Royal Family 5K questions?

[DisneyMomLiz]

Hi all...my DSis, DMom and I will be walking and jogging (I hope :rotfl: don't want to get swept).

I'm new to this, my first 5K ever, had to make it a Disney one! :goodvibes

Ok, so my questions:

1) I know the race starts at 7am, but what time should we get to the course? We are staying at a host resort ASMu. :banana:

2) I'm afraid of getting swept...do a lot of people get swept? do you still have time to see some of the characters? use the potty? etc? or just make it walk/jog straight through?? :scared1:

3) pick up at the EXPO on Friday, anyone have any suggestions about when during the day it would be better to pick things up? and can I pick up my DSis's packet, she's flying in from Seattle at some point on FRI and I'm afraid she'll miss the EXPO since it closes at 7pm on FRI? :eek:

Thanks so much for your help!! :hug:

[Bookwood]

This is not official by any means but several friends of mine did a 5 K 3 years ago at AK Marathon weekend and were quite slow- I am not sure they swept anyone durning that rce. They were the last to finish and were quite a way behind the last person in front of them. I'm guessing as long as you don't dawdle too much you should be fine. I have to admit to not remember seeing any characters along the way.

[syko]

Sweeping only happens in the longer races, always outside the parks.
You can be picked up by the medical teams in the park though, if they feel that you have to because of the condition you are in.
ESPN last year I know someone took over an hour for the 5K, and they where allowed to finish.

You want to be there by 6:30am, at the latest.

You can pick up your sisters packet, you need her waiver and a signed letter saying that you can collect it for her. The expo will be quiter during the day. Look for me as I am working the expo on friday.

[crewmatt]

1-I'd get there an hour before. If you're staying on the resort disney probably has a whole plan to get you there. Follow their plan, might have you there a little earlier.

2-I wouldnt worry too much about getting swept, they sweep at 16 min/mile in the marathon which is 3.75 on a treadmill. If you're walk/jogging you'll be well ahead of that. If you're gonna do the characters i'd recommend bringing a light camera to take pix :)

3-We went to the expo right at noon on the first day when it opened for the marathon. You should be able to get your sisters packet you'll just need a copy of her license and a signed letter

good luck

[ultramickeymouse]

3-We went to the expo right at noon on the first day when it opened for the marathon. You should be able to get your sisters packet you'll just need a copy of her license and a signed letter

good luck

You will also need a waiver signed by your sister on top of the other 2 items :)

[dvcdenise]

Ok this is my first 5k ever, and I keep hearing about this waiver. I did not get one in hard copy or email, should I have gotton one or can I get one when I pick up my packet on Friday ?

[cewait]

Ok this is my first 5k ever, and I keep hearing about this waiver. I did not get one in hard copy or email, should I have gotton one or can I get one when I pick up my packet on Friday ?

You will get an email (or just check the website every few days) with a link to the waiver. Print it and sign it and bring it to the expo. there you will recieve your bib and goody bag. If you forget your waiver you can fillout one at the expo.

[DisneyMomLiz]

This is not official by any means but several friends of mine did a 5 K 3 years ago at AK Marathon weekend and were quite slow- I am not sure they swept anyone durning that rce. They were the last to finish and were quite a way behind the last person in front of them. I'm guessing as long as you don't dawdle too much you should be fine. I have to admit to not remember seeing any characters along the way.

:cool1: Thanks Bookwood for responding. That makes me feel a little better...funny that you used the word dawdle, my DSis is famous in our family for that, but she's the one who does Marathons and Triathlons for fun, so I'll try not to be the "dawdler" this time :lmao:

Sweeping only happens in the longer races, always outside the parks.
You can be picked up by the medical teams in the park though, if they feel that you have to because of the condition you are in.
ESPN last year I know someone took over an hour for the 5K, and they where allowed to finish.

You want to be there by 6:30am, at the latest.

You can pick up your sisters packet, you need her waiver and a signed letter saying that you can collect it for her. The expo will be quiter during the day. Look for me as I am working the expo on friday.

