Faith, Trust, And 58% Less Pixie Dust: A 2016 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Trip Report!

[Ariel484]

How fun that you met up with some Dis-ers! I love that.

It was fun! I still have 1 more meet on the weekend.

I am so excited to finally see Paint the Night. I like my small town parade every summer, but it wasn't until FOF that I was really entertained by a parade. I'm sure Paint the Night is even better. If you're not a parade person and liked it, that says something

It's a fun parade for sure - it puts MSEP to shame though!

Radiator Springs looks very cool, that wasn't there on my last trip to DL. And It's clearly much easier to navigate the DL paper FP system, just more walking, which I am never opposed to.

More walking at Disneyland overall I would say, since the parks are so close together (so it's easier to park hop) and, in our case, we could walk to the hotel. But yeah, it was nice to get the paper fastpasses.

That parade looks incredible. Again, it's been years since I've even seen MSEP, so that's on the list for November (and FOF) when I go solo as DH is not a parade person (like you).

FoF is really good - I liked it better than Disneyland's Soundsational. As I said above, Paint the Night is WAY better than MSEP!

Wow, great recap of the 5K! I totally agree on the easiness of DL races, especially with the time change (EDT for me) it felt like I got to sleep in! So strange about the corral-less 5K, you'd think that they'd have something to help everyone line up in a more orderly fashion? I run a local 5K that usually has a few thousand participants and they still have pace signs on sticks that you line up behind. But maybe since rD 5Ks are more "fun run" than a race, that's why? I don't know. I totally agree on not running #alltheraces - Dopey was only my second rD 5K and they're really not my thing because of ROI; of course I reserve the right to change my mind if my husband decides he'd like to do a Star Wars one with me next year!

Same time change for me, and it definitely worked well for West coast races. The 5Ks at WDW are technically "fun runs" as well, as is the Disneyland 5K in September, and all of those have corrals...I'm thinking it's because Never Land 5K starts in the park.

I do agree about the ROI with the Disney 5Ks. Definitely something to think about.

PhotoPass was amazing! I thought they did a great job at Dark Side weekend last month and of course I was pleased to get the photos free when I'd just paid over $100 to MarathonFoto in January! So awesome that they included yours with your previously-purchased PAP (which I'm still really jealous of, BTW!). Love the mid-leap shot, too! Girl, you don't look like you just came off a major injury to me, and that's a very, very good thing! Yay!

Ha, thanks! I still feel like it...I can still feel that I've lost so much endurance/speed, but at least the pain from the injury is better.

So nice that you were able to do a race weekend on Mother's Day with your mom! And I'm glad she was able to go on a few rides with you. My mom has similar issues, so I know exactly what you're talking about. It's the reason I love coasters - my dad coerced me on accompanying him on them from a young, formative age! It sounds like a really nice weekend so far.

Me too. I think the ones that we did were about her limit, sadly. She was never into coasters when we were younger (before the vertigo happened) so I guess it's not really all that different!

Aw, you are too sweet to say so and it was so nice to meet you in person as well. In my awkward shyness, I forgot to tell you that your BB-8 hoodie was too cool and it's what caught my eye on my way out (I may or may not have a slight BB-8 obsession ). I also thought it was weird that that whole new section at Cove Bar was empty when they were telling everyone at least an hour wait. But maybe they underestimated crowd sizes and didn't have enough staff that day? I don't know, but they did open it up later in the weekend.

I am awkward and shy when it comes to meeting new people, so I'm not sure I would have gotten myself to actually say hi first, so I'm glad that you did. I love my BB-8 hoodie too, I've been wearing it daily!!

I love the Harvey's wallet, all those retro attraction posters are so cool! Enjoying your TR and race recaps, looking forward to the 10K.

I love it took. I just got the matching Tiki Room and Haunted Mansion bags...love them!

Okay, apparently I missed and lot and have to catch up now ...

That may actually be the greatest thing ever. Starting the race in the park. So cool!

It was cool...it was neat to be there with such a small crowd of people (I think they said only 4,500 were doing this race).

