Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[NurseRunner]

First time at Yak and Yeti for us too! It looks delicious!!

We ate there during Marathon weekend, the food was amazing. You won't be disappointed.

 

[mbwhitti]

We ate there during Marathon weekend, the food was amazing. You won't be disappointed.

Can. not. wait. So excited... only 63 more days for us!! WOOOOO!

 

[PrincessV]

I think I want the 5K to be sold out. Mostly so I can stop considering signing up for it.

It is now!

 

[MyFavEeyore]

Goofy (no pun intended) question...about how many participants do they allow for in the 5k, and other runs if anyone knows. We ran the 5 & 10k Princess weekend runs last year, but I would think there would be quite a few more in that established and popular run over the SWDS.

 

[PrincessV]

Goofy (no pun intended) question...about how many participants do they allow for in the 5k, and other runs if anyone knows. We ran the 5 & 10k Princess weekend runs last year, but I would think there would be quite a few more in that established and popular run over the SWDS.

5K and 10K caps are around 10,000. Dark Side Half was about 20,000. (That's with individual race and challenge bibs combined)

 

[Sleepless Knight]

5K and 10K caps are around 10,000. Dark Side Half was about 20,000. (That's with individual race and challenge bibs combined)

So about 4,000 more runners than Light Side for the Half. Hopefully the course crowding isn't awful. The last two Light Side 10Ks have had serious congestion problems at the start of the course. I'm not fast by any means, but when it takes me 20 minutes to navigate the first mile, something needs to be addressed.

 

[lovingeire]

So about 4,000 more runners than Light Side for the Half. Hopefully the course crowding isn't awful. The last two Light Side 10Ks have had serious congestion problems at the start of the course. I'm not fast by any means, but when it takes me 20 minutes to navigate the first mile, something needs to be addressed.

The crowd congestion at the beginning of the 10K. I wouldn't even call what we were doing walking. It was more like shuffling along behind the person directly in front of you!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I got the Fastpasses I wanted! Got Rivers of Light for Wednesday night the 19th. I'm so excited! Now just crossing my fingers that everything goes as planned because I have 3 nights that aren't pre-race nights to see Wishes, Rivers of Light and hopefully Star Wars (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). If anything happens, I'll have to either sacrifice ROL or Star Wars (definitely not missing my last chance to see Wishes) or sacrifice some sleep the night before one of the races to squeeze one in.

 

[croach]

I got the Fastpasses I wanted! Got Rivers of Light for Wednesday night the 19th. I'm so excited! Now just crossing my fingers that everything goes as planned because I have 3 nights that aren't pre-race nights to see Wishes, Rivers of Light and hopefully Star Wars (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). If anything happens, I'll have to either sacrifice ROL or Star Wars (definitely not missing my last chance to see Wishes) or sacrifice some sleep the night before one of the races to squeeze one in.

Nice! I'm jealous. Can't make fast passes until next week. Hope there are some left.

 

[DisSconnie]

Memory Maker - is it worth it for the race photos? We're staying off-site, but it will be my son's first visit to Disney World and we're doing all 4 parks. It'd be nice to just put my phone away, not worry about pictures and focus on spending time with him, but I'm not sure if the price justifies what you get. That being said this is my first (and perhaps only) half-marathon, so I'm definitely going to want some race photos as proof!!

 

[PrincessV]

So about 4,000 more runners than Light Side for the Half. Hopefully the course crowding isn't awful. The last two Light Side 10Ks have had serious congestion problems at the start of the course. I'm not fast by any means, but when it takes me 20 minutes to navigate the first mile, something needs to be addressed.

I won't lie: the Dark Side 10K last year was an epic cluster, at least for those of us in later corrals. I've truly never seen anything like it! Just a wall of humanity moving at a snail's pace and nowhere to go to get through or around, with the sweepers and rD people yelling that we needed to "GET MOVING! WE'RE GOING TO SWEEP!", which of course did wonders for the crowded situation. It was the only time in all of my rD races that I really felt like I was in a dangerous situation. BUT, they changed the course this year and I think that, alone, will fix the problem, plus they saw first-hand, and heard form lots of us after, how bad it was, so I'm confident they'll take steps to address it. They already did at Marathon weekend by sending the 5K and 10K corrals off in smaller waves within each corral.

