News and Developments for Future In-Person runDisney Events

[BikeFan]

Who am I kidding, here's my credit card Disney.

Of course we're going to pay it.
All of us on registration day:

 

[lahobbs4]

I had resigned myself to finding a marathon other than rD for December/January but then I heard those cowbells and now I'm crying at my desk. Take my money.

 

[kidmd]

All this excitement is driving me crazy. As soon as dates are announced, I'll be booking a room.

This will be my first RunDisney 5k event. I researched quite a bit, but much of the information has been difficult to find due to the pandemic. One thing I can't seem to figure out.. do I need to attend the Expo before the date of the race?

For example, if the 5k is on a Tuesday, do I need to attend the Expo the weekend prior (Sat/Sun) to pick up my bib, etc.? Do they host the Expo throughout the week, or is it only the weekend prior to Marathon Week?

Like others have said, expo is usually open the day before the 5k (Thursday or Friday). Only thing I would add is, if you are like me and don't care about merch, go later in the day to avoid the crowds.

 

[jimrpa]

I really wish they would restrict access to the expo (particularly the Disney Store) to people with bibs ONLY. Not people with bibs and their “SOs”, “friends”, “strollers”, “whatever”, just people with bibs. No bib, no entry. Have an after-final race day sale where the doors are open for all comers to pick over all the leftovers. Let’s be honest, about 60% of the people there are just buying to collect and resell. I don’t mind that, but give me, as a runner, uninterrupted first dibs please.

 

[disneygpa]

I really wish they would restrict access to the expo (particularly the Disney Store) to people with bibs ONLY. Not people with bibs and their “SOs”, “friends”, “strollers”, “whatever”, just people with bibs. No bib, no entry. Have an after-final race day sale where the doors are open for all comers to pick over all the leftovers. Let’s be honest, about 60% of the people there are just buying to collect and resell. I don’t mind that, but give me, as a runner, uninterrupted first dibs please.

This!!! If I could like this a million times I would. We got there super early and still had to stand in line for over an hour just to get in and then the shirt I was looking for was all gone.... my daughter happened to find one in a wad on the floor in my size... talk about lucky!!!

 

[DopeyBadger]

I really wish they would restrict access to the expo (particularly the Disney Store) to people with bibs ONLY. Not people with bibs and their “SOs”, “friends”, “strollers”, “whatever”, just people with bibs. No bib, no entry. Have an after-final race day sale where the doors are open for all comers to pick over all the leftovers. Let’s be honest, about 60% of the people there are just buying to collect and resell. I don’t mind that, but give me, as a runner, uninterrupted first dibs please.

It's a reasonable idea. I could foresee one potential hiccup. If the requirement is a bib to shop in the runDisney specific area for a certain amount of time, then what stops those same resellers/collectors from just buying a 5k bib (the cheapest) and then doing their same thing. They would buy merchandise at the same volume/frequency as they do now, but now they're also taking away a 5k spot from someone who would actually run the race. Given the 5k sells out so fast traditionally, if truly 60% of the people at the expo are solely for the collect/resell market, then that could be a lot of lost out bibs for runners. The gate keeping of a $75-100 running bib might eat enough in to profits not to make it worth it to some (hard to say how much) of the collect/resell crowd, and the potential of reseller/collectors not scoring a 5k bib could reduce the number of them as well. Does this potential negative outweigh the potential positive of bib-exclusive shoppers? Don't get me wrong, I'm right there with you on hoping there was an easy fix for an issue that runDisney itself might not care about. We've also throw around the idea of more pre-sale merch available.

There was one year where they linked early access to runDisney expo merch with Race Retreat. This article from Sept 2019 says that (link). So not only a bib required (because you've got to have a HM/M bib for Race Retreat, I don't think the 5k/10k had RR), but also an additional fee above the cost of the bib. That additional cost per weekend (like $120 RR + $190 HM bib = $310) would probably be enough of a deterrent for the resell market crowd, but now it also cuts out some of the bib runners too who wouldn't want to fork up for RR. Now it looks like Club runDisney Platinum level has the early access:



Since this is a perk for Club runDisney Platinum members, I don't think we're going to see bib-exclusive runner access anytime soon. I'm still holding out some hope for some solution though.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

So now we know the day, what time do we think the news will drop?

 

[Herding_Cats]

For Princess this year that had a LOT of stuff available for pre-order (including the sprirt jerseys) which I think may have been a response to all of the "buy everything and price gouge" practices that were popping up. Off the top of my head there were: spirit jerseys, jackets, wine glasses, pandora charms, magnets, tumblers, magic bands, and a lot of other stuff I don't recall.


I will have to beg discuss MW with the husband tonight. I have already worked out the potential issues (specifically the younger 2 kids since DS1 will be able to drive this fall) and have a tentative spreadsheet of costs. Potential rabbit holes for me to fall into include: full? goofy? DOPEY?! (and have DS3 do the 5k with me because he looooooves pluto?)

