How I Rode All 48 Rides In Disney World and Became The Fastest To 48!
Stacy chronicles her journey of doing the infamous Parkeology challenge.
One day while scanning my Facebook, and I came across a Disney page. They were discussing this lady trying to ride every ride in all four parks in one business day. Well, this sparked my interest on many levels and I started following @vikkimouse. She finished and I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. I spent the next days trying to find out more about this and how do I get involved? It didn’t take me long, because I found @parkeology, a duo of guys named Ted and Shane who came up with this insane idea a few years ago. I started contacting them as well as other people that had tried it for more information. I was told look on YouTube. So I found myself for the next few weeks watching videos on attempted and completed runs.
This is when I started filling a hardback three prong folder I snagged from my son with information. Pages and pages filled with. What’s considered a ride? Anything that moves is a ride?!? What! Do I have to ride the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island? Do I have to go to the Carousel of Progress? Main Street Vehicles and the Liberty Steamboat?! I didn’t really consider them “rides” but okay I’m down with it. Since that day another challenge arose called @everyride its a more time-based challenge with levels of difficulties. I decided to do both challenges that day.
My first attempt was in August 2017. It was HOT, hard, and I definitely underestimated this! I did really well but at ride 30 I quit. This haunted me because I don’t quit anything I start. This was a great learning curve for me. You become friends with runners as you go and I was told by so many to get character locator Kenny the Pirate. It had so many helpful tips and information. I attempted three more times before becoming Fastest to 48!
An entire week after my last attempt I’m sitting at home talking to @jennyluvsdisney and @toddlerofterror. We are joking that we have always done the challenge on the same day. I jokingly said, “What’s August 18 look like for Y'all?” I’m nursing my strep throat but knew I would be better by then. So the joke becomes reality, flights, and rooms are booked. The fundraising for @givekidstheworld is going on until the end of August. We want to raise more money and complete the challenge with a higher purpose! Well, this is where the “monkey wrench” gets tossed in. So fighting my cold and strep throat I sneeze and throw my back out of whack! Are you kidding me? This is not happening right now! I see my Chiropractor several times before the run and he recommends walking and traction so I do as I’m told even though I’m hurting. He reminds me “movement is lubricant!”
So I board a plane on August 17 and head to Orlando. My friend @vikkimouse321 is running and I’m excited to meet up and ride some final rides with her. I exit the plane then meet up with @soarinoverwdw at the airport. We jump in the car and head to Pop Century. We arrive at Pop and catch up with @lopatakitas . We finally make our way to Hollywood Studios. Vikki texts and informs us she’s not gonna finish and it’s mathematically impossible at this point. We tell her no biggie to come and meet us at the Brown Derby for a bite to eat and a cocktail. We eat, have a drink and chat for a few. We all know we are running tomorrow and need to get in the bed. So lights out around midnight with an alarm set for 4:30 am.
The alarms go off @lopatakitas and I just lay there. Stretching trying to make our pain stop or more manageable. Nancy gets up and is almost finished getting ready and ask if I’m gonna get up and go today. Reluctantly I say yes and jump in a hot shower. I take some Advil and make sure I have some for the remainder of the day. Nancy and I agree that we will not make it today but will do what we can. If either gave up we would text each other and meet in Epcot. We both are out the door and headed to different parks. Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened at 7 am as well as Hollywood.
Rope Drop
@soarinoverwdw and I are wondering if we are the only ones thinking Slinky Dog is gonna behave today and did everyone else go to Animal Kingdom. After the bag check line and touch points, we are being held at the next rope. @patterBart1 asked what team are we on and we explain we are solo runners. This is him and his daughter's first attempt. Standing and waiting the cast members start telling jokes and asking Disney trivia. I answer most questions correctly and I’m asked to cross the rope. They introduce me to everyone and the crowd shouts back “GOOD morning Stacy” I go back and stand in the line with everyone else and we start walking towards Toy Story Land. Stay right and please behave Slinky is all that’s going through my head!
Ride 1: SDD
Slinky was a perfect gentleman this morning and behaved as we wanted him to! Korrina and I ride together and we love it! 6:54 am.
Ride 2: Alien Saucer Spin
We are officially riding the ASS ride. That will never get old and always make me laugh! 7:00 am.
Ride 3: TSM
We actually played! I got the highest score for the car, hour and day so far but I never posted it. 7:07 am.
