Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[mbwhitti]

FYI - the official WDW site now has times posted for the Star Wars fireworks up until April 8th (9:00 pm that day). As of a couple days ago, I don't think they had any times listed for any days in April (pretty sure it only went up through March 31st). So keep checking back everyone - they may be slowly adding them a few days at a time. I think it would be crazy if they showed them in early April but then cancelled them before Spring Break and Dark Side weekend when a lot of Star Wars fans will be around.


The other Star Wars fireworks show that they had before this one started was pretty awesome too. I got to see it last Spring Break and loved it (minus the ash in the air, including the little bit that landed on me).

I feel like someone from Disney reads these boards. When I posted about Fireworks yesterday, I checked the calendar and it was only through March. I bet it will go through the race weekend. It would be silly not to.

 

[Ndusmama]

I feel like someone from Disney reads these boards. When I posted about Fireworks yesterday, I checked the calendar and it was only through March. I bet it will go through the race weekend. It would be silly not to.

Star Wars race and not have Star Wars themed entertainment..... that's just wrong so wrong. It's like not running even if just into the entrance and around the circle and back out of HS wrong. I mean where is Star Wars at I. Florida? HS! So where should we potentially be part of the half? HS!

 

[lovingeire]

On another note, I've now got an annual pass purchased to use on this trip, which means I can have park time for a couple hours after the half marathon and not feel guilty using a full day of a park ticket. And I'll have the included Memory Maker so I can download race photos. I went with an annual pass since I can easily plan another trip within the next year (most likely for next Spring Break which will be earlier than late April). Now I'm ready to make my FP+ reservations on Tuesday!

Plus, if you haven't paid for and downloaded old photos they'll show up as well and you can download them with the AP Memory Maker. They do expire, I think two years after they are taken? I love having my AP so I'm sure you'll enjoy yours too! After this trip I'll have to make some decisions on whether I renew or wait and purchase a new one. My current one expires June 1st. I can make FP for my October trip August 29th. I might just renew.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

So I decided to drop my Boma ADR for my AK day and switch to a ROL dinner package at Tiffins instead. Not being a foodie, I have no idea what some of the different kinds of things are on the Tiffins menu, but I've heard tremendous reviews. Now to figure out which night to do the Star Wars dessert party if it's offered. . .

 

[maw]

So I decided to drop my Boma ADR for my AK day and switch to a ROL dinner package at Tiffins instead. Not being a foodie, I have no idea what some of the different kinds of things are on the Tiffins menu, but I've heard tremendous reviews. Now to figure out which night to do the Star Wars dessert party if it's offered. . .

Last year we did the party on the night of the 1/2. It was a loooooong day for me but so much fun. So many runners, and a lot of fun talking to everyone about their races.

I think it's so hard to make dining plans for the race trips. I'm always worried I'll pick the wrong thing. Tiffins would be fun and the menu looks great!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I think it's so hard to make dining plans for the race trips. I'm always worried I'll pick the wrong thing. Tiffins would be fun and the menu looks great!

I try to keep dining plans similar to what I would eat at other race weekends.

"Nothing New On Race Day".

I love Tiffins! I've eaten there twice already and my mother & I are going there next Friday!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Last year we did the party on the night of the 1/2. It was a loooooong day for me but so much fun. So many runners, and a lot of fun talking to everyone about their races.

I think it's so hard to make dining plans for the race trips. I'm always worried I'll pick the wrong thing. Tiffins would be fun and the menu looks great!

In some ways, the Tiffins menu kind of scares me, but I've heard such great reviews and I've seen at least one thing on the menu besides desserts that sounds good. I'll give it a chance. I always like to finish 1/2 marathon day with the fireworks, but I don't think I'll do the party on that day just in case. I only lasted for the fireworks at Disneyland last month because I found a bench to sit on while I waited.

I try to keep dining plans similar to what I would eat at other race weekends.

"Nothing New On Race Day".

I love Tiffins! I've eaten there twice already and my mother & I are going there next Friday!

See, another good Tiffins review. A lot of pressure on all those people have given it such good reviews Fortunately, I'm doing Tiffins a couple days after the race. Chefs De France is pre 1/2 dinner since the macaroni au gratin sounds good and pasta agrees with me before races.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

In some ways, the Tiffins menu kind of scares me, but I've heard such great reviews and I've seen at least one thing on the menu besides desserts that sounds good. I'll give it a chance. I always like to finish 1/2 marathon day with the fireworks, but I don't think I'll do the party on that day just in case. I only lasted for the fireworks at Disneyland last month because I found a bench to sit on while I waited.

See, another good Tiffins review. A lot of pressure on all those people have given it such good reviews Fortunately, I'm doing Tiffins a couple days after the race. Chefs De France is pre 1/2 dinner since the macaroni au gratin sounds good and pasta agrees with me before races.

