About

A Little About the Parkhoppers

In 2006, John and Sarah-Irene were both working highly stressful jobs and, still being newlyweds, were struggling with all the changes and stress.  That’s when a friend convinced them to purchase Walt Disney World Annual Passes…and their lives were changed forever.

Their first Disney theme park was Epcot, where they enjoyed bratwursts and beers from the Germany Pavilion while watching Illuminations: Reflections of Earth for the first time.  And soon they would discover an amazing world filed with Pirates of the Caribbean, 999 happy haunts in a Haunted Mansion, and the would soon conquer all the mountains in the Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain (one of Parkhopper Sid’s favorites).

Sarah-Irene and John volunteered for the Walt Disney World Marathon for runDisney  and signed up to run in the 2010 Royal Family 5K at Epcot. Since then,  they have participated almost every 5K and 1/2 Marathon with runDisney.

WDW Parkhoppers enjoy their time at this wonderful, magical place called Walt Disney World, and to share our love and passion with you. We want to create a community where we can share ideas and stories and grow together as friends, just like Uncle Walt wanted.

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John Donahue 

Is the heart of WDW Parkhoppers.  In 2006, a good friend convinced John to invest a little money in his marriage by purchasing Walt Disney World Annual Passes.  And it changed him and his life, forever.  Falling in love with the nostalgia, the history, and the entire Disney Community, John has discovered a whole new world to escape, study, play in, and write about.

Through running in several Disney races, John has developed new friends and a passion for a healthier lifestyle and running.  In 2012, he successfully completed his first 1/2 marathon, the Princess 1/2 in February of that year.  In 2013 John plans on completing the Coast to Coast, running 1/2 marathons in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom

Favorite Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge

Favorite Disney Character: Stitch

Favorite Attraction: The Haunted Mansion

Favorite Restaurant: Ohana.

Favorite Lounge: Top of the World Lounge (Bay Lake Tower)

Favorite Event: Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival

Favorite Party: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Favorite Disney Movie: Mary Poppins

Follow John on Twitter and on Facebook.


Sarah-Irene Donahue

Sid is happily married to Park-Hopper John, living in North Tampa, FL, a proud audio/visual geek, power tool junkie and recently converted dog person. She loves to photograph Disney and share her love for it to anyone who will stand still long enough to listen.

Favorite Park:  Magic Kingdom (with Epcot a close second)

Favorite Resort:  Animal Kingdom Lodge

Favorite Disney Character:  Snow White and Minnie Mouse  (can’t choose!)

Favorite Attraction:  Either Finding Nemo on stage or Festival of the Lion King

Favorite Restaurant:  Cape May

Favorite Lounge:  Top of the World

Favorite Event:  Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon

Favorite Party:  Not So Scary Halloween Party

Favorite Disney Movie:  Today, Cars.  Ask me again tomorrow…

Follow Sarah-Irene on Twitter and on Facebook.


 

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