Official all things Princess Half Weekend 2015 thread! DOoneY and offical mErcH on DisneyParksBLOg

[brooklyn615]

Thanks for the opinions! The team idea sounds good, for 10.00 more. Can you tell me about pasta in the park? I must have missed that somewhere!

 

[BwoZoo22]

I did a team for the Princess last year and here's what I learned : The team is two people only. You both have to be signed up for the half first, then you go back and register as a team. For $10 you each get a pink Princess half marathon sash and a commemorative (ie can't be used for the race itself) bib that has your team name on it. You are also eligible for team awards, as in one of the first three teams to finish the race.

Like 97% of the people who run these, I'm not in any place to be competitive at these things, so basically the question is is it worth it to pay $5 each for a sash? On the sliding scale of Disney souvenirs I think it's not that expensive. Just know that's what you are paying for

This year a team can be as many people as you want. All still need to register prior to signing up as part of a team. $10 is a great deal for a big team.

 

[BwoZoo22]

Thanks for the opinions! The team idea sounds good, for 10.00 more. Can you tell me about pasta in the park? I must have missed that somewhere!

I'm trying to decide if the pasta in the park party is worth the cost. We have APs, so the park ticket portion of the party cost isn't worth it. EP has so many great places to eat, do we want to spend that money on a pasta buffet, or try a new (or return to a favorite) restaurant? And the event is so late, we would have to do it on Friday.

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

My friend went in 2014 and she said too many people and not worth it at all!

I'm a newbie so I have to listen to her
We won't do pasta in the park, not even sure we will do parks at all so we don't get to tired for the races!!!!!

 

[lovingeire]

I'm trying to decide if the pasta in the park party is worth the cost. We have APs, so the park ticket portion of the party cost isn't worth it. EP has so many great places to eat, do we want to spend that money on a pasta buffet, or try a new (or return to a favorite) restaurant? And the event is so late, we would have to do it on Friday.

Thanks for the opinions! The team idea sounds good, for 10.00 more. Can you tell me about pasta in the park? I must have missed that somewhere!

My friend went in 2014 and she said too many people and not worth it at all!

I'm a newbie so I have to listen to her
We won't do pasta in the park, not even sure we will do parks at all so we don't get to tired for the races!!!!!

I was advised against the Pasta in the Park party by friends as well. My husband and I opted not to participate for marathon weekend, but my friend that I am doing Princess Half weekend with really wants to do the Pasta in the Park party. I figure since I only have to pay for me, vs. my family of 5, it's worth doing once to find out. I'm not doing the half just the 5K and 10K so I'm not sure I need to carb load, but hey, I guess I can try everything once!

 

[BwoZoo22]

My friend went in 2014 and she said too many people and not worth it at all!

I'm a newbie so I have to listen to her
We won't do pasta in the park, not even sure we will do parks at all so we don't get to tired for the races!!!!!

I was advised against the Pasta in the Park party by friends as well. My husband and I opted not to participate for marathon weekend, but my friend that I am doing Princess Half weekend with really wants to do the Pasta in the Park party. I figure since I only have to pay for me, vs. my family of 5, it's worth doing once to find out. I'm not doing the half just the 5K and 10K so I'm not sure I need to carb load, but hey, I guess I can try everything once!

Thanks for the validation! $108 (2 of us) will buy more than one meal (maybe!).

 

[keahgirl8]

I saw a review of it somewhere...maybe Disney Food Blog. The gist of it was that it was fine, but they are so many great places to eat for the same or less money.

 

[Patsydust]

So my friend and I doing the Princess half for the first time! We're going to give the pasta party a whirl I think, although from the most recent posts it might not be the best idea...but what about the pre-post race retreat? Worth it?

Thanks! Getting excited for this race!

 

[brooklyn615]

Instead of pasta in the park, can we eat dinner at another park restaurant if we don't buy a park pass? I would think that the pasta in the park would be a good value, since you get to stay in the park for the price.

 

[whamma]

Just read all 29 pages of this thread! Really want to do the Glass Slipper in 2015. My first Disney race! I started running in 2013--did my first 5K in June 2013 and just did my first half marathon in June 2014!

