Disneyland 1/2 Marathon - Questions?

[lourodrigis]

I just got back from WDW this week after completing the Disney World 2008 Marathon. What a great experience!

My family has been thinking about a DL trip for the past 2 years and we received an email from Disney this week regarding the DL 1/2 Marathon. If I run DL I get a medal for the 1/2 and a special medal for running races in both resorts. We registered and now are planning the trip for August!

Couple of questions...

• Can anyone out there that has run the DL 1/2 Marathon comment on the experience?
• What were the crowds like during that weekend (last weekend b/f Labor Day)?
• What were the crowds like the Thur and Fri before race weekend?
• What else did you do while in So CA? The reports I read about Universsal are mostly negative. I think we will pass on this place. Legoland seems okay but will DS9 and DD8 be let down?
• Where did you stay?

Thanks,

Lou

 

[Barbday62]

I ran disneyland the past two years. Last year was on Labor day and so will 2008 (Labor day is Sept 1 and your race is Aug 31, the day before)

Im from Arizona so I know heat. Its a bit warm there in September. With a little humidity but nothinglike Florida. Last year was record heat it was over 100 each day but the race was closer to88 to 90 degrees. They almost cancelled due to heat and make it a fun run.

The crowds were surprisingly light but maybe that was because of heat and block out annual passes. The Tuesday after the race was litterly no body in the park!! Fast pass lines were longer than walk on lol.

The race starts and ends real close to the Disneyland Hotel and cloe to Paradise Pier. I prefer to stay at Best Western Park place in and walk to and from the start. I stay there almost ever time I go. Its closest to the main gate. I normally drive from Ariizona so I dont go to the park except the day or two (Usually I show up on Saturday before the race after I check in and go to the expo. It was not to crowded on that Saturday and Sunday slightly more crowded but no lines for much of anything but Nemo and splash.

SanDiego is about 2 hour drive South. If you do things there I would plan to stay there because the 2 hours assumes you drive during not peak hours. LA Traffic sucks!! Ive only been to Balboa Park there so no help to you. By the way its a great place to visit if you like Art, History and culture.

I think compared to most of California DL race is relatively flat. There are some hills but nothing like San Diego or other areas a race could be held. Its mainly on Streets but going through the Stadium youll go down a dirt path past a rive bed then up a big hill to the Staduim. The stadium you are on a dirt track. Then pack to pavement to finish the race. I think its a fun race.

 

[mariezp]

I have never participated in the marathon although it sounds like it would be a fantastic experience. Really cool when you collect that medal!

We were there last year, beginnning the day after the marathon and the crowds didn't seem all that bad considering it was a holiday weekend. It was pretty hot even for us Texans! Thankfully, there is lots of shade and many indoor lines. It was a wonderful time to enjoy the water rides!


The first few years we went (this will be our 8th year) we did checkout some of the areas points of interest. We have been to Universal, Knotts, the San Diego Wild Animal Park and Legoland. We have since decided we would just rather spend our time at Disneyland rather than hassle with the LA traffic! I am glad we did try them once but I would have to say IMHO none of them were all that impressive.

I would have to say that we enjoyed Legoland the most. However, if your guys like thrill rides best they might not like it so much, as it does seem geared towards a milder crowd. They do have some neat theming with the legos and fun rides. Be sure to check the hours if you go because they do not stay open very late ad I believe they may be closed on one of the weekdays. I would suggest that if you do any other activities that you do them BEFORE going to Disneyland so it won't be a dissapointment. You know, build up to the best stuff!

We stay for 10 days on our vacations so we are into reasonable rates more than staying in a Disney property. We have stayed on all our trips at the Anaheim Desert Inn which is just a slight walk from the main entry crosswalk on Harbor Blvd. They are not fancy but rooms are clean, comfy, close and a good value for the size of their rooms. Each room comes standard with a fridge and microwave. They offer a basic continental breakfast. They do have a convience store down stairs that is well stocked with things you might need or have forgotten and a few souvineers.

Have a great time doing the marathon and I hope you enjoy Disneyland!

 

[woody73]

The first year (2006) was in mid-September, so the weather was decent.

2007 was on Labor Day, and the high was 108 degrees. Otherwise it was fun.

Woody

 

[lourodrigis]

The first year (2006) was in mid-September, so the weather was decent.

2007 was on Labor Day, and the high was 108 degrees. Otherwise it was fun.

Woody

Wow, 108 is insane! However, I am assuming it didn't get that hot until later that day. The race starts at 6AM and I should be finished by 8AM at the latest. It may be hot at 8AM but not too bad.

Hopefully, we get some decent weather for the race. It should be fun no matter what!

 

[dmichael20]

I haven't participated in the DL 1/2 although I have run others in the OC. Last year I did walk down and cheer on the participants at DL that day. I live just a mile from there and it was definitely unusally hot that day. You can expect temperatures to normally be in the mid 70s to low 80s during that time of the year. I have a pass to to DL and CA Adventure and I love it. Depending on how long your stay is, definitely check it out for at least a day. I have found that I can cover both parks and see just about everything in a day and a half. I don't recommend Universal, it's rather boring. I've never been to Lego land but if you have small children I hear it's great. San Diego also has Sea World and the San Diego Zoo which I both recommend. I do not recommend the Wild Animal park, I would go to the zoo before to the park. If you like baseball there's the Angels which is very close to the Disney resort. As far as where to stay, well, there's hotels up and down Harbor Blvd. There are Embassy Suites, Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott, Double Tree (one of the newest hotels) and of course the hotels on the resort itself. There's also a new development that opens in the next couple of weeks. It's the Anaheim Garden Walk. Its a very nice retail center with new hotels, restaurants, shopping, 24hr fitness center etc....it's located on Katella and again is close to the resort. Hope this helps and good luck if you decide to run the 1/2. It's filling up quick.

 

[stacymomof2]

First of all...Congrats on your marathon!

The DL 1/2 is on my list (I'm a walker, wannabe runner!) but until I get bored with the annual Portland-to-Coast Relay (sister event to the Hood-to-Coast) which is the weekend before, I won't be participating!

Maybe next year? I can't decide. The 1/2 marathons are fun and at DL even better...but I love doing the Portland-to-Coast...

one of these years I'll get that medal!!!

Have fun and good luck!!