I hate you Disney marathon!

[rymahoney]

We went during marathon week last year in January and were never once affected. We did avoid Epcot the day of races. We didn't know it was marathon week until we got to airport and someone asked if we were running. We are going back this year and running in the 5 k.

 

[Allison]

It is not my job to tell Disney how they could improve things. That is their paid employees job.
All I am responsible for is telling them how angry and inconvenient this event made my life.
As far as I am concerned, these events are theft of my services that I paid for. Disney makes the extra money, while normal guests pay through the inconvenience it generated.

Theft of services? I would guess you aren't in the legal field. All this over 40 minutes? Be grateful this seems to be the biggest inconvenience in your life. It could be so much worse.

 

[maxiesmom]

Theft of services? I would guess you aren't in the legal field. All this over 40 minutes?

Someone a while back threatened to sue for theft of services over the delay on the new pop machines. I guess if you can't think of a real reason to sue, theft of services is a good one to throw out there.

 

[snoopy5386]

I'm surprised the OP missed all the signage. I ran in the TOT 10 miler in October and there were signs everywhere on property, at our resort and in our room letting us know of traffic interruptions during the race. And they closed Osceola Parkway because the race takes place on that street, they do the same for the TOT 10 miler. However, Disney is super efficient about clearing and opening the streets in a timely fashion. OP I'm sorry it caused you so much trouble, constructive criticism might work out better than just being angry and giving Disney grief.

And I was staying at AKL (the resort I would say was most impacted) and checked out the morning of the race and saw nothing beyond one road sign. Nothing in the lodge, no notice, no phone message, nothing at all to let us know things were going to be out of the norm.

 

[DOOM1001]

Wow, Disney charges $190 to run on their property? I have to say one thing, Disney knows how to make money. Do you get anything for the $190?

PS: I don't blame you OP, I would be pissed too. When on vacation (spending thousands), no one wants to deal with this.

Different races have different prices and the earlier you register the cheaper it will be.Wine and Dine is actually the most expensive race or right up there,but they basically range from like $110-$190 for the major races depending on when you register.For that price you get a dri fit tech race shirt,the medal,the post race drinks and Run Disney food box which is basically some sort of chips with a cheese or hummus,small protein bars and several other snacks.The night races also offer an after party giving you admission to the park but at the same time non runner family and friends need tickets to get in so there's Disney making more money.The Wine and Dine is the most expensive especially since it's only a half marathon but it's also because they give you a $10 gift card to use at the booths after the race.There is no doubt that the races are not cheap,the Disney races are some of the most expensive ones out there but most other half and full marathons outside Disney that are well organized and give nice shirts and medals are going to be between $80-$140 depending on how early or late they register.At those prices Disney races are not all that far away but still a premium race,the races I feel Disney overcharges are the short 5K's and kid races.All races in and outside Disney are different and every individual is different as to how they feel about paying for these races.I just ran two different Halloween races,Tower of Terror at Disney and the Miami Beach Halloween half marathon and I paid $25 less for the Miami race and feel I enjoyed it a bit more,had a nicer race shirt more food at the finish line and even an after race breakfast party I chose not to attend.With that said ToT was still a Disney race and totally worth it.There's a bunch of new 5K's out there that are more premium 5k's with people paying $60-$70.Two of those are the Color Run where everyone dresses in white and on the race course they throw colored corn starch at you basically painting your body in random colors.Another one is the Electric Run which is basically a rave mixed with a race,everyone puts on glow sticks,light up jewelry and glow in the dark body paint as they run through different glow in the dark scenes on the course.These are $60 or so for a 30-40 minute race,no medals,just a cotton t shirt and are not even timed.Considering that, paying $160 for the full Disney marathon is not too bad.The races at Disneyland sell out in like a day,incredible demand.At least at WDW they take a couple of months.

 

[Unca_Scrooge]

Judging by other posts, you experienced more than average inconvenience for some reason. What service did they not give you because of the race? No where are you promised a short drive to/from the parks. No theft of service there.

I guess the lesson you can take from this is to do a bit of research if you plan on going back to Disney World and pick a time of year when there is not a race going on.

I had 8 pm reservations at Boma. Disney failed when they did not notify me of the obvious problems caused by this reservation. Look at a Disney map, then look at how I was supposed to travel from AKL to Coronado. Traffic was very heavy, a gps was a liability, and the signs were difficult to see with the traffic and gave me no indication of what travel lane I should have been in. I had no easy way to find my way back to the resort and was getting lost because follow detour isn't much help. They should have had signs directing me to my resort. Seriously, look at a map and you'll see why I was so mad.

 

[cfw213]

It is not my job to tell Disney how they could improve things. That is their paid employees job. All I am responsible for is telling them how angry and inconvenient this event made my life. As far as I am concerned, these events are theft of my services that I paid for. Disney makes the extra money, while normal guests pay through the inconvenience it generated.

Wow. I have no words for people like you! Maybe check a calendar next time you go on vacation? I can't believe a 40 minute delay "made your LIFE inconvenient". Chill out!

 

[midaroco]

If they did their job properly I wouldn't complain. I've no problem with marathons, IF they can do it with only a minor inconvenience to the other resort guests. This is simply not possible if they have to cut off the only road into AKL.

It must not have inconvenienced that many guests as there aren't any other complaints. Perhaps it is that you may have simply been caught unaware and became frustrated by the situation? I probably would have been as well, especially if I were tired and just wanted to relax.

 

[DOOM1001]

. Traffic was very heavy, a gps was a liability, and the signs were difficult to see with the traffic and gave me no indication of what travel lane I should have been in. I had no easy way to find my way back to the resort and was getting lost because follow detour isn't much help. They should have had signs directing me to my resort. Seriously, look at a map and you'll see why I was so mad.

