2013 Princess Half Race Report - The DIS Discussion Forums

tink2007 · 02-26-2013, 08:02 AM

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Our weekend was full of so many ups and downs, I really don't know where to begin.
We checked in to CSR Friday afternoon and went straight to the Expo.
WOW - that was insane. We waited 30 minutes just to get in the Official Merchandise area and then another 40 minutes to pay for my "I Did It" shirt. I think last year I paided $25 for. This year $32?? We did not even try to walk around and look. It just wasn't fun.
We tried to get in the Maya Grill to eat but they were not taking any walk ins. So we settled for the Pepper Market. UGH!! The food was not good and I didn't like that we had to pay $18% tip for one refill on our drinks.
The resort itself is beautiful and I love the walk around the lake. It's beautiful at night. Our room was clean and quiet. We had no trouble getting to bed early.
Two girls in our group were first timers and were there for the 5K Saturday morning. Got to bed early and at some point I look at my phone only to see that it is 5:54am!! I started screaming "get up, get up!! We over slept!". Some how we set two alarms for 4:15 PM. DUH. I don't know how but they were up and dressed in about 10 minutes. I have never laughed to hard in my life. It was so funny to me to see them running around with bras and panties flying and one of them screaming "I have to POOP before I go". I figured we weren't going to get a bus so we hopped in my car to go. We got half way around the CSR entrance and saw a bus and I pulled my car right in front of it. I'm sure the driver thought we were car jackers. We explained to him what happend and he said he would try to get them there. They got to their corral at 6:28. They loved the race and now have a great story to tell.

Saturday, we spent hanging at the pool. The waterslide was so much fun. We got some great pictures of us on that thing. It was a great way to relax and rest for the half. We had planned on going to DTD to eat and do some shopping but my sister in law was there and called to tell us not to bother. She said it was so packed that we would never get in anywhere. We didn't want the Pepper Mill again so decided to go to the All Star Sports of all places to eat. I never thought I would say this but I love the food court there. We walked right in with no waiting. Orded pasta and got our own drink and didn't have to tip anyone. Again, we had no trouble going to bed early. This time we set 5 alarms and asked for a 2:45am
wake up call.

Everyone got up on time. We were ready and on the bus by 3:50ish. The line was long but plenty of buses. I got a little nervous when we were stuck in traffic for awhile but we got to corral C in plenty of time. Eveyone got to use the potty and had time to streatch. We started out like I thought we would weaving in and out trying to break free from the pack so we could get in pace. Well, that didn't happen. I felt like I was at the mall trying to run around Black Friday shoppers. We ended up getting seperated from each other. Around mile 4, the heat started getting to me. I was soooo nauseous. That was rough. Right before mile 8, I finally threw up. Got to the the medic tent and they gave me some ice chips. I just sat on the curb for a few minutes and actually felt better. I never considered quiting but just walked the rest of the way. Even walking I had a hard time getting around mobs of people that were at a mall pace. I saw several people trip and fall while trying to weave their way arround. I made it to the finish line in 3:04. I'm really dissapointed that I didn't finish in the 2:40 time that we trained for. Turned out that none of us did. It was just too crowded. I sent Rundisney an email this morning and poiletly asked them to consider limiting the number of particpants in future events. We registered for the ToT 10 miler in October while we were at the Expo. Now I'm wishing I had waited to see if they are going to make changes.

As tired as we were, after the race we showered, dresses and headed for MK. Not as crowded as I thought it would be. We got to ride a lot and I actually felt better as the day went on. I didn't get stiff and sore. I felt like I was in a car accident after riding Space Mtn. 3 times. Wow, that thing is rough. We ate supper at Rainforest at Animal Kingdom. They have the best ceaser salad!

To sum things up. I had a GREAT time with 5 of the best friends a girl could ask for and I would do it again next weekend if I could. I just hope Disney really considers making changes. I want to have fun as much as the next Princess but I also work very hard to train for a running event not a walk a thon.

cewait · 02-26-2013, 10:33 AM

Nice report....

Your 5k morning experience is a nightmare many of us dream about. Guess that is why I seem to wake before the alarms go off on big race day.