The REAL question for me is: if WD&D is virtual, will I need to buy all of the medals? The answer is obviously yes.

 

[LilyJC]

What are the guesses for the April 2022 race weekend dates? I know Easter is later in the month for 2022, so is the race weekend earlier? Our last SW weekend was 2018, and I can’t remember for the life of me… Trying to decide whether to jump on DVC reservations at my preferred home resort now, or take a chance and wait until tomorrow!

 

[Tiggerette]

What are the guesses for the April 2022 race weekend dates? I know Easter is later in the month for 2022, so is the race weekend earlier? Our last SW weekend was 2018, and I can’t remember for the life of me… Trying to decide whether to jump on DVC reservations at my preferred home resort now, or take a chance and wait until tomorrow!

You could reserve your home resort and utilize the "modify reservation" option later if needed. Although, some resale members have had issues with that route.

 

[Onceuponamarathon]

Guesses for the April Race in no particular order:

1. Marvel. Yes I know there is a huge licensing issue with WDW. Yes I know that this was already a DL race. However I think the license just says IN park and as a Permanent thing (other people keep me honest). If there is a loop hole where they can bring Ironman and Thor out on World Drive for a race,it would be a excellent way for them to get Marvel IP associated with WDW. Also, assuming DL isn't coming back anytime soon, if ever, it's a way for them to replace an under-performing race weekend with a theme they know brings a strong demand.

2. Pixar. Same reasons as above but without the licensing wrinkle

3. Flower and Garden. Which is kinda meh. Presumably they're replacing Star Wars because the theme wasn't enough to draw in a crowd. While Flower and Garden is arguably less restrictive, it is much more boring.

3b. Flower and Garden BUT this becomes the catch all for most characters kind of the way wine and dine is now. They also update wine and dine to be primarily villians. So the way to get the generic character race you get with wine and dine is to do the new april one.

 

[camaker]

Guesses for the April Race in no particular order:

1. Marvel. Yes I know there is a huge licensing issue with WDW. Yes I know that this was already a DL race. However I think the license just says IN park and as a Permanent thing (other people keep me honest). If there is a loop hole where they can bring Ironman and Thor out on World Drive for a race,it would be a excellent way for them to get Marvel IP associated with WDW. Also, assuming DL isn't coming back anytime soon, if ever, it's a way for them to replace an under-performing race weekend with a theme they know brings a strong demand.

I think you might be overestimating the draw of Marvel. My recollection is that the Avengers race weekend in Disneyland was the lowest draw of the race weekends on either coast, significantly underperforming compared to Star Wars (on either coast). It’s a hugely popular IP, just not necessarily among runners.

I think it’s far more likely that they’ll theme the weekend around Flower & Garden to give themselves the flexibility to freshen up the representatives from year to year. I think that’s what they were starting to do with the Wine & Dine race weekend. I wouldn’t say they re-themed that to villains. They introduced villains as the theming for one weekend and still called it Wine & Dine. I think we need to see more than one weekend to say they’ve turned it over entirely to the bad guys. The generic theming with the seasonal festival also gives them the flexibility to roll out Marvel, Star Wars, etc periodically while keeping things fresh.

ETA: Sorry. I misread the post as saying W&D had already been turned over to a villains weekend. I see now that that was being proposed as an option. F&G being rotating IPs with the “normal“ characters and F&W being rotating IPs with the villains. Sounds good to me!

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

This!!! If I could like this a million times I would. We got there super early and still had to stand in line for over an hour just to get in and then the shirt I was looking for was all gone.... my daughter happened to find one in a wad on the floor in my size... talk about lucky!!!

I wish they would limit quantities at least.

 

[LilyJC]

You could reserve your home resort and utilize the "modify reservation" option later if needed. Although, some resale members have had issues with that route.

Actually both resale and direct members are affected by whatever current glitch has hit the system. I tried to modify one of my MW reservations and ran into the reported problem.

 

[Onceuponamarathon]

I think you might be overestimating the draw of Marvel. My recollection is that the Avengers race weekend in Disneyland was the lowest draw of the race weekends on either coast, significantly underperforming compared to Star Wars (on either coast). It’s a hugely popular IP, just not necessarily among runners.

I think it’s far more likely that they’ll theme the weekend around Flower & Garden to give themselves the flexibility to freshen up the representatives from year to year. I think that’s what they were starting to do with the Wine & Dine race weekend. I wouldn’t say they re-themed that to villains. They introduced villains as the theming for one weekend and still called it Wine & Dine. I think we need to see more than one weekend to say they’ve turned it over entirely to the bad guys. The generic theming with the seasonal festival also gives them the flexibility to roll out Marvel, Star Wars, etc periodically while keeping things fresh.

