Mary Jo Collins


Are You Up For A runDisney Challenge?

April 28, 2013
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For many runners, completing a single runDisney event is a thrilling accomplishment.  Choosing the race, training for it, making travel plans and then running in the race is an exhilarating venture.  However, for other runners, they like to take it up a notch.  Fortunately for them, runDisney has several traditional and new challenges awaiting...
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A Race in Champion Stadium to Save the Universe

March 31, 2013
A Race in Champion Stadium to Save the Universe

Have you ever found yourself doing something at Walt Disney World that you couldn’t have possibly dreamed up?  For me, almost every trip has an element of surprise or an unexpected turn.  During my last family trip for Spring Training games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, the trip turned downright goofy when I found myself...
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Run with Me to Walt Disney World

January 20, 2013
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The 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend was an amazing journey through all four Disney Parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Downtown Disney.  The culmination of months of training led me to the pinnacle of the weekend, the 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon.  With a new spinning anniversary medal, extraordinary course, and caribbean-like weather...
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The 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon, a 20th Anniversary Celebration

December 21, 2012
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A celebration like no other will occur during the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  The 20th running of the Walt Disney World Marathon, Sunday January 13th, will highlight this year’s popular runDisney weekend event.  Having evolved into one of the premiere marathon events in the World,  the Walt Disney World Marathon started in 1994 with 8,000...
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Falling in Love with Walt Disney World All Over Again

November 28, 2012
Falling in Love with Walt Disney World All Over Again

Taking a long-weekend trip to Walt Disney World is the perfect treat.  A few weeks ago, Disney’s D23 sponsored a New Fantasyland preview and I took the opportunity to check it out with my daughter for our own little getaway. How can you make the most out of  a quick 3 day trip to your old...
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An Imagineering Legends Quiz

October 19, 2012
An Imagineering Legends Quiz

Recently I have been enjoying one of my many treasures I hauled off from Mickey’s of Glendale at the Walt Disney Imagineering campus in Glendale, California last summer.  Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and The Genesis of the Disney Theme Park by Jeff Kurtti is a thorough look at thirty legendary talents assembled by Walt Disney himself to...
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Three Cheers to Palo Champagne Brunch

September 21, 2012
Three Cheers to Palo Champagne Brunch

When reminiscing about my former Disney Cruises, one luxurious and delicious destination always comes to mind, brunch at Palo.  Disney dining on the high seas could not be anymore comfortable, elegant and delectable at Palo Brunch.  Boasting Northern Italian cuisine, Palo offers a brunch on all 4 night and longer Disney Cruises (during the “at sea”...
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A Stroll Through Tivoli Today

August 23, 2012
A Stroll Through Tivoli Today

Long before Disneyland or a Walt Disney World thrilled this earth, a charming amusement park and gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark opened on August 15, 1843.  Tivoli Gardens (or simply Tivoli) is the second oldest amusement park in the world.  Having an eclectic mix of exquisite gardens, dining areas, performance venues and amusement park rides, Tivoli brought in 3.9 million visitors...
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Top 10 Reasons I runDisney

July 26, 2012
Top 10 Reasons I runDisney

After running in 14 runDisney events over the years, I have racked up quite the box full of memories.  I laugh every time I think about running in the sleet and snow during the 2009 Walt Disney World Half Marathon.  Who would have ever thought that real snow would fall on Main Street U.S.A. that...
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How my Fantasy of Being an Animator Came True

May 31, 2012
How my Fantasy of Being an Animator Came True

There is no mistaken the fact that I am not an artist.  I have never claimed to be.  However, when I first heard of the new show that would be in Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy at the 2011 D23 Expo, I started to fantasize of how fun and exciting it would be to participate in...
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