Marathon Weekend 2019

[CDKG]

I have been looking too because after two years of freezing in the cold before the race, I am ready to cough up some money to sit in a tent. I am surprised they appear to be getting rid of it. As far as I know it always sold out and basically they are charging $140 to get to the expo early and having a tent to sit in for an hour that has a pretty menial amount of food for the price. It is my understanding that the early entry to the expo was a bit of a disaster last year, so I am not sure if that played into it. Who knows, it may end up being on registration page...

I was planning on adding Race Retreat for the marathon myself. It will be my first full and from experience I know the wait before a runDisney event can be a killer! The thought of having somewhere to sit that is semi temperature controlled is very appealing. Who knows, maybe it will be added later!

 

[Disneyslowrunner]

Anyone have an annual pass? I am debating if it is worth it. I am planning on 4-5 days in January and then in the fall maybe doing wine and dine 1/2. For park admission it probably isn’t worth it, but I am wondering if hotel and food discounts could help save a bit. My guess is that there may not be hotel discounts or would be only small discounts during run weekends. Anyone have any experience?

 

[SarahDisney]

Anyone have an annual pass? I am debating if it is worth it. I am planning on 4-5 days in January and then in the fall maybe doing wine and dine 1/2. For park admission it probably isn’t worth it, but I am wondering if hotel and food discounts could help save a bit. My guess is that there may not be hotel discounts or would be only small discounts during run weekends. Anyone have any experience?

I just got back from a 5-day trip and bought an AP while I was there. Between the two trips (im also doing 5 days for marathon weekend) and memory maker it was 100% worth the cost for me. The merchandise discounts were a bonus.
It's a personal finance decision, but for me it did make sense.

If you have any questions for a new AP, ask away - I'm happy to answer anything I can.

 

[cavepig]

Anyone have an annual pass? I am debating if it is worth it. I am planning on 4-5 days in January and then in the fall maybe doing wine and dine 1/2. For park admission it probably isn’t worth it, but I am wondering if hotel and food discounts could help save a bit. My guess is that there may not be hotel discounts or would be only small discounts during run weekends. Anyone have any experience?

If you are planning 2 trips of over 10 days total then yes I think so. It also includes memory maker & the merch discount like SarahDisney said, so both great bonuses. AP room rates are good too and a nice benefit.

I let mine die in Feb but will get a new one for Jan as I'm planning on wine & dine '19 as well, so 2 trips.

The 'free' cute little AP magnets are neat too. The passholder entrance is hit or miss on if it saves you time. I don't buy a lot of AP holder merch but every now then a pin or shirt maybe. AP holders get a small discount on parties usually too. Once it's active you can do early RunDisney registration day too.

 

[Bree]

Anyone have an annual pass? I am debating if it is worth it. I am planning on 4-5 days in January and then in the fall maybe doing wine and dine 1/2. For park admission it probably isn’t worth it, but I am wondering if hotel and food discounts could help save a bit. My guess is that there may not be hotel discounts or would be only small discounts during run weekends. Anyone have any experience?

I've been an AP holder for almost four years now. I live in FL though.

If you are flexible, resort discounts can be decent. They are usually up to an additional 5% on top of whatever is being offered to the general public. Just like the general public you have to wait for them to release dates. Right now I can book a discounted room for select nights through 10/07/2018.

Merchandise discount right now is 20% at select locations. Some places it's 10% and some places it's none (Japan @ Epcot).

Dining discounts have gotten better. It's usually 10% for select restaurants.

There are discounts on tours, watercraft rentals, spa, mini golf, parties and special events.

Photopass is included.

Theme park parking is included.

https://secure.parksandresorts.wdpr...WDWAP-17-60150_AP-Benefits-Guide-BKLT_SCM.pdf

 

[SheHulk]

Anyone have an annual pass? I am debating if it is worth it. I am planning on 4-5 days in January and then in the fall maybe doing wine and dine 1/2. For park admission it probably isn’t worth it, but I am wondering if hotel and food discounts could help save a bit. My guess is that there may not be hotel discounts or would be only small discounts during run weekends. Anyone have any experience?

It’s been worth it to me. We try to take one visit a year besides the marathon. Then with hotel discounts and memory maker included, which the past few years has included race photos, that made it worth it. Any other discounts are gravy.

