Dopey Shenanigans! A Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend TR (Completed-videos added)

Add me to the list of everyone saying the expo was a cluster you know what! I was a sucker right along with you for the RunDisney merch line. I got in the line and it seemed to be moving decently and then we just stopped for a good 20 minutes and didn’t move. What made me really mad was I got stopped right before you could finally enter and watched several people come in from off the elevator or around another corner and the cast member just let them on through or pretended not to notice the. Since I was by myself and didn’t have any other plans, I stayed but it was very frustrating. Went back on Friday with my dad and it was so much calmer.
 
Add me to the list of everyone saying the expo was a cluster you know what! I was a sucker right along with you for the RunDisney merch line. I got in the line and it seemed to be moving decently and then we just stopped for a good 20 minutes and didn’t move. What made me really mad was I got stopped right before you could finally enter and watched several people come in from off the elevator or around another corner and the cast member just let them on through or pretended not to notice the. Since I was by myself and didn’t have any other plans, I stayed but it was very frustrating. Went back on Friday with my dad and it was so much calmer.
Yeah that line was definitely very frustrating. I never saw them let people in while I was near the front but I don't doubt it. They needed a better system for that.
 
I saw those lines out under the tent and assumed that was for general public (i.e. non-runners) to enter the merchandise area!! Rookie mistake, obviously.

Originally I got in the Dopey line, but a friendly runner pointed me in the right direction for my 5 and 10K bibs. After that, a very grouchy CM pointed me down the stairs and around the back of the building to enter for pre-paid merchandise. After I stood in that line almost 30 minutes, we took pictures over by the route maps hanging on the wall and quietly stepped around the rope into the merch area. There was not a chance I was going back outside to wait in a separate line (plus, nobody with any authority seemed to be upset about it.)

I was SHOCKED at the number of people camping out on the floor around the merchandise area with heaps and piles of shirts, jackets, glasses, you name it!! I had obviously read here on the DIS about people who go in and swoop up all the stuff to sell online. It was sickening how they were running and grabbing piles of things. I couldn't believe it!! I felt really bad for people that couldn't find the jackets, etc. to commemorate their races, when there were clearly people hoarding them on the floor.

I am glad to hear that what we experienced isn't the "norm" for a runDisney expo. I was able to find the "I did it!" shirt I was looking for from the 10K, an ornament, and also purchased a runDisney Mickey longsleeve shirt, but again waited in a lenghty line to pay!

After all that, we didn't make it into the other exhibitors building either. What. a. Day!
 
I saw those lines out under the tent and assumed that was for general public (i.e. non-runners) to enter the merchandise area!! Rookie mistake, obviously.

Originally I got in the Dopey line, but a friendly runner pointed me in the right direction for my 5 and 10K bibs. After that, a very grouchy CM pointed me down the stairs and around the back of the building to enter for pre-paid merchandise. After I stood in that line almost 30 minutes, we took pictures over by the route maps hanging on the wall and quietly stepped around the rope into the merch area. There was not a chance I was going back outside to wait in a separate line (plus, nobody with any authority seemed to be upset about it.)

I was SHOCKED at the number of people camping out on the floor around the merchandise area with heaps and piles of shirts, jackets, glasses, you name it!! I had obviously read here on the DIS about people who go in and swoop up all the stuff to sell online. It was sickening how they were running and grabbing piles of things. I couldn't believe it!! I felt really bad for people that couldn't find the jackets, etc. to commemorate their races, when there were clearly people hoarding them on the floor.

I am glad to hear that what we experienced isn't the "norm" for a runDisney expo. I was able to find the "I did it!" shirt I was looking for from the 10K, an ornament, and also purchased a runDisney Mickey longsleeve shirt, but again waited in a lenghty line to pay!

After all that, we didn't make it into the other exhibitors building either. What. a. Day!
The merchandise area was the worst handled I had ever seen. I really hope they fix that for the future although my hopes are not high.

I only missed out on two things I wanted really. I couldn't find the weekend ornament which apparently they restocked later and a Dopey jacket. I ended up getting a marathon jacket instead so that was okay.
 


I only missed out on two things I wanted really. I couldn't find the weekend ornament which apparently they restocked later and a Dopey jacket. I ended up getting a marathon jacket instead so that was okay.

