Pre-Register NOW for the 2018 RunDisney Half Marathon – The Dark Side

Pre-Register NOW for the 2018 RunDisney Half Marathon – The Dark Side

Darth Vader and Travel Time with Jenny wants YOU to Join the Dark Side for a weekend of Galactic Fun and out of this world running at the Walt Disney World Resort during the 2018 RunDisney Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side!   Now, for a very limited time, you can guarantee and secure your 2018 RunDisney Star Wars Dark Side Race Registrations before general registration is open to the public! 

There are NO TICKET REQUIREMENTS for this special offer, and all that is required is a minimum one night room stay in an on-property Walt Disney World owned Resort. 

The race weekend fun begins on April 19, 2018 and you do not want to miss out!  From the time you arrive at the Expo, to the time you line up in your corral, the force will be with you as you have an out of this world experience. 

The courses will take you through the parks and past some of your favorite attractions.  There will be on course race support with water and sports drinks (depending on distance), and of course, there will also be GREAT support with all the friends, family, and fans that cheer you on with homemade signs.  The race maps in this post are from the 2017 Run Disney Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side weekend events to give you an example of the course you could be running. 

The quote you will be given now is a standard rate for the room.  However, once Disney begins releasing specials for the time of your stay, Jenny, or your favorite Travel Time agent will work to get that applied to your vacation to save you some money for your RunCation! Speaking of saving money – you’re already off to a great start since you will have NO Active Fees for your race.  Your Travel Agent will also help you with any dining reservations, FastPass+ Reservations, along with all the other details that are involved with planning a Disney Parks vacation.  If you are an Annual Passholder, please let us know as well, as we can work to get those discounts applied once they are released.

When booking the package, a $200 deposit will be required at the time of booking, along with the applicable race fees.  You will also need to provide the e-mail for each participant to receive your registration link from Active near the time that General Registration opens.  At that time, you’ll be able to enter your proof of time, shirt size, etc. and purchase any commemorative merchandise that is available for the event.  Please see below for race fees:

Race & Date	Cost
Dark Side Challenge (Half Marathon and 10k)	$320
Star Wars Half Marathon April 22, 2018	$185
Star Wars 10K – April 21, 2018	$120
Star Wars 5K – April 20, 2018	$80
Kids Mile – April 21, 2018	$30
Kids Dashes – April 21, 2018	$20
Travel Insurance (Optional, but will cover race bib)	$77.50 per adult

As if you aren’t already excited for this special offer, take comfort in knowing that you can purchase optional Travel Insurance that would cover the Race Bib along with the vacation if you have to cancel or are delayed for one of the insured reasons.  This is a great thing to consider since RunDisney does not offer deferrals or refunds on Race Registrations (except through this special offer). 

 So, save yourself the worry and stress that comes with registration day, and allow an Authorized Disney Travel Agent from Travel Time give you the magical RunCation of your dreams!  All vacations booked for this special promotion will receive a FREE special gift before travel.

Photo credits: Keshia B

by: Jenny Hickey – Jenny@TravelTimeTravel.Com

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

Taking a Runcation with Disney! Vacation + Running + Mickey = Magic!

Taking a Runcation with Disney.

Let’s talk your next Disney vacation based around a Run Disney event. Whether you plan to participate in the event is entirely up to you, but, going on vaca during these times, is just a truly inspiring experience.

There are different themed races at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. My personal favorite is the Wine & Dine ½ marathon at Walt Disney World Resort. I’ve run it twice. My most recent race was the Princess ½ marathon at Walt Disney World Resort. I ran with some friends from a running group.

If you decide to run in the events, you can choose from many different distances 5k-full marathon (26.2miles).  There are also challenges, where if you run more than one race that weekend, you get an additional challenge themed medal and shirt, along with the medals and shirts you would get with your distance race. If you decide to run a race on each Disney coast (Florida and California) in the same 12 month time period, there’s a special challenge medal and shirt for you, too!

Staying on property is keen. You will have complimentary transportation to/from the events. We can help you choose the best resort that meets your family needs for each race event.

There is also a free race expo at every single race weekend. At the expo, is where you will pick up your bib, shirt, race event guide, and get to explore all of the wonderful vendors. Some of the merchandise you can buy at the expo are only available at the expo, such as the Disney themed New Balance shoes. For the shoes, you can pre-book a reservation to shop them. You can also pick up the latest Dooney and Bourke collection that was made themed to the race. Not to mention all of the fun merchandise in the Run Disney area of the expo featuring all things from shirts, hats, accessories, trinkets, and more that are Run Disney, and race event related!

When you book your race registration online (MONTHS in advance as they do sell out QUICK!), you can also pre-purchase race event pins, hats, jackets, etc. Note: not everything can be pre-ordered.

