Princess Weekend 2022

[Herding_Cats]

It’s Friiiiiday! That means virtual princess registration day! Good luck to those of us registering for this (if we need it!?) today!

 

[Livelovedance]

Princess Weekend Goals

I've done this for a few years now for Marathon Weekend and thought it was a good experience. Full disclosure, I am saving your responses to be revealed at a later time closer to race day.

Now that registration is out of the way for most of us, I'd love to hear your goals for Princess Weekend. Here's how I see goals. They're personal. You chose it because that goal means something to you. It's important to you. Which means your goal is important to me. No goal is too big or too small. The person's goal to finish their first 5K and another's to take down Disney World HM Record are equally important to me. So, I'd love to hear yours. And yes, even the super secret I don't want to admit it goals.

Here are some ideas if you haven't thought about it:

Finish my first: 5K, 10K, Half, Challenge
Finish with a time goal
Run a race with a family member
Overcome an adversity in your life
Parking lot Beer!
Beat a family member
Get as many character photos as possible
Get a character photo with a certain character
Do lots of park time and enjoy the races
Have fun
Run a World Record
Run a PB
Wear a certain character outfit

So, let's hear them! What's your goal? Remember yesterday you signed up for a race during princess weekend for a reason, so what is it?

My goals

-Make it to race day healthy and able to fully enjoy my first Princess Weekend.
-Run the 5k with my daughter in full blown Wanda and Vision costumes. It'll be her first 5k, and my first time wearing a costume in a runDisney race. Literally what dreams are made of, since this was the overarching goal nine years ago before she was even born.
-Finish Top 3 overall in the 10k. It's a lofty goal. I was initially disappointed that the Age Group awards were taken away. But I decided to turn that disappointment into motivation. The odds are against me, but if I reach greater fitness levels than my previous peak than it's possible.
-Finish the 10k in under 40 minutes.
-Finish the HM in under 90 minutes. Remains to be seen, but temps will need to be good to pull this off after the 10k.
-Meet new and old DIS'ers at meetups throughout the weekend.

This was tricky, I hadn't thought of Princess Weekend goals! I wanted to put some thought into this before posting. Princess is the race weekend that works best for my schedule, so it's the first and only runDisney race weekend I've done in person. I'm so grateful to have been able to do Princess 2020 before everything shut down, but it was so cold and I was not prepared enough, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I should've. It was still a great race weekend, but it was definitely a struggle at times. That being said, here are some goals:

Princess Weekend Goals
Pre-Race Weekend:
- Be prepared! Last year I was not at all prepared for the rain and cold weather. This year I plan to have plenty of all-weather gear ready to go, with options that will work with whatever costume I go with. I was way too optimistic this year (ETA: 2020) and didn’t plan enough, despite all of the multiple warnings I’ve read here on the DIS. I don’t want to make that mistake again!

- FTC: Come up with a costume/run outfit that somehow incorporates the charity I'm running with (even if it's a ribbon or something small) for at least one of the races.

- FTC: Come to the half marathon (more formally) trained and ready. I’ve ran 4 half marathons (2 of them virtually), and I basically did my own thing for each one. This year I’m following a DopeyBadger plan for Marathon Weekend, and I hope to be able to continue a short plan afterwards to get me to Princess Weekend. I’ve enjoyed the 2 half marathons I’ve done at Princess, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it even more this year with proper training!

Race Weekend:
- Have fun! I want to really take the time to soak in every moment of this race weekend. It'll be the first in-person weekend since the pandemic that I'll be able to be there for the entire weekend (first expo day through half marathon day), and I don't want to take a second of it for granted. I know a lot of people don't like this weekend, but Princess Weekend holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to go back!

- 5K: Stop for more characters! The 5K goes so quickly, and there are so few characters. I rarely stop for them in the 5K, figuring I'll do more in the other races, but I want to change that this year.

 

[HangWithMerida]

. I know a lot of people don't like this weekend...

That’s interesting. What is it about this weekend that people don’t like?

 

[camaker]

That’s interesting. What is it about this weekend that people don’t like?

All the “princesses” and their behavior.

ETA: I should clarify that I have not run Princess Weekend or observed anything directly, but when Princess comes up in online discussions the behavior of a portion of the runners both at the Expo and on course is the predominant reason many prefer other race weekends.

 

[Nessats]

Has it crossed anyone else's mind that perhaps RunDisney is rethinking the sunrise yoga and will decide not to have it at all, and that's why they changed the registration date?

 

[Bree]

That’s interesting. What is it about this weekend that people don’t like?

There are some that take the princess entitled mentality way too far. I have seen crap behavior from participants and families at all four race weekends, but Princess has had the most. One year I forgot a sweatshirt at home so I wore a glass slipper challenge long sleeve shirt I had purchased to the 5K. Women on the bus told me I didn’t belong there because I was a “real runner” and basically I took away a spot from someone else. There have been fist fights over merchandise. Lots of crying. Lots and lots and lots of crying.

 

[pigletliz]

Has it crossed anyone else's mind that perhaps RunDisney is rethinking the sunrise yoga and will decide not to have it at all, and that's why they changed the registration date?

I hope not! I was really looking forward to it. I've been doing the freebie sessions at the expo for the last few years.

 

[Tiggerette]

My goals: 1) Don't wait to last minute to make costume. Run in it beforehand!
2) Train for the challenge, build up oxygen/breathing endurance.
3) Where are my shoes?!!!??!! My favs are no longer sold- now I have to find new shoes my feet like.

 

[Bunkie1979]

That’s interesting. What is it about this weekend that people don’t like?

