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

[suzannews]

DisneySports Twitter feed has announced the dates of the Princess Half weekend have changed to February 25-27, 2011. Registration opens July 6, 2010!

Thats usually ESPN weekend, wonder if that 5K is no longer.

 

[joan4mickey]

I DON'T like the new date at all!!!!
My college daughters want to run (they did it the first year and want to do it again) and it has been falling during their spring break..which works out great--We get to spend time together and run the half together..this is just not a good date for us. You can see us on the top of page 20 in the Official Storybook Program.

Now that I got that off my chest...I am going to have to work on some kind of plan to make this work. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions feel free to share.....

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The date change will probably do me in for this one. I'm running the Wine & Dine Half in October. February is just too close to come down to Orlando again.

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

I feel the same way. Its only a week earlier but I can see Im not the only one this is bothering. I was hoping to get to see the epcot flower and garden festival. I believe that usually started the first couple days of march. My aunt has just decided to join our trip and I was excited for her to see it as well. She has never been to disney before....never Can you even believe that and shes 59. I told her she has no choice but to come. Hopefully the new dates work for her. Anyone have any idea what kind of weather to expect?

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

I still plan to run, but I was REALLY hoping to see some of the Flower and Garden Festival! I wish they would've left it in March!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I couldn't believe they changed the date - and was shocked to get the e-mail. A week later would have been better or a month! I am not worried about it being close to anything else, but just hoping that this doesn't guarantee freezing weather like this year. That was the only thing I didn't like about the race.

 

[swim-mom]

Everyone - try and remain positive!

They did change the date, and I bet the race will still fill up - and maybe turn out larger than this past year.

On a positive side, it is very possible that Disney changed the date to make some changes like an after party - a bigger expo -- more hotels to choice from and/or more special events.

Remember this - disney spent alot of money in advertising for the 2011 MARCH race, now the date has changed and all that money is now gone.

If I had to guess they are planning something BIGGER than this year, because of the demand for the race

I will be there with my gf (we leave the dh's home w/the kids) and several other friends want to run too.

Sending some pixie dust your way to see this maybe a good sign of great things to come this race in 2011

 

[joan4mickey]

I appreciate your positive spin, Swim-Mom.
But, I hope that they don't tie it in with the ESPN weekend which I consider to be a guy weekend and I hope people don't rush to sign up in July. I think if we all wait it will send a message to those that thought it a good idea. I won't be able to sign until Nov. after my girls get their spring semester schedules. An extra party and events wound not be in our favor as we will only get a short weekend, IF we get to go at all.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Joan - I'm with you. DD had her heart set on this, and it lined up with her college spring break perfectly. We'd already tentatively planned our 2011 Disney trip around the race, and now it won't work at all. So everything goes out the window. No Princess for us!

Jackie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Joan - I'm with you. DD had her heart set on this, and it lined up with her college spring break perfectly. We'd already tentatively planned our 2011 Disney trip around the race, and now it won't work at all. So everything goes out the window. No Princess for us!

Jackie

Jackie, is there any chance your daughter is still on winter break for the January races?

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Oh I plan on being there! Either to walk or run or cheer on some girlfriends!

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi everyone, i haven't chimed in yet, b/c i was not sure if i would do 2011 due to finances..

However, getting the date change email probably sealed the deal as a "no-go" for me.

I for one - not only go for the race, but for a nice weather break from new england. Early March is shaky enough weather wise down there -- but to move it back even a week just kills me... That is one huge reason we don't do the january race -- when i spend the money to travel to FL. i want at least a good chance of some nice weather.. If i were closer and it was just a quick weekend trip, i wouldn't care so much.. but for me to spend my money for a vacation ------ i need the nice weather.

Guess i will sit this one out.. mabye a race next Oct. would be better for me!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Jackie, is there any chance your daughter is still on winter break for the January races?

Amy - First, classes start just as race weekend begins. Plus, she saw the medal at the Indy expo and decided she absolutely HAD to have a Princess medal. And we've been in January for the past 3 years and just wanted something different. After freezing to death during the 2010 Goofy, I thought it would be nice to enjoy a little warmer weather and a different sort of race experience. DH and I may still go in January, and DD may end up skipping classes for a day or two so we can do the races, but we won't get the week-long family vacation that we were looking forward to with the original Princess dates. It was just too perfectly timed!

