Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[bumbershoot]

I am getting a medium this year. We will see if it's too small. If it it is, I will just embrace that I am Goldilocks.

Be sure to try it on while you're there, and go take part in the size exchange! It's quite a dynamic program, and you might as well go see how those particular shirts fit, and switch if needed. Be sure to wear something you can easily try a shirt on over!

This is what I'm afraid of.....if ToT or EE do come back & there's a challenge involved they'll almost certainly have to become day races. I feel like they're trying to get away from the night races & the after parties.....which is what made these (ToT & EE) special to me. I realize the construction going on impacted their decision not to offer these in 2016...I just hope that what/when they replace these races they'll have somewhat the same concept. I do think the challenges are great.... just not at every event IMHO.

I feel like they run true to size; I wear an XS in everything and the rD shirts fit the same as my C9, Asics and Under Armor shirts. They're "fitted" in the sense that they have a female shape, as opposed to a big square.

I agree with you. Though I'm S not XS. I like a fitted, but slightly long, shirt, and that's what I've gotten with the rundisney race shirts *after* TOT 2013. TOT was all over the place...the included shirts were huge, but the running jackets they sold were tiny!

 

[roselark]

I have a ressie at All Star Sports, but I am thinking about going with a moderate for this trip. I am a DVC member, but all my points are tied up in a 20th anniversary trip to Aulani. I really enjoyed the hot tub at the hotel I stayed at during the DL HM weekend, and I really want that for this trip too. I am doing all 3 races again.

Hubby and I stayed at Coronado Spring on our first trip nearly 10 years ago and loved it. I have not stayed at the other moderates. Which moderate do you think would be best if I plan on hanging out at the resort most of the day Friday and Saturday with maybe a couple of hours at Disney Springs?

 

[jimandami]

I have a ressie at All Star Sports, but I am thinking about going with a moderate for this trip. I am a DVC member, but all my points are tied up in a 20th anniversary trip to Aulani. I really enjoyed the hot tub at the hotel I stayed at during the DL HM weekend, and I really want that for this trip too. I am doing all 3 races again.

Hubby and I stayed at Coronado Spring on our first trip nearly 10 years ago and loved it. I have not stayed at the other moderates. Which moderate do you think would be best if I plan on hanging out at the resort most of the day Friday and Saturday with maybe a couple of hours at Disney Springs?

I would think POR would be a good choice.

 

[DWorldOrBust]

I have a ressie at All Star Sports, but I am thinking about going with a moderate for this trip. I am a DVC member, but all my points are tied up in a 20th anniversary trip to Aulani. I really enjoyed the hot tub at the hotel I stayed at during the DL HM weekend, and I really want that for this trip too. I am doing all 3 races again.

Hubby and I stayed at Coronado Spring on our first trip nearly 10 years ago and loved it. I have not stayed at the other moderates. Which moderate do you think would be best if I plan on hanging out at the resort most of the day Friday and Saturday with maybe a couple of hours at Disney Springs?

If you are planning on spending time at Disney Springs, definitely POR or POFQ. I stayed at POR prior to buying DVC and the boat ride to Disney Springs is the BEST! It's quick, wasn't crowded and a nice break from busses. POR is beautiful and the quick service food court rocks.

 

[Sammyjo199]

I booked Pop Century today with the room discount released for Visa holders today. I've never stayed at Pop before, seems like it will be quite a difference from AKL and Contemporary which we are staying at in January but this was an unplanned trip (dang disney and these races!) So I figured I would save some money.

 

[drlaurafsu]

I booked Pop Century today with the room discount released for Visa holders today. I've never stayed at Pop before, seems like it will be quite a difference from AKL and Contemporary which we are staying at in January but this was an unplanned trip (dang disney and these races!) So I figured I would save some money.

I'm staying at Pop for this trip since I am solo. DS and I usually stay there when we aren't going to be in the room much. It will be a bit of a shock from deluxe but it's decent (better than all stars imho). Plus it leaves more $$ for the expo!

 

[SueInBoston]

I booked Pop Century today with the room discount released for Visa holders today. I've never stayed at Pop before, seems like it will be quite a difference from AKL and Contemporary which we are staying at in January but this was an unplanned trip (dang disney and these races!) So I figured I would save some money.

Hi
Can you tell me the was the discount released for Visa holder? I'm DVC so haven't booked a hotel in WDW in years. This will be a solo trip so I want to save some money.

Thanks

 

[Raenstoirm]

I booked Pop Century today with the room discount released for Visa holders today.

How? It looks like the discount expires on the 14th. We wont be flying in till the 14th or 15th. Am I missing something? I want a discount! lol

 

[roselark]

How? It looks like the discount expires on the 14th. We wont be flying in till the 14th or 15th. Am I missing something? I want a discount! lol

I was wondering the same.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Hi
Can you tell me the was the discount released for Visa holder? I'm DVC so haven't booked a hotel in WDW in years. This will be a solo trip so I want to save some money.

Thanks

Savings for stays most Sunday–Thursday nights 1/3 – 2/29/16 and for stays most nights 1/2, 3/1 – 4/13/16
15-25 for deluxe and villas
15-20 for mod
10-15 for value

 

[SueInBoston]

Savings for stays most Sunday–Thursday nights 1/3 – 2/29/16 and for stays most nights 1/2, 3/1 – 4/13/16
15-25 for deluxe and villas
15-20 for mod
10-15 for value

sorry for being dunce...do I call and tell them I have a Disney visa? or is there a special code?

