Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[Chasing Dopey]

Do any of the AP/DVC holders know if and/or when any of the other SWDS runs have sold out? I know the 10k did on registration day, but that took a while. I'm just wondering (more like hoping and praying) that it is a predictor of general public registration on Tuesday.

Every indication so far is that it won't sell out for a while. None of the events this year (except the new Wine & Dine format) have sold as quickly as in the past, and with AP/DVC spaces still available, demand for this event may have really fallen off.

And really, all you gotta do is be logged on and ready to go at about 5 minutes to noon Eastern time and you shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[cavepig]

Do any of the AP/DVC holders know if and/or when any of the other SWDS runs have sold out? I know the 10k did on registration day, but that took a while. I'm just wondering (more like hoping and praying) that it is a predictor of general public registration on Tuesday.

Yep, as other's said I don't think you'll have trouble getting in, still just the 10k sold out on early AP/DVC as of this morning. There is "hype" with it, as in facebook groups I'm reading about lots of people registering or planning on it, but still don't think it will sell out fast except maybe the 10k due to it not having as many spots.

 

[KatDiPaolo]

The 10k & half will be different as rundisney.com says they both start on Floridian way & end at EPCOT, so no Wide World of Sports finish like last year. So, as said above they must have listened about the congestion last year and bus issues at the finish. So, it's good they are changing it, it sounds like.

The 5k says EPCOT just like last year, so probably the same.

Has any other half started at Floridian way?
It would be awesome to be able to run through Magic Kingdom but that would be near the start and create some of the same problems as last year.
Trying not to get my hopes up about running through the castle...

 

[opusone]

Has any other half started at Floridian way?
It would be awesome to be able to run through Magic Kingdom but that would be near the start and create some of the same problems as last year.
Trying not to get my hopes up about running through the castle...

No other race has started on Floridian Way that I know about... this is new territory. I'm hoping for MK as well.

 

[Tasmen]

No other race has started on Floridian Way that I know about... this is new territory. I'm hoping for MK as well.

Same. I'd be happy with just a run through Tomorrowland.

 

[preciouspups]

I'm curious about something... if the race starts and ends in two different locations, will the buses take spectators to Epcot to wait at the finish line? My husband and I are running the race and planning to have my parents bring our 9 year old to the finish line. I am trying to decide if it would be easier for them to take the buses to the finish line or drive there. They get confused easily so I want to make the plan as simple for them as possible.

 

[KatDiPaolo]

I'm curious about something... if the race starts and ends in two different locations, will the buses take spectators to Epcot to wait at the finish line? My husband and I are running the race and planning to have my parents bring our 9 year old to the finish line. I am trying to decide if it would be easier for them to take the buses to the finish line or drive there. They get confused easily so I want to make the plan as simple for them as possible.

It'll be much easier for them to take the designated race transportation to the finish line, then they can ride back with you after the race. I just had some confusion with my parents trying to get to the finish line this past April... the designated race busses aren't where the other busses that go to the parks are (which is where my parents waited for a half hour before realizing they were in the wrong spot). If you take the bus to get to the Expo, that is the same bus stop that they should use to get to the finish line on race day. It will also be where the bus is that you'll get on to go to the start. At All Star Sports it was right outside the lobby where Magical Express and taxis generally drop guests off.

 

[MyFavEeyore]

It'll be much easier for them to take the designated race transportation to the finish line, then they can ride back with you after the race. I just had some confusion with my parents trying to get to the finish line this past April... the designated race busses aren't where the other busses that go to the parks are (which is where my parents waited for a half hour before realizing they were in the wrong spot). If you take the bus to get to the Expo, that is the same bus stop that they should use to get to the finish line on race day. It will also be where the bus is that you'll get on to go to the start. At All Star Sports it was right outside the lobby where Magical Express and taxis generally drop guests off.

Despite runDisney changing up the course, spectators still have to make a choice to see their runner off, OR watch them finish...correct?

 

[KatDiPaolo]

Despite runDisney changing up the course, spectators still have to make a choice to see their runner off, OR watch them finish...correct?

