1. Pressed pennies and quarters
A long-standing souvenir idea that never goes out of style, I think pressed coins have been a staple of the Disney parks from nearly the very beginning. While some kids today might have no idea what these are, you can find penny and quarter pressing stations scattered through the Disney parks and resorts at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, featuring various characters and designs unique to their location. Some are even seasonal! Whether you chose to keep them in an official Disney Parks coin book or store them in your own way, these souvenirs are great because they're inexpensive ($0.51 for a pressed penny and $0.75 for a pressed quarter, most often) and also create an additional fun activity/game of trying to find as many stations as you can! 2. Magnets I feel like we all know at least one family that has a refrigerator magnet to commemorate each and every vacation, Disney or otherwise, that they took. Whether they live on the main kitchen fridge, on the rumpus room mini fridge, or in the garage, magnets are fairly inexpensive souvenirs that also act as great conversation starters. They can feature your favorite character, the year you visited, the park's icon - You name it! And what's great too is these can be found literally all around the Disney parks, including the resorts. 3. Buttons and stickers While I don't mean Disney's official trading pins (they will most definitely break the bank), you can find free buttons and stickers all around the Disney parks! And if you're still not sure what I mean when I say buttons, these are the over-sized pins that feature specific celebrations like a first visit, birthday, engagement, etc. You can oftentimes get them from Cast Members inside any gift shop, at hotel front desks, or at the parks' Guest Services locations. But there are some special ones that can be found if you look hard as well, like the 25th anniversary Marathon Weekend buttons we got in Disney Springs on a recent trip, or the Galactic Hero buttons you can get at Space Ranger Spin if you max out your score. And as for stickers, these are usually handed out by Cast Members around parade/show times or during other magical moments. I've seen all kinds of stickers in the past, including those featuring the ever-reverent Mickey Mouse! 4. FastPass and fortune cards This one is more specific to the Disneyland Resort, but I find saving paper FastPass cards and fortune cards are easy and fun ways to remember fun moments in the parks (The FastPass cards especially, as they note the day you actually visited). You could even put these into a photo album alongside your pictures, if you're one who still puts together physical photo albums. The fortune cards can be found on Main Street USA in the Penny Arcade, in Adventureland at the gift shop across from Jungle Cruise, and in New Orleans Square near the Pieces of Eight gift shop. Each fortune teller has their own fun personality and shtick, and their cards are a very inexpensive souvenir at only $0.25 each! 5. Character autographs and photos Photos with your favorite Disney characters are a must-do when visiting the parks! Whether you meet them during a special character meal, in a specific greeting setting like Town Square Theater, or out and about in an unscheduled meet and greet location, you can always get your photo taken for free with your own camera - No PhotoPass package required! And even if you don't use an official Disney Parks autograph book, the characters are usually more than willing to give you their autograph in your own book, on a special clothing item, etc. Check out my previous post on tips for meeting characters here: https://haleighsonceuponablog.weebly.com/blog-posts/meeting-disney-characters-tips-and-advice. And if the character you're meeting can't sign autographs for any reason, ask their Attendant or PhotoPass photographer if they have an autograph card they signed ahead of time - Again, totally free and a great souvenir to include with your picture in that photo album! 6. Postcards This one might date myself a little bit, but they're still sold in the parks! Postcards are another great, inexpensive way to remember a Disney vacation. You don't necessarily have to send them out, but rather you can collect them to include in a display at work, school, or home. These can also make great additions to photo albums with character photos and autographs. They're usually pretty easy to find too, most often in traditional gift shops around the parks and resorts. And while there are a few standard ones for Disneyland and Walt Disney World you'll see everywhere, you can usually find some specialty ones unique to your resort, favorite character, or the current season! 