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
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Geekin’ trip report without food.
Holly and Corey enjoyed Le Cellier, including cheddar cheese soup, pretzel bread, filet, and an ice wine flight.
Laura sampled tanghulu at the China booth, maple popcorn in Canada, jambalaya at French Quarter, and the crème brûlée croissant at Gaston’s.
Heidi had several Flower and Garden Festival hits, including duck in France, Caribbean-style chicken, flan, and a fish slider.
The lounge talk is strong in this one too. Nomad Lounge remains a Geek favorite for its cozy seating, small plates, drinks, and Animal Kingdom atmosphere. GEO-82 gets praise for cocktails and mushroom flatbread. And Beak and Barrel sparks a fun comparison to Oga’s Cantina and Trader Sam’s — lots to look at, some cool effects, and maybe one of those places that grows on you over time.
New Disney Experiences and a Cruise Bonus
The group also shares thoughts on a few newer Disney experiences.
Heidi talks about the new Zootopia show at Animal Kingdom and whether it really fits the deeper theme of the park. Laura gives her take on the updated Buzz Lightyear, including the new removable blasters and the joy of feeling like a Space Ranger… even when the score says otherwise.
And after the Disney portion of the trip, Holly, Corey, Heidi, and Missy headed out on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas for a four-night cruise — complete with big-ship entertainment, shows, skating, surfing, ziplining, and a water show set to ’80s music.
The Real Heart of the Episode
The best part of this conversation is not just the race.
It’s not just the snacks.
It’s not just the lounges.
It’s the people.
It’s the surprise visits.
It’s the inside jokes.
It’s the ride photos.
It’s that feeling of seeing friends you may only get to see a few times a year — but when you do, it feels like a reunion.
That’s the Geekin’ family.
And that’s why these trip reports always mean a little more than just “here’s what we did.”
They’re stories about connection.
Listen to Episode 668
Episode 668 of the Geekin’ on Walt Disney World Podcast is available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
Come for the runDisney stories.
Stay for the beignets, lounges, Flower and Garden snacks, surprise Geek meetups, and one very committed green-haired Disgust costume.
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