I just pulled up my event guide from last year and I'm reading this in the spectator section... 5K viewpoints were the Epcot Wonder Parking Lot for both the start and finish, 10k viewpoints were the start in the Wonder section of the Epcot parking lot (see the runner off but there's a point spectators can't go past), miles 5.5-6.1 (the part where we ran through ESPN WWOS and spectators could line the sidewalks) and the finish line, and for the Half it was the same except it was miles 12-13 in WWOS.

I'm also looking at the times the busses ran in the Event Transportation section- for the 10k they ran 3:30-5 from resorts to Epcot, 5-10 from both Epcot and the resorts to WWOS and for the half it was 2:30-4:30 from resorts to Epcot, 4:30-11 from Epcot or resorts to WWOS.

So from what I can tell, it's possible to take the bus straight from the start to the finish by hopping on the bus from Epcot to WWOS but I don't know from personal experience since my people weren't committed to seeing me off to the start. Wayyy too early for them!

 

[KatDiPaolo]

Despite runDisney changing up the course, spectators still have to make a choice to see their runner off, OR watch them finish...correct?

I should say from the Start to the Finish instead of Epcot to WWOS since we don't have an actual course map yet. I guess it will be from Ticket and Transportation to Epcot when the new guide comes out! (Even better because if they run the monorail it can fit more people)

 

[MyFavEeyore]

OK, I'm confused. Which isn't that hard to do... My family would be able to see me start 10k and/or half (should they decide to wake up that early), and ALSO get to finish to watch there?

 

[KatDiPaolo]

OK, I'm confused. Which isn't that hard to do... My family would be able to see me start 10k and/or half (should they decide to wake up that early), and ALSO get to finish to watch there?

Yes! There should be a way!

Forewarning though... start is a relative term... They can walk with you until they can't anymore... there's a point where it becomes "runners only". Once you're in the runners only section, there's gear check, port-a-potties, and other things. There *may* be a different way spectators can take to the actual start line but from what I remember the actual legit start line (corrals and start) is only runners. Somebody else may have an answer to that though.

Is this your first runDisney event? Do you bring your phone with you on runs? I texted my mom every mile or so with updates as to where I was and my ETA to finish so they knew when to be out the door by.

 

[preciouspups]

It'll be much easier for them to take the designated race transportation to the finish line, then they can ride back with you after the race. I just had some confusion with my parents trying to get to the finish line this past April... the designated race busses aren't where the other busses that go to the parks are (which is where my parents waited for a half hour before realizing they were in the wrong spot). If you take the bus to get to the Expo, that is the same bus stop that they should use to get to the finish line on race day. It will also be where the bus is that you'll get on to go to the start. At All Star Sports it was right outside the lobby where Magical Express and taxis generally drop guests off.

I'm not concerned about them finding the correct bus, I'm concerned that the bus will only go to the start and not the finish line. My 10 year old can get them to the right location to get on the bus.

 

[wehrengrizz]

OK, I'm confused. Which isn't that hard to do... My family would be able to see me start 10k and/or half (should they decide to wake up that early), and ALSO get to finish to watch there?

Yes! There should be a way!

Is this your first runDisney event? Do you bring your phone with you on runs? I texted my mom every mile or so with updates as to where I was and my ETA to finish so they knew when to be out the door by.

In the 10K & 1/2 you can have relatives/friends sign up to receive texts that let them know when you've hit certain (predetermined) distances, as well as your split times/pacing. Then they know when you actually started, when you crossed a certain portion, and when you cross the finish. This is sent from the info on your chrono tag in your bib. I would say to sign up more than one person though I know at Tink I got the info (I was the runner) and my friend did too but not DH. It was like 4 days later for him....sooo not super helpful.

 

[PrincessV]

I'm not concerned about them finding the correct bus, I'm concerned that the bus will only go to the start and not the finish line. My 10 year old can get them to the right location to get on the bus.

