Disneyland ½ Marathon Weekend~2012 Check-in!

[indiesgirl4ever]

I'm in! I did this run last year and can't wait to be doing it again!

 

[Belle Ella]

Aw, will I be the only Diva running the 5K? Shucks. Funny enough, it's looking like I will officially be a local long before Labor Day Weekend.

 

[tetney12]

DH and I going for the C2C this year. We will be heading to WDW on Saturday to do the Princess and then the Disneyland 1/2 marathon in September!

I was looking at the course map, and it has the start line on Disneyland Drive. Would you suggest staying at BEST WESTERN Courtesy Inn?

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

DH and I going for the C2C this year. We will be heading to WDW on Saturday to do the Princess and then the Disneyland 1/2 marathon in September!

I was looking at the course map, and it has the start line on Disneyland Drive. Would you suggest staying at BEST WESTERN Courtesy Inn?

I think that or BEST WESTERN PLUS Stovall's Inn or even BEST WESTERN PLUS Pavilions would be good. I'm staying at Stovall's again.

 

[kim3339]

I was looking at the course map, and it has the start line on Disneyland Drive. Would you suggest staying at BEST WESTERN Courtesy Inn?

I agree w/ Sarah. Last year I stayed at the Travelodge across the street from BW. It's only about a 1/2 mile walk, but an overpass is most of the walk. At least for me, walking over pre race was fine, but that the overpass felt more like 2 miles after the race last year. And if you want to go into the parks you'll have to walk it over to the parking lot tram and tram it in.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Last year I stayed at the Fantasy Inn & Suites on West Katella. I've stayed there before and since and while I don't think it's a bad walk, it sure felt like an eternity after the 1/2 marathon.

This time I'm staying at the Desert Inn & Suites unless I decide to go crazy and try onsite.

 

[JDBlair]

I think that or BEST WESTERN PLUS Stovall's Inn or even BEST WESTERN PLUS Pavilions would be good. I'm staying at Stovall's again.

For Tinker Bell my friend and I stayed at Stovall's and I have no complaints. It was right across the street from the start line. It was an easy walk to/from DTD and Disneyland (we cut through Grand CA..lovely hotel)!

In August/September, because DH and DD will be with me, we're staying at Dland Hotel. I try to make things as easy on them as possible when they travel with me for my races. Being at the Dland Hotel allows DH to hang out in the room and keep DD entertained until he absolutely has to walk down and meet me.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

For Tinker Bell my friend and I stayed at Stovall's and I have no complaints. It was right across the street from the start line. It was an easy walk to/from DTD and Disneyland (we cut through Grand CA..lovely hotel)!

In August/September, because DH and DD will be with me, we're staying at Dland Hotel. I try to make things as easy on them as possible when they travel with me for my races. Being at the Dland Hotel allows DH to hang out in the room and keep DD entertained until he absolutely has to walk down and meet me.

And since the race heads south on Disneyland Drive from the start it should be no problem trying to cross Katella after the race.

 

[JDBlair]

And since the race heads south on Disneyland Drive from the start it should be no problem trying to cross Katella after the race.

We weren't so lucky after Tink! They made us circle the entire block! Good thing we were in good enough shape after the race to do that. It was a super long walk!

 

[kim3339]

Well, everything is now offically sold out. Kids Races went today, so now all that's left, if there is, are the charity spots.

Also read today that they add 2,000 more spaces this year, so there'll be 17,000 running this year!!!

 

[LuvSulley]

If you do Everest, you have to come back and do a race report. I've always wanted to do that one, it sounds like a ton of fun. Plus the medal looks awesome!!



You should totally do both of the races! It's not that bad, I usually do a slow jog or walk the 5k and do my pics then so I don't have to take my camera for the 1/2. (I did the reverse last weekend though) As long as you don't go hard and stretch well after, you should be fine for Sunday. Plus depending on how the 1/2 course changes w/ Cars Land, you get to go in some different backstage area w/ the 5k.

Are we allowed to take cameras? I signed up for the 5k, my first, but it seems like it's more than what I thought it will be. I just thought it was a run through the park! There's going to be photo ops?

