UPDATE: Eli Manning is planning to celebrate the big win at the Walt Disney World Resort on Monday. What question would you like to ask the Super Bowl MVP before the grand parade scheduled for 1:20 p.m.? Let us know in the comments and then watch the Disney Parks Blog for your answer.

As I stood there inside Lucas Oil Stadium while Eli Manning reveled in his team’s Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, I knew that he was also thinking about being somewhere else. As the confetti and hoopla swirled around us, Eli let the rest of the world in on his private post-game plans, so now I can tell you too: Eli Manning is planning to come to Walt Disney World Resort!

Eli stared into a TV camera and shouted those famous words – “I’m going to Disney World!” It was the 45th time a superstar athlete or celebrity has screamed that line that will be part of the now iconic Super Bowl commercial airing nationally over the next several days.

Eli will be whisked to Walt Disney World Resort on Monday to toast the team’s 21-17 win with a grand parade down Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom Park. He will also interact with some NFL Youth kids and maybe experience an attraction or two, creating some lasting Disney memories just like millions of guests at Disney Parks all around the world. Then he’ll jet back home where undoubtedly the Super Bowl celebrations will continue.

So how do we pull this whole thing off? Well, that’s one secret I’m going to keep to myself.

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Kellie Nickerson – complete with fairy wings and a green tutu – flew away from the field to win the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort today. Nickerson traveled from Albuquerque, N.M., to capture her first win at a runDisney race with a finish time of 1:27:52, just ahead of Sharon Wilkinson of Winnetka, Calif., (1:28:18) and Stacy Schafer from Carlsbad, Calif. (1:28:54).

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon, hosted by the city of Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort, led participants on a 13.1-mile trek through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, as well as by several Anaheim landmarks. The first-year event featured music, entertainment, Disney characters and costumed runners donning fairy wings and plenty of pixie dust. Finishers received a commemorative Tinker Bell “wings’’ medal.

TV sitcom star Megyn Price (“Rules of Engagement”) and “Goonies,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Rudy” star Sean Astin were among the 12,000-plus registered runners to take part in this morning’s race.

Keep up with the latest on all runDisney races at runDisney.com.

Tagged: DLR, runDisney

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Special Events

Get ready for another runDisney meet-up opportunity, adding some extra pixie dust to the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland Resort. This event marks the first time participants will get to run through Disneyland park as part of a runDisney meet-up.

In true race-weekend fashion, official runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway will lead the group on a two-mile journey through the park before offering training tips during the meet-and-greet. Running with the former Olympian is among several other surprises guests have come to expect at runDisney meet-ups.

For an opportunity to be selected to run-walk-run with Galloway at the Disneyland Resort next Saturday, RSVP right now to WDW.SportsMeetUps@Disney.com. Only 30 qualified runners will be selected to participate, so be one of the first to apply.

You can also see Galloway at the upcoming Expo, held at the Disneyland Hotel Exhibit Hall, and at future runDisney events.

In the meantime, here are a few things you should know:

• All participants must be available for a 6:30 a.m. PT start time on Saturday, Jan. 28.
• Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A valid ID is required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Valid RSVPs must include your name. RSVPs that include more than one person or are missing information (e.g. incomplete names) will not be accepted.
• Admittance to the event is non-transferable and limited to the selected applicant; no additional guests please.
• The event and individual appearances are subject to change or cancellation.
• Because this is a running-oriented event, we ask that applicants be experienced runners, able to maintain a 12-minute per mile pace.
• Selected applicants attending the meet-up are not required to purchase admission.
• We will send an email to selected qualified applicants who sent their valid RSVP via email before we reached capacity to confirm their attendance for the event. We plan to send this email at approximately 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET today, and we will also post a link on the Disney Parks Blog that will include a list of names of all selected runners. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of selected applicants, your RSVP was not selected.

UPDATE: We have reached capacity! Thanks for everyone’s interest in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Meet-Up Event, and we appreciate your quick responses. At approximately 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET, we will send the meet-up attendees a confirmation email. By 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET, we will post a link to the complete list of attendees. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for additional unique opportunities in the future.

If you’re looking to gain tips and training advice from Galloway, he will also be available at the upcoming Expo on Friday at Noon and 6 p.m. PT and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. PT. Also, there is additional Galloway training information at www.runDisney.com.

