What I have learned about runDisney Races

I think some people find Disney overwhelming and I know that the runDisney events are not exception to this. In just over a year I have read a lot about the various races and I have experienced the 2013 Princess Half Marathon. This in no way makes me an expert but I am going to try and help people out.

1. Some Disney races sell out REALLY FAST, while others do not. There are some things to note with this. Disneyland only holds 2 race weekends a year (Tinkerbell and the Disneyland Half/Dumbo Double Dare weekend). This means for those going to for a Coast 2 Coast medal there are only 2 chances to make this happen. Also Disneyland races take a smaller number of runners. Because of this it is no surprise how fast things sold out for the Disneyland Weekend events (even the kids races sold out fast). Add to it that BOTH of the Disneyland events are over holiday weekend; Tinkerbell is MLK Day weekend and Disneyland Half weekend Labor Day weekend so people can travel easier.

2. Disney races are EXPENSIVE but there are things that are special for Disney. How many races have character stops along the course and fireworks for each starting corral.

3. Starting Corrals are a source of confusion and anger for many people. Disney requested an estimated finish time. Prior to the 2014 races, you did not have to provided any proof to support your estimate unless you planned to finish in under 2:45. What this led to was a lot of people putting down 2:46 even if they had no plan to finish that fast. It put slower people in the middle of the corrals and led to some backups in places. It looks like Disney has fixed this by now requiring proof for anything under 3:15 (the max is 3:30) so hopefully in the upcoming races it will help the field to be seeded better to make for a better experience for everyone. Now, it might lead to more people being swept but that is number 4. Also, time must be submitted by the deadline since no time estimates will be taken at the expo.

4. Disney does require you to maintain a 16mm pace otherwise they will remove you from the course. The balloon ladies are real and start as the last people and walk at 16mm. If you fall behind them, a bus will come and get you and you will be taken off the course. You do still get a medal as of 2013 even if you do not finish. With the old way of placing some people were able to be placed into earlier starts to give themselves up to 20 minutes extra (or 1-2mm). With this new way, that cushion will be eliminated so I am interested to see if more people will be swept.

5. Disney does often have preregistration for certain runners. This is usually Annual Passholders, Disney VISA credit card holders and Disney Vacation Club (DVC members). As of now, this links were made available to these people BUT they also had a feature to share the link on social media sites when you registered making it open to everyone. Personally we are members of all three groups and I wish Disney would provide this perk just to members by either requiring a code or not allowing it to be shared. I know this upsets some people but I think it is a great perk for those willing to spend the money.

6. Bib transfers and deferrals are also confusing or a course of confusion with Disney. Disney does not allow bib transfers. A runner can defer to the same Disney race next year but cannot transfer names. Now that does not mean that it does not happen it just means that the runner and seller run a risk of being banned from Disney races (though I don't know if anyone ever has been). For an explanation on deferrals and how Disney appears to be changing things, see this post on Margaritas, Miles & the Mouse

I know there are a lot of things but those stick out to me!! Happy racing.

Princess Half Marathon Weekend--Part 1

Jeff and I had planned to leave Friday night to head down to Disney. This made it so I only had to miss one day of work and Jeff could do what he needed to do on Friday. Throughout the week I was getting a little worried since there was a huge snow storm just to the west of us. Many flights from the Chicago area where cancelled and while I did not think it would impact us directly, you never know.

One thing that kept me going and excited all week was the poster in my classroom! When I had come into work on Wednesday I had found this outside my classroom:

Kara and Michael had come in over the break and set this up! It was so fun to see and every time I looked at it, it made me happy! I did end up moving it into my classroom on my white board because I was afraid something would happen to it.

















After a stop to say goodbye to the kids, we made a final stop at Hanson's Running Shop to get Jeff a new pair of shoes. He wanted something good for walking and the weekend and that was the best place that I could think of. In the back of my mind I will admit I was hoping he would consider taking up running but I honestly know that will never happen.

We got to the airport and through security super quick. We boarded on time but sat on the runway for almost 45 minutes getting deiced and waiting to take off. This meant we landing in Orlando a little late so it was close to 9pm before we got onto the Magical Express. After a quick stop at Port Orleans Riverside, Boardwalk and the Yacht Club, we arrived at the Beach Club!! We got lucky in that since I had done online check in the greeter was able to get us our keys. The other people on our bus had to wait to check in and when we left the lobby there were still 5 families from the bus waiting to check in. Now I know that some people do not like online checkin but this is my 3rd time using it and I am completely thrilled!!

We got to the room and it was HUGE! We had decided to do a 1-bedroom villa for the first 2 nights so that we had different sleeping areas since we knew Saturday night Jeff would be up late and I would have to be up super early on Sunday. This let us not disturb each other.

Originally we had hoped to get in with enough time to go over to Epcot since it was Extra Magic Hours until 11pm. We were both so hungry and we did not have our tickets activated yet so we decided to eat at the resort. We went over to the Yacht Club and at the Crews Lounge. It was really good. I had a HUGE salad and then Jeff and I split the Club Sandwich and Cheeseburger.

We had a big day the next day so we went to bed early.

Here is our room:

Here is the kitchen, since we were in a 1-bedroom we had a full kitchen with a stove, dishwasher and full sized fridge. We only used the fridge but it was so nice.

In front of the sink was a bar with three tall chairs and a counter.




This is the living room area. The couch pulled out to a queen bed and the bench seating around the table was so nice. It was a good place to use the computer or just sit and talk.

There was also a TV and another chair across from the coach. The balcony was also that way and we looked out over the quiet pool into the inner courtyard. It was so peaceful

This was my absolute favorite part of the room! It was the biggest most awesome tub. It was so big and perfect to relax before the race and then to soak afterward.

The shower and another sink were in the next room with a door separating them. Then the toilet was in another separate area!

I didn't get pictures of it but there was also a full sized washer and dryer in the closet and off another area with storage for the high chair, pack and play and vacuum cleaner.

The master bedroom had a King bed, a little writing desk, a TV, a bench to sit on, a chair and there was an iPod dock on the clock! There was also another entrance to the balcony from the Master Bedroom. I just cannot believe how much room there was in this room. I really didn't know how big it was going to be. I do know that after this trip, I don't see how we can stay in a studio when we have the kids with us.

This trip just reinforced how great of a decision it was to buy into DVC! Hearing "Welcome Home" and feeling home was great.

Tomorrow it is off to the Fit for a Princess Expo to kick off the Princess weekend of fun!!