CHOC walk

[Mysteryincorp]

Anybody doing the CHOC walk this weekend? Last year?
How early did you show up? Was the park and DTD really crowded after?

 

[bumbershoot]

Was the park and DTD really crowded after?

Posts in the last week or so indicate insane levels of busy-ness.

 

[Crisi83]

Anyone know if DCA will be a lot more crowded because of this, or do most people tend to go to DL?

 

[SMD]

The crowds getting to the walk are worse than the ones getting into the park afterwards, which are pretty terrible. First, you have to walk from M&F, there are no shuttles running. I didn't try to enter from the Harbor side, that may be possible, but this is how it was from DtD. When we got to the security lines, they stretched to about the door of La Brea Bakery. There were large groups, like 30-60 people trying to meet up in the area, mostly near the fountain. It was almost impossible to tell which was a group getting together to pass out wristbands, or who was in the security line. Fortunately we picked up our wristbands earlier in the week, so we didn't have to meet up out there in all the chaos, but we still had to get through security, and aside from all the groups meeting in the area, there were also groups trying to go through security together, which led to so. much. line. cutting. We actually missed meeting up with our group. Then when we got in the park, there were even more groups trying to meet up, we couldn't get through the tunnels on the side of Main St because so many people were gathering their giant groups right in the walkway and we couldn't get around them. Eventually we broke through, and just started moving through the crowd until we got stopped near the Main St Cinema. At this point I was with one other person and trying to text some friends who were further up in the crowd. We couldn't hear any of the announcements, but the crowd was slowly inching forward, and then suddenly as we passed Market House we heard the starting fireworks and realized we were walking! The crowd stayed shoulder to shoulder around the hub, but we stopped for a pic with characters at the castle, (lots more line cutting there) and it did thing out a little. We never did meet up with our friends in front, but we did end up stopping for a second photo op for some friends who arrived and started later. They eventually decided to skip the first part of the course and meet us where it doubled back. By the time we met up with them it was pretty uncrowded, except for the water bottle station and mush easier to move around.

Basically, this isn't like a 5k running race. There were strollers, kids being pulled in wagons, people walking 3-4 across holding banners and even heard there was a team tossing beach balls back and forth. But the thing is, you're not required to start the walk at the exact start time and you're not racing everyone else, so with that in mind, try not to stress out about the crowds and everything that comes with them.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

Thanks SMD, that's exactly the kind of information I has looking for!

 

[mershell]

Wow. This is my first year doing this...thought it sounded like a nice idea, but now I'm feeling sorry I signed up. It sounds like a nightmare! I just did the 1/2 marathon which is heavily attended and didn't have any of these kinds of troubles. I was already planning to leave my place at 3:15a (I live about 40 min away) and now I wonder if that's early enough. I think I'd scrap the whole idea and happily give my money to a good cause...stay in bed, but I need to buy park tickets for my mom who's coming to visit and at near 1/2 off, I can't afford not to go. I really do hope that they take a cue from last year and organize better. This really is a shame because it's a fabulous cause, but if people keep coming back with such nightmarish reports, people are just going to scrap the idea.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Wow. This is my first year doing this...thought it sounded like a nice idea, but now I'm feeling sorry I signed up. It sounds like a nightmare! I just did the 1/2 marathon which is heavily attended and didn't have any of these kinds of troubles. I was already planning to leave my place at 3:15a (I live about 40 min away) and now I wonder if that's early enough. I think I'd scrap the whole idea and happily give my money to a good cause...stay in bed, but I need to buy park tickets for my mom who's coming to visit and at near 1/2 off, I can't afford not to go. I really do hope that they take a cue from last year and organize better. This really is a shame because it's a fabulous cause, but if people keep coming back with such nightmarish reports, people are just going to scrap the idea.

As a walker, it really isn't that bad. Remember, a lot of the people complaining about the chaos are guests who had no idea about the walk that day and had no concept about how it affects the parks. You are already allowing yourself plenty of time for parking and getting to the start. You should be in time to see the opening ceremony, if you want to do that.
The beginning of the walk is the most crowded and hectic because everyone (pretty much) starts at the same time. The sight of Main Street so filled with walkers is amazing! Starbucks was open last year, so that added to the congestion as walkers tried to get their coffee before the start. We didn't really experience any line cutting -- it was pretty easy to see who was trying to join up with family or their team. Once the walk starts, the crowds spread out. Teams/people stop for photos, characters are out, the pace slows as the walk progresses. You'll be so encouraged by seeing kids who were/are being treated at CHOC -- maybe not fully recovered, but on their way! Many of these kids are the ones in the wheelchairs and wagons. The announcers do a fabulous job of calling out each team and commenting on something positive for each. Yes, it's crowded, but the vibe is really positive and high energy. Don't forget that you are doing this for a really good cause.
The negative side that we noticed was the angry attitude from non-walkers in the esplanade and in the lines at the ticket booths. Don't let those people get you down. Just be prepared for the crowds and ticket booth lines, and enjoy the walk experience. We did our first walk several years ago and have been hooked every since!

