Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[joanzie72]

Can someone confirm for me if I am right...Is it possible to book a package now for February 2014? Do you have to provide your confirmation # or something similar to prove you are doing the PHM? How soon do the EP Resorts fill up? Sorry to ask so many questions. We really want to do BC this time around, and I don't want to be disappointed if they get full quickly.

Kate

From what I have been hearing package rates are not available as of yet. If you have your heart on a certain hotel, you might want to make your room only reservation now, and then when the packages come out, you can switch to a package.

Hope that helps.

 

[amingione]

I was wondering how spectating worked. I saw spectators could get in the parks to watch if they had an armband so I signed my spectator up for the chEAR squad. Do they pick it up at the race expo separately? Or will it just be with my packet?

Also, do they have to be there at the start or will there be buses running throughout the morning?

Thanks!

 

[11point5]

Ugh. Okay. Thank you. Does anyone know if I can book a package as opposed to a Room Only? At this point I can probably afford the package down payment this week, but not Room!

I booked room-only through general reservations yesterday afternoon and they are not yet able to book packages because 2014 rates haven't come out yet. When rates are released, I just have to call back and turn my room-only into a package. And if discounts come out, I can apply those too when the time comes.

I also talked to sports reservations (who do the running events reservations) and they were able to do either a room-only OR a package already, but obviously at full price only, and I was told if and when discounts come out between now and February I'll have to cancel with RD and rebook with general reservations since general public discounts apparently don't apply to running-event reservations made through the sports line (407-WDW-IRUN). Also the price I was quoted by both RD and general reservations for room-only was exactly the same.
HTH!

ETA: I talked to general reservations first, and they said they only had a standard or garden view room available at POR, but RD had every room choice available, including the river view royal guest room I wanted. Then I talked to general reservations again like 20mins later and they had every room choice available too all of a sudden, so I'm not sure what happened there but if you are told a certain room isn't available it's worth another call!

 

[11point5]

I was wondering how spectating worked. I saw spectators could get in the parks to watch if they had an armband so I signed my spectator up for the chEAR squad. Do they pick it up at the race expo separately? Or will it just be with my packet?

Also, do they have to be there at the start or will there be buses running throughout the morning?

Thanks!

I am wondering these exact same things!!! Hopefully someone knows!

 

[cobbler]

Jumping in. I am in for the Glass Slipper Challenge. Very excited. Tink and Princess are the only runDisney events I haven't done yet. (Well I haven't done ToT 10 miler either but did it under the former 13K/6.5K).

Thinking I will borrow points for the long weekend and stay at SSR.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Another Race Retreat Question..

Does it really close at 10:30?

Good question...we were there only until 10:00 and it was still a big crowd. Anybody else there later ?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Another chEARsquad question!

My family is coming and they plan on going to MK and Epcot to cheer for me, but I don't want any of the chEAR packages. They will still be allowed in to support me right? They just don't get any chEAR package stuff? They will make their own signs, I just cannot afford to pay for 5 people to cheer for me. LOL

 

[Fivepin]

Anyone know the list of host resorts. I couldn't find it. I was think of Old Key West, but don't know if it will be a host resort. It is for the TOT 10miler, but it was listed as one for the Wine and Dine.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Anyone know the list of host resorts. I couldn't find it. I was think of Old Key West, but don't know if it will be a host resort. It is for the TOT 10miler, but it was listed as one for the Wine and Dine.

ALL of the resorts are host resorts in 2014.

 

[freepixie]

Another Race Retreat Question..

Does it really close at 10:30?

I did RR in 2012, we stayed until about 10:20, it didn't look like they were pushing people out or anything, there were still bags in the bag check too. We were just ready to start heading back and shower

I was wondering how spectating worked. I saw spectators could get in the parks to watch if they had an armband so I signed my spectator up for the chEAR squad. Do they pick it up at the race expo separately? Or will it just be with my packet?

Also, do they have to be there at the start or will there be buses running throughout the morning?

Thanks!

At the expo will be a booth for the ChEar squad, they sign in and get the armbands or whatever they need to show they are in the ChEar squad

IIRC, busses will be running most of the morning!

Another chEARsquad question!

