Disneyland Half Marathon 2024

[nekonekoneko]

I want to see if they will have any "I did it!" merch, which is what my DW really wants.

At the expo this past MW, I fumbled trying to get into the VQ. I dropped my phone while trying (on carpet, the phone didn't break). But by the time I finished, I had gotten BG107. I've had times when booking in the VQ for FoP for friends, I would routinely get BG2, so that high of a number was a bummer. There was still a decent line to get into merch, so we just said "screw it"

 

[Deisell78]

Thanks for the replies. So as far as pre- ordering goes, do you just have to chance it that you’ll like the design ? How close to the expo do they reveal the merch designs ?

 

[Naomeri]

Thanks for the replies. So as far as pre- ordering goes, do you just have to chance it that you’ll like the design ? How close to the expo do they reveal the merch designs ?

For recent WDW merch pre-orders, we had pictures (with the disclaimer that designs are subject to change) for everything available, except the medal replica pins, at the time of registration which was about 8 months out from the race weekend. So maybe we’ll see some art in April or May?

If rD holds to what they’re doing now, pre-orders will remain available until 2-ish months ahead of the weekend (Springtime Surprise merch is still available for pre-order as of now) so you don’t need to decide right this very minute if you want to pre-order.

 

[StarGirl11]

I want to see if they will have any "I did it!" merch, which is what my DW really wants.

At the expo this past MW, I fumbled trying to get into the VQ. I dropped my phone while trying (on carpet, the phone didn't break). But by the time I finished, I had gotten BG107. I've had times when booking in the VQ for FoP for friends, I would routinely get BG2, so that high of a number was a bummer. There was still a decent line to get into merch, so we just said "screw it"

Oh that’s not even a question on the I Did It. They always have it. That was around the entire time I’ve been doing the races since 2011. And before then.

Though be aware that can go surprisingly fast. I had to get mine off eBay during the inaugural Dumbo. I don’t know if it will ever get crazy like that again. But yeah that’s definitely an item to not wait on if your going for it

 

[LilyJC]

Of the currently available options I’ve narrowed it down to Travelodge DL Dr., Super 8 DL Dr., Days Inn DL Park, Eden Roc, and Clarion.

You’d honestly likely be fine with any of those, but in my experience/opinion I would say Days Inn would be my number 1 pick (very easy to head out and walk up Disneyland Dr.), and Clarion would be a hard no. Travel Lodge and Super 8 would be super similar - your main hurdle would be crossing Ball which isn’t really a biggie. Eden Roc would be great for the walk to the races, but the homeless along Katella (which you would be crossing) would not leave me feeling comfortable when it’s dark out.

 

[LorrieAnn5]

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

Running at the race will be so much more fun! It's great to know already that you can do the distance, and I always find that I can run much faster surrounded by other runners than I can when I'm just going out by myself.

Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

Logistically you shouldn't have any issues since the race will probably be over by around 9 a.m. on Sunday. You just might be really tired

 

[Disneyhanna]

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

You CAN fly out at 11PM but I've done a late flight going back to Central time and it always leaves me absolutely miserable half sleeping on the plane and landing at like 7AM and I need a whole day off just to feel like a person again.

 

[sandam1]

Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

Would that make you "homeless" for the entire day?

Personally, I can't imagine anything harder than running a half, having to book back to the hotel to get showered, changed and packed by check-out, being out (presumably in the parks) all day and then catching a red-eye home. Ugh!

 

[LorrieAnn5]

Would that make you "homeless" for the entire day?

Personally, I can't imagine anything harder than running a half, having to book back to the hotel to get showered, changed and packed by check-out, being out (presumably in the parks) all day and then catching a red-eye home. Ugh!

Ha! Good question, but I would plan to pay for the hotel thru 15 Jan so that I could use the room as much as I wanted after the race until we leave for the airport.

In the past handful of years I've always taken a red-eye to get home. I can sleep a bit on the plane usually. Sometimes I need the full day to rest & re-group, but at least I would be back with my kid.

I have time to figure it out since I think only United is booking for flights to return at this point. Thanks for helping me think this all thru Friends!!!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

You CAN fly out at 11PM but I've done a late flight going back to Central time and it always leaves me absolutely miserable half sleeping on the plane and landing at like 7AM and I need a whole day off just to feel like a person again.

