Yesterday marked the 21st Annual CHOC Walk in the Park, presented by The Disneyland Resort. Benefiting the Children's Hospital of Orange County, this event raised $1.6 million. This was the first time I had participated, and it was a ton-o-fun. Gathering approximately 14,000 participants together at the crack of dawn, Main Street U.S.A. was a sea of people, ready to start the day off by walking a 5k to help raise funds for this very worthy organization.
To keep the excitement level high, there were fireworks, a DJ spinning the tunes, and Disney Channel star Caroline Sunshine. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy were also up on the podium, wearing their best fitness attire.
Disneyland President George Kalogridis also gave a brief speech before the walk began.
Thanks to an abundance of characters and things to see along the way, the 5k seemed like a breeze and went by very quickly. The three fairies from "Sleeping Beauty" bestowed their blessings on the crowd as we all passed the Castle.
Even the princesses were out at this early hour to cheer on the walkers.
A few floats from the Soundsational Parade were out to add to the magic:
"To infinity and beyond!"
What can wake you up faster than a cup of Java? How about The Stormtroopers!
Being the total Disneyland geek, one of the highlights was getting to go back stage for some rare views not normally accessible to guests, such as the Inn Between:
And the back side of the Parade gate into Town Square:
DCA was also on the foot tour, giving us a few more backstage glimpses:
Gotta' love these guys...like something out of Beetlejuice!
As would be expected, Pixar was very well-represented:
The Electronica team seemed a little out of place in the daylight!
Ah...an empty DCA. The last time I saw it like this was the first few years it was in operation!
Jessie & Woody at the Toy Story Midway Mania:
Disneyland Ambassador René Torrico was at the finish line:
There was even cheering in the balconies of Downtown Disney at Brennan's:
Somehow the DJ made his way to the finish line before everyone else:
Definitely an "awwwwww" moment:
Coinciding with my post from last Thursday, Farrell's was on hand as a sponsor, and was giving out free ice cream sundae coupons.
I highly recommend this fun event for all! What better way to get some exercise, have some fun, be a Disney Geek, AND raise money for a great organization?
See more CHOC Walk in the Park photos on my Disneyland CHOC Walk web page.
6 comments:
Did you see Connie there? I am pretty sure she's done the CHOC walk for a couple of years.
HEY! We didn't get to go backstage at Disneyland at all!!! How strange!!
Major, Dave and I missed each other. I did not get there for the opening ceremonies and started my walk at approximately 7:30. I was towards the end of the crowd. Oh and get this, after walking all around DCA's backstage area AND Paradise Pier, we find that the tail end of the group was ushered out of the Park because they were about to open DCA. So, the last 200 or so people, didn't have to go the entire route through DCA.
Lots of fun, Dave, and for a worthy cause.
I'd like to do the walk someday, but for now will have to settle to donate.
I appreciate the pictures, and the publicity you offer to the charity.
How else would a remote observer like me learn about it?
JG
Great to see the people at Disney, Farrel's and our own Dave and Connie participating in an event for a worthy cause. Just that brings a smile. Thanks all. :D
I am in high school and I am in the Make-A-Wish club. I want to do something like that to raise money for it, we can't fundraise on campus. Also, a boy named Tritan who is 8 and has leukemia wishes to go to Disneyland and meet Mickey Mouse. Do you think you can help?
Hi Tilly - send me an email to: dvdpicasso@aol.com
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