Official 2017 Star Wars - Light Side Half Marathon Weekend (Jan 12th - 15th, 2017)

[pigletliz]

I'm not sure why you're quoting me...I know the registration policy and I didn't say it was bad customer service.

I do think their customer service is bad for other reasons, and I 100% think they are capable of offering race registration insurance...they just don't want to.

Sorry! I was actually attempting to multi quote from the earlier comment and based on the expectations that I've seen on FB. I agree that they are capable of offering race insurance. However, at this time, they don't. If we sign up for a $600 non-refundable race, that is kind of on us. Or at least until they change the policy.

 

[courtneybeth]

For dining, be mindful that the menus are changing for race weekend and may not offer what is on the traditional menu. This happened at Avengers for us - which was disappointing.

In regards to your question @kirstie101 - the only thing I've noticed at Carnation Cafe is that they rush you out of the restaurant and it's... awkward. Don't let them do that to you. Food is good - highly recommend the fried pickles

 

[jaxonp]

For dining, be mindful that the menus are changing for race weekend and may not offer what is on the traditional menu. This happened at Avengers for us - which was disappointing.

In regards to your question @kirstie101 - the only thing I've noticed at Carnation Cafe is that they rush you out of the restaurant and it's... awkward. Don't let them do that to you. Food is good - highly recommend the fried pickles

agreed! Food, in general, is way better at DL than it is at WDW. Especially the quick serve.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

We're doing the VIP thing so our lunch after the race will be ESPN Zone for that buffet.

We have certain meals we do each year - Naples on Friday Night (they offer a race menu and their normal menu as well), Steakhouse 55 on Saturday Night.

Here is our overall trip plan:

We are doing some different things this time around. We only bought 3 day tickets as we don't like the park crowds on Saturday/Sunday. My husband has been wanting to do Universal Hollywood (especially now that they have the Walking Dead Attraction!) We also are renting a car to do some things different than a normal Disneyland trip for us.

Tuesday Jan 10th
11AM - Arrive at John Wayne/Get Rental Car/Check into Disneyland Hotel
12:30PM - Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano
Dinner - Tortilla Jo

Wednesday Jan 11th
Disneyland Day!
Lunch - River Belle Terrace
Dinner - Cafe Orleans

Thursday Jan 12th
7:30AM - Expo Shopping w/ VIP Light Side
9:00AM - Wine & Dine Half Sign Ups back in room (Challenge for Mr. Dis_Yoda, 10K for Dis_Yoda)
10:00AM - Head to California Adventure
Dinner - La Brea Bakery Cafe

Friday Jan 13th
Disneyland/California Adventure Finish Up
Dinner - Naples Ristorante

Saturday Jan 14th
5:30AM - Star Wars 10K Starts!
8:00AM - 10K Over/Clean Up/Grab Quick Breakfast
9:30AM - Leave Disneyland
12:00PM - Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Dinner - Steakhouse 55

Sunday Jan 15th
5:30AM - Star Wars Half Marathon Stars
10AM - Half Marathon Over/Clean Up
12:30PM - Buffet @ ESPN Zone + Game Time
Dinner - Napa Rose Chef's Counter

Monday Jan 16th
6:30AM - Leave Disneyland Hotel
8:45AM - Universal Hollywood VIP Tour

 

[courtneybeth]

Tuesday Jan 10th
11AM - Arrive at John Wayne/Get Rental Car/Check into Disneyland Hotel
12:30PM - Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano
Dinner - Tortilla Jo

What time is your dinner at Tortilla Jo's? Traffic on the 5 North back to Anaheim is going to be miserable in rush hour and you'll be sitting at the Orange Crush in bumper to bumper if you're not careful.

 

[kirstie101]

For dining, be mindful that the menus are changing for race weekend and may not offer what is on the traditional menu. This happened at Avengers for us - which was disappointing.

In regards to your question @kirstie101 - the only thing I've noticed at Carnation Cafe is that they rush you out of the restaurant and it's... awkward. Don't let them do that to you. Food is good - highly recommend the fried pickles

hmmmmmm I'm torn! I guess I'll check out available reservation times and see what my options are at both and decide from there. After the half we usually head to DL first (used to do lunch at hungry bear before the constructions started, it was so relaxing back by the water) and then hop over to DCA in the evening.

We're doing the VIP thing so our lunch after the race will be ESPN Zone for that buffet.

We have certain meals we do each year - Naples on Friday Night (they offer a race menu and their normal menu as well), Steakhouse 55 on Saturday Night.

