Official Tinker Bell Half Marathon Check-In ** May 5-8, 2016 ** 5th Anniversary

[Belle Ella]

I know I won't be in early enough for like, the special shoe grab and such that I've read about, but I was hoping it was open before, say, noon. I don't remember how early it opened at my last runDisney race, plus it was at WDW...and I had all 4 kiddos w/ me (3 of them ran though one was 9 mo old)
thank you

Don't count yourself out for the New Balance shoes if that's something you are interested in. It's probably the one area related tot he Expos that I'm not an expert at because I know for sure I won't be getting them. They switched to a virtual queue a few races ago, so if those are something you want you should still be able to get them. But the Expo should be open before noon barring anything major changing. And by that time you things should be relatively calm compared to the morning.

 

[wehrengrizz]

Don't count yourself out for the New Balance shoes if that's something you are interested in. It's probably the one area related tot he Expos that I'm not an expert at because I know for sure I won't be getting them. They switched to a virtual queue a few races ago, so if those are something you want you should still be able to get them. But the Expo should be open before noon barring anything major changing. And by that time you things should be relatively calm compared to the morning.

Yeah, I doubt I'll be trying to worry about shoes...that was just a bit of madness I've heard about. I actually really dislike shopping, and huge groups of people all trying to shop etc....yes I know that sounds absurd! Disney is kind of my one exception to those things!
so it is good things may be less* hectic after noon. Thank you

 

[kim3339]

I know I won't be in early enough for like, the special shoe grab and such that I've read about, but I was hoping it was open before, say, noon. I don't remember how early it opened at my last runDisney race, plus it was at WDW...and I had all 4 kiddos w/ me (3 of them ran though one was 9 mo old)
thank you

You should definitely have a shot at the shoes if you want them. The Tink ones were the 1st I tried to get so I'm not sure how it used to work, but the way it worked then and for DL is that Thur is strictly runners and appt only. The virtual queue sign-up opened at 6am PST and you had to enter your bib to get a space. I'm not sure when it times ran out. I got a time, but my flight wasn't in yet and when I got to the expo that night, it was still appt only and that was close to expo close Thurs night. However, while I couldn't get the shoes b/c my time passed, the girl did let me try them on so I knew which size to get and Fri I could just pick them up. (The rest of the expo was pretty quiet and walked right into the merch area and registers. PDC inventory was a little low, but the rest was pretty decent) On Fri anyone could make an appt online again but I got on at 6 and had no problem getting an appt.

 

[kirstie101]

Heck I'm just excited to do the expo w/o my (now 5) kids in tow! I might just take my dang time signing the huge wall, and shaking my head at the high prices of shoelaces

On a side note, is it posted anywhere the start time on Thursday for the expo? I'm sure it's nutso at the beginning but it's my main plan for the first day, getting into CA kind of early...

Right?!?! First expo without kids for me too! I plan on spending all day Saturday there since my AP is blocked anyway! So looking forward to it!

My friend registered for the half yesterday so I have a travel buddy now! Looking forward to taking her to the park on Sunday. She used to be a CM over 20 years ago (she was either Chip or Dale in the parade, I can't remember which she said) and hasn't been back since she moved to Nor Cal. Its gonna be fun to be with her as she see's the changes!

 

[wehrengrizz]

do they fit like regular women's New Balance shoes ? I was just realizing they will most likely be green, which would be awesome! Our favorite college football team is geen and gold

 

[wehrengrizz]

Right?!?! First expo without kids for me too! I plan on spending all day Saturday there since my AP is blocked anyway! So looking forward to it!

My friend registered for the half yesterday so I have a travel buddy now! Looking forward to taking her to the park on Sunday. She used to be a CM over 20 years ago (she was either Chip or Dale in the parade, I can't remember which she said) and hasn't been back since she moved to Nor Cal. Its gonna be fun to be with her as she see's the changes!

so cool!!! I'm doing the 10K with my friend from air force basic training, and just found out a friend from up here in Fargo is doing the same race! I'm totally going to DL Fri and sat, I've never been! Will it technically still be the diamond anniversary?

 

[kim3339]

do they fit like regular women's New Balance shoes ? I was just realizing they will most likely be green, which would be awesome! Our favorite college football team is geen and gold

I don't wear NB, so I'm not sure how they relate. Usually, I wear an 8.5, running 9.5 but in these I got a 10. They're the fresh foam boracay model, so I guess you could try a non Disney pair at a shoe store if they had them? And, not only are they green, but they glow in the dark! And when they glow you can see swirls and a hidden Mickey or 2 in the swirls.

The celebration should still be going on. There was a thread talking about it and people were saying until the end of next year.

 

[wehrengrizz]

I don't wear NB, so I'm not sure how they relate. Usually, I wear an 8.5, running 9.5 but in these I got a 10. They're the fresh foam boracay model, so I guess you could try a non Disney pair at a shoe store if they had them? And, not only are they green, but they glow in the dark! And when they glow you can see swirls and a hidden Mickey or 2 in the swirls.

The celebration should still be going on. There was a thread talking about it and people were saying until the end of next year.

daaang now I might want to check out those shoes!!! I thought I'd seen something about it going through 2016 but I can't keep everything straight, too much Disney excitement for the next 9 mo!

