Life is Full of Choices: Avengers Half-Marathon @ Disneyland

I am a true proponent of wishes, goals, and dreams. Erin has a goal to complete a few more half-marathon races and I'm there to cheerlead her on her way. Of course I love visiting Disney any time of the year.

Disneyland and RunDisney sponsored the inaugural Avengers Half-Marathon last weekend and we scuttled over to participate and enjoy the first weekend of the holiday season. So much fun!!

We stayed in the Grand Californian for the weekend and it is absolutely beautiful. It's quite reminiscent of the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World, one of our favorite hotels ever. The dramatic wood-paneled great room with fireplace, rockers, and comfortable seating impresses upon check-in. As does the incredible service (it's the Disney way!) The Grand Californian (www.disney.com) is located in the heart of Downtown Disney within easy walking distance to the entrance of both parks and the starting line for the race. I highly recommend a stay here if you can swing it!

Up early at the crack of dawn for the run - brisk weather and a peaceful Downtown Disney. All the lights in the trees and on the buildings are twinkling and Disney music trills in the background. Rounding the corner to the start of the race the adrenaline and pre-race jitters kick in with the booming music, bright lights, and swarms of runners in various costumes. If you're gonna run a 10K or a half-marathon - go Disney. They are so much fun. Erin loves Hawkeye, so she went all purple!

Even with the horrible wind for 1/2 the race, she's all smiles when we get out to the parks.

Disneyland and California were festively be-decked for the holidays with lights, décor, and costumed characters. It truly is the Happiest Place on Earth, especially at Christmas.

Even Santa makes an appearance flying high over the parade route!

We love both parks and all our favorite rides were available. The Haunted Mansion becomes the Nightmare After Christmas Mansion and It's a Small World turns on the holiday charm. Even the Jungle Cruise becomes the Jingle Cruise!

California Adventure turns on even more of the holiday charm with some groovy Christmas trees.

We tried a couple of new (to us) dining adventures while visiting. The Storyteller's Café in the Grand Californian has a nice buffet for dinner, but we opted for something from the menu. Loved the hand cut pasta with duck and the linguine and roasted veggies. The bread is hot and fresh, and service was quite good. We also tried Flo's V-8 at California Adventure and really enjoyed it. Motown music blaring from the stereo and I'm wanting to sing and dance along with it. The food was very tasty - loved the half chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies and the turkey sandwich with gravy and a pasta salad. We couldn't skip a sundae at Ghirardelli - it's our tradition. The black cherry vanilla ice cream with dark hot fudge is delectable!!