Loren
Posts: 250
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This weekend, my sister, my nephew, a friend of mine and I participated in one of the events during the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend. My sister, my friend and I did the Never Land 5K, the first night time run the park has hosted, and my nephew did the 1 Mile Kids' Race the next morning.
The Never Land 5K began at 10:30 pm at night. My sister, my friend and I got in line early because we heard the start would be in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle rather than the Mickey & Friends Parking Lot where the 5Ks traditionally have started. We wanted to get a good viewing area in case anything happened in front of the Castle. Unfortunately, where we were placed was at the lip of Matterhorn Way where we could still see the Castle, but it was also partially blocked by trees. The second corral had a much better view of the Castle. But, we could still see much of what was going on.
Sleeping Beauty Castle lit up for the Never Land 5K by Loren Javier, on Flickr
At one point, the Emcees came out and did some announcements and then a trumpeter led us in the National Anthem.
The Never Land 5K Emcees by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Trumpeteer performs the National Anthem by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Seeing that it was only a few moments before the run to begin, I didn't think any characters were going to be coming out. Then, suddenly, Tinker Bell flew down from the Mattherhorn over the Castle. Sadly, I didn't have my telescopic lens out and my view was somewhat blocked by the trees. But, it was a neat touch.
Tinker Bell flies over Sleeping Beauty Castle by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Tinker Bell flies over Sleeping Beauty Castle by Loren Javier, on Flickr
From there, we made our way up Matterhorn Way and into the "it's a small world" Promenade where we were cheered on by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto. Dan brought up a good point to me that it's a shame these characters weren't dressed in pirate costumes since we know they have them. Or, why weren't they in their sports costumes like they are for the other runs? We didn't really stop long here, though, because mass chaos had descended upon the area and it would have been impossible to get a good shot anyway.
Meeting Goofy, Minnie, Mickey and Pluto by Loren Javier, on Flickr
We then made our way backstage where we got to take pictures with some of the floats from Mickey's Soundsational Parade. While no characters accompanies the floats, the two highlights for me were parade unit elements that were kind of characters on to themselves.
These are the Little Mermaid crab...
Me with the Little Mermaid Crab by Loren Javier, on Flickr
...and Mary Poppins' Carrousel Horse...
Me with Mary Poppins' Horse by Loren Javier, on Flickr
We then headed into Mickey's Toontown where we were attacked by pirates on the Jolly Trolley. We then headed backstage again for a moment.
Pirates cheer us on at the Jolly Trolley by Loren Javier, on Flickr
After making our way from backstage, we rounded the Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland. We could see a lot of people taking pictures near Big Thunder Mountain and, as we neared, we heard a bunch of cheering. It was the Lost Boys! I was so excited as I had never met them before and it was ALL of them, including Cubby, Foxy, Nibs, Tootles and the Twins!
Meeting the Lost Boys! by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Meeting the Lost Boys! by Loren Javier, on Flickr
I took a couple of pictures with the Lost Boys and then moved on to New Orleans Square where pirates. Captain Hook and Mr. Smee were also meeting guests. We didn't stop to take a picture with them because the line was really long and I didn't know what other characters were awaiting us.
Captain Hook and Mr. Smee Greeting Guests by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Sadly, that question would be answered and not in a good way. For, from New Orleans Square, we made our way into Critter Country (no characters there), then backstage and through the Esplanade and then backstage again through the tunnel between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. We then came back onstage near the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (no characters there) and into ElectTRONica (all the programs had gone to bed) and down Hollywood Boulevard into Carthay Circle. Dan again made a good point that they should have had Jake out near Disney Junior since he IS from Never Land as well. Oh, well...
Leaving Carthay Circle, Mater and Lightning McQueen were where they normally were near the Waterfall...
Passing Mater and Lightning McQueen by Loren Javier, on Flickr
We then made our way to Paradise Pier where more pirates cheered us on...
Pirates cheer us on by Loren Javier, on Flickr
We did not spot any characters making our way around the Boardwalk and the finally spotted Peter Pan and Wendy greeting us toward the end.
Meeting Peter Pan and Wendy by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Meeting Peter Pan and Wendy by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Oh, look! I found Peter's shadow! 
We found Peter's Shadow! by Loren Javier, on Flickr
The next morning, we made our way to Disney California Adventure where my nephew participated in the 1 Mile Kids Race. Cheering on the racers, as always, were Sports Mickey and Minnie.
Sports Minnie and Mickey cheer at the 1 Mile Kids' Race by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Sports Mickey cheers at the 1 Mile Kids' Race by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Sports Minnie cheers at the 1 Mile Kids' Race by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Sports Mickey and Minnie play at the 1 Mile Kids' Race by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Overall, it was a fun weekend. I had no idea what the character situation would be like for the Never Land 5K, especially since the character assortment during the Star Tours 5K in the fall was abysmal. I understand that they can't have too many characters out because the goal is to get people to complete the 5K as quickly as possible. So, with that in mind, I will say that I enjoyed the Never Land 5K more than the Star Tours 5K mainly because I got to meet the Lost Boys who are NEVER out and to take pictures up close with some of the floats. And, I always love seeing Peter and Wendy.
I was bummed, though, because I heard there were rare characters out, including not only the Lost Boys, but Hercules and Meg. I'm looking to see if I can find pictures. Perhaps next year, I'll participate in the Half Marathon.
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