Official 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Thread

[MommaoffherRocker]

I called runDisney to ask who was doing the photos for this race and the girl told me they didn't know. So interesting because I called about Tink when they first announced Photopass was taking over, a couple months before the race, and they told me that it was going to be Photopass. I wonder if there was a big shake up at runDisney with the medals coming out later than before and now the photos?? I really hope they use Photopass I loved the pictures for Tink and Darkside!


@Keels were you the one that found bib numbers through marathonfoto for Princess weekend before they were released?

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

The medals are amazing! I wish I could have them. I absolutely love the 10K one!

 

[kristabelle13]

I guess it's good we got our tix to the dessert party on Sunday - it's the second to last showing of WOC Celebrate. (I don't care if it wasn't popular. Walt's goodnight is EVERYTHING)

 

[Davidg83]

I'm so excited for all of these medals! One of my favorite sets that they've come up with so far!!

 

[tkbk]

took advantage of early DVC sign up and signed up for Star wars dark side half in April at WDW. woohoo , had fun doing the inaugural this year!

 

[camaker]

took advantage of early DVC sign up and signed up for Star wars dark side half in April at WDW. woohoo , had fun doing the inaugural this year!

It was a lot of fun this year (for me, at least)! I'd love to go back, but I can't commit until I know if I have to chaperone a high school trip to Europe and if my lottery ticket for the London Marathon come in! If those fall through, I'll be back.

 

[Keels]

Ear-making day!!

 

[Kathymford]

I LOVE the new Dumbo medal!! YAY!

 

[Mickey Momma]

Dumbo will be my first challenge. (My last two RunDisney races were the marathons only.) So I am trying to plan my strategy and was wondering if there are a lot of repeat characters during a race weekend? Should I stop as often as I can for the 10K so long as I stay ahead of the pace requirement? Do the rarer characters make appearances at both races? Is one race more crowded than another?

So many questions...

 

[Keels]

Dumbo will be my first challenge. (My last two RunDisney races were the marathons only.) So I am trying to plan my strategy and was wondering if there are a lot of repeat characters during a race weekend? Should I stop as often as I can for the 10K so long as I stay ahead of the pace requirement? Do the rarer characters make appearances at both races? Is one race more crowded than another?

So many questions...

I, personally, would treat the 10K as much of a "fun run" as possible. The course is GREAT and there are so many opportunities for awesome character photos as well as unique photo opportunities (empty Main Street anybody?).

Last year, the characters changed between races to coincide with the theme (Good vs. Evil). At Tink, with the exception of the Lost Boys and the fairies, most of the characters changed between the 10K and the Half.

Conversely, for the half, only about 3-4 miles are actually in the parks. Everything else kicks out to the roads around the parks and through Anaheim. There will be LOTS of bands, cheerleaders, miles and miles of car clubs out there to support runners. And going through Angels Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But there's not a whole lot to stop for. However, if you're in to making great time - this is the Disney race (of the five half marathons I've done) where you'll legitimately have a shot to do so. The course outside the parks is flat, generally pretty straight and very flat.

 

[Mickey Momma]

I, personally, would treat the 10K as much of a "fun run" as possible. The course is GREAT and there are so many opportunities for awesome character photos as well as unique photo opportunities (empty Main Street anybody?).

Conversely, for the half, only about 3-4 miles are actually in the parks. Everything else kicks out to the roads around the parks and through Anaheim. There will be LOTS of bands, cheerleaders, miles and miles of car clubs out there to support runners. And going through Angels Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But there's not a whole lot to stop for. However, if you're in to making great time - this is the Disney race (of the five half marathons I've done) where you'll legitimately have a shot to do so. The course outside the parks is flat, generally pretty straight and very flat.

That was kind of my thinking and I am glad you confirmed it. THANK YOU!

 

[Davidg83]

I just saw the confirmation on the disney parks blog that Paint the Night will be ending on 9/5 in addition to the previously announced show endings. I guess I'll have to be staying up past my bedtime during the Disneyland Half weekend!

