2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

[DISbot]

My first Disney run is actually the Wine and Dine in November. I am so lucky to be running for a charity. Can you ladies give us first one runners some advice? Are there a lot of character opportunities and do you feel like you have the time to stop? And more importantly, wardrobe! Since it Florida and it is cooler in the early mornings, do you recommended tanks or long sleeves? I am so excited! Thanks in advance

Fun! I'll be at the Wine & Dine (first time W&D) too.

Personally, I'm on the slower end and don't feel a ton of time to stop for photos. I grab a photo as I walk by rather than standing in line for a photo with them - although that may change with it now being memory maker photos (I think?)...

Last Feb. I had a light jacket, which was necessary while freezing in the coral before the start, but tied around my waist as soon as I started running. I don't think I would have made it in long sleeves.

 

[Ariel484]

My first Disney run is actually the Wine and Dine in November. I am so lucky to be running for a charity. Can you ladies give us first one runners some advice? Are there a lot of character opportunities and do you feel like you have the time to stop? And more importantly, wardrobe! Since it Florida and it is cooler in the early mornings, do you recommended tanks or long sleeves? I am so excited! Thanks in advance

Decent number of character stops. It seems like I have read reports of there being less at some of the more recent races, but I'm hopeful! I do feel like I have time to stop, but I try to be choosy - like, if it's a character I can regularly meet in the park, I'll pass them up in hopes of saving that time for a more rare character. There are no autograph books and normally there are 2 CMs handing the cameras (related note: bring your own camera/phone if the pics are meaninful to you, not guaranteed that there will be a photographer at every stop) and there's minimal interaction with the characters, it's not like in the parks where you stop and "talk" to them. So the lines do move quickly, but I think the longest one I waited in was close to 10 minutes.

I'd say come prepared for anything. Bring layers and make a decision race morning - this past year I think there was a wind chill advisory? Or I may be thinking of last year. Btu in the past I've been good in a tank and shorts/running skirt. You can also bring throwaway clothes, like an old sweatshirt or whatever that you can wear while waiting in the corrals. Disney sets up big cardboard boxes to collect the throwaway clothes and they will wash the clothes and donated them to charity.

 

[courtneybeth]

That's a good point about the day of the week. I forgot about that. But the thing with the cost is what I was saying - if they had a tech shirt and metal medal for the 5K, I think there are some people who may choose that over the 10K. Although I guess not enough to make a difference, since having it on a Friday is a big factor. That would be 2 days off work for out of towners since you have to be there Thursday for packet pickup.

Yep - we just booked the flight this morning. Overnight flight, gets in on Thursday at 630am. Bruuuutal from the left coast and we miss two days of work.

I THINK the 5K did eventually but I'm not sure.

Half and 5K did not sell out... which is weird.

Aw yes! I did! The 10K!My friend didn't unfortunately, so I guess I'll be doing my first ever race solo! Hopefully he will still make the trip with me.

Congrats on the happy ending! We'll keep you company in the corrals. I'm sure many of us here will be in the same starting area so you won't be alone

 

[seashell7290]

They must've opened a few more 10L spots since it's currently showing as ON HOLD again instead of SOLD OUT

It says sold out on Rundisney though

 

[Ariel484]

Half and 5K did not sell out... which is weird.

Ah, thanks. I'm not surprised that the half didn't sell out, that seems to be the trend with Disney race weekends lately...I AM surprised that GSC is still open. Not even on hold!

 

[alicat8]

I got in! Had to make a new account, but I'm in for the half! And now I'm terrified....

 

[carrieliz89]

My first Disney run is actually the Wine and Dine in November. I am so lucky to be running for a charity. Can you ladies give us first one runners some advice? Are there a lot of character opportunities and do you feel like you have the time to stop? And more importantly, wardrobe! Since it Florida and it is cooler in the early mornings, do you recommended tanks or long sleeves? I am so excited! Thanks in advance

Hi Jessica! I love the Princess run partially because of the temperature! Each year I have run in some sort of capri pant and tank or short sleeves with my costume, but I have seen MANY folks in long tech sleeves or with a light jacket they're willing to toss along the course. The 2016 start temp was chilly--you could see your breath as you waited, but that meant when you hit those middle miles the heat wasn't SO bad.

In the way of character experiences, there are quite a few, and I rarely have stopped. I like to capture photos with landmarks rather than characters, making it a quicker pause. Regularly, there are others stopping for the same landmarks so you can do a camera trade (without a Disney photographer there), and there is plenty of space with no line to wait in. I also like doing "drive-by" selfies with characters in the background rather than waiting in lines that have been up to 20 minutes or more long for us middle of the pack runners.

If you're in a way-back corral and worried about pacing, be very aware of your stops. Being swept is no myth, and you want to make it through to see all the great characters and magic of MK and Epcot.

I hope this helps!

 

[dcrunner]

Hotel question: In experience of previous runners, do the hotel prices fluctuate a lot/do they ever go on discount, or no because of the weekend popularity? In other words, is it worth waiting to book a hotel or smarter to just get it over with?

