Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[mbwhitti]

STK just added a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu so we just added brunch there for after the 10k!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Our plans!

Thursday
2:00PM - Arrive at Disney (If we've received our room check in text - head to VGF -otherwise head to Expo)
2PM to 4:00PM - Dark Side Expo!
4:30PM - Hang Out at Hotel
6:00PM - Head to Animal Kingdom Villas
6:30PM - Dinner @ Sanaa.

Friday
Sleep In
10:00AM - Head to Disney Springs
...Splitsville
...Polite Pig Lunch
...Movies?
...Shop
5:00PM - Boathouse
6:30PM - Back to Hotel
8:00PM - Bed!

Saturday
3:00AM - Wake Up
3:30AM - Bus to Corrals
...get in First Corral!
5:30AM - 10K starts
7:30AM - Finish 10K
Clean Up
10:00AM - Head to EPCOT
...Flower & Garden Booths for Lunch
3:00PM - Head back to VGF
5:30PM - California Grill
8:00PM - Bed!

Sunday
2:30AM - Wake Up
3:00AM - Bus to Corrals
5:30AM - Half Starts
10:00AM - Half Over
...hopefully make it back to the room before 11AM to shower!
11:45AM - Lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe
1:00PM - Drive Home

(this is totally my planner coming out from the Marathon Weekend 2018 thread...)

 

[FFigawi]

What's everyone's trip plans?

Friday - expo; dinner at Paradiso
Sat - 10k; breakfast at 'Ohana; ice cream with friends
Sun - half; dinner at CA Grille
Mon - drive home

Like I said on the marathon thread, I tend to wing it.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

What's everyone's trip plans?

Tuesday, April 18:
-Arrival at Saratoga Springs
-Head to MK to activate my annual pass
-Evening at MK with a couple FPs and staying for my last-ever viewing of Wishes (I really hope my flight is on time and I don't have any travel problems so I make it for this. Or else I'll have to sacrifice my FP for Rivers of Light because there is no way I can miss seeing Wishes on this trip).

Wednesday, April 19:
-Rope drop at Epcot
-Afternoon at Animal Kingdom with a FP for Rivers of Light

Thursday, April 20:
-Rope drop at Hollywood Studios
-Leave around noon to head to the expo
-Evening FPs at Epcot (meeting my parents and sister who will be arriving at the Boardwalk this day)
-Park hop back to DHS for the Star Wars night show

Friday, April 21:
-Rope drop at MK
-Afternoon/evening at DHS
-Dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe
-Back to resort probably right after dinner

Saturday, April 22:
-10K!
-Back to resort to shower
-Couple hours at Epcot
-Park hop to MK for Festival of Fantasy and a couple FPs
-Back to resort early

Sunday, April 23:
-Half Marathon!
-Back to resort to shower, finish packing, check-out, and check bags in with Airline Check-in/Bell services (I'm starting to panic a little about having enough time for this stuff. DVC check-out is at 11:00 am, and you can't do late check-out, so I hope I have enough time to get back and clean up after the half marathon before I have to be out of the room. I'm assuming a race start for my corral around 6:00, and a finish time for me of about 2:45, so it should be plenty of time, but I always overthink these things. I just don't know how long it will end up taking me if it's really hot).
-Head over to DHS for a few last-minute FPs and some medal pictures
-Magical Express bus probably around 6:00
-Flight home at 8:55 pm

It's going to be a whirlwind trip and Sunday is going to be a crazy, exhausting day, but I'm excited and can't believe how close it is. It looks like a ton of park time and barely any downtime, but I do plan to take some moments in the parks to just relax and rest.

 

[opusone]

What's everyone's trip plans?

Friday
Early morning flight from Chicago to Orlando
Car rental - straight to Expo
Expo
Check-in at Dolphin Hotel (hopefully early check-in, otherwise drop stuff at bell hop)
Epcot for the afternoon (maybe solo, maybe with friend)
Dinner with friend at Trattoria al Forno

Saturday
Run 10k at easy pace
Late morning at Hollywood Studios (solo)
Relax in afternoon (maybe pool/hot tub)
DISboards dinner at Il Mulino

Sunday
Run half marathon - go for post-40 PR
Hotel check-out
Late morning/early afternoon at Epcot
Evening flight home

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Sunday, April 23:
-Half Marathon!
-Back to resort to shower, finish packing, check-out, and check bags in with Airline Check-in/Bell services (I'm starting to panic a little about having enough time for this stuff. DVC check-out is at 11:00 am, and you can't do late check-out, so I hope I have enough time to get back and clean up after the half marathon before I have to be out of the room. I'm assuming a race start for my corral around 6:00, and a finish time for me of about 2:45, so it should be plenty of time, but I always overthink these things. I just don't know how long it will end up taking me if it's really hot).
-Head over to DHS for a few last-minute FPs and some medal pictures
-Magical Express bus probably around 6:00
-Flight home at 8:55 pm

It's going to be a whirlwind trip and Sunday is going to be a crazy, exhausting day, but I'm excited and can't believe how close it is. It looks like a ton of park time and barely any downtime, but I do plan to take some moments in the parks to just relax and rest.

