Marathon Weekend 2024

[fatmanatee]

SAFD: to play devil's advocate with the IT argument, in rD's case, why? It would cost them money in building new code, cost them money in testing that code, for no additional revenue. There's always going to be people complaining that they couldn't get in. If they use a lottery, then people will kvetch that the lottery failed them year after year.

The New York Marathon uses a lottery system, so does The Broad Street 10 Miler. I'm not as familiar with New York, but the Philly run had one year where they sold out, and then redid the entire system the next year.

But the runs have always been used to get people to Disney. The focus was never using Disney to get people to run.

The issue against using a hold is because it's not like a concert, where you're buying specific seats. You ask for row 15 center, and by the time you pay, all that's left is third deck on the wing? For rD, you're paying for a spot, which is to be determined later.

So I'd love for it to be less frustrating, but what incentive does rD have to do so?

Improve company morale

Seriously though, they catch a lot of garbage for issues that are in some cases fixable (getting ahead in the queue by entering after it opens is unforgivable) and some cases not. Leaving things broken and still selling out works for *now*, but eventually maybe you lose employees who don’t want to deal with it anymore. Maybe it starts affecting race weekend preparations. Maybe the complaints bleed over to Disney corporate and they have to figure out how to deal with it. Maybe runners decide this isn’t worth it anymore (it’s possible!).

I have no plans after DL 2024. That was a registration where I had issues and half expected to miss completely as a result. They kept bouncing me back to the beginning of registration because the page thought I didn’t answer all of the questions, I went through this process several times and had never dealt with that for any registration of any sort, including high demand concerts. There’s a possibility that I return for a MW in the future, at one point I had been eyeing 2025 if I can make it work with my job, but with each avoidable mess I think more and more about other trip ideas.

 

[fatmanatee]

While I’m ranting about this one sneaky thing that annoyed me about that DL registration is that they also wanted to know if I had done other RD races AND if so, how many had I done. Save it for a survey! Ask me at the expo when I sign in! But getting to the end and getting the “you sure you answered all those questions buddy?” message over and over is going to annoy me for awhile.

 

[nekonekoneko]

Improve company morale

Seriously though, they catch a lot of garbage for issues that are in some cases fixable (getting ahead in the queue by entering after it opens is unforgivable) and some cases not. Leaving things broken and still selling out works for *now*, but eventually maybe you lose employees who don’t want to deal with it anymore. Maybe it starts affecting race weekend preparations. Maybe the complaints bleed over to Disney corporate and they have to figure out how to deal with it. Maybe runners decide this isn’t worth it anymore (it’s possible!).

I have no plans after DL 2024. That was a registration where I had issues and half expected to miss completely as a result. They kept bouncing me back to the beginning of registration because the page thought I didn’t answer all of the questions, I went through this process several times and had never dealt with that for any registration of any sort, including high demand concerts. There’s a possibility that I return for a MW in the future, at one point I had been eyeing 2025 if I can make it work with my job, but with each avoidable mess I think more and more about other trip ideas.

Have you seen morale at call centers? They're the ones who get the brunt of angry people. Management never directly hears from frustrated people.

It could, but right now, it isn't. Oh I'm sure Disney would love to give a spot to everyone that wants in, that would increase profits! But there's only so many registrations they can offer. Be it due to security, increase in day of staffing, congestion issues on course, timing, whatever. Making more bibs, medals, shirts, that's easy.

Counterpoint: take a look at CRT being prepay, BoG and Cali Grill going prix fixe, Topolinos no longer offering half portions of additional entrees at breakfast All of these happened because their bottom line was being affected. If money becomes a concern, Disney can order IT to change things. But races are still selling out, same day, usually within 2 hours. There's very very little financial incentive for them to change it around.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the current system. I am NOT looking forward to the morning of the 11th, when MW registration opens for the peons. I've already booked a DVC room using rented points, so backing out of that is going to be very difficult. I've already booked my plane ticket from Orlando to LAX. Missing an ADR doesn't ruin a trip. But for me, this trip revolves around the races; not getting in would be devastating.