My family is coming and they plan on going to MK and Epcot to cheer for me, but I don't want any of the chEAR packages. They will still be allowed in to support me right? They just don't get any chEAR package stuff? They will make their own signs, I just cannot afford to pay for 5 people to cheer for me. LOL

I think you would still need to sign your family up- there is a ChEar package that is free, they will get emails or whatever. There should be something on the RunDisney page soon if it isn't there already!

 

[EpicBilynn]

Jumping in. I am in for the Glass Slipper Challenge. Very excited. Tink and Princess are the only runDisney events I haven't done yet. (Well I haven't done ToT 10 miler either but did it under the former 13K/6.5K).

Thinking I will borrow points for the long weekend and stay at SSR.

That's what I did! A few weeks back I booked at SSR with my points and now that I'm reading some of the posts about rooms I'm glad I did! It's a huge weight off my shoulder. We're actually staying the week so we have plenty of time to play in the parks

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kappyfamily]

Your family doesnt have to sign up for cheer squad to watch you run. Just so you know the Cheer squad people get a section roped off (MK and I believe in EPCOT) that is close in and the people that dont have it are behind them. My family was going to go to MK but it was insanely packed. We were staying at Bay Lake so they just watched me pass at CR(I think mile 3) and they took the monorail over to Poly and watched me run by there (Mile 6 I believe).

Also, running down main street is surreal. It is obviously a VERY small space with a TON of people. I'm not sure I wouldve even have seen them. I'm kind of glad they were out by the hotels watching because they had room to spread out and I actually could see it was them from aways out.

Also know unless they leave REALLY early to be on Main Street it is difficult to get to MK. My husband said the monorail was a nightmare and thats why they gave up and went and stood next to Poly.

Also, unless they change the route, you are in EPCOT for a VERY short amount of time.

Hope this helps?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Your family doesnt have to sign up for cheer squad to watch you run. Just so you know the Cheer squad people get a section roped off (MK and I believe in EPCOT) that is close in and the people that dont have it are behind them. My family was going to go to MK but it was insanely packed. We were staying at Bay Lake so they just watched me pass at CR(I think mile 3) and they took the monorail over to Poly and watched me run by there (Mile 6 I believe).

Also, running down main street is surreal. It is obviously a VERY small space with a TON of people. I'm not sure I wouldve even have seen them. I'm kind of glad they were out by the hotels watching because they had room to spread out and I actually could see it was them from aways out.

Also know unless they leave REALLY early to be on Main Street it is difficult to get to MK. My husband said the monorail was a nightmare and thats why they gave up and went and stood next to Poly.

Also, unless they change the route, you are in EPCOT for a VERY short amount of time.

Hope this helps?

Yep, after thinking on it, I'm sure I will be in my own little bubble of amazingness running down Mainstreet, I actually wouldn't want to have to search for anyone. Selfishly, I would love for them to be there with my dslr, taking pics, but I doubt with the crowds they would get any good shots (or even spot me) so I'm just going to have them head to Epcot for the finish, I think.

 

[amingione]

Your family doesnt have to sign up for cheer squad to watch you run. Just so you know the Cheer squad people get a section roped off (MK and I believe in EPCOT) that is close in and the people that dont have it are behind them. My family was going to go to MK but it was insanely packed. We were staying at Bay Lake so they just watched me pass at CR(I think mile 3) and they took the monorail over to Poly and watched me run by there (Mile 6 I believe).

I thought the reserved section was only for the paid chEAR packages? I just got the free one since it said they needed the wristband to enter MK to watch at all. But if it's that crowded maybe he'd be better off in a different location!

 

[kappyfamily]

I did RR for the 2012 when it was $99. I had read so many reviews from 2011 PHM that the weather was drizzly and cold I decided to splurge on it. The weather in 2012 was great, overcast, mid 50's. (I'm from Oregon so this is a typical training day for me). The biggest perk to the RR is you have to get to Disney races SOOOO incredibly early before you start that you do a ton of "hanging" out before race start.