AJackson09 · 02-26-2013, 10:54 AM

What time Saturday were y'all trying to go to DTD? My sister and I were there from about 3 - 6, and we ate at Wolfgang Puck Express around 5 and the place wasn't even half full??
We also went to the Expo both days and didn't have near the waits you did.
Sorry you had so many crazy things/waits happen! Glad you didn't get too sick to finish the race, though!

tink2007 · 02-26-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJackson09

What time Saturday were y'all trying to go to DTD? My sister and I were there from about 3 - 6, and we ate at Wolfgang Puck Express around 5 and the place wasn't even half full??
We also went to the Expo both days and didn't have near the waits you did.
Sorry you had so many crazy things/waits happen! Glad you didn't get too sick to finish the race, though!

We were at the expo on Friday around 5ish. And my sister in law was at DTD from 5 until 7:30 ish. We could not get a bus so we tried to drive and ended up turning around because traffic was at a stand still on Buena Vista going toward DTD. That's how we ended up at the All Star.
We did go back to the expo right when it opened Saturday so my friend could return an arm pocket and got in before the mass of registration people. This was my third Princess and both times I really enjoyed the expo and loved the race. I just didn't enjoy it this year.

AJackson09 · 02-26-2013, 11:37 AM

When we were on the bus leaving DTD, we saw all of the traffic backed up on the road. Were all those people going to DTD?? We thought there must have been a wreck or something!!

runskyhy · 02-26-2013, 06:54 PM

Great review! Thanks for sharing! This was my first runDisney event and 2nd half. I had a great time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink2007

We checked in to CSR Friday afternoon and went straight to the Expo.

We stayed at CSR, too - fantastic resort! Did you reserve your room before or after the expo was moved there? We booked before and I very concerned about crowds when the expo moved there, but I shouldn't have worried - so relaxing! I really loved it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink2007

As tired as we were, after the race we showered, dresses and headed for MK. Not as crowded as I thought it would be. We got to ride a lot and I actually felt better as the day went on.

Wow! That's awesome! I crashed afterwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJackson09

When we were on the bus leaving DTD, we saw all of the traffic backed up on the road. Were all those people going to DTD?? We thought there must have been a wreck or something!!

We got stuck in that traffic on Saturday night. It was caused by a stalled car on Buena Vista Drive ahead of Entrance #1 into DTD. It took us over an hour to go 4 miles.

I guess you could say we took it easy... just sitting there in traffic.

Enjoyed reading about your experience. Thanks!

joan4mickey · 02-28-2013, 08:14 AM

What a difference a few minutes make...
I was at CSR and was at the bus stop around 3:35am, no line and no traffic to the drop off. There were several buses lined up to pick up at resort.

02-26-2013, 10:33 AM	#2
cewait DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: At the intersection of Ocoee, Winter Garden and Windermere... I hear thunder every night at 10pm Posts: 4,490	Nice report.... Your 5k morning experience is a nightmare many of us dream about. Guess that is why I seem to wake before the alarms go off on big race day. __________________ _________________ Coach Charles NASM-CPT, GFT Perfectly Goofy 2006-2013 Endurance Coach Running Disney since 99 I don't want easy - just possible

