Official Wine and Dine 2016 thread

[RunDisney Crazy]

Are the host resorts usually the same year after year? I know All Star, Pop, Caribbean, Port Orleans are usually host hotels. I've stayed at All Star, Pop and Caribbean a long time ago. Thinking about Port Orleans.

Any opinions on French Quarter versus Riverside? I've been told that French Qtr is not include in the discounts that Disney runs sometimes or it's a lesser discount than the other moderates.

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't really ever walked around the Port Orleans resorts. Thought about Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk, but too pricey for that long of a trip.

Thanks.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Are the host resorts usually the same year after year? I know All Star, Pop, Caribbean, Port Orleans are usually host hotels. I've stayed at All Star, Pop and Caribbean a long time ago. Thinking about Port Orleans.

Any opinions on French Quarter versus Riverside? I've been told that French Qtr is not include in the discounts that Disney runs sometimes or it's a lesser discount than the other moderates.

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't really ever walked around the Port Orleans resorts. Thought about Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk, but too pricey for that long of a trip.

Thanks.

I thought I read somewhere that they were doing away with the "host resort" concept... did that not include this race?

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

I didn't know that. So buses will be running for races that early at all resorts??

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I didn't know that. So buses will be running for races that early at all resorts??

I honestly have no idea!! We've never done the W&D, and the rD website does still show a list of "host resorts". I had read somewhere that they were doing away with this for all races, but I could be wrong (or that report I read was wrong).




ETA: this is from the rD website... and this is the ONLY race that I see "event host resorts" listed for... all other packages just say "magic your way": "Just pick your favorite themed Disney Resort hotel then pick the number of days for your Theme Park ticket."

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Below are the Event Host Resorts that are available and include transportation to weekend events. To book a Resort at the special runDisney rate, call 407-939-IRUN.

DISNEY VALUE RESORTS
Packages start as low as $110 per person for a two night stay.

• Learn more about Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
• Learn more about Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Learn more about Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
• Learn more about Disney's Pop Century Resort

DISNEY MODERATE RESORTS
Packages start as low as $152 per person for a two night stay.

• Learn more about Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Learn more about Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
• Learn more about Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

DISNEY DELUXE RESORTS
Packages start as low as $299 per person for a two night stay.

• Learn more about Disney's Polynesian VillageResort
• Learn more about Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort
• Learn more about Disney's Yacht and Beach ClubResort

DISNEY DELUXE VILLA RESORTS
Packages start as low as $345 per person for a two night stay.

• Learn more about Disney's BoardWalk Villas
• Learn more about Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

 

[Keels]

Those ^^^^ will be the only resorts that have official Race Weekend transportation.

 

[CamColt]

I am on the fence about this one. DH and I did the 2013 W&D and then again last year as part of the C2C challenge. We then ran the full marathon last month with the Castaway Cay Challenge. I had said after the full I was hanging up my Disney running shoes however I am feeling a little bit of the itch to do the W&D again, probably because it will get me to the F&W Festival.

With that said before reading this thread we were wondering why they don't do a 10K and why there isn't a challenge for this race. I had said if they did a challenge, that might give me the edge I need to make a decision. Now seeing the thoughts going around here, I hope you guys are right and something else may be added. Darn Run Disney might just suck me back in.

 

[Ariel484]

Not all resorts are host resorts because this is a smaller event. And I'm probably in the minority but I hope they don't add a challenge to the weekend...i just feel like not every since weekend needs one. Can't quite put my finger on why.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Not all resorts are host resorts because this is a smaller event. And I'm probably in the minority but I hope they don't add a challenge to the weekend...i just feel like not every since weekend needs one. Can't quite put my finger on why.

Since it looks like (if I've read the rD website correctly) this might be the only race being handled this way now (host resorts), I wonder if this isn't destined to change?

If you're Disney and you see the demand is there, why not sell out a 10K as well? Who knows... (I say that a lot these days!!)

 

[mrsg00fy]

Not all resorts are host resorts because this is a smaller event. And I'm probably in the minority but I hope they don't add a challenge to the weekend...i just feel like not every since weekend needs one. Can't quite put my finger on why.

I agree. My reason is that if they do a challenge then I always want to do the challenge and it would be nice to not be so physically exhausted after a race weekend. I know I don't HAVE to do the challenge but I have to. Lol. Having the half marathon alone takes away the option and takes away the self imposed pressure.

 

[Keels]

I'm with @Ariel484 on the no challenge thing. It's nice to save a little money!

As for why only select hotels are hosts - the full day of events requires two (possibly three, depending on hours) extensions of a daily work shift for transportation workers - early morning for the 5k and then VERY LATE into the evening past all park closing times for the Half Marathon and After-Party. It's also a weekend and that adds up to a LOT of overtime and double-shift pay for a much smaller event.

For other event weekends, you're operating a limited transportation schedule a couple hours earlier than normal on race day. W&D Day potentially adds an extra 8-9 hours to the transportation schedule. To do that for every hotel on property ... at what would cost, at minimum, 2x hourly wage for bus drivers? They're not going to do that for a much smaller event weekend - instead they put the man-power into keeping EPCOT and the ENTIRE F&W Festival fully staffed to max capacity.

