Official Tinker Bell Half Marathon Check-In ** May 5-8, 2016 ** 5th Anniversary

[VickiHD]

Don't forget to get your dining reservations......we are 60 days out from race day now !!!!!

 

[wehrengrizz]

The World of Color show is the one in California Adventure around the lake and they screen projections of movies. Right now it's the Walt Disney story featuring NPH and Mickey Mouse. It's cute - and the dinner package puts you in a great section. Wine Country's menu is better for the dining package than the regular menu - so it's worth it.

(Someone else mentioned Carthay Circle and I'm not a fan -- over priced and not terribly great IMO. Great ambiance, but on par with Blue Bayou).

Paint the Night is the new version of the Main Street Electrical Parade -- I wouldn't do the dining package with this. (Too pricey for the cost of what you get). You could easily see the late parade. If you sit on a curb near the fire station, it comes from the front of main street back towards small world - so once the parade is done, you can get up and walk out of the park before the huge crowds follow

Excellent! I was trying hard to figure out what made Paint the Night's dinner package worth it, since I'll be solo, no kids to wrangle or lift high, and I'm kind of tall. I can stand wherever and see a parade (well, hopefully. But I'm totally taking your advice! )

 

[wehrengrizz]

I hope it's okay to ask this stuff on this thread, since I know many of you have run this race before!

I'm doing the 10K and leaving early Sunday morning (bummed to not chEAR on the 1/2 marathoners but have to get home to my 5 babies and DH!)...I fly out of SNA at 0800...I'm trying to figure out
---will it be crazy trying to get to the airport with 1/2 marathon traffic? I have no idea how long the commute is or how early is reasonable at SNA to get there for a flight (I say this b/c I'm coming from Fargo, ND. I know I can get there like 40 min before a flight and have zero issues, but I'm not naive, I know this is totally abnormal at like...every other airport but haven't been to SNA before)
---I'm staying at Quality Inn & Suites Anaheim At The Park /1166 W Katella Ave and no clue if this is on the race route? I thought I'd seen the race routes somewhere but now I can't find current ones (maybe I saw last year's instead)...are these on the rD website and I'm missing them?

Thanks everyone I <3 this thread, it's been super helpful!

 

[courtneybeth]

@wehrengrizz You may be just fine off the race route, but may have to do some fancy maneuvering to get back to the freeways. I found a road closure bulletin (01/16) from the City of Anaheim that may be able to provide some information -- typically these roads are the same http://local.anaheim.net/administration/PIO/news.asp?id=1780. (I used to live on the race route and this is one reason why I moved to where I am now).

SNA is a small airport that isn't open 24/7. You could probably get there at around 6am and be fine going through security. I'd leave around 5 or 530 from your hotel, grab some mcdonalds or starbucks for breakfast as you get closer to the airport and then do your thing.

 

[wehrengrizz]

@wehrengrizz You may be just fine off the race route, but may have to do some fancy maneuvering to get back to the freeways. I found a road closure bulletin (01/16) from the City of Anaheim that may be able to provide some information -- typically these roads are the same http://local.anaheim.net/administration/PIO/news.asp?id=1780. (I used to live on the race route and this is one reason why I moved to where I am now).

SNA is a small airport that isn't open 24/7. You could probably get there at around 6am and be fine going through security. I'd leave around 5 or 530 from your hotel, grab some mcdonalds or starbucks for breakfast as you get closer to the airport and then do your thing.

@courtneybeth awesome, thank you! I was thinking SNA was probably pretty small, glad to hear that my thoughts on Sunday morning's timeline aren't out of whack! I was figuring I'd be shutting down the parks sat night and not sleeping, glad to know I can probably get a couple of hours haha! I won't have a car, still deciding on transportation to /from SNA, but I didn't know what hours to search for availability.
yay! Thank you again

 

[courtneybeth]

@wehrengrizz - Do Uber or Lyft for transportation. That'll be the easiest since you're not renting a car and it's about 20 minutes from DL to SNA. I don't trust the cabs because you don't know what you'll pay until you get to the final destination.

There are some small eateries inside SNA - there's a McDonalds and a Starbucks. You may pay airport prices but SNA is only two terminals and super tiny.

 

[kirstie101]

The World of Color show is the one in California Adventure around the lake and they screen projections of movies. Right now it's the Walt Disney story featuring NPH and Mickey Mouse. It's cute - and the dinner package puts you in a great section. Wine Country's menu is better for the dining package than the regular menu - so it's worth it.

(Someone else mentioned Carthay Circle and I'm not a fan -- over priced and not terribly great IMO. Great ambiance, but on par with Blue Bayou).

Paint the Night is the new version of the Main Street Electrical Parade -- I wouldn't do the dining package with this. (Too pricey for the cost of what you get). You could easily see the late parade. If you sit on a curb near the fire station, it comes from the front of main street back towards small world - so once the parade is done, you can get up and walk out of the park before the huge crowds follow

I agree with this 100%! We've not had any problems getting curb seats for PTN. And I've read poor reviews on their dining packages so far. For WOC however my husband refuses to watch it without doing the dining package now. Its such a better view and less crowded. Though I imagine on Tink weekend the reserved viewing area my be more crowded than normal. I have WCT WOC package booked for our dinner after the Half. So looking forward to it again!

