Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[joan4mickey]

I am wondering if I made my breakfast ADR way too early. From the time one crosses the finish line, how long will it take to get through to leave. All I plan to do is maybe get my medal engraved and pick up my goodies (ie. banana and water bottle...or whatever else they hand out to the runners) I had thought that I would be able to just walk through epcot to the international gateway... hadn't thought about a shower...and had not realized that we finish in the parking lot and thus would need a park ticket to do that when I made my ADR. I won't be checking a bag and plan to now take a taxi....

I have never had my medal engraved but have read it take 30 min. Once over the finish line you could be at the resort buses in 10-15 min then how ever long to fill bus and leave. Not sure about a taxi after, I have read getting in and out of Epcot can be crazy. Depends where you are staying, if you have a park pass to burn, epcot is open (9am I think) and are staying at the Boardwalk area you could walk back. I
Personally, I am made a reservation for 11am. for brunch at Yacht club. I am in corral A, plan to run in 2hours. and am using Disney transportation. If it takes me longer to run or shower or whatever, I will take a taxi to brunch. This plan has worked for the past 4 years and it has taken me 2.5 hour to run from coral B and we have still made it to brunch.

 

[joan4mickey]

HELP! I've clicked on the links posted but can't figure out how to see my bib number. Am dying to know our corral start. What am I missing?

http://www.trackshack.com/disneysports/w13pr/verify.php

 

[dis-happy]

Thank you Joan4Mickey! I was up at 2 am trying to figure this out! YAY!

 

[PrincessV]

LOL, I've thought about this. Thing is, I've NEVER seen a gator at Disney, and I always look for them because I've seen them all over Florida. There are a lot of places at Disney that seem like natural gator spots--little swampy areas by the highway with brush around, flood areas along roads. NOTHING. I've also never heard of anyone else seeing a gator. I suspect some sort of highly-professional animal control operation, sort of a Blackwater security for gators. Anyone else ever seen a gator at Disney? Anyone know how they pull this off?

Yep, I see them often (I'm a local regular, so I'm over there once a month on average.) But it's the ones you don't see that'll get ya! They're well-fed at WDW; plenty of wading birds to eat. So they're not likely to go after people and mostly keep to themselves under water or far up a bank, away from people. Also...

I do know that Disney will relocate them once they get past a certain size (which I know they've had to do at CSR).

^ This, exactly. When one's gotten too big, they relocate it. WDW has a large preserve area where too-big gators go. But really, anywhere in Florida that has water has a high chance of housing gators - ponds, lakes, canals, drainage ditches, pools... stay away from water edges!

 

[flatlandcycle]

I am wondering if I made my breakfast ADR way too early. From the time one crosses the finish line, how long will it take to get through to leave. All I plan to do is maybe get my medal engraved and pick up my goodies (ie. banana and water bottle...or whatever else they hand out to the runners) I had thought that I would be able to just walk through epcot to the international gateway... hadn't thought about a shower...and had not realized that we finish in the parking lot and thus would need a park ticket to do that when I made my ADR. I won't be checking a bag and plan to now take a taxi....

There is a good map of the finish line area in these final race instructions, page 2.
http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/princess/HalfFRI.pdf

There are two ways in and out of this area. You must exit through the left side area and entrance with all the banners or the Race Transportation pickup area. The race transportation (Mears Buses) are boarded in the east-north-east corner of the Parking Lot (right side of the map.)

I am pretty sure that the taxis are at the normal taxi stand area, the opposite side of the monorail/Ticketing area from the race finish area. It may be faster to use race transportation to Boardwalk, Yacht Beach club, Swan Dolphin???

If you skip the ice/med tent and the post race photos you can get through the finish line cue in like 5-10 minutes.

 

[mamacate]

Yep, I see them often (I'm a local regular, so I'm over there once a month on average.) But it's the ones you don't see that'll get ya! They're well-fed at WDW; plenty of wading birds to eat. So they're not likely to go after people and mostly keep to themselves under water or far up a bank, away from people. Also...


^ This, exactly. When one's gotten too big, they relocate it. WDW has a large preserve area where too-big gators go. But really, anywhere in Florida that has water has a high chance of housing gators - ponds, lakes, canals, drainage ditches, pools... stay away from water edges!

