Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[croach]

I must be missing something. When I click on the Travel link, it takes me to the runDisney travel page, but when I click on travel packages for this race, it just gives me the iRun phone number. I'm not seeing any travel provider info.

Ok so click on the link(should take you to the Dark Side page), go the registration page, then scroll down until you the see the runDisney Travel Provider Proclaim. Under that should be a list of travel agents like Acclaim Travel - http://patstonetravel.com/thedarkside.php. Hopefully that can get what you're looking for.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

@Calfan I purchased two half marathon bibs from Acclaim Travel last week. They are on sale at $99 each. Two nights hotel and tickets are required as well, but that was a good thing since there were no value rooms available on site when I checked and they still have some.

 

[cavepig]

Facebook sure as blown with all the Darkside will be ending due to Disneyland Star Wars registration delayed and a renaming of it to Resistance Run.

Personally I hope the WDW Star Wars sticks around more than 2 years. I know it hasn't sold out but a lot of other races haven't either even Princess had TAs trying to get rid of bibs. I don't know but just thought it was interesting how people are so quick to diss this race it seems & talk like it is the only one to not sell out.

I think they may rename it ornaments first order to go along with resistance on the west coast and maybe redo the kessel to something else.

 

[Calfan]

Ok so click on the link(should take you to the Dark Side page), go the registration page, then scroll down until you the see the runDisney Travel Provider Proclaim. Under that should be a list of travel agents like Acclaim Travel - http://patstonetravel.com/thedarkside.php. Hopefully that can get what you're looking for.

@Calfan I purchased two half marathon bibs from Acclaim Travel last week. They are on sale at $99 each. Two nights hotel and tickets are required as well, but that was a good thing since there were no value rooms available on site when I checked and they still have some.

Thank you both so much! Looks like Acclaim still has the half bibs for $99, and I'll need a hotel for two nights. I was only planning on a one-day park ticket, but two-day is fine. I can go into the parks either Friday evening or for a little while Sunday after the race, in addition to Saturday.

 

[ywgckp]

Apologies if this topic has already been covered ad nauseum in this thread, but given some of the rumors floating around about possible re-theming of this race next year, I'm considering signing up for the half to ensure I get my Kessel Run medal this year (I did the SWLS half at DL in Jan.). Registration is still available for the half, but I'm wondering if I might do better going through a travel agent, because I will need a hotel and theme park tickets. I'm not finding any helpful info on the rD site about travel agents for this race. And the rD travel line is currently closed. Anyone know of any travel agents I could contact? TIA!

You'll also get a C2C medal, we think, if that seals the deal. 3 medals for one race.

I impulse registered a week or two ago for the challenge, and haven't regretted it, although I almost did when I had to run 8 miles in below freezing weather last week...

 

[Calfan]

Thanks again for all the quick input, everyone. I went ahead and bought the half bib through Acclaim travel and booked my saver award flights on United. A little shell-shocked that I actually did it, but really excited. I definitely wanted to do a Coast to Coast at some point I guess sooner is better than later, LOL. Now I can ensure I get a Kessel Run medal in addition to the C2C medal and don't have to stress about whether runDisney is or is not going to make changes to this race next year. This will be my first WDW race, and I'm an infrequent WDW visitor (having lived in California all my life until moving to Idaho last May), so I'm likely to be back with questions about race logistics, etc.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

Facebook sure as blown with all the Darkside will be ending due to Disneyland Star Wars registration delayed and a renaming of it to Resistance Run.

Personally I hope the WDW Star Wars sticks around more than 2 years. I know it hasn't sold out but a lot of other races haven't either even Princess had TAs trying to get rid of bibs. I don't know but just thought it was interesting how people are so quick to diss this race it seems & talk like it is the only one to not sell out.

I think they may rename it ornaments first order to go along with resistance on the west coast and maybe redo the kessel to something else.

Totally agree. I don't get how delaying registration for one race leads to the conclusion that another will be cancelled.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Facebook sure as blown with all the Darkside will be ending due to Disneyland Star Wars registration delayed and a renaming of it to Resistance Run.

Personally I hope the WDW Star Wars sticks around more than 2 years. I know it hasn't sold out but a lot of other races haven't either even Princess had TAs trying to get rid of bibs. I don't know but just thought it was interesting how people are so quick to diss this race it seems & talk like it is the only one to not sell out.

I think they may rename it ornaments first order to go along with resistance on the west coast and maybe redo the kessel to something else.

I don't see any correlation between the very slight tweaking of the name to better fit with the name of the heroic side in the new Star Wars trilogy Disney is making and the outright cancellation of the 2018 Dark Side race. The Dark Side and even the Kessel Run were specifically mentioned in The Force Awakens.

Unless Dark Side 2017 has abysmal numbers that will make race weekend feel like no crowds and easy lines for any photo op you want on the course, I think there are other races in much greater danger of a theme change or outright cancellation than Dark Side.

 

[lovingeire]

What is everyone's favorite during race energy snacks? What's available on the course? I want to start training with whatever I'll use on race day so I can prepare (i.e. make sure it agrees with my stomach). I've tried a couple of Gatorade energy chews, but honestly didn't notice any kind of difference in energy. Any advice from the RunDisney vets?

I've had to do some trial and error, but I use Nuun and Honey Stinger Chews. I will take Gatorade or Power Ade on course as offered, but prefer Nuun.

