Official 2015 Disneyland Half Marathon Thread.

[Keels]

No idea. But I'm keeping a close eye on this in case the other airlines price match.

Good call. Looks like it may be a new route! I know Spirit sucks ... but, $277? Seriously? Geez ...

 

[zanzibar138]

I've got a park-view room at PPH (because I LOVE WoC more than should be legal) ... and now I'm seriously debating switching. Pool vs. WoC view. C'mon! Someone make this decision for me!!

How much will you be using that WOC view? You'll probably be in bed before it starts the nights before your races (if you're sensible lol!). And on your other nights you'll be going to the anniversary party, baseball games, and probably wanting to check out the entertainment at DL as well. Personally I don't think it's worth it. Unless you plan to stay up just late enough to watch from your room in your PJs and hit the hay as soon as it finishes.

The pool on the other hand, will get LOTS of use after your runs when you need to get your core temp down, and in your park down time. Last year we only took a couple of short breaks in the afternoon. Our legs were all complaining when it came time to run on them. We needed much more down time, and a nice pool would have made that so much easier.

ETA - Remember, race days begin at 3:30-4am...

 

[nintz]

I've got a park-view room at PPH (because I LOVE WoC more than should be legal) ... and now I'm seriously debating switching. Pool vs. WoC view. C'mon! Someone make this decision for me!!

Tough......choice But I also love all things tiki so Trader Sams will be joining me at poolside. I was fortunate that The first time I went to DLR I had the cool fireworks, But The pool and water slides AND trader sam's that spells AWESOME.

 

[croach]

So if you're not really a pool person, would you guys choose Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

 

[SgtTibbs]

So if you're not really a pool person, would you guys choose Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

The Disneyland Hotel is closer to packet pickup, expo, and the race start/finish. The Californian has "Grand" in the name for a reason. It's easily the classier joint. It's also closer to Disneyland and has it's own entrance into DCA, plus better restaurants.

 

[Slogger]

Time to start planning (airfare, hotel, rental car) for DL. Can someone let me know where the expo and packet pickup take place and what the address is for that as well as the start and finish for the races? I've read here that Katella is a convenient place to be, is that true, what about the hotels on Harbor Blvd? How far would they be from races and expo?

We will have a rental car but would prefer to walk to the races.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Time to start planning (airfare, hotel, rental car) for DL. Can someone let me know where the expo and packet pickup take place and what the address is for that as well as the start and finish for the races? I've read here that Katella is a convenient place to be, is that true, what about the hotels on Harbor Blvd? How far would they be from races and expo?

The Expo/Pack Pickup are at the:
Disneyland hotel
1150 West Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 778-6600

The corrals are located along Disneyland dr.

I'm staying at (and recommend) the Parkvue inn on Harbor. It's a 0.9 Mile walk to the corrals.
You cross the esplanade between Disneyland and DCA, walk through Downtown Disney and hang a right when you get to the ESPN zone.

Be sure to include the price of parking when comparing hotels. Not all of them offer free parking.

Here is a handy map I made from last years race.

 

[zanzibar138]

So if you're not really a pool person, would you guys choose Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

Personally the DLH would always be my choice of onsite accommodation just because of the Disney-ness of it. While the GCH looks beautiful, apparently some people find the rooms a little dark and gloomy, and it doesn't have the extra magical touches that the DLH does (the light up headboards etc). For race weekend, it would be a no-brainer for me, because the DLH is where all the running related events are.

Time to start planning (airfare, hotel, rental car) for DL. Can someone let me know where the expo and packet pickup take place and what the address is for that as well as the start and finish for the races? I've read here that Katella is a convenient place to be, is that true, what about the hotels on Harbor Blvd? How far would they be from races and expo?

We will have a rental car but would prefer to walk to the races.

