Dopey 360

Today I’m announcing my next crazy idea. If you didn't already know, I'm running the Dopey Challenge for a third time at Walt Disney World (see the announcement here). Well, I've come up with a plan to videotape the whole thing in full 360°!

I recently got a really neat “360 camera”, which uses two lenses to capture video in every direction. Then on my phone I can pick the direction of the video at different times and it animates between them. Or you can watch the video and pan around anywhere you want. It is super cool, and I can't wait to use it to film all 48.6 miles of the Dopey!

Check out this example:

Vertical cut (for viewing on your phone):

Original 360 video (you can pan around with your mouse or use a VR headset):

Soon after the marathon, I’ll probably upload a few snippets to show off some of the highlights, like running down Main Street towards Cinderella Castle. But the bigger idea is to spend a few weeks or months mixing them with media from our family’s upcoming Make-A-Wish trip as well as some official Give Kids the World Village content to make a short documentary-style film. Hopefully something that is uplifting and inspiring, but also motivational. My goal, as always, is to get more people involved in charity running.

What’s the Dopey Challenge?

The Dopey Challenge is a four-day race series at Walt Disney World including a 5k, 10k, half, and full marathon for a total of 48.6 miles. The marathon course runs through all 4 theme parks, and there are tons of Disney characters and live entertainment along all of the courses. It’s a blast!

What’s Give Kids the World?

GKTW is a nonprofit that operates a whimsically-themed, “storybook” village resort in Central Florida. Critically ill children and their families are welcomed there to week-long, cost-free dream vacations that include special visits to some of the area’s most beloved attractions, such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Legoland. These trips are coordinated through partnerships with over 200 wish-granting organizations, like Make-A-Wish. Since their founding in 1986, more than 175,000 families from all 50 states and over 76 countries have been welcomed to the Village.