Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[opusone]

But I digress, the pricing for Dark Side is still the super high Spring Break pricing and WDW hasn't released any discounts yet for the time frame. (The current discount goes through April 8.) And much to my dismay, it still falls within the blockout of the military discount.

What about Shades of Green?

 

[lovingeire]

My thoughts on the races, Dark Side in particular. I'm sure Disney thought this was money in the bank with the Star Wars franchise. I LOVE Star Wars! Like love! And I signed up for both Light and Dark Side for the special Kessel Run medal. That being said, it's probably a one and done for me. The timing for Dark Side is horrible in my opinion. Having a race at peak price season is just more price gouging by Disney and it's not like the weather will be nice and cool or anything. I know they probably want to spread them out, but it's disheartening to pay so much for a race and then have to pay through the nose for accommodations, etc as well. If the race weekend fell within my kids spring break I might consider coming down and doing kids races and the 10K, but I normally stay away from the parks during peak season.

 

[lovingeire]

What about Shades of Green?

Shades is an option, but it's not my first choice. I'd rather stay on property. However, I'm having a hard time reconciling paying twice as much to do so. Especially when I will be registering DH and I for Lumiere the month before. My BFF who is doing Dark Side with me is really adamant that she wants to stay on property. I am very indecisive about this race weekend, which is really unlike me. I just put CBR on hold, but don't know if I can commit yet.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

We stayed at CBR last year and was really convenient for transportation to/from the event, not sure about this year with the new start location. We ended up getting a good rate there but it was late before booking.

Maybe try a travel agent and they might have discounts for those dates now. I was able to get a good deal for marathon weekend before the current specials came out, actually better than anything could get online when they were released.

 

[NurseRunner]

Question for anyone who ran last year - could you get dark side weekend phone covers at D tech in the Marketplace at Disney Springs? I got a dopey challenge one this year and my boyfriend (who's doing dark side) was hoping they did them for dark side but we saw nothing online for them! We know you can get star wars ones, but was hoping for dark side specifically. If yes, anyone got a photo of the cases (long shot I know!) thanks guys!

Yes, there were dark side covers. I have one!

 

[cavepig]

Southwest flights booked as the prices dropped in case anyone else is still flight hunting.

 

[lovingeire]

Finally made some dining reservations: Kona Cafe, Hollywood Brown Derby, Homecoming, Trattoria al Forno and Le Cellier. I'm not sure we'll keep all of them, but figured I'd better get some on the books.

 

[koala1966]

My thoughts on the races, Dark Side in particular. I'm sure Disney thought this was money in the bank with the Star Wars franchise. I LOVE Star Wars! Like love! And I signed up for both Light and Dark Side for the special Kessel Run medal. That being said, it's probably a one and done for me. The timing for Dark Side is horrible in my opinion. Having a race at peak price season is just more price gouging by Disney and it's not like the weather will be nice and cool or anything. I know they probably want to spread them out, but it's disheartening to pay so much for a race and then have to pay through the nose for accommodations, etc as well. If the race weekend fell within my kids spring break I might consider coming down and doing kids races and the 10K, but I normally stay away from the parks during peak season.

It's pretty tricky though to time it any other way - they already have races in November, January, and February. People not from Florida find it almost impossible to run here May - September because of the weather. December and March are more peak than April usually - Christmas and Spring Break. so that leaves April or October, and October is pretty busy these days because of MNSSHP, F&W, and conventions.

 

[LeighaB]

Long time fan of the Dis Unplugged podcast but totally NEW to the DisBoards and forum....My 16 year old wants to run the Star Wars 10K, but I'm seeing that is is sold out. I can possibly talk him into the 5K, but long drive from home and expensive for such a short run.

My question is: will there be a possibility that registration for 10K slots will reopen? Or is all hope lost?

And...any opinions about the 5K as our first run/race together appreciated, as well. Leigha B

 

[wehrengrizz]

Long time fan of the Dis Unplugged podcast but totally NEW to the DisBoards and forum....My 16 year old wants to run the Star Wars 10K, but I'm seeing that is is sold out. I can possibly talk him into the 5K, but long drive from home and expensive for such a short run.

My question is: will there be a possibility that registration for 10K slots will reopen? Or is all hope lost?

And...any opinions about the 5K as our first run/race together appreciated, as well. Leigha B

Yay! Welcome to the disboards! Sometimes there are charities and travel agents that have bibs still available after the sellout. 10Ks sell out the quickest, since some of those are put together with people running the challenges (10K and half), so that leaves that many less 10K "only". One thing with using a travel agent, per some newish rules, they have to book you on a room and park ticket package along with your bib(s). I am not 100% on details, I know some people on this awesome thread can give you more info

I'm running the 5K w/ my oldest (DS11), we've done a few together but this is the first time without the rest of his siblings and DH. It's a lot of fun and especially w/ the 5K you'll see quite a few kids with parents, the runDisney 5Ks seem to be more "family fun runs" anymore.

 

[LeighaB]

Yay! Welcome to the disboards! Sometimes there are charities and travel agents that have bibs still available after the sellout. 10Ks sell out the quickest, since some of those are put together with people running the challenges (10K and half), so that leaves that many less 10K "only". One thing with using a travel agent, per some newish rules, they have to book you on a room and park ticket package along with your bib(s). I am not 100% on details, I know some people on this awesome thread can give you more info

I'm running the 5K w/ my oldest (DS11), we've done a few together but this is the first time without the rest of his siblings and DH. It's a lot of fun and especially w/ the 5K you'll see quite a few kids with parents, the runDisney 5Ks seem to be more "family fun runs" anymore.