Here is our overall trip plan:

We are doing some different things this time around. We only bought 3 day tickets as we don't like the park crowds on Saturday/Sunday. My husband has been wanting to do Universal Hollywood (especially now that they have the Walking Dead Attraction!) We also are renting a car to do some things different than a normal Disneyland trip for us.

Tuesday Jan 10th
11AM - Arrive at John Wayne/Get Rental Car/Check into Disneyland Hotel
12:30PM - Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano
Dinner - Tortilla Jo

Wednesday Jan 11th
Disneyland Day!
Lunch - River Belle Terrace
Dinner - Cafe Orleans

Thursday Jan 12th
7:30AM - Expo Shopping w/ VIP Light Side
9:00AM - Wine & Dine Half Sign Ups back in room (Challenge for Mr. Dis_Yoda, 10K for Dis_Yoda)
10:00AM - Head to California Adventure
Dinner - La Brea Bakery Cafe

Friday Jan 13th
Disneyland/California Adventure Finish Up
Dinner - Naples Ristorante

Saturday Jan 14th
5:30AM - Star Wars 10K Starts!
8:00AM - 10K Over/Clean Up/Grab Quick Breakfast
9:30AM - Leave Disneyland
12:00PM - Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Dinner - Steakhouse 55

Sunday Jan 15th
5:30AM - Star Wars Half Marathon Stars
10AM - Half Marathon Over/Clean Up
12:30PM - Buffet @ ESPN Zone + Game Time
Dinner - Napa Rose Chef's Counter

Monday Jan 16th
6:30AM - Leave Disneyland Hotel
8:45AM - Universal Hollywood VIP Tour

You guys have a great trip planned! And I'm always drooling over your dining reviews! Have fun at the mission! My daughter is in 4th grade and in CA they 4th graders study the missions and do a project. We were just at the one in Carmel a few weeks ago. My dad was a history major so growing up I think we went to just about every California mission.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

What time is your dinner at Tortilla Jo's? Traffic on the 5 North back to Anaheim is going to be miserable in rush hour and you'll be sitting at the Orange Crush in bumper to bumper if you're not careful.

I know all about Rush Hour traffic in Orange County and we planned accordingly! My division's headquarters is in Orange County and I've had to travel out there enough times over the past few years to know the rush hour mess. This is why I end up driving over my husband as I can handle rush hour way better than him.

hmmmmmm I'm torn! I guess I'll check out available reservation times and see what my options are at both and decide from there. After the half we usually head to DL first (used to do lunch at hungry bear before the constructions started, it was so relaxing back by the water) and then hop over to DCA in the evening.

Brave soul going to the park after the half! The past two years it was just so busy that I just couldn't do it anymore! We never got to try Hungry Bear!

You guys have a great trip planned! And I'm always drooling over your dining reviews! Have fun at the mission! My daughter is in 4th grade and in CA they 4th graders study the missions and do a project. We were just at the one in Carmel a few weeks ago. My dad was a history major so growing up I think we went to just about every California mission.

That's cool that they have the 4th graders learn about missions! We did something similar where I grew up with the St. Augustine settlement. My husband is a wannabe history major (he just doesn't want to well go to college for it)

When I started going through the options of what we could do - this is what interested my husband the most. I think its because its different than other options. (I wanted to go to Flight Deck and fly the F-16 but he was like NO on that)

I do like food! Not as much exciting food this trip outside of our Chef's Counter as it isn't like we are going to drink a ton with the races going on!

 

[courtneybeth]

I know all about Rush Hour traffic in Orange County and we planned accordingly! My division's headquarters is in Orange County and I've had to travel out there enough times over the past few years to know the rush hour mess. This is why I end up driving over my husband as I can handle rush hour way better than him.

Oh good! I was so worried about you and your driving. I realized my "localness" was showing because I said "the" in front of the freeway name. Haha!

Hope you enjoy the mission. It's absolutely amazing and gorgeous!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

In my experience, I've never felt rushed to get out of Carnation. I really like it there. It's not as expensive as other in park sit downs and I enjoy the food. It's been my post 10K breakfast the past 2 years.

A word of note about eating at Carnation during a parade. Only if you're seated outside against the railing will you be able to see some of the parade. Otherwise, any parade view will be very blocked by the umbrellas and park guests using the walkway between the curbside seating and the dining area of Carnation itself. It's not a great way to see any parade if you're only going to see the parade one time.

