Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[Ariel484]

@Ariel484 thanks! I had a feeling you would be the first one to come up with it lol!

I maintain the runDisney section of another forum, so I have screenshots of almost everything easily accessible. Also, I am a nerd.

I know I will. I am just such a planner and worry wart that I want to be mentally prepared for what photos I will stop to take if I am far back in the corrals and can't do them all. They have no idea how much stress they took off of my shoulder just by offering preorder on the purses! I was trying to figure out how I was going to get there a day earlier since my original flights got pushed back.

I feel you, I am a planner as well. I think looking at least year's corrals will probably give you the best idea of where you will end up. And them having pre-order for the Dooneys this year is a no-brainer...I still can't believe how badly they messed it up last year, and then they messed up again this past weekend! Sigh.

Having said all of that...I hope that once you are there you are able to relax and enjoy your first runDisney event. Princess was my first rD race and it was a blast.

I am undecided on the bag. I didn't care for last years and I'm terrified to spend $200 and not like the bag! I actually prefer the bags from marathon weekend. Am I able to return it if I don't like it? And most of my friends think I have completely lost my mind for even considering spending that much on something sight unseen.

Yeah, I have to see the pattern before I decide if I want to order a bag. And yes, I think you CAN return your pre-ordered bag - I returned my pre-ordered bag at Disneyland in September (but then re-bought using my AP discount). If you end up not liking yours and you can't return I'm sure you could sell it on Facebook or eBay.

 

[pixarmom]

I wouldn't go off of the WDW Half corrals. The corrals for that race tend to be faster than PHM, and WDW Half also has to seed Goofy and Dopey Challenge runners, so it's a little different.

Corrals can always change...just depends on how many people submit times and how fast those submitted times are.

This! In 2013, I ran a local race with the goal of submitting a POT for Corral A in the 2014 PHM, and I was so excited to accomplish my goal. Unfortunately, they significantly reorganized corrals that year (added many to stagger start times, from what I understand.) So the same time that would have put me in Corral A in 2013 did not put me in Corral A in 2014. But I had a fantastic experience on the run and felt like I was in just the right place. As a runner who is recovering from corral placement obsession, I can say it will be great no matter how the numbers match up with the letters! (And I have to keep telling myself that because I need to drop back to run with my son for the half . . .)

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about the Dooneys, because I collect Harveys Seatbelt bags. If Harveys adds runDisney to their line, I'd be in trouble.

 

[bethan92]

My running skirts arrived today! Never owned any before, so super excited

 

[Ariel484]

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about the Dooneys, because I collect Harveys Seatbelt bags. If Harveys adds runDisney to their line, I'd be in trouble.

I would welcome them adding Harveys!! Dooneys just aren't the quality that they used to be.

 

[lovingeire]

I am believing that we will have bib numbers by this time next week. Judging by when they released the numbers for the last 2 runDisney races. Dec. 16th for Star Wars (race this weekend) and I believe it was Dec. 6th for Marathon weekend (last weekend). I can hope anyway, right?

I hope so, but I also feel like this race is behind the power curve this year!

 

[Panikim]

I hope so, but I also feel like this race is behind the power curve this year!

I feel the same way. I have compared dates and stuff to the previous years and WOW does it seem like they are behind.

 

[pigletcanrun]

I feel the same way. I have compared dates and stuff to the previous years and WOW does it seem like they are behind.

Everything takes a back seat to Star Wars (hence them getting 2 races)... Hope PHM is not in jeopardy of getting the ax like EE and ToT (feeing like we are the unwanted puppy).
I too have a Haveys obsession (I use their messenger for a diaper bag!!) though I don't love their Disney bags.

 

[Ariel484]

Everything takes a back seat to Star Wars (hence them getting 2 races)... Hope PHM is not in jeopardy of getting the ax like EE and ToT (feeing like we are the unwanted puppy).
I too have a Haveys obsession (I use their messenger for a diaper bag!!) though I don't love their Disney bags.

They're not gonna axe Princess. It's super popular and I imagine they make a ton on merch sales - remind me again how many of is have pre-ordered the Dooney sight unseen??

I think if any of the race weekends are in danger of being axed, it would be Tink. Just doesn't seem as popular.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I also have a Harvey's obsession. I manage my family's auto repair shop. Seatbelts + Disney + handbags it's the perfect combo for me.

As for PMH, based on how quickly it sells out compared to the other races I don't think we have anything to worry about.

 

[pixarmom]

I won't disclose how many Harveys bags I own, because it's a little silly. But I have two Disney designs and I love them!

The Minnie Daypack:



And the Mickey Silver Screen Mini Messenger:

 

[puppytrainer]

I just checked in online - it's getting so close now!

