To say that my experience at Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon weekend was an awesome experience would be an understatement. Although it sounds dramatic, I’d actually venture to say life changing, but we’ll get to that later. Granted I’ve only been a spectator at other race events, and all local here in the Tampa Bay area, but the seemless process, attention to detail, and excitement left me wishing I’d signed up for all the other weekend’s races!! Here’s my recap and review:
We arrived to Disney around 8am on Thursday morning and went straight to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports with sneakers on the brain. Both my partner in crime Jen and I were determined to get the 2014 New Balance runDisney sneakers. Although New Balance had an online que process set up where registered runners could sign in at 6a on Expo day and receive an arrival time to return to try on/purchase shoes, the system did not work for us. We recieved a message that said our registration was not found. While in line at the New Balance sign up at EWWOS, many other race registrants experienced the same thing. A NB representative told us that the que set up for 800 registrants filled in about 3 minutes and that was why we recieved the error. I’m not sure I believe that as I tried 3x before 8:01 am. It all worked out for the best, as we also found out that people that did receive appointment times online recieved times that were much later in the day, some 5-6p. Jen and I checked in and signed up around 845am (opened at 8am ), and recieved a Group 2 10a return time.
While we were waiting for our 10a appointment, we headed to Disney’s All-Star Sport resort to check in for out one night stay. I’ve had the pleasure of staying here many times in the past and it never really disappoints. It’s everything that you expect in a value, and the theming is very sportatstic. It’s not my favorite value (Music or Pop are my faves), but I also like that it’s the first stop on the bus route when returning “home”. Our check in was easy peezy, we arrived to no line, and a clean and ready room. We dropped our bags at room 2250 in building 2 (standard room), and took the Disney provided bus transportation back to EWWOS.
Upon arriving back we made our way down the red carpet (details details) and followed the signs to New Balance Return. We arrived about 5 minutes after 10am, and only had 3 others ahead of us. Once it was our turn the New Balance Rep looked us up on her iPad and magically a 2nd NB rep greeted us happily and invited us to follow him. He lead us into the Expo close to the New Balance area where we sat down while he scurried behind a curtain to get our sizes. Both Jennie and I are ABSOLUTELY thrilled with our Cinderella size 9.5s. We were very excited to wear them for the rest of the day and got a lot of attention from curious park goers.
After we made a quick walk around the expo we went to pick up our race packets. The packet included our personalized bibs, the large run disney clear sling plastic bag, a race program, and the information needed to pick up our official race tee shirt. The rest of the day we spent enjoying the day at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Jen went on Test Track for the first time, which she loved, and we had a delish lunch in Mexico. You can find our pre race festivities covered here. I will say that next year, I will not be spending the days in the parks given all the walking that it entails. We were very tired even though we went back home around 8p, and regretted the decision at 4a the next morning. Next year I will be participating in all 3 races (with the grace of god and a lot of pixie dust), and plan on days at the pool, and other less strenuous activities.
Race day wake up call was 4am, as the plan was to board the bus at 5am which we did with no trouble. Neither of us carried much to he race. There is a gEAR check, but with our magic bands there really was nothing we needed. I made sure I had a small breakfast, half of a bagel and a banana. We brought bottles of water with us to stay hydrated until race time. We boarded the bus, which was full, around 5a. We were in the final corral – they assign those based on the pace you indicate you expect finishing with when you register, slower runners in back, faster up front. Corral A started promptly at 6:15am, and each successive corral started 8 minutes later. With 4 corrals ahead of us (total of 10,000 runners) ours started at 6:50a.
A very good portion of the race is spent outside of Epcot. Our goal was not to finish the race in any particular time or pace. It is a fun run, and we intended to make it just that. My partner did suffer from some shin splints early in the race, so I went a bit ahead and stopped for a few characters which gave her some time to catch up. My first was Dopey, which went very fast, but the next was Beast who I would’ve loved a photo with but he line was probably 100 runners deep and went impossibly slow. Before Dopey was the bug Princess from Bugs Life, and Mulan and Mushu were also outside of Japan. The course is narrow in spots, which can be frustrating with the amount of walkers there are. Watching the sun come up over World Showcase was breathtaking and inspiring. This being my first race I certainly understand now the drive that takes you over when your running with others, and aspiring to do your best. I made it to the finish before my partner, so I stopped just short and backtracked to the Ball where I met her and we went through the finish line together 🙂 We received our medals – which we wore for the rest of the day of course, and our post race snacks. The snack box included Pop Chips, Craisins, a Luna Bar (my fave), a shortbread cookie, and the banana. Disney also provided bottled water and Powerade.
After the the race we hung out a bit before taking the bus back to All Start Sport. We were a little disappointed to miss out on the post race character pics. We’d sat down to eat our snacks and relax, not realizing that Princess Minnie and Belle were taking photos in another location. Once we made our way there the lines were closed 🙁 After a shower and a well deserved mimosa, we headed out for a celebratory breakfast and 2nd trip to the expo. My gps got us completely turned around and we pulled into the first resort we came up on, for fear that we would miss the breakfast turn around. We ended up at the Artist Palette inside Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, which was lovely. Jen had also never visited before so it worked out for the best. We both went for the gold so to speak with the breakfast bounty – can you believe she’s never had a Mickey Waffle!!!!??? Breakfast was prompt and delicious, just what we needed to recharge our batteries.
The last stop for the trip was back to the Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend Expo. I loved the expo. It is VERY dangerous on the pocketbook. I made it out the first time with only my Spi Belt purchase. Second time around was a different story. I got 2 tanks from Runner Girl, as well as a car magnet, and a runDisney sling backpack. the Marjorie’s of the runDisney Merch was 1/2 marathon, Glass Slipper Challenge or 10k related. There were a few general shirts that I loved, but in the end decided against. When I run the other races I will load up on Merch – because darn it I will have earned it!! There were many, many apparel vendors, a few of my faves included Runner Girl, Raw Threads, and Sparkle Skirts. Winner of the most inspiring apparel goes to Run Girl Run. I took a few photos of some tees that darn near brought me to tears (in my post race euphoric state). They’re in the photo collage below. We stopped at a bunch of the booths and as I said, I could have lost the farm on things like head phones, KT tape, apparel apparel and more apparel, but in the end I restrained myself and my husband is happy I did 😉
A Pano of the Expo from the balcony, and runDisney Aaparel:
Run Girl Run Apparel that I’m hoping will be Christmas/Birthday gifts in my future 😉
This 2 day experience has done so much for me motivation wise that I’m going to need another post to put it into words, but I will say in short that it has made me so so so happy that I’ve begun this journey, and in a tradition of Magic and 100% first class experience as only Disney can. I said I would run at least one race each Disney race weekend and now I want to run EVERY RACE at every race weekend!! I was left a little bit jealous of all of the 10k, Half, and Glass Slipper participants. I wanted to be them. But my time will come. I truly feel that I’ve found a part of myself that I always hoped existed. I can’t call myself a runner just yet, I have too much appreciation and respect for those that truly deserve the title. But I’m getting there. And I’m going to do it at home, at Disney. ~ N