Thanks so much! I've run races before, but he has not. He plans to join the military upon graduation in a year's time, so this just sounded like a really cool mom-son activity for us to do together. I hope someone posts about the 10K, as that would be my top pick, but the 5K is sounding better already! Tnx.

 

[wehrengrizz]

Thanks so much! I've run races before, but he has not. He plans to join the military upon graduation in a year's time, so this just sounded like a really cool mom-son activity for us to do together. I hope someone posts about the 10K, as that would be my top pick, but the 5K is sounding better already! Tnx.

That's really awesome! All runDisney races require you to maintain a 16 min/mile pace, but the 5K is...not as strict on this. I was not aware of that part and the first 5K at Disney I did I was afraid to stop for pictures or anything because I didn't want to be swept. Ended not being an issue but I didn't really take it all in as much as I'd have liked. I did the Tinkerbell 10K last May and while I was more nervous, I was (a little) better trained and was able to see more of the magic on the way @MommaoffherRocker for sure can tell you about using a TA, but not sure if there are 10K only bibs available. Good luck!!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Thanks so much! I've run races before, but he has not. He plans to join the military upon graduation in a year's time, so this just sounded like a really cool mom-son activity for us to do together. I hope someone posts about the 10K, as that would be my top pick, but the 5K is sounding better already! Tnx.

It looks like the TA I use has 9- 10k bibs right now. Not sure if I am allowed to post a link but it is Acclaim travel if you google it (sorry @wehrengrizz I know that's a dirty word ) they will come up. I've used them 3 times now and never had a problem. I love their website because you can look at prices and do everything online instead of waiting for them to get back to you with a quote. It does come with a 2 night hotel stay and a 2 day park hopper. You can share a room but each bib has to have a ticket.

I haven't run a 5k at Disney before so I can't compare Disney races. But In general I love 10ks because I feel like they are challenging but don't leave me feeling wiped out at the end. I think with your son being older that the 10k is the way to go if you can swing the hotel & tickets. But I think the 5k would be fun too, no matter what you are running at Disney

If you want the link to the TA or have any more questions feel free to pm me.

 

[wehrengrizz]

it is Acclaim travel if you google it (sorry @wehrengrizz I know that's a dirty word )

kidding! lol! that was an awesome props to DH...who isn't even on disboards
The Disney 5Ks seem like just a fun time, the 10K I did was for sure fun but not as "partylike" . Either way the 5K route primarily through Epcot is definitely a draw Fun course with plenty to see.

 

[LeighaB]

It looks like the TA I use has 9- 10k bibs right now. Not sure if I am allowed to post a link but it is Acclaim travel if you google it (sorry @wehrengrizz I know that's a dirty word ) they will come up. I've used them 3 times now and never had a problem. I love their website because you can look at prices and do everything online instead of waiting for them to get back to you with a quote. It does come with a 2 night hotel stay and a 2 day park hopper. You can share a room but each bib has to have a ticket.

I haven't run a 5k at Disney before so I can't compare Disney races. But In general I love 10ks because I feel like they are challenging but don't leave me feeling wiped out at the end. I think with your son being older that the 10k is the way to go if you can swing the hotel & tickets. But I think the 5k would be fun too, no matter what you are running at Disney

If you want the link to the TA or have any more questions feel free to pm me.

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[maw]

I've done a lot of 5ks at home and did our first Run Disney 5k at Darkside last year. It was fun but a little crazy. We did the 5k and the 1/2, I was glad we did the 5k so I knew more what to expect. I think the 5k had a lot of first time racers - they were all over the course. Kids zig zagging and strollers. It's fun to see so many families running together and was super fun to run through Epcot while it was empty! We registered for the 1/2 first and then Disney opened more spots for the 5k around Princess weekend, I can't remember if they did 10k or not.

We run for fun and not for time, I think if this is your approach the 5k is great. Depending on where you start if you're running for time you might be frustrated. So just decide it's for fun from the beginning! We didn't stop for pictures at the 5k, but we did stop and take several pictures. It was just fun to see everything in the parks. I don't know if this helps. We're doing the Challenge this year but I was still thinking about adding the 5k

But I'd totally do it - 5k race was fun and you still get to walk around the parks with a medal after! Thanks in advance to your son for his service!

 

[ryanj36]

All registered for my first Disney race, first half marathon and this is also my first post in disboards.

 

[cavepig]

Kids zig zagging and stroller

Wow, strollers, they aren't actually allowed at Disney runs, but then I saw a person finishing the holiday 5k with wine & dine with a baby strapped on. Strollers, carriers, etc. aren't allowed so they must sneak them in, seems hazardous to me with so many people.

All registered for my first Disney race, first half marathon and this is also my first post in disboards.

Welcome!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Wow, strollers, they aren't actually allowed at Disney runs, but then I saw a person finishing the holiday 5k with wine & dine with a baby strapped on. Strollers, carriers, etc. aren't allowed so they must sneak them in, seems hazardous to me with so many people.

I thought strollers were banned. In a crowd like that I would have to think that running with a stroller would be more stressful than fun anyways.

 

[cavepig]

I thought strollers were banned. In a crowd like that I would have to think that running with a stroller would be more stressful than fun anyways.

They are as well as walkers. But, we were watching a marathon video on youtube and someone had a walker on main st and they were "racing". Like do the volunteers just turn a blind eye or are they snuck them after the start. Yes, I think it would be very stressful pushing with all the people, it can be hard enough in a crowded park why try in a race