I did a red eye years ago from San Francisco to Boston and it was awful. It didn’t help that the crew decided to show a movie on the flight and the screen dropped down right in front of my seat. Who shows a movie on a red eye??

 

[Kender]

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

Ha! Good question, but I would plan to pay for the hotel thru 15 Jan so that I could use the room as much as I wanted after the race until we leave for the airport.

In the past handful of years I've always taken a red-eye to get home. I can sleep a bit on the plane usually. Sometimes I need the full day to rest & re-group, but at least I would be back with my kid.

I have time to figure it out since I think only United is booking for flights to return at this point. Thanks for helping me think this all thru Friends!!!

As long as you have the hotel for the day and won't be rushing back to clean up and check out it's not the worst you could be doing. Not ideal, but not the worst.

If you were checking out that morning at normal time I would say a hard no. Don't do that to yourself lol.

 

[Deisell78]

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

For the marathon most people don’t run close to 26 miles during training -maybe 20- is like the magic number but still are able to complete the full distance at race time. So I think for the half physically you could probably do some ten milers and still be able to complete 13 at the race but it may help more from a mental standpoint to “know” you can do it.

My experience with red eyes is I’ve taken them a couple times ahead of a vacation. It also helps not to have to pay for a hotel that night you’re flying. And when I arrive I’m so excited I run on adrenaline. Coming back from a vacay is different but since it’s MLK the next day as long as you’re not working or have school I think it would be ok. I’m all about maximizing my time.

 

[Deisell78]

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

I'm stressing a bit about how to schedule this "vacation".
We're coming from the east coast and leaving one of my kids at home, so I'm trying not to rush, but also not taking a relaxing full-on vacation here since I've never left my kid before! (Mom guilt!)

This is my first time for runDisney, but I've been to Disneyland 6 times.
I ran a Virtual Half marathon during the pandemic, and I think I'll run over 13 miles once in the training program, but this is my first time racing a Half marathon with other people.

We're flying into LAX on Wednesday, January 10, arriving at noon.
DH is running 10k on Saturday, I'm running the Half on Sunday.
Can we fly out at 11pm on Sunday night?!?

For the marathon most people don’t run close to 26 miles during training -maybe 20- is like the magic number but still are able to complete the full distance at race time. So I think for the half physically you could probably do some ten milers and still be able to complete 13 at the race but it may help more from a mental standpoint to “know” you can do it.

My experience with red eyes is I’ve taken them a couple times ahead of a vacation. It also helps not to have to pay for a hotel that night you’re flying. And when I arrive I’m so excited I run on adrenaline. Coming back from a vacay is different but since it’s MLK the next day as long as you’re not working or have school I think it would be ok. I’m all about maximizing my time.

 

[Bree]

All the DL races, kids races and yoga opened up at 12:44am. Such an odd time, but they stayed open for 15ish minutes.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

All the DL races, kids races and yoga opened up at 12:44am. Such an odd time, but they stayed open for 15ish minutes.

I think it was a website update? When I clicked on one of them just to see I got a page that said the website was down.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Delta and Alaska both have their flights updated through 1/15. Alaska looks like it's through 1/14, but I was able to select 1/15 when choosing my return flight.

I have the Delta credit card for free checked bags, but Alaska was more than $100 cheaper round trip and, more importantly, they had better flight times. The on-time percentages currently showing are pretty terrible, though.

On Delta, I can rebook if the price drops and get an e-credit. It appears that this is true for Alaska as well, although I'm doubtful the prices will actually go down.

Edit: United's prices were absolutely ridiculous!

 

[pluto377]

Jetblue is also open thru the 15th. I was too slow and missed a $149 one way back to ny. Hopefully it drops again over the next few months.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Jetblue is also open thru the 15th. I was too slow and missed a $149 one way back to ny. Hopefully it drops again over the next few months.

$149 is so cheap! The lowest I could find with times that work was $540 r/t, and I'm on the West Coast!

United's flights were 4-digits for economy!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I bought my flight from Tampa to Anaheim today (I’ll go to my parents’ house for a few days between race weekends). I bought it with points and had a deal for 15% off with my CC.