 

[SMD]

Hopefully people will go to Starbucks at DtD this year, and maybe some groups will meet up there, which might help. The announcer really was amazing, you can tell that he really remembers the teams from year to year and wants to acknowledge them as they pass.

 

[mershell]

Thank you SMD. I feel better It is a great cause and hopefully the good of that will outweigh the negativity of those who arrive unsuspecting. I actually plan to spend the day at DD. I hear there are things for walkers? What can I expect in DD after the walk?

 

[starry_solo]

It was fine! We arrived at Mickey & Friends parking structure at approximately 5 a.m. We got in through the overpass from the 5 freeway as traffic on Ball was backed up to the 7-Eleven.

Parked on Donald Level and took the escalator down, then walked on the tram route to the esplanade area. Arrived around 5:30 a.m. and waited til they started letting people in around 6 a.m.

Went to the AP booth to check in and pick up a special blue water bottle (I thought it was supposed to be a bottle of water, not the other way around, lol), an energy bar, and sunscreen.

Weaved our way through people on Main Street and I saw a $20 bill laying on the ground. I left it on the floor to see if anyone else would pick it up and a few minutes later, this older lady behind my friend saw it and picked it up (it seemed to me that it took her a while). She gave me a look and whispered to her companion after picking it up. I was pretty sure it fell from one of the other people weaving in/out through people (that I was following) but they went on ahead while my party of two stopped. We ended up being in the second row of walkers that were let loose.

Mickey was in a track suit and in front of the castle, the three fairies from Sleeping Beauty were there for pictures. Walked through Frontierland where Chip & Dale were posing for pictures, then onto the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, where Pocahontas & John Smith were posing for pictures (along with a guy playing a fiddle).

Walked into Fantasyland to see a few princesses posing before they got onto the carousel. Ariel, Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and Tiana. Walked around the carousel (to where the sword in the stone ceremony used to occur) and the carousel started going. Walked further around the carousel and Rapunzel was standing posing for pictures.

Headed toward Matterhorn and Tomorrowland where Buzz Lightyear was there for pictures. Then out the back side of Tomorrowland (back stage) til we reached Main Street again. Back stage were cheerleaders, a band, and where they handed out water (Dasani).

Crossed the esplanade into DCA and went down Buena Vista Street, Carthay Circle, then onto Hollywood Backlot with Aladdin (as Ali) and Jasmine were posing for pictures. Bug's Land with Dot & Flik (so cute) then onto Carsland with Sally (?), Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and Red were there for more pictures. Then into the pier/wharf area, past Toy Story and Woody was posing for pictures. Then right in front of Goofy's Sky School, the Three Caballeros (Jose, Donald & Panchito) were there!

At Wilderness Explorer, Russell & Dug were there and finally we reached the back exit (near Soarin')

 

[mershell]

I have to say I had the best time! The early bird definitely gets the worm. I arrived at 4:30a and the parking lot was open and I got a spot in front row Daisy. The walk into the park was quiet as there were only handfuls of people. Sailed right through security and up to the front of the gates which opened promptly at 5:45a. Checked in with my team and got to the front of the start line. Once the "rope" dropped, things spread out and I found myself right up front behind out Ambassador, Kailualani. What a privilege that was. This girl is so happy, so joyous, so giggly, she had us all dancing and laughing with her. I also had a front row "seat" for everything without obstruction, so got lots of piccies and crossed the finish an hour later at 7:30a. DD was quiet and I hit all the goodie tables, then walked back to get in a short line for the discount tickets. That went fast and then I had breakfast at La Brea. By that time, DD was a zoo. It sounded like NYE and when I finished and went to WOD, it was like park closing in there. I made my way through the crush of people in DD to the DL Hotel where I sat by a waterfall all morning and half the afternoon in peace. I'm SO glad I got there when I did. It all went so smoothly and I had a great time. Thanks for all the head's ups

 

[jlindley9]

I will say this was chaos for guests trying to enter that morning. We were staying at the Grand Californian and knew that the CHOC walk was happening and that crowds would be higher. There was an EMH and MM for Disneyland starting at 9 am. We got to the esplanade around 8:30. The lines were over halfway across the esplanade.

Now, we were prepared for the crowds and knew arriving at 8:30 wouldn't mean we'd be the first in the park. But the problem was that there were no CM's out in the lines letting people know that these lines are only for EMH and MM. Constantly, we saw people being turned away at the gates because they were not eligible to enter. Even at the gates, there was only 1 CM for each turnstile, so when someone was denied entry and of course tried to argue their case, the CM had to deal with them while the rest of us in line waited. There was one group in front of us that had a very big argument with the CM. We didn't get into the park until 9:30.

I don't fault the CHOC walkers. Disney did not do enough to advertise that entry at 9 am was only for those staying in the Disney hotels, or with a MM through their hopper. I will be writing to Disney to say that they really should improve their communication in the future.