I hate those questions, too. Here's my name, my address, my birthday, anticipated time to finish, and here's my money, everything else can wait.

Edit: a letter

 

[GreatLakes]

Good Morning run-Disney All-Stars! Hope everyone is doing well! Here is today’s question:

Based on all your experiences with runDisney is there anything you would like to see them change/improve/eliminate?

In no particular order:

• Offer either a Disney controlled transfer portal or insurance
• Bring back kids races
• Use the new SS races to introduce new distances and totally new courses, not just a rotation of themes on the same old races
• Move W&D back to a night race so it is unique and you can go right from the finish line to the after party. If that means moving it to a different time during W&D then do it.
• Let registered runners pre-order race items and limit the quantity to one of each item to make it less desirable for someone to burn a bib just to order a few items.
• Hold your race as you check out. This isn't some advanced tech that doesn't exist. If you get to the option to register you know you have the race in your cart.
• Bonus: bring back a free day in the park as a reward for finishing a race. They had one marathon Monday in 2011 and they should bring that back.

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

SAFD:
I agree with so much that has already been said. Though most importantly, they need to bring back the tortilla chips in the snack box!

 

[superchime]

SAFD:

I think all of my ideas have already been stated but:

1) Bring back race deferrals.
2) Offer a better variety of preorder merch. Doesn't even have to be everything, but I never preorder because I don't want to buy a bundle.
3) I feel like virtual races are too expensive and I bet they'd actually sell more if they lowered the price.

 

[Disneyhanna]

SAFD: I wish they would bring back early DVC/AP registration. Selfishly as an AP, I would appreciate the extra opportunity to register even if the initial registration was only a small percentage of bibs like 10% or something.

 

[nekonekoneko]

In no particular order:

• Let registered runners pre-order race items and limit the quantity to one of each item to make it less desirable for someone to burn a bib just to order a few items.

I keep wanting this on the first day of expo only, you need a bib to buy the matching merch. And one of each type.

After the first day, I don't care, but let the runners get first dibs!

But as I keep saying, Disney gets their money, they don't care who it comes from.

 

[Bunkie1979]

SAFD:

Agree with many of the things already said by others! Maybe to add:

1) Allow international participation in Virtual Races (I'd happily pay extra for shipping to receive directly from Disney!)
2) Bring back the option to have a race shirt (or not) for Virtual Races (my closet is bursting!)
3) Allow Virtual Race participants the option to order merch (please, please, pretty please?!?)
4) Bring back the in-person VIP Race Tent (it was an awesome option for Marathon Weekend especially!)
5) Better organize the Run Expo, so you don't have to run around to multiple buildings to pick up bibs separately from shirts
6) Create a Scrooge McDuck challenge for those who run every race in a runDisney calendar year!!!

 

[fatmanatee]

Deferrals would definitely be nice. I feel like there’s no policy for that in place bc they already have enough trouble sending out registrations for other special circumstances (CrD members, perfect racers). IIRC they get a LOT of DNS’s, like a substantial percentage of overall registrants, going back to pre-covid times.

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: Sooooo many things! In no particular order after #1, which is very much number 1 on my list:
1. For the love of Mickey: FIX. THE. IT. Or go back to Active.
2. Transfers, deferrals, refunds, insurance, something, ANYthing to help people out should life happen along the way.
3. Bring back early DVC/AP registration.
4. Smaller fields per race (though it looks like post-COVID that actually has happened… I could go for even smaller, though)
5. An option to register at a reduced price by forgoing race shirts and medals.
6. More Challenge options - it would be nice to allow people doing 5K, 10K, and half in one weekend to be acknowledged for that. Ditto for combinations other than Goofy or Dopey for MW.
7. Bring back Rudy.
8. A drive-thru bib pick-up option, or something for those of us who just want to get our bib and go
9. Medal PP spots in the parks, where a PP setup has all medals for that race weekend on hand for photos and runners don’t have to BYO.
10. Better post-race food boxes, but in bags - with HANDLES! - instead of awkward boxes. Why can’t we have Oreos again?! Coke/Sprite?!

