Dopey 2015 Official Thread

[RnbwSktles]

Honestly from what I remember of the 2013 race weekend (I didn't participate in 2014) the consistently longest lines I saw were during the 5K - and I started in Corral B, so I was expecting to get some shorter lines. And now that I actually need to pay attention to that 16:00/mile sweep pace for Dopey I'm preparing myself for the possibility that I'll come out of the 5K with no character pictures.

I think there was some discussion about this last year, but I don't know what was concluded. Does someone go back and look at the results to see if you finished in ~50 minutes, or do you just have to officially finish the race (get a medal, etc)? If it's the former, when do they do that? After the weekend and you've already received your medals? I guess you could be officially disqualified, but I don't think many people would care as long as they went home with 6 medals lol

 

[jeanigor]

Definitely agree with you there. I try to only stop for rare characters (Jack Skellington & Sally, 3 Little Pigs, etc.) or characters that are in an outfit I haven't seen before (Elvis Stitch, Mickey & Minnie dressed as royalty - which is the 7-8 minute-long line I referenced above). That "rule" goes out the window as I get closer to the end and am looking for an excuse to take a little break from running.

Other character thoughts...

For Goofy in 2013, the character line-up was almost exactly the same for the first 4 miles of the half marathon and marathon...I think 1 meet was different. I found that a little disappointing - the first 8 miles or so of the courses are exactly the same so it gets a little repetitive - but I had sort of been expecting it...so whatever. It was good in a way though, because since I'd stopped for who I wanted during the half marathon I was able skip them and bank a lot of time early in the marathon. The locations in the Magic Kingdom were the same but some of the characters were different.

Honestly from what I remember of the 2013 race weekend (I didn't participate in 2014) the consistently longest lines I saw were during the 5K - and I started in Corral B, so I was expecting to get some shorter lines. And now that I actually need to pay attention to that 16:00/mile sweep pace for Dopey I'm preparing myself for the possibility that I'll come out of the 5K with no character pictures.

Characters in the parks have more regular breaks as it is easier for them to step off stage for a bite of cheese or sip of tea, so that may lead to more character turn over in MK.

I did notice this year that Darkwing Duck was in the MK parking lot by the track for the half, but he wasn't there when I went by for the full. I'm glad I paused for a pic during the half.

I was concerned about the 'unofficial' time aspect for the 5K this year, so I did strolling photos during the 5K. Which is a shame, because there tends to be pairs or trios out around World Showcase.

 

[ell13]

Someone help me out when it comes to race pictures. I'm sure this has been discussed/answered before. Do people have to use their own camera (phone) to get these pictures? Or are they a part of the official race photos? Or are they disney photogs?

Basically, I'm trying to determine if I need to bring a camera or just wear my magic band which is tied to memory maker.

 

[jeanigor]

Someone help me out when it comes to race pictures. I'm sure this has been discussed/answered before. Do people have to use their own camera (phone) to get these pictures? Or are they a part of the official race photos? Or are they disney photogs?

Basically, I'm trying to determine if I need to bring a camera or just wear my magic band which is tied to memory maker.

I have my iPhone which I use as pacing, music and camera.
I used to bring a hand held point and shoot, but now the camera on my phone is a good quality so it is one less thing to tote along the course.
Not all characters will have race photographers with them. My luck would be that *the* character which I *had* to have my picture with, wouldn't have a race photographer with them. They are not PhotoPass Photographers.

 

[FFigawi]

Someone help me out when it comes to race pictures. I'm sure this has been discussed/answered before. Do people have to use their own camera (phone) to get these pictures? Or are they a part of the official race photos? Or are they disney photogs? Basically, I'm trying to determine if I need to bring a camera or just wear my magic band which is tied to memory maker.

I wouldn't count on them having an official photographer with the characters. I'd bring your own camera just to be safe.

 

[Disneycouple99]

Someone help me out when it comes to race pictures. I'm sure this has been discussed/answered before. Do people have to use their own camera (phone) to get these pictures? Or are they a part of the official race photos? Or are they disney photogs?

Basically, I'm trying to determine if I need to bring a camera or just wear my magic band which is tied to memory maker.

Also they are race photos and have nothing to do with memory maker.

 

[Ariel484]

Characters in the parks have more regular breaks as it is easier for them to step off stage for a bite of cheese or sip of tea, so that may lead to more character turn over in MK.

Very true.

I did notice this year that Darkwing Duck was in the MK parking lot by the track for the half, but he wasn't there when I went by for the full. I'm glad I paused for a pic during the half.

Good one!! I know in the past Darkwing Duck has switched out with Launchpad McQuack...Launchpad is definitely on my wish list.

I was concerned about the 'unofficial' time aspect for the 5K this year, so I did strolling photos during the 5K. Which is a shame, because there tends to be pairs or trios out around World Showcase.

Yeah, I'm just wondering about it because the program says specifically that they'll be verifying times after each race. I sort of did the same thing you did for the 5K when I did it in 2013 - I waited for 1 character and then did "strolling" pictures of the rest. Which was a shame because it was the classic characters in country-specific outfits. Loved that (i.e. Norwegian Daisy, Pluto with a beret in France, etc.).

