Princess Half Marathon Weekend Deals?

[LisaBelle]

Hi everyone! My I sister and I are signed up to run the Princess 5k February 19, 2016. We have never been to WDW at this time of year so we are not sure if there will be any special discounts offered during that weekend. We are hoping to stay at the Poly and would love it if we could get a discount. What about pin codes? I know I've received one for a spring time frame but don't think I've ever gotten one for February. Any knowledge of past pricing during this time of year would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Tuvalu]

Stay, Play and Dine packages have been offered January-March the past few years as well as room discounts. But I don't know if the Princess Marathon weekend was included or not. My daughter and I share your dilemma; she is running the Glass Slipper Challenge and really wanted to stay at the Poly, but even with a discount it is out of her price range.

We booked Pop just to make sure we have a room.

 

[LisaBelle]

Thanks! We are celebrating my 50th birthday so we are willing to splurge, but would definitely take advantage of any discounts that might come along. Do you know when those discounts are typically announced? Also if we book now to get a room can we apply a discount that comes out later?

 

[Tuvalu]

Discounts for that time of year usually appear in October. You can apply a discount to an existing reservation provided the resort and room category are included in the offer (sometimes there are exclusions and limited availability.) Since the Princess Marathon is a very popular event, I encourage you to book soon so that you can stay where you want (or at least have more options than if you wait.)

What a fun way to celebrate a milestone birthday!

 

[dreamfinder]

Thanks! We are celebrating my 50th birthday so we are willing to splurge, but would definitely take advantage of any discounts that might come along. Do you know when those discounts are typically announced? Also if we book now to get a room can we apply a discount that comes out later?

You can see past discount release dates here -> http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/ to get an idea as to when they might come out. If you book now you can apply a discount later, if that discount is applicable to your booking and has availability. The catch 22 with booking now is they may have enough demand to not need to offer discounts.

Keep in mind that the Princess usually falls in line with some school vacations, so the resorts are usually pretty full.

 

[KLeigh]

Do they still offer room and ticket discounts for runners? (Through the runDisney website/call center.)

I ran the Jingle Jungle 5k in November 2013, and we received a discount on our room at POFQ and park ticket discounts just by signing up for the race. All of the details were listed on the website, and I called to book.

 

[Tuvalu]

Do they still offer room and ticket discounts for runners? (Through the runDisney website/call center.)

I ran the Jingle Jungle 5k in November 2013, and we received a discount on our room at POFQ and park ticket discounts just by signing up for the race. All of the details were listed on the website, and I called to book.

There are no discounts for the Princess.

 

[KLeigh]

There are no discounts for the Princess.

For the whole event weekend or the 5k in particular? Because they didn't ask which race I was running when I called to book.....

 

[Tuvalu]

For the whole event weekend or the 5k in particular? Because they didn't ask which race I was running when I called to book.....

My daughter said it is listed on the RunDisney site. The Princess weekend is the most popular RunDisney event.

 

[LisaBelle]

You can see past discount release dates here -> http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/ to get an idea as to when they might come out. If you book now you can apply a discount later, if that discount is applicable to your booking and has availability. The catch 22 with booking now is they may have enough demand to not need to offer discounts.

Keep in mind that the Princess usually falls in line with some school vacations, so the resorts are usually pretty full.

Thanks for the link. We will check it out. Based on the information we've received we are planning to book in the next few days and will hope that we can apply a discount later.
Thanks also for your information prior to Princess registration. Your tips helped us to get registered quickly.

Do they still offer room and ticket discounts for runners? (Through the runDisney website/call center.)

I ran the Jingle Jungle 5k in November 2013, and we received a discount on our room at POFQ and park ticket discounts just by signing up for the race. All of the details were listed on the website, and I called to book.

I was wondering the same thing.

There are no discounts for the Princess.

Well that's disappointing!! Thanks for letting us know!