Agree with other comments above. After having attended many runDisney weekends at DL, WDW and DL Paris, Princess 2018 was by far the worst in terms of runner behaviour. Fisticuffs at the expo with smashed glass and visible blood, general grabbing/pulling/shoving, and the worst (non-existent) on course manners ever.

As much as I root for girl power, never again. One and done, I'm good!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Well that was pretty anti-climactic. Had 4 browsers open for virtual registration (just because I was concerned about the 5k selling out quickly) and all of them were in within 5 minutes after 10:00. Anyhow. In for all 3 virtual races with @Wendysofftoneverland

 

[Nessats]

I hope not! I was really looking forward to it. I've been doing the freebie sessions at the expo for the last few years.

Same here. My daughter and I are looking forward to it as well. Just find it a bit curious they didn't have registration open on Tuesday. On the other hand, maybe they do want everyone to know exactly what is included before registration, and they aren't ready to release that info yet for some reason.

 

[HangWithMerida]

There are some that take the princess entitled mentality way too far. I have seen crap behavior from participants and families at all four race weekends, but Princess has had the most. One year I forgot a sweatshirt at home so I wore a glass slipper challenge long sleeve shirt I had purchased to the 5K. Women on the bus told me I didn’t belong there because I was a “real runner” and basically I took away a spot from someone else. There have been fist fights over merchandise. Lots of crying. Lots and lots and lots of crying.

Oh, that’s super crappy! I didn’t realize this race had that reputation, but I guess I can see how it would attract those type of people. Seems like some “princesses” need to learn that real princess behavior is composed and friendly, not entitled.

 

[jmasgat]

Women on the bus told me I didn’t belong there because I was a “real runner” and basically I took away a spot from someone else. There have been fist fights over merchandise. Lots of crying. Lots and lots and lots of crying.

Sounds like we have the makings of a reality show here......

 

[pigletliz]

That’s interesting. What is it about this weekend that people don’t like?

Some very poor behavior (think mean girl rude clique) on the part of some runners. I have definitely seen it. There was a year that a couple of people ( not just women) were fighting over merch at the expo. People have spread the story to make is seem like it happens every year and that everyone who attends is a WWE diva. Princess also seems to have a significant number of first time runners. Many of the runners that I have encountered are pleasant and excited to be there. Just like the other races.

 

[SheHulk]

Agree with other comments above. After having attended many runDisney weekends at DL, WDW and DL Paris, Princess 2018 was by far the worst in terms of runner behaviour. Fisticuffs at the expo with smashed glass and visible blood, general grabbing/pulling/shoving, and the worst (non-existent) on course manners ever.

As much as I root for girl power, never again. One and done, I'm good!

Dang! Looks like I'd better add boxing or roller derby to my cross training routine.

 

[Bree]

Sounds like we have the makings of a reality show here......

Real Princesses of RunDisney

I would have signed up to run Princess 2022, but I’m supposed to have surgery in October and it’s up in the air right now due to COVID. The next month I have available on my schedule for surgery is the end of January. I didn’t want to risk losing all that money in registration fees. My unpleasant encounters haven’t turned me off from Princess weekend.

 

[HangWithMerida]

It is good to hear that despite all the poor behavior seen by some of you, that it wasn’t bad enough to turn you off of doing the race again. It is really interesting because I haven’t really seen bad behavior by any of the runners at either the Star Wars or wine and dine weekends, except for the above mentioned lack of course etiquette. I have come to accept that when it comes to Disney runs there is no such thing as course etiquette. I think you have to look at them more as tours of WDW with exercise than actual racing, unless you’re in the special fast people corrals at the front.

 

[azrivest]

- Be prepared! Last year I was not at all prepared for the rain and cold weather. This year I plan to have plenty of all-weather gear ready to go, with options that will work with whatever costume I go with. I was way too optimistic this year and didn’t plan enough, despite all of the multiple warnings I’ve read here on the DIS. I don’t want to make that mistake again!

Should I plan for long or short sleeves? Maybe DopeyBadger knows the historical data on weather for Princess Weekend?

I'm coming from the Northeast so will probably aim for short sleeves, since it's gonna be hot for me no matter what the actual fahrenheits on the thermometer read. Just curious, reading about some of you discussing all these mylar blankets and what not...

 

[SheHulk]

I'd plan for everything, which means, short sleeves but bring something long-sleeved to wear underneath it. I run hot so generally wear short sleeves no matter what. especially in Florida (I'm from the NE too). But, Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it, as some wise person probably said.

 

[SaludosPenguinos]

Has it crossed anyone else's mind that perhaps RunDisney is rethinking the sunrise yoga and will decide not to have it at all, and that's why they changed the registration date?

It has crossed my mind, yes. Having been on the other side of event planning, it could be additional permits or other logistical stuff to deal with...or a boo boo that needed patching with their registration system...or determining a new capacity number in light of the recent case spike. I hope it happens, but if it doesn't, I can extend my trip after the race and arrive on the Friday before the way I did last time. To participate in the yoga, I have to fly in on Wed.

Should I plan for long or short sleeves? Maybe DopeyBadger knows the historical data on weather for Princess Weekend?

I'm coming from the Northeast so will probably aim for short sleeves, since it's gonna be hot for me no matter what the actual fahrenheits on the thermometer read. Just curious, reading about some of you discussing all these mylar blankets and what not...

Princess 2020 The 5&10K were apparently miserable. I want to say we started the half in the mid-50s and ended somewhere in the 70s and sunny. I'm from DC...this was *perfect* running temperature for me but I think folks from other points more south were freezing. I had packed some capri length running pants in addition to the shorts that I had planned to wear under my run dress as back up and was happy I brought them. I also had an Old Navy pull over that I tossed to the side around mile 3.