Princess Weekend 2022

[Wishuponastar0412]

I have done the same thing... pricing on southwest and pricing on google flights. What if left on Friday or early Saturday... what if I drove to Dallas first instead of OKC? Any DVC Studios open at all? anywhere for just one night? Would the husband kill me if I left him for the weekend with both kids?

I keep waiting for the half to just sell out so I stop torturing myself.

DVC changes quickly, but currently there's a Kidani standard studio for Friday night (25th, 18 points) and Saratoga Preferred studio Thursday night (24th, 17 points). Everything else is waitlist only!

 

[Naomeri]

Love this idea

It’s my first in-person rD weekend, and I paid the money to add PhotoPass to my AP, so I’m going to get as much use as possible out of it.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Hey hey fellow royals!

I'm interested in hearing what everyone is doing around the race weekend? Anyone have any special experiences, ADRs, park days, massages, spa days booked? DATW?

For my part, my only "special" thing is WBG for my post-HM brunch, and 'Ohana for my post-HM dinner. And of course HH on Saturday

I do have two park days booked for Friday and Saturday but intend on keeping it really mellow.

Well some of my plans are up in the air. I was suppose to buy an AP.... but they still have not opened it up yet. Anyone else's hoping they come back?? I waited to get my so it would work for Marathon 2023... I did not realize they would take it away without notice.
I will only go to the parks on Sat if I have an AP, if not then I have my one park hopper ticket for Sunday so I can get pics with my medals.

But special things we are doing for sure are staying club level at AKL. Oga's cantina on Sunday after the run and then Narcoossee's for fine dinning and fireworks.

 

[Novatrix]

Hey hey fellow royals!

I'm interested in hearing what everyone is doing around the race weekend? Anyone have any special experiences, ADRs, park days, massages, spa days booked? DATW?

I've got a lunch reservation for Space 220 at 2pm after the half on Sunday. It's going to be my first time trying it, so I'm excited. If anyone needs lunch plans for that Sunday, I have extra spaces on the reservation.

Other than that, fingers crossed that the afternoons are warm, since my intention is to spend most of my time in the Storm-a-long Bay lazy river...

 

[WxKristin]

Well some of my plans are up in the air. I was suppose to buy an AP.... but they still have not opened it up yet. Anyone else's hoping they come back?? I waited to get my so it would work for Marathon 2023... I did not realize they would take it away without notice.
I will only go to the parks on Sat if I have an AP, if not then I have my one park hopper ticket for Sunday so I can get pics with my medals.

But special things we are doing for sure are staying club level at AKL. Oga's cantina on Sunday after the run and then Narcoossee's for fine dinning and fireworks.

If I had club level at AKL, I'm pretty sure I'd never leave the property. #jealous

 

[Livelovedance]

and what would thoughts be on when to go to expo:

land thursday at 5 and have dinner at Toledo at 8. friday is a "free" day, no parks. saturday is 10k and park day.

should i squeeze in expo straight from the airport on thursday? then i don't have to go on friday? or since this is my first ever rundisney experience, save the expo for friday and not rush it?

thanks!

My answer to this depends solely on how important race merchandise is to you. Thursday is the opening of the expo, and if things are how they were at MW, popular items will likely sell out before you arrive. However, if you want a better chance at purchasing some items, I’d recommend going to the expo straight from the airport.

If race merchandise isn’t a priority for you, I’d recommend saving the expo until Friday and really taking it in.

I’m probably the only crazy one but I love expo day. I don’t even mind the ridiculously long lines at opening! I think of it as the kick-off to the race weekend - shopping race merchandise, photo ops, picking up your bib, more photo ops, picking up your shirt(s), exploring the vendor booths… it’s all a part of the race weekend for me!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

According to the Google Doc

I love how organized you and your wife are. Excel and Google docs. Haha.

Also, y’all are making me want to spontaneously sign up for the half.

 

[azrivest]

Other than that, fingers crossed that the afternoons are warm, since my intention is to spend most of my time in the Storm-a-long Bay lazy river...