I know the menu is more exotic than most. That is one of the reasons I love it! The bread service was super good as well! I also love Skipper's Canteen for that reason as well. I usually do dining reviews for WDW & Trip Reports for Disneyland.

http://disboards.com/threads/i-want...plete-goofys-stk.3549889/page-4#post-56669785
http://disboards.com/threads/i-want...rips-12-10-complete-goofys-stk.3549889/page-6

We're doing Boathouse Friday Night and California Grill Saturday Night. At Boathouse - I'm probably going to stick to Shrimp & Steak and a ton of their amazing Parker House Rolls. At California Grill - I'll stick to something normal to my diet as well - probably also Shrimp & Steak (either Buffalo or Beef depending whats on the menu). We do the carb loading more so on Friday than we do Saturday.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

So I did a (mostly) blind treadmill run today and it was amazing. I just put a movie on my iPad, set the speed to something that felt comfortable, covered up the time, and just went. I say "mostly blind" because I did check the speed a couple times for short walk breaks and saw the time, which was a little slower than I usually go, but I didn't fret about it and just kept going. The first time I saw the time 12 minutes had already passed. It was the best 45 minutes I've ever done feel-wise and it seemed to go by so fast. And when I was done, I felt like I could have gone longer. I have definitely found my new method for treadmill runs.

 

[bryana]

So I did a (mostly) blind treadmill run today and it was amazing. I just put a movie on my iPad, set the speed to something that felt comfortable, covered up the time, and just went. I say "mostly blind" because I did check the speed a couple times for short walk breaks and saw the time, which was a little slower than I usually go, but I didn't fret about it and just kept going. The first time I saw the time 12 minutes had already passed. It was the best 45 minutes I've ever done feel-wise and it seemed to go by so fast. And when I was done, I felt like I could have gone longer. I have definitely found my new method for treadmill runs.

I've done this a couple of times, and I might end up doing it for my 8 miler tomorrow since I didn't think to check the weather until this afternoon. I'm fine for running in the rain/snow/etc but I don't think I have it in me to do 8 miles in freezing rain tomorrow so to the gym I'll probably go. The first time I did the movie treadmill thing was for a 6 mile training run leading up to Princess in 2014 - I watched Spirit of the Marathon and it was obviously very motivational. The other time was for a 4 miler a couple of weeks ago - I put on a comedy special on Netflix and it was hilarious enough that it made the time fly by.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I have 7 miles planned tomorrow. My plan is to watch 2 more episodes of The Walking Dead! It also works on keeping people away from the treadmill next to me.

 

[mbwhitti]

11 miles in unusually warm February weather with 14 mph winds and humidity. None the less, it's done. 9:23/mile. Not as good as my two previous runs but I'll take it.

 

[DreamRunner1]

Great job! With stressful work trips and other factors, we've been struggling keeping up with our training. Nevertheless, we 'love be there in April! Lol

 

[Ndusmama]

I have 7 miles planned tomorrow. My plan is to watch 2 more episodes of The Walking Dead! It also works on keeping people away from the treadmill next to me.

My sister uses a zombie chasing her app when she runs. She thinks it's hilarious.

 

[cavepig]

Our weather is above average right now & this next week looks great, 50s, so hoping my hip pain subsides. After taking Tue-Thur off for my new hip pain & snow, I ran 4 Friday and it was pretty crappy, but yesterday Saturday, I headed out and figured I would get what I could in. I put a medicated patch & tiger balm on my hip and finally settled into a 2:30/:30 run/walk (normally run straight through), managed to get 8 done. The pain never got as bad as at the beginning of the week, so the walk breaks were a good idea, probably continue them this coming week. Still sleeping so I don't go on that side, which is getting easier, but my plantar foot didn't hurt during the 8 miles so that's a big plus!

Great job getting miles in Darksiders, we have what 9 weekends to go I think?!!

 

[mbwhitti]

I might have just booked a flight to leave an afternoon earlier... what the heck... so many new restaurants to try. Yea, that's my excuse...

 

[TCB in FLA]

I might have just booked a flight to leave an afternoon earlier... what the heck... so many new restaurants to try. Yea, that's my excuse...

I hear you and love your logic! My flight was $70 cheaper to leave Wednesday vs Thursday. Yes, that's an extra hotel night, three more meals, another day of parking, but my flight was cheaper. Disney math!

 

[DisSconnie]

Did ROL opening throw everyone else's plan in disarray? Perhaps someone here can help, we're flying in Thursday, so we're planning Epcot- Friday, AK- Saturday, resort/Disney Springs post-race on Sunday, Magic Kingdom - Monday, and Hollywood Studios - Tuesday, fly out Wednesday. We have 4 days of park-hoppers now. But with ROL I don't want to leave AK and miss it. So either we have to miss ROL or Fantasmic (have never seen either) and use either HS or AK as our short park day OR we each pay an extra $15 to upgrade to 5 day tickets and do the ROL dining package on Sunday after the race. Such tough decisions

 

[mbwhitti]

I hear you and love your logic! My flight was $70 cheaper to leave Wednesday vs Thursday. Yes, that's an extra hotel night, three more meals, another day of parking, but my flight was cheaper. Disney math!

Yasssss, Disney Math!!

 

[ywgckp]

I registered for the Dark Side Challenge over the weekend - wasn't planning on running it but I saw it was still open for registration and couldn't help myself... I did the Light Side half in January so I hope training won't be a big challenge.

I scanned through this thread but I have a couple questions...

Do I get the Kessel Run medal and the Coast to Coast medal both? Or just the Kessel run medal? Do I register at the expo?

Also, any idea if the start on Floridian Way means you could walk to the race start from the Poly or Grand Floridian? I realize it's hard to say for sure until we get the map but educated guesses are appreciated.