Expedition Everest Challenge 2014

[bakers3]

Hi!

DD and I are planning to do the EE Challenge this year - our first Disney run....woohoo! I can't register until January though so I don't have access to the ticket price discounts, etc.

I hope someone might have the experience to answer a few questions.

1. What are the chances of registration being full before the first week of January?

2. Is the room rate generally a good discount? Would the discount apply to a longer stay? We would be coming from Oregon and plan to spend at least 10 days. We haven't booked a room or package as I am waiting to see what discounts come out for the general public. Wondering which discount would be better.

3. Can we buy the discounted tickets and then upgrade those to 10 day tickets? Any idea what the discount might be on park tickets?

4. Anything else we should know about participating that might affect the cost/timing/etc. of this trip?

Thank you so much for any answers (or educated guesses....lol) you might be able to offer!

Keri

 

[jeanigor]

Hi!

DD and I are planning to do the EE Challenge this year - our first Disney run....woohoo! I can't register until January though so I don't have access to the ticket price discounts, etc.

I hope someone might have the experience to answer a few questions.

1. What are the chances of registration being full before the first week of January?

Not likely it will sell out before March.

2. Is the room rate generally a good discount? Would the discount apply to a longer stay? We would be coming from Oregon and plan to spend at least 10 days. We haven't booked a room or package as I am waiting to see what discounts come out for the general public. Wondering which discount would be better.



3. Can we buy the discounted tickets and then upgrade those to 10 day tickets? Any idea what the discount might be on park tickets?

No. The special reduced event tickets cannot be upgraded. And I'm not sure of the point. Even if you could upgrade, they would charge you the price of a 10 day ticket less the discounted ticket, you'd be paying the same. Undercover Tourist or another authorized third party ticket seller may be a better option if you are looking to pay less than Disney's price.

4. Anything else we should know about participating that might affect the cost/timing/etc. of this trip?

Early May can still be very warm in Orlando. Stay hydrated.

Thank you so much for any answers (or educated guesses....lol) you might be able to offer!

Keri

Responses in red.

 

[Radiorox]

Wooooh!!!!! Registered!!! 2Nd 5K @ Disney. Sooo excited!!! More nervous about the clue portion. ;-)

 

[ewerstruly]

I'm registered! Whoo hoo! My first runDisney event! They asked for an estimated pace. I thought all who ran as individuals would be in the first corral? Question ... is one host resort better than another for this race? Are there many characters along the race? Is it best to do character pics at the after party (assuming there are characters at the after party)?

 

[cewait]

Hi!

DD and I are planning to do the EE Challenge this year - our first Disney run....woohoo! I can't register until January though so I don't have access to the ticket price discounts, etc.

I hope someone might have the experience to answer a few questions.

1. What are the chances of registration being full before the first week of January?

2. Is the room rate generally a good discount? Would the discount apply to a longer stay? We would be coming from Oregon and plan to spend at least 10 days. We haven't booked a room or package as I am waiting to see what discounts come out for the general public. Wondering which discount would be better.

3. Can we buy the discounted tickets and then upgrade those to 10 day tickets? Any idea what the discount might be on park tickets?

4. Anything else we should know about participating that might affect the cost/timing/etc. of this trip?

Thank you so much for any answers (or educated guesses....lol) you might be able to offer!

Keri

In addition to the other post....

I found that the runD rates are good if you are not willing to shop, wait, or otherwise risk a better deal. Reservations through the Central Reservation Office are generally the going rate if one were to book today and the rD rates reflect a group discount. But, if one keeps their eye open and subscribes to services like Mouse Savers, they can usually snag a much better rate than the runD rate closer to the race date. If one had made a reservation through Central Reservations, it is easy to get the price match... The runD side of the house does not have that flexibility....

Anyway, that is my experience with the two sides of the Vacation Planner group.

I will add that while May is can be hot and humid, this is a 5k and pace is not really an issue. I would make the costume one that would feel good in a 65-75F run.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Hi!

DD and I are planning to do the EE Challenge this year - our first Disney run....woohoo! I can't register until January though so I don't have access to the ticket price discounts, etc.

I hope someone might have the experience to answer a few questions.

1. What are the chances of registration being full before the first week of January?

2. Is the room rate generally a good discount? Would the discount apply to a longer stay? We would be coming from Oregon and plan to spend at least 10 days. We haven't booked a room or package as I am waiting to see what discounts come out for the general public. Wondering which discount would be better.

3. Can we buy the discounted tickets and then upgrade those to 10 day tickets? Any idea what the discount might be on park tickets?

4. Anything else we should know about participating that might affect the cost/timing/etc. of this trip?

Thank you so much for any answers (or educated guesses....lol) you might be able to offer!

Keri

Here are some discounted park ticket prices that I found in my notes. I'm pretty sure they're for last year. Prices include tax.

With Park Hopper
3 day $175.73
4 day $210.87
5 day $243.89
6 day $254.54

With Park Hopper and Water Parks & More
3 day $193.83
4 day $228.98
5 day $261.99

I'm registered! Whoo hoo! My first runDisney event! They asked for an estimated pace. I thought all who ran as individuals would be in the first corral? Question ... is one host resort better than another for this race? Are there many characters along the race? Is it best to do character pics at the after party (assuming there are characters at the after party)?

In the last couple years I've noticed that they've been putting the faster teams in the first corral in addition to the individuals. I'm not sure if that means some individuals are moved back. There are characters at the after party and a few along the race.

