Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[Mimsy Borogove]

I'm late to the party, but regarding the discussion of soft opens, I was (and am) an AP Holder who was treated to a preview of New Fantasyland back in 2011. Basically, it went down like this (if I remember correctly): we were emailed by Disney about a few preview weekends with a link that would go live on a certain day/time where we could enter a lottery. I remember it being a certain day/time because the link was not working (say it isn't so, Disney!) at the time and so a fellow AP Holder friend and I were texting back and forth about backdoor links posted on Facebook. Long story short, DH and I were going to be at Disney for one of the weekends, so I entered for a few of the 4-hour windows for that weekend. We were emailed confirmation of our window and were directed to check in at one of the Will Call ticket windows at TTC that day, where we received the wristbands.

When we were there, only wristbanded people were allowed in New Fantasyland (lots of sad, dejected-looking people hanging outside the sandwich board signs at the entrance) and we were able to preview Little Mermaid, Ariel's Grotto, and had lunch at Be Our Guest. We did find out later that (as mentioned) non-AP Holders were allowed in at various slower points to check things out.

We haven't received any notifications regarding Pandora as of yet, but it's also possible that our AP level (Gold) may preclude that or maybe they aren't doing things that way again.

As for possible course inclines, that ramp from DAK to Osceola Parkway is my nemesis, and I'm hoping the course doesn't use it. It's just terrible, probably the worst ramp on property for running IMHO. Because, ouch.

Spaceship Earth as the Death Star would be absolutely fantastic and was a missed opportunity last year, but not sure how it would work logistically with daylight if the 10K/half courses end at Epcot. Sad trombone.

 

[lovingeire]

That's always us!

I completely forgot after Light Side as I was at Disneyland. Thankfully my children were with me so we got to board between A & B, but I'm going solo for Dark Side so no perks of family boarding for this trip!

 

[cavepig]

My SW flights just go higher.

Darkside is now moved to the top of the list on RunDisney!!

Well, they could at least light up the ball as the Deathstar for the 5k as it starts at EP.

Hoping we get a full trip around World Showcase in the half, they should stick a Tusken Raider in Morocco, I mean I know they won't but it would be cool.

Think I'm going to wear a Star Wars shirt everyday of the trip, embrace the whole theme of the trip I figure!

 

[PrincessV]

Less than 8 weeks to go! How is everyone's training going?

I scheduled a 10K two weeks post-Dark Side that I want to race for time, so my training is mostly focused on that; I'll likely go up to a 3/5/12 back-to-back-to-back as my highest training mileage for Dark Side. So far, so good: hit my goal paces for my last tempo run. Hoping for the same success later in another speed workout!

So I went to the doctor who pretty much confirmed my suspicions that I have a stress fracture.

Oh no!!! I'm sorry - crossing fingers it's not a SF.

But will they have Spaceship Earth as the Deathstar is the real question...

Can any of you runDisney experts answer this? I just did the race registration for my DD and I this morning. We are past the deadline for POT, and my DD doesn't have a race that she can enter for POT anyway. I entered our projected time as just past the requirement for POT, 2:45-3:00, I think it is. I'm hoping to avoid being in the last corral if possible. Does anyone know how they do the seeding for the back corrals? I've never done a runDisney half without a POT.

Yes - they'll seed based on estimated finish times. If they have a ton of people in the same range, they'll do more than one corral for that range, so someone with an est. finish of 3:00 could be in one corral while another who entered 3:00 could be a corral behind. I didn't use PoT for Dopey this year and was seeded exactly according to what I entered for PoT, so I can vouch that it usually works! I'm also PoT-less for Dark Side, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[lovingeire]

My SW flights just go higher.

Think I'm going to wear a Star Wars shirt everyday of the trip, embrace the whole theme of the trip I figure!

Bummer on the flights!

I made this shirt for our DAK day. A little Lion King with a hint of Star Wars! We have two more Star Wars shirts planned for the trip!

