Official 2017 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend!

[Pernella]

Courtesy of our very own @roxymama...get to know the Disney fairies!

1000 pixie points to anyone who can explain to me what a "Dust-Keeper Fairy" is!

They're in charge of the handling and distribution of pixie dust of course!

I may have watched every fairy movie when my daughter had RSV...

 

[ZellyB]

Expo question for you Tinkerbell veterans. I understand the Expo at DL races can be really crazy and there is nothing from a merchandise standpoint I feel like I just have to have. I mostly will just want to get my bib and official race shirts and then maybe just browse around some. I'm thinking that maybe we would just try to go sort of late afternoon/early evening on Thursday. Am I likely to miss the worst of the crowds? If not, I'd be fine also to wait until late on Friday. Would that likely be better?

 

[Ariel484]

Expo question for you Tinkerbell veterans. I understand the Expo at DL races can be really crazy and there is nothing from a merchandise standpoint I feel like I just have to have. I mostly will just want to get my bib and official race shirts and then maybe just browse around some. I'm thinking that maybe we would just try to go sort of late afternoon/early evening on Thursday. Am I likely to miss the worst of the crowds? If not, I'd be fine also to wait until late on Friday. Would that likely be better?

I went on the Thursday around 10:30/11 AM and didn't have any trouble getting my bibs and shirts. I went back later to check out the official merchandise one evening.

Disneyland does their expos differently - they only let a certain amount of people into the official merchandise area at a time, so it's never really crazy crowded in there, but if you want to go in you may need to wait in line for a few hours (!!) to do so.

 

[ZellyB]

I went on the Thursday around 10:30/11 AM and didn't have any trouble getting my bibs and shirts. I went back later to check out the official merchandise one evening.

Disneyland does their expos differently - they only let a certain amount of people into the official merchandise area at a time, so it's never really crazy crowded in there, but if you want to go in you may need to wait in line for a few hours (!!) to do so.

So is the official merchandise somewhere different than the bibs and race shirts or do you even have to wait for that? I don't mind to check back later if the line is bad to get in. I'm not waiting hours for merchandise!

 

[roxymama]

I went on the Thursday around 10:30/11 AM and didn't have any trouble getting my bibs and shirts. I went back later to check out the official merchandise one evening.

Disneyland does their expos differently - they only let a certain amount of people into the official merchandise area at a time, so it's never really crazy crowded in there, but if you want to go in you may need to wait in line for a few hours (!!) to do so.

I know you can't predict the future. But if I were to go at lunch-time-ish or afternoon on Friday do you think it will still be a crazy long line for the official merch? Would it be kosher to have my sister save my spot while I get my bib and shirt?
I already pre-ordered a jacket, so really my sights are mostly set on the NB booth using their virtual q but I'd like to take a peak at what is left of the official stuff.
I'm ok standing there for awhile because I'm highly motivated to not miss out this time around on the whole expo experience. Just curious.

 

[Calfan]

I know you can't predict the future. But if I were to go at lunch-time-ish or afternoon on Friday do you think it will still be a crazy long line for the official merch? Would it be kosher to have my sister save my spot while I get my bib and shirt?
I already pre-ordered a jacket, so really my sights are mostly set on the NB booth using their virtual q but I'd like to take a peak at what is left of the official stuff.
I'm ok standing there for awhile because I'm highly motivated to not miss out this time around on the whole expo experience. Just curious.

It might not be as bad for Tink because I think maybe not as many people sign up as for Star Wars Light Side, but I went to the expo for SWLS just before noon on Fri (which is when the expo opens on Fri -- it was the same for 2016 Tink), and it was an utter madhouse. I waited about 25 minutes or so to pick up my bib/shirt, and then another 30 or so to get into the merchandise shop tent. There were also lines for the Dooneys, and probably New Balance (but I didn't really know about those till after that race). Based on that experience, I'd definitely recommend going later Fri afternoon or Fri early evening (the expo is open till 8pm).

 

[roxymama]

It might not be as bad for Tink because I think maybe not as many people sign up as for Star Wars Light Side, but I went to the expo for SWLS just before noon on Fri (which is when the expo opens on Fri -- it was the same for 2016 Tink), and it was an utter madhouse. I waited about 25 minutes or so to pick up my bib/shirt, and then another 30 or so to get into the merchandise shop tent. There were also lines for the Dooneys, and probably New Balance (but I didn't really know about those till after that race). Based on that experience, I'd definitely recommend going later Fri afternoon or Fri early evening (the expo is open till 8pm).

Thank you for sharing that experience! I'd rather go into it knowing what to expect. I'm going to have park hoppers for the Fri-Sun, so I figure anything that seems too nutty on Friday I can "try again" later Fri or on Saturday then (like before or after our meet up.)
It's a little less stressful for me since I am running only the half and do not "need" my bib/shirt on Friday....I just really want it

Does anyone have their heart skip a beat anytime there is an update to this thread...and then you click real fast to see if someone is showing the medals? Cause I do. I really hope the 2/14 medal date is true!!!

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Since we are talking expo, is there a separate area for preorder merchandise like there is at DW? I'm planning to preorder a Dooney, once we see pictures. I probably won't need any other merchandise though. I'm hoping it is not going to take too much time. I think we are flying in mid day on Friday, so it will be afternoon before we can get there. We will need to do bib pickup on Friday since DH is running the 10K and I am doing the challenge.