:thumbsup2 phew! Thanks syko for the info. I'll definitely get there before 6:30am then! Turns out my sister will be coming in on Thursday night, like us, so one less thing for me to worry about :goodvibes. We'll look for you on Friday at the expo during the day!! ;) (I'll have my LGMH with me!)

1-I'd get there an hour before. If you're staying on the resort disney probably has a whole plan to get you there. Follow their plan, might have you there a little earlier.

2-I wouldnt worry too much about getting swept, they sweep at 16 min/mile in the marathon which is 3.75 on a treadmill. If you're walk/jogging you'll be well ahead of that. If you're gonna do the characters i'd recommend bringing a light camera to take pix :)

3-We went to the expo right at noon on the first day when it opened for the marathon. You should be able to get your sisters packet you'll just need a copy of her license and a signed letter

good luck

:goodvibes Thanks for the info crewmatt! I think 6am should be good too, and I figured someone would tell me eventually at the hotel, which bus to get on, but I thought who better than Disers to ask in advance! :worship:

You will also need a waiver signed by your sister on top of the other 2 items :)

Thanks ultramickeymouse for the info. I'm going to look for my waiver now and remind mom and sis to do so too!

Ok this is my first 5k ever, and I keep hearing about this waiver. I did not get one in hard copy or email, should I have gotton one or can I get one when I pick up my packet on Friday ?

:) Hi dvcdenise! Glad someone was able to answer your questions and mine...didn't even know about the waiver either until now! :rotfl:


You will get an email (or just check the website every few days) with a link to the waiver. Print it and sign it and bring it to the expo. there you will recieve your bib and goody bag. If you forget your waiver you can fillout one at the expo.

Thanks cewait! Should we have gotten the email by now? I'm going to check now, but I don't recall getting an email with a waiver?? :confused:

[dvcdenise]

Thanks to everyone. I got the wavier and with 2 weeks to go I am getting excited and scared :scared1:for my first 5K. Just started running about 6 months ago. Doing OK but at still think I am slow:snail:. Glad to hear I won't get swept. My goal this race is to do my personal best. Any sugesstion for things I should know for a first timer would be appreciated. :thanks:

[Aquachick0410]

This is my first time doing the 5k as well and my mom wants to know what they do for spectators. Where should she go to watch me run? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[PeterPan09]

I didn't get my waiver email yet....I hope nothing is wrong.

[syko]

This is my first time doing the 5k as well and my mom wants to know what they do for spectators. Where should she go to watch me run? Any advice is greatly appreciated!



The only place to watch from is the start / finish, as there is no viewing in the park.

[syko]

I didn't get my waiver email yet....I hope nothing is wrong.

You need to email or call Disney sports to make sure they have you registration, have you conformation number at hand to quote.

[Aquachick0410]

Is the start and the finish in the same location for the 5k? Will there be bleachers there for spectators or should they bring chairs of their own?

[JimB.]

I'm gonna' take a leap of faith here & guess that since

A:) The Princess course is the same as the Donald............

B:) There are bleachers (usually) at that location

C:) The 5K finish is at the same place.............

That, yes, LOGICALLY, there SHOULD be bleachers at the 5k finish.


But the start is not in the same place as the finish. The course map is not real clear on where the start really is.

[dvcdenise]

One more question. I see there is a Commemorative 5K finisher medallion for the 5K. Does anyone have a picture of one from prior years. I would love to know what they look like.

[Princess Bmoney]

I have a pic but can't post cause I'm new.... Its the crest logo pretty much

[suzannews]

Not a close up but hopefully someone has a better picture. The one from last year is not medal, its a rubbery material that you can bend.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk262/suzannews/004-1.jpg

[DisneyMomLiz]

Neat, thanks so much for posting the pic. :)

Crossing my fingers and adding pixiedust: for all of us to get ours this year!!

