2008 Disneyland Half - Who's Going?

[mkymsehi]

THEME PARK TICKETS
As part of your Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend, be sure to make time for a visit to the Disneyland® Theme Parks during The Year of a Million Dreams celebration. Take advantage of specially priced theme park tickets available only to Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend participants and their family and friends. These specially priced tickets must be ordered in advance by calling 888-877-4445

Disneyland Theme Park Tickets:Adult TicketChild Ticket
Twilight Theme Park Ticket
$52.00$49.00
One Day-One Park All Day Theme Park Ticket
$62.00Call
One Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket
$83.00$80.00
Two Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket
$113.00$110.00
Three Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket
$138.00$135.00
Four Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket
$152.00$150.00

If you have any questions regarding purchasing a package, please contact our Customer Care at (888) 877-4445.


TICKET ENTITLEMENTS
[FONT=Arial,Verdana]Twilight Theme Park Ticket – Valid after 4:00 pm or 6 hours before park closes, whichever is EARLIER. Disneyland Resort Sports Twilight Ticket (ages 3 and older) includes one admission to either Disneyland® park or Disney’s California Adventure® park, but not both.
One Day-One Park All Day Theme Park Ticket – Disneyland® Resort 1-Day Ticket (all ages 3 and older) includes one-day admission either Disneyland® park or Disney’s California Adventure® park, but not both.
One Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket – Disneyland® Resort 1-Day Park Hopper® Ticket (ages 3 and older) included one day admission to Disneyland® park or Disney’s California Adventure® park on the same day, including re-entry privileges on such day.
Two Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket – Disneyland® Resort 2-Day Park Hopper® Ticket (ages 3 and older) includes two days admission to Disneyland® park or Disney’s California Adventure® park, including visits to both theme parks on the same day, Tickets expire 13 days after first use, and each day of use of a Park Hopper® Ticket constitutes one full day of use.
Three Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket – Disneyland® Resort 3-Day Park Hopper® Ticket (ages 3 and older) includes three days admission to Disneyland® park or Disney’s California Adventure® park, including visits to both theme parks on the same day, Tickets expire 13 days after first use, and each day of use of a Park Hopper® Ticket constitutes one full day of use.
Four Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket – Disneyland® Resort 3-Day Park Hopper® Ticket (ages 3 and older) includes four days admission to Disneyland® park or Disney’s California Adventure® park, including visits to both theme parks on the same day, Tickets expire 13 days after first use, and each day of use of a Park Hopper® Ticket constitutes one full day of use.
PLEASE NOTE: Theme Park tickets and options are valid (3) three days prior to the Event and (10) ten days post event for a total of (14) fourteen days. Advanced purchase is required. Available to participants, coaches and event spectators only. Prices are available through GET Travel Sports and Events exclusively and include sales tax. All tickets and options are nontransferable and non-refundable. Theme Park tickets to be picked up on site as outlined in the Travel Guide.
[/FONT]

 

[Scott H]

PASTA IN THE PARK PARTY
For the first time, the Disneyland® Half Marathon is offering a special pre-race pasta dinner with Mickey & Minnie inside Disney's California Adventure® Park from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM the night before the big race! The Pasta in the Park Party is available to all participants, their family and their friends on a first come, first serve basis and includes:

· Buffet Pasta Dinner & Dessert at Stage 17 in Disney's California Adventure® Park
· Single Day Disney's California Adventure® Theme Park Ticket
· Character Appearances!
· After Dinner Reserved Disney’s Electrical Parade Viewing (roughly 8:45 PM)
· One Fastpass Attraction Experience

Cost is $125 for adults and $99 for children ages 3-9. For more information or to register visit us online.

YIKES is right!!!!!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Don't forget to add this:

Disneyland® Half Marathon Spectator VIP Package

After a great response last year, we are happy to again offer half marathon spectators a special way to enjoy the race with our Spectator VIP Package. Enjoy finish line seating with a host of amenities and comforts that will make your day at the race truly a VIP experience.

For $119 per person, you will receive:

Reserved finish line seating
Continental breakfast
Reserved restrooms
Reserved parking
Single day theme park ticket (1 day of admission to Disneyland® Park or Disney’s California Adventure® Park, expires 12/11/2008)

 

[escape]

Pat, I think you asked on another thread about other things to do besides going to Disneyland. There are so many possibilities. I'm sure those from the area can chime in here and offer suggestions far better than what I can but I can tell you what we enjoyed in the past...

