray they’re under 50 pounds” routine. You know the one.

We use our Disney luggage, of course. I mean, if you’re going to Disney, you’ve got to commit to the aesthetic. The best part? It’s super easy to spot on the airport carousel when everyone else is still spinning in circles looking for their plain black suitcase.

My daughter, on the other hand, is rolling up with her Pendleton luggage (she found it on sale — girl after my own heart).

Each of us has a carry-on, and mine is my trusty WANDRD camera bag — durable, organized, and the MVP of every trip. I’ll talk more about that gem in another post. We always pack at least one full outfit in the carry-on, because yep, we’ve had the “lost luggage” experience before, and once is enough, thank you very much.

Oh — and don’t forget your IDs, phones, chargers, and snacks. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying $9 for airport pretzels and silently crying into your Sprite.

Sometimes you need a few bags for a trip

👟 Packing for the Run

Running gear takes top priority. I’ve got all my outfits, shoes, and backup outfits (because if I spill coffee on my race tank, I will cry). We’re bringing clothes for the entire week, plus 1–2 extras — because between sweat, weather, and the occasional Dole Whip explosion, things happen.

I’m only bringing two pairs of running shoes since I’m doing the Challenge — three races in one weekend! I want one pair for early runs and another as a backup. And yes, I fully plan on snagging whatever special-edition Brooks shoes they’re selling at the expo. I missed out at Disneyland, but my husband scored his — so it’s my turn this time.

For the flight, I’ll wear my Birkenstocks because they slide off easily for TSA (and my feet will thank me later). If we forget anything, no big deal — we’ll just Instacart it straight to the hotel. I’ve literally landed before with an Instacart order already en route. No shame in the mom game.

🎧 Entertainment Prep

My kids have flight entertainment down to a science. They’ll download enough TikToks to survive 1–2 hours without Wi-Fi.

Me? I’m more unpredictable. I’ll download 2–4 movies on my phone or laptop, just in case I feel like watching something. Sometimes I’ll edit photos, listen to podcasts, or catch up on my Audible library (because multitasking is my middle name). We never pay for the in-flight Wi-Fi — we just make sure everything’s downloaded ahead of time.

🎶 My New Favorite Running Gear

Quick story time: at the Villains Run, I forgot my headphones. Yep, total disaster. Luckily, the Shokz booth at the expo saved the day. I tried a pair, loved them, and of course, my daughter “had to have” her own too.

They’re perfect — I can still hear my music, but also stay aware of what’s going on around me. I used to love AirPods, but honestly, Shokz are a game-changer. You’ll never catch me forgetting them again — they’re already packed, charged, and waiting in my carry-on.

🧠 The Night Before the Flight

The night before we leave is always a mix of high stress and excited chaos. We’re buzzing with anticipation, trying not to forget anything, and triple-checking everything from passports to snacks.

But after years of travel, I’ve learned this: if you forget something, it’s not the end of the world. There’s always a Target, Instacart, or resort gift shop somewhere with what you need (and probably ten things you didn’t).

So, tonight we’ll finalize our lists, charge the devices, and get ready for takeoff. Next stop — Walt Disney World!

And trust me, this is just the start of the adventure. 🏰✨