SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
Thanks!
It sounds pretty simple, and I think I'll know early enough that I'll be able to defer.
Official 2016 5th Anniversary Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend!
- Thread starter Ariel484
- Start date
Thanks!
It sounds pretty simple, and I think I'll know early enough that I'll be able to defer.
pxefig
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
You are being such a bad influence on me! Since I'm so torn about the can I/should I debate, I'm now thinking of signing up and knowing that the deferral possibility also exists!
pclvnmcky88
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2015
Question for those who have run Tink before. Did you go through runDisney to book your hotel and park tickets? Were the discounts worth going that route? Also, I am debating between staying at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. For convenience I know the first would be best; however, in terms of theme park views Paradise Pier looks to be fun. My mother will be joining me so it'll be a girl's weekend 
pxefig
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
To first address theme park tickets, any of the runDisney travel agents listed on the registration page will be more than willing to sell tickets only. It's kind of a process to contact all of them to get the best price (including tax and shipping) but whomever has the best prices is the best one to go with. It seems as far as runDisney TAs for hotel discounts, the price is the same for all of them. The only way you could get a better price is if Disney offered a discount (ie AP or GP) discount over the weekend, but by the time those are usually released, the race weekend is booked up. I didn't run Tink in 2015, but in 2014 the 10k and half both ended in the Paradise Pier parking lot, making it a VERY convenient location for someplace to stay. I'm kind of a Disney snob, and I've stayed off site for races, and for me, the price of a Disney hotel is just part of the cost of a race. I love 'em and just don't like staying anywhere else.Question for those who have run Tink before. Did you go through runDisney to book your hotel and park tickets? Were the discounts worth going that route? Also, I am debating between staying at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. For convenience I know the first would be best; however, in terms of theme park views Paradise Pier looks to be fun. My mother will be joining me so it'll be a girl's weekend
huggybuff
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2013
This is what I did yesterday. I hate to take a spot from someone who could definitely do the race but I figure I'm 75%/25% that I WILL be able to make the race. It just depends on if I'm able to get the time off from work and at this early date there's no way I can know for sure. I really want to squeeze in another DL trip before my AP expires in June so I went for it and registered.
pxefig
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
Ha!, Sorry, pclvnmcky88, for all my rambling, I didn't give my opinion of hotel choices. Here are my thoughts- take or leave them as you desire. If you are trying to get the most inexpensive DL hotel, stay at Paradise Pier. BUT if you can get a regular view room at the DL hotel for the same price or less than you were willing to pay for a theme park view room at PP, go to the DL hotel. Of the three Disney-owned hotels, DL is my favorite. The light up headboards, the great water slides, Trader Sam's, the race expo at the hotel- all great things. Plus is you are at DL for a race weekend, you aren't going to spend a lot of time in your room. Paradise Pier theme park view rooms are AMAZING- you feel like you can reach out you window and touch roller coasters- it's so close! But if you aren't going to be spending a lot of time in your room besides sleeping, showering and dressing, couldn't that money be better spent?
pxefig
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
All races are released knowing there are x number of people who sign up who won't make it. Disney obviously knows this or their deferral process wouldn't be as elaborate as it is!
huggybuff
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2013
I agree, DLH is my favorite of the three Disney properties too. Trader Sam's! But really, the rooms themselves are the best IMO as they've been refurbished most recently. I love the DTD access and just the overall feel of the place. Oh, and Steakhouse 55. Love that restaurant for breakfast! Now I'm really on the fence about staying off property after this discussion. Ouch my poor wallet.
pclvnmcky88
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2015
Thanks for your input! As far as tickets go, I was reading about 2015 Tink and it said that for every 3 of more consecutive nights at a Disneyland hotel they would give a $25 credit per night towards the purchase of tickets (this is going through the runDisney travel option). I'm not sure if this would be worth it or not. With the hotels, we would be there the 6th-10th but only going to the parks on the 8th and 9th. The other time will be spent at the expo, running, relaxing, and doing other things.
SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
I feel like I've started a "sign up but we might defer" club ... oops?