That is where RR comes in handy. If the weather is rainy you have a covered place to hang out. If you dont have RR, there really is no where to stay warm/dry. You are in a huge empty parking lot. I didnt really take advantage of the food in there. I think I only had water. I brought my own bagel (the same kind I eat before a long run at home, packed it in my suitcase. I didnt want any kind of "new food/brand" that I wasnt sure how my stomach would react to.) I saw some people seriously chowing down though, good for them but UGH!

There are a lot of tables and chairs and it's pretty loud with all the people talking. I went to the corner of the tent and sat on the ground, stretched, stayed warm, listened to some music and just chilled out. Used the bathrooms that are private to the RR people (this was really nice) and checked my bag in the private bag check area as I saw mass people were heading out.

Once I finished and walked like Frankenstein over to the tent, I got my bag and they also gave us free PHM flip flops to put on. We grabbed a bottle water from the RR and then headed back out to stand in the CRAZY long line for buses. So I never really used the RR after the race, I mean who wants to sit around in an enclosed tent with 500 people that smell like B.O.?

So for 2014, I'm still trying to decide if I am going to do it or not.... If it wouldve been $99 I probably would. BUt now for $120, that's a bit steep. Part of the problem is you just dont know what the weather in Orlando is going to be like. I guarantee if you were standing in the rain for 2 hours the $120 would probably seem like nothing to you!! So the verdict is out if I'm going to do it....... Hope this helps??

 

[jockey]

I just booked the 1/2 for me and the 10k for DH!!!!! i am soooo excited this s my first half...and at my fav place woooohooo!!!

 

[kappyfamily]

I thought the reserved section was only for the paid chEAR packages? I just got the free one since it said they needed the wristband to enter MK to watch at all. But if it's that crowded maybe he'd be better off in a different location!

that's correct it's for the paid cheer squad group. I think the finish line is smart actually. Honestly it is when you need to see loved ones the very most. I saw my hubby and daughter at 12.5+ and it was like a beam of sunshine. Exactly what I needed to get me through the end. Honestly at the 4mile mark at MK, you are still on cloud 9 and in the "this is no big deal" phase. And you are right you want to soak in Main Street and not have to look for people. It is really jammed pack thru the whole MK route, from entrance all the way thru the castle....unless you are uber fast. I am NOT. I'm a 12:45 pace ish.....

Make sure you stop in front of the castle though and get someone to take a pic of you, plenty of people there offer to help.

 

[kappyfamily]

Yep, after thinking on it, I'm sure I will be in my own little bubble of amazingness running down Mainstreet, I actually wouldn't want to have to search for anyone. Selfishly, I would love for them to be there with my dslr, taking pics, but I doubt with the crowds they would get any good shots (or even spot me) so I'm just going to have them head to Epcot for the finish, I think.

I think that's smart!

 

[swimfly]

Those of you that have stayed ON or Offsite for a RunDisney race, what was your experience?

We've done it both ways and I definitely prefer on site. I just don't need the stress of traffic/parking race day. The off site hotels also don't have the same energy for me. People look at you a little side-eyed if you're still wearing your medal. On property you get loads of kudos and acknowledgement.

my own little bubble of amazingness running down Mainstreet

Exactly!

I just booked the 1/2 for me and the 10k for DH!!!!! i am soooo excited this s my first half...and at my fav place woooohooo!!!

Welcome!

 

[Figment1990]

Your family doesnt have to sign up for cheer squad to watch you run. Just so you know the Cheer squad people get a section roped off (MK and I believe in EPCOT) that is close in and the people that dont have it are behind them. My family was going to go to MK but it was insanely packed. We were staying at Bay Lake so they just watched me pass at CR(I think mile 3) and they took the monorail over to Poly and watched me run by there (Mile 6 I believe).

Also, running down main street is surreal. It is obviously a VERY small space with a TON of people. I'm not sure I wouldve even have seen them. I'm kind of glad they were out by the hotels watching because they had room to spread out and I actually could see it was them from aways out.

Also know unless they leave REALLY early to be on Main Street it is difficult to get to MK. My husband said the monorail was a nightmare and thats why they gave up and went and stood next to Poly.

Also, unless they change the route, you are in EPCOT for a VERY short amount of time.

Hope this helps?

What part of Epcot do we run through?