 

[VickiHD]

I agree with this 100%! We've not had any problems getting curb seats for PTN. And I've read poor reviews on their dining packages so far. For WOC however my husband refuses to watch it without doing the dining package now. Its such a better view and less crowded. Though I imagine on Tink weekend the reserved viewing area my be more crowded than normal. I have WCT WOC package booked for our dinner after the Half. So looking forward to it again!

What's your secret for finding curb seats for the "Pain in the night parade" ? (Yes I said pain...love the parade but hate the crowds for the parade) We usually are up at the train station or near City Hall. But the mouseketeer wants to get closer this time. Going next week and not doing the dining package for preferred seating. And it's spring break with crazy crowds. Just might have to have DH camp out curb side for hours like the others.

 

[avalovesminnie]

What time do you recommend getting to the corrals? We didn't submit times so are probably far back. When do they tell you your corral? I've heard it can take awhile just to get to the starting line and so I don't see a point in standing around for hours at that hour! We are staying at the Camelot on Harbor so only 10 min to DL gates but not sure how long to corrals. Thanks!!

 

[kirstie101]

What's your secret for finding curb seats for the "Pain in the night parade" ? (Yes I said pain...love the parade but hate the crowds for the parade) We usually are up at the train station or near City Hall. But the mouseketeer wants to get closer this time. Going next week and not doing the dining package for preferred seating. And it's spring break with crazy crowds. Just might have to have DH camp out curb side for hours like the others.

We usually sit in the IASW area. It seems to be the last area to fill up. We usually end up just past that little area with the two souvenir stands (does that make sense? Before the troubador tavern area) about an hour maybe before the show. The other place we seem to snag is just past pixie hollow on the ground over there. The benches fill up earlier but we can usually get a curb side front row seat there about an hour before hand too. With spring break crowds you might have to get there earlier though. But those are the spots we have the most luck with. DS and DD love being close. Especially DS when Mac truck comes around!

 

[VickiHD]

We usually sit in the IASW area. It seems to be the last area to fill up. We usually end up just past that little area with the two souvenir stands (does that make sense? Before the troubador tavern area) about an hour maybe before the show. The other place we seem to snag is just past pixie hollow on the ground over there. The benches fill up earlier but we can usually get a curb side front row seat there about an hour before hand too. With spring break crowds you might have to get there earlier though. But those are the spots we have the most luck with. DS and DD love being close. Especially DS when Mac truck comes around!

Thanks for the info. I think I'll send DH out to hold a spot.

 

[kim3339]

Going next week and not doing the dining package for preferred seating. And it's spring break with crazy crowds. Just might have to have DH camp out curb side for hours like the others.

I thought you weren't going until Tink! Just kidding, but super jealous!! I want to go, but can't make it until then. And I keep waiting to see if they're doing the 24 hr thing again, but so far nothing.

What time do you recommend getting to the corrals? We didn't submit times so are probably far back. When do they tell you your corral? I've heard it can take awhile just to get to the starting line and so I don't see a point in standing around for hours at that hour! We are staying at the Camelot on Harbor so only 10 min to DL gates but not sure how long to corrals. Thanks!!

I think the corrals open around 4:30ish, it just depends on how close to the front of the corral you want to be. They started do security checks on people going into the corrals at SW so make sure you allow some extra time for that. I heard it wasn't too bad at SW, but you never know.

 

[VickiHD]

I thought you weren't going until Tink! Just kidding, but super jealous!! I want to go, but can't make it until then. And I keep waiting to see if they're doing the 24 hr thing again, but so far nothing.

.

We're tagging along on DH business trip. Hotel and gas can be expensed. But that also means it's just me and the mouseketeer for most of the week in the park...... after that Tink will be a "walk in the park". We're not on Harbor and will have to take a ART bus....I swear the mouseketeer is excited about riding that bus as the Main Street Vehicles.

 

[joan4mickey]

I think the corrals open around 4:30ish, it just depends on how close to the front of the corral you want to be. They started do security checks on people going into the corrals at SW so make sure you allow some extra time for that. I heard it wasn't too bad at SW, but you never know.

What is "SW"?

I feel like I am going into this adventure a bit blind....I just signed up two weeks ago. I think I got a good hotel, not much available. Got my plane ticket and will get a park ticket from Get Travel..the event discount tickets. If anyone with prior Tink experience has any help hints...please share.

 

[VickiHD]

What is "SW"?

I feel like I am going into this adventure a bit blind....I just signed up two weeks ago. I think I got a good hotel, not much available. Got my plane ticket and will get a park ticket from Get Travel..the event discount tickets. If anyone with prior Tink experience has any help hints...please share.