 

[Ariel484]

So is the official merchandise somewhere different than the bibs and race shirts or do you even have to wait for that? I don't mind to check back later if the line is bad to get in. I'm not waiting hours for merchandise!

The expo is in the Disneyland Hotel and bib pick-up is on the floor below in the parking garage. I didn't have to wait for bibs or shirts when I went. The merch is where the wait comes in - when I went to get my bibs I did see the line for official merch.

I know you can't predict the future. But if I were to go at lunch-time-ish or afternoon on Friday do you think it will still be a crazy long line for the official merch? Would it be kosher to have my sister save my spot while I get my bib and shirt?
I already pre-ordered a jacket, so really my sights are mostly set on the NB booth using their virtual q but I'd like to take a peak at what is left of the official stuff.
I'm ok standing there for awhile because I'm highly motivated to not miss out this time around on the whole expo experience. Just curious.

I'd agree with going as late in the day as possible. I went back one evening (dinner time-ish) and just walked right in.

Since we are talking expo, is there a separate area for preorder merchandise like there is at DW? I'm planning to preorder a Dooney, once we see pictures. I probably won't need any other merchandise though. I'm hoping it is not going to take too much time. I think we are flying in mid day on Friday, so it will be afternoon before we can get there. We will need to do bib pickup on Friday since DH is running the 10K and I am doing the challenge.

Yes - the Dooneys are in the same area as the bibs.

So it goes...
- bibs, pre-orders, Dooneys (both pre-orders and walk-ups)in the parking garage (lower level)
- race shirts, expo, NB shoes, official merchandise in a conference room of the Disneyland Hotel (main level)

EDIT: that's how it was last year anyway

 

[ZellyB]

Not sure I really have anything to add to the thread, but I mostly wanted to post something so @roxymama would see it and hope it was a medal preview announcement.

 

[roxymama]

Not sure I really have anything to add to the thread, but I mostly wanted to post something so @roxymama would see it and hope it was a medal preview announcement.

I actually deserve that for my joke I played on you earlier today.

 

[roxymama]

 

[Ariel484]

Not sure I really have anything to add to the thread, but I mostly wanted to post something so @roxymama would see it and hope it was a medal preview announcement.

way harsh!!

I am REALLY hoping to see the medals next week at the Princess expo! If they are there, I will post them here! Could have sworn I read a rumor that they were going to be releasing a look at the medals today but clearly that didn't happen...

 

[ZellyB]

way harsh!!

I am REALLY hoping to see the medals next week at the Princess expo! If they are there, I will post them here! Could have sworn I read a rumor that they were going to be releasing a look at the medals today but clearly that didn't happen...

I have a mean streak.

 

[MommyLove]

So is the official merchandise somewhere different than the bibs and race shirts or do you even have to wait for that? I don't mind to check back later if the line is bad to get in. I'm not waiting hours for merchandise!

Thanks for asking these questions. I'm a runDisney noob and was wondering the same things!

(and LOL about making posts just to punk people into thinking maybe there was medal preview news!! )

 

[Ariel484]

For anyone asking about expo set-up, see pages 17-19 of last year's event guide: http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/2016TinkProgram.pdf

No guarantee it'll be the same this year but it should give you an idea.
EDIT: and "Disneyland Hotel Lower Level Exhibit Hall" = Parking Garage.

 

[courtneybeth]

Ok.... so rundisney man at Surf City said medal release was today. What if he meant this week?

Now im worried he maybe lying about the possible Pixar slip for Disneyland weekend.

 

[Warm Hugs]

Ok.... so rundisney man at Surf City said medal release was today. What if he meant this week?

Now im worried he maybe lying about the possible Pixar slip for Disneyland weekend.

It wouldn't make sense. Walt Disney World Marathon regular registration was on Tuesday. When was the last time rundisney had a medal reveal on the same day as the first day for open registration of another event.

With that said, i would expect them have the reveal before or at Princess. With the pink coast to coast and tink half not sold out, it would be good marketing to have the medals at the first race on the road to the pink coast to coast to get sign ups on the half.

As for the pixar theme, rundisney man may have had a good laugh? We'll see...

 

[Ariel484]

It wouldn't make sense. Walt Disney World Marathon regular registration was on Tuesday. When was the last time rundisney had a medal reveal on the same day as the first day for open registration of another event.

With that said, i would expect them have the reveal before or at Princess. With the pink coast to coast and tink half not sold out, it would be good marketing to have the medals at the first race on the road to the pink coast to coast to get sign ups on the half.

As for the pixar theme, rundisney man may have had a good laugh? We'll see...

Great points about the release not making sense on registration day and Tink not being a sellout. I'm crossing my fingers they'll be at the Princess expo.

 

[roxymama]

Well I did end up seeing the pictures online of the Flower & Garden festival merchandise today. So that bided my time in looking at cute things of the t-shirt, wine glass, and pin variety
FYI: the dooneys for F&G fest are sooooo cuuuutttee and I don't even garden.
I won't post a pic because I don't want to freak anyone out that anything Tink was announced. So just trust me and google the merch. It's CUTE!

PS: I am not even going to WDW this spring...I just like to "window shop" online for things I'm not going to buy