By Tinker Belle Diva

There are a few reasons I decided to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter for my family’s first trip to Walt Disney World (WDW), and top on that list is the beignets. Being a Disneyland girl, a trip to New Orleans Square is mandatory for our Mickey shaped beignets. When I heard that the French Quarter is the ONLY place on WDW property to indulge in this treat, I was sold on staying here for our vacation. On one of my running groups, I heard about the Sunday morning Beignet Dash Fun Run. Holy cow!! Two of my favorite things – running and beignets – together! I was excited to give this dash a try.

Bib pickup and payment tables

There is a large banner on the Building 5 side of the pool that provides you information on the Fun Run. It is held every Sunday, with exception of runDisney weekends, with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. and the run starting at 8 a.m. This did create a pretty early wake-up for me since Florida time is 3-hours ahead of home, but it is sleeping in compared to runDisney weekends. I popped out of bed, had a glass of water, and arrived at the banner at right at 7:30 as the cast members (CMs) were just setting up.

Beignet Dash Start and Finish Line

I signed a waiver, paid $15 plus tax on my Magic Band (credit cards also accepted), and took a bib to personalize it with my name using a Sharpie. Here is the most important part since you are liking running for the beignets too – there is a pull-off tab on the bottom of your bib that is your voucher for beignets. The CMs let us know that this voucher is good for today only and can only be redeemed inside the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court at the French Quarter. TIP: On this lovely March morning, there was really no need for me to be there right at 7:30 a.m. Very few people were running and there was never a line to check-in. I could have slept at least another 15 minutes, arrived closer to 7:45 a.m. and have been there in plenty of time. Right at 8, the CMs had us line up in accordance to how fast we excepted ourselves to be (runners in front, walkers in back). I would say about a dozen people were up to try this fun run that March morning with a mix of runners, run/walkers, and walkers.  They offered us time to stretch or warmup, and reminded us in that this is an untimed fun run so please don’t ask them how long it took you as the answer will likely be 2-days!

Beignet Dash Fun Run Course

And then off we went! The course is about 1.7 miles. The start is not shown on the map, but it is just to the left of the pool. You run through French Quarter and under the bridge into Riverside, circle the lake, and head back to the French Quarter under the same bridge. Pool lifeguard CMs are stationed every so often along the course. They are there to help with any problems, chEAR you on, and give directions to keep you on course at any turns.

Beignet Dash Course through French Quarter towards the bridge

It was truly a very pleasant run. The morning was cool and the path is plenty large for you and a small group if you decide to run with others. Once up at Riverside, there were families along the path with us as they went to and from their rooms to buses and the food court, but it was never crowded and I enjoyed greeting them. There is a small incline as you go under and over the bridge, but the majority of the path was flat.

The course near the Riverside Alligator Bayou rooms

Beignet Dash Course Marker

Beignet Dash Finish Line

At the finish line, the CMs celebrated our return. We were handed our finishers medal and a large cooler with bottles of water were available for replenishment. We were offered photo ops and then it was off to the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court for my beignets.

Photo ops at the finish line

Finish Line Table

I decided to take my beignets to go to eat in my room, so they were packed up in a box. If you are staying at another resort and are just at French Quarter for the run, take a seat at one of the tables in the food court and consume those beignets while they are hot!

My reward for a lovely Sunday morning run.

Want to learn more about the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort? Check out JollyFrogger Divas resort review. If you would like to give this fun run a try, Patricia at All for Dreams Travel can help you make this wish come true!.

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