Someone help me out when it comes to race pictures. I'm sure this has been discussed/answered before. Do people have to use their own camera (phone) to get these pictures? Or are they a part of the official race photos? Or are they disney photogs?

Basically, I'm trying to determine if I need to bring a camera or just wear my magic band which is tied to memory maker.

jeanigor and FFigawi already responded to you...just wanted to add that MarathonFoto handles the pictures for the races. You'll only see the Disney photographers in the parks during regular park hours, so many on-course photos CANNOT be tied to your Memory Maker account. MarathonFoto is VERY expensive, and as already mentioned, they aren't always at every character, so I always bring my own camera. I'm bringing my phone and an older point & shoot.

 

[ell13]

Thanks for all of the quick responses. I guess I'll be bringing my iPhone along. No problem.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Whew! Been away, & also super busy for a while! Trying to get some Dis-reading in, to catch up with the Goofy/Dopey/Full/Half thread!

Woo hoo!

I quietly closed my door and taped a sign on the outside saying:

International Webinar
11:45am - 12:30pm
Please do not disturb!

Nobody bothered me until 2pm. I might have to do that more often!!!

Jeanigor (?Todd?) this still just kills me! Love it!

 

[matthew schmidt111]

For me at least I have not had any issues with driving to the race start and have done so multiple times for the half, full and Goofy challenge. Its really been smooth and pretty fast every time. We plan to do the same this year (watch now that I've written this is will gum up on me!) That said, the last couple times I've race Disney, the departure has been really slow. Getting out of the parking lot after the race has taken a really long time. I'm really hoping that has gotten better. We are staying at Fort Wilderness and plan to drive each day.

Thanks for the info., SmoothRunner.. I'm staying in one of those hotels that you could walk to the starting line (and I wish I could) but I know Disney does not want you to do that.. What time did you get at the park for these races? I saw that someone reported that they got at the park at 3:30 am and there was no waiting.
Once there in your car.. would you say it is about 20 minutes walk from parking lot to staging area, then another 20 minutes to the corrals

 

[SmoothRunner]

Thanks for the info., SmoothRunner.. I'm staying in one of those hotels that you could walk to the starting line (and I wish I could) but I know Disney does not want you to do that.. What time did you get at the park for these races? I saw that someone reported that they got at the park at 3:30 am and there was no waiting.
Once there in your car.. would you say it is about 20 minutes walk from parking lot to staging area, then another 20 minutes to the corrals

Hey there! Yeah in years past we have stayed at an EPCOT resort and the traffic flow driving is perfect from that direction. That;s my only concern this year is coming from the other side of the street essentially if I will run into a closed road, need to research that a bit prior to. We normally shoot for about an hour prior and that has always served us well. I just can't justify getting there much earlier and sitting around, especially if its a chilly year. So we'll likely try out leaving our hotel about 4:15 for the 5:30 start. I realize this makes some folks a little nervous, but I'm showered up, fueled up and bathroom'ed up prior to leaving so when I get there I'm ready to run. Parking lot to staging is really pretty close, 10 mins maybe. From staging to start is more as you suggested, 20 min or so. Sometimes if you are early in the release its super crowded and slow and can take longer. I've only cut this close once before and showed up to find the staging area empty...then my stomach got empty... I huffed it to the corals, jumped into a coral just behind the one I was slated for and made it a challenge to catch up

 

[matthew schmidt111]

Hey there! Yeah in years past we have stayed at an EPCOT resort and the traffic flow driving is perfect from that direction. That;s my only concern this year is coming from the other side of the street essentially if I will run into a closed road, need to research that a bit prior to. We normally shoot for about an hour prior and that has always served us well. I just can't justify getting there much earlier and sitting around, especially if its a chilly year. So we'll likely try out leaving our hotel about 4:15 for the 5:30 start. I realize this makes some folks a little nervous, but I'm showered up, fueled up and bathroom'ed up prior to leaving so when I get there I'm ready to run. Parking lot to staging is really pretty close, 10 mins maybe. From staging to start is more as you suggested, 20 min or so. Sometimes if you are early in the release its super crowded and slow and can take longer. I've only cut this close once before and showed up to find the staging area empty...then my stomach got empty... I huffed it to the corals, jumped into a coral just behind the one I was slated for and made it a challenge to catch up

Thanks for the info. ... SmoothRunner... I think I will drive to the park... if I do get there early, I can always sit in my warm car... My last Disney run was in 2010 when the temp was in the low 30's...It looks like the last 2 years have been warm.. Maybe it is time to switch my prayers for not getting injured to praying for warm weather... mid 50's at the start...

 

[ClewRunning]

Thanks for the info. ... SmoothRunner... I think I will drive to the park... if I do get there early, I can always sit in my warm car... My last Disney run was in 2010 when the temp was in the low 30's...It looks like the last 2 years have been warm.. Maybe it is time to switch my prayers for not getting injured to praying for warm weather... mid 50's at the start...

