Princess Weekend 2020

Our family of 4 is signed up for 5k- super excited for first Disney race. Question for those who have been before- does park open early on 5k morning? We will be done by 7am at the latest. If park is not open, what do people typically do until they do open?

Park opens normal time - they want all the runners out before the park opens (they've been known to shorten the course to make sure the last of the runners are out before they open, although the only time I've seen that happen was when there were morning EMH).
 
Our family of 4 is signed up for 5k- super excited for first Disney race. Question for those who have been before- does park open early on 5k morning? We will be done by 7am at the latest. If park is not open, what do people typically do until they do open?
If the parks aren't open you could go to a resort and have breakfast. If you're unsure of the timing you could do quick service instead of making a table service reservation. Personally I've always finished the race, went back to the resort to shower and change, and then visited the parks (with a shiny new medal!). If I've done breakfast reservations I've done it for late morning so there's no rushing around.

As it's your first Disney race, I just want to mention some things you may or may not be aware of. You can definitely finish by 7am or sooner, but there are some variables in a Disney race that could change how early you are ready to visit the parks:

- The number of people participating. I've never done a race larger than a runDisney race. While the 5K starts at 5:30, that doesn't mean you will start at 5:30! The participants are divided into corrals, and then each corral is divided into separate starting waves.

- The photo opportunities! Stopping for photos during the race will add some time to your run. Personally I think they're totally worth it, but everyone has their own opinion on this. There are also some characters out by the stage before and after the run. Waiting on line for these photos will add a little time, but the lines are usually shorter than they were before the race. The characters leave after a certain time though, so finish time matters for this.

- Transportation plays a role too. Buses are available to take you back to the resorts, but you have to walk to get to them (not far, but not right at the finish either). You could get lucky and get right on the bus and it leaves right away, but there could also be a line or you could be waiting for a bus. These are coach buses, not the Disney transportation buses. Then you have to factor in how many resorts the bus is going to, and which stop your resort is. If Epcot is open when you finish (which seems unlikely for the 5K), I've read that you can walk to the park entrance and walk through the park (using a park ticket) to get to the Epcot resorts. I couldn't comment on that though because I've never done it.

I hope you and your family enjoy the 5K!
 
LAST CALL!!!

Last call for the first round of Group Block Reservations! I've you've submitted the form and have received an email from me, confirmation numbers will start going out TOMORROW in the order reservations were received!

If you're still interested in the Group, please take a look at this form for more information. The next round of confirmations for requests not received by tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 9 a.m. will be next week!
I just wanted to see if the confirmation would come from your email or possibly someone handling the group booking, I dont want to accidentally delete this lol
 


I just wanted to see if the confirmation would come from your email or possibly someone handling the group booking, I dont want to accidentally delete this lol
i know when I spoke to her via email Monday that she said she was going to work on cbr and pofq first since there was fewer of those. I sent her my payment info and as of now nothing from Disney or her.
 
I just want to make sure I didn’t miss an email... is it normal that I didn’t get a confirmation number for Pop for the group rate?
Really don’t want to put any pressure on you @Keels!!! - just making sure I didn’t make a mistake in the process!
 


I’ve seen a couple people in Facebook groups and stuff say, they are still trying to decide on doing the 5k or 10k.. as far as I know those races are sold out. Are there other ways to get entry or will those people be disappointed when they make their decision and can’t register? I only signed up for the half and I’m having some FOMO so if there’s a way to register for the 5k, I’d be open to it.
 
Park opens normal time - they want all the runners out before the park opens (they've been known to shorten the course to make sure the last of the runners are out before they open, although the only time I've seen that happen was when there were morning EMH).

They did that for the Star Wars 5k this year, which was delayed by weather for almost two hours. When they finally got it started, they shortened the course both due to weather and to get the thing over with.
 
Our family of 4 is signed up for 5k- super excited for first Disney race. Question for those who have been before- does park open early on 5k morning? We will be done by 7am at the latest. If park is not open, what do people typically do until they do open?

Remember that it’s an early early morning. Early.

I’ve gone straight to a character meal once, but I felt gross. I prefer to go to the resort and get all cleaned up before starting my non-running part of the day.
 
Remember that it’s an early early morning. Early.

I’ve gone straight to a character meal once, but I felt gross. I prefer to go to the resort and get all cleaned up before starting my non-running part of the day.
Another great point! Especially for those of us that like to be on the first bus! :wave2:

I agree with your preference. The only breakfast TS I’ve done after a race was Crystal Palace, but that was a late breakfast reservation after a shower at the resort!
 
Remember that it’s an early early morning. Early.

I’ve gone straight to a character meal once, but I felt gross. I prefer to go to the resort and get all cleaned up before starting my non-running part of the day.

Yes...you'll want to shower. I always go back to the resort, shower, grab something from the food court and hang out in my room for a while. Then, I go to the parks.
 
I just signed up for the 5k, running for Give Kids the World. And thanks to my employer's double match for the month of August I've already surpassed my fundraising goal woohoo!!! I really wanted to run the half but we check out on Friday and head to Savannah for a night on our drive home. I've run a few races in the past, WDW 1/2, TOT 10 miler, Expedition Everest 5k but never a princess race so I'm so excited to do this one. Hoping to run in a costume, do people run in costume for the 5k? What's everyone wearing?
 
I just signed up for the 5k, running for Give Kids the World. And thanks to my employer's double match for the month of August I've already surpassed my fundraising goal woohoo!!! I really wanted to run the half but we check out on Friday and head to Savannah for a night on our drive home. I've run a few races in the past, WDW 1/2, TOT 10 miler, Expedition Everest 5k but never a princess race so I'm so excited to do this one. Hoping to run in a costume, do people run in costume for the 5k? What's everyone wearing?

Wow how did you sign up? The 5k has been sold out for months. If you have a magical way I’d be interested! ETA AHHHHH never mind I see the charity option! I didn’t even know that was there thanks for mentioning it
 
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we booked through Park and Preston travel agents, but not sure if they still have 5k bibs for princess. it's worth checking though.
 
I just booked my and my friend's flights! :jumping3:Thank you, Southwest, for having some pretty sweet prices! We are flying in early on Thursday morning and leaving late Tuesday night. Hopefully, my friend can get the necessary time off from work. (Fingers crossed)

Now I just need the hotel rates to come down. I am hoping to stay on-site at Universal, but right now the rates are crazy high. I'm thinking that I might book something that I can live with off-site just in case.

Did anyone else score a good deal today?
 
Just booked my way down, Need to talk to friend than hers will be booked and we might changed to Tues night arrival. Now If I could just get room booking squared away I'd be happy
 
I have a question about the group block. We are coming for the whole week not just the weekend. We are actually leaving after the race Friday morning. I have the second half of our week hotel booked. Can the group rate be used for the first half of the week or is it only for the weekend itself?
 
I'm so glad I checked this forum today. Seeing you all talk about flights reminded me to check and see if Southwest posted their flights through February. Scored a great deal for my flight! Glad to have that booked and done as well as hotel. Now for that pesky training part....lol
 
For those asking about still registering for the sold out races... I had a co-worker tell me the other day that she could still register for them through St. Jude. I'm not sure how that works, but wanted to pass that along in case it is an option.
 

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