For me, the biggest issues are my work situation, which is very up in the air, and my sister's class schedule. If my sister doesn't have Friday classes (which we're hoping is the case), then I'll try my hardest to make sure I can get that Friday off no matter what my work situation is. If she does have to take a Friday class then we'll have to defer (because we can't fly on Friday night or Saturday) no matter what my work situation is. So I have no idea what our odds are of doing it vs. having to defer, but since my plan is to do it if at all possible, I don't feel like I'm taking a spot away from someone, just leaving myself the option of not doing it if it becomes impossible.
pxefig
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
The whole thing is, I don't feel like someone who defers IS taking away from someone else's spot. They've been doing this for more than 20 years- runDisney knows the percentage of people who won't be able to make it. Deferrals are part of the number they initially allow to sign up, and they make money off of people who defer with all those fees, so in their mind it's a win all around.
Ok, in the category of things that are probably only interesting to me, my sister in law from Canada just texted me asking when the registration for Tink opens because "we are totally doing this right?!" So as long as I can get PDC and 5k on registration opening, I will be there for the weekend! I have my exit buddy!
SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
I get that. In the 20 years they've had these races, rD has definitely figured out some of what they're doing, and it would make sense that they build deferrals into their race numbers.
I'm also wondering if maybe they take the deferrals and hand those spots over to TAs or charities ... in which case your deferral is allowing someone else to race!
Yay!! I really hope you guys can get in!!
huggybuff
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2013
kim3339
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2010
They also take your picture at the bib pickup area after you get your bracelet. They say it's to match up the person picking up the bib and running, but I haven't had anyone check my pic yet. They're doing the same thing w/ the challenges.
For the hotel prices, unless you're staying at 1 of the 3 resorts, you can find cheaper right now on your own, especially if you have an AAA card. I booked BW Stovall's across the street from the corrals a few months ago and got the room for I think $100 a night. If you're staying onsite, DLH is my fave like others and the expo is there, but the finish line and staging corral is at Paradise Pier as well as the corrals lining up in front of it so getting back to your room and to the starting line would be the shortest there.Question for those who have run Tink before. Did you go through runDisney to book your hotel and park tickets? Were the discounts worth going that route? Also, I am debating between staying at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. For convenience I know the first would be best; however, in terms of theme park views Paradise Pier looks to be fun. My mother will be joining me so it'll be a girl's weekend
VickiHD
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
Kim,
Usually we're at Stovalls, but this time we're staying on Harbor so I'll have a longer walk in the morning. Can I cut through the Grand or walk over to DL hotel turn left and zig zag back to PPH for corrals ?? In the past I've always have had that short morning walk...mixing it up for next year. We want a shorter walk to the park especially for the 5K morning for the mouseketeer.
Not sure when you are heading down but have a GREAT weekend. If your driving...we had road construction on the way back home near Kettleman. It looked like a large project so I'm sure it's still going on.
kim3339
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2010
Yup, you can cut through. Just go in through the entrance right by Sephora and you're good. Is this the mouseketeer's 1st one!?! That's crazy or makes me feel old b/c I remember you mentioning the kids races for what does not even seem long enough yet.
I forget, have you done this 5k before or is it the 1st time?Headed down next weekend and I get to fly this time.
I was going to drive, but when SWA had that great sale, it ended being way cheaper b/c I had enough points for the way down for free.
VickiHD
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
Yup, you can cut through. Just go in through the entrance right by Sephora and you're good. Is this the mouseketeer's 1st one!?! That's crazy or makes me feel old b/c I remember you mentioning the kids races for what does not even seem long enough yet.
Headed down next weekend and I get to fly this time.
Love those SWA points !!!!!!!
It is the mousekteer's first 5K and we will see. He's aged out of the kids races and since they don't have 1 mile race for the kids...well it's the 5K for him. I just hope he doesn't hate it with the crowds. He's so used to the kid races so I'm a little nervous about this one. But with training and staying in the parks we will try our best. You've done the 5k recently any suggestions for us? Do they have the families with the kid in the back or all over?
kelly 1
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
I'm in for PDC 2016! I ran last year for the first time and was hooked!