7. Seasonal maps and times guides And speaking of seasonality, specialty park maps and times guides are free and available around every corner if you're visiting the parks during a special time of year or for a special event. My favorites include the maps for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and times guides for Festival of the Holidays at Epcot. Additional tip: Grab a few copies when you see them, and designate one you're actually going to use for the day/night that can get crumpled and handled while keeping others tucked away to stay clean and unscathed as the souvenirs. Bonus tip: If you speak any additional languages, grab a map or times guide in that language if available! 8. Kids jewelry This one is more one for the ladies, but I find the jewelry that's specifically marketed for kids/placed in the kids section of gift shops is cuter and much more affordable than most of the adult jewelry. Some notable favorites: All of the birthstone earrings! I have two piercings in each of my ears and find the kids birthstone Mickey earrings are the perfect size (and price!) for my second hole on the smaller part of my earlobe. While my birthday is in May and I do have the corresponding emerald pair, I've also got a few other colors to go with different outfits. You can oftentimes find initial jewelry as well, and I think the customizable charm bracelets are fun when you want a less-sophisticated look than what a Pandora bracelet would provide. 9. Mickey straws In continuing with the kid theme, at most quick service dining locations you can find Mickey-shaped straws to bring a little bit of fun to your beverage! Available in a ton of colors, these are usually around $0.69-$0.99 when you add them to a fountain drink, and you can take them home to reuse when you need a Disney pick-me-up after your trip. And they're totally Instagrammable as well, especially if you can get a shot of your fun drink in front of one of Disney's famous walls (looking at you, Magic Kingdom Purple Wall!). 10. Graphic tees For this last one, I can just never say no to a cute graphic t-shirt. Usually on promo when you buy more than one, these are a staple of any Disney gift shop and can feature your favorite attraction, the year/season you visited, your favorite characters, and more. My go-to is the classic Mickey tee for Disneyland or Walt Disney World, in which you can often find in a few different colors and tie dye. Usually not very ornate or detailed, but easy to wear and much easier on your wallet. While a trip to the Disney parks can take some time to save up for, you don't want to forget budgeting for a few souvenirs to commemorate the experience. And while there are some big-ticket items that might cost more than we want to spend on them, there are tons of free or low-cost goodies to bring home that are just as fun! I hope this list of my favorites gave you a few new ideas and things to look out for on your next visit to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Have favorites of your own not mentioned here? Be sure to tell me in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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The most magical part of a RunDisney race is easily the setting. So why not plan for additional days before or after your run to keep the pixie dust flowing?! Whether you choose to stay for a day or two or make it a week-long getaway, there are many things to consider when planning a RunDisney race-cation outside of a traditional Disney vacation. *Your resort hotel Any other runners joining you on the trip? Little kiddos in tow? I think your travel party affects many parts of planning of your trip, starting with accommodations. I recommend looking into family suites if you're traveling with other runners - Those extra bathrooms will really make a difference on race day(s), and the extra living space gives everyone extra leg room for a good night's rest. We loved staying at Art of Animation in the Lion King area during Princess Half Marathon Weekend! Something to consider also related to where you stay is where your race begins and ends. For most race weekends at Walt Disney World, I'd recommend staying within the EPCOT resort area - This allows for shorter bus rides to and from the race, and I think that little bit of extra peace of mind can really help with nerves on early race mornings. If you're running at Disneyland, definitely consider the three on-property resort hotels and Good Neighbor hotels on Harbor Boulevard or Katella Avenue to be within walking distance to the race start. *Transportation I'm a big proponent of using the various types of complementary transportation at Walt Disney World, and there are free forms of transportation available specifically for race events - Buses at resort hotels to and from the expo, buses to and from the race start/finish, and expanded monorail hours for the resort hotels on the rail line. There is oftentimes free bus transportation available in the Anaheim resort area around Disneyland