Looking for a truly royal enhancement to your Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend? The Race Retreat, full of princess pampering and VIP treatment is for you! Available for the Disney Princess 10K ($70), Disney Princess Half Marathon ($120) and Glass Slipper Challenge ($185), you may wonder if this “at your beck and call” experience is for you. If it doesn’t stretch the royal coffers too painfully, my answer is- aye!!
Located in the Family Reunion Area at Epcot Wonder Lot, this massive climate-controlled tent welcomes wrist-banded runners, (pre-ordered bands must be obtained at Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo Packet Pick-Up), pre-race from 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 22 and 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 23 for their princess perks:
– Light fare (plain bagels, fruit, coffee, water, Powerade)
– Private bag check
– Private portable potties (generally cleaner and with shorter lines than those outside the tent)
– Padded mats for stretching
– Character photo area
The Race Retreat opens to Platinum ChEAR Squad members at 5:30 a.m., and remains open until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. (Children 3 years of age and younger can enter for free.)
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| A nice variety of seating options are offered, including a “Kiddie Corner” |
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| Pre-race selections |
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| The stretching area was getting a work-out! Massages are done here post race; $10 for 10 minutes, so don’t forget your cash!! |
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| Plenty of time for posing. |
And now for the real princess treatment. Each of us received a commemorative runner’s towel, and glorious flip-flops (emblazoned with the anniversary logo)!
Along with these goodies, we received a ticket for… champagne!!! Being a health nut, I had mine with orange juice…
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| Here the lines were long. |
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| The highlight. For ME. |
Live Race Results were also available, but my favorite part of the Race Retreat morning was watching my fellow runners cross the finish line. I didn’t know a one of them, but I watched each expression, each triumph like a gloating Queen Mother. Sharing, (and yes, toasting), the royal celebration with this community of runners was exhilarating.
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| Live video from the Finish Line |
This sounds great! I won't be doing race retreat this year but will definitely be staying to watch fellow runners finish!
Isn't that a magical element that often gets overlooked? I love that you stay post race to offer support, (and I'm not surprised)! 😀
Stop woman! Just stop! I cannot shell out any more money and you are convincing me by this post! All the photos, and those damn cheap flip flops that I want on my feet now! Damnit….
Mea culpa! I don't know when I'll do it again, but I certainly felt like a VIP last year. 😀 (And, of course, every time I wear those less than expensive flip flops!!!)
What Meg said! Now I think I HAVE to do a race retreat!
I guess a "group discount" isn't coming any time soon! Ahhh, there's always the lottery. 😉
Nothing better than a hot breakfast after a race! And those pretty pink flip flops . . . Keeping it in mind for GSC 2015 where I'll be celebrating my 35th bday!
Well if it's a milestone birthday Audrey, then you NEED to splurge!! (And you have a year to save. :D)
I agree with the above! Dang it! Stop making me spend more money 🙂
It is pricey, no doubt Tania. I'm telling myself the "every other year" approach is frugal?!
I'm doing this for the first time this year and am really looking forward to it! I was worried about the cost, but the more I think about how nice it will be to have a warm, reserved place to chill out before the race, the less I think about the money 🙂
Alicia, I really think you'll love this experience. Make sure to go early, and run fast so you get optimum time in the tent! Be sure to use the "bathroom" before the lines start forming, and you'll have the place to yourself. I'm excited for you! Thanks again for joining the Virtual Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Blog Hop.
This is great info; it definitely is an added expense, but if you're going to take advantage of all the perks, could definitely be worth it! 🙂
Jennifer- as with many of these additional runDisney activities, it is especially fun if you are with a large group. For me, I was sold by the sight of that mimosa!!! 😉
I love me some Race Retreat! I can't wait to get there again this year – I forgot about the champagne! What is wrong with me?!
Good for you! (I guess you know where my priorities lie…) "Run? I thought you said rum."
What a great post! If I ever have the extra money I'd be tempted to give it a try.
The Race Retreat should be on every runDisney lover's "must do- once" list! Expensive, but special Summer.
Fun Fun Fun!! All of these runDisney Blog Hops make we really want to participate. Thanks :D!!
And that's my secret plan!! Thanks for always supporting Donna- you are one of a kind!
I never shell out the $$ for the race retreat, but your photos have me thinking just once I need to give it a try! GREAT photos…always wondered what was in the tent. 🙂
Don't you just love peeling back the curtain Julie? I won't be Retreating this year (at least not in the tent!), but would absolutely consider it again for a milestone celebration. Maybe when I finally do my "marathon at 60"? Luckily, I have a couple of years to save!!!
Sounds awesome the Race Retreat, I love that there's a place to go and get food, massages and a place to chill. I love the pic of you and the 3 Fairy Godmothers too 😉
When we get to do our first half marathon together we must sign up to party in the tent Diane (and Bill)!!
Sadly, I feel like I need to be a much faster runner to fully enjoy the race retreat, but maybe one day!
That was my fear too Abby! But the tent was still pretty full when I showed up, and the food and drink was plentiful and did not seem stale. Of course, this might just be an ideal reward for when we get faster!!
Awh man, now you make me wish I'd signed up for race retreat this year. I did it last year and loved it pre-race but since I hadn't gotten the platinum chear for my family, I didn't really get to savor the post race glory of the RR. I guess I need to save up for it next year!
April- you really should try it again, for full effect. I think I enjoyed the post more than the pre, and if you're fast enough, you can really soak in the princess treatment goodness!
Race Retreat is definitely out of my budget for this year….and probably years to come….but it certainly sounds like something I will have to treat myself to sooner or later!
I'm saving up for the "every third year" approach to perks such as this myself! I just love dreaming!!
I am doing it this year for the first time .. This post just got me so excited about doing it.
How exciting Suzanne! I think you'll love it. (I'll be the one peering into the tent with longing eyes… :D)
I wondered what was going on in that tent…looks like the royal treatment.
Just a peek behind the curtain Lucinda!
What a neat experience! I had no idea they offered this.
Yes, so far they offer this at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Who knows what to come? It usually sells out!!
WOW! That's awesome! I don't remember anything that swank when I did the runs several years ago!
I believe it Beth; they have a very deep bag of magical tricks!!
This looks like so much fun!
Good times- especially post race! 😉
Wow this looks like a really fun part of a runDisney event! Our family has a goal to participate in one of the events next year. Will have to keep this in mind!
runDisney weekends are so much better when they are family affairs Lynn, I hope to read all about it!!
Sounds like a fabulous experience! Who knew runDisney events could get even more magical?
They really are magic makers! runDisney always seems to be reinventing the brand; I can't wait to see what's next!
This looks like such a special treat! I love how runDisney has thought of just about everything for their runners!
They really have Deb- from shopping to partying. A runDisney weekend has it all!