So ... this is interesting. But good info to have ... because I would for sure show up first hoping to be in corral A. Now I know that I can sleep in a bit (because, well, sleep) and have a better chance to being in the first corral.

Just definitely make sure you study the course map ahead of time, that way you'll know where to line up. We just lucked into it!

That is super awesome! Why can't they do that at WDW? Tinker Bell can totally fly over the Epcot parking lots, right???

I feel like there are lots of things they could do at WDW to make the races a little cooler - example being how lots of people thought they'd project the Death Star onto Spaceship Earth for the Star Wars races. That would have been awesome!

That would totally drive me crazy. The only time I ever did a race without a big start line was a small local race ... and that had timing mats (and I still started my watch early because I was nervous). No sign showing you where it officially starts? This is a weird race!

It DID!! I was so annoyed by that!!

Really? No entertainment backstage? That's kinda sad.

I know! I guess it's like when you run the WDW 5K and go through the Epcot parking lot...but still!!

Holy cow. That mile marker is awesome!

Yeah, they went all out for the mile markers!

YES!!! I love this!
Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged when things aren't as amazing as you expect. But ... you're running in a Disney race. In the Disney parks. That's an awesome race, whether there's on-course entertainment or not!

Yeah, I mean...I was in Disneyland instead of work, so I couldn't really complain!

I love it!

Yay Cars Land!

Okay, so ... either I have no sense of space (highly possible) or you're like 3 feet off the ground there. Awesome!

It's all the Pixie Dust!!

This mile totally screams "Pirates of the Caribbean" to me!

I agree! Another great mile marker!

Yes! My favorite part of Disneyland Resort too But definitely weird that Mickey's Fun Wheel of Death wasn't lit up.

Yeah, for the Disneyland races they had the fun wheel and some of the World of Color fountains lit up! I sort of missed that during this weekend!

I think you should have told them the story of Princess Shannon, who came back from injury to rock the 5K!

Dang, I totally should have! I have heard that story before, it's a good one!

You both look like you're having fun!

We were!!

OMG! I love that!
Also ... I was very excited to see this picture on INKnBURN's Instagram account!

Ahh, me too!! I took a screenshot and saved it because I'm a dork.

Well ... it happens sometimes, I guess...

Maybe I just let her beat me because it was Mother's Day weekend...yeah, that's it! Respect your parents and all that!

Yay!!

Pain-free is awesome, and it's great that your mom enjoyed the race!
Every race is an experience, and even if what you learned from this race is that you don't want to do the 5Ks anymore ... you wouldn't have known that without doing this race.

Very true. It has definitely given me a bit to think about. I enjoyed the race, but I didn't come away from it being like, "yes, I must do that one again!"

Lots of great merch! I've never really be interested in the Harveys wallets/bags, but they're definitely very interesting!

I agree on Harveys...I wanted to make the switch to them from Dooneys because they are cheaper, more durable, and vegan, but I haven't really found any styles from them that I have loved until these DL 60 styles. They're pretty cool!

Yay DISmeet!!

Woohoo!!

I don't know. I really don't.
But you look great

Haha, thanks! It looks like @roxymama has solved it for us!!

Yay for your mom being able to do Little Mermaid! It may not be Radiator Spring Racers, but that's a solid attraction! (Even if they queue isn't as fun as the one in Florida)

Yay!! I'm not sure if she actually liked it, but at least I got her on a ride at California Adventure!

Agree on the queue. I did like being able to just walk right on though!

Yay DISmeet #2!

World of Color is the best.
(I mean, I haven't seen Paint the Night or Disneyland Forever yet, but ... World of Color!!)

Seriously, that show gives me sooooo many feeeeeelings. It's perfect.

Double Starbucks days are awesome. Even if they sometimes mean there was less sleep than there should have been.

EXACTLY.

Yay for finding a good spot!
And OMG those pictures ... looks beautiful!

Yes, a spot were people weren't all up in our space! Made the parade that much better!

Early bedtimes ... that's definitely one of the downsides of races.
I'm excited to read the 10K recap!

