Everest Challenge, Anybody Doing it?

[cwnhokie]

Does anyone know if the obstacles are after the 5K or during the 5K? It seems from what I read that in the past they were after, but reading more on the official site, it seems that they are going to be mixed through out. Also, I had read that pacing was an 18 minute mile, but the FAQ says 16 min mile. I think it will be fine either way, but my friends that are going with me have been counting on 18 and will freak out if I tell them 16, I think I will keep that to myself.

 

[marymoon]

I'll be running solo in the Expedition Everest Challenge 2010! I just started running in February following the Couch to 5k training program and graduate *today* - just as soon as I get out there for my last 30-minute run. EE was supposed to be my very first 5k, but I trained with my BFF and she signed us up for a local race this Saturday so we can lose our race virginity together.

DH and I will be at Disney that week without the kids to celebrate our 15th anniversary and I thought that participating in the 5k would be a great way to celebrate my own personal milestone as well. I've been out of shape and overweight since having my ds 7 years ago and finally got serious about my health this past October after seeing photos of myself taken during our last trip to Disney that same month. I'm down about 60 pounds with another 50 to go!

The obstacle course worries me a bit - I have chronic ankle sprains in both ankles and a metal plate and screws in the left one from a bad break/dislocation a few years ago. The balance beam is very scary, especially since I don't have a partner to help me across. I hope they don't penalize me for walking alongside it.

I'm very much looking forward to the after party and intend to ride Everest all. night. long. DH isn't a fan of any of the rides open for the party so we decided against buying an extra ticket just so he could wait around for me. I'm kinda looking forward to having a couple of hours alone to ride Everest and not worry about the kids or anyone else for a change.

 

[MJonesMBA2001]

Does anybody know if there's a discount on the entry fee for annual passholders? By luck, we're taking a family trip, and the day of the Expedition Everest Challenge will be our first day there, but I just can't see paying over $100 for a 5K with an obstacle course, no matter how cool and Disney-fied it is. Especially with me having an Annual Pass, because I assume that a large part of the entry fee is to cover the one day park admission ticket.

 

[KML11]

Does anyone know if family members and friends are allowed to be there to watch the race? Do they have to pay a special admission or is a park ticket all they need? My husband and I are thinking about signing up and would like my parents to be able to watch.

Thanks!

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

Does anyone know if the obstacles are after the 5K or during the 5K? It seems from what I read that in the past they were after, but reading more on the official site, it seems that they are going to be mixed through out. Also, I had read that pacing was an 18 minute mile, but the FAQ says 16 min mile. I think it will be fine either way, but my friends that are going with me have been counting on 18 and will freak out if I tell them 16, I think I will keep that to myself.

From the FAQ on the website. www.disneyeverestchallenge.com

What does the Challenge consist of? The Challenge will consist of a 5K adventure run (a 5K run with obstacles interspersed) and a Scavenger Hunt.

What are the obstacles? The obstacles are not difficult but they may require trekkers to climb and crawl and will test your balance.

Are there pacing requirements? Yes. The race will start at 8:30pm. The 5K adventure run course will shut down at 10:00pm (16 minute per mile pace). The Scavenger Hunt will close at 11:00pm.

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

Does anyone know if family members and friends are allowed to be there to watch the race? Do they have to pay a special admission or is a park ticket all they need? My husband and I are thinking about signing up and would like my parents to be able to watch.

Thanks!

From the FAQ

Can my friends and family watch me during the race? Spectators will be able to see their trekker at the race start in the Butterfly Parking Lot at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Spectators who have purchased a Post-Race Party ticket will be able to enter Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park at 9:30pm to view the finish line of the race. Spectators will not be able to view any other areas of the course during the 5K or scavenger hunt.

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

Does anybody know if there's a discount on the entry fee for annual passholders? By luck, we're taking a family trip, and the day of the Expedition Everest Challenge will be our first day there, but I just can't see paying over $100 for a 5K with an obstacle course, no matter how cool and Disney-fied it is. Especially with me having an Annual Pass, because I assume that a large part of the entry fee is to cover the one day park admission ticket.

I don't think there are any discounts. There was a discount for registering early. I don't see anything else on their website.

Individual Registration
$109 on or before March 15, 2010
$119 after March 15, 2010

Here is what you get...
What is included in the registration fee? Each participant will receive a Champion® tech t-shirt, personalized race bib, goody bag, timed race, finisher medal, a 1 Day/1 Park Theme Park ticket and entry into the exclusive after-hours party inside Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

Will there be food and beverage included with the Post- Race Party Ticket? Race participants will receive post-race refreshments once they finish the race. Food and beverage will be available for purchase during the Post-Race Party at various locations throughout the park.

 

[umwhat]

So I called to buy our discounted tickets for the race...and I could have SWORN that a 3 day park hopper was discounted to about 190 something...
I got a CM who knew NOTHING about the race at all and he told me that a 3 day park hopper was $259 :/

Does anyone have info from BEFORE the online ticket store went down? I'm SURE they were cheaper...then again, maybe I was just wishful thinking.

Or...maybe I got a clueless CM?

 

[marymoon]

So I called to buy our discounted tickets for the race...and I could have SWORN that a 3 day park hopper was discounted to about 190 something...
I got a CM who knew NOTHING about the race at all and he told me that a 3 day park hopper was $259 :/

Does anyone have info from BEFORE the online ticket store went down? I'm SURE they were cheaper...then again, maybe I was just wishful thinking.

Or...maybe I got a clueless CM?

Um, yeah, that's not the right price for discounted tickets for race participants - we got 5 day hoppers and paid less than that. Try calling again and be sure to mention the discount code that was emailed with your event registration confirmation.

 

[umwhat]

Um, yeah, that's not the right price for discounted tickets for race participants - we got 5 day hoppers and paid less than that. Try calling again and be sure to mention the discount code that was emailed with your event registration confirmation.

That's totally what I thought!! I tried calling back and then they said that the ticket can't be upgraded or combined...that if I saw that price it must have assumed that I could combine the ticket that you get with registration, which they're saying I can't. What the heck?
Strange things are afoot down in Lake Buena Vista. I want the online store back!!

What to do NOW!?!?!?

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

Who's had success when calling for Theme Park tickets? The online purchase option has not been up and time is tight now for the event. What phone number worked? 1-407-wdw-dream?? That is the number that is listed when attempting the online purchase.

Before the Online purchase option went down, I noted the prices:

5 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More (All Ages) $229.10 tax: $14.90 $244.00

4 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More (All Ages) $201.87 tax: $13.13 $215.00

This is very comparable with past years also.

 

[umwhat]

Who's had success when calling for Theme Park tickets? The online purchase option has not been up and time is tight now for the event. What phone number worked? 1-407-wdw-dream?? That is the number that is listed when attempting the online purchase.

Before the Online purchase option went down, I noted the prices:

5 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More (All Ages) $229.10 tax: $14.90 $244.00

4 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More (All Ages) $201.87 tax: $13.13 $215.00

This is very comparable with past years also.

That's what I remember too. I certainly have not had any luck at all with tickets. I called the WDW DREAM number and yesterday called the Wide World of Sports number directly. She said that they're unable to combine or upgrade any tickets. That I would have to buy a ticket direct from disney and then use my "free" ticket at the end. Gosh, I wish I would have just bought it when it was available!!!!!!! ::kicks self::

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

Tried someone from the WDW-IRUN line and after reading from the webpage about how Discounted Theme Park tickets could be purchase using the password, the CM had a lightbulb go off and once I gave her the password, she quoted the correct prices.

 

[cwnhokie]

Sorry, I just saw your post. when I called the CM said they were trying to get clarification on whether we were supposed to get conference ticket prices or something else (can't remember what they were called) She quoted me the conference ticket price which was much higher. Luckily I had written down the prices from the website. Mine of course were without tax, but at least the price she ended up giving me was close. 3 day hopper was $166. I kept waiting for the website to work again and by the time I called they recommended I not have them mailed. So I have to wait to get them when we get there. I wish I had asked them to fedex them, I would much rather have them in my hand. And we bought extras that we are going to use in December, so I will have to keep up with those when I get there too.

 

[Tara8595]

Can anyone confirm that you can't buy single day discounted tickets for the Expedition Everest Challenge? I just don't trust anyone on the phone these days to know what they're talking about and I didn't get to check the online store before it went down. Please let me know!

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

Can anyone confirm that you can't buy single day discounted tickets for the Expedition Everest Challenge? I just don't trust anyone on the phone these days to know what they're talking about and I didn't get to check the online store before it went down. Please let me know!

We bought discount one day tickets with the EEC deal for $57ish. I think that was the price. DH was the one on the phone. They were NOT on the website.

DH called last weekend to order 2 day tickets for DSs and was just going to confirm they didn't have 1 day tickets and to our surpise the CM said there was a 1 day ticket for $57 so we got 2 of those too.

 

[umwhat]

4 day park hoppers $199.
I just explained the situation to each CM. The first one said that that pricing structure was not available to her but she thought she knew where she could transfer me to get it. She transferred me and it was right.

I started out calling the IRUN line but then got transferred to preferred tickets/group reservations. Hope that's helpful!

FYI Hopper with water parks and more was 215.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Hey Guys,

I am thinking about doing my first everest challenge this year. I will be going down solo (only live about 1hr away). Just can't make up my mind, but I feel like I need another Disney race to get me through till wine and dine

Kirsty

 

[umwhat]

Hey Guys,

I am thinking about doing my first everest challenge this year. I will be going down solo (only live about 1hr away). Just can't make up my mind, but I feel like I need another Disney race to get me through till wine and dine

Kirsty

Yeah!! Do it!
My friend and I are seriously counting down the hours to this thing. It really sounds like it's going to be a great time!!

I think if I lived an hour away from Disney World, I would be a bit more in shape from running all the races but quite a bit poorer!! (Eh...maybe not in better shape if I went to BOMA every night)

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Yes, I am quite a lot poorer for living so close (just renewed my FL resident annual premium pass, ), but I love it

SO, I am going to sign up right now - who needs money anyway (the mouse was probably gonna get it sooner or later!)

See you all there

WISHing you a Happy Memorial Day

Kirsty