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

[Anne34]

I'll check my garmin for you. It's pretty flat though.

President's Day is the Monday before PHM with lots of people taking vacation that week so airfares are high at that time. You should see the fares if you are flying to a ski vacation...REALLY eye popping !

I was shocked because schools around here aren't off during that time. Some have Presidents' Day off but not all.

Milwaukee is farther for me and not tons cheaper (Western suburbs). I was also shocked when I made reservations for my college age son for a few weeks later. Milwaukee flights are cheaper than Chicago! He's going with some college friends so he can just leave from school.

 

[DVCFan1994]

I'll be flying out of Hartford too. The prices are pretty high…I can get it somewhat lower by manipulating the dates, but it stinks to pay such high airfare for a short trip. Does anyone know if it's feasible to drive to the race in the morning, or will there be too much traffic?

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Not sure where you starting from, but I use both Hartford and Providence. Providence is where I managed to score under 1000 total round trip for all four of us. Might be worth checking if you can get to Providence.

 

[FSUWXGirl]

Just booked our rooms!! I used the same travel agency that was mentioned a few times on this board, but I use a different agent. I used her last year as well and the experience was fantastic! Staying at Port Orleans FQ this time and very excited (and hoping for no more crazy bus issues...)

I haven't booked flights yet and probably won't until about October. We will fly out of either Norfolk or Newport News/Williamsburg again and have found that rates out of either tend to be much lower if you hold out for a bit. My favorite cheap airline Allegiant has decided to leave Newport News BOO but there is a new airline taking its place called PeopleExpress I think and they will also offer cheap flights, ~$89 each way! They are only flying to Tampa right now (about 1 hour from Orlando) but apparently there are many rumors that they will be going to either OIA or Orlando-Sanford very soon! I'm hoping to take that (either to Tampa or Orlando) once they post their schedule for 2015

Anyways you may want to check that out if any of you live in Eastern VA!

 

[BwoZoo22]

I was shocked because schools around here aren't off during that time. Some have Presidents' Day off but not all.

Milwaukee is farther for me and not tons cheaper (Western suburbs). I was also shocked when I made reservations for my college age son for a few weeks later. Milwaukee flights are cheaper than Chicago! He's going with some college friends so he can just leave from school.

Some school districts do get President's Day week off, it's Winter Break. My family would always take a ski vacation that week, usually someplace we could drive to though.

 

[lovingeire]

I've started pricing flights. My only options are United and Silver for a direct flight, so United. I refuse to use Silver. Hopefully prices will go down a little bit as paying over $300 to fly from Pensacola to Orlando seems a little excessive!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I just checked for BWI ( a SWA hub) - crazy!! 300$ for the return flight? First they swallow Airtran, then they charge this much?? Checking JetBlue out of DC now. It's gotta be better.

It's winter break for New England so it doesn't surprise me it's high on the return trip.

I'll be flying out of Hartford too. The prices are pretty high…I can get it somewhat lower by manipulating the dates, but it stinks to pay such high airfare for a short trip.


Does anyone know if it's feasible to drive to the race in the morning, or will there be too much traffic?

I tried changing the dates a bit, but flying home Monday doesn't save me much, especially adding another nights accommodations and DH would have to be working from home and getting the kids ready for school. To much of a pain.

I do know people drive in from off site, but there are road closures and some traffic delays so you would need to give yourself plenty of time to get there. Hopefully someone who drives will chime in soon.

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Not sure where you starting from, but I use both Hartford and Providence. Providence is where I managed to score under 1000 total round trip for all four of us. Might be worth checking if you can get to Providence.

I looked at PVD at the same time and the dates I was looking at PVD was more expensive. Which is a bummer, because I love PVD, so easy to get in and out of.
You got a great deal!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

UGH!!! Just checked SW again this morning. All wanna get away flights from PVD are sold out, and now the flights from Hartford are 100 more dollars. Book soon everyone!!

 

[whamma]

UGH!!! Just checked SW again this morning. All wanna get away flights from PVD are sold out, and now the flights from Hartford are 100 more dollars. Book soon everyone!!

Good advice. After checking last night and seeing that SW flights were already selling out, my GSC friend and I decided to book. We're flying out of Milwaukee. We'll arrive on Friday morning and return on Tuesday afternoon. $275 round trip. I was happy with that. In case anyone is interested, we're staying at Bay Lake Tower. Thanks to my DVC membership that's been booked for weeks!

No turning back now. This is happening for real!!!

 

[DVCFan1994]

I looked at PVD at the same time and the dates I was looking at PVD was more expensive. Which is a bummer, because I love PVD, so easy to get in and out of. You got a great deal!

I know it's Mass and RI vacation that week, Maine too and parts of NH. Is it CT vacation as well? I always assumed but never knew.