Oh, and I forgot to add that I have officially signed up for another 1/2 (Divas, SF Bay Area) to help get me ready for the Disneyland 1/2

Hey, I'm from the Bay Area too! I signed up for the 5k Divas Marathon to help me get ready for the Disney one. I'm a newbie to running and can't even run a a mile yet but I'm hoping to be fit enough for the 1/2 in January 2013. Are you planning to join the other Bay Area marathons like the Color Run or Hot Chocolate?

 

[kim3339]

Are we allowed to take cameras? I signed up for the 5k, my first, but it seems like it's more than what I thought it will be. I just thought it was a run through the park! There's going to be photo ops?




Hey, I'm from the Bay Area too! I signed up for the 5k Divas Marathon to help me get ready for the Disney one. I'm a newbie to running and can't even run a a mile yet but I'm hoping to be fit enough for the 1/2 in January 2013. Are you planning to join the other Bay Area marathons like the Color Run or Hot Chocolate?

Yes, you are allowed to take your camera and take pics. They have a lot of characters out as well. Backstage, some of the CMs are ok w/ you taking pics, others will say no pics backstage. If you're sly about it you should be fine. The 1 area backstage they don't say anything is at the train/monorail storage area. They have the engine car out blowing it's horn and ringing the bell and the conductors are out and you can take your pic w/ them.

As for the course, w/ the construction in DCA finally being done, not sure what it will be like but I can tell you about the past years. The last 3 years, we started in the tram area in Mickey & Friends Parking lot. Last year we went straight into the backstage area to Splash and came out there into the parks. The previous 2 years, we followed the tram and entered the park through the gates. Once you're in the park you wind around going through the park and the backstage area. After we go through DL it's on to DCA. Last year was really cool and we exited the gates and turned left and went backstage behind the dinosaur diorama to the CM area and down an underpass that is under the main crosswalk by Harbor. Other years, we've gone across the esplanade into DCA. And then like DL, both through the parks and backstage. The finish line is near Little Mermaid near the WOC area. But w/ everything being done this year, finally, anything can happen. Hopefully we'll get to run through Cars Land. If they follow a similar route to whats been done in the past, I think there are backstage areas behind Cars Land where we can enter into the park, but who knows? All I can say is that this year is going to be a great route for both the 5k and the 1/2.

I'm doing the color run too!! Just waiting for the date to be announced, I know for sure it won't be the 29th b/c it's the SF races and I asked them and they said they didn't want to compete. Wouldn't mind the 28th though b/c then I could do the race and the expo on Saturday and not have to drive up to the city a ton that month. But it looks like so much fun!!

Hope the 5k info helps!!

 

[kim3339]

Are you planning to join the other Bay Area marathons like Hot Chocolate?

Holy Cow!?! I just googled the Hot Chocolate race and it looks incredible! I saw that for the race in Dallas, you got a jacket instead of a shirt for the goodie bag. And Ghiradelli as a sponsor... I can just imagine. If I don't get into NY, I might have to do that one.

 

[tetney12]

Just finished my 3rd 1/2 and reached my personal goal. Hoping to shave off even more time by the DL 1/2.

Was pleasantly surprised when SIL was able to register for the DL half at the Princess 1/2 Expo.

Let the Countdown BEGIN!!!!

 

[LuvSulley]

Yes, you are allowed to take your camera and take pics. They have a lot of characters out as well. Backstage, some of the CMs are ok w/ you taking pics, others will say no pics backstage. If you're sly about it you should be fine. The 1 area backstage they don't say anything is at the train/monorail storage area. They have the engine car out blowing it's horn and ringing the bell and the conductors are out and you can take your pic w/ them.

As for the course, w/ the construction in DCA finally being done, not sure what it will be like but I can tell you about the past years. The last 3 years, we started in the tram area in Mickey & Friends Parking lot. Last year we went straight into the backstage area to Splash and came out there into the parks. The previous 2 years, we followed the tram and entered the park through the gates. Once you're in the park you wind around going through the park and the backstage area. After we go through DL it's on to DCA. Last year was really cool and we exited the gates and turned left and went backstage behind the dinosaur diorama to the CM area and down an underpass that is under the main crosswalk by Harbor. Other years, we've gone across the esplanade into DCA. And then like DL, both through the parks and backstage. The finish line is near Little Mermaid near the WOC area. But w/ everything being done this year, finally, anything can happen. Hopefully we'll get to run through Cars Land. If they follow a similar route to whats been done in the past, I think there are backstage areas behind Cars Land where we can enter into the park, but who knows? All I can say is that this year is going to be a great route for both the 5k and the 1/2.