as well, for races out on the West Coast. Be sure to check the official event guide for your race weekend details. But if you're traveling with a large party, staying off-property, or want to be in control of your own transportation, there are plenty of options to rent a car (both in California and Florida). Lines can get a little long for bus transportation back to the resort hotels after the races, so while I personally don't mind waiting I know some people might instead like to have their own vehicle to be on their own schedule. Worth noting though that traffic gets backed up really quickly around the race start and finish area with all of the people trying to go in the same direction, with road closures. So you might want to get going even earlier to give yourself extra time to get to all of your events. *Length of stay RunDisney race weekends usually go from Thursday-Sunday, with Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend being the outlier (currently) taking place Wednesday-Sunday. I like to arrive at least 24 hours in advance of my first race event to allow for a little bit of buffer in the event of travel delays, and to give myself plenty of time to enjoy the expo and pick up my bib(s). If you're able to, I recommend waiting to travel home until at least a full 24 hours after your last race event. My legs and back get crampy and sore from traveling as it is, so I want to make sure I'm feeling good and rested before getting on a plane for the long haul back. And if you want to tack on additional days for exploring the parks or spending time at your resort hotel, you'll definitely want to take a look at the pricing for the different tiers of Disney hotels. The deluxe hotels, and some moderates, will have more amenities than the value hotels - So if you want to stay on vacation a little bit longer it might be worth it to you to have additional pools to explore, a spa to enjoy, and space to stretch out. *Park days And continuing with planning for your race-cation length of stay, you'll want to consider whether or not you want to spend time in the parks. I recommend saving your park days for after you've finished your races, to save your feet and legs from extra work. I personally find it more enjoyable without the pressure, and you can't miss out on a picture in front of the castle (Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty) with your medal(s)! And if you're wanting to save a few bucks, I'd recommend not planning for a park day on the day of your race(s), as you'll have less time for enjoying them than on your non-running days. *Your meals, including pre-race fueling Table-service dining reservations are often hard to come by at Walt Disney World (not quite as much at Disneyland), so you'll want to make any special meal plans for your race-cation at the 180-day mark before your trip if you're staying on property. There will be a bit extra demand with all of the runners and families visiting at the same time, especially the nights before and after each race event with everyone fueling up and then refueling/indulging. And even if you're not interested in sit-down meals, you'll still want to make sure you at least have a plan for your pre-race meal, whether you want to stay at your resort hotel or catch a bite at a quick-service location in the parks or Disney Springs. No matter where you eat the night before your race(s), I recommend doing so early in the evening. You'll want to get in bed for a full night's sleep before your early wake up call the morning of your event(s), so plan to give yourself ample time to enjoy and digest before settling in. And while everyone immediately thinks of carbo-loading before a race, don't forget your protein, fiber, and hydration! Planning for a RunDisney race-cation is definitely a bit different than planning for a traditional Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation, so hopefully these considerations gave you some additional ideas and are able to help you make some decisions. It's important to plan ahead and not leave anything to chance with so much happening during a race weekend, in my opinion at least. As always, be sure to check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ and https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ for the most comprehensive and up to date info on resort hotels, tickets, dining, and more.
Until the next post, see ya real soon! One thing I consistently see when I visit the Disney parks are guests who bring WAY too much "stuff" with them (and I'm not talking about personal baggage and drama, this time - that's for another post). While I do think it's important to be prepared, especially when visiting Walt Disney World and it's variable weather, I always try to pack as light as possible for a single day in the parks. Check out the list below of what I like to keep in my "Disney day bag."
2. Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF I'm sure you've been told and read many times that it's important to lather up on the SPF for a Disney day. But I'll often see people only doing so in the morning and and go into the parks without extra for re-application later in the day. Then they'll either not reapply at all, or have to buy sunscreen from a gift shop (which comes at a Disney price, not a regular drugstore price). Save yourself potential frustration and throw some sunscreen in your day bag - You'll be thankful for it around lunchtime when you've got that pinchy feeling on your shoulders and forehead. Remember your lip balm or chapstick with SPF, too! 3. Rain poncho Another given you've probably heard a million times, especially for trips to Walt Disney World. While this one doesn't quite apply to Disneyland as much, it's a lightweight item that doesn't hurt to have in your bag either way. I recommend getting your poncho beforehand outside of the parks from your local big box store, dollar store, drugstore, etc., as Disney prices apply here as well. And if you do get caught in the rain, don't throw that poncho away after the first use - Hang it up in your hotel room overnight to dry! I've gotten many uses out of ponchos. 4. Sunglasses While many Disney souvenir stores at Walt Disney World and Disneyland will have a variety of sunnies for sale, I recommend bringing a pair you already have into the parks. Even more so, I'd consider bringing a pair that are less valuable, in the event you drop them, they get nicked, or if they get lost. The backpack I typically use has side pockets that are perfect for my go-to pair of plastic sunglasses, which makes it easy to store while enjoying the rides, shopping, etc. 5. Hand sanitizer/wet wipes The Disney custodial team does an impeccable job at keeping the parks show ready and as clean as possible throughout the day, but I always make sure to throw travel-sized hand sanitizer and or wet wipes in my bag. Between all of the handrails you lean on while waiting in line for attractions, safety bars you clutch while riding the rides, and doors you open/close, there are plenty of opportunities to pick something up. And if you have kiddos in tow, don't forget to wipe down your stroller handles throughout the day - Cast members often have to move them around to create pathways around highly congested areas, which means more germ potential. 6. Rechargeable battery I love to unplug while visiting the Disney theme parks and just enjoy experiencing all of the sights and sounds. But if you want to share your day with friends and family over social media, or fill up your phone/camera storage space with as many photos as possible, your battery can drain really fast. Outlets can be hard to come by (albeit a few charging stations can be found in the parks now), so I throw a fully-charged rechargeable battery into my bag at the beginning of the day for when I need extra juice. You can also use the new Fuel Rod stations to purchase and swap out batteries whenever you need - But I'd recommend buying the Fuel Rod itself outside of the parks first. You can still swap them for free! 7. Small pouch for valuables I personally don't like carrying my full wallet around for a day in the parks, so I put my ID, annual pass, credit cards, and a few cash bills in a small pouch. Magic Bands at Walt Disney World allow you to go cashless and cardless in the parks, but I still like to have these on-hand in the event of a technical glitch or I get carded buying alcohol. And I put this small pouch within the largest section of my backpack, the one with a zip closure, to keep it all safely tucked away during the day. 8. Aleve/pain reliever Some rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland can give me a headache (looking at you, Matterhorn), so I like to carry a small bottle of my preferred pain reliever if I need any throughout the day. It's not uncommon for me to get headaches from longer exposure to sun/light in my eyes as well, so having Aleve in my bag is especially critical for me in the Summer months. Again, you can buy some at various Disney gift shops if you're in a pinch, but they usually sell small/individual dosages at a higher cost. 9. Travel first aid kit This is one I always make sure to throw in my day bag when I'm visiting the parks as part of a RunDisney race-cation (check out one of my previous posts for more on planning a race-cation). The kit includes some band-aids, Neosporin, alcohol wipes, and more pain reliever. I just like to have it for additional peace of mind, and replenish it every so often to make sure it's full. My kit in particular was put together by Johnson & Johnson, if you want to check out your local pharmacy for one that's pre-built. 10. Pins for trading And the last thing that's more for fun than necessity are pins for trading! I have quite a few pins in my collection, and some of them are duplicates from trying to complete mystery sets. So I like to keep some in my day bag if I see other guests or Cast Members with pins that I'd like to trade for. Just be warned - Once you start collecting Disney pins, it's hard to stop! When visiting the Disney parks, you want to enjoy your day and be as stress-free as possible. I recommend only carrying the essentials in your day bag, to keep things light on your back/shoulders. That being said, I also like to be prepared with some go-to items I might need to feel my best. What do you always include in your Disney day bag? Let me know if the comments below!