[K80K]

Since the 5K is themed for the Princess and the Frog I would expect to see a Princess and the Frog commemorative medal. I love the movie so I am really looking forward to the medal. :D

[mrpjmpnc]

Does anyone know if ALL traffic into EPCOT before the 5K is suspended? I'm trying to coordinate my DH and 2 DD to arrive a bit later than I need to get to the Finish Line. Can taxis arrive even though buses can't? :surfweb::surfweb:

[laura looneybin]

I pulled out my packet info from the 2009 5K race. Hopefully the information is the same or close to it.:)

Race Start- The race will start promptly at 7am in the Imagine Lot at Epcot. Please plan to arrive at Epcot by 6:15am.

Parking and Transportation- There will be bus transportation provided for this event if you are staying at one of the following resorts: Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's All Star Movies Resort, and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Transportation will run from 5:00-6:00am prior to the race. The last bus from the resorts to Epcot will depart at 6:00am. Buses will run until 11:00am after the race to return you to your resort. Resort Transportation will be restricted from 6:45am-7:15am due to race course activities.

Spectator Viewing- Spectators are encouraged to view the 5K start and finish in the Amaze Lot and Imagine Lot at Epcot. There will be no viewing areas along the course or from within Epcot.


I can't remember if anyone had any other questions. I would suggest that if you're taking the buses to get to your bus stop early. I didn't sleep very well before the race so I got up and got down to the bus stop where I promptly waited 45 minutes for a bus to show up that had room on it. And only one other bus had passed us, but was too loaded with people to even stop. So plan to get there earlier rather than later. There's music playing and lots of energy and stuff happening at the start. I was by myself and wasn't bored or anything. It was also my first race and I just took it all in.

Also, to whoever asked about characters. I remember seeing a good many characters. There were definitely more CM's than characters, but I remember Mickey and Minnie, Snow White, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and Beast. There were others, those are just the ones I have pictures of. Fun, very relaxed atmosphere.

And I wouldn't worry about being swept either. You'll be so caught up in the rush that you will blow by everyone else. Good luck!:cheer2::cheer2:

[Bookwood]

I just want to say- never assume the CM's at the resorts know anything about the races! The "Race People" never seem to do a good job at getting info to the rest of the WDW CMs.

If I had a nickle for everytime I hear "Oh is there a race going on this weekend" at WDW I could retire! I have found though that the consierge desks are great at finding things out once you ask them. (I don't know if they share info with the rest of the CMs around though)

[DisneyRN51207]

We are doing the Royal Family 5K and staying at Bay Lake Towers. Any idea on how to get to the race since we're not at a sponsored resort. The closest sponsoring resort is the Poly... we'll also have our own vehicle since we're driving to WDW. Any help is appreciated.

[Princess Bmoney]

Last year I stayed at the swan, and they don't have the race transportation...So I just drove to the park... This year I couldn't get into a all-star resort... So Im either going to drive to a race resort n take the bus from there.... And later come back for my car, or just drive to the race. So thats the best advice I can give...

[DisneyRN51207]

I am thinking that we will just park at the Polynesian and use their bus. BUT I just don't know what to tell the guard at the gate to get us in at 5:45am. Obviously OHana isn't open yet for breakfast that early.

[beryl628]

We are thinking about doing the Family Run in Jan. My boys will be 3 and 5 at the time. Is that too young? They are used to doing a lot of walking. Just not sure if they would be "in the way" of other runners.
Thanks!

[syko]

They will not be allowed to enter the 5K. They can enter the kids races during the Marathon weekend though.

[sunshine girl]

Does anyone know if ALL traffic into EPCOT before the 5K is suspended? I'm trying to coordinate my DH and 2 DD to arrive a bit later than I need to get to the Finish Line. Can taxis arrive even though buses can't? :surfweb::surfweb:

From my memory of past DIsney races, not only is traffic severely restricted (if not disallowed), it is a total traffic snarl for those trying to get near wherever the race is. They might either not be allowed on certain roads, or get stuck in a traffic jam (which, in a taxi, might be costly!). I'm not really sure for the 5k, though... does it go on the roads, or just in the park and on the sidewalks?

Anyway... I always force my spectators to get up early and come with me! :)