They've always had buses going to the finish line for spectators in point to point races, so I'm sure they will for this, too. They may do monorail instead or in addition, too, but there will be something.

 

[KatDiPaolo]

I'm not concerned about them finding the correct bus, I'm concerned that the bus will only go to the start and not the finish line. My 10 year old can get them to the right location to get on the bus.

I don't know how to add in a screenshot of the guide from last year but the bus definitely goes to the Finish from both the start and from the resorts.

 

[KatDiPaolo]

In the 10K & 1/2 you can have relatives/friends sign up to receive texts that let them know when you've hit certain (predetermined) distances, as well as your split times/pacing. Then they know when you actually started, when you crossed a certain portion, and when you cross the finish. This is sent from the info on your chrono tag in your bib. I would say to sign up more than one person though I know at Tink I got the info (I was the runner) and my friend did too but not DH. It was like 4 days later for him....sooo not super helpful.

Yes! I was a spectator in 2015 when my friend ran the Dopey and they worked like a charm... I signed up Mom, Dad and Boyfriend and two didn't get the messages and one was getting them but about 20 minutes late. I guess it depends on the race?

 

[opusone]

I'm not concerned about them finding the correct bus, I'm concerned that the bus will only go to the start and not the finish line. My 10 year old can get them to the right location to get on the bus.

I don't know how to add in a screenshot of the guide from last year but the bus definitely goes to the Finish from both the start and from the resorts.

Although the 2017 courses will be different, here is a screenshot of the 2016 Event Guide that shows the following bus paths:
1. Resorts to Start,
2. Resorts to Finish, and
3. Start to Finish.

 

[MyFavEeyore]

Yes! There should be a way!

Forewarning though... start is a relative term... They can walk with you until they can't anymore... there's a point where it becomes "runners only". Once you're in the runners only section, there's gear check, port-a-potties, and other things. There *may* be a different way spectators can take to the actual start line but from what I remember the actual legit start line (corrals and start) is only runners. Somebody else may have an answer to that though.

Is this your first runDisney event? Do you bring your phone with you on runs? I texted my mom every mile or so with updates as to where I was and my ETA to finish so they knew when to be out the door by.

Not my first run with runDisney, DS and I did the PHM 10k this past Feb. So I know about the text splits. I had them going to each of us, and to friends waiting for us at finish. Just so if something happened to DS or I, someone knew which way to go and there was still a runner (and relative) on the inside for help. Plus we push each other's time as well. I planned on doing the same thing for the challenge if we get registered. But the difference between then and now is, the start and finish were at EPCOT and they could see us off (kinda). At least until we went into corrals, and then were there at finish when DS and I walked back through the tents of bag check at the end. DS's buddy even got a video of him finishing and walked around to meet us. Now, starting and finishing in two different spots I wasn't sure if there was a way for spectators to be transported from one end to the other. Having read previous posts, I'm assuming "no" is the answer and have our family/friends see us at the end. Gives them time to grab more sleep. LOL

 

[KatDiPaolo]

Not my first run with runDisney, DS and I did the PHM 10k this past Feb. So I know about the text splits. I had them going to each of us, and to friends waiting for us at finish. Just so if something happened to DS or I, someone knew which way to go and there was still a runner (and relative) on the inside for help. Plus we push each other's time as well. I planned on doing the same thing for the challenge if we get registered. But the difference between then and now is, the start and finish were at EPCOT and they could see us off (kinda). At least until we went into corrals, and then were there at finish when DS and I walked back through the tents of bag check at the end. DS's buddy even got a video of him finishing and walked around to meet us. Now, starting and finishing in two different spots I wasn't sure if there was a way for spectators to be transported from one end to the other. Having read previous posts, I'm assuming "no" is the answer and have our family/friends see us at the end. Gives them time to grab more sleep. LOL

I'm jealous you have another runner in the family! My people are like "Yeah, no thanks!" Lol

There will definitely be transport available from Start to Finish for spectators. I was just speculating that it will be bus plus monorail based on where the start and finish are. I should work on my clarity!