How would you improve runDisney?

[fatmanatee]

I’m not sure this would work very well given how many people spend their Disney races goofing off taking pictures, riding rides, and having beer stops. I’m a case in point. My 10k time was 30 minutes longer than my half time because we hit every single character.

NYRR has a system where it automatically updates your best POT for their races for future corral placement, also standardizes it as long as you run a race longer than four miles I believe. RD could do this too but as you mention, it's not useful if you're doing character stops. You'd have to commit to prioritizing your pace over stops.

 

[FFigawi]

NYRR has a system where it automatically updates your best POT for their races for future corral placement, also standardizes it as long as you run a race longer than four miles I believe. RD could do this too but as you mention, it's not useful if you're doing character stops. You'd have to commit to prioritizing your pace over stops.

The bold part is the hard part. That's not something many people running these races want to do, me included. Even when I tried to prioritize my pace during the half on Saturday, I couldn't resist the urge to stop for characters.

 

[smileyanna]

I'm just an occasional participant in the runDisney races, and I overall had a great experience this year.

My biggest improvement would be to lighting on the course. I couldn't see hazards on the road for too much of the races. I ended up wearing my clip-on safety lights that I use for early morning training runs for the races to help me see and be seen by other runners.

Second suggestion probably won't be popular: skip MK on the half marathon. It's a bad course straight up and down the highway for a few moments of awesome in the park. I LOVED the 5k and 10k courses, and thought the marathon course makes sense to gain all four parks in 26 miles. But that half was a highway bummer.

Related to what people have already posted... I take the merch craze, corral seeding, influencer culture, expense, registration insanity etc as a familiar part of Disney. It's now an integral part of the wacky experience of visiting WDW in general (I say this with love).

 

[nancipants]

Here's a more "actionable" item: they need more porta potties on the course. They have a ton in the pre/post race areas and near the corrals, which is great, but I never past a set of portas on the course that didn't have a line. The frequency was ok, but they needed more than a handful at each location. Also, why the heck did they set up them up in the middle of the Blizzard Beach parking lot? I had to pee badly by that point so I decided to go there instead of wait until DHS, and it was so annoying having to jog even MORE off course.

 

[The Expert]

Forgot to add, after the debacle of this weekend: have a timing chip verification step at bib pickup! Is it going to slow things down slightly? Yes. Is it going to be less hassle than this weekend was? Also yes!

IIRC when I did my first challenges in 2017 (Princess at WDW and Tink at DL), you got your photo taken with your bib at the expo (which they checked at the finish) AND they checked your timing chip to make sure it was active. I may be mixing the second step up with RnR Vegas, but I'm pretty confident rD did it tool.

 

[Naomeri]

IIRC when I did my first challenges in 2017 (Princess at WDW and Tink at DL), you got your photo taken with your bib at the expo (which they checked at the finish) AND they checked your timing chip to make sure it was active. I may be mixing the second step up with RnR Vegas, but I'm pretty confident rD did it tool.

Twin Cities Marathon Weekend does a chip check before you can leave the bib pickup area, scan the bib, verify that the right name pops up on the screen, it's not like it's some new technology that rD needs to invent or something

 

[fatmanatee]

Second suggestion probably won't be popular: skip MK on the half marathon. It's a bad course straight up and down the highway for a few moments of awesome in the park. I LOVED the 5k and 10k courses, and thought the marathon course makes sense to gain all four parks in 26 miles. But that half was a highway bummer.

What I'll say about the half is that the old course went up a different road, through the MK toll booth, I believe past the transportation center(?), and you could more easily see Space Mountain coming up. The view of the Contemporary was kinda neat. I think the change made this year was entirely due to pending construction where we'd normally enter. But... it's a lot of road miles.

There are a few other routes that RD has used for halfs:

- MK parking lot to AK to HS to Epcot: no longer used and very much missed. At Star Wars races they’d start out with a dark recreation of the Battle of Endor, send you through AK before opening, then HS, then an Epcot loop.