I wish they would have had this at the Expo (or the merchandise tent at the finish line) vs releasing them the day after the marathon: https://www.shopdisney.com/dopey-ru...her-jacket-for-adults-limited-release-1464559

but, overall, I think my favorite design for the weekend was the pre-order jacket that I procrastinated too long on ordering
 


Agreed, I've been contemplating ordering that one and selling the zip up hoodie from the expo. I was confused about the timing, unless they are doing a post-expo release to help people who couldn't find sold out merchandise :confused3
They usually do put some stuff online post expo so this isn't that surprising to me.
 
A chilly end to the first night

As I left off of course I said I was meeting my friends at Pirates of the Caribbean. We went into that and got on pretty much right away. I don't know why but I didn't get any pictures of this ride. This would be my last time seeing it before the change of the red head scene. I always enjoy this attraction very much.

IMG_1624.JPG

After Pirates we were hungry again so we headed over to Pecos Bill's. This was my first time here in a long time. I ended up getting the Nachos and a bottle of water.

rsz_img_1626.jpg

Nachos were quite good so I am sure I will be back here again at some point soon.

After that we headed over to Winnie the Pooh which is another thing I haven't done in a long time. The attraction was fun but isn't one of my favorites.

IMG_1628.JPG

IMG_1637.JPG

IMG_1638.JPG

Once we finished bouncing with Tigger we split up and I can't remember why but I headed to Haunted Mansion by myself and rode that. It was about a 15 minute wait.

rsz_img_1643.jpg

Once I finished grim grinning with ghosts I had a FP to finish the night with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Big Thunder is my favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom. I happened to get seated by myself in the front row!

rsz_1img_1646.jpg

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness was a lot of fun but a bit cold.

IMG_1654.JPG

It was time to head to bed after that last Fastpass. I had an early morning and the start of the 2018 Dopey Challenge!

Up Next: Mylar, sweats, and hand warmers...
 
Castle photos are always a winner, especially at Christmas! I have only seen Sleeping Beauty's Castle decorated for Christmas... I hope that the decorations are still up next year at WDW for marathon weekend!

I also love Big Thunder- fun to be alone in the front row!

Looking forward to reading about the 5K!
 
Glad you survived the expo and made it to the park! HM is so much fun. We did Winnie for the first time and we were underwhelmed. It’s a great ride for those with really little ones I guess. Pecos Bills isn’t too terrible. I’ve heard lots of negative things about it but we’ve had some decent meals there.

Can’t wait to read about the races!
 
Following along! So nice meeting you, hanging out in the Corral and running into you on the race course! :)
 
Castle photos are always a winner, especially at Christmas! I have only seen Sleeping Beauty's Castle decorated for Christmas... I hope that the decorations are still up next year at WDW for marathon weekend!

I also love Big Thunder- fun to be alone in the front row!

Looking forward to reading about the 5K!

Christmas decor at Disney Parks is always great!

Glad you survived the expo and made it to the park! HM is so much fun. We did Winnie for the first time and we were underwhelmed. It’s a great ride for those with really little ones I guess. Pecos Bills isn’t too terrible. I’ve heard lots of negative things about it but we’ve had some decent meals there.

Can’t wait to read about the races!

I think Pecos got better when it changed to a Tex Mex menu instead of burgers. It just fits better there.

Races coming up tomorrow!
 
The FP didn't worry my too much. It wouldn't be the only time I missed a FP either. This trip for me wasn't so much about rides as it was running.
I missed my fastpasses for Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania on Sunday. The CM at Tower of Terror recommended that we go to Guest Relations and have them issue us new FPs. After explaining that I was slower at the marathon than I expected (I think it helped that I was wearing my medal :)), we were able to get on those rides right away!:-)
 
I missed my fastpasses for Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania on Sunday. The CM at Tower of Terror recommended that we go to Guest Relations and have them issue us new FPs. After explaining that I was slower at the marathon than I expected (I think it helped that I was wearing my medal :)), we were able to get on those rides right away!:-)
That great they did that for you! Most of the FPs I missed were me choosing to miss them rather than caused by other things.
 
Oh, some of my favorite rides! Pirates, HM and BTMRR. All classics and all great. A wonderful evening in MK.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top