Princess Weekend 2023 (Feb 23-26, 2023)

[gosalyn_mallard]

Sharing my fun transportation stories from the Poly... One race morning the bus stopped 100 feet from the Epcot drop off area for a few minutes because he had to "reboot the bus"!? It was so strange and he wouldn't let us off.

Getting to the half, I walked to the TTC thinking I could get the monorail there but was turned away because they didn't have the security station set up. We had to walk all the way back to the Poly resort monorail station, then transfer at TTC. If this was clearly communicated by RunDisney, I missed it!

Icing on the cake was the bus after the half went the wrong way... He drove us towards Polynesian Isle in Kissimmee! People started yelling after we passed under the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. Fun times.

 

[Kerry1957]

My DD reports that Pop had close to 30 busses lined up and were also leaving half empty. This is one reason that Pop is one of our favorite race weekend resorts.

 

[jmasgat]

Sharing my fun transportation stories from the Poly... One race morning the bus stopped 100 feet from the Epcot drop off area for a few minutes because he had to "reboot the bus"!? It was so strange and he wouldn't let us off.

Getting to the half, I walked to the TTC thinking I could get the monorail there but was turned away because they didn't have the security station set up. We had to walk all the way back to the Poly resort monorail station, then transfer at TTC. If this was clearly communicated by RunDisney, I missed it!

Icing on the cake was the bus after the half went the wrong way... He drove us towards Polynesian Isle in Kissimmee! People started yelling after we passed under the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. Fun times.

You and I have a very different idea of "fun" .....but that is interesting to know about TTC. I would have done exactly the same as you. Also, you'd think the drivers/buses they hire from outside would have a rudimentary understanding (or at least Disney-supplied directions) of how to get to the hotels. Sadly, "drivers getting lost" is a universal constant for Disney races.

 

[JulieODC]

Did anyone stay at Yacht or Beach Club this year? Curious how the bus situation was after the debacle last year.

I was at YC. Bus situation was totally fine - always one there waiting, went to BC next, and Boardwalk. No complaints!

 

[sandam1]

Sharing my fun transportation stories from the Poly... One race morning the bus stopped 100 feet from the Epcot drop off area for a few minutes because he had to "reboot the bus"!? It was so strange and he wouldn't let us off.

Getting to the half, I walked to the TTC thinking I could get the monorail there but was turned away because they didn't have the security station set up. We had to walk all the way back to the Poly resort monorail station, then transfer at TTC. If this was clearly communicated by RunDisney, I missed it!

Icing on the cake was the bus after the half went the wrong way... He drove us towards Polynesian Isle in Kissimmee! People started yelling after we passed under the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. Fun times.

Stories like this are why I chuckle every time someone asks "I have a car. Should I drive myself or take a bus?" and tons of people respond that it's so much easier to take the bus and tell horror stories about the "traffic."

Admittedly, I am the queen of the catastrophic Disney transportation failure, but I would much rather drive myself than take a chance on a bus driver who barely knows what state he's in, let alone where he is going, in the dark with a bunch of road closures.

 

[jmasgat]

Slightly OT.....this is my favorite "Bus drama at a Disney race weekend" (old and slightly blurry)
In 2016, I volunteered during MW and was stationed near the start on Epcot Center Dr. This was back when they had more entertainment from local high school bands. This bus tried to cross the median to turn around and got stuck...30 minutes before the race started. The marching band disembarked, and they did manage to get the bus off the course.

 

[azrivest]

Definitely on Sunday our bus left Pop before 2:30 (with <10 people on it). We saw one leave before ours and there was another one already lined up behind us as well.

I watched the first bus leave POFQ yesterday at 2:20 with about 5 ppl on board. We were the next one and it only had 21 ppl. Thought it strange that they didn't wait for them to fill up but I was happy to get to the starting area faster

 

[bumbershoot]

were walking completely to the right hand side and had runners passing us on our right when there really wasn’t enough room to do so.

TOT 2013, walking on purpose alllll the way to the right on the path towards wwos, and some reckless runner came crashing out of the wooded area on my right and jumped right in front of me.

That’s definitely not cool! rD needs to do some major course etiquette lectures for everyone

Runners won't listen. Walkers won't listen. It's really only the intervallers who do, and then they (I have been an interval person until this event) get messed up by plain walkers and plain runners alike.

Last year they forgot about the S.O.G. and we were part of the reason for the 15 min delay (I think).

I was at Beach Club last year and we were also part of the reason.

Also, did anyone find a couple boards that were a little extra soft or springy along the boardwalk? I feel like I hit one or two that made me think I was going to go through or end up propelled into the lake.

Always. My cousin and I spectated for the 10K and a woman fell, HARD, right in front of us due to a board sticking up. Sigh.

Speaking of soft and springy those mats they supplied for yoga felt more like a pilates mat to me and even though I used the towel to mop it off from all the condensation on it I still slipped around on it. Next time I'm bringing a yogitoes for sure.

