Princess 1/2 Marathon Planning Questions

[hungrygreenhippo]

The Expedition Everest Challenge will be my first ever Disney race. It was really nice being able to get discounts on the hotel and park tickets from participating in the event. It's going to make the trip more affordable and allow us to eat at some nicer TS restaurants.

Because of the discounts, I'm thinking about signing up for the Princess 1/2 Marathon and bringing my parents and sister along for the trip. They've never been to any Disney park before! I see on the official Disney website that there's an area so that after registering I can purchase the specially priced park tickets. I'm assuming that the discounts will be similar to those for EEC. (Anyone know for sure?) But right now the website doesn't list any special rates for the host hotels. I know this is the inagural event, but from previous experience with other races does anyone know if there will be special rates coming out later that just haven't been published yet?

Also I think I read on another thread something about doing 2 races in one weekend but it turned out the extra medal wasn't worth it. I think it might have been during the Minnie weekend and someone said that either the 5k medal was the same as the longer race or else it wasn't Disney related. Disney recently released a picture of the medal for EEC. Do they typically do this for all races? I'm debating doing the Princess 5k too but don't want to unless the medal is worth it.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

The Expedition Everest Challenge will be my first ever Disney race. It was really nice being able to get discounts on the hotel and park tickets from participating in the event. It's going to make the trip more affordable and allow us to eat at some nicer TS restaurants.

Because of the discounts, I'm thinking about signing up for the Princess 1/2 Marathon and bringing my parents and sister along for the trip. They've never been to any Disney park before! I see on the official Disney website that there's an area so that after registering I can purchase the specially priced park tickets. I'm assuming that the discounts will be similar to those for EEC. (Anyone know for sure?) But right now the website doesn't list any special rates for the host hotels. I know this is the inagural event, but from previous experience with other races does anyone know if there will be special rates coming out later that just haven't been published yet?

Also I think I read on another thread something about doing 2 races in one weekend but it turned out the extra medal wasn't worth it. I think it might have been during the Minnie weekend and someone said that either the 5k medal was the same as the longer race or else it wasn't Disney related. Disney recently released a picture of the medal for EEC. Do they typically do this for all races? I'm debating doing the Princess 5k too but don't want to unless the medal is worth it.

The Minnie 5K is actually a non Disney race run at WDW. There are several races like that. Komen Race for the Cure is another. I did the 5K in 07 and it was a nice medal(non Disney). The Princess 5K is a Disney race(like 5K in Jan) and would be worth getting the medal. I did the Dopey(5K,1/2, full) in Jan. The "medal" was a rubberized type of finisher award which was cool. The shirt was Disney. We are 2 combo in DL next week. If you are there, do both races as you will be sorry if you don't.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hi HGH!

I called DisneySports to get the discounted resort reservation at All Star Movies for the princess half. It is $122.04 per night and is good for Friday-Monday nights. Because you are dealing with Disney Sports and not Walt Disney Travel the rules are a little different - they want a $100 deposit now and the rest of the money is due by Feb 19th. I'm used to making room only reservations with Disney where you pay one nights charge as a deposit and the balance when you check in. I've forgotten what the prices are, but CBR and the Poly also have discounted rates.

As far as park passes go - I think the discounted ones offered are only good at Epcot and AK and are one day/one park admissions; you'll have to verify that with Disney Sports. When you register for the Princess you also have the opportunity to purchase a discounted admission into the Pirate and Princess Party that Sunday night in MK.

Hope to see you there!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

I was told the room was discounted 10%. Didn't ask about tickets as we are AP holders

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Thanks for the replies!

The Minnie 5K is actually a non Disney race run at WDW. There are several races like that. Komen Race for the Cure is another. I did the 5K in 07 and it was a nice medal(non Disney). The Princess 5K is a Disney race(like 5K in Jan) and would be worth getting the medal. I did the Dopey(5K,1/2, full) in Jan. The "medal" was a rubberized type of finisher award which was cool. The shirt was Disney. We are 2 combo in DL next week. If you are there, do both races as you will be sorry if you don't.

Wow, I've heard of the Goofy but never the Dopey. That's amazing! You've convinced me to do both races. I better get off the computer and do some more training!

Hi HGH!

I called DisneySports to get the discounted resort reservation at All Star Movies for the princess half. It is $122.04 per night and is good for Friday-Monday nights. Because you are dealing with Disney Sports and not Walt Disney Travel the rules are a little different - they want a $100 deposit now and the rest of the money is due by Feb 19th. I'm used to making room only reservations with Disney where you pay one nights charge as a deposit and the balance when you check in. I've forgotten what the prices are, but CBR and the Poly also have discounted rates.

As far as park passes go - I think the discounted ones offered are only good at Epcot and AK and are one day/one park admissions; you'll have to verify that with Disney Sports. When you register for the Princess you also have the opportunity to purchase a discounted admission into the Pirate and Princess Party that Sunday night in MK.

Hope to see you there!

Does the $122.04 rate include tax? I checked MouseSavers and it looks like the standard rate at that time of year is $125. So if that's pre-tax it's not much of a savings.

Hmmm, I don't remember anything about the balance on my EEC room reservations being due prior to check-in. I better call DisneySports tomorrow and ask some questions!

 

[WDWFAN9]

The $122.04 does include tax - for All Star Movies Fri-Mon nights. The non-discounted rate is around $140 with tax. Scheduling the race during peak season really hurts!!