Official 2011 Disneyland Half Thread!

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I will be interested to know what those of you who have only been to WDW before think of the park - Disneyland has always been "my" park since I grew up in California, and I have always felt that it is special as it was the first. I finlly got to go to WDW last year, and I loved it, but it didn't replace Dland in my heart. I can always just imagine Walt walking through the park as he often did. Wish I had been there then!

I think anyone visiting DL for the first time needs to go on the Walt's Footsteps tour because it gives you a better appreciation for the park. I will always have a soft spot for DL because it is the original. I got a bit teary on the tour a couple times because listening to the recordings of Walt talking, and his dedication speech just brought the reality of his dream to life. It made the visit so much more special. Without that, most people will be disappointed because WDW has so much more to do. But, I think that DL is a lot more magical because Walt worked directly on that park...sure his concepts made it to WDW but he never stepped foot in the park.

 

[missmoe]

I think anyone visiting DL for the first time needs to go on the Walt's Footsteps tour because it gives you a better appreciation for the park. I will always have a soft spot for DL because it is the original. I got a bit teary on the tour a couple times because listening to the recordings of Walt talking, and his dedication speech just brought the reality of his dream to life. It made the visit so much more special. Without that, most people will be disappointed because WDW has so much more to do. But, I think that DL is a lot more magical because Walt worked directly on that park...sure his concepts made it to WDW but he never stepped foot in the park.

Yep, I agree that is where people get hung up - it is just a smaller park. But I also think it has a better flow. But that could be because I am used to it! I think there is definitely something to the fact that Walt was involved in Disneyland from conception to (quasi)completion - it truly was his park.

 

[missmoe]

Ok so I have a race day question for those of you who have run this race before. I am staying at the Castle Inn and Suites, which is technically within walking distance of that park. But is it too far away to walk on race morning? And with the shuttles that run for the race, they say that they only leave from select Good Neighbor hotels, but it also says that they are complimentary for all runners and spectators. So if I can't walk, can we just hop on one of those shuttles at a hotel nearby?

 

[John VN]

Ok so I have a race day question for those of you who have run this race before. I am staying at the Castle Inn and Suites, which is technically within walking distance of that park. But is it too far away to walk on race morning? And with the shuttles that run for the race, they say that they only leave from select Good Neighbor hotels, but it also says that they are complimentary for all runners and spectators. So if I can't walk, can we just hop on one of those shuttles at a hotel nearby?

We're right up the street at Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites, suppose to be a stone's throw away from the entrance, so I think you are just a couple stones farther away.

 

[Embroidery Grandma]

Today I did a 10K at a pace of 15:16 It was difficullt without my walking partner. I will do an easier one next Sunday.
On Thursday I will fly out to El Paso to meet up with DH and we will drive to DL on Fiday with our grandsons.

Kathy

 

[slp1650]

I will be interested to know what those of you who have only been to WDW before think of the park - Disneyland has always been "my" park since I grew up in California, and I have always felt that it is special as it was the first. I finlly got to go to WDW last year, and I loved it, but it didn't replace Dland in my heart. I can always just imagine Walt walking through the park as he often did. Wish I had been there then!

I grew up with Dland as well and although I love it and it is extremely traditional to me, I really liked Dworld more. Then again I do work at Dworld now and I enjoy the other aspects of the parks. Because I am an animal person I really do enjoy Animal Kingdom and the Seas.

Also, Walt wanted a place where you don't have to worry about the outside world and you can submerse yourself within the parks and Disney World has really done that now. That's especially true on the races because the Dworld races will have my characters out throughout the run since you're always on property where as with Dland you'll have bands and what not along the course, but the characters are only in the parks.

I do have to say... I'm excited to come home and race at Disneyland. I've been counting down the days for a while now

 

[kim3339]

Are there any grocery delivery services in the Disneyland area? We're staying at the Best Western Stovall, without a car, and will need to buy bottled water and some other groceries that aren't "travel" friendly.