Yes! I am not good with early bedtimes, for sure!!

That breakfast looks great! I probably would've ordered what your mom did.

It was really good. The potatoes were the best part...and there are lots of cool old photos on the walls. Good restaurant.

Carsland looks awesome and it's one of the big reasons I want to go to Disneyland.

It is awesome. I hate to say it, but it puts WDW to shame.

At first I though Donald was maybe wearing like a sports jersey but then I don't understand what's on his head. Such a weird outfit.

Very weird!!

RSR is something I have to experience. That sucks your mom couldn't go on it.

Yes, it is LIGHT YEARS better than Test Track! And I don't even like "Cars."

The little mermaid ride is always fun.

Yes, a classic!

The cove looks good. I think my being hungry right now makes it look even better.

It IS good. I've only had the fajita rolls and the sliders, but they were tasty. They have lobster nachos that are supposed to be awesome, too (I'm not a seafood eater).

I love the DL small world especially the way it looks at Christmas time and how it goes outside.

I do too. It's a classic.

The plaza seems like a solid choice!

It is!! Fried chicken is always a good decision.

Paint the night looks awesome and I really wish they would change or update the MSEP in WDW.

I'm with you on that one. I'm still mourning the loss of Spectromagic.

That mug looks cool. I personally like the Starbucks you are here mugs.

I like those, too! Mom didn't seem interested in them.

I know what Donakd is wearing!! I know because I have my pawpaw's old yearbooks. It's a freshman hat from the 20's/30's. Freshmen guys wore them in college (maybe high school too.). He's got his college sweater and beanie on!!! Here's examples
View attachment 168697

View attachment 168698

Edited to add... I finally made the connection that this is what Jughead is wearing in all the Archie comics!

THANK YOU!! Mystery solved!!

I seriously was just looking at him like, "...Donald, I love ya, but WHAT?!"

 

[ZellyB]

Loved the race recap. I said this on instagram, but that leaping shot is just the best. I'm very impressed with the photopass pictures!! The lack of corrals is weird and I'd have been ticked off if I got there early and ended up in the back. But, I'm glad it worked out well for you!

Sounds like you managed to get a lot done in the parks as well even if the weather wasn't very agreeable. Seeing paper fastpasses makes me miss the good old days of those at WDW. *sigh*

 

[Ariel484]

Loved the race recap. I said this on instagram, but that leaping shot is just the best. I'm very impressed with the photopass pictures!!

Me too! I just couldn't believe how good they were with this only being their second event after Dark Side.

The lack of corrals is weird and I'd have been ticked off if I got there early and ended up in the back. But, I'm glad it worked out well for you!

I know, that was really surprising that they did it like that. Good to remember for the future.

Sounds like you managed to get a lot done in the parks as well even if the weather wasn't very agreeable. Seeing paper fastpasses makes me miss the good old days of those at WDW. *sigh*

I know what you mean. I like FP+ in some ways, but it was nice to be able to grab a bunch of the paper ones.

 

[Ariel484]

Day 3: Saturday, May 7, 2016

2016 Tinker Bell 10K! The Start!

Amiright?

I was so afraid I would sleep through this race - not sure why. I set multiple alarms and got up right on time.

Got dressed, and headed outside...into chilly rain! Nooooo!!!

I quickly headed into Downtown Disney and right into the Earl! The rain was light, but steady, if that makes sense? I saw others walking to corrals wearing throwaway clothes, garbage bags, etc...NOPE. I was gonna sit my butt right here in the Earl to wait out the rain!

I plopped down in a chair at about 4:50AM and immediately pulled up the radar on my phone - per the radar, there was pretty much zero precipitation over Anaheim! Hopefully it would go away soon.

At 5:10 I decided that I really needed to get going (the race program said we should be in corrals for 5:15 for the 5:30 start). It looked like the rain had let up significantly by then - sure enough, when I got outside, it was almost completely gone. Whew!

I followed the crowds to Disneyland Drive and headed into Corral B, right outside of the Grand Californian.

From there I proceeded to creep my way up as close to the front of the corral as possible.