As SgtTibbs has mentioned (and provided a great map for!), all the race events are at or in the immediate vicinity of the DLH. Last year we stayed on Harbor and it took us about 20 minutes to walk to and from all the race activities through Downtown Disney. Be aware that you will pass through the park entrance plaza every time you go through, meaning that you will be subjected to bag check every time (except on your way to the corrals - they don't do bag check that early). It doesn't sound like much, but we spent quite a bit of time in Downtown Disney last year and found it to be a pain. Katella (depending on exactly where you are of course), being on the Downtown Disney side, would be a little bit shorter walk to the race precinct, without having to go through bag check. It will be a longer walk to the parks though.

When choosing our accommodation, I just did a google maps search for walking directions from our potential accommodation to the corrals (pin-pointed the corner of Magic Way and Disneyland Drive). If it was any longer than 20 minutes, it didn't make the cut.

There are plenty of options. If you would prefer not to drive, there is no reason why you would have to. Just make sure you book soon for the most choices, because accommodation does start booking out over this weekend relatively quickly.

 

[Slogger]

The Expo/Pack Pickup are at the:
Disneyland hotel
1150 West Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 778-6600

The corrals are located along Disneyland dr.

I'm staying at (and recommend) the Parkvue inn on Harbor. It's a 0.9 Mile walk to the corrals.
You cross the esplanade between Disneyland and DCA, walk through Downtown Disney and hang a right when you get to the ESPN zone.

Thanks for response. Quick search shows Parkvue sold out for those dates!

 

[SgtTibbs]

Just make sure you book soon for the most choices, because accommodation does start booking out over this weekend relatively quickly.

I was looking today, the Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian and Paradise Pier all show as being sold out for race weekend already.

 

[zanzibar138]

Thanks for response. Quick search shows Parkvue sold out for those dates!

Try Desert Inn & Suites. We stayed there and found it perfectly adequate.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Thanks for response. Quick search shows Parkvue sold out for those dates!

Did you try on their website? I just tired for Fri-Mon and it shows Non-Smoking Two Queens as available.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Try Desert Inn & Suites. We stayed there and found it perfectly adequate.

Been there, done that. No complaints. A good second (or ever first) choice.

 

[nintz]

So if you're not really a pool person, would you guys choose Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

I agree with tibbs if u want classy grand is the way to go but with that being said rooms at least standard are the same size. I like dlh because of the Disney factor and that it was the first hotel trust me either one u won't be disappointed

 

[Keels]

OK, it's done - I went ahead and made the switch to DLH! Super excited for some pool time!

 

[zanzibar138]

OK, it's done - I went ahead and made the switch to DLH! Super excited for some pool time!

Woohoo! Super jealous!

 

[Keels]

Woohoo! Super jealous!

You're welcome to come hang out at the pool with me!!

 

[zanzibar138]

You're welcome to come hang out at the pool with me!!

No I'm not lol! Disney policy is hotel guests only.

I will, however, be keen to hang out at Trader Sam's with you

 

[zanzibar138]

So DH and I will be in the US next week. I'm hoping to stock up on running shoes and Gu Chomps Where do I find these things? Do I need to go to a specialty running store like I do over here?

FWIW we'll be in Oregon. Are there any locals here who can give us advice about good running stores/outlet centres? Towns/areas we'll be going through include: Portland, Columbia River Highway, Bend, Eugene, mid coastal region and Salem. We won't have much time, but if there are any outlet centres worth checking out along our route, we can probably spare a couple of hours, especially if the rumours I've heard about Oregon having no sales tax are true

 

[beltwaybarry]

So DH and I will be in the US next week. I'm hoping to stock up on running shoes and Gu Chomps Where do I find these things? Do I need to go to a specialty running store like I do over here?

FWIW we'll be in Oregon. Are there any locals here who can give us advice about good running stores/outlet centres? Towns/areas we'll be going through include: Portland, Columbia River Highway, Bend, Eugene, mid coastal region and Salem. We won't have much time, but if there are any outlet centres worth checking out along our route, we can probably spare a couple of hours, especially if the rumours I've heard about Oregon having no sales tax are true

I'm not a local but have been to the Eugene Running Company on a couple trips, and it's a specialty store that's going to be hard to beat.http://www.eugenerunningcompany.com/ Nike has stores in Portland and Eugene, among others, and will be fun to visit, but obviously they'll focus on their own products.