Discounts for that time of year usually appear in October. You can apply a discount to an existing reservation provided the resort and room category are included in the offer (sometimes there are exclusions and limited availability.) Since the Princess Marathon is a very popular event, I encourage you to book soon so that you can stay where you want (or at least have more options than if you wait.)

What a fun way to celebrate a milestone birthday!

Thanks! We are super excited. I plan to write a Pre Trip Report as soon as we have our resort reservations.

 

[dreamfinder]

Do they still offer room and ticket discounts for runners? (Through the runDisney website/call center.)

They have been peeling back the discounts for lodging/tickets for a while. When I first started, they even offered discounted tickets for Marathon weekend, but quickly dropped those. I think they find it easier to simply work with their Travel Agents. Make a little less profit, but way less work.

 

[MickeyMomV]

Stay, Play and Dine packages have been offered January-March the past few years as well as room discounts. But I don't know if the Princess Marathon weekend was included or not. My daughter and I share your dilemma; she is running the Glass Slipper Challenge and really wanted to stay at the Poly, but even with a discount it is out of her price range.

We booked Pop just to make sure we have a room.

We were there for the Princess this past Feb and qualified for Play, Stay, Dine. We came in on the Thursday before and were there for 11 days. A lot of time the "check in" date is the week before or the week after so if you are staying a long period you get the discount but if you are there just for the weekend you miss out.

 

[LAKid53]

My daughter said it is listed on the RunDisney site. The Princess weekend is the most popular RunDisney event.

They didn't offer a special discount for the weekend last year. Used to be just a few resorts were the designated resorts for the races (making transportation easier), but that was not the case last year.

Yes, there are typically discounts starting after the holidays are over in January through March. I would make a reservation now and you can always call once the discount is released to the public. All the races are sold out, so don't wait too long.

 

[LAKid53]

Hi everyone! My I sister and I are signed up to run the Princess 5k February 19, 2016. We have never been to WDW at this time of year so we are not sure if there will be any special discounts offered during that weekend. We are hoping to stay at the Poly and would love it if we could get a discount. What about pin codes? I know I've received one for a spring time frame but don't think I've ever gotten one for February. Any knowledge of past pricing during this time of year would be appreciated! Thanks!

Me too. Looking forward to it. And I hope it is warmer than last year's - nothing like running a race in the dark and low 30s.

 

[MickeyMomV]

Used to be just a few resorts were the designated resorts for the races (making transportation easier), but that was not the case last year.
.

This depends on the size of the race. When we ran the ToT 10 mile (sadly this race is no more) the host resorts were very limited because of the race size. Even for the Wine and Dine this November, which is now the smallest race at WDW, the Host resorts are limited. Only 3 or 4 from each resort level. Only host resorts will run the additional transportation to and from ESPN for registration pickup and to the race locations at the race times.

All of the information can be found at the RunDisney site.
http://www.rundisney.com/travel/disneyworld/

 

[MickeyMomV]

Me too. Looking forward to it. And I hope it is warmer than last year's - nothing like running a race in the dark and low 30s.

It was CRAZY COLD!!!!! We did the 10k the morning after the 5k and it was a balmy 40-45 degrees. First RunDisney event that we had to wear running pants at.

 

[LAKid53]

It was CRAZY COLD!!!!! We did the 10k the morning after the 5k and it was a balmy 40-45 degrees. First RunDisney event that we had to wear running pants at.

My daughter was on cat sitting duty and she ended up staying at my house (I live in North Florida) for a few days that weekend because WE got temperatures in the upper teens to low 20s and I was afraid my pipes would freeze. Needed her to do the old faucet drip procedure at night while I was away.

I sure hope last year's weather for the race was an anomaly and this year's race will be more in the 40s-50s. Agee, nothing like running a race in Central Florida having to wear running pants, even thought it is technically still winter.