I know that a lot of people order food through Vons (vons.com) It's a large So Cal grocery chain and they deliver. Not sure about the charge for delievery though. Also, if you walk down Katella to the corner with Harbor, there is a 7-11 and right next down around the corner on the Harbor side is a liquor store. B/c they're right next to DL and all the hotels, the selection is a lot larger than a regular 7-11. So there's that option as well.

Ok so I have a race day question for those of you who have run this race before. I am staying at the Castle Inn and Suites, which is technically within walking distance of that park. But is it too far away to walk on race morning? And with the shuttles that run for the race, they say that they only leave from select Good Neighbor hotels, but it also says that they are complimentary for all runners and spectators. So if I can't walk, can we just hop on one of those shuttles at a hotel nearby?

Shuttles unfortunately won't help. They pick up at the hotels and drop you off at the Main Entrance area on Harbor. The easiest thing to do is just to walk straight down DTD Sunday morning until you hit the DL Hotel and then you turn right into the staging area. It'll only take 5-10 minutes. You'll see a ton of people walking so if you're unsure, you can just follow the big plastic bags!

A couple of places in DTD will be open early Sunday morning if you want to pick something to eat/drink too. I think it's La Brea Bakery, Jamba Juice and the coffee shop at the end of DTD. They open either 3 or 3:30.

 

[ludari]

I ran 10 miles today at a leisurely pace. I'm ready for this race... Let's get it on!

 

[mandac]

Ok so I have a race day question for those of you who have run this race before. I am staying at the Castle Inn and Suites, which is technically within walking distance of that park. But is it too far away to walk on race morning? And with the shuttles that run for the race, they say that they only leave from select Good Neighbor hotels, but it also says that they are complimentary for all runners and spectators. So if I can't walk, can we just hop on one of those shuttles at a hotel nearby?

The Castle isnt' too far to walk on race morning, just give yourself a little extra time. There will be a lot of people walking in that morning, so you won't be on the road alone. I think it should be fine for a walk to the race. What I always worry about is the walk out after the race

I did an 11 mile run yesterday and my legs were totally done when I was. It was hard to pull out that last half a mile. It is the longest I have ever ran, becuase prior to this year I was a walker. I must say that I was much better at walking than running. But I think I will do Ok in the race. I was scheduled to do a 12 mile run this weekend but I think I will do an 8 or 10 because I don't want to be sore.

I am so excited for my trip. Disneyland is my happy place and I can't wait to go. We are arriving Thursday night, so I have all of Friday and Saturday to play before the race. In the past it hasn't been super crowded, so that was nice. Last year before the Surf CIty race we made the mistake of watching WOC on Saturday night. I woudln't recommend that because you stand for the show and my back was hating it on race day. We are planning on going back to the park on Sunday - maybe going to the baseball game. My DH has never been to a MLB game! I think that is just Unamerican! We are not leaving California until Tuesday. I am one of those weird people that can spend that many days at DL parks and still want more. I can't wait.

I would love to come to a meet. I haven't made it the past few years because we were usually touring with other people, but this year I shoudl be able to break away. I think they have done in front of Jamba Juice on Saturday afternoon. I would love that. We could meet and then I could head down and get my packet, or right after that.

What day/time would be best for everyone to meet? My vote is for Saturday, maybe about 4? Would most people be in by then?

 

[missmoe]

Just a heads up, if you are a procrastinator like me, and you are looking to get any discounted tickets you must have your order placed by 5pm PST on Monday August 22. (I ordered mine today....I put it off a while.)

Can I ask where you saw that today is the last day to buy the discounted tickets? I am guessing you mean the ones to the park? I looked all over but didn't see the date for the last chance to buy. I won't have the money to buy my tickets until the end of the week, and was planning to buy them through Get Travel.

 

[jeanigor]

Can I ask where you saw that today is the last day to buy the discounted tickets? I am guessing you mean the ones to the park? I looked all over but didn't see the date for the last chance to buy. I won't have the money to buy my tickets until the end of the week, and was planning to buy them through Get Travel.