@soarinoverwdw and I had already discussed what we were gonna run to next and it was supposed to be RRC but as we exit TSM I explain to her with my back like it is I thinking I’m gonna save steps and head over to Star tours next so I don’t have to backtrack as much. She agreed and we headed to ride 4.
Ride 4: Star Tours
Of course, as all runners do @soarinoverwdw have her head in her phone and she ends up being the spy. 7:26 am.
Ride 5: RRC
One of my favorites but I’m an Aerosmith fan! I love singing along to his songs while they blare in my ears. 7:42 am.
Ride 6: TOT
Last ride In Hollywood and yes we have our eyes closed. @Epic_Disney donates money to give kids the village if your eyes are closed during the ride. 7:52 am. Now let’s get the heck out of here!
I Uber over to the Magic Kingdom reminding the driver a million times if they get stuck in the right lane they will have to go right. I locate the very small exit sign to the left and say “That’s where you have to go.” Now drive it as you stole it! Hops can always be a time killer so you try to minimize the time as much as possible.
MK:
Ride 7: MSV
As I enter the park my eyes are scanning for an MSV of any form. @soarinoverwdw spies one as we walk up we can see it’s pretty full. I ask the cast member if he has room and as he starts to answer…I hear that’s @ycatsdisneydogs! I look in the car and several followers are seated, they start scooting over to make room. The cast member just smiles and welcomes us aboard. I am on and one happy girl! @blackbeardrhino @wasabi_71 @mccauleycherie Y'all totally rock! 8:44 am.
At this time my first fastpass of the day was Space Mountain but it converted to an anytime. So I start moving up and modifying my remaining fastpass.
Ride 8: Buzz
Like I said since I was already headed to Space Mountain I jump on Buzz. I was to busy with my phone modifying I think I scored a 100 points. I check the Disney site and spy Space is up and running! 8:51 am.
Ride 9: Space Mountain
@soarinoverwdw goes standby and I went fastpass. We wish each other luck and hope we meet up throughout the day. This was the start of my luck that day! FP #1 9:02am.
Ride 10: Astro Orbiter
This load has to be the slowest in all of Disney! I’m not a fan of spinning so I just stick my nose n my phone till the ride is over. I notice now another fastpass has turned into an anytime. 9:21 am.
I walk through the back smoking path to catch the train in Fantasyland but it’s not there. I ask the cast member when is she expecting the next train, she informs me anywhere from 8–12 minutes. Ugh,! I can’t waste that! So I look over and absolutely no line at Barnstormer.
Ride 11: Barnstormer
No line! This is where my experience comes in. My first run I just waited on the train and didn’t use my time wisely. 9:32 AM.
Ride 12: Railroad
I walked up waited maybe a minute or two! My gamble paid off! I would normally ride to the main street jump off and run but with my back the way it is I decided to make an update video. We only have to ride 1 leg of the train but I rode 2 to save steps. After my video, I get on the Disney site to see it’s showing Splash down. Well heck, this is where I was headed and my Splash fastpass never converted. 9:38 am. So I'm gonna walk up to the CM and ask if the ride is clearly down can they convert my fastpass so I can make more. As I exit the train I walk straight to the Splash CM and explain about my fastpass. She says I can do that for you but if you wait 2 min I’m putting everyone back in place. Well, I stayed put!
Ride 13: Splash Mountain
See that smile? I told you I was feeling lucky today. I’m on and Splash has been down a lot lately, so I’m very relieved. BTM has been down as well and that fastpass had converted. I check the app because I don’t want to backtrack and it’s up! I’m searching now for my next fastpass and find a POC for 10–11! 9:58am FP #2.
Ride 14: Big Thunder Mnt
I’m very worried about this ride. It’s rough so I kindly ask the CM if I can have a seat in the front. I had to wait for an additional train but I get front row. The least rough spot on the train! I get off and make another update video saying my back is still okay and I’m gonna continue on. 10:23am FP #3
Ride 15: Rafts to TS island
I wait a few minutes the raft is on its way back. I spy @scottkumka another runner I wave, say hi and wish him luck. I load the raft and we have a shift change. I get a young girl in training so it takes a little longer than usual. 10:34 am.
Ride 16: Pirates
I’m not a huge fan of the new update. I want the red head! I score a FP for Jungle Cruise for 11:20, and this less step thing is working! FP #4 11:00 am.
