Official 2011 Princess Half Marathon Thread - Link to new thread Post 3703!

[mommyof2Pirates]

what days are everyone flying in on. I was initially thinking friday since the winter weather here is so unpredictable. I have this fear that if we book a sat morning departure and a big snow storm comes I wont get there in time to pick up my package. Any thoughts?

 

[NCrunner]

what days are everyone flying in on. I was initially thinking friday since the winter weather here is so unpredictable. I have this fear that if we book a sat morning departure and a big snow storm comes I wont get there in time to pick up my package. Any thoughts?

I'm actually going to try and get there on Thurs night so I can pick up my packet on Friday and Have Sat to sit by the pool, eat and go to bed early...Where are u staying? I keep seeing different places, I would love to stay Poly but I'm prob gonna end up at POR too. The monorail is sooo convienent for the fam to come to and from start!

 

[Lexxie&Nicky]

I am thinking I will fly in on Friday morning - I am also concerned about the weather - ick!

 

[DisneyRunnerGirl]

We are at POR also - French Qtr was already booked - oh well, I am up for a new resort experience. Who am I kidding - I love experimenting at Disney. Doesn't mean I will love everywhere, but I am open to new places.

 

[Trudes]

My sister and I are staying at POR, planning to fly in Thursday and out on Monday.

Do you know what sports drink is being provided? I thought I read it, but don't remember.

 

[Lexxie&Nicky]

I am starting to get a little worried about booking a room. With my upcoming trip, I need to wait. Is it that the resorts are booked or they are booked at the race rate?
I am not so much concerned about getting the race rate but would like to stay at a host resort.

Thanks!

 

[mikmouse]

I am starting to get a little worried about booking a room. With my upcoming trip, I need to wait. Is it that the resorts are booked or they are booked at the race rate?
I am not so much concerned about getting the race rate but would like to stay at a host resort.

Thanks!

I would definitely book a host resort, or at least Boardwalk or Beach Club where you can walk to Epcot if necessary. At the frist race 2 years ago we stayed at Old Key West. It was a nightmare at 5 am to try and get to Epcot by car!!!! My daughter was in panic, so I ended up following a bus and went through their entrance. Only way to get through. This time we're at Boardwalk and she will boat or walk over to Epcot. We have DVC so that's why we're there. Good luck.

 

[El&Asmom]

I am starting to get a little worried about booking a room. With my upcoming trip, I need to wait. Is it that the resorts are booked or they are booked at the race rate?
I am not so much concerned about getting the race rate but would like to stay at a host resort.

Thanks!

I agree. Worse case scenario I can probably book a DVC room at SSR or OKW, but would rather not use pts since I am going with a friend and we're splitting the room.

The hardest part for me is that no one else that is going with is a WDW planner. They are all typical vacationers that plan last minute. Four of the women are actually staying offsite. , j/k. The other hard part is that I want to plan ADRs, but know everyone would think I was crazy talking about where we are going to eat 6 months from now. They just don't understand.

I've decided that I'll just let things go. I'll try to go with the flow, and have fun with my friends. Hopefully my roommate will at least agree to stay onsite with me. I don't want to rent a car.

 

[ljcrochet]

I would definitely book a host resort, or at least Boardwalk or Beach Club where you can walk to Epcot if necessary. At the frist race 2 years ago we stayed at Old Key West. It was a nightmare at 5 am to try and get to Epcot by car!!!! My daughter was in panic, so I ended up following a bus and went through their entrance. Only way to get through. This time we're at Boardwalk and she will boat or walk over to Epcot. We have DVC so that's why we're there. Good luck.

I would not count on being able to walk to EPCOT from boardwalk or beach club. I don't think the international gate will be open.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I would definitely book a host resort, or at least Boardwalk or Beach Club where you can walk to Epcot if necessary. At the frist race 2 years ago we stayed at Old Key West. It was a nightmare at 5 am to try and get to Epcot by car!!!! My daughter was in panic, so I ended up following a bus and went through their entrance. Only way to get through. This time we're at Boardwalk and she will boat or walk over to Epcot. We have DVC so that's why we're there. Good luck.

Hi mikmouse! Are you certain that you will be able to walk to the start of the race? I thought I had read somewhere that you couldn't walk to the starting area from the Boardwalk or Beach Club and Yacht resorts (that is, the back entrance will not be open). I'm not sure what kind of a walk it would be at 3 or 4 a.m. any other way to get to the front entrance where the race starts. Also, would the boats be running that early? I've never ran the Princess 1/2, so maybe you know better than I. Just want to make sure you can get to the start okay!