The gentleman with GET Travel told me that when I called and spoke with them to see if discounted tickets were still available.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

I'm in the same boat as you with training, if not a little worse. My farthest run since moving to Florida was 5.5 mile(ish), and my farthest total is close to 7 miles. We'll see how this goes, but right now I'm just hoping to survive.

I've only been doing 4.25 a few times a weeks. The heat here is too much. I also hope to just finish. No PR here.

Getting excited, here!

We're flying in on Friday morning (arriving at SNA at 9:30 am). Here's the plan:

Friday: Fly in / expo / DCA for WOC

Saturday: DL

Sunday: Run / DL / Blue Bayou for dinner

Monday: Parks / Fly home at 6:30

It'll be a fast trip, but we're looking forward do it. It'll be our first time away from our 1 year old son so I'm a bit nervous, but I'm also looking forward to some "adult" time. I haven't been training nearly enough - I haven't run more than 5 miles at a time since the half marathon that I ran in June. I did a tri last weekend so I have been keeping active, but definitely not putting in the running miles that I should be. Oh well, it'll get done.

I haven't seen anything about a WISH meet before the race - have I missed something? I know that there has traditionally been the Jamba Juice meet on the Friday afternoon...

I did a 1/2 in early June but now that it's gotten hotter I haven't run too much at all. Hopefully I'll do ok.

Ok so I have a race day question for those of you who have run this race before. I am staying at the Castle Inn and Suites, which is technically within walking distance of that park. But is it too far away to walk on race morning? And with the shuttles that run for the race, they say that they only leave from select Good Neighbor hotels, but it also says that they are complimentary for all runners and spectators. So if I can't walk, can we just hop on one of those shuttles at a hotel nearby?

Just walking through DTD will be your best bet.

 

[slp1650]

I've only been doing 4.25 a few times a weeks. The heat here is too much. I also hope to just finish. No PR here.

Ya, I'm blaming the heat and humidity here as well...It's hard to wake up and get out there before the heat starts rising a bit too high. I'm almost tempted to run in the rain... almost.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Ya, I'm blaming the heat and humidity here as well...It's hard to wake up and get out there before the heat starts rising a bit too high. I'm almost tempted to run in the rain... almost.

I have set my alarm early a few times but I don't actually get up. I run after work and if I wait until it cools down a little then I only have about an hour of day light left.

 

[Cripey]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share my Minnie-inspired race day ensemble...if you recognize me, say hello! (And if you see me from behind, the back of the shirt says "I 'heart' Mickey" in rhinestones)

 

[slp1650]

I have set my alarm early a few times but I don't actually get up. I run after work and if I wait until it cools down a little then I only have about an hour of day light left.

I do the exact same! Yet the days I do actually get up are the days that I have a limited time to run before work... the irony of life. I actually wrote a blog article about pro's and con's to waking up and how morning runs are great if you can get out of bed.

We'll definitely have to get up early for the race! Luckily that'll be normal time for me since I'm on east coast time right now. During the Princess Half I almost missed my alarm because I set the volume so low. Luckily my "internal" clock woke me up... saved my life! Trust me, never making that mistake again.

 

[Princess13.1]

We're from California so when we did Princess we had several friends call us before they went to bed. The time difference really came in handy. We'll have to set multiple alarms for DL. Can hardly wait. Eight more days till we're jetting to Anaheim. C2C here we come!!

 

[Saylan]

Cripey, I love your costume! If another Minnie-inspired runner (provided I can sew something up this week) waves hi, it might be me!

 

[Cripey]

Cripey, I love your costume! If another Minnie-inspired runner (provided I can sew something up this week) waves hi, it might be me!

Thanks! I hope to see you!

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Summer,

I also love the outfit. I am wearing the pink Mickey RunDisney shirt I just bought and black shorts....not inspiring like your cute outfit but I am OLD!!
Hope to see you so I can give you a compliment in person.
Happy Running, Pam