Princess Weekend 2022

[SaludosPenguinos]

Because finding new things to be anxious about has become my new favorite past time apparently, I'm going to be climbing the walls waiting for the registration link through the charity. I know it's a guaranteed spot and I've submitted a waiver, but I'll feel better once it's reflected in my RunDisney account, ya know?

 

[azrivest]

Because finding new things to be anxious about has become my new favorite past time apparently, I'm going to be climbing the walls waiting for the registration link through the charity. I know it's a guaranteed spot and I've submitted a waiver, but I'll feel better once it's reflected in my RunDisney account, ya know?

I know. I'm right there with you! I haven't even submitted a waiver yet...

 

[Livelovedance]

I ended up signing up for the challenge with a charity. Not because I thought I couldn’t get in on registration day, but I’ve done Princess a few times and I figured supporting a charity would make it a little more meaningful this year as our first year back to live runDisney races. I’m actually not nervous about that registration process, but maybe I’ll feel differently when it’s actually happening lol.

I’ll still be joining general registration day to register for the 5K!

 

[JJ2017]

My running partners are out……I’m a bit wary to sign up solo, so looking for any solo stories out there! Thanks!

 

[DisCatz]

When will they say which Princess is for which race/challenge? I know people have guessed based on previous years but wondering when it will be official.

 

[Livelovedance]

My running partners are out……I’m a bit wary to sign up solo, so looking for any solo stories out there! Thanks!

I’ve never done a solo trip, but I’ve done 3 Princess weekends and ran every race solo. I’ve always had a blast, and I’m looking forward to 2022!

Admittedly, I’m usually a solo runner so it doesn’t bother me to run alone. However, I will say I’ve always found people to be very friendly throughout the runDisney experience. People have always talked to me in line at the expo, in the corrals, on line for character photos… For me, it’s a completely different experience compared to a regular local race in my area. I wouldn’t let solo running deter you if you want to do Princess this year!

 

[Livelovedance]

When will they say which Princess is for which race/challenge? I know people have guessed based on previous years but wondering when it will be official.

I don’t know if it’s always the same timeframe, but for the 2020 Princess weekend they made the medal announcement on the Disney Parks Blog on October 14, 2019:

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...e-2020-disney-princess-half-marathon-weekend/

 

[jmasgat]

My running partners are out……I’m a bit wary to sign up solo, so looking for any solo stories out there! Thanks!

I've done all of my RunDisney races as solo trips, with the exception of maybe one with my daughter (but ran it solo since she is fast!) Honestly, I love it that way. I can do my own thing--which doesn't mean being totally alone unless you want it to. I have met many people through the earlier disboards RunDisney forum that I still see on race weekend--meetup, dinner, parks (if I wanted, but I usually do that on my own). And with this version of the forum, there are even more people to meet if I want.

Not Princess weekend, but in 2018 I ran Dopey. Some random guy pegged my pace during the 5k and asked if he could run with me. He was also doing Dopey and so we ended up running the 10k and half together. He was injured for the full, so I ran that on my own. Never would have planned on it, but it was great that it happened.

So "solo" can be be "really on my own" or "stuff with other people". There are lots of flavors of solo.

 

[JJ2017]

I've done all of my RunDisney races as solo trips, with the exception of maybe one with my daughter (but ran it solo since she is fast!) Honestly, I love it that way. I can do my own thing--which doesn't mean being totally alone unless you want it to. I have met many people through the earlier disboards RunDisney forum that I still see on race weekend--meetup, dinner, parks (if I wanted, but I usually do that on my own). And with this version of the forum, there are even more people to meet if I want.

Not Princess weekend, but in 2018 I ran Dopey. Some random guy pegged my pace during the 5k and asked if he could run with me. He was also doing Dopey and so we ended up running the 10k and half together. He was injured for the full, so I ran that on my own. Never would have planned on it, but it was great that it happened.

So "solo" can be be "really on my own" or "stuff with other people". There are lots of flavors of solo.

thank you....... i can totally do this on my own. i guess i was just looking forward to the comradery of my friends and doing it together and i'm just so bummed that they are backing out. i'm a first timer so i have a lot to learn about the full logistics of the race. but i do like being on my own schedule, so there are some pros!

 

[Livelovedance]

thank you....... i can totally do this on my own. i guess i was just looking forward to the comradery of my friends and doing it together and i'm just so bummed that they are backing out. i'm a first timer so i have a lot to learn about the full logistics of the race. but i do like being on my own schedule, so there are some pros!

There are definitely pros to doing it solo! runDisney is such a unique experience, I'm sure you'll have a good time either way. Maybe your experience will encourage your friends to join you next time! (once you do it, there will almost certainly be a next time )

 

[bg1989]

My running partners are out……I’m a bit wary to sign up solo, so looking for any solo stories out there! Thanks!