 

[Ariel484]

Since it looks like (if I've read the rD website correctly) this might be the only race being handled this way now (host resorts), I wonder if this isn't destined to change?

I think it only will if they increase the field/add a 10K.

If you're Disney and you see the demand is there, why not sell out a 10K as well? Who knows... (I say that a lot these days!!)

yeah, I'm sure they will at some point.

I agree. My reason is that if they do a challenge then I always want to do the challenge and it would be nice to not be so physically exhausted after a race weekend. I know I don't HAVE to do the challenge but I have to. Lol. Having the half marathon alone takes away the option and takes away the self imposed pressure.

Yeah, that's definitely part of it. And I don't like that it makes people feel like doing a non-challenge event isn't good enough or something - like, they complete their first half, which is so awesome, but it gets downplayed because they "just" ran the half and not the challenge.

Yet at the same time, I guess too (and this will make me sound like a jerk), it sort of makes challenges less...special or something if there are so many of them.

 

[Ariel484]

@Keels that's a good point about transportation, never thought about it that way.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

And I don't like that it makes people feel like doing a non-challenge event isn't good enough or something - like, they complete their first half, which is so awesome, but it gets downplayed because they "just" ran the half and not the challenge.

I must say, though, that I didn't feel any of that. My first longer race ever was the ToT 10miler. But my first half was the Princess half, and my sense of accomplishment wasn't diminished in the least because others were doing challenges or coast to coast! I didn't personally feel like that was downplayed at all.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

They're not going to do that for a much smaller event weekend - instead they put the man-power into keeping EPCOT and the ENTIRE F&W Festival fully staffed to max capacity.

Apples and oranges. It's not a choice between staffing a bigger race wknd OR a fully staffed festival. Bottom line is that it makes financial sense if and only if the $$ brought in from adding a 10K is greater than the cost to put on the event.

And they still might not do it for some OTHER reason(s). But from a pure FINANCIAL standpoint, that's the only consideration that makes sense -- 10K revenue less 10K expenses.

 

[Keels]

Apples and oranges. It's not a choice between staffing a bigger race wknd OR a fully staffed festival. Bottom line is that it makes financial sense if and only if the $$ brought in from adding a 10K is greater than the cost to put on the event.

And they still might not do it for some OTHER reason(s). But from a pure FINANCIAL standpoint, that's the only consideration that makes sense -- 10K revenue less 10K expenses.

I wasn't talking about the 10k, but whatever. I was talking about why there will always be limited host hotels for this one-day race day.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I wasn't talking about the 10k, but whatever. I was talking about why there will always be limited host hotels for this one-day race day.

Ah! Misunderstood - sorry!

I think that IF they added a 10K, then they'll likely add the rest of the hotels to accommodate the volume as they have now with every other race (I think) - with the consideration there being the financial one I mentioned.

 

[Keels]

Ah! Misunderstood - sorry!

I think that IF they added a 10K, then they might add the rest of the hotels - with the consideration there being the financial one I mentioned.

I think they won't - and the reason why is they make up ALL of the money they would make on the 10k in After-Party tickets and pure profit from the After-Party without the added expense and overhead of putting on a race (the cost of shirts, medals, supplies, security, setup, A/V, characters and their handlers, course support, etc.).

Your choice is an After-Party or a 10k/challenge. For W&D, it's always going to be the After Party.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think they won't - and the reason why is they make up ALL of the money they would make on the 10k in After-Party tickets and pure profit from the After-Party without the added expense and overhead of putting on a race (the cost of shirts, medals, supplies, security, setup, A/V, characters and their handlers, course support, etc.).

Your choice is an After-Party or a 10k/challenge. For W&D, it's always going to be the After Party.

You have much more certainty around Disney's expenses and what they will choose to do than I do!!

A lot has changed over the years, and this may as well... or it may not. I won't pretend to be able to predict.

 

[Ariel484]

Are the host resorts usually the same year after year? I know All Star, Pop, Caribbean, Port Orleans are usually host hotels. I've stayed at All Star, Pop and Caribbean a long time ago. Thinking about Port Orleans.

Any opinions on French Quarter versus Riverside? I've been told that French Qtr is not include in the discounts that Disney runs sometimes or it's a lesser discount than the other moderates.

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't really ever walked around the Port Orleans resorts. Thought about Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk, but too pricey for that long of a trip.

Thanks.

I really like both of the Port Orleans resorts, but I'd give the edge to French Quarter. It's smaller than Riverside, so not as far to walk to food and whatnot, and there's only one bus stop (Riverside has 4).

 

[Ariel484]

I must say, though, that I didn't feel any of that. My first longer race ever was the ToT 10miler. But my first half was the Princess half, and my sense of accomplishment wasn't diminished in the least because others were doing challenges or coast to coast! I didn't personally feel like that was downplayed at all.

That's good, I'm glad you didn't. I'm just saying that I've read posts from people here about "only" doing the half or seemingly talking themselves into a challenge before they're really ready for it, and I hate to read stuff like that. And I feel that the rD MCs play up the challenges a lot more as well.