 

[jennamfeo]

I'm just sitting over here looking at the Disney Premier Pass wondering how to make $1440 grow on a tree.

 

[kleph]

FYI - RunDisney updated the Pacing Chart table across all race pages on the website, along with the explainer on Marathon Proof of Time telling you to refer to the Pacing Chart below.

The exact text: If you believe you will finish the Half Marathon in less than 2:45 hours or the Marathon in less than 5:30 hours, proof of time is required for start corral placement. Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge and Dopey Challenge participants should adhere to Full Marathon proof of time requirements. Proof of time is not required for the 5K and 10K races. Please reference the Pacing Requirements below for finish times and associated pacing per mile. Please note we do not accept self-timed, training, or virtual runs as proof of time.

Also, in the last 20 minutes that I've been looking at the code record, a block of text has been removed from the Marathon Weekend page ONLY that said as follows:

Please note that if you submit a proof of time from a race distance other than a Half Marathon, an industry standard calculation will be applied to equate your time. To help you calculate your anticipated finish time using a Half Marathon pace, please use the following Race Pacing Chart:
​

It still remains on W&D, Princess and Star Wars. FWIW, it's also not noted out (ie. <!-- > in the code), which RunDisney does for A LOT of things they may go in an add later. It's completely deleted.

Anyway. If this is what RunDisney is going to use going forward for half-to-full conversion, it's basically just doubling a half marathon time. It's definitely different from 2018, because my PoT for 2018 is one of the round times on the chart (plus a couple of seconds, but not enough to make a big difference) and it definitely would've moved me up a corral based on the Pacing Chart compared to Corral Breakdown.

I can't see what the previous values in the table, and, frankly, I never really paid attention to it in the first place. Race Retreat and the Expo Hours being changed got me curious, so I started poking around. All of the information about Race Retreat and Expo Early Entry is still there, but just noted out ... so .

I'll give it 24 hours or so and then send out another spider to see if there are any other changes.

i'm trying to find some info on this issue and I apologize if this was answered elsewhere in this thread. as I understand this, if i've got a half-marathon time since Jan. 1 this year, that can be used for my proof of time for the WDW marathon. yes?

so, if that is the case, what kind of corral assignments can be expected?

basically, i'm on a training plan for a marathon in october which will be after the 10/9 cutoff date for corral changes. i have a 2:03 time from a half marathon in march. what i'm trying to understand is if this can be used for proof-of-time, how significant is the change in corrals?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Anyone have an annual pass? I am debating if it is worth it. I am planning on 4-5 days in January and then in the fall maybe doing wine and dine 1/2. For park admission it probably isn’t worth it, but I am wondering if hotel and food discounts could help save a bit. My guess is that there may not be hotel discounts or would be only small discounts during run weekends. Anyone have any experience?

Honestly, I always base my decision on park admission days. Restaurant discounts rotate in Florida, so what's discounted today where you plan on eating may not be discounted during your trip. Hotel discounts may or may not happen and in some cases are matched if you're using a travel agent. That leaves merchandise to cover any potential difference and that will depend on how much you're willing to spend on merchandise.

 

[Grumpy_42K]

Regarding the 5K not being timed, I wasn't being negative to the runners, just the folks that stage the event.

Seriously, how is it fair that someone who signs up for say, the 5K and the Half, (I thinks someone called it "The Happy Wife Challenge" ) can't go to the RunDisney site and see their results after the race, whereas someone doing the Dopey can?

If you are lined up in the corral and surrounded by people that will have THEIR RACE TIMED and yet YOU DON'T!
Please, someone tell me that is FAIR?

I know the history of the 5K and all that but once you throw down timing mats for some but not all, that goes out the window.

PS, I am never going to win my age group unless I am 90 and the only one running.
I simply believe in fairness to the wonderful people that run these races.

 

[Bree]

I'm just sitting over here looking at the Disney Premier Pass wondering how to make $1440 grow on a tree.

 

[rteetz]

Regarding the 5K not being timed, I wasn't being negative to the runners, just the folks that stage the event.

Seriously, how is it fair that someone who signs up for say, the 5K and the Half, (I thinks someone called it "The Happy Wife Challenge" ) can't go to the RunDisney site and see their results after the race, whereas someone doing the Dopey can?

If you are lined up in the corral and surrounded by people that will have THEIR RACE TIMED and yet YOU DON'T!
Please, someone tell me that is FAIR?