One thing if you don't have enough time to really clean up post half marathon is that you can use the gym at Saratoga Springs to clean up. They have showers you should be able to use! (Its one of the reasons we're staying at Boardwalk for Marathon Weekend in case my husband isn't back by 11AM).

DVC can occasionally get late check out as well. We did last year at Dark Side - it was only like an hour but that hour was just enough!

 

[Ndusmama]

What's everyone's trip plans? us!

Wednesday
arrive mco 5pm.
Drop carryon at hotel hopefully MK by 7.
Must buy memory maker (seriously why can't military buy it before parks)
Ride some rides watch the fireworks for first time ever!
Close the park probably at 2

Thursday
Expo 10
Return hotel to drop stuff off
AK afternoon sometime
Watch ROL

Friday
Try and make it to rope drop at MK
When crowds arrive monorail to Epcot for f&g
Early bed

Saturday
10k
Hotel
Epcot
Dinner with group

Sunday
Half
Hotel
Travel the parks with my shinies for pictures.
Try to figure out how to get a picture on tot with all 8 medals (assuming c2c and Kessel are given)
Star Wars dessert and fireworks

Monday
Sleep in
Epcot for fireworks (my goal is to see all parks fireworks shows cause no kids no strollers!)

 

[DisSconnie]

What's everyone's trip plans?

Thursday
Land at 5:30
Head to Wyndham Bonnet Creek for check-in
Early to bed!

Friday
Epcot for Rope Drop!
Expo for packet pick-up during DS's nap time (hopefully this will make it harder for me to buy all the things )
Park Hop to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic night show

Saturday
Animal Kingdom in AM
Back to resort early for early bedtime

Sunday
Half Marathon!!
Back to hotel for relaxation/pool fun
Early dinner at Tusker House and VIP seats for River of Lights

Monday
Magic Kingdom allllll day! (hopefully, we won't be in too much pain!)

Tuesday
Hollywood Studios in AM
Park Hop to Epcot after nap for dinner at Rose & Crown and Illuminations

We're hoping to get patio seats at Rose & Crown for Illuminations. Since we have a little one, it's much easier for us to keep him entertained with food while waiting for the show to start instead of holding down viewing spots. We also have reservations on a different night for La Hacienda which we've done for Illuminations before too. Anyone done both and have a preference over which is better?

 

[jubjubrsx]

What's everyone's trip plans?

We realized we hadn't made dinner reservations for Thursday - Sanaa just got added for us!

do expo

eat at NYPD pizza

do dark side challenge

head to airport get on magical express to port Canaveral get on the disney wonder for 14day panama canal cruise.

 

[DISbot]

What's everyone's trip plans?

Run the race, and eat at all the places I have never been to! (https://www.disboards.com/threads/3...he-tummy-wallet-or-both-all-the-math.3595932/)

Saturday
Arrive, check-in
Get to expo for bib and some swag
Late lunch at Tutto Italia, and probably at Epcot later then I should be for Flower & Garden...
Sleep! As much as possible!

Sunday
Half Marathon
CA Grill brunch
Magic Kingdom, including naps...um, rides or the Carousel of Progress and Liberty Boat
Yachtsman Steakhouse Dinner
Epcot Evening EMH - if I am still standing...

Monday
Animal Kingdom morning EMH
First ever ride on Everest (family never went to AK growing up, and generally have gone with non-coaster friends)
Yak & Yeti lunch
Magic Kingdom
Skipper's Canteen Dinner
Fireworks!

Tuesday
Check Out/drop off bags
Hollywood Studios morning EMH
50s Prime Time lunch
More HS until it is time for the tragical express

 

[Sakigt]

Me, Hubbs, DS(4), DS(almost 2), and BFF from high school and probably her Hubbs

Friday:
Arrive around 11. Drive camper to Expo? if campsite isn't not ready
1ish: Arrive Ft Wilderness. Setup, grab and decorate the golf carts and relax
530: Mickey BBQ
After: Looping then head back to the campsite

Saturday:
Whatever we want. Pool, looping, fireworks, unsure of what to do for dinner. Chicken carbonara?

Sunday:
Race, Pool, head home

 

[cavepig]

STK just added a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu so we just added brunch there for after the 10k!

What's STK? Thanks!



Plans:
Wednesday - arrive, AK, Rivers of Light
Thursday - MK, expo in the afternoon, then not sure
Friday - first bus, 5k, room, then a park
Saturday - first bus, 10k, room, then a park, AK for Earth Day I think
Sunday - first bus, Half, room, Studios that evening for Star Wars Fireworks
Mon-Wed - Parks & more medal photos, can never have too many!
Thursday - leave

We don't have any ADRS & I can't remember our park plans as they aren't in cement really, we have one for sure each day for FP+, but we usually hop and start fiddling with FPs as the trip goes. For sure we'll head back early in the evenings before races so usually out of the park by 7.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

One thing if you don't have enough time to really clean up post half marathon is that you can use the gym at Saratoga Springs to clean up. They have showers you should be able to use! (Its one of the reasons we're staying at Boardwalk for Marathon Weekend in case my husband isn't back by 11AM).