I'm doing the color run too!! Just waiting for the date to be announced, I know for sure it won't be the 29th b/c it's the SF races and I asked them and they said they didn't want to compete. Wouldn't mind the 28th though b/c then I could do the race and the expo on Saturday and not have to drive up to the city a ton that month. But it looks like so much fun!!

Hope the 5k info helps!!

Thank you for all the info! I can't wait, it sounds like so much fun! I don't know how much running I'll get to do with all this fun stuff they have planned during the marathon tho.

Yea, the Hot Chocolate run looks fun and yummy!

 

[Brancaneve]

Please help! My DH booked the hotel without thinking of logistics and now I am a little concerned about getting to the race so early in the morning. We are staying at the Embassy Suites. Will the ART bus pick us up that early?

 

[JDBlair]

Please help! My DH booked the hotel without thinking of logistics and now I am a little concerned about getting to the race so early in the morning. We are staying at the Embassy Suites. Will the ART bus pick us up that early?

If I recall from last year, the ART will service certain hotels to assist with getting runners to the start line on race morning. This is the information they provided in the Tinker Bell information, I don't have the Disneyland information from last year on hand:
Complimentary Anaheim Transportation Network shuttles will depart from select Disneyland® Resort Good Neighbor Hotels to the Disneyland® Resort Esplanade Shuttle Drop-Off area every 20 minutes continuously through the weekend (1/27-1/29) during scheduled Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend events. You will receive a receipt from your driver the first time you board the shuttle. Please save this ticket for use over the entire Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend.

Embassy Suites Anaheim South is listed as a participating hotel.

I hope this helps!!

 

[kim3339]

I'll look for my past programs and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the shuttles start running at 3am race morning, and all 3 days as well. They'll drop you off in the shuttle area on the Harbor side of DL. To the start line, you just walk straight down DTD to the DL Hotel and turn left and you're in the staging area. To give you an idea of the whole area, when you turn at the hotel, you go under the Finish Line into the staging area. The walk to the start line isn't more than .2 mile, if that. From the parking lot you go down Magic Way to DL Drive. It's all really close which is nice.

Not sure how the shuttles work as far as how many and how often so can't help you w/ time suggestions, but the walk through DTD isn't bad. It's about .4 miles and you won't have to go through security going to the race, so it shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes. You will after the race though. I wish they would have a runners security line, but they don't. And if you need it race morning, there are some places open b/w 3-3:30 in DTD for coffee/food. I think the places are La Brea, Jamba Juice, Hagen Daaz and the Coffee Shop. The Coffee Shop is closing soon and Earl of Sandwich is going in so they might be open as well.

 

[wendylady36]

Hey, I'm from the Bay Area too! I signed up for the 5k Divas Marathon to help me get ready for the Disney one. I'm a newbie to running and can't even run a a mile yet but I'm hoping to be fit enough for the 1/2 in January 2013. Are you planning to join the other Bay Area marathons like the Color Run or Hot Chocolate?

I'm doing the color run too!! Just waiting for the date to be announced, I know for sure it won't be the 29th b/c it's the SF races and I asked them and they said they didn't want to compete. Wouldn't mind the 28th though b/c then I could do the race and the expo on Saturday and not have to drive up to the city a ton that month. But it looks like so much fun!!

I plan on doing the Color Run too!!! Looks like it will be on the 28th of July.
I'm all signed up for Bay to Breakers, are any DISers doing that one this year?

 

[BillyJazz]

I'm currently in the Bay Area but moving down to SoCal this month I had signed up for the Divas 1/2 in SF this year but now I'm not even sure if I'll be able to make it back up depending on my new work schedule. It'll be a bummer to lose out when I've already signed up for it. I'm hoping that I have a better shot at still being able to do the Disneyland since I should be working nights by that time. We'll see!