 

[nancipants]

I agree with a lot of the previous statements. Selfishly, I will say anything that keeps me from having to sit around in the corrals until 50 minutes after the race officiall starts. Or at least make it easier to sneak out of the corral to pee without worrying about losing your spot or having to fight through a crowd to get back. During Princess 10k, people were sneaking out the barricade at the back of the start chute, but I was so worried about losing my spot.

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

Medal PP spots in the parks, where a PP setup has all medals for that race weekend on hand for photos and runners don’t have to BYO.

This is genius! If people aren't clanging their medals together walking around the park, I bet they'd see a reduction in the number of medal replacement requests. They damage so easily.

 

[Disneyslowrunner]

Sadf: I would like to see you be able to transfer bibs, but a lot of the bigger races, like Ironman, purposely oversell the races knowing that there is a consistent percentage that will need to bow out. Since they already have the money and are at capacity, the people that are no shows are just bonus money.

The only other thing I miss is the race retreat—especially are super cold days. It was nice to have shelter, light breakfast, and then a nice meal after the race. It was a ridiculous price, but I paid it anyway and missed it when it was gone. Fortunately, the last few years have been relatively warm, but there were a few years that were super cold and waiting outside for a few others was rough. The dumbest was when they had the race retreat but it wasn’t in a tent, they took away the meal, and basically all it offered was a little gated off section too keep you separate, which might have made a few people feel special but really it just kept you separated from the fun of the pre race activities.

 

[fatmanatee]

Need to reiterate what was said earlier about bib transfers: it introduces scalping into the mix (i believe there also might be a liability issue with insurance). The majors don’t do it as far as I know, I can’t see RD ever allowing it.

 

[azrivest]

SAFD: Bring back TA runDisney packages.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Trying to think of things that are practical and maybe plausible and it’s tough. They obviously don’t want to spend more money or effort in organizing the weekends and it’s very difficult to think of things that wouldn’t require increased expenditure or increased work.

Completely on board for some type of deferral situation but that would definitely require more work and would, both directly and indirectly, cost them money. Would love to see it, but not holding my breathe.

The one thing that should be plausible and relatively cost/labor neutral would be to finish the races through the front of Epcot again when the construction at the front of Epcot is finished. My race finishes are definitely less magical with extended time backstage on the way to the finish line. I’m not sure how things will look after Journey of Water and the Festival Center are completed; but it’s the front of the park so I’d have to hope there are wide walkways to accommodate a more scenic end to the race. (ETA: No issue with the Finish Line being in the same place it always has, but there used to be far less backstage time in the lead up)

Another plausible change would be to take better advantage of the beverages and food items under the Coca-Cola umbrella to have a couple more options both on course and after the race. I can’t imagine why sponsors wouldn’t want to emphasize a wider array of their offerings and/or new items if given the opportunity. This would require not just doing the same old thing, so it’s unlikely, but it should be something that’s possible.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: Agree with most of what’s been offered already. Two additions. First - let us take the short cut out to the race start. There’s a faster way to at least the front corrals that they walked us out on when I did race retreat in 2020. Why not have both paths open? Second, adding on to what someone else said , have porta johns in the corrals for the half and full. Even just a couple per corral would help so you don’t have to go all the way back out if nature calls after standing in the corrals for an hour.

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD: I really miss the on-course entertainment that *isn't* characters. I'm not a big character interaction fan anyway, and I definitely remember when I started rD in 2014, there was just more interesting stuff going on, on-course, that you didn't see at other races. Remember the big long trumpets (I am sure there is a better name for this instrument) on the balcony at the back of Cinderella's castle, playing a fanfare as you were coming through? The tumble monkeys on the trampolines? Stilt walkers? Stuff you wouldn't necessarily stop for, but spiced things up as you were going by.

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD: I wish they would require POT for everyone. The self seeding honor system is being badly abused. It would be a better experience for all if there wasn’t so much dodging other runners going on. FWIW I’m not winning any speed records and would be more than willing to play by those rules.