 

[cavepig]

Dumbo will be my first challenge. (My last two RunDisney races were the marathons only.) So I am trying to plan my strategy and was wondering if there are a lot of repeat characters during a race weekend? Should I stop as often as I can for the 10K so long as I stay ahead of the pace requirement? Do the rarer characters make appearances at both races? Is one race more crowded than another?

So many questions...

Last year was villains for the 10k and they were repeated in the half but just paired with their hero counterpart, so slightly different I suppose. Who knows this year with the whole DUOs theme. Many spots rotated characters out kind of like some spots at Marathon weekend do so you might see let's say Aladdin when you line up, but then he could turn into Jasmine as you wait. So, like I stopped for every stop in the 10k last year, I started in A and waits were minimal, and then just picked a few in the half as I started in B and lines were longer & many were the same villain as the 10k. I did stop for a horse photo op in the half & that was cute! Also, characters are only in the parks at Disneyland not sure if you've ran there yet, so for the half once you leave the parks no more characters

 

[joan4mickey]

Just got an email from GET travel..they still have bibs left to sell.

 

[EDS19]

Ride Update - I've been watching the ride closure calendar and they just recently added Tower of Terror to the list at least from Monday Aug 29th through Thursday Sept 1. But it looks like it will be open for the rest of Race Weekend. My guess is the Imagineers are wanting to spend some time in there as they prep for the closure in January. I also think the race weekend might be busy at night as people try and watch Disneyland Forever and Paint the Night one last time before they close on Sept 5th.

 

[Kathymford]

I also think the race weekend might be busy at night as people try and watch Disneyland Forever and Paint the Night one last time before they close on Sept 5th.

Completely agree with this. Expect a madhouse especially with the holiday weekend. It's like when Mad T Party closed (the first time) ... and PTN is more popular than that. Especially since they aren't saying for sure if it's coming back.

 

[BelleWannabe4]

I'm not familiar with Disneyland/Anaheim at all and am a little nervous about dinner the night before the half. In previous races, I've eaten some kind of plain pasta dish with shrimp. Is there somewhere in Downtown Disney or nearby where we could get something similar? Port Orleans Riverside had the perfect pasta dish in their food court but I'm not seeing anything similar in the quick services options at the DL hotels?

ETA: Neither one of us can eat dairy either, so pizza or cheesy pasta is out unfortunately.

 

[kristabelle13]

I'm not familiar with Disneyland/Anaheim at all and am a little nervous about dinner the night before the half. In previous races, I've eaten some kind of plain pasta dish with shrimp. Is there somewhere in Downtown Disney or nearby where we could get something similar? Port Orleans Riverside had the perfect pasta dish in their food court but I'm not seeing anything similar in the quick services options at the DL hotels?

ETA: Neither one of us can eat dairy either, so pizza or cheesy pasta is out unfortunately.

Does Naples or Wine Country Trattoria or Boardwalk Pasta & Pizza have options? (Need admission for WCT & BPP) There's a Cheesecake Factory at Gardenwalk. Also a Bubba Gump. On Harbor there is a Tony Roma's and a Buca Di Bepo.

 

[Warm Hugs]

Does Naples or Wine Country Trattoria or Boardwalk Pasta & Pizza have options? (Need admission for WCT & BPP) There's a Cheesecake Factory at Gardenwalk. Also a Bubba Gump. On Harbor there is a Tony Roma's and a Buca Di Bepo.

For those downtown disney places, you WILL need reservations or be prepared to wait over a hour for a table for dinner during dinner hours. Naples, la brea bakery (restaurant part)... Those places may already be booked via online disneyland website

 

[EDS19]

I'm not familiar with Disneyland/Anaheim at all and am a little nervous about dinner the night before the half. In previous races, I've eaten some kind of plain pasta dish with shrimp. Is there somewhere in Downtown Disney or nearby where we could get something similar? Port Orleans Riverside had the perfect pasta dish in their food court but I'm not seeing anything similar in the quick services options at the DL hotels?

If you can't get in the Parks for either Plaza Inn or Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta you may want to check out the dinner menu at Storytellers Café at the GCH. If you look at the menu online (and scroll past the buffet menu) they have several Pasta dishes. The only downfall is their dinner menu is a bit more expensive then plenty of other places, but it is a great restaurant.