Today, a CM from some fairy show in Disneyland sang the National Anthem. Very nice. Corral A started at 5:30.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

2016 Tinker Bell 10K! Miles 1 & 2

And it was our turn to start at 5:38AM! Disneyland races don’t have fireworks like WDW races do...I think because the hotels and houses are so close to the starting areas.

3-2-1-GOOOOOOOOO!

I had actually taken a better look at the course map for this race, so I knew that the first two miles were going to be non-park miles. I decided to try to get these done somewhat quickly!

I also remember thinking that the course seemed hilly...which is funny because looking at my Garmin stats, there was an elevation gain of a whopping 26 feet. That’s nothing!

I remember thinking it was odd that there was no clock...turns out it was just beyond the mile marker:

There’s the Matterhorn! Can’t imagine just driving through this area on my daily commute and seeing the Matterhorn in the distance…

Again, no entertainment for the non-park stretch. But that’s okay because it’s over!

Toontown! By now I needed yet another attitude adjustment - similar to the 5K I was disappointed with the lack of entertainment, and the race was almost a third of the way done! So I decided to set a somewhat weird goal for myself - to take my sweet time. Use every last second of the 16:00/mile that I was allotted to finish the race. Get my money’s worth, so to speak. I thought it would be sort of a fun challenge to try to get my average pace as close to the maximum 16:00/mile as possible. I think weird things are fun.

With that in mind...Toontown photoshoot!

And Mile Marker 2!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

2016 Tinker Bell 10K! Mile 3

We ran into Fantasyland, passing It’s A Small World.

Unlike yesterday, we were in the park for WAY longer - yay! And we got to run through the castle!

See the little alcove sort of thing in this picture? Where the woman in the red top is standing? There was another one a little further down and I scooted into it to get a shot of the castle.

And then I waited a bit for the crowd to clear out before going back onto the course...and I am SO glad that I did. Not only because it’s, you know, good race etiquette, but because it allowed me to get THE SHOT.

Here is where I say that Disney PhotoPass is pretty amazing. It was really nice to have the photos for free, but I’m sure I would have paid for this one - I’ll probably never top it.

I mean, really - there’s almost no one around me, I don’t look too fat (trust me, plenty of my pictures are, shall we say, less-than-flattering), you can see my outfit really well, the castle is there, the lighting is perfect...OBSESSED.

Alright, now that I have gazed upon my amazing photo long enough...

In the interest of using up all of my time and getting my free pics, I pulled off of the course once again. No PhotoPass pictures showed up for this one, though, and it didn’t turn out quite as well as I had hoped (should have tucked my shirt in, I guess?)...

...but still! The Phoenix/Lady Fawkes rises!

Back on the course, I headed toward Frontierland - and FINALLY. A character stop!

How come WDW races don’t have these signs?? So helpful!

I skipped the meeting with...these ladies. Whoever they are.

Silvermist and Vida or something? Too lazy to Google.

Thumbs up for New Orleans Square!

Haunted Mansion! Yay!

Empty! (I told you, alllll of the pictures!)

And empty again! Empty Main Street! Obviously I had to stop for this!

We headed up the path around the Matterhorn and into Tomorrowland - seriously, LOVING all of the park time on this course!

Mile Marker 3! Oh yeah, a race is happening!

Continued in Next Post

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Love the castle picture! Photo pass is doing an awesome job at WDW and DL, I'm so glad they switched.

Why can't they have the signs at WDW that say character stop? It would be even better if they said what character was there!

And yes that was Silvermist and Vida, don't thank me, thank my two year old

 

[Ariel484]

Love the castle picture! Photo pass is doing an awesome job at WDW and DL, I'm so glad they switched.

I agree, so impressed with the pictures from the races!

Why can't they have the signs at WDW that say character stop? It would be even better if they said what character was there!

Seriously - and the Mickey hands even point to the direction you need to head to find the character. Love it!

And yes that was Silvermist and Vida, don't thank me, thank my two year old

Ah yes. I should probably study up on this stuff for next year!

 

[ZellyB]

And you are off!! The castle photo is magical! Yeah, I said it!!