I feel bad for those whose primary airports are the NE connecting cities like BWI. SW and others have cut waaay back on their number of direct flights to FL. Manchester NH used to have 4-5 direct flights a day to MCO on SW, now they have only two with the rest of the options being connections through primarily BWI but a few others like Chicago (which is Nuts to me). Providence has seen reductions as well, and Boston only has connections to begin with - no direct flights. I'm sure that is part of why some of you south of New England are seeing high prices. Sorry!

How is everyone's training going? I know it's early, but those hoping for a slow gradual build of mileage must be getting going. I am still not running which is slowly making me insane but I'm starting to notice improvement in my foot (I had a partial plantar fascia tear) and finally feel like there may be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

 

[Luv2Run]

Just booked our rooms!! I used the same travel agency that was mentioned a few times on this board, but I use a different agent. I used her last year as well and the experience was fantastic! Staying at Port Orleans FQ this time and very excited (and hoping for no more crazy bus issues...)

I haven't booked flights yet and probably won't until about October. We will fly out of either Norfolk or Newport News/Williamsburg again and have found that rates out of either tend to be much lower if you hold out for a bit. My favorite cheap airline Allegiant has decided to leave Newport News BOO but there is a new airline taking its place called PeopleExpress I think and they will also offer cheap flights, ~$89 each way! They are only flying to Tampa right now (about 1 hour from Orlando) but apparently there are many rumors that they will be going to either OIA or Orlando-Sanford very soon! I'm hoping to take that (either to Tampa or Orlando) once they post their schedule for 2015

Anyways you may want to check that out if any of you live in Eastern VA!

I'm really hoping People Express adds a direct to MCO, that would be awesome! I checked SWA on Monday, and the prices from Norfolk to MCO weren't too bad, lower than Delta or American, and those had layovers in either ATL or Charlotte.

 

[mbwhitti]

Does anyone know if it's feasible to drive to the race in the morning, or will there be too much traffic?

We drove in last year and it was easy peasy (just followed the instructions from rundisney), but we also got there pretty early. Probably around 4:00 or so. Could have been a little later. We had plenty of time to use the restrooms (twice)...and those lines are long right before the walk to start line. We also had time to eat a banana, stretch, and hydrate. You also have the option of sitting in your car where it's either warm or cool depending on the weather. It was kinda cool before the race this year, but super humid during the race.

 

[runningprincess2015]

We booked our hotel and park tickets over the weekend! We were going to do with POR or CBR but since we're now taking my soon-to-be 12 yo niece, we decided on ASM instead in the hopes that we save a little money. I've never stayed there; does anyone have any first-hand experience with this resort, especially during PHM?

It's starting to feel real!!!!

 

[Luv2Run]

We booked our hotel and park tickets over the weekend! We were going to do with POR or CBR but since we're now taking my soon-to-be 12 yo niece, we decided on ASM instead in the hopes that we save a little money. I've never stayed there; does anyone have any first-hand experience with this resort, especially during PHM?

It's starting to feel real!!!!

When you say ASM, do you mean Music or Movies?

We stayed at ASMusic for the 2014 PHM and it was awesome, but a bit of a walk since our room was in Country Fair at the back of the resort. It was quiet back there, which made the walk worth it. The Intermission Food Court was pretty packed at peak times, but a little patience goes a long way. I really liked the spaghetti with meatballs, breadstick & side salad for my pre-race dinner meal/carb loading, lol. Buses to the parks & Expo/race were ample & quick. Never waited longer than 15 minutes (walked right on to the bus to the race, since there were 3 or 4 lined up waiting).

We're staying at POR Riverside for the 2015 PHM, but if we were to go back to ASMusic, we'd prefer to stay at Rock Inn or Broadway.

 

[runningprincess2015]

When you say ASM, do you mean Music or Movies? We stayed at ASMusic for the 2014 PHM and it was awesome, but a bit of a walk since our room was in Country Fair at the back of the resort. It was quiet back there, which made the walk worth it. The Intermission Food Court was pretty packed at peak times, but a little patience goes a long way. I really liked the spaghetti with meatballs, breadstick & side salad for my pre-race dinner meal/carb loading, lol. Buses to the parks & Expo/race were ample & quick. Never waited longer than 15 minutes (walked right on to the bus to the race, since there were 3 or 4 lined up waiting). We're staying at POR Riverside for the 2015 PHM, but if we were to go back to ASMusic, we'd prefer to stay at Rock Inn or Broadway.

Sorry, I mean ASMovies (I forgot there was another ASM!). From what I've read, I don't expect an issue with the buses. I'm assuming it's similar to ASMusic.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I know it's Mass and RI vacation that week, Maine too and parts of NH. Is it CT vacation as well? I always assumed but never knew.

