How would you improve runDisney?

[pluto377]

I feel like I'm so oblivious, multiple people have mentioned the influencer thing, but I haven't noticed them at all. Am I officially old and out of touch?

 

[Zutroy]

I forgot a very simple change, being back kids races. There is no excuse Disney has no kids event.

I loved the kids races, but the sad reality is that it’s all about money. More specifically, about the money parents aren’t spending at the parks because they are at ESPN that afternoon for the kids’ events. It’s the same reason why Disney hates people with annual passes—they spend less per guest on food and merch than ticketed guests. I’m convinced the operations folks have some metrics they need to hit to keep their bosses happy, and I’m sure there’s a huge dip when the races go through the parks.

 

[kristenabelle]

I'm so bummed that Springtime Surprise didn't have a night race after teasing us with the moon in the weekend logo. My first race was ToT 10 miler in 2013, and it was AWESOME. Great nighttime race, lots of fun characters, and the CMs at ToT let my friends and I "greet" a couple of cars post-ride since we were dressed as bellhops. Medal was a super detailed but uncomplicated (not heavy, no paint to chip) ToT with a falling car. I'd be so happy to have a race experience like that again.

 

[Naomeri]

I feel like I'm so oblivious, multiple people have mentioned the influencer thing, but I haven't noticed them at all. Am I officially old and out of touch?

I don't know about like, actual "influencer" people, though I'm sure there's a bunch of those.

But there's a lot of people (read: entitled jerks) that are super focused on getting their Instagram-perfect course/finish line pictures, and to hell with the people around them. These people are a hazard on the course and I would really like to start just plowing into them, instead of actually paying attention to my surroundings and avoiding collisions.

 

[fatmanatee]

I feel like I'm so oblivious, multiple people have mentioned the influencer thing, but I haven't noticed them at all. Am I officially old and out of touch?

I’m familiar with a few of them and didn’t see any. I did run into a few people who were doing the airplane pose, slowing down to a near-walking pace and swaying back and forth, not sure if influencers are to blame for that though. I get that you want to get a good photo but keep it moving!

 

[nancipants]

I follow several people I’d consider runDisney influencers, and I generally like their content and don’t find them that entitled. (Some of them, yes, but in general they actually care about running rD and pay for their races and merch.) However, I’ve had a bunch of suggested reels that are from “influencers” who had their bibs/trip comped, and that I find ridiculous. runDisney does NOT need any extra promotion.

 

[Naomeri]

I’m familiar with a few of them and didn’t see any. I did run into a few people who were doing the airplane pose, slowing down to a near-walking pace and swaying back and forth, not sure if influencers are to blame for that though. I get that you want to get a good photo but keep it moving!

The dumbest thing is, they don't even stop/slow down/do their pose in the right place half the time. And they aim themselves directly at the photographer and just keep moving up on them and ruin it for anyone close behind them.

I'm weirdly good at getting really good on-course pictures, and I never have to do anything special, beyond paying attention to where the photographers are and safely getting into a good position ahead of time.

 

[Disney at Heart]

It’s the same reason why Disney hates people with annual passes—they spend less per guest on food and merch than ticketed guests. I’m convinced the operations folks have some metrics they need to hit to keep their bosses happy, and I’m sure there’s a huge dip when the races go through the parks.

Disney’s attitude toward annual passholders, like their attitude toward races, has also deteriorated. Perks have diminished. We used to get pre-registration for races!!! Now, 10% off “some” dining locations doesn’t even pay the tip, the “free” magnet that they give for in- person pick up when I am nowhere near Florida means nothing, and the extra colorful spin and pixie dust sound when I tap in to a park turnstile just takes more time! We pay about $1400 x 3 for APs, come down at least 3x each year, stay on property for 9 nights/10 days, have restaurant reservations 4-5 nights and eat QS meals in parks or resorts, and buy a few souvenirs… but I have to make park reservations, because I’m not a valued customer?

 

[Disney at Heart]

My first race was ToT 10 miler in 2013, and it was AWESOME. Great nighttime race, lots of fun characters, and the CMs at ToT let my friends and I "greet" a couple of cars post-ride since we were dressed as bellhops. Medal was a super detailed but uncomplicated (not heavy, no paint to chip) ToT with a falling car. I'd be so happy to have a race experience like that again.

TOT 10 in 2013 was my first Disney race too, although I had been attending race weekends since 1994 with DH!
That first medal will always be a treasured possession!

 

[camaker]

Disney’s attitude toward annual passholders, like their attitude toward races, has also deteriorated. Perks have diminished. We used to get pre-registration for races!!! Now, 10% off “some” dining locations doesn’t even pay the tip, the “free” magnet that they give for in- person pick up when I am nowhere near Florida means nothing, and the extra colorful spin and pixie dust sound when I tap in to a park turnstile just takes more time! We pay about $1400 x 3 for APs, come down at least 3x each year, stay on property for 9 nights/10 days, have restaurant reservations 4-5 nights and eat QS meals in parks or resorts, and buy a few souvenirs… but I have to make park reservations, because I’m not a valued customer?

Having to make park reservations as an out of state AP who makes one or two trips down a year and stays at an on-site resort when regular passes don't need to is pretty aggravating.

 

[marty3d]

TOT 10 in 2013 was my first Disney race too, although I had been attending race weekends since 1994 with DH!
That first medal will always be a treasured possession!

That TOT medal (I raced 2012) is still one of my absolute favourites!

 

[PrincessV]

I’m late to this convo, but will echo and +1 the cry for a return to simpler, more elegant medals that can actually be worn in multiples without causing a slipped disc and that are unlikely to fall apart 5 minutes after finishing. I despise all the paint and gimmicky stuff (excepting the TOT 10-Miler medals with the elevator that can kind of move up and down, but that are SO sturdy, it’s a challenge to actually make it happen). Aside from my own personal feelings on that, the wearing and clanging of multiple medals in the parks was an incredible free advertisement for the races to Guests who would otherwise have no idea.

I never imagined I’d say this, but… yes, please, I’d gladly take the old mile walk-out to a mile of corrals at EP over the current system.

Bring back the Expedition Everest Challenge, complete with obstacles. (They can lose the clue hunt though - I never was any good at that lol!) And/or something new that combines running with other stuff - something different for folks who want more than “just” a 5K, but not necessarily “just” a longer distance.