Ride 17: Jungle Cruise
The jokes never get old ! I play along the entire time. I grab a Magic Carpet FP I noticed the line was a little wait when I walked to JC. I had to actually give lots of effort to modify it to a time I could use. FP #5 11:18am
Ride 18: Aladdin’s Magic Carpet
Another slow load even with a FP, but I do grab a FP for ISM 11:45 FP #6 11:38 AM.
Ride 19: Haunted Mansion
It’s on the way so I figured a little wait wasn’t bad. I grabbed two waters on the way in, one for now and one for later. Sorry I had to use a flash I hope I didn’t scare away the haunts. 12:04 pm.
Ride 20: Small World
Okay, I love originals but on run days the slow loaders and long rides are killer! This was gonna be my last ride in MK before I hop. I opened the Disney site and instead of looking for a FP in AK I was still looking in MK and up popped a pan FP so I snagged it! Stupid luck is what I told myself. FP #7 12:17 pm.
Ride 21: Peter Pan
At this time my friends and family are texting me “Get OUT of MK”! I’m like guys it was a Pan FP give me a break LOL! I had planned on doing Pan at the end of the night because @mstdwldrdcount is donating money for give the kids the world for not using a FP and using fairy emojis. So I use the emojis and she is generous and paid up. FP #8 12:45pm
Hop time! I Uber over from the Contemporary to AK! I’m steady looking for a FOP but I found a Navi for 12:50 instead.
Ride 22: Navi
Take a pic not using a flash. Score a FP for safari 3pm. I move it up till 1:35 but still not the one I’m really looking for. I have faith it will pop because for the last 2 weeks I check everyday! FP #9 1:33pm
Walking to the safari I notice they don’t have a line at the bar. I walk right up and order a margarita with a salt rim and enjoy! The salt taste like heaven in my mouth! I tweet my picture out I give money to give the kids the village for a Rita stop.
Ride 23: Safari
In my phone for the majority of the ride but I do notice the giraffes, they are right beside us! Still I can’t find a FOP but grab a Kali River. I end up modifying it with great effort to 2:35. It’s getting extremely difficult to find times I can actually use. FP #10 1:57 pm.
Ride 25: Rafiki Train
I actually walked past the entrance and had to back track a few steps. My head is stuck in my phone trying to get a FOP. I grab some waters and hop on. This little train ride is a pleasant one. At this moment I’m really feeling how hot it is. 2:33pm.
Ride 25: Kali River
Walking up to the line I hear my name being called out. I turn around and @lopatakitas and I have score the same FP time! We start chatting about our day so far ( it’s lonely being a solo runner). Right before we load she says shouldn’t we be looking for a FP? So we both open the site. I get kicked off so I have to close it, reopen it and log in. I literally tapped 1 time and start screaming “Nancy, Nancy LOOK what I FOUND!” I turn my phone to show her and she replies with I hate you. We both laugh and I can’t wipe my smile off my face ! Notice the huge smile in this picture! FP # 11 2:52pm
Ride 26: Everest
Single rider is God given on this ride ! The standby line was over an hour so I thought I would be waiting for a little while but, nope only like 8 people in front of me. 3:12pm
I know I’m trying to save steps as much as possible but finding a FOP is a total game changer ! It’s a long walk from Everest to FoP. I find a little water, snack stand with no one in line and order some chips and water. I made another video but never posted it or it didn’t load.
Ride 27: FOP
I met a young man next to me. He had Banshees on each shoulder, and complete head gear. Another challenge to raise more money is to pet a banshee. After we snap our picture together we start chatting about what I’m doing. He then tells me this is his 145th time riding FOP! I can’t lie this was my favorite ride all day ! One side this young man on the other was a couple who this was their first time. I spent the ride watching their faces and both were priceless! 3:41pm, FP #12.Getting off the ride I’m searching for my next FP and I find one for Dinosaur. Took me a few minutes but finally find it for 4:05pm.
Ride 28: Dinosaur
Another ride I really brace myself for! It’s so rough and jerky! My son always hated this ride and I’m now thinking he was right. I tap, grab, and modify a Primeval Whirl. 4:18pm FP #13!
Ride 29: Primeval Whirl
Yes, I’m trying to kill myself riding those back to back. No pun intended! I brace my feet on the bars and hold on for dear life. In my head I was thinking..PLEASE don’t end my run. I always laughed and loved you. Fingers crossed and a silent prayer sent up! 4:31 FP#14.