DVC can occasionally get late check out as well. We did last year at Dark Side - it was only like an hour but that hour was just enough!

Thanks for that tip. I hope it doesn't come to that though since it would be so much easier to just shower in the room, rather than packing everything up, lugging it down to bell services, and having to decide what to keep to shower in a gym. I'm thinking I should be fine, since I'm pretty sure I was out of my room by 11:00 or only very slightly afterwards after the Wine and Dine half, but I can't remember. At this point, I'm planning to use the early return to the resort on Saturday night to do my packing and organizing of everything into the correct luggage bag, so that all I have to do after the race on Sunday is shower and change, throw last minute things in, and head out. And if something happens Sunday morning (bus issues or longer finish time than expected), I'll just stop at the desk and beg for some extra time in the room!

do expo

eat at NYPD pizza

do dark side challenge

head to airport get on magical express to port Canaveral get on the disney wonder for 14day panama canal cruise.

How exciting! I think my dad knows someone who is going on that cruise as well. I am so jealous - we went to Alaska on the Wonder last summer and had a blast. I miss it so much. I can't believe that it's already the time of year again for it's repositioning back to the West Coast for Alaska season!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

Oh yeah, and has anyone on this thread ever stayed at Saratoga Springs for a race weekend before? I'm curious as to where the event transportation bus stop is. Is it at the bus stop in The Springs area, or is it on the side of the building where Magical Express drops off/picks up?

 

[mslezalie]

Oh yeah, and has anyone on this thread ever stayed at Saratoga Springs for a race weekend before? I'm curious as to where the event transportation bus stop is. Is it at the bus stop in The Springs area, or is it on the side of the building where Magical Express drops off/picks up?

I've stayed at Saratoga Springs three times for three different race weekends. The race/expo bus stop is across from The Springs bus stop. There was always a sign posted. For Wine & Dine last year, there were a few buses waiting to be loaded the morning of the half. So not much of a wait. If your room is located at The Carousel (7101-7836), you will need to add 10-15 more minutes walking to get to the race/expo bus stop.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I've stayed at Saratoga Springs three times for three different race weekends. The race/expo bus stop is across from The Springs bus stop. There was always a sign posted. For Wine & Dine last year, there were a few buses waiting to be loaded the morning of the half. So not much of a wait. If your room is located at The Carousel (7101-7836), you will need to add 10-15 more minutes walking to get to the race/expo bus stop.

Thanks for responding! I think we requested a room in Congress Park, so hopefully that's where we'll be. Pretty close to The Springs.

 

[bcarey2k]

What's STK? Thanks!

It's the new(est) steakhouse in Disney Springs.

Brian

 

[lovingeire]

do expo

eat at NYPD pizza

do dark side challenge

head to airport get on magical express to port Canaveral get on the disney wonder for 14day panama canal cruise.

So jealous of the cruise!!!!!

 

[lovingeire]

What's everyone's trip plans?

Wed:
2:30ish - Check in to CBR. Unload carry ons in room or check with bell services, change and head straight to DAK
4:50pm - Tiffins Dinner (ROL package)
FP's & ROL
Then hop to MK after and stay as long as we can

Thurs:
Breakfast at hotel, uber to expo if we're up early, get all the bibs, shirts and merch.
Return to hotel to stow packages
MK - Rides and whatever other fun we get in to
4:10pm - Dinner at BOG
FastPass for Mine Train then back to resort
Bed early

Fri:
Up bright and early
5K
Resort: shower and change
Epcot
5:20pm - Dinner at Homecoming
Bed early

Sat:
Up bright and early again
10K
Resort: shower and change
DHS
5:15pm - Dinner at Trattoria al Forno
Bed early

Sun:
Up bright and early for the 3rd day in a row
1/2
Resort: eat, shower, nap?
Lapu Lapu
MK: Ride rides, grab quick service dinner and stake out spot to watch Wishes one last time (cry my eyes out )
Resort for a GOOD night sleep!

Mon:
Pack up, check checked bag, stow carry on with bell services, head to Epcot
9:30am - Breakfast at Garden Grill
Possibly run to DHS for medal pictures depending on how I'm feeling
Ride Frozen & take medal pics with Mickey and friends
Back to resort, catch Tragical Express
6:25pm - Fly home

 

[stal]

Does anyone NOT run in costume for dark side? My first Disney run was W&D last year and didn't dress up but didn't feel that as a problem. This time it seems everyone is wearing a costume! I can't imagine anything worse, and when I run, I want to wear the least, most lightweight clothing and nothing more!

I'll be the one not in costume!! :'D