 

[kirstie101]

do they fit like regular women's New Balance shoes ? I was just realizing they will most likely be green, which would be awesome! Our favorite college football team is geen and gold

I have the minnie ones and I got them in a 10.5 which is what I usually get in my Brooks and Asics. My first pair of NB runners and I actually like them a lot.

so cool!!! I'm doing the 10K with my friend from air force basic training, and just found out a friend from up here in Fargo is doing the same race! I'm totally going to DL Fri and sat, I've never been! Will it technically still be the diamond anniversary?

I think it will probably still be the diamond anniversary. Disney hasn't announced an official end date yet. With the amount of money they put into it I'd be very surprised if it ended before May 2016. And I'd expect the parade and fireworks to continue past the anniversary celebration end date as well.

 

[Belle Ella]

Yeah, there's still no official end date for the celebration so only time will tell at this point.

 

[wehrengrizz]

WOOHOO I got my (ultra pricey) plane ticket! Now to wait, and train...and I guess get back to planning my trip to WDW that's rapidly approaching

 

[VickiHD]

Heck I'm just excited to do the expo w/o my (now 5) kids in tow! I might just take my dang time signing the huge wall, and shaking my head at the high prices of shoelaces

On a side note, is it posted anywhere the start time on Thursday for the expo? I'm sure it's nutso at the beginning but it's my main plan for the first day, getting into CA kind of early...

Enjoy the expo without your kids !!!! The expo is much easier and more fun for me if I do it without our little mouseketeer. You can take your time on everything and see and do what you want without making emergency trips to the potty. But one thing you can do....there's a place where you can make signs for the runners and the supplies are also there. I've seen a lot of kids enjoy making homemade signs for Mom or whoever. If they are traveling with you....you can take some signs back to the hotel and let them decorate them for you.

There are a few of us who like to line up early for the expos. Basically you just hang out in line and you get first pick at the merchandise. In the past rDisney has even let us in a little before the start time too.

 

[wehrengrizz]

Enjoy the expo without your kids !!!! The expo is much easier and more fun for me if I do it without our little mouseketeer. You can take your time on everything and see and do what you want without making emergency trips to the potty. But one thing you can do....there's a place where you can make signs for the runners and the supplies are also there. I've seen a lot of kids enjoy making homemade signs for Mom or whoever. If they are traveling with you....you can take some signs back to the hotel and let them decorate them for you.

There are a few of us who like to line up early for the expos. Basically you just hang out in line and you get first pick at the merchandise. In the past rDisney has even let us in a little before the start time too.

I LOVED grabbing signs last time, I made them for my kids, they did the 1 mile, at ages 7, 4, 2! But this trip is 100% kid free--solo trip!!

 

[VickiHD]

I LOVED grabbing signs last time, I made them for my kids, they did the 1 mile, at ages 7, 4, 2! But this trip is 100% kid free--solo trip!!

Well this will be a fun time for you !!! I'm sure you will miss them like crazy but it's also nice to be able to have a little time to yourself.

 

[MommyLove]

So the 10 (and the 5K) are sold out. I'm so so bummed. Wish I'd though to check earlier.

Hope you all have an amazing time! It sounds like soooooooooo much fun!!

 

[Belle Ella]

So the 10 (and the 5K) are sold out. I'm so so bummed. Wish I'd though to check earlier.

Hope you all have an amazing time! It sounds like soooooooooo much fun!!

It's not too late! You could try looking into bibs through travel agents or charities!

 

[MommyLove]

It's not too late! You could try looking into bibs through travel agents or charities!

Thanks so much for this tip! So I've started looking and so far, I'm finding travel agencies that want to sell me a package with DL tickets, etc. Anyone know where I can get just the bibs? My 16 year old DD and I want to do the 10K and get closer to the $125/$140 price on the Run Disney website. We'd consider the 5K if we can't get 10K bibs. Thanks so much!

 

[becky_AK]

Glad I found this thread! I signed up today for the Pixie Challenge. Very excited & nervous! This will be my first runDisney event and my first 1/2 marathon.

 

[Belle Ella]

Thanks so much for this tip! So I've started looking and so far, I'm finding travel agencies that want to sell me a package with DL tickets, etc. Anyone know where I can get just the bibs? My 16 year old DD and I want to do the 10K and get closer to the $125/$140 price on the Run Disney website. We'd consider the 5K if we can't get 10K bibs. Thanks so much!

Unfortunately, I think the only way to get bibs without the tickets as well, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, is to go through a charity. But I also believe that if you do go through TA's, the tickets ARE transferrable if that helps at all. Are you both AP holders or were you just not planning to go into the parks?

Glad I found this thread! I signed up today for the Pixie Challenge. Very excited & nervous! This will be my first runDisney event and my first 1/2 marathon.

Welcome to the fun! I think it's a great weekend to run as your first runDisney event and first 1/2 marathon. I'll get you added to the OP in just a few minutes!

I'm kind of anxious now that the Disneyland Half is in the books for 2015. It was a rough race weekend for me! Reminded me that I really need to start training better (I keep trying to rationalize it by reminding myself that I registered late to begin with) because it was a rough race for me. But hey, at least now I can get my butt in gear for W&D and hopefully just keep everything going into all the events I end up doing in 2016.

 

[Belle Ella]

Oh man! I just looked at the runDisney website. Bot the Half and the PDC are still open. I'm so tempted to try and swap my registration for the Half to the PDC to keep the streak alive, but I really need to save my money for Florida!