Our runDisney obsession began with the – wait for it – MAGICAL adventure that was the 2013 Princess Half Marathon. And because we can’t relive it enough, we wanted to talk about the experience. We’ll be more timely about the next one, we promise!
JENN: You ready to talk Princess Half Marathon 2013?
MOON: Oui oui!
JENN: Let’s start by talking Expo. Given that we’re five months behind (shhhhh! We are TOO relevant!), it’s no secret that due to a conflict the Fit for a Princess Expo took place at Coronado Springs, in the convention areas. Usually it’s in the ESPN Wide World of Sports.
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| And neither him nor me was ever seen again! |
We haven’t been to the Wide World of Sports, but since everyone else on earth seems to corroborate this opinion, I think it’s safe to say it was somewhat oppressively crowded. The packet pick up and t-shirt distribution were fairly quick – we must have showed up at just the right time (which was around 12PM on Thursday, if you’re wondering) – but once we stepped into the vendor areas it was PACKED.
MOON: That was the weird thing. We get there and were directed to a large open space with many booths and barely any people. The Expo was all in one big space, if I remember correctly.
JENN: Yeah, an enormous ballroom with no wall dividers.
MOON: And the actual expo portion had a lot of vendors in a small space. Then add A LOT of runners.
JENN: Then add me, determined to get into the Official Merchandise Tent. Moon, ever the trooper, braved the line with me, which was corralled by masking tape on the floor.
MOON: I found the masking tape amusing, though!
JENN: How long would you say we waited – twenty minutes? Thirty?
MOON: I would say twenty, but I think the reason it was only twenty was because everyone was getting in the store and realizing there wasn’t much left.
JENN: It was like being line for a ride. But no. You were in line to give them more money.
MOON: And then they didn’t have much to buy! š
JENN: Moon is absolutely right. Cast members were indeed restocking items as best as they were able, but the hoards inside picked over the merchandise in record time. And to be absolutely honest, I wasn’t entirely thrilled with what I did see.
Look, I’ve got nothing against pink. Or sparkles. I like pink AND sparkles. But I don’t necessarily want a sparkly pale pink t-shirt. (A hot pink t-shirt, on the other hand…) There was really very little on the shelves that didn’t scream I’M A PRETTY PRETTY PRINCESS! To be fair, it was the Princess Half Marathon…
MOON: I would have appreciated a simple tee with the event name and maybe a year?
JENN: Precisely. Now, if you DO like the pale-pink-and-rhinestones thing, more power to you! I just feel there should’ve been a greater variety.
MOON: Hear hear. I mean, we already get a purple running shirt with a giant castle on it. Anything more would be overkill… for me, at least!
You did find a jacket, right? I think it was white?
JENN: Close – it’s black!
MOON: Ha!
JENN: You see I, being the great genius that I am, had managed to forget my hoodie at home. I had usurped an extra of Moon’s for the time being to combat chilly mornings and evenings, but I was bound and determined to find a replacement jacket of some sort.
The super-lightweight zip-up hoodie I did end up getting was the lone example I saw hanging on the rack. It was simple a black and had just the Princess Half logo on the breast and the runDisney logo on the sleeve. I’m very pleased with it and wear it ALL THE TIME. It was a small, and I had been displeased with the tightness of the sleeves in the teal track jacket I had just tried in a small, but by some miracle it fit me. Victory!
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| Jenn’s Jacket of Subtlety |
MOON: You know what I want next year?
JENN: A tiara and a scepter? And the wings of an eagle?
MOON: A runDisney head sweat band!
JENN: Ooh, did they have those?
MOON: No. Ha! But it would be just the right amount of ridiculous for me. And it would be functional. And I like to run wearing functional clothing.
JENN: Hmmm. You hear that, runDisney people? Let’s make it happen!
MOON: It would contribute to team spirit, right?
JENN: I’m sad that I missed the cups with the swirly straws. Maybe they’ll have one at the Tinker Bell Half. I also didn’t much care for the Dooney & Burke purses they were selling, but the Tinker Bell version looked much cuter – we’ll see what they offer in January!
MOON: Do you remember the wine glasses?
JENN: Yeah, I pondered one of those. Not sure why I didn’t buy one, actually. I guess because I don’t technically need one. Fun, though!
MOON: Yeah, I thought that was a nice souvenir.
JENN: Ah, well. We were young and naive, then. And a little overwhelmed.
MOON: It’s not like we’re not going to have many more chances for a runDisney haul!
JENN: Haha, no kidding.
Once we escaped the Official Stuff area, we did nose about among the vendors, but it was just so claustrophobic I think we were a bit turned off.
MOON: Yes, agreed. If I recall correctly, I think we browsed some clothing on a sale rack (probably because it was nearest the exit), but didn’t stay too long after leaving the official merchandise spot
JENN: Yup. But! As we were leaving I spotted a pair of footmen posing for photographs in front of a castle backdrop. Jokingly I said to Moon, “Want your picture with some footmen?” Imagine my surprise when she responded with an enthusiastic “YEAH!”
MOON: I think that was the first time since being 4 that I willingly took a picture with a cast member. Of course, we had to wear our hats and I’m sure Jenn would love to share that story with you.
JENN: For this trip, Moon and I eschewed the usual baseball cap head attire in favor of sweet, sweet fedoras, because we feel strongly that fedoras are sweet.
MOON: Sweeeeeeeet.
JENN: Totally.
When it came our turn for the picture, one of the footmen said to us, “We were just saying that we like your hats.” So I said, “We do what we can.” The tall one responded thusly: “You do a lot.”
Well done, Mr. Footman. Smooth.
MOON: You can say anything when you’re wearing a powdered wig. And it will be smooooth.
JENN: That’s what Bach always said. And he had a way with the ladies.
MOON: Ja.
JENN: After that we got the hell out. Later we perused the swag bag we were given, which contained:
– A short-sleeved women’s tech shirt in my favorite shade of purple
– A pin with the race logo
– A pink mesh bag, also with the logo
– Our individual and team bibs, plus safety pins for attachment
– A temporary tattoo
– A mini Luna bar
– And the race program
All cute!
MOON: I think I kept the Luna bar, for some reason… As a keepsake, I guess. I probably should have eaten it.
JENN: Ha. You should shellac it for better preservation.
This sums up our Expo-sition. Tune in tomorrow for a race day recap!
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