So why don’t they do it now? Set-up is a pain. Start in one place and finish in another. Start buses go to Epcot and then you take *another* bus to MK (meaning they have to hire more bus drivers). Easier to just have start and finish in one spot, which is why they shifted to…

- The current Wine and Dine half map. This one starts with an Epcot loop, then a full run through HS. The bad news: after that it’s a lot of road miles before a finish at Epcot. The Springtime Surprise 10 Miler has a similar map so if I had to choose I’d pick the one that has fewer road miles.

- Apparently there has been another half map that started in Epcot, had a brief HS section, full loop in AK, then ended at ESPN. Used for 2016 Dark Side, maybe other race weekends? Same issue as the other old Star Wars map: start and finish in different areas.

Obviously Id like to see the old Star Wars/Wine and Dine map back in some capacity, not necessarily for MW. I do sorta feel that you’re paying for that stretch down Main Street, like that IS Marathon Weekend if you can boil it down to one solitary experience IMO. But this is all preference.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

What I'll say about the half is that the old course went up a different road, through the MK toll booth, I believe past the transportation center(?), and you could more easily see Space Mountain coming up. The view of the Contemporary was kinda neat. I think the change made this year was entirely due to pending construction where we'd normally enter. But... it's a lot of road miles.

There are a few other routes that RD has used for halfs:

- MK parking lot to AK to HS to Epcot: no longer used and very much missed. At Star Wars races they’d start out with a dark recreation of the Battle of Endor, send you through AK before opening, then HS, then an Epcot loop.

So why don’t they do it now? Set-up is a pain. Start in one place and finish in another. Start buses go to Epcot and then you take *another* bus to MK (meaning they have to hire more bus drivers). Easier to just have start and finish in one spot, which is why they shifted to…

- The current Wine and Dine half map. This one starts with an Epcot loop, then a full run through HS. The bad news: after that it’s a lot of road miles before a finish at Epcot. The Springtime Surprise 10 Miler has a similar map so if I had to choose I’d pick the one that has fewer road miles.

- Apparently there has been another half map that started in Epcot, had a brief HS section, full loop in AK, then ended at ESPN. Used for 2016 Dark Side, maybe other race weekends? Same issue as the other old Star Wars map: start and finish in different areas.

Obviously Id like to see the old Star Wars/Wine and Dine map back in some capacity, not necessarily for MW. I do sorta feel that you’re paying for that stretch down Main Street, like that IS Marathon Weekend if you can boil it down to one solitary experience IMO. But this is all preference.

As much as I dislike the current W&D map, I’m worried someday we’ll look back at this map as the “good old days” (“Remember when they used to let us run *in* EPCOT?”)

 

[Zutroy]

- Apparently there has been another half map that started in Epcot, had a brief HS section, full loop in AK, then ended at ESPN. Used for 2016 Dark Side, maybe other race weekends? Same issue as the other old Star Wars map: start and finish in different areas.

I did the first Wine and Dine, and the course started at ESPN, did an out and back to AK, through HS, and finished at the entrance to Epcot (where you got a free beer and entered the park for the post-race party). People complained back in the day of all the highway miles on the out and back. If only we knew!

 

[FFigawi]

As much as I dislike the current W&D map, I’m worried someday we’ll look back at this map as the “good old days” (“Remember when they used to let us run *in* EPCOT?”)

You jest, but the people who operate Epcot would be thrilled if the races never went through the park while it’s open. I hope runDisney is able to keep holding them off.

 

[The Expert]

I have thoughts...

1. Make the race weekends about the runners. Good courses with lots of park time, unique characters and entertainment. Guest "inconvenience" is literally a few hours a year, so let us have our moment. Encourage CMs and resorts to acknowledge runners and provide some extra magic.

2. Fix the expo merch situation. Allow runners to preorder all items for every race/challenge they are registered for and the general weekend (with quantity limits and discounts), but add a few fun surprise items at the expo to preserve that sense of anticipation and excitement. Make some club exclusive merch like the AP stuff that we can preorder too.

3. STOP with the influencers! Giving these folks free bibs, free Platinum access, exclusive sneak previews, etc is great if you're trying to boost numbers and sell your product. Considering the registration and expo chaos, that is clearly not the case. You're just adding to the problem and building divisiveness within the community.