Ride 30: Tri spin ( Dumbo Dino)
Hottest, slowest load EVER! I was literally baking in the sun. I think it might have had a hiccup or something. It was much slower than normal. The music is jamming and I’m searching for my next fp. Snagged a Soarin’ for 4:55 I need to hurry ! Animal kingdom is complete ! 4:43pm
OMG, my plan is actually working ! It’s really the first time I truly let that thought in my head. I hop in my Uber and say Epcot. My driver speaks very little English so I find a picture of Spaceship Earth and point. I say it very slow and repeat myself over and over, EPCOT!
Ride 31: Spaceship Earth
I almost walked by it and left it for last. No way not today! I walk in and hop on. I make it almost to the top and we stop….. “Please stay seated” comes across the speakers. Nooooooo! I think I have a curse when it comes to this ride. The ride starts to proceed to the top and my smile comes back. 5:26pm
Ride 32: Soarin
I actually enjoy this ride. I snap my selfie and start looking for a Frozen fastpass. I can’t find one so Nemo is next door and the queue line is long so I settle for it. 6:03pm FP #15
Ride 33: Living with the Land
My moms favorite ride and a great time to put your feet up. My mom knows around this time of the day I start getting tired. She text me a lil perk up text and it made me smile. I open the Disney site and continue to look for a Frozen fp. Took me over 15 minutes of constant refreshing and it paid off ! I dumped poor Nemo and picked up the Queen herself ! Complete game changer !! 6:21pm
Ride 34: Figment
I was actually a little nervous the “shoulder dragon” as @ucfkent would call it has been giving runners a hard time. I sit down and we just sit there so long that when it does start to move everyone starts clapping. 7:05pm
Ride 35: Nemo
I ended up having to walk that long queue line since I dumped My fastpass. Like I said I start feeling the fatigue and forgot to Timestamp my pictures. Thank goodness I always take several while I’m on. 7:05pm
Ride 36: Frozen
I have no idea why but I get wet every time I ride it! I tap and grab a MK fastpass for speedway. I didn’t post it yet cause I’m afraid I wouldn’t make it in time. 7:29pm FP# 16
Ride 37: Mexico
I really wanted to stop at la cava for a fresh squeezed margarita but all is going to well. I glance at the bar and the line is out the door. I smile and said see you tomorrow. 7:47pm
Ride 38: Test Track
I probably would have been pacing around waiting in the long single rider line if it wasn’t for @ucfkent . He came and met me to cheer me on and get an interview. We do the interview in line and it helped pass the time. 8:13pm
Ride 39: Mission to Space
I hate the green mission but the line is always shorter. Last ride in Epcot ! I am now talking to myself and look a little insane. I keep telling myself not to get excited, don’t look to the future go 1 ride at a time! 8:33pm
Epcot is done!
Uber over to the Contemporary. I have the absolute best Uber driver. He’s asking me questions about my run and I’m explaining in detail. He ask me what rides I have left so I’m going over my list with him. He says oh girl you know Carousel of Progress closes early right? I giggled and thought to myself how @soccerra wished he had this guy back in December.
Ride 40: People Mover
I walk right up to the moving belt and get told to wait right here. I wait and wait and wait some more. Finally I’m able to get to the top and load. The fireworks were going off and I was enjoying the show. Then all of a sudden we come to a stop. I’m thinking come on…..I’m almost there please don’t do this to me! I take my phone out and start taking pictures and videos to past time. I really had a great view but now all I’m thinking is people mover please move people ! At last we start moving as I exit the ride @jennyluvsdisney are waiting to give me some hugs and words of encouragement. Like I said before you make some really great friends in all of this. 9:23pm
Ride 41: Speedway
I tap and grab a Pooh fastpass next! This is such a slow load and unload. I didn’t know but Jen noticed I posted my Pooh fastpass and scored one for herself at the same time. I was stuck at the unload spot so long I had to jog off to Pooh. I almost ran into Jen she was coming over to check what the hold up was. 10:03pm FP# 17
Ride 42: Pooh
I was so excited to have Jen to talk with. I’m ranting away about my day. She reminds me I tapped and need to look for a fastpass and I told her I was enjoying the ride with her. I remember she ask me why are you not freaking out right now. I can’t remember exactly what I told her but it was something about I had failed so many times and I wasn’t getting to excited just yet. 10:12pm
Ride 43: Carousel of Progress
As I’m waiting alone in the cop waiting area I pop open my app to see if I can score at least 1 more needed fastpass. I only have 5 rides left. I make a few refreshes and you have to got to kidding me?!?!? A Seven Dwarfs Mine Train pops up! At the time I was gonna leave it for my very last ride of the night since the standby line is so long. So as I sit and watch. Why does the pup never age? I start letting the thought and excitement in. 10:26pm
Ride 44: Dumbo
Another slow load and now I can’t stop stop looking at the time and Twitter ! 10:59pm
I tried to head towards the Teacups to save some steps and it was showing a 5 min wait . As I tried to enter the line the cast member informs me it’s having some difficulties at the moment. I remember taking a deep breath and telling myself…. STACY you are fine we won’t worry about it till it’s our last ride and it’s still broke!
