ChEAR Squad: Your Experience/Opinions

[FlowersCroon]

Is the ChEAR Squad package worth the cost? I'm not in the Runners Retreat, so am only looking at the GOLD Package for my daughter during the Princess Half Marathon. I would love to know what others thought of it - whether you went alone, in a group or with kids.

My daughter will be going on her own to the end to meet me. (No plans to be a spectator along the way.)

Thanks!

 

[minniebeth]

Is the ChEAR Squad package worth the cost? I'm not in the Runners Retreat, so am only looking at the GOLD Package for my daughter during the Princess Half Marathon. I would love to know what others thought of it - whether you went alone, in a group or with kids.

My daughter will be going on her own to the end to meet me. (No plans to be a spectator along the way.)

Thanks!

Maybe someone who has actually gotten the package can better answer your question, but we have been at the 1/2 Marathon and Marathon finish lines during Marathon Weekend in January for the past two years. I'm not sure the Princess Half will be set up the same way~
In our experience, unless you really want the stuff like the t-shirt, blanket and clapper, no, it's not worth it. There are stands for the general public right next to the ChEar Squad section. They are not directly in front of the finish line, but pretty close. There are port-a-potties right behind the bleacher areas and a concessions stand for coffee and snacks as well. So if your DD wants a real bathroom, that may be an advantage for the package.
It's fun to get the unique items, but the experience is just as fun without them in our opinion.

Maybe someone who has done it and liked it can tell you it is worth it!~

Have fun and best wishes doing the 1/2!!

 

[crafty91]

We just got back and had the Gold ChEar package. I have to say it was worth EVERY PENNY! I didn't get it for the t-shirt, clappers, blankets, though they were nice to have. I got it for the vantage point in the stands. Do the math. There were 19,000 entrants to the race, so you have some level of all of the families and friends watching them. The ChEar stand was much higher than the general stands so you could see your runner coming much farther away. This made it easier to get your camera and signs, etc ready. Plus they were not nearly as crowded as the general stands, and the standing area by the fence in the general area you could just forget about seeing anything unless you are very tall.

All in all I do think its worth it, but just for the sitting area for the stands. The drinks and bathrooms are nice to have as are the other items but the special seating really makes it worth it!

 

[mommary]

I just got back from the princess half marathon and was a spectator on the platinum level. I felt that it was worth the money. All of the spectator packages are together in the chear squad area but we were able to go to the race retreat which was very nice.
We got all of the mentioned blankets, clappers,shirts etc.
The spectator area in the magic kingdom was right by the castle and we saw our runners with no problem at all.
At the end the chear squad area had coffee/tea and port o' potties set up. When our runners were done we headed over to the retreat tent where there was a great brunch. Scrambles eggs,roasted potatoes, bacon, fresh fruit, oatmeal,muffins, coffee,tea and you got a ticket for a alcoholic beverage..mimosas, bloody mary's and some specialty drink.
You could eat as much as you wanted. Tables were plentiful and set up nicely.
It was easy to find our runners (who also had retreat packages). A overall good experience.
I would recommend it.

 

[Glass Slipper]

Where did y'all get the blankets? My husband had the gold package and did not get a blanket. We did not even realize it until later and it's not a big deal. Just wondering where he should have picked it up for next time?

 

[crafty91]

They gave us everything for the package when we check in for the ChEar squad at the runners expo. We got our bands, t-shirts, clappers and blankets all at once.