Still convincing DH that a trip to WDW in February is in the budget. Already made my DVC reservations at BLT for Princess Weekend. I keep warning DH that registration is SOON for the Princess Weekend--so I need his blessing ASAP! Hoping the DVC early registration comes through--it's not on the member website. I also have an AP voucher but it isn't going to be activated until July 19th--too late to register for the race. So I guess I need to call and see if I can register early even if I don't have an official AP number yet.

I ran my half with 3 great running friends and it made the whole race fly by. We kept around an 11 min/mile pace and I finished in 2:24. Hoping to find some DIS friends to be my new running pals!

 

[Octoberbeauty]

Hi everyone, I'm also new here. I've been stalking this thread for several weeks and have read all the way through it. I would LOVE to do the Princess weekend next Spring, but I just started walking. Like from the couch to walking! I am so out of shape. Is it realistic to think that I could run a half marathon by next February?

I've looked at lots of training plans and think I'm going to try Jeff Galloway's plan for running/walking.

There's a Diva Dash 5k in 3 weeks here and I think I'm going to sign up for that, and then a Glow Run 5k in August. I can't find any 10k's in my area for later this fall though. So, I probably be stuck in the back even if I could go/do it.

My other problem is that I have my first trip in 8 years this December, and then another one in May (splitting them up into Mother/son trips, one with my youngest and one with my oldest). So, I don't know if there would be any way possible for me to squeeze in another one, but I'm dreaming!

 

[pigletliz]

This year a team can be as many people as you want. All still need to register prior to signing up as part of a team. $10 is a great deal for a big team.

I was excited to have my sisters as team members, but everything I can find on the website says two people. Where did you see that you can have more than two for 2015? That would be great.


Thanks!

 

[pxefig]

This year a team can be as many people as you want. All still need to register prior to signing up as part of a team. $10 is a great deal for a big team.

You are absolutely right! Well, what do you know. It looks like they have changed it to $10 per person, though. The wording on the website still is a little hazy to be since it says unlimited then says 2 person:

Team Registration Fee: $10 per person

Teams can have unlimited team members
Teams can only be created after both individuals have registered and paid for the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Challenge.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2-Princess Team Participants Receive
Commemorative Team Bib(Must register by December 1, 2014 for team name to appear on bib)*
Commemorative Team Item
Team Photo area at Packet Pick-Up

* Participants must wear their individual race bib during their race, but may also wear the commemorative bib in addition to the individual race bib. Team registrations are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferrable.

 

[pigletliz]

I hate it when they revise part of their pages, but not all. This was from the Princess FAQ:

How can I participate as part of a team?

For an additional $15 you can race with one other participant and take on the Princess Half Marathon together! All team members will need to register as individuals prior to filling out the transfer form to become a 2 person team. Team registrations are non transferable, non refundable, and non deferrable. Anyone who wants to change team members will have to re register as a new 2 person team and pay an additional $15 fee.

I would love to have one team. My sisters would be all over the sash

 

[BwoZoo22]

You are absolutely right! Well, what do you know. It looks like they have changed it to $10 per person, though. The wording on the website still is a little hazy to be since it says unlimited then says 2 person:

Team Registration Fee: $10 per person

Teams can have unlimited team members
Teams can only be created after both individuals have registered and paid for the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Challenge.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2-Princess Team Participants Receive
Commemorative Team Bib(Must register by December 1, 2014 for team name to appear on bib)*
Commemorative Team Item
Team Photo area at Packet Pick-Up

* Participants must wear their individual race bib during their race, but may also wear the commemorative bib in addition to the individual race bib. Team registrations are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferrable.

I hate it when they revise part of their pages, but not all. This was from the Princess FAQ:

How can I participate as part of a team?

For an additional $15 you can race with one other participant and take on the Princess Half Marathon together! All team members will need to register as individuals prior to filling out the transfer form to become a 2 person team. Team registrations are non transferable, non refundable, and non deferrable. Anyone who wants to change team members will have to re register as a new 2 person team and pay an additional $15 fee.

I would love to have one team. My sisters would be all over the sash

As usual with the runDisney website, looks like you just need to focus on registering, then tackle the team sign up and be ready to pay $10, or $10 per person, or $15 per person. If you can't all be one team, maybe you can sign up as "Awesome Team Name 1" and "Awesome Team Name 2." Maybe they will clarify closer to registration, like an hour before...

