- Joined
- Jul 15, 2007
New runDisney race weekend just announced.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/events.html#starwarshalf
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/events.html#starwarshalf
I have always wanted to do this. But of course I never knew where I would go to find the information or to sign up for starters...lol
A few questions for a newbie do you have to be AP, or DVC member to do these? And if not do you have to have a daily park entry ticket for the day or days of the races you are entered for?
Thx
A
Hello! We are planning to attend this event as well. It will be our first time at any RunDisney event. I am a huge fan of Disneyland, but my husband just barely tolerates it. I have been chomping at the bit to go... and this running event is the perfect solution that helped me convince my DH to go (he is an avid runner). Yay!
Anyway, I have some questions I hope others can answer:
1. If we were to add an extra day onto our trip for visiting the parks, would it be better to do it BEFORE the racing events, or after the race days? Which is likely to be more crowded, the Wednesday before, or the Monday after? I'm also torn between wearing ourselves out walking around the parks before the races, vs wearing ourselves out during the races and being too tired to enjoy the parks.
2. Are the Disneyland parks more crowded in general during racing weekends, even in the off season? Or will there only be a minimal increase in crowds?
3. Are the kids races worthwhile? At the time of event, one son will be 3 years old, and the other will be 11 months old**. There are racing events for both of these age groups... but I'm wondering if it's better to just skip it. I don't think the RunDisney site said what time these kids events are happening either... when I looked yesterday.
4. We are not AP holders or members of DVC. Do you think it will be challenging to book rooms at one of the Disney hotels? I tried doing this already but it said my trip has to be before December 31. Will reservations for January open on July 1 then? Or sooner?
5. Any other tips I should know?
6. In general, what attractions are usually scheduled for refurb during Jan 14-19?
OH I should mention, my husband is going to run the Half, and possibly the 10k. I will only do the 5k because I am NOT a runner at all, but I am going to do my best to train for this so that at least I can stay ahead of the balloon ladies I've heard about and finish the race. Do you think it's possible to finish if doing a combination of walking/jogging during the 5k?
thanks!
**Edited to add: Although we have 2 small boys with us, we will also have my mom on the trip so she will be watching the boys while we do the races, etc. Just in case anyone was wondering how that was going to work.
Hope this helps ~
1. Wed would be best b/c Mon is ML day and there'll be a lot of people. Wed will have less people but also shorter hours so trade off. The other thing to keep in mind is if you go Wed, it'll be pre-race and a lot of walking and your husband might not want that. Personally, I'd go Wed, b/c less people.
2. Tink has been that weekend the past 2 years, and Fri/Sat haven't been bad and I've been able to get almost everything done, but I remember Sun post race was crazy busy.
3. Kids Races usually start around 9am. Can't answer how they are as have participated in them but they do get a medal and a shirt and they are absolutely adorable walking around the parks on Sat w/ them. They are so proud!
4. As for rooms, Disney partners up with Get Travel for the races and they usually open reservations the week of or right after race registration opens. They will have discounted rooms for not only the 3 resort hotels, but good neighbor rooms as well. As long as you book earlier rather than later, you will be able to get a room. Having said that if you are staying in a good neighbor hotel, you can usually find cheaper rates if you have an AAA Card and rates are open and really good right now. Get Travel will also have park tix at a great discount for runners also.
5. Tips ~ make sure you're online at 9am b/c this race will sell out and crazy fast. Seriously, most likely w/in the hour and maybe even 1/2 hour it goes on sale.
6. As for refurbs... last year I think everything but BTMRR was open. HM opened Fri afternoon from the change over back to regular and IASW was still in Xmas but open until the week after.
7. For you finishing the race, you will be fine! The 5k is very family friendly and as long as you are moving forward and not doddling should be okay. In the past, I've finished 5ks when the clock says 50 min, took some pics and got my medal and post race stuff and while walking out of DCA (usually the finish line) about 20 min later, there were still a lot of people running just past the mile 2 marker. The time starts when the last person crosses the start line and like I said above, as long as you aren't meandering through the course and making an effort, you will be okay.
Thanks for the advice so far, this is extremely helpful!
The only resort hotel I've stayed in before is the Grand Californian. I was thinking that one or Disneyland Hotel would be the most convenient - is Paradise Pier not bad in terms of getting around? I know it is always the less expensive of the three. To me it seems so far off in the distance with no direct access to either Downtown Disney or the parks. Please clue me in to the advantages of this hotel that I may be unaware of.
Thanks!