OK, I guess my gator vision isn't what I thought! Glad to hear they're little and not too hungry, lol. Well, Julie, if we walk, we will probably only see SMALL gators. Don't you feel safer? LMAO! (I'm still more afraid of Disney security.)

 

[Jenn310]

Jenn I feel your pain....I don't have proof of a better time, but I've been training at a 10:30 mm pace and I'm in G.....lets get together and just run it!!!!!

You make me feel a bit better not be the only one! I am hoping there are more people running this far back, and its not going to be a huge issue getting around walkers.

 

[Jenn310]

Is there a lot of stuff that sells out at the expo on Friday already? I am not driving down till Saturday morning,so just curious if there is a lot of stuff that sells out early. Not looking for the shoes or the purses.

 

[annmarieda]

I have never had my medal engraved but have read it take 30 min. Once over the finish line you could be at the resort buses in 10-15 min then how ever long to fill bus and leave. Not sure about a taxi after, I have read getting in and out of Epcot can be crazy. Depends where you are staying, if you have a park pass to burn, epcot is open (9am I think) and are staying at the Boardwalk area you could walk back. I
Personally, I am made a reservation for 11am. for brunch at Yacht club. I am in corral A, plan to run in 2hours. and am using Disney transportation. If it takes me longer to run or shower or whatever, I will take a taxi to brunch. This plan has worked for the past 4 years and it has taken me 2.5 hour to run from coral B and we have still made it to brunch.

I think my ADR is too early. Either I am going to have to skip the engraving or move my ADR.

There is a good map of the finish line area in these final race instructions, page 2.
http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/princess/HalfFRI.pdf

There are two ways in and out of this area. You must exit through the left side area and entrance with all the banners or the Race Transportation pickup area. The race transportation (Mears Buses) are boarded in the east-north-east corner of the Parking Lot (right side of the map.)

I am pretty sure that the taxis are at the normal taxi stand area, the opposite side of the monorail/Ticketing area from the race finish area. It may be faster to use race transportation to Boardwalk, Yacht Beach club, Swan Dolphin???

If you skip the ice/med tent and the post race photos you can get through the finish line cue in like 5-10 minutes.

I can't really make heads or tails of that map. I might be blind.

I had not even thought of race transportation to BW. That is what I think we will do! thanks

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

OK, I guess my gator vision isn't what I thought! Glad to hear they're little and not too hungry, lol. Well, Julie, if we walk, we will probably only see SMALL gators. Don't you feel safer? LMAO! (I'm still more afraid of Disney security.)

Snakes are all over the place. That is why I don't step off walkways into landscaping and such. And cars wouldn't likely be expecting pedestrians. For me the stress of that walk and your worry about security wouldn't be worth it before the race. But, I don't think you'll be the only ones out there either-and maybe it will be one of them that steps on a snake!

Seriously, I'd listen to the Floridians on this one. They seem to be against the idea.

 

[saysay]

Snakes are all over the place. That is why I don't step off walkways into landscaping and such. And cars wouldn't likely be expecting pedestrians. For me the stress of that walk and your worry about security wouldn't be worth it before the race. But, I don't think you'll be the only ones out there either-and maybe it will be one of them that steps on a snake!

Seriously, I'd listen to the Floridians on this one. They seem to be against the idea.

Snakes are more of a worry to me with the walk,esp after talking with someone who worked at GF last summer as we walked around to check out the grounds. Its NOT a long walk by any means and its not like you walk through fields...... I know people have done it....but then again I am meeting someone who is staying at another resort to run with.

It is the middle of the night, who knows what is lurking LOL. Last year, we drove right out of POFQ and there was the starting area. Traffic was bad and it took us like 40 minutes to get to epcot. We got off the bus, did not check anything and made our way down that cattle chute. We went to the potties by the starting area, lines, but they moved and walked to the corrals...the race started like 5 minutes later! Oh we left POFQ at like 3:35! Crazy...... but at least we were in a warm bus rather than standing out in the cold.

I will let you know Cate, I am in POR .

