Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[DisCatGirl]

I actually came in here to ask a serious question, and now my heart is racing because of a purse. Nerd. Yep. Nerd.

I was going to ask if anyone else who was staying onsite was taking advantage of using Magical Express from the airport to the resort. If so, have you received your Magical Express information and yellow tags yet? I just realized I hadn't received anything yet, and I wasn't sure if I should give them a call or give it just a little bit longer.

We arrive on Friday the 15th. Received our ME info and yellow tags yesterday.

 

[acbshada]

Thank you, @hauntedcity. Gives me a bit of piece of mind.

@DisCatGirl - cool! We arrive on the 16th. I'll check the mail this week, then. I'll give it some more time.

Question for the bag collectors - is this something that one would want to preorder? Or what are the chances of actually snagging one of these things at the Expo?

 

[Ariel484]

I actually came in here to ask a serious question, and now my heart is racing because of a purse. Nerd. Yep. Nerd.

I was going to ask if anyone else who was staying onsite was taking advantage of using Magical Express from the airport to the resort. If so, have you received your Magical Express information and yellow tags yet? I just realized I hadn't received anything yet, and I wasn't sure if I should give them a call or give it just a little bit longer.

Wait how are purses not serious?!

 

[Ariel484]

Question for the bag collectors - is this something that one would want to preorder? Or what are the chances of actually snagging one of these things at the Expo?

I think I would go ahead and pre-order this one. The bags that have patterns that are a little less race specific seem to be very popular, whether people are running the races or not. When I say "race specific," I mean bags that do not have the race distances actually listed on them (Disney had a heck of a time getting rid of the WDW Marathon and Disneyland Half bags from last year - actually, I think the Disneyland Half bags are still at the outlets). And this one is Star Wars, so it'll be popular, I'd think.

I'm in Dooney groups on Facebook, and there are people that are getting orders together to go pick up the bags for people and mail them out. And I'm seeing posts from people who will be in WDW that weekend and NOT running...but they're still planning on heading to the expo for shoes, bags, etc.

I guess it comes down to whether you think it's worth it to spend the 6.5-7% in Active fees to be guaranteed a bag...so I think that's really a question only you can answer for yourself. Like...I pre-ordered a Disneyland Half bag and totally regretted it - I didn't need to do that because the bags weren't as popular. But if I'd had my heart set on, say, a bag from this year's Princess Half weekend, and didn't pre-order, I would have missed out.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

I really like the pattern on the bags, but I think I'm going to wait until the expo. Mostly because I have a problem with the Active fees and then doing the whole switcheroo thing to get my AP Holder discount just sounds like a huge headache (maybe it's not, but I don't want to wait in multiple lines forever). They're really pretty bags, but worst case if I can't get one at the expo, I'll just get the "normal" Star Wars Dooney in the parks. For the inaugural Light Side, DL was still selling the race Dooneys in the parks on that Monday and it looked like there were a lot of them leftover. And the expo had otherwise been picked through really well on rD merch by the time I got there Saturday morning. Bottom line, for me, I am just going to take the chance that they'll be available at the expo when I go. And if they're not, I only have myself to blame, and an extra $286 to spend!

(like W&D registration next week)

 

[Ariel484]

I really like the pattern on the bags, but I think I'm going to wait until the expo. Mostly because I have a problem with the Active fees and then doing the whole switcheroo thing to get my AP Holder discount just sounds like a huge headache (maybe it's not, but I don't want to wait in multiple lines forever). They're really pretty bags, but worst case if I can't get one at the expo, I'll just get the "normal" Star Wars Dooney in the parks. For the inaugural Light Side, DL was still selling the race Dooneys in the parks on that Monday and it looked like there were a lot of them leftover. And the expo had otherwise been picked through really well on rD merch by the time I got there Saturday morning. Bottom line, for me, I am just going to take the chance that they'll be available at the expo when I go. And if they're not, I only have myself to blame, and an extra $286 to spend!

Switcheroo would involve 2 lines...when I did it in Disneyland the pre-order line was short and quick. The return/re-purchase line was short but not quick, so it was a little annoying. I had mixed feelings on it - I was glad that a bag was there *for me* and that there was a way to get my AP discount, but the Dooney area was so not crazy that I would have been totally fine not pre-ordering, so at the same time I sort of regretted doing it.

