The Tinkerbell half marathon will be held at Disneyland on January 29, 2013. There’s also a Never Land Family Fun 5k Friday night at 10:30pm(!) and different kids races of different lengths on Saturday January 28th.
2012 was the inaugural race and it cost $140 to do the half marathon and it sold out. Note: the registration does not include entry into the park.
THE EXPO
The expo was open and free to the public all weekend long; it was held at the Disneyland Hotel in Downtown Disney. The parking was free at Downtown Disney and plentiful.
I went early Saturday morning to avoid the rush and although there were a lot of people there already, it wasn’t too crowded.
The magic of the whole event was that everything was “Disneyfied” – from Tinkerbell cutout stickers on the walls leading into the expo to the multiple backdrops to take pictures, everything was done up, themed and really cute.
If you hate Tinkerbell, this is not your race: the bibs to the medals to the race booklets, everything was Tinkerbell.
13.1 Going on Crazy – photo credit
The expo wasn’t that big compared to some, but it was full of girly sparkly things, plenty of Luna bar samples, and it was efficiently laid out. Even with a lot of traffic, it wasn’t that crowded… at least when I was there.
THE RACE
A word to the wise: this race starts early. 5:45am early. I think it starts so early so the park can still open on time, but it’s also nice because it doesn’t get too hot out and you’re done early too.
Monica and I arrived at Disneyland around 4:25am and there was plenty of parking; we didn’t have to wait. The great thing about having the race at Disneyland is that it’s set up for a massive amount of people. (There were 11,000 women runners and 900 men – pretty dang good odds for the single dudes) Also, the parking was free.
Because we were there early, we never really waited in long of lines for the restrooms, but we did hang out in our corral for awhile.
I’d recommend getting there early and wearing a throwaway sweatshirt – Monica bought hers the night before from Goodwill. It’s not supercold but it was definitely chilly at 5am.
In true Disney fashion, the race started with fireworks and right on time.
I loved running through the park even though when we started it was pretty dark out. We started and ran in the park, through the Castle (loved), out in Anaheim and then finished at California Adventure.
You can see the Hollywood Tower of Terror ride behind us.
There were a lot of characters out on the course that you could stop and take pictures with; we didn’t stop at any but I tried to get a few pics on the fly.
There were also a few bands and cheerleading teams. It’s a very flat course and probably is very fast, but with this race I’d recommend just taking your time and enjoying it.
THE FINISH
It was a lot of fun running through California Adventure (the newer other half of Disneyland) and before we knew it, we were at the finish.
The finish area was the only thing that I thought was a little weak sauce. Maybe because we finished before the mad rush of people, but it just seemed a little empty, like not a whole lot was going on. I guess I just expected a lot more.
But they did have tons of food out (bars, bananas, waters, bagels I believe and energy drinks) as well as space blankets. And the medals are really cute:
Look how many bars I scored from the finish and expo:
THE SUMMARY
This is a really fun race and I thought for an inaugural event, Disney knocked it out of the park. I didn’t experience any negative race issues at all. There was plenty of support on the course, it was fun and exciting, just an all around great event.
I think it’d be a great family event to bring the kids and then go to the park afterwards.
It is expensive – it’s actually REALLY expensive for a half marathon. But it’s an event of itself. It’s NOT a race I would take seriously; I think it’s a fabulous one to dress up for (tons and tons of people dressed up) and to run with girlfriends, your mom, etc.
Overall, I’d rank it a 9.24 out of 10.
Sign up early, plan to do the race with others, take your time and dress up like your favorite character!
What’s the most FUN race you’ve done?
*Enter the CLICK giveaway; winner’s picked manana.
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Tough Mudder, for sure! Such a great time and the sense of unity was awesome! Plus, I like to play in the mud. What can I say!
I love my Disney races! I’ve ran three and I’m signed up for two more. They’re just really fun and Disney makes it all about the runners!
But if you thought DL was early, brace yourself if you ever do the Goofy challenge–for most of the onsite hotels, you need to leave your room no later than 3am!!
my first half was was disney world’s wine & dine half at night–i loved the night aspect of it!
i’m curious, even tho you loved running with your friend and loved the race, is there a little part of you wondering/thinking you could have finished in first place?
hahaha, no.
im not fast enough to get first and there’s always another race to run hard. i run so many races that i really enjoy the ones i get to run with friends.
This race looks super fun. I’ve never done one and I REALLY need to change that…
Walt Disney World’s marathon weekend. Best races I have done. Do the Goofy and rack up the bling.
Your costume is adorable! You’re TINY! Just like Minnie
I have said it before, but I love your costume.