And this also looks like an excellent way to spend non-park time!

 

[The Expert]

I'm flying in Wednesday night on a redeye, landing early Thursday and probably will go directly to the expo. My mom and aunt will drive over from the west coast (of FL) and meet me there. I used all our DVC points and waited to long to book on property, so we rented an adorable 3-bed cottage at the Margaritaville development! We'll use my mom's car to drive to the race (just doing the 5K) and probably take advantage of the amenities, bars and restaurants there for the weekend. (Though I do plan to be at the HH meetup!) I fly home Sunday but am going to try to get over and cheer on runners for the 10K and Half as well.

 

[JJ2017]

My answer to this depends solely on how important race merchandise is to you. Thursday is the opening of the expo, and if things are how they were at MW, popular items will likely sell out before you arrive. However, if you want a better chance at purchasing some items, I’d recommend going to the expo straight from the airport.

If race merchandise isn’t a priority for you, I’d recommend saving the expo until Friday and really taking it in.

I’m probably the only crazy one but I love expo day. I don’t even mind the ridiculously long lines at opening! I think of it as the kick-off to the race weekend - shopping race merchandise, photo ops, picking up your bib, more photo ops, picking up your shirt(s), exploring the vendor booths… it’s all a part of the race weekend for me!

Can you tell me about the photo ops??

 

[Livelovedance]

Can you tell me about the photo ops??

In past years I’ve gotten photos with Cinderella’s carriage and two of Cinderella’s footmen (I think that’s what they’re called??). There used to be character photos in the race merchandise building as well with Photopass photographers.

I arrived on the last day of the MW expo this year and there weren’t any character photos (I think this was due to Covid). Here are the ones I saw:

Merch building:
- large mileage numbers for each race and challenge
- a large Cinderella’s castle

Outside:
- large MW frame prop
- large signs with each medal
- runDisney with blue Mickey icon

Bib Pickup building:
- large MW backdrop at the entrance

Vendor/Shirt pickup building:
- runDisney backdrop
- finish line backdrop with Photopass photographer
- 50th anniversary backdrops for each park

If you like taking photos, you can spend a decent amount of time with these (you have to take your own photos at most of them so you can do selfies if you don’t have anyone with you, or sometimes people will take photos for each other if there’s a line). If you’re not big on photos you could easily skip them. I can easily spend half a day at the expo, so I tend to stop for a good amount of them. They make nice memories!

 

[JJ2017]

In past years I’ve gotten photos with Cinderella’s carriage and two of Cinderella’s footmen (I think that’s what they’re called??). There used to be character photos in the race merchandise building as well with Photopass photographers.

I arrived on the last day of the MW expo this year and there weren’t any character photos (I think this was due to Covid). Here are the ones I saw:

Merch building:
- large mileage numbers for each race and challenge
- a large Cinderella’s castle

Outside:
- large MW frame prop
- large signs with each medal
- runDisney with blue Mickey icon

Bib Pickup building:
- large MW backdrop at the entrance

Vendor/Shirt pickup building:
- runDisney backdrop
- finish line backdrop with Photopass photographer
- 50th anniversary backdrops for each park

If you like taking photos, you can spend a decent amount of time with these (you have to take your own photos at most of them so you can do selfies if you don’t have anyone with you, or sometimes people will take photos for each other if there’s a line). If you’re not big on photos you could easily skip them. I can easily spend half a day at the expo, so I tend to stop for a good amount of them. They make nice memories!

This is great info! My friend is coming so that will be helpful! Ok, def not squeezing the expo in on arrival day. Thank you!!!

 

[jennysdcc]

Hey hey fellow royals!

I'm interested in hearing what everyone is doing around the race weekend? Anyone have any special experiences, ADRs, park days, massages, spa days booked? DATW?

For my part, my only "special" thing is WBG for my post-HM brunch, and 'Ohana for my post-HM dinner. And of course HH on Saturday

I do have two park days booked for Friday and Saturday but intend on keeping it really mellow.

