I'm linking this post up with the Virtual Run Disney Blog Hop. Hopefully it will give all you first timers a little more insight as to how the expo is run and maybe those of you who have been here before may pick up a few pointers or reminders.
Location:
The PHM expo will be located at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. You will be able to board a bus ( not a Disney bus) at a designated bus stop at your hotel. The Expo buses will have a blue card in the window.
Notice you will have to visit two buildings when you get to the complex.
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| This is the HP Field House: Where you will want to go first. |
1. The HP Field House ( The building on your left past the Stadium) is where you will get your race bib. You will have to give them your race waiver ( that you already printed out at home and have signed). If you forget your waiver, don't worry. There are computers in the lobby of the building that you can use to print out your waiver. In addition to having your waiver, you'll need to have a photo ID as well. There may be "Some" official Run Disney Merchandise in this building, but don't be fooled. This is not the expo. You will find much more merchandise in the next building.
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| This is the main part of the Expo inside the Jostens Center |
2. The Josten Center ( building on your right) is where you will be picking up your race shirts and doing some shopping ( This is the Expo)! You need to have your bib ( from the HP field House)BEFORE you can pick up your race shirt. You may have to wait in line to get into this building. ( you don't want to have waited in line just to realize you don't have the information that you need to get your shirt/swag)You'll need to show your race bib to the friendly volunteers and then they will give you your race swag! I see that we are getting cool race bags again this year! Yay! They had stopped that for a while. If you need to switch out your shirt for a different size, the volunteers will tell you what the protocol on that will be. It has been a bit different each time I've gone.
Shopping:
There are so many cool vendors here that you may want to take a look at the list ( in your race packet or online) so you know which ones you don't want to miss.
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| Some of our favorite stops! |
As far as official Run Disney merchandise, you may be able to look online a few days before and see what merchandise will be available. I bought a great Run Disney jacket during Wine n Dine, so my goal is to get another one (hopefully in a different color).
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| This is the queue for the official Disney merchandise ( right when the Wine n Dine expo opened). It got filled up rather quickly. |
There is also a shop upstairs in the Jostens building ( not part of the expo) that sells T-shirts. Some times they have race t-shirts that you can personalize with your name and/or time/ on it. ( you will pass this tiny shop on your right as you exit the expo)
If you are wanting to get your hands on a Disney Princess Dooney and Bourke bag, Those are upstairs in the Jostens Center ( outside of the expo actually).
Photographs:
You'll want to be sure to bring your camera to the expo because you never know who you might run into. During Wine n Dine, I finally got a picture with Jeff Galloway. At the princess expo in past years we met Ali Vincent ( from the Biggest Loser).
You may even run into some Royal Characters!
Run Disney usually has a photo backdrop of some sort set up. Some times it's up stairs like with this Photograph that Lacey had taken during WDW marathon one year, and sometimes it's right at the expo. Side Note: They had a fun photo backdrop set up where they would super impose Disney characters on to it but you had to have an Instagram account to use it. So you may want to create an Instagram account before you go to the expo (if you want these kind of pictures).
Miscellaneous:
If you haven't already signed up for Runner tracking (or signed a spectator up), there will be computers upstairs at the expo to do so.
There will also be a spot for your spectators to make signs of encouragement for you!
There are speakers that will give presentations throughout the day. Stop, sit, and listen to a few!
There is a place to get lunch on site. The ESPN Café is in the same building as the expo (right upstairs). You will have to pass it as you exit the expo.
Hint (If you are still hungry, there is usually a cupcake truck located past the HP Field house, down the steps towards the track). They always look so good!
I hope this is helpful information!
What are you most looking forward to at the Expo?