 

[HockeyKat]

I would not count on being able to walk to EPCOT from boardwalk or beach club. I don't think the international gate will be open.

I will 2nd (or third?) this. You absolutely CANNOT walk from Boardwalk or Beach Club to the start of the race, unless you want to add more than a few miles to your 13.1!

They did not open the International Gateway to let you walk through Epcot, so you would have to walk clear around on the highway.

We stayed at BWV last year, and drove into the race. The drive was painless (15-20 min with traffic), and parking was free and not far from gear check. You also can leave a little early, and spend time in the warm car eating breakfast.

Cab is also an option.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I would definitely book a host resort, or at least Boardwalk or Beach Club where you can walk to Epcot if necessary. At the frist race 2 years ago we stayed at Old Key West. It was a nightmare at 5 am to try and get to Epcot by car!!!! My daughter was in panic, so I ended up following a bus and went through their entrance. Only way to get through. This time we're at Boardwalk and she will boat or walk over to Epcot. We have DVC so that's why we're there. Good luck.

You can't walk to EPCOT. The gate is not open and you will be stuck. I don't know if you are talking about the Princess or the WDW Marathon because it was so easy to get to the Princess this year by car. I stayed at the Holiday Inn DTD and got there well before most of the buses. The parking and everything was a piece of cake. I thought it may be a challenge with the road closings but it wasn't at all. I spent more than the employee rate this time around but I usually spend no more than $50 a night which is certainly not something you can get a Disney resort for. A lot of people stay off property and share a car or a taxi and have no issues whatsoever.

 

[disneyaway]

We are planning on getting in Friday as DD4 is going to run in the kids race Saturday. Since we are going to be there a week, we are going to stay at the Swan. I am hoping I will be able to take a cab to the entrance. I just have to figure out how DH and DD will get there- probably cab as well.

 

[HockeyKat]

I don't know if you are talking about the Princess or the WDW Marathon because it was so easy to get to the Princess this year by car. I stayed at the Holiday Inn DTD and got there well before most of the buses. The parking and everything was a piece of cake. I thought it may be a challenge with the road closings but it wasn't at all.

I will second this. However, we left the resort around 4:10-4:15 and got to the Epcot parking lot by 4:30 or so.

Based on last year, you have to be in your corral by 5:30, and with gear check, the inevitable port-a-potty stop, and the 20 min walk to the corral, I would shoot to be there no later than about 4:45.

If you wait to leave until 5, you run the risk of not making it in time.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

We stayed at BWV last year, and drove into the race. The drive was painless (15-20 min with traffic), and parking was free and not far from gear check. You also can leave a little early, and spend time in the warm car eating breakfast.

What time did you leave your hotel and arrive at the race (the Princess 1/2)? I believe I read somewhere that if at a host resort, the last bus leaves at 4 AM. But I also think I've read where others sometimes arrived later if they drove, maybe as late as 5AM? Could this be right? We are planning to stay at a host resort but I am wondering it it may still be more convenient to drive to race. Thoughts?

 

[buckeyecinderella]

HockeyKat, I see you just answered my question before I could even ask it. Thanks!

 

[HockeyKat]

HockeyKat, I see you just answered my question before I could even ask it. Thanks!

Haha! No problem.

I know that it sounds really, really early (and I am NOT a morning person), but believe me, you won't sleep much the night before anyhow.

The advice that I got from my running club is that it's not the sleep that you get the night before the race that is important - the two nights before it matter more.

 

[Lexxie&Nicky]

Okay well I wasn't planning to walk to EPCOT but now I definately know I won't be doing that. I guess my real question was - are the resorts that I am hearing are not showing availability due to the race rate being full or that the entire resort is full?

I have not traveled to WDW during this time before so I am not familiar with how full the resorts are going to be.
Thanks for any info.

 

[Lexxie&Nicky]

Okay well I wasn't planning to walk to EPCOT but now I definately know I won't be doing that. I guess my real question was - are the resorts that I am hearing are not showing availability due to the race rate being full or that the entire resort is full?

I have not traveled to WDW during this time before so I am not familiar with how full the resorts are going to be.
Thanks for any info.

 

[twnkedee]

Hi all, first time poster, long time follower. I am registered and CBR booked for the Princess half in 2011! I just wanted to say that this thread is awesome, so much useful information. I am learning a lot.