THank you!!!

 

[Raenstoirm]

Call 407 939–7427 to book, and mention code D378W.

 

[SueInBoston]

Call 407 939–7427 to book, and mention code D378W.

Thank YOU !!!!

 

[opusone]

Hi all!

I have been to WDW three times with the family (wife plus two kiddos, as well as parent in-laws on one trip) over the past six or seven years, so I am familiar with the basics, but the Dark Side Challenge will be a first for me on many fronts: first runDisney event, first time solo to WDW, first time in a value resort, first time visiting WDW without getting theme park tickets. I do have a few questions if anyone has any words of wisdom:

1. Does it feel weird to go to WDW solo?
2. Should I just have fun during the runs or go for a fast time? Given that I am doing the Dark Side Challenge, should I only try to go fast on one of the two runs, and then just enjoy the other run for fun? If so, which one?
3. Am I going to be sorry I stayed at a value resort (Pop Century)? I don't need the finest accommodations, and I am trying to keep costs down, but I do worry about noise that could prevent a good night's sleep.
4. Where are your favorite places to eat the day before a runDisney race?
5. runDisney events seem to have a big following, but what is everyone's favorite part of the runDisney events? The course? Characters? Camaraderie with other runners? Expo? Wearing costumes? Anything else?
6. Any question I should have asked but didn't?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

------------------------

Also,
7. Approximately how many minutes between corral starts?

 

[roselark]

1. I have been solo a ton of times and it is awesome. Do what you want when you want! Want to see how many times you can ride EE in an hour through the single rider line? Go for it! Want to sit and people watch at the Main Street train station? Awesome! Want to eat a Dole Whip AND a nutella waffle sandwich for lunch? Yum! (you said you were not getting theme park tickets, but solo in the parks is awesome. you might reconsider!)
2. Have fun! There can be a lot of course congestion at RunDisney events depending on where you start, so you might be disappointed if you try to run for time.
3. Nah! I have stayed at values plenty of times and never had a problem. (I am a DVC member but I run out of points a lot, so stay at Values at least once a year)
4. If you stay at a value, the food court will have pasta dishes available. They often have "Runner's Specials".
5. I love the entertainment on the courses and the other runners. Some of the costumes are amazing! The character stops are fun as well.

 

[spideymike]

1) I've been solo to Disneyland and WDW several times and it's a lot of fun. You get to choose what to do the entire day! And single rider lines are great as well! I've been at rD events with my wife and by myself and it's still fun. I think I went on the Indiana Jones ride and Star Tours at DL about 10 times each in one day. It never got old.
2) It's really up to you. I tend to still try and work on improving my time so I don't stop for pictures - but you do what you want to do!
3) I love the value resorts - especially POP Century and the Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms. If you aren't going to be at your room that much, why spend the extra $$$ when you can put it towards something else.
4) Well, I tend to like to get a "fill me up" meal sometime the day of the race - one of my favorites is the buffet at Animal Kingdom's Tusker House for a night time race like Wine & Dine. For a morning race like Star Wars - I'll probably make sure I get a good meal the evening before and get up early and make sure I have some good breakfast foods like a bagel/banana etc an hour or two ahead of the race.
5) I love meeting the people who come from all over for the race. The costumes are great. The medals and wearing them around the parks and congratulating every runner you see wearing the bling is really fun.
7) The corral starts are usually about 2-5 minutes apart - It does usually go by pretty quickly - but I've usually been in corral B or C for most of my races. Some races - like Avengers 1/2 they had two corrals go at the same time.

 

[Sammyjo199]

How? It looks like the discount expires on the 14th. We wont be flying in till the 14th or 15th. Am I missing something? I want a discount! lol

We decided to come in on the 13th so the discount is in effect since it ends the 14th. We are AP members though so hopping for a better discount than 10% off Pop. I believe the all stars were 15% off. I didn't see the exact breakdown as I was on the phone doing it, however, I will look into the exact breakdown on Monday when the offer is released and let you know.

 

[kmchisholm]

Believe I know the answer, but has anyone happened to call and ask if there are discounted tickets offered for this race? I'm about 99% sure I'm going to get an Annual Pass as I have 3 trips planned in the next year and I've done my homework and gotten about 12% off Disney Gift cards by using Raise and Target (but that's another forum.....) However, just thought I should do the last minute check in case anyone has heard something different.

 

[Sammyjo199]

Believe I know the answer, but has anyone happened to call and ask if there are discounted tickets offered for this race? I'm about 99% sure I'm going to get an Annual Pass as I have 3 trips planned in the next year and I've done my homework and gotten about 12% off Disney Gift cards by using Raise and Target (but that's another forum.....) However, just thought I should do the last minute check in case anyone has heard something different.

I have not however, if you end up getting ap look into Tables in Wonderland. That alone in savings with the food is worth it for an ap

 

[kmchisholm]

I have not however, if you end up getting ap look into Tables in Wonderland. That alone in savings with the food is worth it for an ap

I would agree, but 1 person in our party already has it and most visits are during F&W, so I eat my weight around the world. I will say not having to worry about scheduling days and the discount if I do buy anything in the parks will be nice.