Reminds me of the castle shot I got the first year I ran the marathon at WDW. I swear when I got it I thought someone had photoshopped me into it. It was too perfect.

I'm loving all the pictures you got of the park and that is some serious running park time. You are really making me want to run this weekend (even if I would have had NO clue about Silvermist and Vida).

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

Yup, that castle picture is pretty perfect! So now that you've done both how do you think this 10K compares to the 10K during Disneyland half weekend?

 

[rteetz]

Rain sucks but California needs it lol.

That's really weird that the mile markers and clocks were like seperate.

I'm loving what I'm seeing from Photopass and your photos add to that!

WDW really does need those character stop signs. It can't be that difficult.

 

[baxter24]

Seriously great photo pass pics! Seeing what people have been saying about them for this weekend and dark side weekend makes me really excited about marathon weekend in January.

 

[roxymama]

Hey, even the time clocks at Disneyland get souvenir ponchos

If my commute had the matterhorn (or any disney monument) in it...I'd be tempted everyday to just call in sick.
I must say that course looks pretty great and you are only at mile 3. I'm getting really antsy and itchy to run at DL.

I have to comment on the pic of you with two "friend" smiling in the background. This may be the only time in the history of racing photos that three separate people are looking right at the camera and being photogenic at the same time. Is that blue thing in your hand the pouch you were describing that your mom and you bought at the expo? I think I saw those at the last expo I was at and the idea makes sense for us ladies with no pockets in our capris and shorts oftentimes. But I was concerned about the "rubbing" too. This reminds me for the millionth time that I have to unearth my little sweatband with a zipper that I got for free earlier this year.

Oh and that castle pic!!!!!!!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

OMG that castle picture.
Lots of great pictures during this race, but really ... that castle shot. So amazing!

Also, I love the idea of using all of your time. That's basically my goal going into Disney races (of course, I also tend to go well over that 16:00 min/mile limit), and I find that it makes it a lot easier to feel like you're really taking in everything that the race has to offer!

 

[Ariel484]

And you are off!! The castle photo is magical! Yeah, I said it!!

Yeah ya did!! I have to agree!

Reminds me of the castle shot I got the first year I ran the marathon at WDW. I swear when I got it I thought someone had photoshopped me into it. It was too perfect.

I sort of think the same about mine - especially because I am "brighter" looking than the others behind me, who I feel like almost look muted? I think the picture of me jumping during the 5K looks way more photoshopped though!!

I'm loving all the pictures you got of the park and that is some serious running park time. You are really making me want to run this weekend (even if I would have had NO clue about Silvermist and Vida).

This race has made me come to the conclusion that Disneyland 10Ks are basically the greatest thing ever. SO MUCH PARK TIME! They seem to be the most "worth it" to me as far as what you pay vs. how much park time you get.

Yup, that castle picture is pretty perfect! So now that you've done both how do you think this 10K compares to the 10K during Disneyland half weekend?

I'd say the courses are similar - as in, lots and lots of park time, so that is awesome. The Disneyland 10K is still the best race I have run there, though, simply because it had an amazing character line-up!

Rain sucks but California needs it lol.

Very true!!

That's really weird that the mile markers and clocks were like seperate.

Yeah, I don't know if maybe there wasn't room to have them side-by-side or something??

I'm loving what I'm seeing from Photopass and your photos add to that!

Yeah, not all of them were winners, but the ones that were great were seriously great!!

WDW really does need those character stop signs. It can't be that difficult.

I agree! The hand even points in the direction that you need to go - genius!!

Seriously great photo pass pics! Seeing what people have been saying about them for this weekend and dark side weekend makes me really excited about marathon weekend in January.

Me too! I've never been excited for race photos, but these are great quality and obviously we have awesome backdrops at Disney races, so we're bound to get some good ones!

Hey, even the time clocks at Disneyland get souvenir ponchos

Bwahahaha, how magical!

If my commute had the matterhorn (or any disney monument) in it...I'd be tempted everyday to just call in sick.
I must say that course looks pretty great and you are only at mile 3. I'm getting really antsy and itchy to run at DL.