4. Make it easier for spectators and supporters. How about setting up spectator areas or even photo ops in the parks and inviting day guests to join to "plus" their visit and distract them? Encourage hotel guests along the route to join an official cheer squad with signs. You might just attract some new folks to sign up for the races! Side note: Every year our resort (Bay Lake) has less and less area for spectators to cheer on runners, and I got yelled at for going over to DH during the marathon. You know they're going to be there and want to cheer on runners, so give them a safe place to do that where we're allowed to cross over for a quick greeting or to hand something off. (And if you aren't, let us know so we aren't counting on that opportunity!)

5. PUT ME ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA JUST ONE TIME!!!

 

[camaker]

5. PUT ME ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA JUST ONE TIME!!!

I think you forgot to add a little to this one:

"I EVEN DRESSED UP AS %@!# PATRICK MAHOMES THIS YEAR AND DIDN'T MAKE IT! YOU WANT INFLUENCERS? HAVE YOU NEVER SEEN A STATE FARM COMMERCIAL?!?!"

 

[Naomeri]

2. Fix the expo merch situation. Allow runners to preorder all items for every race/challenge they are registered for and the general weekend (with quantity limits and discounts), but add a few fun surprise items at the expo to preserve that sense of anticipation and excitement. Make some club exclusive merch like the AP stuff that we can preorder too.

And don’t put all the pre-order stuff in bundles!! I don’t want ALL the pins for my races, just one from each, thanks

 

[The Expert]

I think you forgot to add a little to this one:

"I EVEN DRESSED UP AS %@!# PATRICK MAHOMES THIS YEAR AND DIDN'T MAKE IT! YOU WANT INFLUENCERS? HAVE YOU NEVER SEEN A STATE FARM COMMERCIAL?!?!"

EXACTLY!

Also, I dressed as a classic, recognizable Disney ride character FROM A RAINFOREST and my costume included an umbrella DURING THE ONE RACE WHERE IT RAINED and NOTHING?! I'm starting to think it is personal.

 

[Naomeri]

EXACTLY!

Also, I dressed as a classic, recognizable Disney ride character FROM A RAINFOREST and my costume included an umbrella DURING THE ONE RACE WHERE IT RAINED and NOTHING?! I'm starting to think it is personal.

I was in line for Bert and Mary the other day and the rD photographer was there, and you could see him looking down the line and deciding who was “good enough” to bother taking pictures of.

Oh, the rejection when just stood there doing nothing when it was my turn

 

[The Expert]

I mean, I get it. I work in marketing and social media. I'm sure there's a shot list, a costume list and a mix of people they are looking for. I've actually been pulled aside and had pics taken at the finish (Everest 5K with my nephew) that weren't ever used. I did get a nice bonus shot in my Photopass though.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

PUT ME ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA JUST ONE TIME!!!

Maybe we should stop leap frogging and you should run with me since I have been featured by photopass and runDisney haha. The runDisney ones I think they choose (I was pulled over on the course and they took my pic), but photopass chooses from ppl who tag them and you have to give them permission in the comments to use it when they ask.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I've actually been pulled aside and had pics taken at the finish (Everest 5K with my nephew) that weren't ever used. I did get a nice bonus shot in my Photopass though.

I also had this happen to me once— a Hercules group costume at the end of the MW 5K in 2024– but it hasn’t been used to my knowledge nor did they give me the pic.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I also want POT for the 10k. It’s not a family run like the 5k, and I’m tired of wondering if I’ll be in B or C corral when I give my honest 10k pace. I’m not speedy enough to be in A.

I loved the smaller corrals at DL and think the corrals at WDW should be the same size. Yes it’s going to mean more corrals but cut out a lot of the mini waves. Just make mini corrals already.

I’d also like to see portapotties in the corrals, in the back. I tend to have a nervous bladder while waiting in the corrals and I’m tired of having to plan the last pit stop before the corrals close. Having portapotties in the back of the corrals would fix that and be out of the way. Heck, everyone surges forward anyway as soon as A runners are moved into position.

 

[nancipants]

Totally agreed on POT for the 10k, it’s a timed race so they should seed it appropriately.

Also agree on portas in the corrals. I always duck out at the back of the start chute and knowing I can do that alleviates a lot of my anxiety, but I hate having to sprint there and back.