Official 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Thread

[kim3339]

Great! Very helpful info...thank you!

You're welcome! W/ the exception of a very few hotels, you can't really go wrong w/ the hotels around the parks, but I usually don't use them for anything more than storage for my clothes and a place to sleep. Although, this year will be a little different w/ WDW the weekend before some pool time will definitely be in the cards Fri and Sat.

 

[Cripey]

You're welcome! W/ the exception of a very few hotels, you can't really go wrong w/ the hotels around the parks, but I usually don't use them for anything more than storage for my clothes and a place to sleep. Although, this year will be a little different w/ WDW the weekend before some pool time will definitely be in the cards Fri and Sat.

yeah, we don't spend a whole lot of time in the rooms either and with this being a pretty short trip for us we don't need anything super fancy. I'd love to find a rate like that $59 you got at HoJo...that's amazing...but not looking like that's going to happen for race weekend, at least from what I've seen so far, but I'm continuing the search! For this year's Tink we were at the Red Lion and it was $99/night, breakfast included (although we never even tried it)...for next year's race weekend they are advertising $199/night! crazyness...it wasn't even THAT nice!

 

[kim3339]

Don't know if it would work or not, but if you have a WDW AP you could call HoJo and see if you can get the rates too? They have the AP rates for that weekend and haven't filled up yet. Or if you have Entertainment Card, they do retro rates w/ the card as well.

Here's the link to the AP section:
http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29

 

[Cripey]

Don't know if it would work or not, but if you have a WDW AP you could call HoJo and see if you can get the rates too? They have the AP rates for that weekend and haven't filled up yet. Or if you have Entertainment Card, they do retro rates w/ the card as well.

Here's the link to the AP section:
http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29

I don't have an AP...I have a silver main gate pass though since I'm a CM through ABC...but that probably doesn't count. oh well, I'll keep checking...and will have to look into this Entertainment Card. I'm not sure I know what that is.

 

[specialks]

I've never been to Disneyland (many, many trips to WDW tho!), so am wondering if y'all could give me some advice on hotels. Would love to stay on property, but not sure if the budget will allow. Thanks!

Check out these links to get an idea of layout. The race start was on Disneyland Drive right about where the Bulid a Bear logo is. The staging and finish was in the big open lot At Katella and Disneyland Drive (referring to first map)

Anaheim area map

Accommodations near Disneyland

Hotels: From what I've read i think the Disney Hotels will be the closest to the start/finish if its like last year. Can't go wrong with Disney hotels really. Personally, I have a reservation at the Hojo because I love their beds, DD and my mom love the property and for the rate I got I can't justify spending more to stay closer. I'm sure I wont love the mile walk back afte the race but I'll survive. It will definitely help me wake up in the morning though! PM me or search the Disneland California board for more info on Hojo's Entertainment card rate which currently is available for that weekend if you're interested.

That's right. The DLR hotels all were closest to the start last year. However, we stayed at the BWStovalls and were actually closer to the staging & finish than the DLH.

I don't have an AP...I have a silver main gate pass though since I'm a CM through ABC...but that probably doesn't count. oh well, I'll keep checking...and will have to look into this Entertainment Card. I'm not sure I know what that is.

Here is the entertainment card link:

HoJo Anaheim Entertainment Rate

The Entertainment card can be found in the Entertainment Book (www.entertainment.com). They have a sale right now for $12. You don't have to have the Anaheim book, any card will work. Also, some people just buy the card off eBay.

 

[Cripey]

Here is the entertainment card link:

HoJo Anaheim Entertainment Rate

The Entertainment card can be found in the Entertainment Book (www.entertainment.com). They have a sale right now for $12. You don't have to have the Anaheim book, any card will work. Also, some people just buy the card off eBay.

Wow...sounds like $12 well spent for sure...I'm getting one of those ASAP!!! If only the airlines accepted the card

 

[Cripey]

A question about using the Entertainment card, for those that have before...if I get the one for this year to make the reservation, am I going to need to show that one when we check in eventhough I'm assuming it will be expired by then since it'll be 2013? Or does that just mean I'm going to have to plan to buy one at the beginning of 2013 as well so that I have a valid card at check in....and will that one be accepted since it's not the same one that was valid at the time of making the reservation? I'll gladly buy one in January if I have too...it looks like it'll be worth it for sure!

