Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 2009 - WISH meet

[jbucci]

I saw a mention of Desert Inn- the family suites look like a good deal as we will have my parents with us for childcare during the race-- has anyone stayed here or does anyone have an opinion on these?

 

[jeanneg]

JenB, that was one of the first ones I checked out after I saw that Jeff recommended it on FB. From what I saw I really like it, especially since they have rooftop fireworks viewing. Of course, being there only 3 nights and going to bed early on one of them, we probably won't get to enjoy that feature but it's nice to know we have it! Everyone who has stayed at Candy Lane Inn raves about the service and that's important also. Will any of the hotels put out breakfast early for us on race day?
In terms of where the race starts, I guess what I want to know is if we can actually walk to the start, or do we have to get on a bus at some ungodly hour like we do at WDW? It seems we could leave at around 5am and still be there in plenty of time for the race.

JenG, Robert, Linda: glad you're all going to be there! Go team Ohana!

 

[Hey Mickey]

Jeanne: I probably won't be there this year but i wa there the last 3 years and you can absolutely walk to the start from any of the places you are looking at. They also have the Anaheim Resort Transportation trolleys running along the streets of Anaheim providing free transport to and from the race -- these drop you off near the entrance to DL and CA, and then you still have to walk through downtown disney to get there.

I overslept last year (thats what i get for traveling solo with 2 kids) and still managed to make it to the start without issue -- about a 10 minute fast walk.

 

[jbucci]

We stayed at Candy Cane last year and really liked it. We had no problems walking to the start-- distance is such a relative thing and DL is much easier to walk around than WDW. Our only reason for looking elsewhere is price and the ability to get adjoining rooms to make childcare easier-- we were solo last year.

 

[lap3]

Just a couple tips on the hotels:

1. If you're interested in onsite hotels, GET Travel seems to have decent rates, which are (including resort fees and taxes): Paradise Pier ($213.25), Disneyland Hotel ($229.33) and Grand California ($305.23)

http://www.GETTravel.com

2. For an offsite hotel, I recommend Howard Johnson for very good value. It is walking distance and you can get the Entertainment rate for $59/night. If you have an Entertainment card (from any Entertainment book any region) you get this discount. Just use the code SD50. If the online reservation system doesn't let you book, just call the hotel directly.

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/

I hope we're going to stay at Grand California, though I did make a back up reservation at HoJo for the family.

-Jen

Hey Jen,
Thanks for the link! I was pleasantly surprised that GET Travel was actually less than Disney's rate on the DLH. So, I booked it through them.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Will any of the hotels put out breakfast early for us on race day?

CCI did last year, although I think I just grabbed a banana and bagel from their continental breakfast the morning before the race.

 

[mkymsehi]

http://www.mousemisers.com/2009/two-free-nights-at-disneyland/

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

If the $$$ allows then count me in, it will be great to finally meet everyone

Kirsty

 

[mkymsehi]

I just spoke to Marcia. She's at Disneyland celebrating her mom's birthday (yesterday). 30K people in DL yesterday. That's crowded!

She said California Adventure is going through some extreme re-modeling. Parts of the park is being torn down. New attractions, and entry way.

I told her to take pictures, but she forgot to bring a camera today.

Now we know why there's a new course for the half marathon. On the left, click on Event Details, then click on Course.

http://disneyworldsports.disney.go..../detail?name=disneylandHalfMarathonDetailPage

 

[jeanneg]

Jeff: are you seeing the new course? Nothing comes up except a notice that the new course will be coming soon. What am i doing wrong?

OK, John and I are booked. We asked about getting the "3 nights plus 2 nights free" package at Candy Cane Inn and also BW Park Place but apparently there is nothing available on the package for that weekend at those 2 resorts. BUT..... we were able to get Paradise Pier at a really really good rate with free 5-day hoppers thrown in! So now we're arriving late Thursday night and leaving on Tuesday! We'll never get to use our full 5-day hoppers, but better to have too many days than not enough.

 

[mkymsehi]

Jeanne,

Nope, I get the same message about checking back later for the new course. My best guess is we won't run through any of the CA Adventure park because of the upgrades to the park. The parking lot is the new site of Pixar Cars land, and I believe currently under construction.

I'm only guessing:

Instead of turning left into the parking lot on Harbor Blvd., we'll go further up to to the walkway to the ticket booths, where the parking tram drops off/picks up people. Then through Disneyland.

I would guess that we'll circle somewhere in the Pond or Angels Stadium parking lots to add the 1/2-1 mile difference.

And returning the parks, turn right on Harbor, and then back past the ticket booths, and through Downtown Disney.

Last year, the last people coming in were re-routed from CA Adventure, and taken through the area I just mentioned in the previous paragraph above.

 

[Running Diva]

In 2008 we met on Friday night, and Saturday night outside the parks at Downtown Disney, fronting Jamba Juice.

Any suggestions or ideas on what you'd like to do this September?

Add your name if you'll be there, and I'll update this list.

Jeff (mkymse)
Marcia (mushu)
Scott H & Lynne
Michelle
KSOEHRLEIN
Jeanne & John
Jen & Butch
Pat


? Maybe's
Chris
Scott

I'll be there! I'd rather meet on Friday afternoon/evening since traffic home can be awful on Fridays. I thought I posted already, but maybe it was on another thread... Anywhere outside the park would be great since I'm commuting... Looking forward to meeting everyone!
Tammy

 

[jeanneg]

We are staying on property so we can meet any time. Just let me know approximately what time because I plan to make some ADRs as the event draws closer.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hi Everyone: I'm hoping I'm going to be there too. I'd love to stay at the DLH with my family, but I'm not sure if I can afford it. I have a placeholder reservation at the HoJo Anaheim just in case. So put me down for a maybe.

 

[jeanneg]

Dave: I got a sweet deal at Paradise Pier Hotel with the Buy 3 Nights/Get 2 Free promo. Includes passes for 5 days also. I used DU and it came out better than the marathon company's rate, which I thought was pretty darn good to start with.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm going to be doing the event. Not sure how much free time I'll be having at this time. It will be a short trip and since I've got busy life right now, I'm probably not going to be ready to plan the little time I'm there until after Seattle in June.

 

[mkymsehi]

.

 

[TnMaryJo]

Since I have not one clue about any resturants/bars/juice bars on or offsite, I am game to anything. I will arrive Friday early afternoon. So, anytime after that will be fine with me. I am excited to meet some WISHers.
Thanks Jeff for organizing.

Mary Jo, aka MoJoito

 

[mkymsehi]

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go...2009DLHM/images/2009AnaheimCourseMapFINAL.pdf

Slight changes in CA Adventure, no run down Main Street, but we're going through Angel's Stadium once again this year!

Slight detour coming out of Angels Stadium area to make up distance.

No more finish through Downtown Disney. Instead, exit CA Adventure, loop around Paradise Pier hotel, and back to finish line near Disneyland hotel.http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=396

 

[grizbuzz]

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go...2009DLHM/images/2009AnaheimCourseMapFINAL.pdf

Slight changes in CA Adventure, no run down Main Street, but we're going through Angel's Stadium once again this year!

Slight detour coming out of Angels Stadium area to make up distance.

No more finish through Downtown Disney. Instead, exit CA Adventure, loop around Paradise Pier hotel, and back to finish line near Disneyland hotel.http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=396

Thanks for posting!