Chiming in on this...a lot of runners will get there early and kick back in their cars, even catch a quick nap. The fan fair in staging is fairly energetic. I run with SmoothRunner and we do like to wait and get their later then they recommend...but every race I've been to, Disney or non, suggests an enormous amount of lead time pre-race. It jusy isn't necessary. Now...having said that, there is always a slight panic when you drive to Epcot and see this long line of brake lights in front of you. But as you would expect from Disney, they are all over it and get you in and parked fairly quickly. Gettin' close All!!!

 

[SmoothRunner]

Thanks for the info. ... SmoothRunner... I think I will drive to the park... if I do get there early, I can always sit in my warm car... My last Disney run was in 2010 when the temp was in the low 30's...It looks like the last 2 years have been warm.. Maybe it is time to switch my prayers for not getting injured to praying for warm weather... mid 50's at the start...

No doubt! I was there in 2010, standing in line for the porta potty in potty city there at the beginning and it was sleeting!?? Remember that, crazy! This is one real upside to having a car there, camping out if need be. My running partner ClewRunning found a site, AccuWeather, that has long range forecasting and at this point the weather looks pretty ideal. Mostly sunny, lows in the lower 50's and highs in the mid 60's. Bring it on!

We are doing our last 4 day simulation this week, 3-6-10-20. Anyone else finishing up the long stuff this week? Best wishes to all! See Ya Real Soon!

 

[ell13]

We are doing our last 4 day simulation this week, 3-6-10-20. Anyone else finishing up the long stuff this week? Best wishes to all! See Ya Real Soon!

I'm doing a 3-10-20 this week as well. Good luck!

 

[Ariel484]

No doubt! I was there in 2010, standing in line for the porta potty in potty city there at the beginning and it was sleeting!?? Remember that, crazy! This is one real upside to having a car there, camping out if need be. My running partner ClewRunning found a site, AccuWeather, that has long range forecasting and at this point the weather looks pretty ideal. Mostly sunny, lows in the lower 50's and highs in the mid 60's. Bring it on!

We are doing our last 4 day simulation this week, 3-6-10-20. Anyone else finishing up the long stuff this week? Best wishes to all! See Ya Real Soon!

I'm doing a 3-10-20 this week as well. Good luck!

Me! 2.5/5/10/20 this week, starting on Wednesday. I'm actually sort of - ?!?!! - excited for it...I think just because I feel so ready to get to tapering!!

SmoothRunner, I hope that AccuWeather forecast holds. That sounds AMAZING. Good reminder to start gathering some throwaway clothes...

 

[mbwhitti]

For those that ran Dopey last year, I have a question regarding corral placement? So, I looked at the Dopey placement and am in corral 'M'. I submitted a decent half time of a little over 2 hours, but I guess I predicted my marathon time to be slower...can't remember. At that point, I had never completed a marathon. Does this mean I'm in corral 'M' for the half? I was in corral D or E for my last Disney half. This seems so far back... I've only done one Disney race and can't remember, how much time is between each corral release? Also, are there any specifics on lining up for the 5K and 10K?

As far as training goes, DH and I completed our first Marathon a week ago. Longest run before that was 17 for me, so it was quite the task. Only have one more distance run of 10 miles planned in a week or so.

 

[jeanigor]

For those that ran Dopey last year, I have a question regarding corral placement? So, I looked at the Dopey placement and am in corral 'M'. I submitted a decent half time of a little over 2 hours, but I guess I predicted my marathon time to be slower...can't remember. At that point, I had never completed a marathon. Does this mean I'm in corral 'M' for the half? I was in corral D or E for my last Disney half. This seems so far back... I've only done one Disney race and can't remember, how much time is between each corral release? Also, are there any specifics on lining up for the 5K and 10K?

As far as training goes, DH and I completed our first Marathon a week ago. Longest run before that was 17 for me, so it was quite the task. Only have one more distance run of 10 miles planned in a week or so.

You will be in M for the half and the full (same bib).

The first few corrals have 2 minutes between releases, then 3, and finally working up to 5 minutes between for the latter corrals.

Depending on when your Disney race was, there may have been fewer corrals.

You will be in the same corral for the 5K & 10K (same bib). Those corrals are A-E. There was a much larger time between corral releasess for the 5K & 10K last year. (Think 5-10 minutes)

 

[mbwhitti]

You will be in M for the half and the full (same bib).

You will be in the same corral for the 5K & 10K (same bib). Those corrals are A-E.

Sorry, still new to this whole challenge thing. How do I find my corral for the 5k and 10k? I went by the bib number on my waiver for the Dopey placement in the half and full.

 

[jeanigor]

Sorry, still new to this whole challenge thing. How do I find my corral for the 5k and 10k? I went by the bib number on my waiver for the Dopey placement in the half and full.

I don't know that its listed on the runDisney site.

You will receive two bibs during packet pick up. One bib (green if it is like last year) for the 5K & 10K with the corral marked on it. You will wear that on Thursday and Friday morning. The other bib (purple if like last year) for the Half and Full with the M corral marked on it.

Both bibs will have the same number, so your Dopey number is consistent throughout the challenge.

**I don't understand why its upside down, it shows up correct in photobucket....