 

[Cripey]

Thanks again yall for the info and suggestions for hotels...saved me a pretty good amount of $$ I went ahead and booked the HoJo with the Entertainment rate...paid $69/night for Queen standard room though because the only rooms available at $59 were double beds or an accessible King...figured we'd leave the accessbile for those that really need it. And now I'm Entertainment Book's newest fan!

regarding my previous question, I think I got an answer...I didn't need an entertainment card to book the rate, but just have to have a valid one at check in. I was told that most of the books/cards actually run November-November...is that correct? I'll have to set a reminder to make sure I buy a new one later this year to have in January!

 

[kirstie101]

Yes you're correct, Entertainment cards are good November-November so you want to wait til they start selling the next one. I'm staying at the Hojo's too so I'll see ya there!

 

[specialks]

Thanks again yall for the info and suggestions for hotels...saved me a pretty good amount of $$ I went ahead and booked the HoJo with the Entertainment rate...paid $69/night for Queen standard room though because the only rooms available at $59 were double beds or an accessible King...figured we'd leave the accessbile for those that really need it. And now I'm Entertainment Book's newest fan!

regarding my previous question, I think I got an answer...I didn't need an entertainment card to book the rate, but just have to have a valid one at check in. I was told that most of the books/cards actually run November-November...is that correct? I'll have to set a reminder to make sure I buy a new one later this year to have in January!

Great Job! You're right Nov to Nov.

Yes you're correct, Entertainment cards are good November-November so you want to wait til they start selling the next one. I'm staying at the Hojo's too so I'll see ya there!

Looks like we'll have a little "contingent" walking over bright and early Sunday morning!

 

[Cripey]

Does anyone remember what time the Expo opened on Friday for race weekend? We normally fly in late Friday night after work when we come to DL for a race and hit the expo first thing saturday morning...mostly because of issues at work complicated by the BF and I working in the same department...we kind of have to ration the time we take off together to keep things running smoothly for us...ugh, it gets annoying sometimes, but . Anyway...I'm playing with the idea of taking that Friday off alone and flying out super early in the AM to do the expo on friday, then just have the BF fly in that evening like normal. With all the new stuff opening up at DCA this year, and it being a quick trip for us on race weekend, it would be great to get the expo part over with on friday and have saturday am/early afternoon to hit the park for a bit before it's time to get off my feet for the race. Plus, I gain 2 hours flying out there, so I could potentially be out there pretty early if I can find the right flight!

Am I the only one already thinking about ths stuff and registration hasn't even opened yet??

 

[kim3339]

Does anyone remember what time the Expo opened on Friday for race weekend?

Am I the only one already thinking about ths stuff and registration hasn't even opened yet??

It opened at 10am last year. I think they did it earlier b/c the 5k was Friday night instead of Sat. morning. It opens at 12 for the DL 1/2, so even if they change it you'll have plenty of time.

And no, you're not the only one! I'm trying to figure everything out too. I have the hotel done, for now, but keep playing back and forth in my head when I want to go down. 1/2 Thursday night and the rest early Fri morning or all Fri morning? Once SW announces their Jan. schedules it'll be easier b/c then I can decide whether I want to fly or drive. I'm really leaning towards flying, b/c I get home from WDW early Wednesday morning and after Goofy, do I really want to drive 6 hours? Normally the drive isn't bad, but after the races the weekend before and then the 1/2 on Sunday and maybe 5k.... aaahhh!! So many decisions!!

 

[Cripey]

It opened at 10am last year. I think they did it earlier b/c the 5k was Friday night instead of Sat. morning. It opens at 12 for the DL 1/2, so even if they change it you'll have plenty of time.

And no, you're not the only one! I'm trying to figure everything out too. I have the hotel done, for now, but keep playing back and forth in my head when I want to go down. 1/2 Thursday night and the rest early Fri morning or all Fri morning? Once SW announces their Jan. schedules it'll be easier b/c then I can decide whether I want to fly or drive. I'm really leaning towards flying, b/c I get home from WDW early Wednesday morning and after Goofy, do I really want to drive 6 hours? Normally the drive isn't bad, but after the races the weekend before and then the 1/2 on Sunday and maybe 5k.... aaahhh!! So many decisions!!

Thanks!

Oh man, flying definitely sounds like the way to go for you...that's a long drive to have to sit for after doing the Goofy! If you drive, you might need to stop every hour for a good stretch

Will this be your first Goofy? I MIGHT be finally coming around to entertaining the thought of training for the WDW marathon. I've always said that I WANT to want to do it, but the training milege just blows my mind...I feel like I can't even comprehend it! But it's REALLY been on my mind alot lately so I've been giving alot of thought to maybe giving it a shot in 2014. The BF's already registered for our local marathon in Houston (his 3rd year in a row!)that's on the same day as the 2013 WDW full, so the 2013 full isn't an option for me...and I'm kind of glad about that anyway...not quite ready to make the commitment yet and say it out loud! He said if he breaks 4 hours on that race (and he's soooooo close!), he'll do WDW in 2014 instead of Houston...and would run it with me if I thought I wanted to give it a shot. I think I'll come around eventually. BUT the GOOFY??? That just seems like insanity!!! Good for you for doing it!