Question for those who have run Tink before. Did you go through runDisney to book your hotel and park tickets? Were the discounts worth going that route? Also, I am debating between staying at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. For convenience I know the first would be best; however, in terms of theme park views Paradise Pier looks to be fun. My mother will be joining me so it'll be a girl's weekend
I have used TA for a few runs now. Very happy with the service. And it took the stress out of registration. I stay at the DL Hotel in the Frontier Tower the event is just out the back door across a small parking lot. I let the TA do everything for me no headaches. It has worked perfectly for me.
Booked DDD in September tried to get in regular registration no luck had two devices trying to get registered no luck just kept watching the bar on the side as it was filling and then the dreaded sold out. That when I started contacting the TA's was lucky to buy a bib. I found this method so easy.
kim3339
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2010
You guys are going to have sooooo much fun, the course is my absolute favorite. It just has a different, more magical feel than the other 5ks. If it stays the same, everything is inside the parks or backstage. We start at Pixie Hollow by the castle and head towards IASW. It's backstage and come out by Mickey's house, backstage again behind Storybook. You go through a small tunnel about 40 ft and they decorate the outside and there's a little bit of fog, really fun. We come out by the bathrooms across from Casey Jr. Then down to Rivers of America and backstage by Splash. We come out behind Indy over by the tram stop and along the entrance to DL and backstage by Harbor and over to DCA via the underpass like the 1/2. We go by Bugs Land and Cars Land then around over to Paradise Pier and the finish is by LM. The mile markers are really themed out, more than the 1/2 and there's a cool photo stop by where Maliboomer used to be w/ a giant NaNa and backdrop of the nursery. There are some character stops and pirates encouraging you especially the kids.
The one aspect that's different is the starting area. B/c we start inside, there are no corrals it's 1st come 1st line up. We line up around the hub then down Main St. The gates open at 4:30 so you can line up whenever you want. They have waves so you'll have a little spacing in b/w. There's always a lot of kids and families doing this one and spread so he won't be alone. All of the waves are a mix of runners and walkers and families. I take a lot of pics during the 5k and have always been up front near the start and haven't been pushed or felt crowded, I just get over to the right side and it's fine. I think the race maxes out at 4,500 or 5,000. The finish area after can get a tad congested, but it's mostly b/c there's not a lot of room and there are the medals, food and post race photos. You walk over by Grizzly River Run to the front of the park and go out like normal. There are also lots of costumes for the race too.
I think he'll love it and have a blast.
VickiHD
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
You guys are going to have sooooo much fun, the course is my absolute favorite. It just has a different, more magical feel than the other 5ks. If it stays the same, everything is inside the parks or backstage. We start at Pixie Hollow by the castle and head towards IASW. It's backstage and come out by Mickey's house, backstage again behind Storybook. You go through a small tunnel about 40 ft and they decorate the outside and there's a little bit of fog, really fun. We come out by the bathrooms across from Casey Jr. Then down to Rivers of America and backstage by Splash. We come out behind Indy over by the tram stop and along the entrance to DL and backstage by Harbor and over to DCA via the underpass like the 1/2. We go by Bugs Land and Cars Land then around over to Paradise Pier and the finish is by LM. The mile markers are really themed out, more than the 1/2 and there's a cool photo stop by where Maliboomer used to be w/ a giant NaNa and backdrop of the nursery. There are some character stops and pirates encouraging you especially the kids.
The one aspect that's different is the starting area. B/c we start inside, there are no corrals it's 1st come 1st line up. We line up around the hub then down Main St. The gates open at 4:30 so you can line up whenever you want. They have waves so you'll have a little spacing in b/w. There's always a lot of kids and families doing this one and spread so he won't be alone. All of the waves are a mix of runners and walkers and families. I take a lot of pics during the 5k and have always been up front near the start and haven't been pushed or felt crowded, I just get over to the right side and it's fine. I think the race maxes out at 4,500 or 5,000. The finish area after can get a tad congested, but it's mostly b/c there's not a lot of room and there are the medals, food and post race photos. You walk over by Grizzly River Run to the front of the park and go out like normal. There are also lots of costumes for the race too.
I think he'll love it and have a blast.
Thanks for the detailed info !!!!!
Your memory is amazing when it comes to these race courses. I have to admit I just follow the people in front of me. 
After reading your description I really excited to do this, it sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks
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