DL 1/2 Changes...WDW 1/2 & Full can't be far away

[ultramickeymouse]

I noticed a few months ago that the DL 1/2 race app asks if you are a walker. I figure there is a reason for this, even if not for this year. I just went to the DL race website and noticed this. Really cheap of them. We all look forward to getting the programs before the races(especially WDW) but now will have to look online or wait to packet pickup
What's up with that?? Is WDW Marathon weekend next? I guess they can save thousands of $$$


COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAMS
New in 2008! Your commemorative Disneyland® Half Marathon program will not be mailed out to you in advance. You will receive it in your participant goody bag at the Expo. The program will also be posted on-line by late July.

ONLINE PROCESS FOR RACE NUMBER PICK-UP CARD/WAIVER
Also new in 2008, you will not receive your half marathon race number pick-up card/waiver form in the mail prior to the race. You will need to download your personalized race number pick-up card/waiver form online and bring it with you to packet pick-up at the Expo on August 29 or 30. This form will be available by the end of July, and you will be notified via email when it is ready. Please continue to check back here for updates on this process.

 

[ironz]

I wouldn't say that not mailing the packets is cheap. But maybe it is more efficient for them, seeing as how some of them don't make it in the mail (mine didn't one year), people lose them, etc....so they have to hand out duplicate packets at the expo and also deal with the people who didn't get their number, or lost it. And you can look at it this way....those are costs that may be going up for them that they would most definitely pass on to you...I would certainly rather not have a huge price increase if the option is to get my packet onsite.

The WDW races are the only ones I know of that still mail anything out ahead of time. Even other big-time races like Ironman triathlon ($500 entry fee) don't send you anything ahead of time.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Betsy: I am a RD so I understand the need to control expenses and minimize increase in entry fees. They already increased the base rate of the marathon $10 and raised it another $10 after March 1. They removed creating and mailing the Post Race CD. Removed expense, increase fees. That seems to be the trend.

Realize I am a Disney Fanatic that has dropped over $150K in DVC, created my own website and forum to promote the fun of participating in Disney races. I did 6 WDW races last year(and I live on the West Coast). I will only do 3 this year(Dopey in Jan) and plan no other WDW races. When they remove discounts and increase entry fees to $170($50 more than last year) for 2 to do a 8 mile race, I draw the line. I will be at WDW & F&W during race dates but won't do the race. We didn't even do 1 ride before the party was over. I won't be coming down for the Princess races(we did both Minnie races in 07) either.

 

[ironz]

Thanks for your website, btw!

I totally understand...but I'm just pointing out that it is happening all around. People complain about Ironman all the time, how they are "making millions" off of us...well, if the market supports it...they can. And as you know, as an RD, that supplies/signage/perks/safety measures don't stay the same price to the race producers.

It's amazing, really...how much even just the WDW 1/2 and full marathons have grown. I first did the 1/2 in 2000, and there were maybe 12,000 people doing the races combined (same day). Now there is, what, 15,000 each day? So...one line of thought would say that more people on the same course should hold the cost down. But...since the races are selling out far in advance....they know the demand is there, and "can" raise prices.

Anyway, to me, getting the program early was a nice perk, but not a make or break deal. Actually, the crowds are what have broken me. I empathize with your not going to as many events going forward...I'm not either. But it's not really unique to WDW or to running.

I will agree that the "extras" they are trying to lump into race fees (as in tickets, even if you are an AP holder, etc) are pretty bogus and should be an add-on type thing.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Betsy: I agree about the growth as my 1st WDW marathon was in 96. THey had less than 5,000 runners. Now pushing 20,000

I don't really care if the program is mailed or in race packet at expo but a lot of newbies look forward to it, read it 100 times, come up with questions and plan their trips around it. Yes, you can use your computer printer to print it out but it just isn't the same.

Let not get into forcing tickets onto AP'ers(like myself)