02-28-2013, 08:14 AM	#7
joan4mickey DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,596	What a difference a few minutes make... I was at CSR and was at the bus stop around 3:35am, no line and no traffic to the drop off. There were several buses lined up to pick up at resort. __________________ Joan 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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02-26-2013, 08:02 AM	#1
tink2007 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 447	2013 Princess Half Race Report The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Our weekend was full of so many ups and downs, I really don't know where to begin. We checked in to CSR Friday afternoon and went straight to the Expo. WOW - that was insane. We waited 30 minutes just to get in the Official Merchandise area and then another 40 minutes to pay for my "I Did It" shirt. I think last year I paided $25 for. This year $32?? We did not even try to walk around and look. It just wasn't fun. We tried to get in the Maya Grill to eat but they were not taking any walk ins. So we settled for the Pepper Market. UGH!! The food was not good and I didn't like that we had to pay $18% tip for one refill on our drinks. The resort itself is beautiful and I love the walk around the lake. It's beautiful at night. Our room was clean and quiet. We had no trouble getting to bed early. Two girls in our group were first timers and were there for the 5K Saturday morning. Got to bed early and at some point I look at my phone only to see that it is 5:54am!! I started screaming "get up, get up!! We over slept!". Some how we set two alarms for 4:15 PM. DUH. I don't know how but they were up and dressed in about 10 minutes. I have never laughed to hard in my life. It was so funny to me to see them running around with bras and panties flying and one of them screaming "I have to POOP before I go". I figured we weren't going to get a bus so we hopped in my car to go. We got half way around the CSR entrance and saw a bus and I pulled my car right in front of it. I'm sure the driver thought we were car jackers. We explained to him what happend and he said he would try to get them there. They got to their corral at 6:28. They loved the race and now have a great story to tell. Saturday, we spent hanging at the pool. The waterslide was so much fun. We got some great pictures of us on that thing. It was a great way to relax and rest for the half. We had planned on going to DTD to eat and do some shopping but my sister in law was there and called to tell us not to bother. She said it was so packed that we would never get in anywhere. We didn't want the Pepper Mill again so decided to go to the All Star Sports of all places to eat. I never thought I would say this but I love the food court there. We walked right in with no waiting. Orded pasta and got our own drink and didn't have to tip anyone. Again, we had no trouble going to bed early. This time we set 5 alarms and asked for a 2:45am wake up call. Everyone got up on time. We were ready and on the bus by 3:50ish. The line was long but plenty of buses. I got a little nervous when we were stuck in traffic for awhile but we got to corral C in plenty of time. Eveyone got to use the potty and had time to streatch. We started out like I thought we would weaving in and out trying to break free from the pack so we could get in pace. Well, that didn't happen. I felt like I was at the mall trying to run around Black Friday shoppers. We ended up getting seperated from each other. Around mile 4, the heat started getting to me. I was soooo nauseous. That was rough. Right before mile 8, I finally threw up. Got to the the medic tent and they gave me some ice chips. I just sat on the curb for a few minutes and actually felt better. I never considered quiting but just walked the rest of the way. Even walking I had a hard time getting around mobs of people that were at a mall pace. I saw several people trip and fall while trying to weave their way arround. I made it to the finish line in 3:04. I'm really dissapointed that I didn't finish in the 2:40 time that we trained for. Turned out that none of us did. It was just too crowded. I sent Rundisney an email this morning and poiletly asked them to consider limiting the number of particpants in future events. We registered for the ToT 10 miler in October while we were at the Expo. Now I'm wishing I had waited to see if they are going to make changes. As tired as we were, after the race we showered, dresses and headed for MK. Not as crowded as I thought it would be. We got to ride a lot and I actually felt better as the day went on. I didn't get stiff and sore. I felt like I was in a car accident after riding Space Mtn. 3 times. Wow, that thing is rough. We ate supper at Rainforest at Animal Kingdom. They have the best ceaser salad! To sum things up. I had a GREAT time with 5 of the best friends a girl could ask for and I would do it again next weekend if I could. I just hope Disney really considers making changes. I want to have fun as much as the next Princess but I also work very hard to train for a running event not a walk a thon. __________________ 1998 - All Star Music 2000 - All Star Sports 2002 - All Star Movies 2005 - Wilderness Lodge 2008 - Port Orleans Riverside 2009 - Marriott's Harbor Lake Resort 2010 - All Star Movies 2011 - Marriott's Harbor Lake Resort 2012 - All Star Sports 2013 - Coronado Springs Resort

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02-26-2013, 10:54 AM	#3
AJackson09 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 48	What time Saturday were y'all trying to go to DTD? My sister and I were there from about 3 - 6, and we ate at Wolfgang Puck Express around 5 and the place wasn't even half full?? We also went to the Expo both days and didn't have near the waits you did. Sorry you had so many crazy things/waits happen! Glad you didn't get too sick to finish the race, though!

02-26-2013, 11:37 AM	#5
AJackson09 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 48	When we were on the bus leaving DTD, we saw all of the traffic backed up on the road. Were all those people going to DTD?? We thought there must have been a wreck or something!!