 

[kim3339]

Yeah, it is my 1st. A little nervous, but the training plan that seems to be popular starts the week after the DL 1/2, so that'll be good plus I don't have any big races this fall so I can focus soley on this one. And on the Marathon thread, people who've run it before say you really only need 2 or 3 back to backs which makes me feel a little better. And w/ Tink being like a "home" race b/c of all the DL 1/2's and trips to DL I can focus all my nervous engery on WDW. My biggest concern is how to approach the back to back weekends, but I'm think walk every other mile in the 1/2 and run the full and play Tink by ear. If I feel okay then run as long as I can and if not, then walk it, it'll still be fun. As long as I cross the finish line to get a time and a medal, that's all I need to stay on course for a legacy runner!

You should do the 1 in '15 ~ there was a thread asking about anniversaries for the different races and someone said that '15 is the 10th or 15th for Goofy and it'll be the 10th for DL so get get 2 big celebrations in 1 year. I might be tempted to go do it again.

 

[kirstie101]

Does anyone know how long the expo stays open on Saturday? I doubt I'll be able to get Friday off so we'll be driving down saturday morning....

 

[niclodn]

I'm super slow too (13 minute mile) so I'm happy to hear you were able to walk the whole thing within the 16 min mile requirement! I just started running back in February.

Hotels: From what I've read i think the Disney Hotels will be the closest to the start/finish if its like last year. Can't go wrong with Disney hotels really. Personally, I have a reservation at the Hojo because I love their beds, DD and my mom love the property and for the rate I got I can't justify spending more to stay closer. I'm sure I wont love the mile walk back afte the race but I'll survive. It will definitely help me wake up in the morning though! PM me or search the Disneland California board for more info on Hojo's Entertainment card rate which currently is available for that weekend if you're interested.

Thanks for the info! I really want to stay at one of the Disney hotels, but can't beat that Entertainment card rate at Hojo's! It's half of what everything else is and less than 1 night at a Disney property! Need to talk to my running partner, but may just bite the bullet and go with Hojo...

 

[kim3339]

Does anyone know how long the expo stays open on Saturday? I doubt I'll be able to get Friday off so we'll be driving down saturday morning....

10-5 on Saturday.

Just on the site, and they updated the info for next year's race. Sadly, the 5k still includes the twilight park tix. I'm really surprised, b/c it didn't sell out last year until the expo and I think a lot of it was b/c the reg was so expensive and included the tix and a lot of people that run it have the AP. So now, don't know about the 5k. Will definitely have to think about it...

 

[Cripey]

10-5 on Saturday.

Just on the site, and they updated the info for next year's race. Sadly, the 5k still includes the twilight park tix. I'm really surprised, b/c it didn't sell out last year until the expo and I think a lot of it was b/c the reg was so expensive and included the tix and a lot of people that run it have the AP. So now, don't know about the 5k. Will definitely have to think about it...

UGH...why-O-why do they do that? I kind of kicked around the idea of doing it, if I ended up flying in Friday morning, and just walking the whole thing for fun and pics because I am currently not planning on stopping for pics during the half. But I don't need the ticket either!

 

[specialks]

10-5 on Saturday.

Just on the site, and they updated the info for next year's race. Sadly, the 5k still includes the twilight park tix. I'm really surprised, b/c it didn't sell out last year until the expo and I think a lot of it was b/c the reg was so expensive and included the tix and a lot of people that run it have the AP. So now, don't know about the 5k. Will definitely have to think about it...

Can you upgrade the twilight ticket to a multiday Parkhopper?

 

[kim3339]

Can you upgrade the twilight ticket to a multiday Parkhopper?

Nope. I tried that last year ~ wanted to apply it to my AP purchase, but they said b/c it's a special tix no upgrades.

UGH...why-O-why do they do that? I kind of kicked around the idea of doing it, if I ended up flying in Friday morning, and just walking the whole thing for fun and pics because I am currently not planning on stopping for pics during the half. But I don't need the ticket either!

That's what I use the 5ks for. And having it at night last year was a completely different ambiance than the morning 5ks for the DL 1/2. Everything was lit and they themed the mile markers really well. Maybe we'll be lucky and reg will be $50, but I know that's not going to happen.