I guess I should amend my earlier statement - if you HAVE to have one, if you would be devastated to lose out, or if you're at Princess or Tink weekend (where they seem to be the most popular), pre-order. Otherwise it may work out with just waiting. Of course the wild card would be that this is Star Wars merch, so it would be more popular, but I feel like all of their Star Wars patterns have been SO similar that maybe people will pass on this one if they already have the other 3 Star Wars D&B bags.

And funny enough...after the Princess bags sold out at the expo and people *had* to have them, they're already starting to pop up for sale on the Dooney Facebook groups. So it's not like this is the only time you can get them.

(like W&D registration next week)

FOR REAL THOUGH

 

[BigEeyore]

those bags!!! Darn it, I was almost hoping I wouldn't like the pattern! Like I need another bag. Once again - the typical letter carrier/wristlet/tote options. Ah well. I will probably take my chances and not pre-order, it sounds like a huge hassle to get the AP discount.
Just a month away!

 

[acbshada]

Good advice from both of you, so thank you. I'll take that into account. I think I'm leaning toward just waiting and seeing what's available when I'm at the Expo on Friday. Still debating going early Friday morning when we arrive or going later on in the afternoon. With all of the stories I've been reading, it sort of sounds like a gamble no matter what.

 

[clemsondisneygirl]

Just booked our flights!! (I know I'm late...procrastination got the best of me) Getting in Thursday before the race but the rest of our fam doesn't get in until Friday so trying to decide where to stay and how to get around until then. So much planning, so little time!

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I was at the princess expo the first morning this year. The line for the Dooney's was huge. I had preordered all three styles. I didn't make it to the expo in time for 2015 and all the bags had sold out by noon the first day. (There was no preorder option in 2015).

I don't think that they sold out quite so fast this year. In fact, I believe that there were one or two left at the merchandise tent on the morning of the half. I was glad that I had ordered mine ahead of time though.

For the Dark Side I just preordered the cross body. I need to pay for the W&D challenge that I was not planning on doing this year. haha!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I find the patterns to be different enough for me (saying this as someone who owns the Inaugural Star Wars Shopper Tote, Star Wars - Light Side Letter Carrier and ordered the Dark Side Shopper.

I might end up selling the inaugural shopper though - its still in good condition despite decent use.

 

[Ariel484]

those bags!!! Darn it, I was almost hoping I wouldn't like the pattern! Like I need another bag. Once again - the typical letter carrier/wristlet/tote options. Ah well. I will probably take my chances and not pre-order, it sounds like a huge hassle to get the AP discount.
Just a month away!

Agreed! I'm carrying a bucket right now...love that size but they never make it anymore!

 

[Ariel484]

From Disney Dooney & Bourke on Facebook (no idea where they found these):

Wristlet:

Letter Carrier:

Shopper Tote:

 

[acbshada]

Wow. I seriously love this pattern.

 

[Ariel484]

I think it looks awesome. I love the black/red/grey/white color combination, and having a black bag is nice so you don't have to worry about staining. And all of these has the leather piping/corners, so there shouldn't be any concern about the corners chipping.

Interesting that there is no race weekend hang tag, I wonder if there is one but it's just not pictured? I think if you didn't know otherwise you'd have no idea that this was the half marathon bag...which makes me think we'll see this pattern again at the parks or whatever (possibly in different colors/silhouettes).

 

[Z-Knight]

Thank God I'm a guy...I just saved myself $$$

 

[NileNellie]

Sorry but I just don't care for those purses at all...which is really great for my bank account!

 

[BriarRose59]

I had to call about my Magical Express reservations because I couldn't find the email confirmation for my daughter who is flying in on a different day than us. Everything was okay and they were mailed out yesterday. We arrive on the 13th.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Thank God I'm a guy...I just saved myself $$$

I sent my husband the photos. He said he liked them and that I need to buy one! Any hesitation I had on spending $305.40 went out the door then!


I have a feeling he wants a new computer soon....

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Sorry but I just don't care for those purses at all...which is really great for my bank account!

That's how I felt about the Princess Designs in 2015 and 2016! I get that!