My fiancé is coming along as my (much appreciated!!!) cheerleader and it’s our first trip to WDW together. He only went once as a kid, I did the DCP back in 2015 and haven’t been back in ~4 years so I’m really looking forward to exploring lots of the changes and being nostalgic together. Just bummed the pandemic has set back some of the new stuff I was hoping to be able to check out during the 50th!

We get in Friday night and will be doing AK + Expo on Saturday, chill Stormalong Bay Sunday after the half, and then Mon-Wed we are bookin it to the other three parks!

The most special thing we have planned is dinner at the California Grill that Sunday after the HM. Neither of us have eaten there before and I’m really looking forward to watching fireworks on the roof! I think he’s most looking forward to Rise of the Resistance so that will be our number 1 mission on our HS day!

 

[JJ2017]

Can someone please provide details on how my friend can spectate me for the 10k? We are staying at Dolphin, so I thought she could just walk over to the area of the Boardwalk and watch me pass by, but I'm hearing that maybe areas would be blocked off and it's not as easy as it sounds?

She is also adamant about coming with me to the start and staying there until I finish. Is that insane??? At what point would we be separated at the start? (like what time do I enter the corral??). I"m expecting to be in the last corral.

I want her to know ALL her options so she can decide what's best.

Thanks!

 

[The Expert]

In past years I’ve gotten photos with Cinderella’s carriage and two of Cinderella’s footmen (I think that’s what they’re called??). There used to be character photos in the race merchandise building as well with Photopass photographers.

At Marathon Weekend, the backdrops were there near the rD merch area, but no characters. They had several different backdrops for the different distances and characters attached to each, but no actual characters. And there were Photopass photographers there the first day, but not subsequent days. People in line were just hand phones and taking pics for each other.

At the rD booth in the main expo building, they had some additional photo backdrops and cast members were taking pics with cell phones.

The usual banners and signage were all around the outside areas for pics as well, but DIY (no Photopass or cast members).

 

[DopeyBadger]

Can someone please provide details on how my friend can spectate me for the 10k? We are staying at Dolphin, so I thought she could just walk over to the area of the Boardwalk and watch me pass by, but I'm hearing that maybe areas would be blocked off and it's not as easy as it sounds?

At this moment, we do not know the course definitively. But there's a good chance it's one of these two:





In both cases, the race route takes us by the Swan/Dolphin along the Boardwalk. There's generally spectators there, and while there is less room for spectators to maneuver around, it is doable. Especially since the race passes right by the Swan/Dolphin she should be able to see you without much issue. Like she won't be able to stand on the bridge outside Swan/Dolphin but there are other areas. See videos below.

Here's a video from MW 2022 10k showing the Boardwalk area.

Here's a video from Princess 2020 10k showing the Boardwalk area.

She is also adamant about coming with me to the start and staying there until I finish. Is that insane??? At what point would we be separated at the start? (like what time do I enter the corral??). I"m expecting to be in the last corral.

It's not insane if that's what she wants to do. Again, we don't have definitive information yet, but I suspect we'll see a setup in the EPCOT parking lot like MW 2022.



Race starts at 5am. Area opens at 3am. The corrals open around 3:55am. She can stand with you in the "reunion area", but she can not cross where the black line is heading into the corrals themselves. If you're in s6, then you can probably wait until 5:20-5:30am-ish before you'd want to make your way in at the latest. She can then maneuver around to the area North of the corrals and can get to the starting line area. She could see you off from there. Then head down towards the spectator area of the finish line.

 

[JJ2017]

At this moment, we do not know the course definitively. But there's a good chance it's one of these two:

View attachment 640375

View attachment 640376

In both cases, the race route takes us by the Swan/Dolphin along the Boardwalk. There's generally spectators there, and while there is less room for spectators to maneuver around, it is doable. Especially since the race passes right by the Swan/Dolphin she should be able to see you without much issue. Like she won't be able to stand on the bridge outside Swan/Dolphin but there are other areas. See videos below.

Here's a video from MW 2022 10k showing the Boardwalk area.