 

[carrieliz89]

Hotel question: In experience of previous runners, do the hotel prices fluctuate a lot/do they ever go on discount, or no because of the weekend popularity? In other words, is it worth waiting to book a hotel or smarter to just get it over with?

I would say book early just because of the number of runners booking their travel. Each hotel is a host resort for this race weekend, so that's a good thing, and usually this weekend falls under the spring hotel discount which hasn't been announced yet.

Remember, you can always add any Disney deal/discount to an existing reservation...so I say it's always best to go ahead and book and be pleasantly surprised if you can save some money with an announced discount.

 

[joan4mickey]

Hotel question: In experience of previous runners, do the hotel prices fluctuate a lot/do they ever go on discount, or no because of the weekend popularity? In other words, is it worth waiting to book a hotel or smarter to just get it over with?

I'd say book now and be on top of any discounts that come out this fall. That's what I do

 

[DiannaVM]

My sister and I are registered for the 5K. I am mildly afraid of not being able to keep up because I am terribly out of shape, but surely if little kids can run it I can too? lol I am looking forward to it though. I've never ran a proper 5K before.

 

[derekleigh]

Congrats to everyone who got in! I'm not signing up this time around, but I've got dreams of going for the Glass Slipper Challenge in 2018. Along with everyone else though probably, since it's an anniversary year for all the races.

Sounds like relatively painless registration this year apart from the 10K. I'm totally shocked that the GSC is not sold out yet, and isn't even on hold right now. I think it will still sell out today especially once people get off work and a new group who couldn't get on right away are able to, but this says a lot about what these races have come to, most likely because of price. The 10Ks are the only events going absurdly quick now. Personally I think for the prices they charge, they need to seriously consider having a real medal for the 5K, since I feel that that might help the 10K crush a bit. I can't help but wonder if some people who may not really want to do a 10K do because of the medal, when maybe they'd typically lean towards a 5K. Same as how people feel towards doing the half but going with the 10K since it's shorter. Just my two cents.

I will say I am very happy just about all races are still open. I agree, the 10K sells out so quickly is because a) doable distance for people not wanting to do a half, b) a metal medal, and c) cost is less than a half or challenge.

You are right, for the prices rD charges for the 5K a metal medal should be in the works. I wonder if these 10Ks would sell out as quickly if that was the case.

 

[LindseyJo22]

August is the ideal time to train in Florida

Seriously - I'm in Georgia, and I'm hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised by February running weather in Florida I've got my first "practice" half in October, and I also hope that won't be so blazingly hot. But we shall see! At least we will be prepared

 

[Bree]

I'm in for the 1/2, my very first one. I must have lost my mind! I set up a training schedule for myself starting next month because, you know, August is the ideal time to train in Florida

I live in South Florida. I run very early in the morning or around 7-8pm at night. If I have to run during the day I have been known to go straight to my backyard and jump into the pool fully clothed

 

[Ariel484]

My sister and I are registered for the 5K. I am mildly afraid of not being able to keep up because I am terribly out of shape, but surely if little kids can run it I can too? lol I am looking forward to it though. I've never ran a proper 5K before.

If you train, you'll be able to do it AND have fun during the race. Check out the Couch-to-5K plan and Jeff Galloway's website.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

Seriously - I'm in Georgia, and I'm hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised by February running weather in Florida I've got my first "practice" half in October, and I also hope that won't be so blazingly hot. But we shall see! At least we will be prepared

Good luck! I am dreading the Florida humidity, but at least when we start in the middle of the night it won't be so hot!

 

[txdisneygrl]

My best friend and I are in for the half!! Now we are starting to think about hotels. We are debating between AoA Little Mermaid or crossing our fingers for a discount that will make a royal room more doable. My question is, with both the Princess Weekend and it being the weekend prior to the Mardi Gras break, how fast do people think hotels will book up? I know not everyone gets Mardi Gras off, but I was there with my family one year during Mardi Gras break and after the Mardi Gras-ers left, the difference in the crowds was marked. Thanks for anyone's input!

 

[joan4mickey]

My best friend and I are in for the half!! Now we are starting to think about hotels. We are debating between AoA Little Mermaid or crossing our fingers for a discount that will make a royal room more doable. My question is, with both the Princess Weekend and it being the weekend prior to the Mardi Gras break, how fast do people think hotels will book up? I know not everyone gets Mardi Gras off, but I was there with my family one year during Mardi Gras break and after the Mardi Gras-ers left, the difference in the crowds was marked. Thanks for anyone's input!

It is a weekend following President's Day, making it a busy week with pricey rooms and many schools from the north off for the week. Make plans now and update them when any discounts come out in the fall. Just my opinion.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Almost 7 hours open and still only the 10K is sold out. I'm shocked!

 

[heywagners]

I live in South Florida. I run very early in the morning or around 7-8pm at night. If I have to run during the day I have been known to go straight to my backyard and jump into the pool fully clothed

I live in NC and jump in my pool after almost every run in the summer time!