I don’t know if you remember, but back in November I mentioned that I set a goal of being in all 9 Disney and Universal theme parks that exist in North America over a one month period of time in this blog post. As I covered my Walt Disney World Marathon trip, I forgot to mention that I did just that. Here’s how it all went down…

December 15, 2013 – Universal Studios Hollywood

It all started off with a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Since it was December, they were celebrating Grinchmas 2013. This is my favorite picture from this trip to the theme park!

I even got to meet some Minions…Santa Minion!

December 22, 2013 – Disneyland

After the Disneyland Half Marathon, I didn’t visit Disneyland to get this kind of picture. On this trip, I would make sure I didn’t miss the chance to take my picture with the Disneyland Half Marathon finishers medal in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. I’d repeat this picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom after the marathon.

I suited up with Iron Man…

and I got to visit Asgard to meet Thor. It was such a fun day that didn’t end with Disneyland.

December 22, 2013 – Disney California Adventure

I started off my time at Disney California Adventure by checking out Cars Land, which was all decked out for Christmas.

Yep. Merry Christmas from Route 66!

This Christmas time trip to Disney California Adventure ended with World of Color: Winter Dreams. With that, my quest towards the North America Disney and Universal theme parks was complete in California.

January 9, 2014 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

The first theme park Brooke and I visited on the Walt Disney World Marathon trip was Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which was still decked out in their Holiday best).

The signature hat…

I got inspired…

I finally got to experience Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I love this attraction at Disney California Adventure and love it here as well!

January 9, 2014 – EPCOT

I got to know Spaceship Earth very well on the marathon trip. Not only did I spend some time here just for fun, but I would run through EPCOT on the next morning for the 10K race and again on January 12th for the marathon. The more I saw this icon, the more I loved it!

I would get to run in Minnie Mouse’s race the next morning!

Dinner was in Germany this night. Amazing food and atmosphere at Biergarten!

Yep, I loved Spaceship Earth. It looks stunning at night!

January 10, 2014 – Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Universal’s Islands of Adventure was pretty epic. Even the sign is epic.

I loved Butterbeer! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not to be missed. It’s absolutely amazing!

The Marvel Superhero themed land was off the chains awesome!

January 10, 2014 – Universal Studios Florida

Here Brooke and I are at the start of our two park Universal Studios Florida fun-filled day.

Loved those Minions!

January 12, 2014 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Of all the theme parks, this one I only got to run through. So, it was the one I spent the least amount of time in. However, I did run by Expedition Everest during the Walt Disney World Marathon…

saw Safari Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse. So, it counts. Right? I mean, I was in the theme park. Even if it was only for about 10-15 minutes. I was still there.

January 13, 2014 – The Magic Kingdom

Showing off the new bling all day long with 12 hours at the Magic Kingdom!

And the 10K bling as well!

My new Mickey Mouse marathon medal with the real Mickey Mouse!

So, there you have it…I was in all 9 North America Disney and Universal theme parks in one month’s time (December 15, 2013 – January 13, 2014). I know that I wasn’t able to play at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. So, maybe some of you won’t count that one. However, I count it because I was in the theme park. Outside of that, all the other theme parks I was in for at least 3 hours. The Magic Kingdom was the theme park I visited for the longest period of time (12 hours). I do wish that I had more time at each theme park…even the Magic Kingdom.  My favorite theme park still remains Walt’s park…Disneyland. My least favorite theme park…Universal Studios Hollywood. The main reason it’s my least favorite is that there isn’t that much to do. Although, they are adding things to this theme park (like Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem I saw in Florida…this year! And the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2015). So, it may grow on me in the future. I may never get the opportunity to do this again and am glad I could make to all of them.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone! Good luck to all of you running at Disney for the Princess Half Marathon races as well as any other races you may have on your calendars.