I think they were referring to Star Wars (SW).
You are going to have a GREAT time at Tink. I've run it every year and it is my favorite race. The race course and race entertainment is lots of fun. If you are into the "event Merchandise" get to the expo early. There are some of us who line up EARLY opening day. It makes it easy to purchase the items you want because things sell out. It sounds like you've got everything covered for your trip.

 

[kim3339]

We're tagging along on DH business trip. Hotel and gas can be expensed. But that also means it's just me and the mouseketeer for most of the week in the park...... after that Tink will be a "walk in the park". We're not on Harbor and will have to take a ART bus....I swear the mouseketeer is excited about riding that bus as the Main Street Vehicles.

An expensed trip is good and a long trip too! That's so cool! Love that he's excited for the ART bus, sometimes it's the new and little things that make it fun. Have a great trip and hope it's not too crowded for you!

Are you guys going down Wed for Tink? Maybe I'll see you at the expo Thur morning.

What is "SW"?

I feel like I am going into this adventure a bit blind....I just signed up two weeks ago. I think I got a good hotel, not much available. Got my plane ticket and will get a park ticket from Get Travel..the event discount tickets. If anyone with prior Tink experience has any help hints...please share.

Like Vicki mentioned, it's Star Wars, sorry!

Tink's my fave Disney race too. The courses (if they stay somewhat the same) are my fave. For the 1/2, at the end of DTD the are a ton of Red Hat ladies cheering us on, it's the best. And it's a lot more friendly than Princess. And also like Vicki mentioed, things can sell out fast, but it's not a free for all like WDW. Early on when the expo opens each day, you line up in a ballroom at the hotel (they'll tell you where to go) and they let you in a little at a time so it's not crowded and crazy. If you go later in the day when it's not crowded you can go in. The merch and booths are on the main floor and the bibs are in the underground parking lot. That's also where you get the dooneys and preordered race merch like pins and jackets as well as the Get Travel park tix. Are you doing the 5k? If you are and it's the same course as the past, we start in DL and b/c of that there really aren't any true corrals. You pretty much line up 1st come 1st serve and then they rope off little sections and break it up that way.

Hopefully the parks won't be too crowded this year. Last year it was the 1st time in May, but on Sat, they opened up the Haunted Mansion w/ the Hat Box ghost and had the Tomorrowland red carpet event (Clooney included) in DTD and Tomorrowland closed off early for an after party, so it was crowded that day.

 

[joan4mickey]

Thanks for all the info.
I won't get there early. I am flying in on Friday afternoon so I may be able to check out expo that night, but will be there on Saturday morning. I am only doing the half...I have done the Princess every year and I got a bit excited as I finally broke the 2 hour mark this year and my DD is expecting my first grand-baby in October so I thought it would be fun to do a mother/daughter thing. She flies in Saturday so we will do the park on Sunday-Tuesday. I found a map of the course, if it is the same:
http://www.halfmarathons.net/course-map-disney-tinker-bell-half-marathon/
guess those hills are overpasses. I did run the DL half in 2010 and this course looks a lot different.

 

[kim3339]

Thanks for all the info.
I won't get there early. I am flying in on Friday afternoon so I may be able to check out expo that night, but will be there on Saturday morning. I am only doing the half...I have done the Princess every year and I got a bit excited as I finally broke the 2 hour mark this year and my DD is expecting my first grand-baby in October so I thought it would be fun to do a mother/daughter thing. She flies in Saturday so we will do the park on Sunday-Tuesday. I found a map of the course, if it is the same:
http://www.halfmarathons.net/course-map-disney-tinker-bell-half-marathon/
guess those hills are overpasses. I did run the DL half in 2010 and this course looks a lot different.

Congrats on breaking 2 hours!! Yes, the hills are overpasses, there's a slight incline along Manchester before we hit Harbor around mile 11-12, but not a true hill. The course is better than DL, b/c w/ DL, the Anaheim part is industrial, but most of the Anaheim part for Tink is residential and downtown Anaheim so it's visually better. The course will probably change a little bit around DL and the backstage area, b/c the backstage area is where they've started construction for Star Wars Land and the section from Fantasyland to Frontierland along the backside of BTMRR is closed too.

 

[VickiHD]

An expensed trip is good and a long trip too! That's so cool! Love that he's excited for the ART bus, sometimes it's the new and little things that make it fun. Have a great trip and hope it's not too crowded for you!

Are you guys going down Wed for Tink? Maybe I'll see you at the expo Thur morning.

Thanks!!
Yes, we are heading down (hopefully early) Wend. for Tink. I'll definitely be at the expo early Thurs morning. Just a matter of how early?? When are you flying in??

 

[kim3339]

Thanks!!
Yes, we are heading down (hopefully early) Wend. for Tink. I'll definitely be at the expo early Thurs morning. Just a matter of how early?? When are you flying in??

I get in around 9:30 Wed night. There's a flight after work at 6:30 and I could just go straight from work, but I figured the parks would close at 8 like last year, so I wouldn't get any park time either way and this way I can eat a good dinner and not feel rushed Wed morning before I go to work.