Until the next post, see ya real soon! In a previous post I shared a few packing tips and some items to consider bringing on your next Disney vacation. But what if you're traveling to Walt Disney World or Disneyland for a RunDisney race-cation?! There are definitely more factors to consider when packing, so here are some of my recommendations from personal RunDisney race experiences:
**Pack your entire race day outfit in your carry-on bag I'm not a fan of carrying much while flying; I prefer to load up my checked bag to the max weight limit - You're paying to check it anyway! But when I'm traveling for a RunDisney race-cation I always like to pack my race day outfit in my carry-on for peace of mind. Your flight might get delayed, your bag might get lost or not arrive to your WDW hotel for hours; there are always a few uncertainties. I'll pack my sneakers, entire outfit/costume (including undies!), socks, and accessories I'll need for race day, and also include my small first aid kit. While in my checked bag I might pack more things like Biofreeze, my foam roller, and Ziploc bags for ice, my carry-on will have everything I need to feel confident at the start line on race morning. **Bring extra bags for dirty laundry and shoes! No matter where I'm traveling, to the Disney parks or not, I always bring plastic bags for my dirty clothes - It's something my mom has always done and it's since stuck with me. So for a RunDisney race-cation, I like to bring extra bags in anticipation of LOTS of smelly clothes and dirty laundry. I'll put my sneakers in their own bag for transport (since they have their own, special stink), and then I'll put my race-day outfit in a separate bag as well. Then I'll have another plastic bag or two for other dirty clothes. I find it makes it easier to get started on the laundry once I get home by having everything separated, and most importantly, it keeps race day smells from permeating throughout my luggage. You could use packing cubes or canvas bags specifically for laundry, but I find it's more economical to just use plastic bags - Recycling for the win! **Don't bring any new gear to try for the first time This is more of a running tip in general, but you never want to try anything for the first time on race day. So don't waste space in your luggage on gear you haven't used before! You shouldn't be breaking in new sneakers, trying a new foam roller, or bringing five different hats/visors because you don't know which one you'll feel like using on race day. Stick to what your body is already familiar with, and what you know you'll use for the race or recovery thereafter. **Consider bringing leave-behind sweats for race day RunDisney's races all start in the wee hours of the morning, well before the sun comes up; I'm talking between 5 and 6 AM. That means that at start time, temperatures could be quite lower than what the anticipated high of the day will be. I'd recommend bringing some sort of layers, for top and/or bottom, that you're okay with parting with once you bring your body temperature up. This could include sweatshirts, sweatpants, bathrobes, old blankets, etc. Anything that is left behind at the start line or along the course is picked up by Disney and donated to local charities, so you're keeping warm before you run and also helping someone in need. You have the opportunity to check anything you'd like for later at the gEAR check area, but you might be standing out in the cold for a while in the corrals (especially if you're starting in a corral that is further back). RunDisney often provides runners with mylar blankets once they cross the finish line, so if you're participating in a multi-race challenge it's not a bad idea to hold onto yours for the next morning or save for a future race! **Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen Just like I'd recommend for a traditional day in the parks, you'll regret it if you don't bring plenty of sunscreen for your race-cation. Again, stick to what you're familiar with and know works for you while running, and don't forget to bring a smaller size for race day to keep on you. While you'll want to apply at the start, you'll want to reapply later if you're running a longer distance like a half or full marathon. Just doing a simple search on Runner's World for examples of severe runner sunburn will change you for life (I won't link here and gross you out - Check it out at your own risk). **Double-check for RunDisney's required check-in items before leaving home In order to run on race day, you have to visit the accompanying Health & Fitness Expo beforehand to pick up your bib. To pick up your bib, you'll need to have a government-issued photo ID and signed waiver. While you can print out your waiver at the expo if needed, I just find it best to have everything accounted for before arriving; one less thing to worry about. I'll take it one step further and actually bring my waiver (and other travel documents like flight and hotel confirmations) in a folder so I know where it is, and I can also use that folder for my bib to keep it flat and in a safe place before race day. If you pre-purchased anything with your race registration as well, like a jacket, pin bundle, or water bottle, you might want to