Marathon Weekend 2027

[Fenway1970]

I'm loving the thought of a "pared down" theme focused on the characters, especially if it means we can get some race shirts that have some breathable space on the front.

Anyway, not to derail "pre-theme-reveal-excitement" with "pre-registration-day-stress," but I'm a little worried about it after W&D's reg day. I'm not running in W&D but followed along with the goings on and the apparent changes to the system (e.g. no visible queue IDs, no link sharing, etc.) and at least anecdotally it seems like the odds of striking out have gone up (although also a small sample size right now).

Was talking about it with a friend of mine who's an rD veteran, and she is suggesting to save one device for 10AM EST exactly. I've seen that on here too and wondering what everyone's thoughts on that "trick" are.

My gut feeling is that it's not really a thing but keeping an open mind. I didn't do it the last three Dopeys and was able to get through in time, including one where I had a queue at 4 minutes right from the jump. I do use multiple devices, but I've always just entered the waiting room on all of them as soon as it's available.

I'm sure there are plenty of examples of queues being opened right at 10AM and getting right through but I'm wondering if that's just coincidence. Anyway, I'm curious as to everyone else's experience with said phenomenon. A thing, or not a thing?

 

[fatmanatee]

I'm loving the thought of a "pared down" theme focused on the characters, especially if it means we can get some race shirts that have some breathable space on the front.

Anyway, not to derail "pre-theme-reveal-excitement" with "pre-registration-day-stress," but I'm a little worried about it after W&D's reg day. I'm not running in W&D but followed along with the goings on and the apparent changes to the system (e.g. no visible queue IDs, no link sharing, etc.) and at least anecdotally it seems like the odds of striking out have gone up (although also a small sample size right now).

Was talking about it with a friend of mine who's an rD veteran, and she is suggesting to save one device for 10AM EST exactly. I've seen that on here too and wondering what everyone's thoughts on that "trick" are.

My gut feeling is that it's not really a thing but keeping an open mind. I didn't do it the last three Dopeys and was able to get through in time, including one where I had a queue at 4 minutes right from the jump. I do use multiple devices, but I've always just entered the waiting room on all of them as soon as it's available.

I'm sure there are plenty of examples of queues being opened right at 10AM and getting right through but I'm wondering if that's just coincidence. Anyway, I'm curious as to everyone else's experience with said phenomenon. A thing, or not a thing?

There was one or two instances in the past (not this past W&D) where there was a decent amount of chatter that people who jumped in after 10:00 bypassed the usual queue, i forget which race(s) specifically, but it definitely sounds like it was a glitch. I think some people used the "extra window" trick since then and didn't work as intended so the thought was that they probably patched it up. People still do it though because it's worth a shot.

 

[Novatrix]

There was one or two instances in the past (not this past W&D) where there was a decent amount of chatter that people who jumped in after 10:00 bypassed the usual queue, i forget which race(s) specifically, but it definitely sounds like it was a glitch. I think some people used the "extra window" trick since then and didn't work as intended so the thought was that they probably patched it up. People still do it though because it's worth a shot.

Yeah, it was a previous MW that that glitch occurred (I remember because I opened a window half an hour into registration that brought me straight in, all of my previous queues were over an hour wait). I want to say it was 2022? Anyway, it was awhile ago.

For what it's worth, for Wine and Dine, the first browser I got in queue (around 9:30am) was the first one to get through, everything seemed completely randomized this registration cycle. And I had 2 friends open queues for me on their iphones too. None except that initial one would've gotten me registered, and even that was squeaking under the wire. (I got through to registration 4 minutes before sell out.)

 

[Barca33Runner]

I’m cautiously indifferent to the potential theme. Doesn’t speak to me, but there’s really not much that I’d get genuinely excited about.

Hopefully, if they are truly putting the focus on Donald for the Weekend, they will acknowledge the reason I (and, I think, a few others) find the Half to be the least enjoyable/desirable/anticipated race of the Weekend; the course, of course. A genuine effort to revamp the course and add a little more excitement along the way would be a great tribute on an anniversary year.

 

[marty3d]

There was one or two instances in the past (not this past W&D) where there was a decent amount of chatter that people who jumped in after 10:00 bypassed the usual queue, i forget which race(s) specifically, but it definitely sounds like it was a glitch. I think some people used the "extra window" trick since then and didn't work as intended so the thought was that they probably patched it up. People still do it though because it's worth a shot.

FWIW I tried having one browser go in right at 10. It never showed less than an hour even after everything had sold out.

My fastest queue was one that I launched when we found out the waiting room was open - so before 9. The challenge was already sold out by the time I got in. It truly felt like everything was random.

 

[1lilspark]

The one I hit right at the world clock

FWIW I tried having one browser go in right at 10. It never showed less than an hour even after everything had sold out.