Touring Paramount Studios
Grauman's Chinese Theater and taking a tour of the Kodak theater (Academy Awards) next to it.
Taking a tour in Hollywood
Going to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (you can order tickets several months in advance)
Going to a taping of a TV show
Visiting Reagan Library (I want to visit Nixon's Library out there sometime)
People watching at Venice Beach
Universal Studios
Knotts Berry Farm (It's been years since I've been there)
Getty Museum
Catching a play

Gosh, I know there's lots more to do....I can't think right now. What kind of things do you like to do?

 

[Vanvmom]

We decided to bite the bullet and stay at the Grand California Hotel for this trip. I told DH that I'd booked it and he did this I was able to bring him around my reminding him that at least we got the AP rate!

Training is going good so far. Oldest DS is already doing 6 miles four times per week. I'm still working on running for 30 minutes without stopping (not stressing about measuring my distance part yet).

I too saw the e-mail about the pre-race pasta, etc. I agree, that price seems steep even for Disney. I also dislike the fact that they so often put together these "packages" that include admission. What about those of us that already have tickets (either multiple day park hoppers or APs)? We don't need a package that includes admission.

 

[drich203]

My name is Rich. This is my first 1/2 Marathon and I'm very excited. I've been trying to get a group together to join me in this run but everyone I know is too lazy or keeps saying, "oh ... I can't do that!" oh well! So it's nice to see people who are as excited about the marathon as I am.

Does anyone have any training tips?

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Rich! Welcome aboard!!

You'll find this is a great group to get tips and advice from! There are people of all different levels, from walkers to speedy runners and everything in between

For training tips...have you been walking or running already? There are many programs online, but I'd recommend picking up a copy of John Bingham's "Marathoning for Mortals" at your local bookstore. He is GREAT at relating running to us common folks and he has some pretty awesome training plans in his book for each level (walk, walk/run, run/walk, and run) for each distance (half marathon and full marathon).

Good luck and congrats on getting accepted into the DL College Program!!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Welcome drich!!!

Glad to have you here. This will be my first DL Half Marathon although I have done 2 WDW half and 2 others this year. I am excited. I am a walker and you will find all levels on this board. I would recommend going over to the WISH Walker/runner Club training thread. It is a weekly thread, so each Sunday it starts again. Everyone there talks about where they are at in training, how they are doing, highs, lows and inbetween. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1780425.

Have a great time. I am not currently training for the Half because I am doing the Minnie Marathon 15k in early May, but will start soon after that.

Hope you enjoy the WISH racing team and glad to have you aboard.!!

 

[MiaBanda]

Hi, my name is Michelle. I did the DL 5k last year and am in for both this year. It will be my first 1/2! I'm still deciding between this and this! So that's why I'm here...the more I can get, the better!

 

[mkymsehi]

Hi, my name is Michelle. I did the DL 5k last year and am in for both this year. It will be my first 1/2! I'm still deciding between this and this! So that's why I'm here...the more I can get, the better!

Welcome to the WISH running group. You'll make it through the half, it's so much fun, you'll be finished before you know it.

Make sure to check the weekly discussion board. A new thread starts every Sunday.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1789732

 

[AuntieM03]

I would also recommend reading John Bingham. He has a great humor, so his books are a fun read.

This will also be my first 1/2. I will be doing mostly walking, with a little running to hopefully keep me from getting swept

It's nice to know that there will be other WISHers there. I'm another that will be running alone as my friends think I am crazy.

 

[grizbuzz]

I was talking with a colleague yesterday and, in jest, threw out the idea of doing a marathon with her. For some reason, a day later that idea has stuck with me as really enticing. I've never done anything like this and would really like to have an event to train for and work towards.

Situation is I've never done a marathon. I do some exercise classes and swimming, but all very low key and when my schedule allows. I think I could use a motivator to get more committed to regular and more strenuous exercise program! I'd really like a personal challenge at this stage of my life.

Is this something doable for a newbie? Would you recommend half marathon or just the 5K? Is the weather going to be miserably hot? Are there spaces still open for the races?

Thanks for any advice/insight you can offer me.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I was talking with a colleague yesterday and, in jest, threw out the idea of doing a marathon with her. For some reason, a day later that idea has stuck with me as really enticing. I've never done anything like this and would really like to have an event to train for and work towards.

Situation is I've never done a marathon. I do some exercise classes and swimming, but all very low key and when my schedule allows. I think I could use a motivator to get more committed to regular and more strenuous exercise program! I'd really like a personal challenge at this stage of my life.

Is this something doable for a newbie? Would you recommend half marathon or just the 5K? Is the weather going to be miserably hot? Are there spaces still open for the races?

Thanks for any advice/insight you can offer me.

The DL 1/2 & 5K are about 50% full so you have time.

If you start now, a 1/2 is doable. I would just go with a goal of finishing and enjoying the Disney experience. I just had 2nd knee surgery and won't be off crutches until June and still plan to do both.