The funnest one I have done was a Jingle Bell 5k where I dressed up. I will say that even though it was the funnest race I have done – I thought the course was hard for a “family fun type race”. Very big hills. I wore a tutu and antlers though – so it makes up for it. http://shouldaranfaster.blogspot.com/2011/12/jingle-bell-5k-anyone.html
Disney races are so much fun! I have run 4 of them (1 at Disney Land, 3 at Disney World)! I agree- they are expensive, but it is a great experience, especially if you are running your first half or full marathon. To be able to relax, have fun, and get your picture taken with the characters, pretty much guarantees you will cross the finish line with a smile on your face and excitement to sign up for more races (at least that’s what happened for me!).
I LOVED Tink. It was my favorite thing ever. It was my first half and it was so amazing. i Have the DUMBEST race photos because I was smiling like a dweeb at every photographer I passed. Lame.
Your costume rocked! Did you see any ladies dressed up as Cruella De Vil? That would have been rad!
no but that was my first thought to dress up as hers! then i realized how much easier minnie would be…
I saw one!
I’m pretty sure I’m going to come down and run this race with my friend next year. I should start saving up now
It’s a million dollars, but I had a blast
Racing with friends is the bizest.
OMG! Love the race photos!
I really enjoyed a small 5K I ran with some church members during December of last year. We all wore holiday headbands, and it was fun to just run it together.
But not gonna lie, I truly enjoy the San Jose Rock’n'Roll halfs where I have PR’d every race so far (haha, just three).
I always like the Jazz half here in New Orleans – it’s Halloween weekend so lots of people are in costume. Of course, the local favorite is the Crescent City Classic; it’s a 10k that the elites run, yet the locals here treat like a running party. Some people pull beer coolers; many are in costume; onlookers barbecue and try to get runners to eat hot dogs or drink a martini! Unfortunately I rarely run the CCC because it is so crowded.
Your review makes me so excited for the Princess Half at Disney World in 2 weeks! I’m still debating whether or not to run in costume…
You should totally run in costume! I ran it last and regretted now wearing a tutu or something sparkly.
Sounds like a lot of fun, and love the medal! You looked great too…great costumes.
Love the costumes! http://www.dashingdiva.net
Thanks for the very helpful race review!
The most fun race I’ve ever run was the Home Team Charity 10K in Chicago. The race was tri-organized by the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago White Sox (I am a diehard Blackhawks fan and I root for all Chicago sports teams in general). The race started at the United Center where the Hawks and Bulls play, and ended at U.S. Cellular Field where the Sox play. Everyone got a techno-shirt with their choice of team on it. They had the Bulls and Sox championship trophies at the finish line for viewing (although they didn’t have the Stanley Cup for the Hawks, unfortunately). You got to meet legends from all three teams, get their autographs and take pictures with them! This race was a Chicago sportsfan’s dream!
this race looks super fun.
I am so incredibly jealous of all the free bars you got. I love free stuff i would have tried to steal all the bars at the expo. Did you pick up any chocolate dipped coconut luna bars?? they are like crack. soo good.
This looks like such a fun race to do! If I ever make it out to California it sounds like a good one to put on the list.
Was there a race shirt, or bag or anything with bib pick up?
I am sad that I didn’t get to meet you and Monica! I had such a good time at the race it was my first half marathon! I can’t wait to run more, I love your blog and I can’t wait to read more. Loved the recap. Hope to meet you soon!
-Kristine
Your abs look HOT!!
I’ve never done a Disney race, but this one looks super cool If we ever make it to Disney Land (we’re East Coasters), I’ll try to plan it so that I can do this race.
The most FUN race I’ve ever done was the Diva Half Marathon. Lots of women there to cheer eachother on, great, flat, easy course, lots of tutus, and boas, tiaras and roses at the finish. FUN!!
It does look fun and that is probably the cutest medal I’ve ever seen!
The most fun race I’ve done was the Firefly 10K night time run. Everyone wears crazy reflective colors and glowsticks…I am definitely looking fwd to that one again this year.
LOOKS so fun!! Nicely reviewed–and love,love your costume!
The costumes are great! I’m still trying to decide whether to sign up for the Disneyland half in Sept. I wonder if the course is the same as the Tinkerbell?
I want to do a half, what a fun half to do. Love your ranking out of ten.
Tab
This event sounds like so much fun! Running in a Minnie Mouse costume at Disney Land of all places, and getting a tinker bell medal at the end of the day sounds all too fun!!:)
This sounds like it was so much fun!!
My most fun race ever…Bay to Breakers in San Francisco. Hands down. It was sheer chaos. A party in the streets. If you haven’t done it, you have to! Here’s a link to my blog about it: http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com/2010/05/bay-to-breakers-2010-one-of-those-days.html
~Tiffany
http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com
Love reading your blog and seeing your pics but an FYI: you stated the wrong date for the 2013 Tinkerbell Half. It is January 20, 2013. Running in it with 5 friends and can’t wait.