As it happens, her birthday falls over the January race weekend every year, so it looks like she may get a marathon as her 20th birthday present!

Jackie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Amy - First, classes start just as race weekend begins. Plus, she saw the medal at the Indy expo and decided she absolutely HAD to have a Princess medal. And we've been in January for the past 3 years and just wanted something different. After freezing to death during the 2010 Goofy, I thought it would be nice to enjoy a little warmer weather and a different sort of race experience. DH and I may still go in January, and DD may end up skipping classes for a day or two so we can do the races, but we won't get the week-long family vacation that we were looking forward to with the original Princess dates. It was just too perfectly timed!

As it happens, her birthday falls over the January race weekend every year, so it looks like she may get a marathon as her 20th birthday present!

Jackie

Yeah, I really wanted a Princess medal, too. Hopefully, Wine & Dine will have something cool.

 

[wtpclc]

Jackie - What a bummer! To think things fell into place so nicely and plan on it and then..... Being college age, you won't have that chance again too often. Or, it might not be the same. I'm sure your family will make the bestt of it, but it is a bummer!

Swim-mom - I wish I had your attitude. I always see $$$ behind the changes they make. Like going from Minnie in a low DVC point/price season during F&G to Princess, a pricier race in almost teh highest point/price season bummed me out to begin with. So, I'm skeptical. I do admire your thinking, though adn need to try harder myeself.

To try to be more like swim-mom, I already know that the date change has opened htis up to some others that could not go before. Glad they will get the chance.

As fro weather, anything goes. We have had 85+ degree weather in January. Last year was unseasonably cold fro FL the entire winter. That should mean better luck this year adn end of Feb could be very nice. Just never know.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

MouseDogMom--I vote we just go in March anyway. Remember on the run w/ you and Brenda when I said it is possible to have vacation without running.....

I don't like Donald Duck. I adore almost everything Disney, but that particular character is not included. Plus, even though I like the attention marathon weekend gets, I just never really felt the need to be a part of it. I think I'd be a bit more positive about this if I hadn't just broken up with my boyfriend of two years, but right now I'm just mad at Disney. They can't hand out postcards with the date as March 5 and then just change it. They just lost my registration

 

[swim-mom]

You guys keep the "GLASS HALF FULL"!!!

This year I fly down on the late flight on Friday with a friend and then my other friend flew in on Sat and arrived to Saratoga at 10am -- went to breakfast, did the expo and eat at Cali Grill. Were back to the room and in bed by 11pm.

Sunday work up at 3am (ish) did the run/race back to room for a shower & lunch and just walked around then we flew out at 9pm.

I have four children and my friend who has two (who flew down on Sat) agreeded we had a great time without causing too much childcare issues with our hubbies.

Next year I will only fly out the day before on the 6am flight and fly home the next night on the late flight after the run.

It may not work for everyone, but I get to experience my time and a mini vac with a great friend while not killing the budget of my family

Just a thought for those of you who never considered a short stay

 

[Caitsmama]

swim-mom, if that works for you -- that's great! However, i can't see flying down from RI to WDW for 2/3 days... financially. That will be school vacation week here - and i would assume that flights would be high.. And, personally, i can realistically only afford to pay for round trip air for me and my dd for one trip / year --- so that needs to be worthwhile.. at least a week.
IF i had more financial ability, i wouldn't think twice about flying down for a weekend!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm already making a weekend trip for the Wine & Dine Half, and it's costing us about $1500 for the two of us.

 

[mikmouse]

You guys keep the "GLASS HALF FULL"!!!

This year I fly down on the late flight on Friday with a friend and then my other friend flew in on Sat and arrived to Saratoga at 10am -- went to breakfast, did the expo and eat at Cali Grill. Were back to the room and in bed by 11pm.

Sunday work up at 3am (ish) did the run/race back to room for a shower & lunch and just walked around then we flew out at 9pm.

I have four children and my friend who has two (who flew down on Sat) agreeded we had a great time without causing too much childcare issues with our hubbies.

Next year I will only fly out the day before on the 6am flight and fly home the next night on the late flight after the run.

It may not work for everyone, but I get to experience my time and a mini vac with a great friend while not killing the budget of my family

Just a thought for those of you who never considered a short stay

Can someone please confirm that the race is actually on SUNDAY not Saturday? We will arrive on Sat and just want to be sure my daughter can still go to pick up her package.

Thanks.