Success with RunDisney/ Early Registration?

Hi all,

Hubby and I are looking to try to take advantage of the early registration offer for DVC members for a few races coming up in 2016; specifically, the Princess races in February and the Avengers races in CA in November. We would also like to sign up DS for one of the kids' races, and I'm wondering how quickly those fill up too (one of the 100m ones).

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences with the early registration? Were you successful? If so, do you have any tips to pass on about how to snag an entry? If not, did you get in during the main registration time? I know that these races are super popular.

Also- can you register two people at once or do each of us have to try to register from our own membership account on different computers at the same time?

Thanks !

In Dec 2013, I registered 7 first-time runners for the 2014 Expedition Everest event. I was armed with all the needed info and ready for battle at the earliest moment early registration opened for DVC members. I was AMAZED to complete all registrations w/out any difficulties. I wish you the same!

bwvBound said:

In Dec 2013, I registered 7 first-time runners for the 2014 Expedition Everest event. I was armed with all the needed info and ready for battle at the earliest moment early registration opened for DVC members. I was AMAZED to complete all registrations w/out any difficulties. I wish you the same!

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Thanks for the quick reply !

So am I understanding correctly that I can register everyone myself, all at once? And do the prices include the after-parties or just the snacks etc. directly after the finish line?

pangyal said:

Thanks for the quick reply !

So am I understanding correctly that I can register everyone myself, all at once? And do the prices include the after-parties or just the snacks etc. directly after the finish line?

Click to expand...

Not sure if my "ancient history" from 2013/2014 remains relevant ...

My experience wasn't "everyone myself, all at once" but 7 complete passes through the registration system. Each runner was required to register a new account ... but I did that on behalf of each runner ... with their permission, of course.

Our registration fee included both the post-run snacks (water/bananas) and the after party in the park.

I used the DVC early registration for the 2015 Glass Slipper Challenge. I didn't have any issues with the link for that race.

I tried to use it for the 2015 Expedition Everest Challenge, and I was on the site when it was supposed to open, and tried for the next 30 minutes to get it to work, and failed. Then I had to go back to work, and by the time I was able to get back to try again, it was full. I was successful registering for EE during the regular registration the next week though.

So, worst case scenario, you get a second chance to register if it doesn't work out for early registration.

pangyal said:

Hi all,

Hubby and I are looking to try to take advantage of the early registration offer for DVC members for a few races coming up in 2016; specifically, the Princess races in February and the Avengers races in CA in November. We would also like to sign up DS for one of the kids' races, and I'm wondering how quickly those fill up too (one of the 100m ones).

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences with the early registration? Were you successful? If so, do you have any tips to pass on about how to snag an entry? If not, did you get in during the main registration time? I know that these races are super popular.

Also- can you register two people at once or do each of us have to try to register from our own membership account on different computers at the same time?

Thanks !

Click to expand...

Hi pangyal,

I just signed up the disney half marathon for January 2016. DH and I are both annual pass holders and DVC members and I was super paranoid about not getting in so I made him be on the computer at 12pm noon EST on the early registration date for DVC members (it's the same for the annual passholder). At the time, I asked runDisney if I could register both of us and they said no--it was one at a time. So I logged in with the DVC link and DH used the annual passholder link. Regardless, we both got in with no issues but I would advise you to have an active.com account and be ready with your credit card (and just a word of caution--they don't take American Express, which had me flustered for a minute but I quickly recoverd with a VISA, lol ).

I think I saw the 10k sell out in 10 minutes but the half had a little longer but that is only the for January WDW races. I would assume it varies from race to race.

Best wishes and I hope you can get in!!!

Thanks so much! I thought they wee selling out in under a minute.

What is active.com?

Did you go to the after parties and were they included? What were they like? The $305 entry fee for Glass Slipper seems INSANE. I am waffling, lol.

No after parties for the Princess Runs. I think there's something they do in DTD on Sunday but it's open to anyone and nothing special. Yes, the fees are high but the races are super fun. I can speak from very recent experience, all races sell out super fast. Early Registration is only like 5-10% of the available slots so they will go extremely fast. I highly suggest being on the website at noon. That's goes for regular registration too. I'm 99% sure GSC sells first then 10K (those 2 are close), then half, then 5K. But all will sell very fast. I would give it less than an hour with the way races have been selling and for the GSC and 10K max 30 minutes but I think that's being generous. I didn't get into early registration for Wine and Dine (that one does include an after party) because I was on at 12:04 and it was sold out. I DID get into early registration for WDW 10K but it sold out in about 10 minutes for regular registration I think it sold out in under 30. Active.com is who you will actually sign up through. So yes, create an account. It can definitely be the difference between getting in and not by the time you fill everything out. As far as kids races, they hardly ever sell out. For some reason, Wine and Dine kid races sold out on the first day this year (everything was insane with that race this year). Noted, last year (2014) I signed my DD5 up at the last minute and there was still lots of availability. So I think them selling out for 2015 was a rarity. I would do that one very last.

pangyal said:

the Princess races in February and the Avengers races in CA in November

Click to expand...

pangyal said:

So am I understanding correctly that I can register everyone myself, all at once? And do the prices include the after-parties or just the snacks etc. directly after the finish line?

Click to expand...

No, you have to go through for each person and each event.

They did not have early registration for the 5K or kid's races for the January marathon this year, and I don't think they had it for the 2014 event either. Not sure about 10k.

There are NO after-parties for the morning races. After-parties are only for night races, which was the Everest race, TOT (if it comes back), and Wine&Dine.

Not sure if Princess has the "cool down" party like the January weekend does, but if it does do NOT get excited about it. Just means some discounts (that DVC members can generally get anyway). There was no "party".

Thanks for all of the replies! I understand the process now.

That's too bad about the after parties. I ran the Lululemon SeaWheeze Half in Vancouver and the $130 entry included the race (with tons of entertainment), an after race gourmet brunch and deejay, then a beach party and concert with Alphabet City at night. So I'm not sure why the Disney race fees are so crazy high and they don't even feed you or put on a party!

It seems to be hit or miss lately. We tried doing early entry for the 2015 DL Dumbo Challenge through DVC and AP sites but it was sold out within minutes, we settled for just doing the half. However, we had no issues getting into the Avengers Infinity Gauntlet Challenge and that race still has not sold out. We didn't try for this year's Wine and Dine but it seemed that was a disaster. So hopefully they've worked out the bugs in their system and everything will go smoothly on Tuesday.