 

[lovingeire]

Memory Maker - is it worth it for the race photos? We're staying off-site, but it will be my son's first visit to Disney World and we're doing all 4 parks. It'd be nice to just put my phone away, not worry about pictures and focus on spending time with him, but I'm not sure if the price justifies what you get. That being said this is my first (and perhaps only) half-marathon, so I'm definitely going to want some race photos as proof!!

Yes, I think it's very worth it! Even if just for the race photos alone, but also since you'll have park photos.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I won't lie: the Dark Side 10K last year was an epic cluster, at least for those of us in later corrals. I've truly never seen anything like it! Just a wall of humanity moving at a snail's pace and nowhere to go to get through or around, with the sweepers and rD people yelling that we needed to "GET MOVING! WE'RE GOING TO SWEEP!", which of course did wonders for the crowded situation. It was the only time in all of my rD races that I really felt like I was in a dangerous situation. BUT, they changed the course this year and I think that, alone, will fix the problem, plus they saw first-hand, and heard form lots of us after, how bad it was, so I'm confident they'll take steps to address it. They already did at Marathon weekend by sending the 5K and 10K corrals off in smaller waves within each corral.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. I also really think this is why they are switching courses this year - and I am excited to see it!

Also - I was just catching up on this thread and saw an earlier discussion about registering late and can you submit POT. So for anyone still on the fence, I just did this in January (registered in Dec) and spoke to trackshack about it (and have it in writing!). Yes, you have a one time chance to submit POT at time of registration. You cannot go back later and add it (like we do to save time during general registration). And yes, you can submit POT from a race after the original POT cutoff if you register late. They told me I could submit my Wine and Dine time that was held a few months after the Marathon weekend POT deadline. I was placed one corral behind where I should have been - but it was in the middle not the last corral so it wasn't as though it was not accepted. And when I emailed trackshack she confirmed again and moved me up the 1 corral to where my POT should have been. So I guess they actually confirmed it twice.

And one more ---- I require assistance with costuming!! I want to do a running version of Han Solo. I have the perfect shade of blue running tights and just need to add the stripes down the side. Any ideas?? Preferably - in a not permanent fashion.

 

[PrincessV]

And one more ---- I require assistance with costuming!! I want to do a running version of Han Solo. I have the perfect shade of blue running tights and just need to add the stripes down the side. Any ideas?? Preferably - in a not permanent fashion.

It would be time consuming (but a great taper project, lol!), but how about tacking on red ribbon? Just the minimum number of loose stitches needed to keep them on through a ace. Afterward, just snip the stitches out. I've done that for various pieces and it shouldn't leave holes or anything.

 

[MyFavEeyore]

Memory Maker - is it worth it for the race photos? We're staying off-site, but it will be my son's first visit to Disney World and we're doing all 4 parks. It'd be nice to just put my phone away, not worry about pictures and focus on spending time with him, but I'm not sure if the price justifies what you get. That being said this is my first (and perhaps only) half-marathon, so I'm definitely going to want some race photos as proof!!

I've been told that you can link all photos of yourself in the half marathon to your memory maker which makes it worth the money right there. Race photos can get pricey if bought alone. Add to it the peace of mind that comes when those pro shots from Disney Photo Pass document your son's first trip so beautifully.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I won't lie: the Dark Side 10K last year was an epic cluster, at least for those of us in later corrals. I've truly never seen anything like it! Just a wall of humanity moving at a snail's pace and nowhere to go to get through or around, with the sweepers and rD people yelling that we needed to "GET MOVING! WE'RE GOING TO SWEEP!", which of course did wonders for the crowded situation. It was the only time in all of my rD races that I really felt like I was in a dangerous situation. BUT, they changed the course this year and I think that, alone, will fix the problem, plus they saw first-hand, and heard form lots of us after, how bad it was, so I'm confident they'll take steps to address it. They already did at Marathon weekend by sending the 5K and 10K corrals off in smaller waves within each corral.