 

[pxefig]

As usual with the runDisney website, looks like you just need to focus on registering, then tackle the team sign up and be ready to pay $10, or $10 per person, or $15 per person. If you can't all be one team, maybe you can sign up as "Awesome Team Name 1" and "Awesome Team Name 2." Maybe they will clarify closer to registration, like an hour before...

It looks less confusing on the Tinker Bell Teams section:

"Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Teams

Don't want to go on your magical journey alone? Grab some friends and register as a team! Team registration is a fun way to compete in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend with added perks for each fairy on your team.

Team Registration Fee: $10 per person

Teams can have unlimited team members
Teams can only be created after both individuals have registered and paid for the 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon.



Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Fairy Team Participants Receive

Commemorative Team Bib(Must register by by February 1, 2015 for team name to appear on bib)*
Commemorative Team Item
Team Photo area at Packet Pick-Up



* Participants must wear their individual race bib during their race, but may also wear the commemorative bib in addition to the individual race bib. Team registrations are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferrable.

Note: Not a relay – both participants run the entire race. You must be a registered participant of one of the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend races to participate in the race. A team registration does not qualify as a registration for the event."

Although, of course, they didn't adjust the wording in the fine print and still refer to "both" participants.

But extrapolating that it sounds like in 2015 it's $10 a person with unlimited people.

 

[PrincessV]

...but what about the pre-post race retreat? Worth it?

Worth is relative, of course, but lots of folks really enjoy Race Retreat! You can't get it for just after the race; it's a before and after thing, though you can certainly choose not to go in the tent pre-race.

IMO the "value" of it is having a defined place to be before and after the race, which can ease stress and anxiety and aid meeting up with friends. In addition, you get food and shelter. I don't see much value in the "private" porta-potties - they're just porta potties and as gross as any others - and bag check is a snap for non-RR folks, too, so having a special RR bag check isn't worth paying for alone. I've done RR for the PHM the last two years and was glad I did: the first year it was nice to have for my first Disney 1/2, and last year it was nice to have after 3 mornings of racing. I probably won't spend the $$$ this time, though.

I also have an AP voucher but it isn't going to be activated until July 19th--too late to register for the race. So I guess I need to call and see if I can register early even if I don't have an official AP number yet.

You should be able to link your voucher # through My Disney Experience, which should enable you to get into the AP pages. I say "should" because I've been a passholder for 20+ years and suddenly can't access the rD AP page, even though I can still access everything else AP. Gotta love Disney IT.

Is it realistic to think that I could run a half marathon by next February?

Welcome to the fun! It's absolutely possible to finish a half in Feb. if you start training now. I strongly suggest visiting Jeff Galloway's website to learn more about his methodology and tips for building a base before starting his PHM training plan. It'll help get you started right!

 

[whamma]

Any opinions about the best Disney resort to stay at for this event? I am a DVC member so I can stay just about anywhere. My first thought was the Boardwalk area but somewhere else I read that a monorail resort is almost easier for transportation. I actually have already made a reservation at Bay Lake Tower so I'm just trying whether to decide to keep it or switch it.

 

[BwoZoo22]

You should be able to link your voucher # through My Disney Experience, which should enable you to get into the AP pages. I say "should" because I've been a passholder for 20+ years and suddenly can't access the rD AP page, even though I can still access everything else AP. Gotta love Disney IT.

I received official word from runDisney on this, since I purchased an AP, but won't be down in FL to activate it until October. The Exchange Certificates are linked to MDE account, but I am unable to access the AP links page.
RunDisney response is, "Per Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Terms and Conditions, the Annual Pass must be active to receive the benefit of participating in early registration for select runDisney events. we do apologize for any disappointment this may cause." Bummer. I am actually out of the country July 15 (someplace with no internet!), so I will be depending on a friend to register me July 15.

 

[whamma]

I received official word from runDisney on this, since I purchased an AP... Bummer. I am actually out of the country July 15 (someplace with no internet!), so I will be depending on a friend to register me July 15.

Thanks for sharing this info. It saves me a call. Thankfully I'll be able to register early thru DVC since my AP won't be active on July 9th or 15th either. Hopefully your friend will get you registered without any issues. I'll be sending you some pixie dust!