2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

[Ariel484]

Apparently it's also the Daytona 500 this weekend. I couldn't believe how crowded MCO was!

We made it to the Swan! Husbands tracking down sushi and the girls are asleep - ready for MK in the morning.

I am sure this has been asked - but if my husband and girls (in stroller) want to watch any of the half, can they walk to Epcot from the Swan and get into the pair before it's open to see me run through near the end? I'm estimating I will be coming through around 8 to 8:15am - so before Epcot officially opens.

I don't think they can go in through the IG - the course really only goes through Future World and up to the Port of Entry so they'd be walking through the whole park anyway. It may be better to take a bus, though I know that's tough with a stroller.

Last year it was pushing & shoving at the expo. This year, it seems to be bandits hopping into the 10k. What is it about Princess weekend that generates such craziness?

I guess the ladies love to shop! Big weekend for eBay-ers and personal shoppers too.

I went on Thursday at 4PM and everything was well-stocked and while it wasn't totally empty people-wise, I didn't get punched, so that was cool.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

Hope everyone had (or is currently having) a great 10K this morning!

Seemed like yesterday was a big "hurry up and wait" day for us- flight delay, really long DME wait, and didn't get my bag delivered to our room until almost 2am! (We landed at 6:30pm)

Headed to the expo this morning, so I'll try to report on merchandise availability

 

[joan4mickey]

Hope everyone had (or is currently having) a great 10K this morning!

Seemed like yesterday was a big "hurry up and wait" day for us- flight delay, really long DME wait, and didn't get my bag delivered to our room until almost 2am! (We landed at 6:30pm)

Headed to the expo this morning, so I'll try to report on merchandise availability

What a difference a few minutes makes. I landed just after 6pm and straight to DME and very few people. I was first in line so knew I would have to wait but our first stop was all stars sports so I was Happy. Heading to expo too.

 

[cavepig]

Last year it was pushing & shoving at the expo. This year, it seems to be bandits hopping into the 10k. What is it about Princess weekend that generates such craziness?

What did you see on bandits & the 10k? Curious.

 

[Bree]

Just ran my first race in a Sparkle Skirt. I'm in love! The pockets are DEEP and my phone didn't bounce. Glad I bought two so I can wear one tomorrow. FYI, if you pay cash at the expo at Sparkle Skirt's booth they will include tax in the price of your skirt. So I got two skirts yesterday for $135 cash ($70 & $65).

 

[Bree]

Where were the bandits?

A lot of runners had their bibs on their backs. I hope they didn't want race photos.

 

[bearsgirl]

Where were the bandits?

A lot of runners had their bibs on their backs. I hope they didn't want race photos.

I saw that too and I was going to say something to them but figured they had some sort of strategy that I wasn't aware of....

 

[drummerwife]

Well, I can't say this was my best race. A princess a little ways in front of me after the hairpin turn (after mile 1) stepped of the side of the road fell and most likely broke her ankle. I stopped and stayed with her until assistance arrived. It was so heartbreaking to watch her laying on the ground crying. I really hope she is doing better.
So now I'm going to do a PSA... if you are going to go off course PLEASE watch how you step.

 

[bellanotte10]

Had a woman avoid the boardwalk by sneaking through the cones at the hill by the international gateway... you're almost done... why do that to yourself????

 

[bearsgirl]

Remind me what the link is to look up our finishing time?

 

[FFigawi]

What did you see on bandits & the 10k? Curious.

Friends working as volunteers handing out medals were told people were hopping into the race. They were instructed not to give a medal to anyone without a valid bib. Combined with the reports above, it sounds like some of the bandits might have been wearing fake bibs on their back so as not to show up in someone else's photos.

 

[Ariel484]

Lots of bibs on backs yesterday and today. I also noticed a couple of security officers and rD officials near the International Gateway...maybe trying to catch course cutters?

 

[courtneybeth]

I loved the 10k course and enjoyed the support from volunteers and cast. Walked 3/4 of the race and still finished in 1:23 -- was aiming for 1:30 for a slow pace and went a teeny bit faster.

Today's plan is to enjoy the pool, hotel, and Disney springs at lunch. Hoping to do a little damage at the Lily Pulitzer store and snag a free cupcake at Sprinkles for their b1g1 offer.

 

[courtneybeth]

Lots of bibs on backs yesterday and today. I also noticed a couple of security officers and rD officials near the International Gateway...maybe trying to catch course cutters?

Bibs on back means fake bibs or just they don't know better? I saw a lot more than usual....

A friend who finished towards the end said they ran out of snack boxes. She was bummed.

 

[Ariel484]

Bibs on back means fake bibs or just they don't know better? I saw a lot more than usual....

A friend who finished towards the end said they ran out of snack boxes. She was bummed.

I don't know which it means. I was tempted to ask a couple of them about it. When I saw them the first thing I thought was that they were bandits...

Ran out of snack boxes??! What?

 

[Ariel484]

Characters so far...

5K
Meeko outside of park
Vikings in Norway (though IMO they don't *really* count...)
Dopey in Germany
Abu in Morocco
Suzy and Perla in France
Festival of Fantasy dancers near The Seas

10K
Elena at sharp turn just after MM1
Fairies at 1.5 (including the boy fairy)
Evil Hag just after MM2 EEEEEEK
Dopey in Germany
Geopetto/Pinnochio in Italy
Marie in France
Vacation Genie at ESPN
Princess Minnie at Internationals Gateway EEEEEEK

 

[courtneybeth]

Yes. They apparently ran out of snack boxes. I asked her how the race went and all she said was "I am happy to have gotten 3 squeeze apple sauce packets at the expo because they ran out of snack boxes by the time I crossed"

I would be crushed if I were her. The fake cheese and crackers are the best!!

 

[joan4mickey]

Plenty of stuff at runDisney store at expo. Perhaps they are holding back and slow release. Even saw purses

 

[cavepig]

Wow, interesting on the bib bandits/bibs on backs & running out of snack boxes. To see a lot of bibs on backs is strange indeed. I wonder what volunteers would look for though to make sure legit, I guess just that you had a chip today but that wouldn't work in the 5k.

 

[The Expert]

Characters so far...

5K
Meeko outside of park
Vikings in Norway (though IMO they don't *really* count...)
Dopey in Germany
Abu in Morocco
Suzy and Perla in France
Festival of Fantasy dancers near The Seas

10K
Elena at sharp turn just after MM1
Fairies at 1.5 (including the boy fairy)
Evil Hag just after MM2 EEEEEEK
Dopey in Germany
Geopetto/Pinnochio in Italy
Marie in France
Vacation Genie at ESPN
Princess Minnie at Internationals Gateway EEEEEEK

Moana was on the overpass in the first mile of the 10K.