 

[VickiHD]

Snakes are all over the place. That is why I don't step off walkways into landscaping and such. And cars wouldn't likely be expecting pedestrians. For me the stress of that walk and your worry about security wouldn't be worth it before the race. But, I don't think you'll be the only ones out there either-and maybe it will be one of them that steps on a snake!

Seriously, I'd listen to the Floridians on this one. They seem to be against the idea.

Great... now I have to worry about snakes. I have SUCH a phobia about them it's not funny.

 

[AmyAnne]

Traffic was bad and it took us like 40 minutes to get to epcot. We got off the bus, did not check anything and made our way down that cattle chute. We went to the potties by the starting area, lines, but they moved and walked to the corrals...the race started like 5 minutes later! Oh we left POFQ at like 3:35! Crazy...... but at least we were in a warm bus rather than standing out in the cold.

I am guessing that the monorail will be crazy crowded too. But really, if you are on the monorail (or in line to get on the monorail) by the time Disney says you have to be (is it 4 am?), then how can they tell you that you are too late??

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Sorry, Vicki. Just stick to the paved areas and you will be fine. A snake won't bother with you unless you attack it in some way.

 

[Danhockey04]

I've always heard that when you're in Florida, you are at most times always within 500 feet of a snake, whether you know it or not. Now that is a large radius, but still something to think about. Snakes hide very well, they are found inside the parks all the time. Most of the time, they are rat snakes, but the occasional venomous snake will make an appearance.

Now, being in FL for over 4 years, I can say that I have only seen 14 snakes in the wild. One water moccasin, one eastern diamondback rattler and one python (south FL) are all the snakes that posses a true danger to humans are all I've seen. I have been able to positively ID all the snakes I've seen, but I am no expert on the matter. But do be careful off the roads and near the trees. I will never use the trees for bathroom in FL, like you see all the time in the marathon and other races, too much dangerous wildlife that is difficult to see that calls that home.

 

[VickiHD]

Sorry, Vicki. Just stick to the paved areas and you will be fine. A snake won't bother with you unless you attack it in some way.

That won't be a problem. I will be screaming so loudly that I'm sure I will scare it away.

 

[Cripey]

I will never use the trees for bathroom in FL, like you see all the time in the marathon and other races, too much dangerous wildlife that is difficult to see that calls that home.

I have always thought this too when I see people squatting over in the brush and woods on the way to the corrals!!! Well, first I think "uhhh, don't they know we can still see them?" And then I wonder how many of them are about to get a surprise on the behind.

 

[sunnygal041]

I have always thought this too when I see people squatting over in the brush and woods on the way to the corrals!!! Well, first I think "uhhh, don't they know we can still see them?" And then I wonder how many of them are about to get a surprise on the behind.

LMAO .... Gotcha!

 

[PrincessV]

Sorry, Vicki. Just stick to the paved areas and you will be fine. A snake won't bother with you unless you attack it in some way.

I assume snakes curl up somewhere safe to sleep at night, too.

I will never use the trees for bathroom in FL, like you see all the time in the marathon and other races, too much dangerous wildlife that is difficult to see that calls that home.

I have always thought this too when I see people squatting over in the brush and woods on the way to the corrals!!! Well, first I think "uhhh, don't they know we can still see them?" And then I wonder how many of them are about to get a surprise on the behind.

Yep, no way will I take it to the bushes unless I'm truly desperate! We have a few snakes living around my condo - all harmless (well, unless you happen to be a rodent...) black racers. But I found a smushed copper head a few months ago and here are signs in all of our parks warning of rattlers, cotton mouths, etc.

But... my biggest fear about tinkling in the bushes is spiders! I've seen entirely too many black widows hanging out in shrubbery down here. ~SHUDDER~ Haven't seen a brown recluse yet, but I know they're out there... I'll stick to the stinky porta-potties, thankyouverymuch!

 

[kindakrazy2]

You guys are freaking me out with the snake talk.

I usually happily pee behind a bush in most races but that certainly won't be happening in Florida. I guess if I have to go bad enough and there are no potties in sight you're all going to see me go on the side of the road!

I'm kidding!

Sort of....