I don't see any correlation between the very slight tweaking of the name to better fit with the name of the heroic side in the new Star Wars trilogy Disney is making and the outright cancellation of the 2018 Dark Side race. The Dark Side and even the Kessel Run were specifically mentioned in The Force Awakens.

Unless Dark Side 2017 has abysmal numbers that will make race weekend feel like no crowds and easy lines for any photo op you want on the course, I think there are other races in much greater danger of a theme change or outright cancellation than Dark Side.

One of the interesting points I saw about Dark Side being no more had to do with a survey that went out after Avengers about new themes that they would prefer. I'm not sure that means it's changing/ending, and lean more towards re-theming to current movies (resistance and first order), but I guess only time will tell.

 

[bryana]

Totally agree. I don't get how delaying registration for one race leads to the conclusion that another will be cancelled.

I think it's just people reading into the fact that it seems that "The Light Side" part of the race name has been removed when people look at their pre-registration information on active, which I kind of understand. LS and DS differentiate the two races, so without that, who knows.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I think it's just people reading into the fact that it seems that "The Light Side" part of the race name has been removed when people look at their pre-registration information on active, which I kind of understand. LS and DS differentiate the two races, so without that, who knows.

But it's still called "Resistance" which still seems like distinguishing between sides.

 

[FFigawi]

We're also trying Tailwind. So far I kinda like it. I usually carry a bottle, so not a big deal for me.

Jury is out if I can make it work for 26.2 though.

I think the key to making it work for long distances is to do one of two things. Option 1 is to bring a few of the small Tailwind packets with you and reload your bottle along the way. Option 2 is to create a super concentrated bottle with all the calories you will need for the race and take one small sip on a set interval like 30-45 minutes. You will use the race's water stops for water for thirst and the concentrated bottle for fuel. This is what I did during my Ironman and it worked perfectly.

 

[opusone]

Thanks again for all the quick input, everyone. I went ahead and bought the half bib through Acclaim travel and booked my saver award flights on United. A little shell-shocked that I actually did it, but really excited. I definitely wanted to do a Coast to Coast at some point I guess sooner is better than later, LOL. Now I can ensure I get a Kessel Run medal in addition to the C2C medal and don't have to stress about whether runDisney is or is not going to make changes to this race next year. This will be my first WDW race, and I'm an infrequent WDW visitor (having lived in California all my life until moving to Idaho last May), so I'm likely to be back with questions about race logistics, etc.

Welcome to the Dark Side! If you're interested, there are a few of us here on the DISboards that are meeting for dinner on Saturday night at Il Mulino (in the Swan Hotel) at 5:00pm? Plenty early to get sleep before the half marathon on Sunday. We have a table for eight and still have two seats available. No big deal either way, but since you just booked your reservations, I thought you may not have restaurant plans yet. We did this last year, and it was fun to put faces to screen names.

 

[Calfan]

Welcome to the Dark Side! If you're interested, there are a few of us here on the DISboards that are meeting for dinner on Saturday night at Il Mulino (in the Swan Hotel) at 5:00pm? Plenty early to get sleep before the half marathon on Sunday. We have a table for eight and still have two seats available. No big deal either way, but since you just booked your reservations, I thought you may not have restaurant plans yet. We did this last year, and it was fun to put faces to screen names.

Thank you so much for the invitation. I would love to join you!

 

[opusone]

Thank you so much for the invitation. I would love to join you!

Awesome! I've added you to the list. I will send everyone a group PM with my name (which the reservation is under) as we get closer.

 

[Calfan]

Awesome! I've added you to the list. I will send everyone a group PM with my name (which the reservation is under) as we get closer.

Sounds great. Looking forward to meeting the group. It will definitely make this solo adventure more fun!

 

[cavepig]

Thanks again for all the quick input, everyone. I went ahead and bought the half bib through Acclaim travel

Welcome to the Darkside!

 

[bcarey2k]

I think the key to making it work for long distances is to do one of two things. Option 1 is to bring a few of the small Tailwind packets with you and reload your bottle along the way. Option 2 is to create a super concentrated bottle with all the calories you will need for the race and take one small sip on a set interval like 30-45 minutes. You will use the race's water stops for water for thirst and the concentrated bottle for fuel. This is what I did during my Ironman and it worked perfectly.

That's what I was leaning towards. Just a challenge to train without the water stops... but I'll make it work!

 

[Calfan]

Welcome to the Darkside!

Thanks! I'm super excited.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've had to do some trial and error, but I use Nuun and Honey Stinger Chews. I will take Gatorade or Power Ade on course as offered, but prefer Nuun.



One of the interesting points I saw about Dark Side being no more had to do with a survey that went out after Avengers about new themes that they would prefer. I'm not sure that means it's changing/ending, and lean more towards re-theming to current movies (resistance and first order), but I guess only time will tell.

That survey may have had more to do with Avengers low registration numbers than any rumored change of theme for Dark Side. One factor I haven't seen even brought up in regards to low Dark Side numbers this year is Star Wars Celebration Orlando. It's the weekend before Dark Side and this is the 40th anniversary year of the original film. Unless I'm very much mistaken there are Star Wars fans who had to choose between the convention and the race and the convention won.

Time will tell, but I think there are other races at much greater risk of a theme change or cancellation than a race that hasn't even been run twice yet that is themed to one of, if not the most popular, movie franchises ever.