 

[Wink25]

Sorry! I was actually attempting to multi quote from the earlier comment and based on the expectations that I've seen on FB. I agree that they are capable of offering race insurance. However, at this time, they don't. If we sign up for a $600 non-refundable race, that is kind of on us. Or at least until they change the policy.

I understand what you're saying and like I said, mostly just frustrated with the medical issue at this point. And I didn't mean to imply there was a customer service issue, just unhappy with what Ariel484 was saying: this is a policy issue that could easily be address but it isn't. I know full well what I'm getting into with the terms and conditions, I just wish they were different. Won't stop me from signing up in the future if they never change them though...I love the bling too much

 

[Wink25]

We're doing the VIP thing so our lunch after the race will be ESPN Zone for that buffet.

We have certain meals we do each year - Naples on Friday Night (they offer a race menu and their normal menu as well), Steakhouse 55 on Saturday Night.

Here is our overall trip plan:

This sounds like my kind of (foodie) trip!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Oh good! I was so worried about you and your driving. I realized my "localness" was showing because I said "the" in front of the freeway name. Haha!

Hope you enjoy the mission. It's absolutely amazing and gorgeous!!

If my husband was the one driving, I would understand the worrying! He wouldn't drive when we were in Oahu this summer so if he couldn't do that - I know he can't deal with SoCal. My localness shows up when talking about WDW (or Southwest Florida, especially right now that its season and I literally hate all the snowbirds) Trust me when I say, I much rather deal with crazy SoCal drivers than retired snowbirds on their 4 month vacations.

In my experience, I've never felt rushed to get out of Carnation. I really like it there. It's not as expensive as other in park sit downs and I enjoy the food. It's been my post 10K breakfast the past 2 years.

A word of note about eating at Carnation during a parade. Only if you're seated outside against the railing will you be able to see some of the parade. Otherwise, any parade view will be very blocked by the umbrellas and park guests using the walkway between the curbside seating and the dining area of Carnation itself. It's not a great way to see any parade if you're only going to see the parade one time.

Good to know! We have never tried there but have thought about it.

The parade crowds just seem crazy! I was reading a thread someone had 15 blankets set up waiting for a group? I've gotten spoiled by FP+ for Parade watching at MK for the rare occasion I actually want to watch a parade.

I understand what you're saying and like I said, mostly just frustrated with the medical issue at this point. And I didn't mean to imply there was a customer service issue, just unhappy with what Ariel484 was saying: this is a policy issue that could easily be address but it isn't. I know full well what I'm getting into with the terms and conditions, I just wish they were different. Won't stop me from signing up in the future if they never change them though...I love the bling too much

Gotta have the bling!!!!

I just spent $93 at Fit2Run today to replace my running ankle brace as I haven't been able to find mine for the last 2 weeks and get a less supportive one for my 'good' ankle just in case.

Hope you heal!

This sounds like my kind of (foodie) trip!!

Hehe! This isn't that much of a foodie trip for me Last year we did Club 33 for dinner which was amazing! We also really enjoyed the Chef's Counter too last year as our post-challenge dinner. Lots of protein!

 

[kirstie101]

Reservations made for Carnation Cafe at 12:30 after the half! Looking forward to trying it. One of my coworkers was telling me they go almost every trip and their kids enjoy it too.

Last run of 2016 complete. Wanted to do 11. Saw the rain this morning so decided to do 10 on the treadmill instead. IT band stopped me at mile 8. I could have walked 2 more miles but just wasn't feeling it. No idea what to expect now from my knee on race day. I know I'll finish and that's what matters to me most.

Have a safe New Year's everyone!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Got my final long runs for the race in over the weekend. Hard to believe that 2 weeks from today, Light Side weekend will be over.

 

[Wink25]

Gotta have the bling!!!!

I just spent $93 at Fit2Run today to replace my running ankle brace as I haven't been able to find mine for the last 2 weeks and get a less supportive one for my 'good' ankle just in case.

Hope you heal!



Hehe! This isn't that much of a foodie trip for me Last year we did Club 33 for dinner which was amazing! We also really enjoyed the Chef's Counter too last year as our post-challenge dinner. Lots of protein!

Thanks! And hope your ankle feels better with the new brace!

We did Club 33 last year too!! And agreed, the chefs table is AMAZING! hmm might have to see if there are any more spots available now that I think about it hehehe

 

[kirstie101]

I cant believe we are so close! My family leaves in 9 days! So much to do still! I have to iron on the designs i bought for our shirts, need to buy a few groceries and pack. This weekend I'll only have Sunday to get stuff together as I'm throwing DH a surprise 40th party on Saturday. This week is going to fly by!