Other than continuing training, the only thing I have left to do is decide whether or not to purchase Memory Maker or I read something (can't remember where) that they have day Memory Maker passes which may be a smidge cheaper than the $169 since I'll only need it for 2 days in the parks. Does anyone know what this is and can you shed any light for me??? TIA!

If you pre-order (more than 3 days before you check in) it's $149. If you wait it's the $169. The one day one is I think $60 for a single day. I do not know if they allow you to buy 2 single day ones or if it's a limit of 1. The single day you can not buy ahead of time. You have to have photopass pics in your MDE account first. Then you buy it that day and I think it can only be purchased on your phone. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

My friend really wants MM. For us it's only 2 days too. We're just going to try to get tons of pics to make it worth it.

 

[Panikim]

If you pre-order (more than 3 days before you check in) it's $149. If you wait it's the $169. The one day one is I think $60 for a single day. I do not know if they allow you to buy 2 single day ones or if it's a limit of 1. The single day you can not buy ahead of time. You have to have photopass pics in your MDE account first. Then you buy it that day and I think it can only be purchased on your phone. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

My friend really wants MM. For us it's only 2 days too. We're just going to try to get tons of pics to make it worth it.

We did last trip and OH MY GOODNESS was it worth it. Mind you we were there for 6 days I believe. It wasn't even a question this time if we were going to get it, it was a given. But I see a lot of people are there for just a few days. We are coming in for 8 days. It's our family vacation, friends are meeting is there, even though we live in the same city but are flying in separately and I am running.

 

[preciouspups]

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about the Dooneys, because I collect Harveys Seatbelt bags. If Harveys adds runDisney to their line, I'd be in trouble.

Love my Harvey bag!

I would welcome them adding Harveys!! Dooneys just aren't the quality that they used to be.

I agree. I think when they started mass producing them, they lost something.

I would also be more apt to buy a Coach bag sight unseen because I love the leather in their bags.

 

[Conceptualice]

Cannot wait to run! (Trying to get more time to do some long runs / short run training before the day of. @_@ )

It would be crazy to axe princess. The GSC for the last two years has sold out in approx 2 hours. The half itself takes a few more, but it's quick while other races still have slots open for theirs. I just hope they don't axe Tinkerbell anytime soon. (Not that I think they will do that either, but I would love a chance to run it first!)

 

[Mil leech]

Cannot wait to run! (Trying to get more time to do some long runs / short run training before the day of. @_@ )

It would be crazy to axe princess. The GSC for the last two years has sold out in approx 2 hours. The half itself takes a few more, but it's quick while other races still have slots open for theirs. I just hope they don't axe Tinkerbell anytime soon. (Not that I think they will do that either, but I would love a chance to run it first!)

I think Disney likes promoting the female running aspect and the pink coast to coast is highly prized... I think it is safe as well. Plus they like keeping races equal between the two coasts. I wonder if they will keep it on mothers day weekend or do a back to back with princess. RunDisney seems to like back to back race weekends for some reason.

 

[joan4mickey]

You all are moving this thread at breakneck speed right now. I can hardly keep up. All the talk of handbags etc, not really my thing, but I did book a massage for after the run at AKL. I have some Disney Visa points so why not use them.
I have no ADR's for the weekend, I am going alone and had some disappointment as when I booked my flights I thought that I was going to DL the following weekend but hubby's "work" schedule isn't going to work out. Now just happy to be doing what I am doing.

We can't seem to shake the cold weather here so it has been two weeks of TM runs for me. Funny thing is I usually see one or two runners outside while on my TM...I am just not going out under 50 degrees.

 

[beachta1]

A massage after the race sounds SO nice! I'll be drinking around the world, which should be nice too, but in a different way

 

[preciouspups]

You guys are horrible enablers! I went to Harvey's website and I love their Minnie bags so much more than the princess bags the last few years. And they are half the price of the large Dooney. I think I might have to buy myself an early mother's day present!

 

[princessluna14]

A massage after the race sounds SO nice! I'll be drinking around the world, which should be nice too, but in a different way

I did a massage right after one of my local half marathons last year and it was heavenly! I'll be doing the same as you this year!

 

[Ariel484]

You guys are horrible enablers! I went to Harvey's website and I love their Minnie bags so much more than the princess bags the last few years. And they are half the price of the large Dooney. I think I might have to buy myself an early mother's day present!

They're so much more durable too. You can take one out in the rain or whatever and not worry about it getting ruined.

One thing to note is that they bags can get heavy since they are made of seat belts - especially the ones that have the sort of "basket weave" pattern like this one:

I have 2 streamline crossbody bags (the Americano and the Mickey Loves Minnie - which I see is totally gone from their website!) and they are pretty light. Similar in size to a Vera Bradley hipster...awesome size.