What Really Makes a RunDisney Weekend Special? It’s the People. Holly, Heidi and Laura – Ep. 668

This week on the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast, we’re lacing up the running shoes, grabbing a beignet, and heading into a Disney trip that started with runDisney Springtime Surprise weekend — but quickly became about so much more than miles and medals.
Curtis is joined by three Geekin’ family favorites — Holly, Laura, and Heidi — for a fun, relaxed, and very Disney Geek-style trip report filled with race stories, resort time, lounges, surprise meetups, food talk, cruise talk, and one unforgettable green wig.
Because when Holly shows up dressed as Disgust from Inside Out for a runDisney race, you know we’re off to a good start.
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Featuring This Week
This episode includes:
Holly, Laura, and Heidi sharing their runDisney Springtime Surprise weekend
A stay at Coronado Springs and a solo stay at Port Orleans French Quarter
A 10-miler, a 10K, costumes, character stops, and race-day nerves
Surprise Geek meetups with Samantha, Selena, Tori, Joe, and more
Food and drink stops at Le Cellier, Nomad Lounge, GEO-82, Beak and Barrel, Homecoming, and Sangria University
Flower and Garden Festival bites, beignets, maple popcorn, and more
Thoughts on newer Disney experiences like the Zootopia show, updated Buzz Lightyear, and Beak and Barrel
A bonus cruise recap aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas
RunDisney, Beignets, and Green Hair
The episode kicks off with Holly wearing the green wig she used for her Disgust costume during the Springtime Surprise 10-Miler — which pretty much sets the tone for the whole conversation.
Holly shares that she went into the race under-trained because of a shoulder injury and made it all the way to mile nine before being swept. But what stands out is her perspective. She knew it might happen, she pushed as far as she could, and she still came away with pride, humor, and yes… the medal.
Laura brings the solo-trip energy with a stay at Port Orleans French Quarter, where she enjoyed a slower pace, pool time, peaceful resort moments, and plenty of beignets. She also shares one of the funniest race moments: dressing as a bee for the Winnie the Pooh-themed 10K and trying to drink yellow Gatorade from a hard plastic honey bear bottle mid-race.
That’s runDisney dedication right there.
Heidi took a more relaxed race approach — stopping for characters, enjoying the course, and making memories along the way. Her character stops included Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Boba Fett, Woody and Bo Peep, and Bing Bong.
Some people chase personal records.
Some people chase character photos.
Both are absolutely valid.
The Geekin’ Family Shows Up
One of the best parts of this episode is how the Geekin’ family keeps popping into the trip.
Holly and Corey meet up with Tori and Joe at Yeehaw Bob over at Port Orleans Riverside — and then get surprised when Samantha and Selena walk in.
Later, Heidi gets her own surprise.
And Laura talks about that feeling of traveling solo, making it through the expo chaos, and then suddenly seeing “her people” at Nomad Lounge.
That’s the heart of this episode.
Yes, it’s a trip report.
But underneath the races, snacks, lounges, and Disney details is that bigger feeling we talk about all the time:
Disney is better when you’ve found your people.
Food, Lounges, and Disney Geek Favorites
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