 

[JillyBean1899]

I just realized I have 4 months til the race ... I need to figure out a costume! Eeek. I'm soo not clothing creatively gifted. Hrm. Off to Google some ideas!

 

[BwoZoo22]

Yeah! We get to go! Decided it was worth it so we are registered! This will be my first one too, and I am super excited. I love these types of races, even if this one will be Disney-fied, and less difficult,with fewer obstacles, than local obstacle 5Ks. But it is Disney!

I haven't made our resort reservations yet, do they also provide discounts on host resort rooms not in the standard category? We want to stay at AKL, but only if we can use the race discount for a savanna view.

 

[ewerstruly]

I'm trying to plan now. What time should I plan to leave the host resort to get to the race? Probably planning on Pop Century due to cost. Is park day on a race day a not-so-wise idea?

 

[JillyBean1899]

When do they usually put up the travel info? It's still showing the 2013 stuff for EEC, and I'm interested to see how much rooms will be for that weekend before I decide if I'm going to stay on property or bum some couch/floor space from someone I know in the area.

 

[Firefly09]

What is the after party like? I know it says access to EE, dinoland, kali and dinosaur. What else goes on? Are the lines long to get on the rides? Thanks!

 

[cewait]

I'm trying to plan now. What time should I plan to leave the host resort to get to the race? Probably planning on Pop Century due to cost. Is park day on a race day a not-so-wise idea?

This is a 5k.... A Disney 5k... I do not really think there is much to worry about with regard to parks the day of the race. Just keep hydrated.

Busses should start about 730 and run until 830 or 9pm

 

[cewait]

Yeah! We get to go! Decided it was worth it so we are registered! This will be my first one too, and I am super excited. I love these types of races, even if this one will be Disney-fied, and less difficult,with fewer obstacles, than local obstacle 5Ks. But it is Disney!

I haven't made our resort reservations yet, do they also provide discounts on host resort rooms not in the standard category? We want to stay at AKL, but only if we can use the race discount for a savanna view.

When do they usually put up the travel info? It's still showing the 2013 stuff for EEC, and I'm interested to see how much rooms will be for that weekend before I decide if I'm going to stay on property or bum some couch/floor space from someone I know in the area.

I would plan on making reservations through CRO and not runDisney. While the runD rooms will be discounted, you may find better deals later through the central reservations. Subscribe to a service (free) like Mouse Savers for notice of discounts. Note that if you make a reservation through runD they historically have not been able to match lower rates that Central has and you will have to cancel and the reserve through CRO for the better deal. Oh, and do not believe the guff that the runD reservationist may give you about "You MUST reserve through runD to have access to buses." No one checks ID's getting on buses.

I think Mary and I are not staying on property for this race. While I love the convenience, the entry fee is extreme so we will stay at the house; a short 20 minutes from the race.

 

[sunshinecruise]

I would plan on making reservations through CRO and not runDisney. While the runD rooms will be discounted, you may find better deals later through the central reservations. Subscribe to a service (free) like Mouse Savers for notice of discounts. Note that if you make a reservation through runD they historically have not been able to match lower rates that Central has and you will have to cancel and the reserve through CRO for the better deal. Oh, and do not believe the guff that the runD reservationist may give you about "You MUST reserve through runD to have access to buses." No one checks ID's getting on buses.

I think Mary and I are not staying on property for this race. While I love the convenience, the entry fee is extreme so we will stay at the house; a short 20 minutes from the race.

That is nice that you live close enough that you can drive to the Disney races if you want to. Do you have extra bedrooms? You could start a Disney race Bed and Breakfast! (Just kidding, but it would be a cool idea.)

 

[Lermy]

Just signed up with a friend for a girls weekend!

Anyone know what the host hotels will be? Sort of confusing because the info on the RunDisney site is from last year.

Can't wait! I ran the WDW Half in 2007, so it's been a while!

 

[JillyBean1899]

Anyone know what the host hotels will be? Sort of confusing because the info on the RunDisney site is from last year.

Disney's Pop Century Resort Resort
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

That info has been updated, but the link to find out prices still shows the 2013 weekend dates. So we know what hotels, just not how much they'll be.

 

[Lermy]

Disney's Pop Century Resort Resort
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

That info has been updated, but the link to find out prices still shows the 2013 weekend dates. So we know what hotels, just not how much they'll be.

Ok, that's what I couldn't figure out. And it lists $128/pp for Pop?? Um, isn't it like $150/night usually?

 

[networktek]

has any one had this problem before I registered my self for Disney Expedition Everest Challenge and got my sister a after party ticket it is all registered and paid for and now she wants to run the race can run disney refund me the ticket? or upgrade the ticket to race entry? or credit me for future event?

 

[RangerPooh]

DH and I participated in the EEC last year as individuals. How do teams work? Are both team members time-chipped so they have their scores recorded individually? Or is only the time of the slowest team member tracked? Also do you have to cross the finish line together or can you cross it at different times? Also can the team members start in different corrals? Or do they have to start in the same corral? Last, if one get's picked up due to time does the one that finished still get a medal? If I recall I read somewhere that they won't.

Thanks!

 

[ewerstruly]

Not much talk in this thread yet! But I'm so excited!!! Booked a room at Pop. And I have a cute costume idea in the works. Insert cartwheel here.