My fastest queue was one that I launched when we found out the waiting room was open - so before 9. The challenge was already sold out by the time I got in. It truly felt like everything was random.

same the 845am click was my fastest one (10k sold out with 5 mins left and challenge sold out right as I clicked)

My exactly as the world clock hit 10am had been at 43 mins when spectrum crashed mid attempt at 5k registration everything else was over an hour

 

[Naomeri]

A genuine effort to revamp the course

I feel like that’s asking a bit too much of rD

 

[lhermiston]

I like the theme - or lack thereof. I've never been a big fan of some of the gaudy colors or that 90s/Saved By The Bell-looking theme from a few years back. I don't wear my rD shirts outside of the parks, so they shouldn't cater to my tastes anyway, but I'm more likely to wear something that isn't neon Day-Glo.

 

[PrincessV]

genuine effort to revamp the course and add a little more excitement along the way would be a great tribute on an anniversary year.

Yeah, I don’t think rD understands “excitement” the way we might. See the “Mile 20 Spectacular!” IYKYK

 

[Fenway1970]

There was one or two instances in the past (not this past W&D) where there was a decent amount of chatter that people who jumped in after 10:00 bypassed the usual queue, i forget which race(s) specifically, but it definitely sounds like it was a glitch. I think some people used the "extra window" trick since then and didn't work as intended so the thought was that they probably patched it up. People still do it though because it's worth a shot.

Yeah, I had a feeling it was something like that.

I'm thinking it's not worth the risk. If things work the way they are supposed to entries after 10 AM go to the back of the line which is a wasted entry nowadays. If the odds really are tightening then I want as many spins of the wheel as I can get.

 

[Barca33Runner]

but I'm more likely to wear something that isn't neon Day-Glo.

I’m more likely to wear something that is neon Day-Glo . RunDisney isn’t nearly flash enough for my taste.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Yeah, I don’t think rD understands “excitement” the way we might. See the “Mile 20 Spectacular!” IYKYK

It may be the ultimate condemnation of the Half that I think an exact replica of the “Mile 20 Spectacular!” somewhere along the route would still be an upgrade.

 

[FFigawi]

A genuine effort to revamp the course and add a little more excitement along the way would be a great tribute on an anniversary year.

Not a chance this happens, sadly. More excitement, maybe, but I can’t see them changing the half marathon course to bring it up to the enjoyment level of the other three. There are not many options to add time in Epcot while still going up to MK and back.

 

[PrincessV]

Yeah, I don’t think rD understands “excitement” the way we might. See the “Mile 20 Spectacular!” IYKYK

Quoting myself because actually it was the “Mile 25 Spectacular!!!”

But.

It was still not “spectacular.”

I’ll be tremendously disappointed if they don’t supply a “Mile 13 Spectacular!” with Donald’s name misspelled.

 

[accm]

Not a chance this happens, sadly. More excitement, maybe, but I can’t see them changing the half marathon course to bring it up to the enjoyment level of the other three. There are not many options to add time in Epcot while still going up to MK and back.

This. Short of them changing the location of the start or end (which they won't do), there's not much they can do while still including the castle.

 

[The Expert]

while still going up to MK and back.

I know I did at least one race where we started in the MK parking lot and ended at Epcot. Definitely pre-Covid. But THAT would open up a lot of options. Start at MK parking lot, go through MK and then down to Epcot. That gives them 3+ extra miles touse in both parks.

 

[accm]

I know I did at least one race where we started in the MK parking lot and ended at Epcot. Definitely pre-Covid. But THAT would open up a lot of options. Start at MK parking lot, go through MK and then down to Epcot. That gives them 3+ extra miles touse in both parks.

Wine and Dine 2021 was like that. But instead of going through MK, we went to AK. It was such a good course, I wish they would do that again. But again, I think between security and all the setup/takedown, logistically it's a lot easier for them to keep everything consistent.

 

[The Expert]

Wine and Dine 2021 was like that. But instead of going through MK, we went to AK. It was such a good course, I wish they would do that again. But again, I think between security and all the setup/takedown, logistically it's a lot easier for them to keep everything consistent.

I know it wasn't W&D as I didn't do any of those races until after Covid. This would have been Princess or Star Wars in 2017, 2018 or 2019 iirc.

I do recall it being rather complicated for those who drove since the start and end were in different places. Everybody had to park at Epcot and take a bus up to the start, so rD had buses going from resorts to the start AND Epcot to the start. I'm sure it was a nightmare.

 

[PrincessV]

I do recall it being rather complicated for those who drove since the start and end were in different places. Everybody had to park at Epcot and take a bus up to the start, so rD had buses going from resorts to the start AND Epcot to the start. I'm sure it was a nightmare.

As a driver, I hated the point to point races and have been very happy to see them go away. The only one that was a logistical nightmare was the first SW Dark Side, with both the 10K and half ending at WWOS - took me 3+ hours to get back to my car after the 10K. The rest were mostly just annoying: I drive because I don't want to be on a bus and want to control my own arrival and departure destiny. Adding an extra leg of travel in was less than fun.

 

[lukemorenus]

It may be the ultimate condemnation of the Half that I think an exact replica of the “Mile 20 Spectacular!” somewhere along the route would still be an upgrade.

LOL - remember that "spectacular" coming out of ESPN WWOS? What a dud