Official 2015 Disneyland Half Marathon Thread.

[Keels]

I know what you mean. When I first saw the pictures I wasn't impressed - some of the bags in the stock photos have SO MUCH white space on them. But I feel like if I find one with the *perfect* placement I'll get it.

I've definitely heard that about the counter service. I'm a little torn because dining is a big part of any trip for me (I just like the whole experience) but on the other hand, it is a shorter trip...we'll see!

I feel ya on that. I think that was the one "disappointment" I had when I went for the first time last year - just none of the TS places jumped out at me as a "had to do". I don't know if it's because I was solo, so if they just seemed so ... generic?

Also, I guess I was trying to stay away from the whole 'don't eat something I can get regularly here' thing - which meant no Thunder Ranch BBQ, no Tex-Mex, no fried chicken or comfort food (Plaza Inn/Carnation Cafe). And I'm pretty spoiled by NOLA cuisine, so that ruled out BB, Cafe Orleans and French Quarter Market.

I think Cove Bar probably was my favorite TS, even though it's more of a bar/lounge and you can't make reservations. But even then, I don't know if that even counts from an experience standpoint.

Need to do airport transportation, sign up for volunteering when that opens, and make dining reservations when they open. Also think I might do the Walking in Walt's Footsteps tour or whatever is called. Anyone know how far out you can make those?

Run this by you guys - was thinking about doing the character breakfast at Plaza Inn on Saturday after the 10k. Would cool do it before park opening. Should have time to do the race, hotel to clean up, and make it there by say 8:30 right? Race starts t 5:30 if I remember correctly.

It should work out for you as long as that's not a MM/EMH Saturday - last year, there was a MM/EMH from 8-9 a.m. on 10K race day. This is why I hate that it takes Disneyland so long to put out park hours. Grrr.

 

[Ariel484]

After getting spoiled by the Disney Magical Express at WDW, having to arrange transportation seems like such a chore. Focused on rental car only because of the after race sites we plan on seeing.

I think, to borrow your creative moniker, "Mrs. Slogger," saw the Star Wars and the 60th Anniv D & B selections and said something like
"oooh, I really like those. I might have to get one or two."

Agreed, I'm surprised I even remembered that I need to arrange my own transportation!

Mrs. Slogger and I could get along well.

Yep, mine are done! Just normal running gear (shirt/skort) but with quotes on the back I painted on with fabric paint that doesn't dry heavy, little hats (that I'm hoping I can actually run in & need to test). Dumbo for the 10k and Poppins for the half. I don't care about fitting the theme, Dumbo does fit I guess, but he is my favorite. I love seeing the elaborate costumes but can't running in anything too crazy.

Wow, way to go!! I will not have my outfits decided on for awhile!

Need to do airport transportation, sign up for volunteering when that opens, and make dining reservations when they open. Also think I might do the Walking in Walt's Footsteps tour or whatever is called. Anyone know how far out you can make those?

Run this by you guys - was thinking about doing the character breakfast at Plaza Inn on Saturday after the 10k. Would cool do it before park opening. Should have time to do the race, hotel to clean up, and make it there by say 8:30 right? Race starts t 5:30 if I remember correctly.

I have no idea if the timing will work out but yes, the 10K does start at 5:30.

I feel ya on that. I think that was the one "disappointment" I had when I went for the first time last year - just none of the TS places jumped out at me as a "had to do". I don't know if it's because I was solo, so if they just seemed so ... generic?

Also, I guess I was trying to stay away from the whole 'don't eat something I can get regularly here' thing - which meant no Thunder Ranch BBQ, no Tex-Mex, no fried chicken or comfort food (Plaza Inn/Carnation Cafe). And I'm pretty spoiled by NOLA cuisine, so that ruled out BB, Cafe Orleans and French Quarter Market.

I think Cove Bar probably was my favorite TS, even though it's more of a bar/lounge and you can't make reservations. But even then, I don't know if that even counts from an experience standpoint.

In looking back through our group text, Blue Bayou was thrown out as a must-do, so we'll definitely get dinner there at some point (more for atmosphere than food). Cove Bar was also mentioned, along with some character brunch (not sure which ones). And Naples. Otherwise I think we'll set up camp in Trader Sam's and get quick service.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

What does everybody still have left to plan?

Other than dining reservations, the only thing I have left to do is buy park tickets for some members of our group. I missed the boat on GET doing the buy 4, get the 5th day free deal, so I'm holding out hope they do that again.

I also think we've settled on our dining plans - brunch at Steakhouse 55 after the race and celebratory dinner at Carthay Circle that night.

