General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Disney 70.3 Rss Feed  
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2005-12-01 7:46 PM

Extreme Veteran
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San Clemente, California
Subject: Disney 70.3
I know some of you BT'ers have done this race, and of course this year it's part of the 70.3 Series. I'm thinking of coming over from California with my wife and daughter to do the race (and visit my brother and his family who live in Florida). Any feedback on the race or tips about where to stay, etc., or should I bag doing the race altogether?


2005-12-01 7:53 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I haven't done the race before, but I will be next year. I need it to validate my Kona slot, which I will be receiving by lottery. Happy thought, happy thoughts.
2005-12-01 8:02 PM
in reply to: #296709

Extreme Veteran
464
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San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
Ha, ha. I signed up for the lottery too. I'm doing the California 70.3 in March and am seriously thinking about Ironman Australia April 2nd (will be there for a wedding already).
2005-12-01 8:15 PM
in reply to: #296718

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Master
1867
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The real USC, in the ghetto of LA
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
TriBodyboarder - 2005-12-01 8:02 PM

Ha, ha. I signed up for the lottery too. I'm doing the California 70.3 in March and am seriously thinking about Ironman Australia April 2nd (will be there for a wedding already).


now that IS fate!
2005-12-01 8:18 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Champion
11641
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Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3

Like Jim, I haven't done it but I will be there with the wife and young 'uns.

Unlike Jim, I've never done a half IM before and fully expect to finish with a time roughly double his.

Judging by the number of people who've mentioned it in the Half IM Commitment thread, there's going to be a big BT presence there. Maybe second only to St. A's.

We're staying just outside the park in a timeshare this time, but I've stayed in Fort Wilderness before and that was fun. That would also give you easy access to the race.

2005-12-01 8:43 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Extreme Veteran
527
50025
Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3

This year will be the 1st year I've done this race, here's what I've heard:

-The lake is dark w/little visibility

-The bike has some rollers but nothing too drastic

-The run can be very hot & sunny but is flat.

The other thing I read was bring a flashlight for the am transition set up the day of the race. Apparently last year there was insufficient lighting & it was difficult to se.



2005-12-01 9:10 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Master
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Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3

I did the race last year and it was fairly enjoyable.

I don't know what people mean by the lake is dark with little visibility but I've heard it before.  It is nice and warm, incredibly calm (no 5 ft break to get thru like the Pacific), and your feet don't sink into mud on the bottom - all very good things.  The bad thing about the lake is it is really used as a menas of taxiing people around the Disney sites with old diesel spewing boats.  It has a nice diesel aftertaste...

Bike is fairly flat with a few hills thrown in around midway.  Most is traffic controlled and what wasn't didn't have much traffic on it.  As the Slowtwitch folk pointed out - draftfest.  It sucked to get passed by the Peloton.  But what race doesn't have its packs?

Run is incredibly flat   You go over one asphalt parking lot, onto a road, and then thru some field until you get back into the campground area.  The campground area is packed with spectators all by their campsites having a blast and offering a hosedown.  They were very supportive and uplifting.  You probably are in the campground a little more than half the trun.

It got to be around 90 and somewhat humid on the run.  Even coming from SoCal I hadn't trained in any heat at that point and proceeded to melt.

I didn't have a car and didn't stay at the Wilderness Lodge or Campgrounds so it was tough getting around.  Disney has a ton of transportation but none that actually goes from one hotel to another, you have to go hotel->attraction-hotel on a bus which can take some time.  

If I could take the family I would do it again and stay at one of the Wilderness Campground cabins.  Set your kids expectations that you are not taking them to the park the day before the race.  I don't know if my kids could be in Orlando and be able to chill for a day. 

And the transition area is hysterically pitch black before the race - bring a flash light.

Watch out for the time zone thing.  At some point on the bike I looked at my watch and thought I set up transition, swam 1.2 miles, and biked about 45 miles and its not even 6 AM PT!



Edited by PGoldberger 2005-12-01 9:13 PM
2005-12-01 9:19 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Extreme Veteran
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Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
2005-12-01 9:21 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Elite
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Venture Industries,
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
Never even attempted something that long. But I signed up for the Disney Olympic in September, I've also done a couple of sprints in Orlando area. There are a lot of cond rentals around the Disney area that run around $120 a night for a three bedroom two bath condo with kitchen. I've got a 3 year old so the full kitchen is nice to have, also has a washer/dryer. I used Orbitz and found a four star condo 2 1/2 miles from Disney a 3 bedroom/2 bath condo for $129 a night.
2005-12-01 9:28 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Pro
4174
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Keller, Texas
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I go to the site every day and want so much to register but keep chickening out.  I did the Olympic there last year and had a blast.  Knowing that there is going to be a lot of BT'ers there makes the decision easier...I'm gonna register tomorrow!
2005-12-01 11:46 PM
in reply to: #296769

Extreme Veteran
464
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San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
All excellent feedback! P, how did you get your bike there? Did you use one of the services like TriBikeTransport or did you bring it on the plane?
If I do IM Australia in April, I'm trying to figure that one out for THAT race, but wanted to see your experience from last year doing Disney.
My daughter will only be 2 1/2 at that time, so she won't complain if we don't hit the park the day before the race. I would probably stay at Ft. Wilderness so as not to have to hassle with the parking and access. Baja 70.3 in Ensenada is the same day, but Disney just sounds more fun to me!


2005-12-02 9:26 AM
in reply to: #296703

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Master
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Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3

I used Inside Out Sports for this race and it was great.  I do not have a hard box for my bike and wound up just getting a cardboard box from the bike shop to pack it in.   I took the pedals, seat, and front wheel off, lifted the handlebars off the fork and zip tied them around the frame, then wrapped my frame in bubble wrap.  Bike and box made it through shipping both ways no harm.  You pay to ship it Orlando and then whatever service you pick from Inside Out will cover them shipping it back.  Inside Out doesn't recommend cardboard boxes but I figured all bikes get shipped in cardboard boxes when brand new and FedX gives you insurance.  Worse that could have happened was me buying a new bike the day before the race on mostly FedX money. 

