Ready To Run: Training Speeds and AK Drink-A-Thon

So here’s what’s going on. I run a lot now. And I’m working on National Novel Writing Month, and (as I said before) I had some personal stuff going on.

So we’re going to talk about running. I’m using the Couch to 13.1 Ap on my phone, because I am a useless human who can’t do anything without technology.

Not like, I’m incapable, just like, I’m lazy? We’ve established how lazy I am in the past so let’s just move on.

Anyway, the way the ap works is that it tracks your training intervals for you and gets you on a running program. This week, I’m doing 5 minute warm up, and the 7 5 minute intervals of 3 minutes of running, 2 minutes of walking. It’s killer, I’m dead by the end of these runs, but the good kind of dead. I’ve set a training pace of about 13 minutes per mile. (Disney requires 16 minute miles. I had those at the beginning of the year, so I’m not worried about that.)

Also, as the planning process kicks into high gear, I think of my family. We’re big drinkers, and “Drinking Around The World” is going to be a center piece of this vacation, I can assure you. But one thing I want, is to explore The Animal Kingdom a little bit more. And, knowing my family the best way to do that is with some kind of alcoholic boost. So I scanned google for Animal Kingdom bar crawls, and nothing popped up, so I made my own!

Drink Through The Jungle

This is an idea that I have. It may not work for this trip, but I can’t seem to find a “drink around the world” style bar crawl for Animal Kingdom, which seemd CRAZY because there are so many weird little watering holes in that park. So I’ve put together a little list of how I think an Animal Kingdom bar crawl should look.

Disney World, for the most part doesn’t start serving alcohol until after 11AM (I think you can get breakfast drinks for sit down breakfasts and at La Halles Boulangerie in France but that’s about it.) What’s good about that is that if you go on a early extra magic hours day (Reccomended) you can get all of your rides in except Kali River Rapids, which also doesn’t open until around 10.

So let’s say that’s it’s Saturday or Monday, when there are AM EMH’s at Animal Kingdom. You got there for opening, got right on Kilamanjaro Safaris, then everest, and headed over to Dino-Land, and went on Dinosaur, if you’re so inclined. (I will never go on that ride again. Unless I someday have children who demand it.) Maybe you’ve even wandered the Animal Trails, and you’re ready to do yourself some drinking.

First Stop:

Africa – Dawa Bar

I should disclose that I haven’t been to many of these places. When Juli and I went, we were quite hungover on our Animal Kingdom day, and when I went on my own, I had a couple of drinks, but left early in the day to take a nap. But Dawa Bar seems really cool.

Second Stop:

Africa – Harambe Market

I did grab a beer there. The Market is probably the coolest non Be Our Guest atmosphere place to eat. It looks like a town square in a Kenyan village, and each window has different foods. It’s really cool. Highly reccomend.

Third Stop:

Asia – Yak And Yeti

Last trip I did lunch here, which I would reccomend for this also, but if you can’t do that, just go to the bar, or to the “Quality Beverages” window at the Local Foods Cafe if that’s even too crowded. But great Daquiris here!

Fourth Stop:

Asia – Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks

This just looks like a cart outside of Expedition Everest. It’s not. It’s a fully stocked bar, where the friendly and smiley tenders will mix you up some strong mixed drinks, if that’s your bag. And while you’re in this area, you might as well hop on the Everest single riders line.

Then don’t get a drink but see Finding Nemo: The Musical, and if you are me, cry.

Fifth Stop:

Dinoland USA – Anywhere

There isn’t actually a bar in Dinoland, but you can get Bud Lite at most of the counter service spots. So if you’re feeling it, pick one up there.

Sixth Stop:

Discovery Island – Nomad Lounge

The bar attached to Tiffins and it was supposed to be open when I went in May, but all the new Animal Kingdom stuff got delayed because of STUPID, but we’re definitely planning on going here, and eating at Tiffins on our trip.

Seventh (Optional) Stop:

Entrance – Rainforest Cafe

I mean, if you want to, pop into the Rainforest Cafe on your way out. Why not?

The thing that makes this tricky is that unlike Epcot, where the bars open at 11, and keep serving until 9 or 9:30, unless the “Animal Kingdom Nights” become permanent. (Doesn’t look like it right now, and I’m PISSED) everything finishes up between 5 and 7 PM, which gives you a lot less time. But, there are only 6 stops on this crawl, which is totally managable. Especially if it’s an Extra Magic Hour day and you get your rides in early, there’s plenty of time to get them in and wander with your drinks. I really want to spend more time exploring Animal Kingdom