 

[bumbershoot]

They don't advertise that they do that but they do have it. Go to Runner Relations if you miss pick up the morning of the race. Make sure you get there early though. You will still have to get to the Expo to pick up your shirt and stuff.

Thanks.

It's one thing to not advertise it, and yet their answer to me was another thing. It made absolutely no sense.

I ended up having a freak out with DH (to be fair to me I was exhausted from travel, dealing with a cold, had a hangover from Alka seltzer cold plus, and was seriously questioning ever speaking to hubby and son again who 100% loved the idea of SW runs again when it was time to register, but didn't take work or dance into account once it was a few weeks away) and he realized that asking for the days off wasn't the end of the world.

So it's a non issue for us now but I know I'm going to give the sideeye to the booth when it's there despite what the cm hinted at in her useless email.

I am really so over rundisney at this point.

That's exactly what happened to me at Avengers. I've had an ongoing medical issue that was finally diagnosed as a hernia after going to a 3rd doctor. Of course we have to register so far in advance that these races were on the books well before I even started having pain. I thought I had just waited to long to defer for Avengers and finished the 10k but had to pull out of the half. Now, two months later, the hernia still hasn't been fixed and I'm faced with the same dilemma for star wars. I'm only signed up for the 10k this time but I probably shouldn't do it. It's very frustrating when it is something that is completely out of my control and there is absolutely no attempt to help from runDisney even after I have run a dozen Disney races in the last few years.

Sorry for the long rant, just extremely frustrated.

Glad you got it diagnosed! Took 5 sports medicine mds to diagnose my brother and the 5th was just going on faith that there was something wrong with him. Brother knew it was a hernia and no one listened.

Why haven't they fixed it yet???

 

[Wink25]

Glad you got it diagnosed! Took 5 sports medicine mds to diagnose my brother and the 5th was just going on faith that there was something wrong with him. Brother knew it was a hernia and no one listened.

Why haven't they fixed it yet???

I had no idea how hard hernias were to diagnose until I went through this process! Mine is technically a diagnostic surgery too because although the doctor is positive it is a hernia based on symptoms, none of the imaging shows anything. Glad your brother didn't give up and finally found someone to help!

I was just diagnosed on 12/13 and of course with the holidays and what not I couldn't get into surgery until the day after I get back from Disneyland...But at least its scheduled at this point!

 

[bumbershoot]

I had no idea how hard hernias were to diagnose until I went through this process! Mine is technically a diagnostic surgery too because although the doctor is positive it is a hernia based on symptoms, none of the imaging shows anything. Glad your brother didn't give up and finally found someone to help!

I was just diagnosed on 12/13 and of course with the holidays and what not I couldn't get into surgery until the day after I get back from Disneyland...But at least its scheduled at this point!

Glad it's scheduled.

When the surgeon went in he said he couldn't believe my brother could even feel symptoms. It was that small. But it would stop him flat at any given moment. He would be running just fine one second then nearly be on the ground the next. he did trail runs up to 8 miles a day; that was a problem if he was halfway out!

We went to dca with him during his pre-diagnosis saga and a few hours into our day he turned ghost white and could barely walk. We all had to leave. Alas they had had us park at Gardenwalk that day! He was in a lot of pain (but at that time wasn't explaining).

The sports medicine docs just kept telling him that he hurt because he's a runner. Sigh.

 

[Wink25]

Glad it's scheduled.

When the surgeon went in he said he couldn't believe my brother could even feel symptoms. It was that small. But it would stop him flat at any given moment. He would be running just fine one second then nearly be on the ground the next. he did trail runs up to 8 miles a day; that was a problem if he was halfway out!

We went to dca with him during his pre-diagnosis saga and a few hours into our day he turned ghost white and could barely walk. We all had to leave. Alas they had had us park at Gardenwalk that day! He was in a lot of pain (but at that time wasn't explaining).

The sports medicine docs just kept telling him that he hurt because he's a runner. Sigh.

That sounds exactly like my situation! Crazy!

But enough about my issues lol...anyone know what the plan is for World of Color after January 8th? Disneyland.com doesn't say the old version will return, just that season of light runs through the 8th. I want to sign up for the dessert party but would like to know which show I'm seeing.

BTW I know there is a lot of conversation out there about "upselling" everything in Disney these days but the Dessert party is one that I think is worth every once in a while, especially on race weekends when I don't want to stand in line . For those that used to do the dessert package for Fantasmic, the food is similar but you get a table to eat at and an alcoholic beverage for the adults!