bring your registration confirmation that lists out those items (if there's any issue at pickup). **Check the weather forecast and take precautions in the event of rain Unfortunately the Disney parks aren't immune from inclement weather (no, there is no dome over Walt Disney World!), so prepare for rain just like you would for a regular day in the parks. It's not a bad idea to have ponchos, rain jackets, or garbage bags on-hand for race day if any rain is in the forecast. And if you often run wearing a hat, bringing along your favorite water-resistant hat or visor could be helpful as well. Since starting distance running a little more than 3 years ago, I've become a big RunDisney fan and hope to continue participating in their races at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland as long as my body (and wallet!) will let me. In fact, I'm running the Avengers Half Marathon at Disneyland in November and the 25th annual WDW Full Marathon this January 2018, so be sure to check back for posts on my experiences thereafter. You can also follow me on Facebook for more fun and photos, and you can of course learn more about RunDisney and all of their events at www.rundisney.com. Is there anything on your must-pack list that you'd recommend? Share with us in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon! This year brought new RunDisney experiences for me, and another race to add to my list of favorites! With relatively flat courses, gorgeous medals, and a relaxed/low-key California vibe, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend. I ran both the 10K and half marathon as part of the Pixie Dust Challenge, and also completed another Coast to Cost Challenge (earning the coveted PINK version of the medal, but more on that below). While there was some criticism from the crowd on overall organization and entertainment, I had a fun weekend and plan on returning to participate again in years to come. Read on for some of my highlights from the weekend and thoughts. Expo Experience A big part of the fun at RunDisney events is the shopping! Most of that shopping happens at the Health & Fitness Expo that accompanies the weekend's races. All runners must visit the expo to pick up their bib and included race shirts, and there are also plenty of vendors selling fairy-themed goodies and official Disney merchandise. I personally liked the shirts that came with race registration this year (albeit the 10K wasn't my favorite shirt of the bunch), and I also thought there was a wide variety of official race merchandise available. I was able to snag a Tinkerbell sneaker ornament, some pins, and a fun tank top. It was also at the expo that I picked up the performance jacket I pre-purchased with race registration (which I love and fits really well, contrary to other RunDisney jackets). I visited the expo on it's second day (Friday), right at open time. There were definitely crowds at the beginning of the day, so I had to wait in a few lines: one to pick up my bib, and then another to get into the official merchandise area. I didn't think the wait times were very long though, and everything was well organized. A big purchase I made was one of the weekend's limited edition Dooney & Bourke bags, and there were plenty left by the time I reached their booth. Even though Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend is California's answer to Princes Half Marathon weekend, it was not nearly as hectic, crowded, and overall rushed as the Walt Disney World event. With the Pixie Dust Challenge, and any multi-race RunDisney challenges, I had one bib to wear for both the 10K and half marathon. Upon picking up my bib at the expo, I also had to get my photo taken. This photo is used to verify your identity at the end of the races to receive your challenge medal. Because I completed the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World a few weeks prior, I also received my Coast to Coast Challenge wristbands at the expo. One wristband was for the special edition pink C2C medal, specifically for finishers of both the Princess and Tink half marathons within the same calendar year. The other, blue wristband was for the regular C2C medal, and this year it was extra-special for the 10th anniversary of the challenge! While this might change moving forward, running the Princess Half Marathon qualified me for both medals. Always be sure to check in with RunDisney on policies like these to stay up to date before your event. Saturday - 10K Day The first leg of the Pixie Dust Challenge is the 10K, which boasts a course that winds throughout Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure. Nearly all of the 6.2 miles is onstage between the two parks, with a bit of time backstage and on the esplanade between the two parks. I started in Corral E, which was a very, very large corral. Because I was staying within walking distance to the Disneyland Resort (I highly recommend staying at the Desert Palms Hotel for Disneyland RunDisney race weekends), I was able to get a spot towards the front of my corral after dropping off my gEAR bag at the family reunion area. Security seemed a bit unorganized with the recent changes made to the checkpoints around the Disneyland Resort, but I arrived