For the 2018 runDisney Princess Half Marathon, I ran on behalf of the Children’s Miracle Network. Through this program, I was able to run the Fairy Tale Challenge registration fee-free and instead ran through my sponsors who donated to CMN on my behalf. My goal was $1200 last year, and I hit it! Thank you, Sponsors!

Being a Miracle Maker is very rewarding during the months leading up to the PHM because you’re raising money that will benefit the kids of the Children’s Miracle Network. But what I didn’t know, nor did I expect, is how celebrated even you are for your participation and fundraiser as a Miracle Maker.

I definitely felt like a VIP once my daughter and I arrived at the Expo. After walking around the Expo vendors for a while, we made our way back to the Children’s Miracle Network vendor station, so I could meet the ladies in charge of the Miracle Makers, Jessica & Jenny, and pick up my packet that included the Miracle Breakfast bracelets. They were so sweet, & so appreciative of my efforts.

During the training & fundraising months, I did find that raising the $1200 I had pledged a bit of a challenge for me at first, as I am a stay at home mom, & I don’t know many people outside of my small circle. The FB Miracle Makers group that you are invited to is run by the two ladies at Children’s Miracle Network that oversee the Miracle Makers and runDisney portion of CMN fundraising, which is the sponsor of the Disney Princess Half Marathon, and is a very helpful group that’s filled with encouragement and ideas to help you maximize your fundraising over the months. The ideas floating around the group, plus encouragement from Jessica & Jenny, our fearless leaders, helped me out with many fundraising ideas that helped me reach my goal!

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And like I noted before, Children’s Miracle Network is the proud sponsor of Disney’s Princess Half Marathon weekend, so you are treated extra special as a Miracle Maker for CMN! Just take a look at the Miracle Makers breakfast my family was invited to after the 10K on Saturday! This was held in Epcot’s World Showcase Pavillion, between Canada and the UK Pavilion, around 8:30 AM and lasted until 10:30 AM. After the race, you will reconnect with your family, and then go line up at the entrance to Epcot. You and your personal attendees (family or friends attending with you) will be wearing special bands that you will be given by Jessica or Jenny at the Expo. So make sure that you go see them at the Expo to get your MM Breakfast bands! My pictures don’t do the venue justice. The lighting, decor and banquet tables inside made the event feel very special! Disney & Children’s Miracle Network made sure that all the magic was brought For The Kids!!

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The Greek Yogurt & Oatmeal station had plenty of toppings that could be added!

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There were Mickey Waffles, brioche, apple crumb cakes, tea cakes, scones, rolls, jams, preserves, fruits, yogurts, oatmeal & more. Plus juice, teas, coffee with all the trimmings and ice cold water. There were several buffet tables set up that had the same food setup, but the Mickey Waffles kept running out. on. every. table. & that wasn’t much of a surprise, as Mickey Waffles bring all the boys (& girls) to the yard, right?!

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It was all Buffet style, so you could visit the drinks and the food stations as many times as you wished!

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There were several special characters there to take pictures with ~ The Fairy Godmother, Jasmine, Merida, and a fair few others made a special trip to meet us Miracle Makers before (or after) our breakfast. We only made it to Merida, Princess Minnie, and Princess Daisy, but they had the longest lines, and we waited until it was almost time for them say goodbye before we went to get in line.

After eating and mingling with Disney Characters & other wonderful Miracle Makers, we heard from Children’s Miracle Network leaders, Miss America, & Miracle Families whose children were treated at CMN. There was also a special group photo afterwards in Epcot!

Ultimately, this experience was wonderful and might be a once in a lifetime experience for me, but should the opportunity present itself again, I would love to be a Miracle Maker again in the future. You feel like you are part of one big Disney-loving family and you get the chance to connect with so many like-minded people, all working to raise money for a wonderful cause.

Drop me a comment below if you have any questions about how to be a Miracle Maker, or if you are curious about how the Miracle Morning Breakfast works, and how to gain entry! See ya real soon!