My hubby and I are heading to AZ this summer, so honestly I have been spending more time planning that right now. However, hotel, park tickets, flight, car rental - all good to go. I don't think we are doing any ADRs, so all that's left is checking out the park maps and making some type of attraction strategy. My race clothes are planned. Skirt - check. Shirt design completed - check. Just have to apply the iron ons. I'd say I'm in good shape!!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

You'd be crazy...NOT to do it!

I wish I could justify the cost, but I don't think I can. It would be awesome to do though, since I really want to do Coast to Coast.

At some point they announced that they were coming out with different styles for each race weekend, so I think we'll see a new style for DLH weekend plus whatever is left over from the races that have already been held this year.

I must have missed that announcement. That's cool, but I'm also bummed because I love the Tinkerbell shoes. I'm curious as to what they'll come up with for Wine and Dine if this is what they're doing. There aren't any obvious Disney characters associated with Wine and Dine to base a shoe off of. Maybe Ratatouille? lol.

 

[zanzibar138]

What does everybody still have left to plan?

Other than dining reservations, the only thing I have left to do is buy park tickets for some members of our group. I missed the boat on GET doing the buy 4, get the 5th day free deal, so I'm holding out hope they do that again.

I also think we've settled on our dining plans - brunch at Steakhouse 55 after the race and celebratory dinner at Carthay Circle that night.

We've just got our flights and accommodation booked so far. We fly in the Wednesday afternoon before the run, and leave the following Tuesday night on the red eye to Boston. We're staying in one of the condos off Walnut.

When did GET have a buy 4, get the 5th free deal??? Spewing I missed that - we need 5 day tickets! If they do it again, can someone put a comment in this thread?

Dining... I think we'll just wing it mainly. I'm still tossing up whether I want to book a WOC lunch at Carthay as a celebratory meal after the half.

Still deciding if we are going to have "themed" outfits or just go as ourselves? Anyone have their outfits decided yet? Suggestions?

I was holding out for the race theme, but from what we've gotten so far it doesn't really help me. I think I'll just go with something random. At this stage I'm thinking about Mulan. I'm pretty sure no one else in my group will want to dress up this year, but Mum might wear a coordinated outfit with a sparkly skirt.

 

[Keels]

We've just got our flights and accommodation booked so far. We fly in the Wednesday afternoon before the run, and leave the following Tuesday night on the red eye to Boston. We're staying in one of the condos off Walnut.

When did GET have a buy 4, get the 5th free deal??? Spewing I missed that - we need 5 day tickets! If they do it again, can someone put a comment in this thread?

It was right before W&D registration! I should've bought tickets then, but I thought it would hang around a little while longer. I didn't want to max out my allowance on tickets and W&D registration. I'm optimistic that it will come back, though ... but yeah. It stinks. It was right around the time Orbitz was doing buy 3, get the 4th day free.

If I see it again, I'll definitely let you know ASAP!

 

[zanzibar138]

That would be great Keels! Thank you

 

[Terry70]

Hello everyone! I'm in for the DDD...my first RunDisney event/ stage one of my C2C! (Will be finishing my C2C the Food and Wine Half...Dumbo+ F&W="Pink Elephant Challenge?" ) Glad I found these pages. Room and flights are booked, just gotta decide which transport from LAX will work best for us and then decide on food. How busy/ crazy is this weekend gonna be? Should I plan on reservations for any TS we are considering? We are used to using DME and dining plan in FL, so this is a little different for us.
Thanks for the heads up on there probably being two Dooneys for my wife to choose from.

 

[sumlee]

I have my flights and hotels booked, but I still need park tickets the whole fam. We'll be there for a week, but I'm thinking we'll do a 4-day ticket to save a day for the beach and Legoland. We'll be renting a car for the week.

I haven't thought much about dining. We usually just wing it at Disneyland. totally different from WDW, where I have every meal and snack planned out. At DL, I like Cafe Orleans, so we'll probably eat there once, and at DCA, I love the soup in bread bowls on the Pier before World of Color. Carthay is nice, but my kids don't appreciate it, so we'll skip that one this time. We haven't been to Naples yet, so maybe we should give that a try!

As for costumes, I'm planning on doing a Dole Whip themed costume for the 10K and Snow White for the Half. I can't imagine NOT dressing up for a Disney race - it's half the fun!

 

[Slogger]

I have my flights and hotels booked, but I still need park tickets the whole fam. We'll be there for a week, but I'm thinking we'll do a 4-day ticket to save a day for the beach and Legoland. We'll be renting a car for the week.



As for costumes, I'm planning on doing a Dole Whip themed costume for the 10K and Snow White for the Half. I can't imagine NOT dressing up for a Disney race - it's half the fun!

LEGOLAND is so much fun. We did it a few years ago with our kids and everyone had a good time.

