I was really excited about going to California for the runDisney Tinkerbell half marathon weekend, it was my first one! Not only that, but my mom had never been to Disneyland, ever, so I couldn’t wait to show her around. The first thing we did after check in and grabbing some lunch was head to the expo. We were staying at the Grand Californian, and mom was impressed at how convenient the expo was for those staying on property.
Unfortunately, there was quite a long line just to get into the official merchandise area, we waited about 20 minutes or so. However, I was glad it was at least organized unlike at Dumbo back in August.
There was a lot of official merchandise to choose from, but sadly the sizing of the shirts was way off. The “I Did It” tech shirt was very boxy and SO short compared to the Dopey I did it shirt I got not even a week before. Sizing inconsistency bums me out. I was able to get what I wanted (coffee mug, sweaty band, etc.) and my mom bought me this adorable shirt:
I loved that lots of items said “flutter to the finish” and thought that was a very cute slogan.
We paid for our merchandise and did a little walking around so I could visit with some friends working various booths before heading downstairs to get bibs. We headed back outside and down the ramp to packet pick up.
Mom got her 5k bib, there were hardly any lines down here.
We had to go back into the expo to get the t-shirt for the race, and then bib the expo farewell. We would end up coming back on Saturday to walk around some more and say hi to some friends, but it was time to go rest before our 5k the next morning!
This being my first Tink, I have no previous expo to compare it with except the one for the Disneyland half marathon which was a nightmare. This one had a lot more volunteers, and they even had tape on the floor making little lines so you knew where to stand while you waited to go into the official merchandise area. They only let in so many at a time, which definitely helped with the flow of things. Also, there was plenty of merchandise out, we weren’t waiting for more to constantly come out like at the Disneyland half expo. They were not out of any merchandise that I am aware of (we were there about an hour after opening) and we had an overall positive experience!
QOTD: Do you buy official race merchandise at races?
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I always see shirts I want at the expo but then think if I’ll actually wear it again after the race – more than likely not. I do collect runDisney’s vinylmations for my cube!
Aww your mom looks so cute! I’m really hoping we can get out to DL for a race next year!
I am going to be buying ‘official merchandise’ like a mad woman next week!! When I ran my first half last September I didn’t buy any and I regret it. Weird, but I almost felt like I would be jinxing myself by buying it before the race!
The official merchandise is my favorite part of runDisney expos!!!
I also got the ‘Flutter to the Finish’ shirt – love it!!
Sizing inconsistency kills me too! So sorry that happened, but I love the shirt your mom bought for you! Glad this expo wasn’t a fiasco like dumbo!
That shirt is super cute!!
The Tinkerbell expo is usually quite efficient. That mess at Disneyland was the first time I’ve ever seen it that way, and I’ve done races off and on at Disneyland since 2007. I’ve only ever bought one piece of “official merchandise” and that was a shirt several years ago. I tend to check out the merch section, but I rarely like anything. I don’t get why there’s such a line for stuff that in my mind, is low quality, overpriced and ugly. If Disney stepped it up, I’d be interested again, but the quality has really dropped.
So glad the expo was much better than Dumbo, and hopefully they’ll figure out the problems and fix them come August.
I love the official merchandise! Sounds like the expo was one of their more efficient ones! Good to know!
What a bummer about the shirts. When I ran Nike (was supposed to be my first half) I set a budget in advance so I could buy a few things.Even at that one expo, my t-shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket are all different sizes and they are all Nike (obviously) it’s so frustrating!
I was really liking all the Tink signage and merchandise this year, so cute! I generally only buy official race merchandise at Disney events.
I love race merchandise! I do races for memories sake, so I have to buy things at the expo as souvenirs of sorts. Good luck to you and your mom with the races!