UPDATE: Click here for a complete list of attendees. If you are on the list and did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at wdw.sportsmeetups@disney.com.

Please note that we will not be responding to questions via this email address. If you have questions, please ask them on the Disney Parks Blog, and we will do our best to answer them.

Tagged: DLR, Meet-Up, runDisney

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Special Events

The folks over at the Richard Petty Driving Experience invited me to an event yesterday at the Walt Disney World Resort Speedway and the funniest thing happened: I fell in love. When I first saw her she was just sitting there, dressed all in yellow. She looked Italian and exotic and, without a doubt, it was love at first sight.

“She” is a sleek, bright yellow 562-horsepower Lamborghini Gallardo – just one of the handful of “supercars” that guests can drive as part of the new Exotic Driving Experience that is being offered by Petty Holdings at the speedway. The experience officially debuts on Monday, but the kind folks over there gave a few of us a chance to get behind the wheel a little early.

Like I said, I fell in love.

This was easily one of the coolest things I have ever done, a real bucket list kind of thing. Put it this way, if Michael Jordan were a car, he’d be a Lamborghini (0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and costs $220,000). The acceleration, the handling, the traction and, thank God, the braking are unlike anything I have ever experienced in a car. And it was even more evident when Brazilian race car driver Christian Fittipaldi took me for a spin in a black Ferrari 458 – we were doing 130 mph through a high-banked turn while passing mere inches from the wall yet the car felt like it was glued to the road. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to just driving my little car ever again.

The Exotic Driving Experience offers the chance to drive a Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 997 S and Audi R8 in addition to two types of Lamborghinis, with more supercar models coming in the future. Prices range between $199-$389 for six laps depending on which model you choose.

For me, I’m sticking with my girl, the Lamborghini Gallardo, even though I swear that red Ferrari kept making eyes at me as I left the speedway.

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Standing near first base next to Major League Baseball All-Stars Johnny Damon and A.J. Pierzynski, I finally realized who my favorite player is. No, not Pierzynski or Damon. It’s Josh Wege. And Greg Reynolds. And the rest of the members of the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball team running around Field 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort this morning.

These U.S. military veterans have each lost a limb – in Wege’s case, two limbs – while fighting for their country in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet, after extensive rehabilitation, they have mustered the courage to join together and travel the country playing exhibition softball games. With all due respect to the New York Yankees, these guys really should be considered “America’s Team.’’

Today they were practicing at our sports complex in preparation for exhibition games in nearby Plant City, Fla., against several former U.S. Olympic softball team members such as Jennie Finch. Pierzynski (Chicago White Sox) and Damon (Tampa Bay Rays), who both live in Orlando, jumped at the chance to meet the team. They even brought their baseball gloves and practiced with them.

It was a real thrill to stand there at first base so close to these superstar ball players. Oh, and it was good to see Pierzynski and Damon, too.

Here’s a brief video of Pierzynski, Damon and the Warriors during practice:

Tagged: Video, WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Community Outreach, Walt Disney World Resort

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna wrapped up Sunday with a second straight surprising win by Brazilian Fredison Costa.

The winners of these runDisney races are always just half the story. What amazes me every race are the little known personal stories of some of these 56,000 runners. Here’s a couple of inspiring stories from this past weekend’s marathon that illustrate my point.

Tagged: runDisney, Video, WDW

Filed: Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Brazilian runner Fredison Costa did it again, holding off his heavily-favored countryman Adriano Bastos on Sunday to win his second straight Walt Disney World Marathon.

Costa waged a fierce battle with the 7-time champion Bastos throughout the 26.2 mile race through Disney’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios – before narrowly winning. Costa crossed the finish line in 2:19:01 – just 14 seconds ahead of Bastos (2:19:15).

Renee High of Virginia Beach, Va., was the first woman to cross the line. High, who is scheduled to run the marathon at the US Olympic Trials next week in Houston, completed the race Sunday in 2:48:33.

In all, runners from all 50 states and 60 other countries took part in a variety of Disney Marathon Weekend events, such as the Family Fiesta 5K, Kids Races and the Disney Half-Marathon in addition to the Disney Marathon. And once again more than 6,500 runners put themselves to the ultimate test – Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – by running the half-marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.

Registration for the 2013 Disney Marathon Weekend opens this spring. To register or for more information on all runDisney events, visit runDisney.com.

Tagged: DAK, DHS, Epcot, MK, runDisney, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort