DVC X RunDisney

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

No, Gold gets one registration per weekend. So you could, say, use it for a challenge at each weekend, or just for a single race, whatever. Plus early crack at the expo merch. Platinum level gets 2 reg per weekend and even earlier shopping, plus a special bib pickup so they don't have to wait in line with the hoi polloi.

I still think it's insanely priced for what it is, but everyone values different things

Ah, I see. But yep agree…insanely priced…(as opposed to say an excessive amount of DVC points )

 

[Lorana]

**What's your next race coming up/what are you currently training for?

Likely Wine & Dine 2025 for DH and some of our friends. Locally I don’t think he’s picked a 5k yet but plans to.

**Are you an occasional participant or do you race every year?

Occasional. DH is the runner. He does lots of 5Ks locally and several Disney virtual ones as well as Casaway Cay 5k many times. He sort of fell out of practice while dealing with cancer treatments and wants to get back into running again.

**Does your whole family runDisney or do they just come along to support you?

DH is the runner. Our youngest son likes to run on the treadmill every day; perhaps someday he’ll race. He’s not competitive, though, so who knows. We all support DH! I have Fibro, MPS/CMP which means high impact sports aren’t great for me, but I’d like to try a Disney 5k some day!

**Which resort is your favorite to stay at for a race weekend?

Wilderness Lodge! We have a Wine & Dine Week 44 runDisney Favorite Week at CCV Studio. Polynesian is probably second favorite.

**Did you start runDisney before or after joining DVC?

Before

**Does runDisney have a big impact on the number of points you have or how you use them?

Absolutely! It is why we bought fixed week 44. Disney at one point was offering special runDisney Guaranteed Weeks with special perks - it’s the only FWs you can change the check in and check out days. And you get early guaranteed registration for the races. I knew we wouldn’t go every year - at least not while kiddos were in school - but I wanted the perks for when we do go over a runDisney week.

 

[Lorana]

then I will purchase entry through charity rather than pay the Disney corporation

How would one go about signing up through charity?

telegram is this app where you sign up to receive alerts any time a Run Disney race opens up

Do you have a link to the app by chance? This definitely sounds like something DH should get.

 

[CarolynFH]

high impact sports aren’t great for me, but I’d like to try a Disney 5k some day!

DH doesn’t walk fast, hates exercise walking, and signed up for the 5K only because DD, DSiL, and I were signing up and he didn’t want to be left out. So if you want tips for finishing the 5K while walking 20 minute miles, let me know!

 

[prncssjas]

Do you have a link to the app by chance? This definitely sounds like something DH should get.

Hi @Lorana ! Oh gosh, I will ask others to chime in who know better than I do but this is the link to the app:

https://telegram.org/

Then, I think you sign up for the alerts. Make sure you have notifications on with sound or else it defeats the purpose (lol):

https://t.me/rundisalerts

I hope it works for DH!

And as far as charity goes, you can do a simple google search for Princess Weekend 2025 (or whatever weekend you want to run) charity bibs. Then you just look through all the various charities that offer bibs for purchase being mindful of fundraising requirements and deadlines to raise the money. It helps to find a charity that speaks to you to make sure the work is more meaningful. I have raised funds for a couple of different charities and it's very simple. You sign up, typically pay the registration fee (usually the cost of the bib) and then you have X number of months to raise the required amount or else your credit card gets charged what remains. Again, each charity is different but this is what I experienced. The longer the race, the higher the fund raising requirement (ie, 5k cheaper than half marathon). For the charity I just signed up for now for Princess 2025, it was $400 to register for the fairytale challenge ($400 for me, $400 for DH so $800). The fundraising requirement is $600 per person/bib so the both of us have to raise $1200 together by February 28, 2025. I sent a check of $1200 to them last week so I would not have to worry about it and figured anything I can fundraise helps but not a show stopper. Then, as soon as the charity gets their links from Run Disney in a couple week, they send me the registration for DH and myself and I sign up both up (taking my sweet old time, not in a mad rush like it's the hunger games.... ). I hope this helps and good luck!!!

 

[Lorana]

DH doesn’t walk fast, hates exercise walking, and signed up for the 5K only because DD, DSiL, and I were signing up and he didn’t want to be left out. So if you want tips for finishing the 5K while walking 20 minute miles, let me know!

Thanks! I certainly would appreciate it. Are there lots of walkers in the runs?

 

[Lorana]

Hi @Lorana ! Oh gosh, I will ask others to chime in who know better than I do but this is the link to the app:

https://telegram.org/

Then, I think you sign up for the alerts. Make sure you have notifications on with sound or else it defeats the purpose (lol):

https://t.me/rundisalerts

I hope it works for DH!

And as far as charity goes, you can do a simple google search for Princess Weekend 2025 (or whatever weekend you want to run) charity bibs. Then you just look through all the various charities that offer bibs for purchase being mindful of fundraising requirements and deadlines to raise the money. It helps to find a charity that speaks to you to make sure the work is more meaningful. I have raised funds for a couple of different charities and it's very simple. You sign up, typically pay the registration fee (usually the cost of the bib) and then you have X number of months to raise the required amount or else your credit card gets charged what remains. Again, each charity is different but this is what I experienced. The longer the race, the higher the fund raising requirement (ie, 5k cheaper than half marathon). For the charity I just signed up for now for Princess 2025, it was $400 to register for the fairytale challenge ($400 for me, $400 for DH so $800). The fundraising requirement is $600 per person/bib so the both of us have to raise $1200 together by February 28, 2025. I sent a check of $1200 to them last week so I would not have to worry about it and figured anything I can fundraise helps but not a show stopper. Then, as soon as the charity gets their links from Run Disney in a couple week, they send me the registration for DH and myself and I sign up both up (taking my sweet old time, not in a mad rush like it's the hunger games.... ). I hope this helps and good luck!!!

Thank you for all the info! I'll definitely look into this. DH and I certainly have some causes we care about, and it would make runDisney even more impactful if we also raised money for charities while we were at it.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks! I certainly would appreciate it. Are there lots of walkers in the runs?

We only did the one 5K, so I'm not sure how many participants do a run-walk combination or just walk like we did. A lot of people passed us up, both walking and running, but we were not the last to cross the finish line! And I guess I should include a disclaimer - my experience was in 2017, so things may have changed in recent years, and I hope that others with more recent experience will correct me.

The important thing to know is that the time runDisney allows for the 5K to end is based on when the last participant crosses the start line, not when you cross the start line. Once that last person starts, the "balloon ladies" start behind them and maintain a pace of 16 minute miles. If they pass you, you're done. So the more people behind you when you start, the more time you have to complete the 5K.

When you register, you specify how fast you expect to run. The slowest allowed is 16 minutes/mile. When we did it, there were two corrals of participants in that group - I have no idea how many people, but it was quite a lot! We made sure we got to the start area early enough that we were very near the front of the first of those two corrals, so that we were some of the first out of that gate when it opened. We just kept walking, kept to the right, and let everyone pass us. We did not stop to get photos with characters, which I admit is some of the fun of Disney races, but we did get to see them as we walked by! The only stops we made were one potty break for me and one quick stop for a photo of us with Spaceship Earth in the background. I can't find what our final time was, I think it worked out to a 20 or 21 minute mile, but as I said, we were not the last to cross the finish line!

 

[laurend]

Newish to both DVC and runDisney but not new to running! We bought in last year and rD followed as a natural progression from being on property more than once every 5 years. It definitely influenced the number of points we bought - ended up adding on a smallish contract for future marathon weekends.

Trying to get some health things sorted out but I'm a few weeks out from the iconic Falmouth Road Race (for fun/with friends, 7 miles) and I'm registered for WDW Marathon 2025. I'm confident I'll be able to finish the marathon, it'll be my 8th, just a matter of whether it's a for-fun race or a for-time race.

 

[RangerPooh]

What's your next race coming up/what are you currently training for?

• Wine and Dine Challenge (10k + half)

Are you an occasional participant or do you race every year?

• I have tried to do at least one race/race weekend a year since 2013.

What weekend is a don't-miss for you?

• It use to be Star Wars (Darkside) but changed to W&D.

What is the next race you're hoping to register for?

• It was yesterday, Princess Challenge. I got in!

Does your whole family runDisney or do they just come along to support you? **Which resort is your favorite to stay at for a race weekend?

• My husband has raced the Expedition Everest Challenge with me in 2013, and again when it was brought back in 22. Otherwise, nope. Family tagged along for EEC weekend in 2013, Tinkerbelle weekend in 2015, and SW darkside weekend in 2016. That’s it. It has become grownup weekend.
• Usually stay at AK because it’s where we own, but I enjoy SSR too for race weekends.

What's your favorite on-property pre-race meal?

• Dont really have one. Have to be careful as to what i eat.

Did you start runDisney before or after joining DVC?

• After. Back when they still offered a tiny DVC member discount and week in advance registration.

Does runDisney have a big impact on the number of points you have or how you use them?

• Not really.

 

[bumbershoot]

What's your next race coming up/what are you currently training for?

Princess Challenge and yoga. Cousin and I change up what events we do each year, and this year the Challenge is back on the menu. (we'll always do yoga if it's offered; 2025 will be the 4th year and our 4th year of it)

Are you an occasional participant or do you race every year?

For Princess, every year since 2016. Before that I had a wine&dine (the splash and dash year), two marathon weekends, a September Disneyland Half, two Star Wars Light Sides, and the TOT 13 miler was the start of it all. Oh and one Disney Cruise with the official, paid island 5K the first year it was offered after marathon weekend.

What weekend is a don't-miss for you?

Tower of Terror 10 miler at night. Bummer for me, right? (for newer people, that hasn't been run since 2014, I believe)

What is the next race you're hoping to register for?

Tower of Terror 10 miler at night. Ha! I think I'll be waiting for a good long while.

Does your whole family runDisney or do they just come along to support you?

It has changed many times. When married, husband and son were there at WDW for TOT, both January weekends (they did the 5K while I volunteered at the second), both Light Sides (they participated in one), and were there for Disneyland. Princess has been just me and my cousin, but sometimes her family is around and maybe? husband was around for one or two of the first Princesses, but then we divorced. Son is there sometimes. But he doesn't spectate anymore. He'd rather sleep. Cousin's family spectates for the Half when we do them and sometimes show up. Having family there to spectate hasn't really been something that "does it" for me. Running events are the one time I can truly, thoroughly, focus on me and my needs, and I like to take advantage of that. But son is now 20, so if he's there he is easy and helps me out wonderfully since he's an athlete and understands. He's also gotten me as his support person for his ballet training, so he knows what's needed and how to do it.

**Which resort is your favorite to stay at for a race weekend?

I absolutely loved our one or two stays at VGF studios. Felt like a queen. Er, princess. No really, queen. Other than AKL/AKV, both of which I irrationally dislike, everywhere I've stayed for events has been fine. We stayed at a Poly studio for parts of the last two Princesses and that was nice, too, and I'm very bummed that yoga isn't being held at MK so I have no excuse to book Poly for walking-to-TTC purposes. Though I'm perfectly fine with it being at Hollywood Studios otherwise.

What's your favorite on-property pre-race meal?

Nothing I can think of on property.

Off property:
Sweet Tomatoes. Ah, that's another one I'll be waiting on, isn't it? They just reopened in Tuscon, so hopefully they'll make it back to someplace in Orlando.

We've done well with Olive Garden. For Seattle events I've done well with Buca di Beppo, and there's one in Orlando but we haven't been there.

Basically, I like a pasta (not a ton) and lots of salad. And eating EARLY is key. I'm west coast so those mornings are rough. (this is why I loved the nighttime TOT and Wine and Dine!) And it's worse when I'm still digesting my dinner at 2am wakeup.

Did you start runDisney before or after joining DVC?

I started running again 2.5 years after joining DVC.

Does runDisney have a big impact on the number of points you have or how you use them?

How I use them? Yes. Since 2016 I have only used them for Princess as far as I recall. For several years I was still working with a backlog of points (so to speak) and I could afford to get a bigger space so family could join. In 2020 I was even able to get a Bay Lake 2 bedroom for a few nights and that was sweet (though I don't like staying there b/c the lobby, and therefore every space there, smells awful due whatever air stinkener they use...bummer that it's my home resort!). Nowadays I'm basically stuck with 160 per year which is limiting. I also really like a one bedroom for me and cousin, but this year wanted to stay longer so we are in a studio.

Buying more points is an impossibility, so I'll have to deal. Maybe someday. Given that I joined in 2009, I've gotten HUGE value from my 160 points.

 

[bumbershoot]

It wasn't asked (I think) but our fave post-longer-race meal is the weekend brunch at Raglan Road in Disney Springs. They got rid of my favorite non-meat thing, but the Pancakes Diaspora are SO good. I might try the Hipsters Lament sans bacon this time. Or a couple other things. I book on OpenTable, not through disney. Entertainment starts at noon those days, too.

Are you all members of club runDisney?

I am not. It irks me as a concept.
Plus, it took away the "runners retreat" add-on they used to have where you had a big tent pre-corrals and breakfast and coffee.

No, I don't believe in it as an institution and refuse to support it lol

Ayep.

Disney at one point was offering special runDisney Guaranteed Weeks with special perks - it’s the only FWs you can change the check in and check out days. And you get early guaranteed registration for the races.

So you still get the perk? That's fantastic!

Are there lots of walkers in the runs?

Yep!
I walked the Princess Half in 2023 (after a DNF in 2022).

The important thing to know is that the time runDisney allows for the 5K to end is based on when the last participant crosses the start line, not when you cross the start line. Once that last person starts, the "balloon ladies" start behind them and maintain a pace of 16 minute miles. If they pass you, you're done.

FYI that's for all the races.

Back when they still offered a tiny DVC member discount and week in advance registration.

Ah the good old days.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

So I am training for my First Dopey 2025.
I started rundisney 2016 In Disneyland but then got pregnant and stopped running for a while. Then during covid I started back up running and then the money we were going to use for our first disney cruise we ended up using to do DVC and my husband got some Gamestop money too... we pooled our money with my parents since we travel to Disney with them all the time. We own resale AKL and Aulani and then direct AKL 125 for member benfits. My first dvc weekend was for princess challenge 2022 club level akl
We make sure we have enough points for 1 week a year in Aulani with 2 bedroom and then the other the other year 1 week AKL 2 bedroom... then a little left over for my one rundisney a year.
My mom always comes to cheer me on some times my other family comes just depends on timing.
I love dvc and rundisney

 

[Amyunder]

I think there's likely a decent intersection of DVC owners and RunDisney participants, so here's a thread to get to know our fellow DVC-rDers from the Dis

Some questions to kickstart things, feel free to discuss any/all that tickle your fancy!
---‐

**What's your next race coming up/what are you currently training for?
**Are you an occasional participant or do you race every year?
**What weekend is a don't-miss for you?
**What is the next race you're hoping to register for?
**Does your whole family runDisney or do they just come along to support you? **Which resort is your favorite to stay at for a race weekend?
**What's your favorite on-property pre-race meal?
**Did you start runDisney before or after joining DVC?
**Does runDisney have a big impact on the number of points you have or how you use them?

I love this! I have been doing rundisney since my first race in Disneyland in 2007. I actually joined DVC in 2015 after a friend pointed out I was going down at least once a year staying in moderates when I could be doing delux. I bought animal kingdom direct (I know.... stupid now that I know about DVC resale and now I'm clamoring waiting on poly points when they were selling them direct back then). Anyway... fast forward to a ton of amazing rundisney races in DVC I've now added kids and a husband to the mix. I miss the old rundisney advanced registration, I miss the Star Wars runs, and I really miss night wine and dine with the lights in Hollywood but it is what it is . Our favorite rundisney weekend is coming up, when Halloween overlaps with rundisney so we are headed to Poly on Oct 27th for MNNSHP (29th) and trick or treating the monorail loop the 31st. Kids are 4 and 5 so it's going to be epic (our oldest was just a baby the last year it overlapped). Then we go to riviera for the race weekend, we normally stay at boardwalk one bedroom for wine and dine but my SIL is joining us and we need to sleep 5. It's crazy that a 2 bed at boardwalk is the same price as 1 bed at riviera... too bad there is no availability . Also on the horizon is princess with just the SIL and BIL which I haven't done in years.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I don't think I ever answered all my own questions

**What's your next race coming up/what are you currently training for?

Wine & Dine 2-course challenge, Dopey, then Princess 5k and Half.
But really just Dopey, the other races all just get rolled into training for that 48.6 or the cooldown period after lol

**Are you an occasional participant or do you race every year?

I started RunDisney with the inaugural Tower of Terror 13k (at night ), then the 2008 Marathon and Minnie Marathon Weekend races (5k and 15k). I took a break from racing for about 15 years due to health issues and life stuff, but started back with WnD 2022 and Dopey 2023 (and many other races since then).

**What weekend is a don't-miss for you?

Marathon Weekend is my favorite for the overall vibe if you're actually running the marathon. Princess has grown on me due to some online friends I've made. Wine & Done I appreciate the afterparty!
Springtime is honestly the only weekend I won't be repeating anytime soon.

**What is the next race you're hoping to register for?

Just registered for Princess so I'm good for a long while!

**Does your whole family runDisney or do they just come along to support you?

My husband has come with me to some weekends and has just started to be willing to do the 5k as of last Wine & Dine. He's signed up to do both the 5 and 10 while I do Dopey in January so we'll see how he foes with the longer distance and back to back races He's very athletic, just dislikes cardio (even though he's always faster than me WITHOUT EVER TRAINING

**Which resort is your favorite to stay at for a race weekend?

We stayed at Riviera for the first time this year at Springtime and it honestly convinced us to buy into DVC Looking forward to trying all the resorts eventually. Before that our favorite was Gran Destino Tower at Coronado (I'm sensing a theme...)

**What's your favorite on-property pre-race meal?

The shrimp papparadelle at Trattoria al Forno.

**Did you start runDisney before or after joining DVC?

Before

**Does runDisney have a big impact on the number of points you have or how you use them?

Yes- it's part of the reason we decided to purchase.

 

[Amyunder]

No, Gold gets one registration per weekend. So you could, say, use it for a challenge at each weekend, or just for a single race, whatever. Plus early crack at the expo merch. Platinum level gets 2 reg per weekend and even earlier shopping, plus a special bib pickup so they don't have to wait in line with the hoi polloi.

I still think it's insanely priced for what it is, but everyone values different things

I did silver the first year it was out. Due to Covid I ended up with 2 jackets and 2 medals so that was cool. Other than that... meh not worth it. There is an advantage to the platinum corral placement for the marathon if you want character photos and to get into the rides before they open the parks (if you are further back without a POT doing those things are tough). Other than that idk if it's worth it. I mean if you don't have 5 devices and nerves/adrenalin registering is it really a rundisney race. The registration is a right of passage and that is a hill I will die on .

 

[SugarSweetLee]

There is an advantage to the platinum corral placement for the marathon if you want character photos and to get into the rides before they open the parks

Oh, I forgot to even mention that as it's one of the aspects of (platinum) club membership I most vehemently disagree with. Don't want to kickstart a debate, I'm just not a fan of the practice.

 

[CarolynFH]

I mean if you don't have 5 devices and nerves/adrenalin registering is it really a rundisney race. The registration is a right of passage and that is a hill I will die on .

LOL, that was us registering DD for the 2025 Marathon!

 

[Amyunder]

What's your next race coming up/what are you currently training for?

Princess Challenge and yoga. Cousin and I change up what events we do each year, and this year the Challenge is back on the menu. (we'll always do yoga if it's offered; 2025 will be the 4th year and our 4th year of it)

Are you an occasional participant or do you race every year?

For Princess, every year since 2016. Before that I had a wine&dine (the splash and dash year), two marathon weekends, a September Disneyland Half, two Star Wars Light Sides, and the TOT 13 miler was the start of it all. Oh and one Disney Cruise with the official, paid island 5K the first year it was offered after marathon weekend.

What weekend is a don't-miss for you?

Tower of Terror 10 miler at night. Bummer for me, right? (for newer people, that hasn't been run since 2014, I believe)

What is the next race you're hoping to register for?

Tower of Terror 10 miler at night. Ha! I think I'll be waiting for a good long while.

Does your whole family runDisney or do they just come along to support you?

It has changed many times. When married, husband and son were there at WDW for TOT, both January weekends (they did the 5K while I volunteered at the second), both Light Sides (they participated in one), and were there for Disneyland. Princess has been just me and my cousin, but sometimes her family is around and maybe? husband was around for one or two of the first Princesses, but then we divorced. Son is there sometimes. But he doesn't spectate anymore. He'd rather sleep. Cousin's family spectates for the Half when we do them and sometimes show up. Having family there to spectate hasn't really been something that "does it" for me. Running events are the one time I can truly, thoroughly, focus on me and my needs, and I like to take advantage of that. But son is now 20, so if he's there he is easy and helps me out wonderfully since he's an athlete and understands. He's also gotten me as his support person for his ballet training, so he knows what's needed and how to do it.

**Which resort is your favorite to stay at for a race weekend?

I absolutely loved our one or two stays at VGF studios. Felt like a queen. Er, princess. No really, queen. Other than AKL/AKV, both of which I irrationally dislike, everywhere I've stayed for events has been fine. We stayed at a Poly studio for parts of the last two Princesses and that was nice, too, and I'm very bummed that yoga isn't being held at MK so I have no excuse to book Poly for walking-to-TTC purposes. Though I'm perfectly fine with it being at Hollywood Studios otherwise.

What's your favorite on-property pre-race meal?

Nothing I can think of on property.

Off property:
Sweet Tomatoes. Ah, that's another one I'll be waiting on, isn't it? They just reopened in Tuscon, so hopefully they'll make it back to someplace in Orlando.

We've done well with Olive Garden. For Seattle events I've done well with Buca di Beppo, and there's one in Orlando but we haven't been there.

Basically, I like a pasta (not a ton) and lots of salad. And eating EARLY is key. I'm west coast so those mornings are rough. (this is why I loved the nighttime TOT and Wine and Dine!) And it's worse when I'm still digesting my dinner at 2am wakeup.

Did you start runDisney before or after joining DVC?

I started running again 2.5 years after joining DVC.

Does runDisney have a big impact on the number of points you have or how you use them?

How I use them? Yes. Since 2016 I have only used them for Princess as far as I recall. For several years I was still working with a backlog of points (so to speak) and I could afford to get a bigger space so family could join. In 2020 I was even able to get a Bay Lake 2 bedroom for a few nights and that was sweet (though I don't like staying there b/c the lobby, and therefore every space there, smells awful due whatever air stinkener they use...bummer that it's my home resort!). Nowadays I'm basically stuck with 160 per year which is limiting. I also really like a one bedroom for me and cousin, but this year wanted to stay longer so we are in a studio.

Buying more points is an impossibility, so I'll have to deal. Maybe someday. Given that I joined in 2009, I've gotten HUGE value from my 160 points.

TOT 10 miler at night! I did it once and it was epic... I think there was an after party too. Still one of my favorite medals. 10 miles is the perfect distance too.

 

[Amyunder]

Oh, I forgot to even mention that as it's one of the aspects of (platinum) club membership I most vehemently disagree with. Don't want to kickstart a debate, I'm just not a fan of the practice.

No I agree it's a safety hazard having slow people in the front but you know...$$. I was just meaning as the consumer there is one perk that has a unique kind of value. It is far better to just work for a POT and run faster in the race. As a participant I strongly disagree with it but I get it.