The race is usually very warm and last year was record heat. It is the end of August in LA.

I say go for it and start slowly not to injure yourself. Follow the 10% rule(don't increase more than 10% a week).

See you in Aug

 

[grizbuzz]

The DL 1/2 & 5K are about 50% full so you have time.

If you start now, a 1/2 is doable. I would just go with a goal of finishing and enjoying the Disney experience. I just had 2nd knee surgery and won't be off crutches until June and still plan to do both.

The race is usually very warm and last year was record heat. It is the end of August in LA.

I say go for it and start slowly not to injure yourself. Follow the 10% rule(don't increase more than 10% a week).

See you in Aug

Thanks ultramickeymouse! I just found out that we have a wedding to go to Labor Day weekend, so it doesn't look like this is going to work. But I do feel encouraged to go forward and look for other half marathon or 10K opportunities. Anybody know any good marathons in CA to consider for the Fall? Hopefully I can do the Disneyland race in 2009, though I must admit that the hot weather and Labor Day crowds are a bit discouraging. Wouldn't February or November be better dates for a marathon?

Good luck to all who are entered! I'm inspired to start training for something soon!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hi, I just booked my flight with JetBlue!!! I figured I better go ahead before prices really start to go up. I will be arriving Thursday evening and leaving Sunday evening.
I guess I really have to go now.
Nonrefundable 1/2 marathon and nonrefundable plane tickets = doing the DL Half Marathon.

 

[lap3]

Thanks ultramickeymouse! I just found out that we have a wedding to go to Labor Day weekend, so it doesn't look like this is going to work. But I do feel encouraged to go forward and look for other half marathon or 10K opportunities. Anybody know any good marathons in CA to consider for the Fall? Hopefully I can do the Disneyland race in 2009, though I must admit that the hot weather and Labor Day crowds are a bit discouraging. Wouldn't February or November be better dates for a marathon?

Good luck to all who are entered! I'm inspired to start training for something soon!

Too bad you won't be able to join us. There are several other races throughout CA that may be of interest to you. Check out http://www.competitorsocal.com/Calendar.html?offset=300&limit=25 for some of them...

 

[escape]

Rich and Michelle -

Rich - if it's Disney - we're excited!

Michelle - You can do it! You'll get lots of support here.

dsnyfan21 - I haven't made my flight arrangements yet. I'm hoping the fare will get a little lower than the $400 I'm facing.

grizbuzz - sorry you won't be joining us this year. I know a few people that will be doing the Lake Tahoe half marathon in September. I would think that would be a nice, scenic, fun place to do your first half or full.

 

[grizbuzz]

Too bad you won't be able to join us. There are several other races throughout CA that may be of interest to you. Check out http://www.competitorsocal.com/Calendar.html?offset=300&limit=25 for some of them...

Thanks for the link. I set up a meeting with the personal trainer at our fitness club for next Tuesday. So I'm going to start training and do a half marathon somewhere! And hope to join you all in 2009 at Disneyland.

 

[dsnyfan21]

I will be staying with my aunt except the night before. I want to be able to get up and go in the morning and not have to deal with traffic.
I am deciding between...
Desert Inn and Suites
Carousel Inn and Suites and
Candy Cane Inn.
I see a few people are staying at the Candy Cane and someone staying at the Del Sol.
Not too sure about the Del Sol from the photos of it.
Would like to stay at a place that others are staying at, I will be a solo traveler that night.
Please let me know if anyone is staying at any of these places and your thoughts about any of them.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

 

[mkymsehi]

Tracy,

I usually stay at the Desert Inn and Suites, and I am still holding onto a reservation there, depending if my group of runners grows. 4 of us are signed up so far.

Otherwise, we'll be next door at the Del Sol Inn. It's cheaper this time around vs. the suite at Desert Inn. If you reserve online, and you're a AAA member (or can borrow someone's card), there's a really good rate for two double size beds. The rooms are decent, but don't expect the Disney Grand Californian . Don't be overly concerned about having a AAA card, I've never been asked to show my card at any of the Disney area hotels when checking in.

For me, all I need is a bed, shower, and bathroom. I spend all my time at the parks, so luxury rooms are not a requirement for me.

Most hotels on Harbor Blvd. are good, and convenient. I once stayed at the Ramada Maingate on the corner, that wasn't the best, but it wasn't terrible either.

There is a Holiday Inn off of Ball Road, I think, that is very close to the start and finish line.

I did Priceline once for one night, and was at the Extended Stay America. Few blocks away, but it was like $40 + tax.

Check out this guy's hotel map site, with some reviews.

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html