How does May of 2017 work for you?!

I have to comment on the pic of you with two "friend" smiling in the background. This may be the only time in the history of racing photos that three separate people are looking right at the camera and being photogenic at the same time. Is that blue thing in your hand the pouch you were describing that your mom and you bought at the expo? I think I saw those at the last expo I was at and the idea makes sense for us ladies with no pockets in our capris and shorts oftentimes. But I was concerned about the "rubbing" too. This reminds me for the millionth time that I have to unearth my little sweatband with a zipper that I got for free earlier this year.

I thought the same thing - we all look downright pleasant in that photo.

Yes, that's what the blue thing is. It wasn't rubbing so much as it was bouncing...which maybe means I should have tightened the drawstring on my skirt. But I hate myself for forgetting to put it down/hide it in almost ALL of my photos!

Oh and that castle pic!!!!!!!!!

Right??? I wonder if I can use that on my drivers license...

OMG that castle picture.
Lots of great pictures during this race, but really ... that castle shot. So amazing!

I feel so full of myself being so into a picture of myself...BUT REALLY, IT'S AMAZING.

Also, I love the idea of using all of your time. That's basically my goal going into Disney races (of course, I also tend to go well over that 16:00 min/mile limit), and I find that it makes it a lot easier to feel like you're really taking in everything that the race has to offer!

I agree! I know that some people don't agree with/don't understand it, but I am not about to try to PR at Disney. I can do that at home for way cheaper!!

 

[Sailormoon2]

Yes the photos are amazing, but I still can't get over how empty the course is!!

 

[pxefig]

I'm loving all the race photos! The perfect castle shot is also a both feet off the ground running shot which is like my elusive dream running shot. Lady Fawkes was flying!
At the Dark Side half they blew my mind with the character stops because they had a human calling out what side the character was on, which one is was and *gasp* estimated wait time! Blew my mind at how helpful it was. I hope runDisney starts doing that more often.
And look at you getting Silvermist and Vidia's names right! You absorbed something from the weekend whether you wanted to or not!

 

[dis_or_dat]

Great recap and pictures! Dumb question, but how did you get those awesome pictures if photopass wasn't there? I ended up "racing" (since I never run races), and so my time in the parks was a blur. I would never have believed I ran through Toon Town and Tomorrowland if I didn't see it on the course map. Your strategy is much wiser!

 

[dancingtodisney]

HEY!! Just caught up on your TR!

I don't think I'll be heading to Disneyland California anytime in the near future so I like to live vicariously through your TR's...

Mini rant: I am NOT impressed with United after this trip. I'd booked my flights month ago and they were changed multiple times.

Now that your famous and all I figured you'd be flying the private jet?

These were definitely made for you! I really like the colour with the red rim!

I'M SO FRICKEN JEALOUS!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

I was able to walk up and pick out a wristlet for my mom. I got 20% off with my AP!

The wristlet is really cute... very lucky mammy!

And headed into the hotel. Look who was there! Goofy! On his way to open up Goofy’s Kitchen for dinner!

Oh I love me some Goofy! Really nice picture...

This is such a cool night time shot!!

Here's something...Disney PhotoPass now does the photography for runDisney races. As a Premier AP holder, I got free race photos! So you'll be seeing lots of my smiling face in this report - sorry!

This is GREAT news!! About time too!

So while we were standing there, I actually decided to pull up the course map (that's a bad habit I have - signing up for races and then not looking at the map ). And it occurred to me that by arriving late and ended up where we were, we were actually right at the front near the starting line! The announcers kept referring to "corrals" even though there were no assignments, signs, etc. Eventually it was confirmed that we had found ourselves in "corral A." And I felt sooooo bad for everyone that had arrived earlier, because they were in the back corrals. I would have been so angry!

Haha... brilliant!! Great news for you! I would be SO ANNOYED if I'd arrived early only to find myself at the back! Seems like a strange thing to do!

They sure did put some effort into the Mile Markers though...