Now- let’s chat Kids Races. These races also tend to sell out quickly. However, if your little one is still crawling, there’s an event for them up to the older kids who want to run the Mickey Mile, and a few dashes in between for different age groups. Each kids race weekend shirt/medal stays in theme with the rest of the races. The kids love the race, they love the party beforehand, and love the treats JUST FOR THEM at the finish line! There is a parents waiting area, or you can run along with your child during the younger kid’s dashes.

Each child gets a t-shirt and medallion to call their own along with their registration. Go EARLY to the kids races so they can warm up with a live DJ, vendors hosting fun stations (hula-hoop, jump rope, Frisbee, coloring, etc). Plus, Mickey or Goofy are usually in attendance giving the little runners a high five at the finish line!

Some events host pre- parties or post parties on property, which anyone can attend, you just need to pay the fee to get in. The party events include food, and special entertainment.

Along the race courses (5K, 10K, ½ and full marathon), you won’t be bored. There is entertainment all along each course including rare characters you would normally never see in the parks, live bands, parade floats and DJs. Bathrooms, first aid stations, and water/food stations are plentiful along all courses, as well!

Did I mention that there is also a 5K on EVERY Disney Cruise that has a stop at their private island Castaway Cay? The 5K is no additional charge, and all participants get a unique running sight seeing experience on this gorgeous island, along with a finisher medallion.

Even if you don’t want to participate in the actual race events, you can still enjoy the race by spectating. Runners love to see your funny signs, give high-fives, hearing the cow bells, whistles, and your words of encouragement. You can sign up for ChEAR Squad, and you’ll get a shirt, and ChEAR Squad only sections to cheer inside the best locations in the parks, and at the finish line. If you don’t join ChEAR Squad, that’s okay! The race course runs along many of the on property resorts and popular common areas such as the TTC, and the WWoS Complex. If you don’t want to run, that’s okay! Come out, and cheer on the runners!

Throughout Walt Disney World Resort property, there are Run Disney trails that you can use as well. My favorites are the trails in the Boardwalk Resort, Fort Wilderness, and along the All-Star Resorts. They have signs along the route, and the Run Disney logo painted on the ground so you’ll know you’re on the right pathway. These are free for anyone to use.

A few race event weekends fall in with other events: Wine and Dine ½ is during Food and Wine Festival,  Avengers ½ marathon is during the beginning of Holiday season at Disneyland, and now, there are Star Wars ½ marathon weekends at BOTH Disneyland Resort AND Walt Disney World Resort. Disneyland is the Light Side, Walt Disney World Resort is the Dark Side. Run both of the half marathons, and get a special medal JUST for running these two!

The expo, parties, and event weekends are all family friendly, with an amazing experience that only Disney can provide for it’s participants. There is something for everyone to enjoy. If you have any further questions about your next Disney vacation around a race event, or for the cruise, contact one of us at Travel Time and we’ll be happy to assist you. Maybe I’ll see you at the next Run Disney event. Have a Magical Runcation!

By Amy@traveltimetravel.com

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

RUN Disney...What is all the fuss about?

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Looking for something different to do on your next Disney Vacation? A Run Disney run may be just the thing to change up your Disney Vacation. Each year the Disney Parks hold a number of runs, Disneyland hosts the Tinkerbell and Disneyland Half marathons while Disneyworld holds five races each year, including the Expedition Everest Challenge, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-miler, Wine and Dine half marathon, Walt Disney World Marathon, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  

The above runs may say they are half marathons or full marathons, but many of them include different options for runners of varying experience levels. Many runs offer kids races and shorter 5 k runs. Along with these options, the Expedition Everest Challenge also offers a family edition of the race where families can register to compete as a team of 2-6 people.

The cost to participate in the runs varies widely depending on which weekend you wish to participate in and which length event interests you. The cost covers registration as well as a participation prize pack that varies depending on event. Many of the races do sell out and are popular attractions, so be sure to book quickly when the event you are interested in opens up for registration.

Each of the runs has a finish line party, admission to some parties is included with the registration cost but this varies on the race, otherwise additional party passes may be purchased for a cost. Family and friends are welcome to purchase admission to the post-race parties as well but tickets are limited. Another popular option on race weekends is adding a spa package at one of the Disney Spas such as at the Grand Californian and Grand Floridian Hotels, guests wishing to have a spa treatment on these weekends should consider booking spa services in advance of traveling (407-WDW-SPAS).

There are some cool products available for runners, or for those who like to pretend they might run someday:

Prior to the start of the race, participants must pick up their race package from a designated location, for Disneyworld runs this is usually in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. As previously noted many of the races do sell out and so it is advisable to register for the race of your choice as early as possible. Registration can be done online at rundisney.com, and is straightforward. 

 By Melissa, melissa@traveltimetravel.com