runDIsney Princess Weekend 2016

The expo will be open until 7 or 8PM on Thursday. They'll update the RunDisney site with the times eventually but last year it was open 10am to 8pm. Pi think it's usually crazier first thing when it opens, everyone wants to get there and get merchandise before it sells out. Later in the afternoon should be calmer. Parking isn't bad but I still prefer to use disney transportation. For Princess all resorts are host resorts. For the 5K driving to epcot shouldn't be too bad. We had no problem driving to the 5K during marathon weekend. However at that time of morning, why not let someone else drive you we were staying offsite so had no choice.

We usually leave right after the race but I imagine people stick around afterwards. Depends what time you finish and when the park opens. If you finish at say 7:30 and the park opens at 9, you might not want to hang around. Runners are VERY friendly I find. I'm pretty introverted and shy so I don't really start up conversations with random people but people would chat me up on the monorail to the race and in the corrals. You'll meet plenty of people and have a blast

Just a word of caution.......you may become addicted to RunDisney! It's so awesome

Awesome! I'm doing the 10K in January and then in February the 5K and Glass Slipper challenge. My Dad is doing the 5K with me so if you see us feel free to join up with us

I'm thinking of attempting the full marathon in 2017 but that might just be a dream

Oh and there is also a rumour going around that a new race weekend will be coming to WDW in April. The rumour is that it will be a Star Wars theme. Again this is still rumour and speculation. Since you're doing a Star Wars cruise I thought it might interest you

Spook's done a lot more runDisney events, so she's definitely the expert in this field, but a few thoughts on your questions...

I would classify ESPN as having ample parking, but you'll be walking a fair distance from the lot to the complex even if you get a good spot. It's a cool place though. Looks like sort of a Spanish architectural influence--reminds me of Coronado Springs in a way.

I think from the conversation that you are running the 5K? When I first started running, I signed up for a local 5K and since it was only .25 miles from my house, I figured I could just walk down and walk home. Personally, I'm ok WHILE I'm running, but after I stop, my feet go into immediate revolt. They swell and ache and I just want to cut them off and leave them behind. You may or may not feel up to walking the parks all day right away after the race. Even at 5K, I'd schedule some tentative down time. When we were at DL in March, one of the free H2O spa products was a mint foot rub. I'm not sure if they sell it at the WDW gift shops, but it was amazing. I highly recommend it post-race.

Last fall was my first runDisney event and I ran solo. I chatted with a few people at first, but honestly, I was too nervous to make friends and having no idea how I'd actually do with the pressure of a race, I didn't want to try to pace myself with anyone. I thought I'd be lonely because I run about 80% of my training runs with a buddy. But actually, it was kind of nice. There was plenty of scenery to look at and just getting to take in everything at a running pace instead of a bus pace was really cool. Near the end of the race, there were awesome volunteers who were cheering everyone on and they made you feel like you were the only person running the race and that you were about to come in first place. I really can't say enough about those amazing people.

JMed & Spook, we should definitely try to meet up at some point! I would love to meet you ladies in person!

I have no advice as I've never done a runDisney event, but man am I jealous. I'm a super amateur runner (ran a half marathon for my first race and now do 5k and 10k training and races when I need to get back into shape) but I would LOVE to do a runDisney race some day so I'm pumped to hear about your experience. And yay for a solo trip!

2. Pop usually offers transportation to the expo and to the races.
4. I fell into a group, I don't think it would be hard for you! I found a group of ladies that I decided to keep pace with for my race and they ended up becoming my friends once they noticed I was keeping pace with them.

We are staying at BLT

Haven't booked our rooms yet. I'm leaving the choice up to my sister in-law since this is the first time she gets to go to WDW kid free. I remember her once telling me that she's always wanted to stay at the Poly, but I'm not sure she knows what that means cost wise yet. I'll be talking to her next week (they are on vacation this week) to nail down our plans.