Yeah, I hope they fix that. At least the crowds thinned out after mile 1 of this year's 10K to a point where I could go my usual pace instead of leisurely slow stroll through the backstage of DCA.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Memory Maker - is it worth it for the race photos? We're staying off-site, but it will be my son's first visit to Disney World and we're doing all 4 parks. It'd be nice to just put my phone away, not worry about pictures and focus on spending time with him, but I'm not sure if the price justifies what you get. That being said this is my first (and perhaps only) half-marathon, so I'm definitely going to want some race photos as proof!!

How many park days are you looking at? I'm not sure if the cost is justified for just the race(s). Honestly, most of the PhotoPass photos taken during the Star Wars race weekend at Disneyland involved me looking at the wrong camera. While that's not the fault of the photographers, it's an argument against purchasing Memory Maker for race photos alone.

Now, if you get extensive use out of the PhotoPass photographers in the parks, it's a different matter.

 

[BigEeyore]

So they released the Dooney design for Tink - which is in May...after Dark Side...which is kinda weird, right? For light side, they didn't release the Dooney pattern until maybe a week or two before. Just wondering...

 

[cavepig]

Memory Maker - is it worth it for the race photos? We're staying off-site, but it will be my son's first visit to Disney World and we're doing all 4 parks. It'd be nice to just put my phone away, not worry about pictures and focus on spending time with him, but I'm not sure if the price justifies what you get. That being said this is my first (and perhaps only) half-marathon, so I'm definitely going to want some race photos as proof!!

I say it's worth it but you really need to make a point to use it in the parks so you don't just have the ride photos. So, anytime you see a photopass photographer have them take your photo, with the main park icons & also they are like everywhere (Like the bride by Everest sometimes) so just look for the tan vests that say photopass and get your photo. Work in character spots (like Character Spot in EP is great when you have your medals, Kylo Ren & Chewie too, Mickey's Circus area characters). All ride photos are included that have them so that's great too.

Then for the races the photopass people hide out in green tents so are easy to spot as your approach them so just make sure you have a clear view of them and they should capture you. Run on the outer edgies as that's where they hang out so you aren't having to weave & maybe cut someone off. SOme character stops sometimes do not have a photopass so make sure you do have your phone or a camera just in case for those. Make sure to stop at the background to get your medal pic afterwards too (although they lost one of my wine & dine ones).

 

[lovingeire]

I say it's worth it but you really need to make a point to use it in the parks so you don't just have the ride photos. So, anytime you see a photopass photographer have them take your photo, with the main park icons & also they are like everywhere (Like the bride by Everest sometimes) so just look for the tan vests that say photopass and get your photo. Work in character spots (like Character Spot in EP is great when you have your medals, Kylo Ren & Chewie too, Mickey's Circus area characters). All ride photos are included that have them so that's great too.

Then for the races the photopass people hide out in green tents so are easy to spot as your approach them so just make sure you have a clear view of them and they should capture you. Run on the outer edgies as that's where they hang out so you aren't having to weave & maybe cut someone off. SOme character stops sometimes do not have a photopass so make sure you do have your phone or a camera just in case for those. Make sure to stop at the background to get your medal pic afterwards too (although they lost one of my wine & dine ones).

I totally agree with this! I use PhotoPass to the best of my ability on trips. I love medal photos with the icons and at the Character Spot at Epcot. I always make a FP for it. These are some of my PhotoPass photos from LightSide. I also had a nice little photo shoot with a Mickey bar with Paradise Pier in the background (because my shirt had a Mickey bar on it.) The photographer took a lot of time with me. It was awesome.