On your mark, get set, GO!
Hi there, Jana. You’re no stranger, which is why you knew to come to
planDisney for advanced dining reservation recs, especially for runDisney race weekends. My planDisney pal
Olivier and I are running the Dopey Challenge, too! Let’s talk about the three best parts of running challenges: carbs, carbs, and more carbs.
Obviously, we’re looking for Italian restaurants, but not everyone is willing to eat pasta for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I mean, I am, but that’s not normal. I’ve definitely eaten cold spaghetti marinara from my fridge at 6:00 am before a weekend long run. Anyway, I’ll suggest some options other than Italian, too. You’ll need to consider a few things: your sleep schedule and which part of the resort you’ll be in. I’d shoot for very early dinners to give yourself time to digest and calm down for your early-to-bed and early-to-rise sleep schedule. Then decide which part of the resort you’d prefer to spend each evening.
EPCOT is a great place to carb load!
Tutto Italia Ristorante has “everything Italian” (that’s the exact translation of “Tutto Italia,” btw), including some classic pasta dishes.
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is another great option in EPCOT. The Penne Alla Bolognese is definitely worth running 48.6 miles for. My pals and I love eating at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. They have great pasta dishes, that amazing garlic bread with the heavenly melted cheese, and one thing you cannot discount - vibes! It’s such a fun atmosphere and a great place to look out over Town Square and people-watch while you rest your sore muscles and drink your thirteenth glass of water as you visualize crushing your goals the next day!
Let’s not discriminate when it comes to carbs. All carbs have a special place in my heart (and my stomach). If you don’t feel like having Italian food every night from Tuesday to Saturday, get a reservation at the
Yak and Yeti in Disney Animal Kingdom. This pan-Asian restaurant has carby noodle dishes that can spice things up, figuratively and literally, for your carb-loading adventures.
Let’s focus on Saturday night. By the time you’ve run the 5K, 10K, and half marathon, you’ll already be at a calorie deficit while staring a marathon in the face. That means go for it! Maybe Saturday requires a visit to Disney Springs to enjoy a great meal at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, followed by gelato at Vivoli Il Gelato, and then straight to Gideon’s Bakehouse for a 1-pound cookie! If you’re the type that prefers your carbs in liquid form, you could stop for a beverage at City Works Eatery & Pour House; just be sure to drink an extra glass of water for each adult beverage you have the night before a race. Jana, don’t neglect the snacks! Head to the Kernel Kitchen, inside the
Main Street Confectionary in Magic Kingdom, for a custom-made chocolate-covered, carby popcorn delight!
Jana, be sure to mark your calendar - the 60-day reservation window opens November 7th for Wednesday night before the 5K. I hope every mile is magical and you enjoy the running as much as the carb loading. Thanks for the question, and for being you! Just remember, one foot in front of the other!
See ya real soon,
Corey