I feel bad for those whose primary airports are the NE connecting cities like BWI. SW and others have cut waaay back on their number of direct flights to FL. Manchester NH used to have 4-5 direct flights a day to MCO on SW, now they have only two with the rest of the options being connections through primarily BWI but a few others like Chicago (which is Nuts to me). Providence has seen reductions as well, and Boston only has connections to begin with - no direct flights. I'm sure that is part of why some of you south of New England are seeing high prices. Sorry!

How is everyone's training going? I know it's early, but those hoping for a slow gradual build of mileage must be getting going. I am still not running which is slowly making me insane but I'm starting to notice improvement in my foot (I had a partial plantar fascia tear) and finally feel like there may be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

It is vacation week for us too. Some schools have 1/2 a week off but some are out the whole week. My kids were out the whole week this year so they came with me during PHM 2014, I feel sure a lot of people are doing the same thing.

I don't mind a layover at BWI, it's an easy airport to get around in. But yeah, the shortage of direct flights anywhere from out of NE is a pain. I only have 3 non stops on Thursday and one leaves at 7 which means leaving the house at 5. Hopefully DS18 can drive me before school starts since it's in the same direction but it will depend on the class schedule.

Training is non existent right now. My god daughters are staying with me for 2 weeks so having 2 extra kids in the house is nuts. Then Friday DS12 fell on his scooter breaking his wrist and his teeth so I have been up to my elbows in doctor and dentist appointments. And DH started a new job this week so things have been nuts.
I hope to get back into my M-W-F running schedule when they start school. I need my routine back!!

 

[PrincessV]

How is everyone's training going? I know it's early, but those hoping for a slow gradual build of mileage must be getting going. I am still not running which is slowly making me insane but I'm starting to notice improvement in my foot (I had a partial plantar fascia tear) and finally feel like there may be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

For your light at the end of the tunnel - that's great news!

As for your question... I'm afraid I can't answer without whining, lol! I've got TOT, then W&D, a possible Dec. half, then the WDW 10K and half in Jan., then the PHM races... and it's summer. In Florida. I'm so sick of running in the heat! I'm getting it done; just not thoroughly enjoying the experience.

 

[DVCFan1994]

For your light at the end of the tunnel - that's great news!

As for your question... I'm afraid I can't answer without whining, lol! I've got TOT, then W&D, a possible Dec. half, then the WDW 10K and half in Jan., then the PHM races... and it's summer. In Florida. I'm so sick of running in the heat! I'm getting it done; just not thoroughly enjoying the experience.

I am very jealous of your series of races! I was planning on a series of 10ks and a half in the fall before the New England freeze sets in sometime in Decemeber, but my injury has kept me from registering for anything yet.

A few pages back someone asked for an image of the elevation of the 10k. I finally think I figured out how to post an image (miracles never cease) so here goes my attempt:



This was from my Garmin forerunner 210. It looks like less than 6 miles because I paused it (I have the older 210 without auto pause) at a picture stop and forgot to hit start for a few tenths of a mile. I'm actually surprised it even shows this much up and down.

 

[keahgirl8]

I need to sign up for a 10K. Why are they so hard to find? Why am I so indecisive? Yes, I know I have Disney races I can submit, but my non-Disney pace is WAY faster!

 

[jdd]

How is everyone's training going? I know it's early, but those hoping for a slow gradual build of mileage must be getting going. I am still not running which is slowly making me insane but I'm starting to notice improvement in my foot (I had a partial plantar fascia tear) and finally feel like there may be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

I've been happy with my progress so far. My goal right now is to get a good time at my 10K in late September - hoping for an under 10min/mile pace. Short runs are going great - my plan has me doing 6 miles tomorrow and we'll see how that goes

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that your foot will continue to improve - hang in there!!

 

[blabbermouth]

I know it's Mass and RI vacation that week, Maine too and parts of NH. Is it CT vacation as well? I always assumed but never knew.

I feel bad for those whose primary airports are the NE connecting cities like BWI. SW and others have cut waaay back on their number of direct flights to FL. Manchester NH used to have 4-5 direct flights a day to MCO on SW, now they have only two with the rest of the options being connections through primarily BWI but a few others like Chicago (which is Nuts to me). Providence has seen reductions as well, and Boston only has connections to begin with - no direct flights. I'm sure that is part of why some of you south of New England are seeing high prices. Sorry!

How is everyone's training going? I know it's early, but those hoping for a slow gradual build of mileage must be getting going. I am still not running which is slowly making me insane but I'm starting to notice improvement in my foot (I had a partial plantar fascia tear) and finally feel like there may be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

Well I have to come all the way from Vancouver, and there aren't any direct flights from there, only from Seattle and very few from there! It looks like we'll be able to get there for under $500 though, anyone have a preference between American and US Airways?

My training is going well, I'm trying not to burn myself out over the next 6 months though! I don't want to end up hating running Ran 10k on the weekend, and 5k yesterday, mostly feeling pretty good. I'd like to work on my pace a bit, but I think it's probably more important for me to work on my distance!