If the next wine and dine goes villains themed again, I think that'll be indicative of how they're planning to move forward with the theming. It'll still be wine and dine but villains as the characters. Surprisingly, it's easy to tie the villains to food. Evil queen has the apple, but there's a lot of ways to play off villains and eating/drinking. The idea of having a flower and garden theme and then tying gardening to SW, Marvel, Pixar characters over the years feels a lot more disjointed. Then again, having Flower and Garden as a theme and Wine and Dine remain as it is sounds fairly boring as well. So what do I know!?

Part of me thinks Marvel is least likely because it would be the hardest to pull off, so no way. The other part of me feels like Marvel rivals Pixar as an IP, has only gotten more popular, and it would be the only way for Disney to get that IP in Florida. Allowing them to tap into that IP revenue vertical. If they do a Marvel race followed by a Marvel cruise.... <3

Hopefully, we find out tomorrow!

 

[Kazrak]

1. Marvel. Yes I know there is a huge licensing issue with WDW. Yes I know that this was already a DL race. However I think the license just says IN park and as a Permanent thing (other people keep me honest). If there is a loop hole where they can bring Ironman and Thor out on World Drive for a race,it would be a excellent way for them to get Marvel IP associated with WDW. Also, assuming DL isn't coming back anytime soon, if ever, it's a way for them to replace an under-performing race weekend with a theme they know brings a strong demand.

I was discussing this with my older son earlier. Theme it around Guardians of the Galaxy, "with special secret guests". They have in-park rights to GotG, and then they can have the Avengers, Spider-Man, etc. hanging out outside the parks.

Not sure if they'd do it, but it is possible.

 

[Livelovedance]

I considered purchasing Race Retreat once for early access to the expo and to cross it of the runDisney list, but I decided against it because:
A) it was too expensive (for me) for what I’d get out of it
B) no early transportation from runDisney to get to the expo (we’re Magical Express and Disney transportation people)
C) either having to do the expo alone or having to pay more for a family member to join me

I’ve gotten pretty lucky in terms of being able to purchase what I’ve wanted at the expo by taking the provided transportation and waiting on the long lines, even the year the first bus never showed up at the WL, but who knows what the next expos will bring!

I like that the preorder selection is growing, but the downside is it’s more costly to preorder, they don’t always show a picture of the items you’re preordering, and if I remember correctly they seem to have a no returns policy. (Please correct me if I’m wrong!) One year I did preorder one item and purchased others at the expo. While on the line I asked if the item could get the AP discount, and they did allow me to return the item and repurchase it with the discount, but YMMV!

Sizing on the runDisney clothes is often off as well. I purchased the 2020 Princess race weekend jacket that I LOVED at the expo, but I had to buy it two sizes bigger. If I had preordered I DEFINITELY would’ve ordered the wrong size. It was cold that weekend so I wore it off and on, and by Saturday night it was horribly pilled. I would’ve exchanged it but of course no sizes were available, so I returned it. (Edited to say I didn’t have to return it, but I did because the cost of the jacket was too high for me to be okay with the amount of pilling in such a short time.)

I’d love for them to make some restriction to expo access, but I’m not sure what the best way to go about it would be. If I have family with me, they don’t always run. We really enjoy expo day (as exhausting as it can be)! I think one simple fix would be to place a limit on the amount of each item you can purchase, but that wouldn’t help the crowds.

Either way, I’ll gladly wait in those long expo lines when live runDisney races return! I’m hopeful for good news tomorrow!

 

[1lilspark]

What are the guesses for the April 2022 race weekend dates? I know Easter is later in the month for 2022, so is the race weekend earlier? Our last SW weekend was 2018, and I can’t remember for the life of me… Trying to decide whether to jump on DVC reservations at my preferred home resort now, or take a chance and wait until tomorrow!

It will be interesting to see especially as AP blackouts overlap with the three full weekends so unless the race is March 31st-April 3rd or April 28th-May 1st I’m sadly out (unless we can think of alternative things to do to justify paying a premium to stay on property w/o park access)

 

[Stroller Boy]

I really wish they would restrict access to the expo (particularly the Disney Store) to people with bibs ONLY. Not people with bibs and their “SOs”, “friends”, “strollers”, “whatever”, just people with bibs. No bib, no entry. Have an after-final race day sale where the doors are open for all comers to pick over all the leftovers. Let’s be honest, about 60% of the people there are just buying to collect and resell. I don’t mind that, but give me, as a runner, uninterrupted first dibs please.

Totally agree. However, I think there needs to be Qty limits too. Resellers would gladly purchase a 5k bib to get in. Just trying to think that one through logically. I could be wrong but feels like that is what they’d do.

 

[LilyJC]

It will be interesting to see especially as AP blackouts overlap with the three full weekends so unless the race is March 31st-April 3rd or April 28th-May 1st I’m sadly out (unless we can think of alternative things to do to justify paying a premium to stay on property w/o park access)

My best guess is March 31st - April 3rd based on past years that Easter is later in April. Hopefully we find out all dates tomorrow!