 

[LAKid53]

This depends on the size of the race. When we ran the ToT 10 mile (sadly this race is no more) the host resorts were very limited because of the race size. Even for the Wine and Dine this November, which is now the smallest race at WDW, the Host resorts are limited. Only 3 or 4 from each resort level. Only host resorts will run the additional transportation to and from ESPN for registration pickup and to the race locations at the race times.

All of the information can be found at the RunDisney site.
http://www.rundisney.com/travel/disneyworld/

All the resorts are host resorts this year, just like last year. A friend has been running the Princess for several years and she said that the popularity of the race has increased the past 2 years or so. By the time I remembered to early register (as a DVC member) on July 1st, all the races but the 5K were sold out.

I didn't realize the ToT 10 miler is gone. I hear the same about the Everest Challenge. We couldn't do the race this year but wanted to do it next year since it sounds like fun with the obstacle course, but I've heard that it won't be run any more.

May have to fly out to California and do the Star Wars race one year. And I'm sure I can convince my soon to be son in law to participate in the Avengers sometime.

 

[LisaBelle]

We were there for the Princess this past Feb and qualified for Play, Stay, Dine. We came in on the Thursday before and were there for 11 days. A lot of time the "check in" date is the week before or the week after so if you are staying a long period you get the discount but if you are there just for the weekend you miss out.

Thanks for the info. We are planning to arrive Wednesday and check out Monday, so we will keep our fingers crossed that we will be there long enough for a discount.

They didn't offer a special discount for the weekend last year. Used to be just a few resorts were the designated resorts for the races (making transportation easier), but that was not the case last year.

Yes, there are typically discounts starting after the holidays are over in January through March. I would make a reservation now and you can always call once the discount is released to the public. All the races are sold out, so don't wait too long.

My sister made the reservation yesterday! Now we count down and hope for discounts.

Me too. Looking forward to it. And I hope it is warmer than last year's - nothing like running a race in the dark and low 30s.

OMG! Would never have guessed it would be that cold! Glad you mentioned it so we'll be prepared.

This depends on the size of the race. When we ran the ToT 10 mile (sadly this race is no more) the host resorts were very limited because of the race size. Even for the Wine and Dine this November, which is now the smallest race at WDW, the Host resorts are limited. Only 3 or 4 from each resort level. Only host resorts will run the additional transportation to and from ESPN for registration pickup and to the race locations at the race times.

All of the information can be found at the RunDisney site.
http://www.rundisney.com/travel/disneyworld/

Thanks. I will check it out.

It was CRAZY COLD!!!!! We did the 10k the morning after the 5k and it was a balmy 40-45 degrees. First RunDisney event that we had to wear running pants at.

LOL! Definitely hope it is warmer this time around.

 

[LisaBelle]

My daughter was on cat sitting duty and she ended up staying at my house (I live in North Florida) for a few days that weekend because WE got temperatures in the upper teens to low 20s and I was afraid my pipes would freeze. Needed her to do the old faucet drip procedure at night while I was away.

I sure hope last year's weather for the race was an anomaly and this year's race will be more in the 40s-50s. Agee, nothing like running a race in Central Florida having to wear running pants, even thought it is technically still winter.

Definitely hope it was an anomaly!

All the resorts are host resorts this year, just like last year. A friend has been running the Princess for several years and she said that the popularity of the race has increased the past 2 years or so. By the time I remembered to early register (as a DVC member) on July 1st, all the races but the 5K were sold out.

I didn't realize the ToT 10 miler is gone. I hear the same about the Everest Challenge. We couldn't do the race this year but wanted to do it next year since it sounds like fun with the obstacle course, but I've heard that it won't be run any more.

May have to fly out to California and do the Star Wars race one year. And I'm sure I can convince my soon to be son in law to participate in the Avengers sometime.

I was disappointed to hear that the Everest Challenge was going away. My sister and I thought that sounded like lots of fun. We were hoping to do that one another year. Maybe they will come up with a fun alternative.