I picked up my nicely Inside Out tuned bike right outside the transition 2 days before the race, rode a little and then after the race just dropped it back off at Inside Out about 100 yards from transition.  Very easy.

Highly recommended, especially if you are lugging around all your other gear plus your family's stuff.

2005-12-02 1:31 PM
in reply to: #297028

Extreme Veteran
464
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San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
Awesome advice. Thanks. Do you happen to remember how much that cost? I'll be bringing the bodyboard, stroller, etc., etc., so I really want to ship the bike in advance.
2005-12-02 1:44 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Master
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Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I don't remember. They will have a bunch of levels of service - Return ship only, breakdown bike-box-ship, receive and ship, receive-tune-breakdown-ship.  I think it ranged from $50-$180.
2005-12-03 12:34 AM
in reply to: #297381

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Veteran
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Back of the pack breathing hard
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
TriBodyboarder - 2005-12-02 2:31 PM

Awesome advice. Thanks. Do you happen to remember how much that cost? I'll be bringing the bodyboard, stroller, etc., etc., so I really want to ship the bike in advance.


This past Sept I shipped my bike from home in the same box they shipped it to the dealer
in. Zipped tied it up and off she went from NJ to FL and back after the race. I opened a
Fedex account online and just gave them my Fedex account # at the Fedex/Kinkos store
and it only cost $23 one way via Fedex ground. The airline wanted to charge me $60 bucks!
2005-12-03 3:55 PM
in reply to: #296703

Extreme Veteran
464
1001001001002525
San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
Thanks Ty. I own an internet business, so all we do is ship stuff every day. I just wouldn't trust myself the put the bike together properly, so I suppose I'd need to find a bike shop in Orlando that I could ship it to that will put it together, and then break it down after the race.


2005-12-14 2:28 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Member
20

Kalamazoo
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I did this as my first 1/2 and actually first tri in may 2005. Other than the scent of deisel, the water was fine. Don't even look at the water temp prior to the race. It will be low 70s until about a week or two before the race and then go to 80 - 84 by race day. The bike was good. No traffic except for the people drafting by in packs of 5 or 6. The run was extremely hot. I started running about the time the pros were finishing. It was 90+ degrees. There were lots of people around the campground cheering us on. Plenty of food / water / gatorade / ice.

I would advise staying on the disney property as it can be a pain to get in and out of there multiple times. Plus the free parking will make up for the difference in hotel prices. I live locally but stayed at the contemporary resort (2 mi from start). I like the contemporary or any of the others on the monarail as it makes it easier to get around.

I plan on doing this race again this year. (Also Disney Marathon Jan 2006)
2005-12-14 3:35 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Master
1978
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Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I also won't be doing this coming year's race, as 2007 is my half-iron year...but I'll be there cheering everyone on in 2006! I live close to property so it's always fun to come out and spend the day watching the events I can't be in. Good luck! Definitely looking forward to watching this one so I know what I'm getting myself into in 07!!!
2006-02-20 9:08 AM
in reply to: #296703

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Champion
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Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3

T-89 days and counting. That's less than 3 months. How's everyone's training coming along?

I'm getting a bit concerned about the heat factor.

2006-02-20 9:35 AM
in reply to: #296703

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Veteran
244
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Back of the pack breathing hard
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
Training Stats for this year.
----------------------------
January totals:

Bike: 12h 15m - 171.65 Mi
Run: 7h 31m - 41.55 Mi
Swim: 2h 57m - 5130 Yd

February totals:

Bike: 7h 31m - 92 Mi
Run: 2h 29m - 14 Mi
Swim: 1h 44m - 4000 Yd
-----------------------------------
My longest ride was yesterday at spinclass at my local bike shop 2hrs:35mins. Just over 35 miles. I'm getting psyched for this.
T
2006-02-20 11:16 AM
in reply to: #349868

Extreme Veteran
464
1001001001002525
San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I've been training for the California 70.3 which is in less than 4 weeks, so I'm ready! I have 2 races in between this one and Disney, so I just have to maintain the fitness and maybe train inside a sauna to get ready...ha, ha.


2006-02-21 6:48 AM
in reply to: #296703

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Member
20

Kalamazoo
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I'm still hoping to do this race if I can get ready. I suffered an achilies injury running the Disney Marathon which put me back about a month on training. I've been back on the weights for about a week, just started running again and have a little bit of time on the bike (50 miles this week). If I can get bak up to 15 mile runs by the end of march, I think I can do the race.

Hope to see all of you out there in May.
2006-02-22 4:12 PM
in reply to: #296703

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Champion
11641
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Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3

87 days and counting until this race. I'm using the Oly to Half IM Bridge training plan which kicks in on Monday.

I can't be the only person using this plan for this race, which means there'll be others doing pretty much the same training as me. So, who's interested in starting a thread where we can keep track of and compare each others training and milestones along the way? Kind of a group training log.  I think it'd be cool to compare how different people experience what are scheduled to be identical workouts. It would also be a good motivator to actually do the 4 hour brick when there are other people doing it who expect me to report on mine.

Any takers?

2006-02-23 11:31 AM
in reply to: #352404


8

Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
Im interested in participating with this, any extra motivation helps!
2006-02-23 11:34 AM
in reply to: #296703

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Member
20

Kalamazoo
Subject: RE: Disney 70.3
I'd be up for doing this too. I am coming off injuries (75%) but I should be back up to speed by March 1st.
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