I’m doing it solo too! My son is coming with me, but he is 2, so during the runs he will be with family I have in the area. I’m a bit nervous, but I’ve heard everyone is so friendly during the races. I’m looking forward to it!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I am running solo but I do have my mom coming with me as my cheer support. I run solo all the time so no big deal.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I plan to organize meetups pre-race for the 5k, 10k, and HM like I normally do for MW. I can also make a DIS List spreadsheet like I do for MW. I'd venture to guess the Princess 2022 one will be easier because there are far less people to tally. At MW as well, we've done a meetup outside the races as well for those that are interested. Traditionally for MW we meet at Hurricane Hannah's (Yacht and Beach Club) outdoor seating area on Friday during the mid-afternoon. But we can choose a different time/day if we so choose. I'll have to check my wife's schedule to see if I can make a meetup outside the races. There's also the Expo as well and could organize something around the timing of that as well. That's all to say there are lots of opportunities for us DIS'ers to get together and make a solo trip into some familiar screen name meetups.

 

[azrivest]

Count me in for the meetups!

 

[HangWithMerida]

My running partners are out……I’m a bit wary to sign up solo, so looking for any solo stories out there! Thanks!

I am doing W&D as a completely solo trip. For princess, I am planning on the challenge and my husband might do the HM, so I'll be alone for at least 1 race and maybe for both. In fact, if he doesn't run he might not even come. People are so friendly in the corrals that even if you are alone, you'll find someone to chat or even run with if you want to.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Meet up sounds fun just depends on timing though if we can make it.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Meet up sounds fun just depends on timing though if we can make it.

Looks like the races start at 5:00am this year. So pre-race meetups would be something like:

5k: 3:00-3:55am; Corrals open at ~3:55am (although my DD and I won't be going for starting line like I normally do so I've got more time to hang around)

10k: 3:00-3:55am; Corrals open at ~3:55am. I will be lining up at the very front if I've got a goal of Top 3 overall.

HM: 2:30-3:30am; Corrals open at 3:30-3:45am.

Expo and Hurricane Hannah's would be more flexible on date/time based on what we want to do.

I've attached my 2020 MW DIS List as an example.

 

[alon86]

Looks like the races start at 5:00am this year. So pre-race meetups would be something like:

5k: 3:00-3:55am; Corrals open at ~3:55am (although my DD and I won't be going for starting line like I normally do so I've got more time to hang around)

10k: 3:00-3:55am; Corrals open at ~3:55am. I will be lining up at the very front if I've got a goal of Top 3 overall.

HM: 2:30-3:30am; Corrals open at 3:30-3:45am.

Expo and Hurricane Hannah's would be more flexible on date/time based on what we want to do.

I've attached my 2020 MW DIS List as an example.

I have a really basic question - what happens between the time you get into the corral and the race start? Is it really just standing around for an hour +? I will be in the back of the pack for the HM, and I was planning to get the corral 30 min before my start time (which will probably be after 5am). Or what to others recommend?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have a really basic question - what happens between the time you get into the corral and the race start? Is it really just standing around for an hour +? I will be in the back of the pack for the HM, and I was planning to get the corral 30 min before my start time (which will probably be after 5am). Or what to others recommend?

If you are alone, that is the worst time for me. You might be able to sit, but the ground is often wet, so plan for that if you want to sit. Mostly it is standing and waiting.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I have a really basic question - what happens between the time you get into the corral and the race start? Is it really just standing around for an hour +? I will be in the back of the pack for the HM, and I was planning to get the corral 30 min before my start time (which will probably be after 5am). Or what to others recommend?

So the walk to the corral is about a 1-1.5km from the holding area for the HM.



So despite the release of walking to the corrals at 3:30am-3:45am, it'll take 10-20 min to walk to them. Then you're likely to use the restrooms/portas and that'll take some time waiting in line there as well. Once you enter your corrals, they've got some entertainment on a stage, some videos to watch, interviews, etc. They do have a large sound system and several large video screens down the whole corral setup. The race will start at 5:00am, so that means the very last person is estimated to start around 6:00am at the latest. But depending on the number of runners, it could be sooner. Typically they have a stated timeframe to arrive to the holding area and the corrals by in the Event Program which has yet to be released. It's usually something like be in area by 4:00am and in corrals by 4:30am. Because the race does impact traffic patterns. So arriving too late by bus from a hotel can be an issue with traffic. And the 1-1.5km walk is from the holding area and not from the bus drop-off which is an additional 0.5 miles away.

At some point they start to close corrals down. So let's say you're in Corral E and aren't estimated to actually start until 5:26am. They may close the entrance to the corral much sooner than 5:26am because as soon as Corral A starts, then everyone starts moving forward in a long chute.

This is all based on pre-COVID, so no guarantees it'll be the same. I usually start my walk to the corrals at 3:30am (at opening) and start at 5:00am (first corral). So 90 total minutes. I personally find the time flies by and usually after everything never even really notice how long it's truly been. I'd recommend taking a personal (not hotel) towel to sit on and then they usually have donation bins along the start corral area to place clothing items in. Gives you something comfortable to sit on. You can usually find really good deals on Black Friday for cheap towels (or you can just use an old one). If you come to the pre-run meetups, or look at the DIS list we make, you may find others in your corral from the DIS that you could meetup with to have a buddy to chat with in the corrals. Doesn't mean you have to run together, but just someone else to pass the time by with. I've met lots and lots of people in the corrals outside of the DIS and within the DIS community.