Your costume sounds awesome and very creative. We need more inspiration since the only thing we came up with were Mickey hands and mouse ears.

 

[Slogger]

I wish I could justify the cost, but I don't think I can. It would be awesome to do though, since I really want to do Coast to Coast.

We didn't intend to do DL half/Dumbo either but after having so much fun at WDW weekend, decided it would be more "cost effective" to get C2C now. Otherwise, I'd be looking at starting over and scheduling two RunDisney weekends in the same year in the future. How's that for crazy logic?

 

[croach]

Hello everyone! I'm in for the DDD...my first RunDisney event/ stage one of my C2C! (Will be finishing my C2C the Food and Wine Half...Dumbo+ F&W="Pink Elephant Challenge?" ) Glad I found these pages. Room and flights are booked, just gotta decide which transport from LAX will work best for us and then decide on food. How busy/ crazy is this weekend gonna be? Should I plan on reservations for any TS we are considering? We are used to using DME and dining plan in FL, so this is a little different for us.
Thanks for the heads up on there probably being two Dooneys for my wife to choose from.

Welcome! I'm not a good judge of busy since I don't know Disneyland that well. But my suggestion is always if you're thinking about eating somewhere that takes reservations, go ahead and do it. You can always cancel later. I would guess places like Napa Rose or Carthay Circle might fill up with it being a race weekend. Maybe someone else can chime in though.

 

[zanzibar138]

Hello everyone! I'm in for the DDD...my first RunDisney event/ stage one of my C2C! (Will be finishing my C2C the Food and Wine Half...Dumbo+ F&W="Pink Elephant Challenge?" ) Glad I found these pages. Room and flights are booked, just gotta decide which transport from LAX will work best for us and then decide on food. How busy/ crazy is this weekend gonna be? Should I plan on reservations for any TS we are considering? We are used to using DME and dining plan in FL, so this is a little different for us.
Thanks for the heads up on there probably being two Dooneys for my wife to choose from.

Welcome to the board

I went in last expecting it to be insanely crowded, and was pleasantly surprised. I mean, yes it was crowded, but not as bad as I was expecting. All the same, I would go ahead and book in anything you've decided on. There will be a decent wait for most TS places by Thursday night (including DTD).

 

[kelly 1]

Just got back from doing Tinkerbell great weekend crazy busy seeing Mothers Day, movie premiere, and a run weekend. We stayed at the DL Hotel Frontier Tower it was perfect location right out the back door you could get to the event stage area and was right there at the finish line. I have rebooked hotel for Dumbo. Have not booked flights yet. We used the Disneyland Express Bus from John Wayne worked fine.

 

[mershell]

Does anyone remember when the medals were revealed last year? Seems like we should be hearing soon.

 

[Ariel484]

Does anyone remember when the medals were revealed last year? Seems like we should be hearing soon.

Last year they were posted on June 13 (with the race being August 31) or whatever. So I think it's possibly we won't see them for at least another month, unless rD changes their minds.

 

[mbwhitti]

Since the ticket conversation is on the table, I went back to look at Get Sports and they have a "Spectator Package" that includes Park Hopper (2 day) and Anniversary Party. Anyone know if they will let you upgrade the ticket? We will need a 3 day. Looks like a good way to avoid the active fees for the Anniversary party which were are going to buy anyway.

We didn't intend to do DL half/Dumbo either but after having so much fun at WDW weekend, decided it would be more "cost effective" to get C2C now. Otherwise, I'd be looking at starting over and scheduling two RunDisney weekends in the same year in the future. How's that for crazy logic?

This was our thinking as well..definitely doesn't make a whole lot of sense but hey...it's going to be a BLAST!

Last year they were posted on June 13 (with the race being August 31) or whatever. So I think it's possibly we won't see them for at least another month, unless rD changes their minds.

With the schedule rD has been keeping, it'll probably be more like July 13th...

 

[mbwhitti]

I'm full of questions today. For those of you that are familiar with DL, how many days does it really take to hit the high points? We will have the evening of the Anniversary party and at least two more full days...trying to decide on the third day. Not sure if we want to explore other possibilities or stick to the DL parks.

 

[Ariel484]

With the schedule rD has been keeping, it'll probably be more like July 13th...

Really though. If they post a picture of those medals at any point in the month of June I will be seriously impressed.

 

[Ariel484]

And now I have a question! Has anyone used Super Shuttle round-trip to/from Disneyland from LAX? Good? Bad? Just so-so? I've used Super Shuttle from other airports before and am familiar with how it works, so I know I'd be sharing a van with others (the website said 9 people per van) and would have to wait until the shuttle is full to leave, would make other stops, etc.

It's a wee bit cheaper than the DLR Express and I'm guessing I wouldn't have to wait around as long...