What way did the detour take you out of AKL?I know you have Sherberth rd that takes you out to 192,from there I would have turned right and gone to the Western Beltway (429) and gotten off at the first exit which is Western Way which would put you at Buena Vista blvd right at Coronado Springs.Even though this sounds simple I know I've seen Sherberth rd backed up waiting to turn at 192.Which way did you end up going,I know there's some side roads around AK that I don't believe are open to the public but Disney should build a road around there that they can connect to Western Way as a detour between AKL and Western Way to use for these Run Disney events.I had family following me on the full marathon by bus and they won't be trying to get to AK to see me as it was too much of a hassle,a new road could help.That will happen at some point as Disney is still in a holding pattern with the nearby Flamingo Crossings project.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

A nightmare 40 minute round about thanks to the marathon detours. Detour took us off property into heavy night time traffic that led us back to even more detours. 5 minutes and 1.2 miles normally.

If they can't hold a marathon without massively inconveniencing other guests than they need to stop.

As a multi-time marathoner, it's important to note that 13.1 miles is a half marathon.

But yeah, I can't get worked up about this. It's not like these things are secret. Plan better next time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Did you not get the notice that was placed in your room that clearly states " the main road in and out of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge will be closed beginning at 8:00pm on Saturday evening. Please use WDW transportation when possible. If you must use other transportation enter or exit Animal Kingdom Lodge via Sherberth Road and use Highway 192 to get to or from other locations"

Did you get that at AK?
But fwiw the op was staying at csr not at AK.

It is not my job to tell Disney how they could improve things. That is their paid employees job.
All I am responsible for is telling them how angry and inconvenient this event made my life.
As far as I am concerned, these events are theft of my services that I paid for. Disney makes the extra money, while normal guests pay through the inconvenience it generated.

Others were not as inconvenienced, though. This seems to be unique to you. So they probably would want to know exactly what happened in your case. Their paid employees would like to know HOW to help but if all you do is scream they won't do it. They won't know how and they won't even want to.

I had 8 pm reservations at Boma. Disney failed when they did not notify me of the obvious problems caused by this reservation. Look at a Disney map, then look at how I was supposed to travel from AKL to Coronado. Traffic was very heavy, a gps was a liability, and the signs were difficult to see with the traffic and gave me no indication of what travel lane I should have been in. I had no easy way to find my way back to the resort and was getting lost because follow detour isn't much help. They should have had signs directing me to my resort. Seriously, look at a map and you'll see why I was so mad.

GPS is often a liability at wdw.

Wish we knew the direction you went.

DH once left Jambo to go to the publix not far away and ended up on a toll road. He still doesn't know how. Dark and unfamiliar roads are always hard.

What way did the detour take you out of AKL?I know you have Sherberth rd that takes you out to 192,from there I would have turned right and gone to the Western Beltway (429) and gotten off at the first exit which is Western Way which would put you at Buena Vista blvd right at Coronado Springs.

Sounds good.

 

[Tigger's ally]

forty minutes?

This has to be a joke.

 

[maxiesmom]

forty minutes?

This has to be a joke.

Unfortunately judging by the OP's posts on other threads, it is not.

But I do think saying that they should have posted directions to every other resort for guests to follow is a bit much. 40 minutes is barely a bad day in rush hour traffic. Not worth getting worked up about.

 

[Sammie]

I also think many are directionaly challenged and Disney World is not the place for them. I have read about people wandering for hours at a resort, someone posted they could not find the pool at Aulani or the beach.

Using Sherberth to come and go to AKL and 192 is actually quite easy.

 

[MichelleVW]

I also think many are directionaly challenged and Disney World is not the place for them. I have read about people wandering for hours at a resort, someone posted they could not find the pool at Aulani or the beach.

Using Sherberth to come and go to AKL and 192 is actually quite easy.

Sherberth road is the most useful thing I have learned from the Dis!

 

[mgrayar]

I have heard running is a good way to release aggression like that displayed by the OP. Thoughts?

 

[lauradis]

A nightmare 40 minute round about thanks to the marathon detours. Detour took us off property into heavy night time traffic that led us back to even more detours. 5 minutes and 1.2 miles normally.

If they can't hold a marathon without massively inconveniencing other guests than they need to stop.

That's horrible, I'm not running unless what is chasing me, is going to eat me. Lol

Before we ever plan a trip. I take the time to look into all the events going on and how they will effect our vacation.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I have heard running is a good way to release aggression like that displayed by the OP. Thoughts?

That's horrible, I'm not running unless what is chasing me, is going to eat me. Lol

Before we ever plan a trip. I take the time to look into all the events going on and how they will effect our vacation.

on both counts!

 

[Axel]

We've been over the full Marathon weekend in January TWICE and have NEVER experienced an inconvenience like this.

We've even voluntarily traveled to EPCOT to watch the finish of the Marathon.

We were always notified well in advance of any alterations to traffic patterns and that we should expect delays as we made our way to our destination--even if we were using Disney transportation. So we planned accordingly. Once we stayed at BLT during the race (and watched the runners head into the MK and cheered them on, which was cool) and the other we were at OKW and cheered on the finishers as they passed through EPCOT for their last mile and change. BOTH times we were notified clearly by Disney.
Sorry you had a rough time, but both times they were very clear with us. Sounds like you might've just missed a communication or something.

 

[Ava83]

You know what? Disney did fail Unca_Scrooge. They should have put up huge, flashing, signs directing him back to his hotel, heck maybe even his room. Signs that read "Unca_Scrooge THIS WAY"