Totally pilates mats. Awful for yoga IMO. I was incredibly lucky that I had brought a long athletic scarf thing that I was able to use to wipe all that dew off with.

I was not a fan of this year's mats. But then I use a very very very thin manduka mat at home.

 

[DWVol]

Were there fewer characters and entertainment than last year? It's hard to remember since I don't really stop for pictures, but I felt as if there were a lot fewer bands playing.

 

[bumbershoot]

Happily, I finished the Half this year!!!

First I'll talk about yoga. We were staying at the Polynesian for it. Psyched ourselves out about walking (worried that the walkway would be closed), and chose to take the bus. All four of us on the bus got there in good time. They didn't release us in the same sort of waves they did last year, but it was fine. We somehow ended up set up in almost the exact spots we did last year. They really need to turn off the Mickey voices that play near the partners statue; it was pretty funny to hear that at quiet points. The flow was good like last year. A lovely practice in a lovely place. Not a fan of the pilates mats they gave us, and I packed assuming I'd get another skinny mat to take home. I might not be able to bring it home with me. I do like the carrier, though; I don't have one of those. We walked back to the Polynesian.

We spectated for the 10K. I've volunteered for rD once (January 2015 5K) but I hadn't actually spectated. We were at Boardwalk by then, so why not? It was fantastic. We didn't get out in time to see the superspeedy people, but that was OK. We saw the people like us. We stayed to the absolute end, because those behind the pacers need love, too. When I'm on the course I tend to get really focused on the faster people and I'm really hard on myself for my struggles. Seeing others struggling but persevering helped me see that I'm not some unique individual on the struggle bus. The human spirit to be found on a course like that is amazing. I'm so glad we spectated, and highly recommend it. And...stay to the end.

Now the Half!

Decided ahead of time to simply walk it. Someone on a local running group (the people who run Orca Running in the Seattle area) posted a spotify playlist with a really solid beat that helped with a brisk walking pace (Run Far and Dance!).

I was in E and glad for it (was scared I'd be in F). I waited for corrals to open; didn't mess around at all. I wasn't as close to the front of the corral as I wanted to be, but it ended up just fine. I was in the first E wave.

I changed from my usual sports beans and shot bloks to Tailwind, and it made ALL the difference. I had zero bathroom stops, which absolutely saved me. I had a 14 oz squeezy Nathan bottle and I had it filled at almost every water stop. If anyone was behind me as I tried to pour a tailwind packet into the bottle, causing white powder to go everywhere...I apologize. I've never taken such care with fueling, and I was so glad I did.

I never saw the 3:30 pace group, which I was happy about because they somehow mess me all up. Obviously I also never saw the balloon ladies; I was tracking one of them so I knew they were rather behind me.

I changed everything I could that caused last year's DNF: I found myself able to do a jogging motion at certain points (usually going downhill), I was able to get onto the grass this year (my ankle is yelling at me now about that, but it wasn't then) when needed, and I did great on the uphills (yay quads!). I also wore makeup, and apparently my lipstick (Maybelline super stay) was perfect after the finish. Somehow...feeling good about how my face looked helped me feel better.

When I hit mile 9, which is where so many of us were swept last year, I cried. When I got up on the overpass and could look down, and saw SO many people behind me and still moving, I was so grateful (and happy for them). And somehow I could actually do running math (yay Tailwind?) and kept calm about the next 4 miles knowing that unless I got injured the pacers could not catch up to me.

Oh, and I hit my manual lap button and watched average lap pace to keep me more knowledgeable as to how I was doing.

3:40 was my finish time, and I'm just so glad.

Stopped to have ice put on my ankles. That's a first, but it was really needed. I'd put my gear bag in #1...my feet ended up so tired that I just grabbed my bag and headed for the bus. Alas my cousin (who finished in 3:14) was there and alone, and I accidentally left her behind! But then her bus went to BW directly, and mine stopped at YC and BC before, so she got back to the room ahead of me.

Thanks for reading.

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

Were there fewer characters and entertainment than last year? It's hard to remember since I don't really stop for pictures, but I felt as if there were a lot fewer bands playing.

I agree on it feeling like there were fewer bands. I was happy with the number of characters on the course. I think it was about the same or higher than previous years though I could be wrong. Here's who I saw:

5k - 5 character stops
- Knight Donald
- Cinderella, Prince Charming, mouse
- Duffy
- Naveen and Louis
- Mushu and Mulan

10k - 10 characters
- Pocohontas
- Snow White
- Tiana
- Clarice
- Prince Mickey
- Ariel
- Jasmine, Genie, Prince Ali
- Anna (switching with Elsa)
- Chip and Dale
- Mrs. Incredible