 

[cavepig]

I made this shirt for our DAK day. A little Lion King with a hint of Star Wars! We have two more Star Wars shirts planned for the trip!View attachment 224074

That's awesome! At first I was like, I'm not seeing Star Wars but ok, then doh! Very clever!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

That reminds me of the shirts the San Francisco Giants had for 2016 Star Wars Day. Since the ballpark is AT & T Park, these shirts said AT-AT Park.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Thanks for all the replies about POT. I'm feeling better about that now.

@lovingeire that shirt is awesome!!

I got my room reservation today so we are all set. Now just to get my DD ready to finish 13.1 in time!

 

[stal]

If i sign up now, with a POT (from 2016 W&D), will they place me in the correct corral, or will i be put in one of the last ones?

 

[opusone]

If i sign up now, with a POT (from 2016 W&D), will they place me in the correct corral, or will i be put in one of the last ones?

With a valid POT input during registration, you should be properly placed in the corrals.

 

[AThrillingChase]

If i sign up now, with a POT (from 2016 W&D), will they place me in the correct corral, or will i be put in one of the last ones?

With a valid POT input during registration, you should be properly placed in the corrals.

Just confirming with @opusone . As recently as Marathon weekend with a December sign up I was placed according to POT. And I have email confirmation that is how they handle it. Just don't go back in and try to add/change it after.

 

[kathleen27]

Bummer on the flights!

I made this shirt for our DAK day. A little Lion King with a hint of Star Wars! We have two more Star Wars shirts planned for the trip!View attachment 224074

Such a cute shirt!

 

[DisSconnie]

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?

 

[bryana]

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?

Race nutrition isn't necessarily supposed to give you energy - it's to keep your energy stable so that you do not crash.

I've done a little bit of everything - Gu gels, Cliff Shotblocks, and now I'm giving Tailwind a shot. I've felt good on the Tailwind, but I'm not a huge fan of carrying a huge water bottle (I prefer my 8oz handheld), so I might end up going back to Shotblocks.

 

[cavepig]

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?

They hand out Powerade & Water for the half (water is always after Powerade & they said 9 of these stops in last years guide) and then a Clif Shot Energy at around mile 8.

I tend to just drink Gatorade on my long runs lately. I used to take a Clif Shot but with the Gatorade I don't really need it. I have trained in the past with dried apricots. I tried Clif Shot Blocks, they are gummies but I don't like to chew and run. I find sports beans pointless and just stick in my teeth. I do eat breakfast just a few hours before though as I can't run on an empty stomach.

Over on the Running Thread they are discussing fuel today that help you. https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-running-thread-2017.3568755/page-144 you might have to go back a page to find the beginning of the conversation.

 

[bcarey2k]

Race nutrition isn't necessarily supposed to give you energy - it's to keep your energy stable so that you do not crash.

I've done a little bit of everything - Gu gels, Cliff Shotblocks, and now I'm giving Tailwind a shot. I've felt good on the Tailwind, but I'm not a huge fan of carrying a huge water bottle (I prefer my 8oz handheld), so I might end up going back to Shotblocks.

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.

 

[Dopey Devon]

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 use High 5 energy gels as they are of a thinner consistency than some and therefore just a bit easier for me to swallow. My sister uses Clif Shot blocks and I've had them a few times and enjoy them but feel gels give me more of a boost than the shot blocks.

 

[Calfan]

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!

 

[croach]

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!

Look at the bottom of the page on this link. Travel providers should be there.

Edit: look at the bottom of the registration page. Link didn't it take you directing there.

https://www.rundisney.com/star-wars-wdw-half-marathon/

 

[Calfan]

Look at the bottom of the page on this link. Travel providers should be there.

Edit: look at the bottom of the registration page. Link didn't it take you directing there.

https://www.rundisney.com/star-wars-wdw-half-marathon/

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.