I know the history of the %K and all that but once you throw down timing mats for some but not all, that goes out the window.

PS, I am never going to win my age group unless I am 90 and the only one running.
I simply believe in fairness to the wonderful people that run these races.

The 5K is only timed for Dopey to show that those runners finished the race. Its really not for any other reason. If I signed up for just the 5K I really wouldn't care that I am not being timed and someone else is.

 

[petals]

Others have already answered the memory maker part of your question, but I wanted to add the following.

1. Do not rely exclusively on Memory Maker. There may not always be a Memory Maker photographer around when you want one. I have a photo from Dark Side in front of the dinosaur skeleton in Dinoland where no photographer was posted. I think Memory Maker is a great service especially for race photos and recommend it. Also a good idea to have a backup plan such as your own camera.

In fact this works both ways. My little sister lost her race photos taken from her camera due to a phone problem. No way to replace those, but because I purchased Memory Maker, not all of them are lost including the most important ones.

When dealing with multiple cameras, you may sometimes find that someone is looking at the "wrong" camera when the picture is being taken. Memory Maker and your own camera makes it more likely that at least one of the photos will turn out fine.

2. Make absolutely certain that your bib number is visible. I learned this the hard way in April. Fortunately because I carried my cell phone with me, I have those photos.

3. If you know a photo is missing, you can email Memory Maker, give them details such as date, time, place, attach your own photo to show what your/your group looks like, etc., and they may be able to find it in the system. This doesn't just apply to race photos either. In fact, I recommend taking a few minutes to visit a photo store in the theme parks to make sure that your photos are all there.

I was planning on using my phone as camera for the race. I'll only be doing the 5k because we fly home that day so fingers crossed will get registered for it

Regarding the 5K not being timed, I wasn't being negative to the runners, just the folks that stage the event.

Seriously, how is it fair that someone who signs up for say, the 5K and the Half, (I thinks someone called it "The Happy Wife Challenge" ) can't go to the RunDisney site and see their results after the race, whereas someone doing the Dopey can?

If you are lined up in the corral and surrounded by people that will have THEIR RACE TIMED and yet YOU DON'T!
Please, someone tell me that is FAIR?

I know the history of the 5K and all that but once you throw down timing mats for some but not all, that goes out the window.

PS, I am never going to win my age group unless I am 90 and the only one running.
I simply believe in fairness to the wonderful people that run these races.

I'm doing the 5K race hopefully and won't be doing any of the others. Firstly I've never done a 5k race before so I'm not interested in my timing. I'm just interested in taking part in a Disney race for fun and having something to work towards. Maybe it's just me that thinks that way

 

[Keels]

i'm trying to find some info on this issue and I apologize if this was answered elsewhere in this thread. as I understand this, if i've got a half-marathon time since Jan. 1 this year, that can be used for my proof of time for the WDW marathon. yes?

so, if that is the case, what kind of corral assignments can be expected?

basically, i'm on a training plan for a marathon in october which will be after the 10/9 cutoff date for corral changes. i have a 2:03 time from a half marathon in march. what i'm trying to understand is if this can be used for proof-of-time, how significant is the change in corrals?

Here are the corrals from this year, but take them with a grain of salt because it could be a total crapshoot as RunDisney has changed up corraling from year-to-year:
https://noguiltlife.com/2018-disney-world-marathon-corrals-waivers-course-event-guide/

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I was planning on using my phone as camera for the race. I'll only be doing the 5k because we fly home that day so fingers crossed will get registered for it

I'm doing the 5K race hopefully and won't be doing any of the others. Firstly I've never done a 5k race before so I'm not interested in my timing. I'm just interested in taking part in a Disney race for fun and having something to work towards. Maybe it's just me that thinks that way

Be ready first thing registration goes on sale for you (July 17th AP/DVC or July 19th) and you should be fine. There are reservations set aside for non AP/DVC so it will not sell out during the early period.

I believe the 5K is only timed for Dopey in the sense of whether or not a Dopey participant finished the 5K. Disney 5K races tend to have the craziest most elaborate costumes etc. I did my first 5K ever during Dark Side this year. I noticed that the 5K atmosphere was more laid back and relaxed compared to the more focused atmosphere during the timed races. Do not mistake this as disrespecting the 5K. It's just that I knew I could wait in line for 20 minutes for a single photo during the 5K and not fear a warning that I could be swept if I stayed in line. In contrast during the half 2 days later, they warned me that I was 8 minutes ahead of the balloon ladies during a photo line and would need to join them or be swept when they came by. I was about 4 minutes from the front of the line when they told me this.

 

[petals]

Be ready first thing registration goes on sale for you (July 17th AP/DVC or July 19th) and you should be fine. There are reservations set aside for non AP/DVC so it will not sell out during the early period.

I believe the 5K is only timed for Dopey in the sense of whether or not a Dopey participant finished the 5K. Disney 5K races tend to have the craziest most elaborate costumes etc. I did my first 5K ever during Dark Side this year. I noticed that the 5K atmosphere was more laid back and relaxed compared to the more focused atmosphere during the timed races. Do not mistake this as disrespecting the 5K. It's just that I knew I could wait in line for 20 minutes for a single photo during the 5K and not fear a warning that I could be swept if I stayed in line. In contrast during the half 2 days later, they warned me that I was 8 minutes ahead of the balloon ladies during a photo line and would need to join them or be swept when they came by. I was about 4 minutes from the front of the line when they told me this.

I'm in Ireland so we're 5 hours ahead. If I'm right the registration will be at 5pm my time as it's noon Florida time? so I plan on sitting on the computer for 5pm to get registered.

 

[kleph]

Here are the corrals from this year, but take them with a grain of salt because it could be a total crapshoot as RunDisney has changed up corraling from year-to-year:
https://noguiltlife.com/2018-disney-world-marathon-corrals-waivers-course-event-guide/

thanks. that's precisely what i needed to know.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have been an AP holder many times. My advice is simple - do the park ticket math, and don't include discounts on things like food or merchandise. Those discounts are too sporadic to be sure that they will actually add value, IMO.

It now includes pictures for a period of about 25 months (it is good for a year + 30 days, but includes any pictures taken within a year of the date of activation. That means that any picture in MDE from previous trips within 12 months are also downloadable.) That has a lot of value for some (especially now that the pictures of races are included). That doesn't add much value for others.

 

[Keels]

I have been an AP holder many times. My advice is simple - do the park ticket math, and don't include discounts on things like food or merchandise. Those discounts are too sporadic to be sure that they will actually add value, IMO.

Exactly. I don't ever factor in discounts when I consider the cost-benefit analysis of my AP, mostly because I have no idea how to quantify what my merch and resort stay purchases are going to be. But it's days I go to the park, plus parking at $22/day, plus PhotoPass/Memory Maker ($169/each trip). Add to that if I want to go to a water park or play golf, and that makes my decision for a Platinum Plus AP a pretty easy decision to make.

If you plan two trips a year and have to have PhotoPass/Memory Maker, that's $338 right there on photos. That means as far as park tickets go, any tickets over $566.19 and the AP has paid for itself ... what's a 5-day PH these days? $470?

Plus, if you have an AP you can purchase a Tables in Wonderland card, which makes a bigger difference in discounts on food and beverage over time than the AP discount.

MATH, Y'ALL!!! I DID IT!!!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Regarding the 5K not being timed, I wasn't being negative to the runners, just the folks that stage the event.

Seriously, how is it fair that someone who signs up for say, the 5K and the Half, (I thinks someone called it "The Happy Wife Challenge" ) can't go to the RunDisney site and see their results after the race, whereas someone doing the Dopey can?

If you are lined up in the corral and surrounded by people that will have THEIR RACE TIMED and yet YOU DON'T!
Please, someone tell me that is FAIR?

I know the history of the 5K and all that but once you throw down timing mats for some but not all, that goes out the window.

PS, I am never going to win my age group unless I am 90 and the only one running.
I simply believe in fairness to the wonderful people that run these races.

IDK...if you want your 5K timed perhaps you should do Dopey?

The 5K is much more of a fun run than a race.

I don't understand the fairness part at at all. I mean...no one's going to BQ with a timed 5K. But those running Dopey DO need to finish ALL the races and putting a mat there allows Track Shack to have proof that they crossed the 5K finish. What I'm saying is this: The mat is ONLY for Dopeys NOT for anyone who's NOT doing Dopey-no matter what you're calling your 5K/1/2 combo. It's "fair" because it's not part of your race.