Here's a video from Princess 2020 10k showing the Boardwalk area.

It's not insane if that's what she wants to do. Again, we don't have definitive information yet, but I suspect we'll see a setup in the EPCOT parking lot like MW 2022.

View attachment 640377

Race starts at 5am. Area opens at 3am. The corrals open around 3:55am. She can stand with you in the "reunion area", but she can not cross where the black line is heading into the corrals themselves. If you're in s6, then you can probably wait until 5:20-5:30am-ish before you'd want to make your way in at the latest. She can then maneuver around to the area North of the corrals and can get to the starting line area. She could see you off from there. Then head down towards the spectator area of the finish line.

Amazingly helpful and perfect for my Type A planning mentality. AWESOME!

 

[SheHulk]

Can someone please provide details on how my friend can spectate me for the 10k? We are staying at Dolphin, so I thought she could just walk over to the area of the Boardwalk and watch me pass by, but I'm hearing that maybe areas would be blocked off and it's not as easy as it sounds?

She is also adamant about coming with me to the start and staying there until I finish. Is that insane??? At what point would we be separated at the start? (like what time do I enter the corral??). I"m expecting to be in the last corral.

I want her to know ALL her options so she can decide what's best.

Thanks!

We were at the Dolphin for Marathon Weekend. The 10k went literally right past our balcony. 2 things:
1) I wasn't awake at that hour, but it seemed you could walk right up to the course on the pathways there at the Dolphin. I walked the pathways that would take you right up to the course many times during the day. Don't know if they had anything blocked off but I'd be surprised if they did
2) Those were some of the most effective balcony doors I have ever experienced. I didn't hear A THING while that race was going on. I woke up at least an hour after the race was over, opened the balcony door, and a loop of the most obnoxious pirate music you ever heard was playing loudly. Jake from the Neverland Pirates was a character stationed right there at our corner. I guess it takes them a while to take the speakers down. Point being, I had no idea there were thousands of people going past my window, or that the music was playing, until I opened that balcony door. Now, I sleep like a rock but even light-sleeping DH was not woken up.

To me Dolphin was a great choice for a race weekend. The only reason we aren't keeping our Swan reservation for Princess is that my DS didn't like the park transportation and that he couldn't use his magic band as a room key/charge to room/etc.

 

[JJ2017]

We were at the Dolphin for Marathon Weekend. The 10k went literally right past our balcony. 2 things:
1) I wasn't awake at that hour, but it seemed you could walk right up to the course on the pathways there at the Dolphin. I walked the pathways that would take you right up to the course many times during the day. Don't know if they had anything blocked off but I'd be surprised if they did
2) Those were some of the most effective balcony doors I have ever experienced. I didn't hear A THING while that race was going on. I woke up at least an hour after the race was over, opened the balcony door, and a loop of the most obnoxious pirate music you ever heard was playing loudly. Jake from the Neverland Pirates was a character stationed right there at our corner. I guess it takes them a while to take the speakers down. Point being, I had no idea there were thousands of people going past my window, or that the music was playing, until I opened that balcony door. Now, I sleep like a rock but even light-sleeping DH was not woken up.

To me Dolphin was a great choice for a race weekend. The only reason we aren't keeping our Swan reservation for Princess is that my DS didn't like the park transportation and that he couldn't use his magic band as a room key/charge to room/etc.

We are a huge Dolphin fan as it is, and it does seem great for the race! I am loving that my friend wants to support me as much as possible, but that early morning wake up call is making me feel guilty for her! I'd love her to to sleep in a bit and roll out onto the course. But she's a big girl and can decide - we will see! Thanks!

 

[The Expert]

I agree with @SheHulk about the location of the Swan/Dolphin. We have stayed at the Boardwalk Villas for almost every race weekend and it's super convenient for spectating. If you're running, race transportation is quick, and there are many food options and places to hang out between races if you're not doing the parks. If you ARE doing parks, getting to DS and Epcot is super easy and a good way to stretch your legs a bit between runs.