For someone as outgoing and hyperactive as I am, I am actually very awkward at making conversation so when I know I have something in common with someone that’s what I bring up. This leads to lots of RunDisney conversations. Amidst a discussion of how I should probably be training more, which I should, it was brought up that Port Orleans French Quarter Resort has some sort of fun run involving beignets. Color me intrigued. I told the group I’d look into it.
After much Googling, apparently the Beignet Fun Run is one of Disney’s better kept secrets. I found one thread about it on a Disney forum and a tiny little section of Port Orleans’ activity guide, which is actually hosted on a Port Orleans fansite and not Disney’s official website. Who knew Port Orleans fans were so dedicated? So I passed the information onto the others after Shannon, my friend who told me about it originally, and I picked a date.
Of course no one else actually showed up.
Every Sunday, Port Orleans French Quarter hosts the “Beignet Fun Run” or “Beignet Dash”. I’ve heard it both ways. For $15 a person you run a course a mile and a half long, and get three beignets at the end. Plus, there’s a medal! It’s a plastic medal on Mardi Gras beads, but it’s a medal. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m. and the run starts at 8:00 a.m.
Chelsea does not like to get up early, especially not when she wound up working later than expected the night before, so I made it there about 7:50. Whoops. I headed through the lobby towards the pool. Everything I had read said it would be between the pool and Building 5. I was worried it would be hard to find, but the line was huge! I got my waiver and filled it out, basically if you somehow get hurt or die you can’t sue Disney, and then got in line to pay. Cleverly, I brought cash. I couldn’t find my running pouch in my scramble to get out the door so I figured if I lost it, I would lose the five dollars change instead of my debit card. Joke’s on me. They don’t accept cash, only card or Magic Band. The cast member was going to send me to the gift shop to get a gift card, but thankfully Shannon was smarter than I was and brought a credit card. I handed her my cash and she paid for my run. He asked for my room number or reservation and I just shrugged. “I’m not staying here.” “Where are you staying?” “I’m an annual pass holder.” “Oh, never mind then.” Apparently locals show up all the time and it’s not a problem.
I filled my bib out quickly, and didn’t even put the emergency contact info on the back because the race was about to start. (I wanted to draw a Duffy but I didn’t have time for that either.)
There were about four or five recreation cast members working the event. I missed the name of the one who made the announcements, but she asked for “Runners in the front! I-think-I’m-going-to-run-but-I’m-probably-going-to-walk-in-the-middle! And I’m-definitely-going-to-walk-in-the-rear!” There were probably twenty to thirty people, and I saw everything from five-year-olds to people who are probably retired. Shannon and I wound up in the middle of the back. I told her to set whatever pace she wanted and I’d do my best to keep up. Unlike me, she is smart and is well into her training for a marathon so I didn’t want to slow her down.
I was pleasantly surprised, as I kept up with her fairly well. I’m sure if we’d gone a farther distance she would have left me in the dust. Thank goodness for long legs!
It’s an extremely pleasant little course. It’s shaded all the way through, and there are barely any hills. As a bonus, there are life guards cheering you on with bubble wands along the way! I never thought I’d want a bubble wand, but the Tie Fighter one looks super cool. Even for August, it was early enough the heat hadn’t fully kicked in. We ran most of it and walked in some places, and hit the finish line in about twenty minutes-not bad at all! There were cast members cheering, and an older gentleman in Mardi Gras colors who looks suspiciously like the Mayor of Main Street U.S.A taking pictures with people. We were presented our medals with more fanfare than I have received at some actual RunDisney races, they put it around our necks and made trumpet noises. The two cast members were named Jon and Erika, and they were absolutely fantastic. #JonandErikaTakeDisney was the hashtag they gave us when we took our photos. The cast member taking the photos even made the Mardi Gras Man move to a different spot with better lighting.
We headed into Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory for our beignets to a line about fifteen people deep. There was only one station with them, but the line moved quickly. I was mildly disappointed the Beignets aren’t Mickey shaped like the famous Disneyland ones. I had never actually had beignets before but now that I realize they’re basically giant funnel cake sticks, I think I’m in love. Shannon and I both wolfed them down with the free tiny bottle of water we had gotten at the end of the run in addition to our mini Margi Gras goodie bags. They were hot and fresh right out of the fryer, and completely covered in powered sugar. We headed to our cars with plans to taunt the people who didn’t come later.
You don’t have to eat the beignets immediately after the race, but you do have to get them the same day.
I honestly want to do this again with more people. It was super fun, and lord knows I need motivation to go running. I wish it wasn’t quite so early in the morning, but I know it would be way too hot otherwise. Plus, beignets are awesome and now that I know that, I want more. I can’t believe the Beignet Fun Run is such a well kept secret! Maybe this will be how I convince my Mom she can run a 5K!
Cost: $15.83 with tax.
Duration: I arrived at 7:50 a.m. and was back to my car by 9 a.m. after eating.
Value: Fantastic. I’m going back. If you’re going just for the beignets though, you can get three for $3.99 plus tax.
Add Ons: None really, but you could always buy more food to go with your beignets.
Stay up to date on all things Twenty Something in Orlando by subscribing to our newsletter or supporting us on Patreon! You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram!