Half - 20-ish (we didn't stop for all so I may be forgetting some)
- Rey (on a platform, no Photopass)
- Jasmine
- Elena
- Abu
- Clarabelle
- 50th Pluto
- Jester Goofy
- Genie? (wasn't out when we went by)
- Mira
- Fancy Nancy
- Sofia the First
- Anna and Elsa
- Snow White and her prince
- Alice, Mad Hatter, White rabbit
- Woody and Jesse
- Maleficent, Cruella, Evil Queen
- Tinker Bell and Fawn
- Atta
- Mulan, Mushu, her prince
- Figment Statue
- Belle and Beast

 

[kps7795]

It was really great meeting a bunch of you in person before the race. I had to laugh at myself when I realized that

I agree on it feeling like there were fewer bands. I was happy with the number of characters on the course. I think it was about the same or higher than previous years though I could be wrong. Here's who I saw:

5k - 5 character stops
- Knight Donald
- Cinderella, Prince Charming, mouse
- Duffy
- Naveen and Louis
- Mushu and Mulan

10k - 10 characters
- Pocohontas
- Snow White
- Tiana
- Clarice
- Prince Mickey
- Ariel
- Jasmine, Genie, Prince Ali
- Anna (switching with Elsa)
- Chip and Dale
- Mrs. Incredible

Half - 20-ish (we didn't stop for all so I may be forgetting some)
- Rey (on a platform, no Photopass)
- Jasmine
- Elena
- Abu
- Clarabelle
- 50th Pluto
- Jester Goofy
- Genie? (wasn't out when we went by)
- Mira
- Fancy Nancy
- Sofia the First
- Anna and Elsa
- Snow White and her prince
- Alice, Mad Hatter, White rabbit
- Woody and Jesse
- Maleficent, Cruella, Evil Queen
- Tinker Bell and Fawn
- Atta
- Mulan, Mushu, her prince
- Figment Statue
- Belle and Beast

I believe that the only one that you forgot for the HM was Merida/Pocahontas just past Mile 1. My daughter was dressed in a Merida costume and fortunately we were able to get a Merida picture just before they switched over to Pocahontas.

 

[DopeyRunner486]

Back to reality. I had a great time this weekend. It was my first Princess and I was expecting worse based on the horror stories you hear. Overall the expo and all three races were great.

My only on course issue was with a character stop where a big group jumped in line with a friend and then all took individual photos.

One complaint would be the medals. They are fragile in terms of the paint. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary and my challenge medal took a beating. I'd rather runDisney go back to the less color medals so they don't get wrecked like this.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

My coffee tasted just a little bit better this morning…

 

[matt and beth]

My coffee tasted just a little bit better this morning…View attachment 742962

My wife got the same mug. Did you notice the error above the pics? Half marathon and Challenge distances are swapped.

 

[DWVol]

My wife got the same mug. Did you notice the error above the pics? Half marathon and Challenge distances are swapped.

Not until now... can't stop seeing it.

 

[prncssjas]

1:40:21, 97th overall, 17th AG, lots of fun and lots of characters. Played to the crowd and other runners all morning.

OMG! I saw you ahead of us @DopeyBadger and I loved your race outfit! I had no idea it was you (we missed the meet up at Hurricane Hanna's, unfortunately, so I never had the chance to meet you in person!) but GREAT job on the run.

DH and I decided to take the 5k slower since it was very warm and even slower for the half on Sunday because I have never stopped for characters in the past--we stopped at almost all of them!! DH swears he wasn't trying to cop a feel on poor Tink but it sure looks that way (I posted this on a running FB group and it got quite the reaction).

Congrats to all the participants this weekend--it was really so much fun (not without hiccups but still fun!).

 

[nancipants]

OMG! I saw you ahead of us @DopeyBadger and I loved your race outfit! I had no idea it was you (we missed the meet up at Hurricane Hanna's, unfortunately, so I never had the chance to meet you in person!) but GREAT job on the run.

DH and I decided to take the 5k slower since it was very warm and even slower for the half on Sunday because I have never stopped for characters in the past--we stopped at almost all of them!! DH swears he wasn't trying to cop a feel on poor Tink but it sure looks that way (I posted this on a running FB group and it got quite the reaction).

Congrats to all the participants this weekend--it was really so much fun (not without hiccups but still fun!).

32 minutes for the 5k was slow??

I love your costumes!

 

[prncssjas]

32 minutes for the 5k was slow??

I love your costumes!

Thank you so much @nancipants ! I love to sew so I made my costume but I got lazy with DH's and ordered it off amazon.

Well, I didn't say "slow" but slower, lol! It was too warm to risk anything more for me. Thank you so much!

 

[eminemilie]

I’m interested in hearing about the race etiquette most of you had during this weekend. I’m in a bunch of Facebook groups and I feel like every post is a complaint about people cutting in front of others, blocking photos intentionally, not being mindful of the runners around..and frankly it’s making me wonder if I made a big mistake signing up for DL 5k and 10k

Just wondering what the actual experience was Like for most of you regarding all that.