Ride 45: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
After I tap I had to wait my turn. So as I had done all day I open the app and look for another fastpass. I snag the only thing I see and it’s a Little Mermaid. I keep scanning Twitter and the time. What do I spy on Twitter the most wonderful picture of @soarinoverwdw riding the Teacups! Yes it’s back up ! 11:12pm FP 19
Ride 46: Teacups
I spin for Give The Kids The Village and as you can see I’m smiling super big now! 11:19pm
Ride 47: Little Mermaid
I’m so sweaty and gross. It’s so nice, cold and feels amazing in here till I hear Sebastian come on the speaker. He starts off with stay put, I think the sea witch has something to do with this. NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I start scanning the time, the exits, Twitter you name it and it’s going through my head. I’m doing whatever I can to take my mind off we are not moving and I only have 1 ride left. I put my phone down and start telling myself this is why I shouldn’t have let the thought of me actually finishing in my head. It felt like forever but in reality it was closer to 10 minutes. I had come up with a plan in my head not to freak out till 5 minutes till midnight. We start moving and only 2 scenes left! 11:26pm FP# 20!
I run, yes I said run! I see the carousel is just coming to the end so I get in line. Please please please just let me on.
Ride 48: Prince Charming carousel
We start to load and I’m trying to locate the horse with the ribbon on its tail. I locate her but a child is already on. I just grab another one and suck it up. I take my pictures and think holy cow I DID it ! I really really did it! We haven’t started to move and @vikkimouse321 is texting me to post my picture I precede to text back we’re not moving yet. She text, if you are sitting on it post your picture girl. Of coarse I listened to her and did. Then we started moving and I take a video for in motion “proof” and tweet it out as well. It’s over I find an exit and now searching where my friends are at to go cheer them on. 11:41pm
I hear my name being called and @soarinoverwdw stopped her run to come and congratulate me! We start towards the castle and hear “beep beep” I turned around to see a MSV running at this hour! We laugh about that and check Twitter to see where the remainder of challengers are at. @lopatakitas is on speedway so we wait by the exit. She exits and we all walk to the castle to take a picture @scottkumka is walking up to congratulate me as well. So the 4 people remaining that day take a picture together. I keep repeating myself I can’t believe I made it ! I think it was a few hours that @martinking informs me that I am the new #fastestto48! I had always joked with @ucfkent that I would be #fastestto48. At that moment I wasn’t focused on fastest I was so ecstatic for a completion.
I still can’t believe I did it. Not only did I do It but the new record holder ( cherry on top)
On a day I didn’t run. I took my time. I worked the FPs to my advantage and it paid off! Two weeks from this wonderful day I get a package in the mail. I open it with complete caution because I didn’t order anything and wasn’t expecting a package. It’s a “Bankrupting Martin King” shirt, a glass trophy and a note from a few fellow runners from all over the USA saying congrats! We talk everyday about strategies , FastPass and life. They all knew I was gonna have a trophy made for my fireplace mantel. Well they were sneaky and beat me to it. The completion of the challenge was a personal goal of mine but the lifetime friends I have made is the true victory. People don’t get our Disney obsessed selfs like other runners. I have to give thanks to a special few whom never gave up on me and pushed me to secede. @vikkimouse321 @toddlerofterror @thepiratekenny @jennyluvsdisney @ucfkent @mstdwldrdcount @epic_disney @disneyinaday and @parkeology ( without Y’all I wouldn’t have met these awesome people) @mking7403 whom I never met! Thank you for being a huge supporter of Give the kids the village! Last but not least a huge thank you to all my followers who pushed me and encouraged me throughout the day! I hope y’all enjoyed my day as much as I did. This entire #givekidstherides fundraiser has raised almost $30,000 for @givethekidstheworldvillage!
Stacy Galloway is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times
