Club runDisney Question

[jimrpa]

I just logged into my runDisney account and I saw only three things available: the three Club runDisney memberships. When I clicked on “Become a member” for each of them, I got the error “Registration for this event is closed”. However, it also said “Thursday, October 1, 2020 to Thursday, September 30, 2021”. Do people think they’ll open membership opportunities up BEfORE registration doe W&D? In a way, that would be logical, but I guess you still wouldn’t get the bib benefit for W&D

 

[The Expert]

I'm a Silver member so hoping they at least allow me to upgrade. The only reason I went for Silver and not Gold is because I got the early reg benefit (or so I thought) via DVC and AP.

 

[1lilspark]

However, it also said “Thursday, October 1, 2020 to Thursday, September 30, 2021”.

Idk if that was the timeline for the inaugural membership or the membership WITH the year extension
I would expect if it’s the latter new membership will reopen September 2021

 

[ValW]

My membership was extended to September 30, 2022. I received an email this morning welcoming me to year 2 of my membership (not that there was a year one). My best guess is that when it reopens, membership will be valid starting Oct 1st 2021 (which is too late to register for W&D, Marathon, and Princess). But, just a guess.

 

[jimrpa]

oh well, it was just a thought, since it appears that Disney is going to tighten down a rotary fastener on all AP and DVC members (and what about GO? Or, do they get a very special rotary fastener that is gently torqued by cast members dressed in plaid? )

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I'm a Silver member so hoping they at least allow me to upgrade. The only reason I went for Silver and not Gold is because I got the early reg benefit (or so I thought) via DVC and AP.

Saw this in the FAQ. So looks like you might be able to upgrade:

Memberships may be upgraded to a different membership level as long as the desired membership level is not sold out. If the membership level is available, sign in to your runDisney account and select the membership you wish to upgrade to. Once you have selected the new membership level you wish to upgrade to, you will be prompted to pay the difference in registration price (if any) and then a transfer processing fee will be applied.

 

[jimrpa]

All levels are sold out

 

[The Expert]

Yep, I saw that too but all of the levels say sold out.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Well guess that wasn't helpful then . Was hoping they had just closed registration but that there might still be availability for those of you in the club.

 

[The Expert]

I've emailed them (which is really just the rD email address) and will be watching the page, though!

 

[jimrpa]

I've emailed them (which is really just the rD email address) and will be watching the page, though!

I emailed as well. Not holding my breath though. The dates are too close, especially for W&D for them to go through the bureaucracy to do anything (I suspect they have to deal with the Disney equivalent of the TVA to get decisions made)

 

[The Expert]

As I mentioned above, I emailed Club rD a few days ago to see if they may be opening memberships or allowing upgrades anytime soon. It went through the regular rD feedback form, so I wasn't hopeful for a response, but I DID get one today! Unfortunately it doesn't appear to be good news:


We appreciate your interest in a Club runDisney membership.

Regrettably, membership registration has concluded for the 2021-2022 race season and we are not accepting new members, nor are we able to upgrade memberships at this time. Furthermore, memberships are non-refundable, therefore a waitlist is not available. We apologize for any disappointment this may cause.

We are happy to share our regular registration dates on the event page of the runDisney website. Please be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and visit The runDisney Blog for the latest announcements regarding our events. Keep in mind that event availability and other details are subject to change, but the event pages will always be updated with the most current information.

Literally two minutes after this came in, I got an email from Club rD telling me my membership was extended (again) to September, 2022 and to make sure my profile was up to date as a second membership kit is being mailed!

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

I'm shocked that they aren't allowing new registrations. Now that the return of in-person events was confirmed, I'm willing to bet a large number of people would fork over the money for a guaranteed spot in the race they want.

 

[The Expert]

I replied and said that had I known they were going to do away with early registration windows for everyone else, I'd have gone Gold instead of Silver. I told them I knew I wasn't alone and to please pass it along to the powers-that-be that they are leaving good money on the table by keeping it closed! I did get a quick response back thanking me for my feedback and saying they would "share it with leadership" but we'll see.

 

[jimrpa]

I replied and said that had I known they were going to do away with early registration windows for everyone else, I'd have gone Gold instead of Silver. I told them I knew I wasn't alone and to please pass it along to the powers-that-be that they are leaving good money on the table by keeping it closed! I did get a quick response back thanking me for my feedback and saying they would "share it with leadership" but we'll see.

Yes, if they had told us at the time that they were taking away early registration for AP/DVC, I suspect the uptake would have been greater. On the other hand, given that registration for all three levels is closed, I guess they didn't need our business

 

[The Expert]

Yes, if they had told us at the time that they were taking away early registration for AP/DVC, I suspect the uptake would have been greater. On the other hand, given that registration for all three levels is closed, I guess they didn't need our business

I suppose? Though I really do think the club was a bit of a trial balloon to see how many people would bite on a premium product just by putting it out there. I suspect they kept the numbers super low to try and create the appearance of high demand when it "sold out" at whatever level they saw sales slow down. Now that it's getting attention with this pre-registration panic, and people start seeing the benefits in action with corral placement, when it does open back up they can add a lot more memberships (and "sell out" fast), make a ton more money, and "confirm" it a success.

But imho, without creating this artificial demand based on the removal of perks for other groups, there's no way there are more than a few thousand members. Until this latest announcement, based on the widely negative reaction online, I was almost afraid to admit I'd bought in even at the silver level! Of course one could argue that because of that, there are far more members than we think lurking in the shadows.