Somewhere in here I got a text from my mom that she had finished! She beat me!!

These photopass pictures are great!

Use every last second of the 16:00/mile that I was allotted to finish the race. Get my money’s worth, so to speak. I thought it would be sort of a fun challenge to try to get my average pace as close to the maximum 16:00/mile as possible. I think weird things are fun.

With that in mind...Toontown photoshoot!

YES I like this game!! I played this game in the WDW Marathon... hahaha

Here is where I say that Disney PhotoPass is pretty amazing. It was really nice to have the photos for free, but I’m sure I would have paid for this one - I’ll probably never top it.

FLAWLESS!!!

Seriously these photos are great, the photopass photographers are killing it! I was quite dissappointed in my photo package from Dopey as we proper cheesed it up for the cameras but it just seemed like they didn't put the effort in to get the right shots.

Empty! (I told you, alllll of the pictures!)

And empty again! Empty Main Street! Obviously I had to stop for this!

Is this on the course route?? That's crazy!!! Great shots!

Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[Ariel484]

Yes the photos are amazing, but I still can't get over how empty the course is!!

So awesome!!

I'm loving all the race photos! The perfect castle shot is also a both feet off the ground running shot which is like my elusive dream running shot. Lady Fawkes was flying!

yeah, like I said before...I will never top that photo.

At the Dark Side half they blew my mind with the character stops because they had a human calling out what side the character was on, which one is was and *gasp* estimated wait time! Blew my mind at how helpful it was. I hope runDisney starts doing that more often.

Ahhhh, that is so nice!! runDisney, I know you're reading (J/K LOLOL) - keep doing things like this!!

And look at you getting Silvermist and Vidia's names right! You absorbed something from the weekend whether you wanted to or not!

Who am I?!

Great recap and pictures! Dumb question, but how did you get those awesome pictures if photopass wasn't there?

Thank you! I had my phone with me and would give it to a CM or fellow runner - they were nice enough to take pictures for me.

I ended up "racing" (since I never run races), and so my time in the parks was a blur. I would never have believed I ran through Toon Town and Tomorrowland if I didn't see it on the course map. Your strategy is much wiser!

I never "race" at Disney. If I want to try to run a race for a good time, I do it at home. Much cheaper that way, and I don't feel guilty about frolicking my way through the parks.

HEY!! Just caught up on your TR!

HEY!

I don't think I'll be heading to Disneyland California anytime in the near future so I like to live vicariously through your TR's...

You should get out there! I highly recommend it.

Now that your famous and all I figured you'd be flying the private jet?

Psssh, who's famous?! Not moi!

These were definitely made for you! I really like the colour with the red rim!

Me toooooo

I'M SO FRICKEN JEALOUS!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Me too! Especially since I've actually seen the movie now!!

The wristlet is really cute... very lucky mammy!

She is lucky, isn't she?!

Oh I love me some Goofy! Really nice picture...

I think you mean DOOFY!

This is such a cool night time shot!!

Thanks! It was so hard to get a decent picture of that hat!

This is GREAT news!! About time too!

I agree!! Bye-bye, MarathonFoto!!

Haha... brilliant!! Great news for you! I would be SO ANNOYED if I'd arrived early only to find myself at the back! Seems like a strange thing to do!

Yeah, I really don't understand the motivation between their non-corral corralling system.

These photopass pictures are great!

I agree!!

YES I like this game!! I played this game in the WDW Marathon... hahaha

It's fun, right?!

FLAWLESS!!!

Seriously these photos are great, the photopass photographers are killing it! I was quite dissappointed in my photo package from Dopey as we proper cheesed it up for the cameras but it just seemed like they didn't put the effort in to get the right shots.

I know! Not all of the pictures were perfect, but there were definitely some good ones, and I felt like they were sharper/better quality than what I have seen from MarathonFoto - and cheaper, too!! If I didn't have the AP I think I could have gotten all of my race photos for $39 per race.

Is this on the course route?? That's crazy!!! Great shots!

Yes!! The races go through Downtown Disney to finish by the Disneyland Hotel!

Looking forward to the next installment!