onsite early enough that I never felt I was up against time. Corral E was positioned pretty far away from the actual start line of the race, so it was a little challenging hearing and seeing the start line entertainment. It was also a bit odd that our corral wasn't walked up to the start until nearly the last second; when we were within a few yards of the start line, we were told to keep going and officially start running. Not the greatest way to start, but I didn't mind. RunDisney 10Ks are usually the most popular distances at race weekends, and this one was no exception. It was pretty crowded at the very beginning of the race, but I was able to find a pocket quickly and there weren't too many choke points on the course. I did have to bob and weave a bit around walkers though, as not many people followed the run on the left, walk on the right rule. I race using a run/walk interval method, so I typically stuck to the middle of the path. Apparently the previous day's 5K race was lacking in characters and on-course entertainment, but that was not the case with the 10K. There were quite a few character stops, Photopass photographers, and Cast Members dressed as pirates throughout the course. The only thing I didn't care for was that they REPEATEDLY played "Following the Leader" from Peter Pan, as the race was themed around the Lost Boys. I would have loved to hear other songs from the soundtrack like "You Can Fly." After a nice little kick at the end, I crossed the finish line and was given the cute Lost Boys-themed medal. In typical RunDisney fashion there were also bananas, Powerade, water, and food boxes available for runners (cheese dip and tortilla chips included), and Photopass photographers were stationed to take your picture with your medal and fun little paddles saying "I Did It." The lines for photos weren't too bad, and I was able to retrieve my gEAR bag pretty quickly as well. All in all, I had a great time at the 10K! Sunday - Half Marathon Day After taking it easy the rest of the day on Saturday, I was up before the sun again to run the half marathon and complete the Pixie Dust Challenge! I started in Corral E again, and this time there were some challenges with security and lines that actually caused the race to delay starting by a few minutes. I was there early enough again to position myself towards the front of my corral, but many runners were finding themselves pushing it to the limit with time to get into their respective corrals. Compared to races at Walt Disney World, you can usually sleep in a little bit for Disneyland races, but I wouldn't recommend waiting too long to get up and out to the start area, especially if you want to check a bag, take photos, etc. I tried to arrive at least an hour ahead of time, if not earlier, for both races. As mentioned, the start was delayed a little bit as runners were still going through security and traffic was backed up a bit. But our corral was walked up earlier than the day prior, and I felt a little more ready with that extra time. It was bit crowded again as runners found their paces, but it did open up fairly quickly. The first half of the course took us through Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure (nearly mimicking the 10K course) and then onto the streets of Anaheim. The entire course was pretty flat with a few up and down slopes, but nothing like the hills on the Princess Half Marathon course (I'm looking at you, mile 10 exit ramp). There were a few bands and DJs to provide some entertainment, as well as awesome community clubs with treats and encouraging words. I was able to set a new PR with this race and had a nice kick for the last 10th of a mile. The spectators at the finish (and all along the course, for that matter) were awesome, and I definitely got emotional crossing the finish line. Before picking up my RunDisney refreshments and gEAR bag, I received my four medals. The Pixie Dust Challenge medal is my current favorite of all my running medals, and it features a gorgeous spinner with Tink's wings! Pandora Jewelry was the presenting sponsor of Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend, so they had a hand in designing the medals (and you could definitely tell). Photopass photographers were available again for some post-race pics, but the lines did feel a bit longer than those from the 10K the day before. Overall, I really enjoyed the 2017 Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend! I definitely plan on running again, and would recommend these races to RunDisney fans and runners of all abilities and backgrounds. Even if you're local to Southern California (I live about a half hour away from the Disneyland Resort), I'd recommend staying in the area to make getting to the race start early/on time easier and to feel closer to the magic throughout the whole weekend. Take your time going through the expo and enjoy every magical mile of whichever race you choose to take part in. To learn more about RunDisney and all of their events at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, check out RunDisney.com. Until the next post, see ya real soon! |
About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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