News and Developments for Future In-Person runDisney Events

[pclvnmcky88]

My travel agent said no bibs.

No bibs today or are TAs not allowed to book registration and room packages?

 

[ZellyB]

Is your chance of getting a bib increased if you sign up for one of the challenges?

Not necessarily. Historically (and who knows if you can count on recent history for this year) Goofy has been one of the last things to sell out. Usually that and the marathon as a solo race last the longest. Dopey usually is one of the first things to sell out.

And just for fun for marathon weekend, my guess on the order that races will sell out is...

10K
Dopey
5K
Half
Goofy
Marathon

 

[runningDisneygirl]

Why would they not allow TAs to book bibs? That guarantees people will stay on property. I don't understand the rationale if they don't give them bibs.

 

[ZellyB]

Why would they not allow TAs to book bibs? That guarantees people will stay on property. I don't understand the rationale if they don't give them bibs.

I really do think it's a strategy to drive people to Club runDisney. I'm betting they reopen selling memberships in the next week or so. I could be wrong obviously, but just knowing how Disney has gone so hard to these upcharge things, it seems likely. So, the more they limit these alternate ways for people to get guaranteed bibs, the more they hope people get desperate/worried enough to pony up for the cost of the club.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

I really do think it's a strategy to drive people to Club runDisney. I'm betting they reopen selling memberships in the next week or so. I could be wrong obviously, but just knowing how Disney has gone so hard to these upcharge things, it seems likely. So, the more they limit these alternate ways for people to get guaranteed bibs, the more they hope people get desperate/worried enough to pony up for the cost of the club.

Club runDisney still does not guarantee you a room on property, so you would still either do that yourself or through a TA.

 

[ZellyB]

Club runDisney still does not guarantee you a room on property, so you would still either do that yourself or through a TA.

Very true and it's just my speculation, but they may just assume that people who really want to stay on property will do so regardless of whether or not they can get the bib along with reservations from a TA. Right now at least they aren't having much trouble filling up rooms, so it may just be a lesser concern for them versus the money grab of the club. They are also likely confident that the races will sell out very quickly. Who knows though honestly? It just got announced today, so it's possible that TAs will still get the chance to sell the bibs but runDisney just hasn't made a final decision yet.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

Very true and it's just my speculation, but they may just assume that people who really want to stay on property will do so regardless of whether or not they can get the bib along with reservations from a TA. Right now at least they aren't having much trouble filling up rooms, so it may just be a lesser concern for them versus the money grab of the club. They are also likely confident that the races will sell out very quickly. Who knows though honestly? It just got announced today, so it's possible that TAs will still get the chance to sell the bibs but runDisney just hasn't made a final decision yet.

Very true! We shall see

 

[DopeyBadger]

Is your chance of getting a bib increased if you sign up for one of the challenges?

Here are some past timings from the more sought after weekends.

Princess Weekend

2021 (Presumed reduced availability)
Start (link)
10k sold out in 20 min. (link)
Challenge sold out in 23 min (link)
Half sold out in 26 min (link)
5k sold out in 28 min (link)

2020
Start (link)
5k and 10k sold out in 97 min (link)
Challenge sold out in Sept 2019 when registration was June 2019 (link)
HM sold out in Dec 2019 when registration was June 2019 (link)


Marathon Weekend

2021 (Presumed reduced availability)
Start (link)
Goofy sold out in 19 min (link)
Dopey sold out in 26 min (link)
5k sold out in 26 min (link)
HM sold out in 31 min (link)
M sold out in 89 min (link)

2020
Start (link)
5k sold out in ~20 min (link)
10k sold out in 93 min (link)
Goofy sold out in Oct 2019 when registration was April 2019 (link)
HM sold out in Oct 2019 when registration was April 2019 (link)
Marathon sold out in Oct 2019 when registration was April 2019 (link) *Can't find a specific post for this one.
Dopey sold out in Nov 2019 when registration was April 2019 (link)
***A few of the races opened momentarily between April and October (like 5k in August). Likely because they were breaking up unsold challenge bibs.

 

[ZellyB]

2021 was an anniversary year for Goofy wasn't it? I'm guessing that's why it sold out quicker than Dopey that year since both had the reduced field size and typically Goofy lasts considerably longer than Dopey.

 

[SheHulk]

2021 was an anniversary year for Goofy wasn't it? I'm guessing that's why it sold out quicker than Dopey that year since both had the reduced field size and typically Goofy lasts considerably longer than Dopey.

2020 was the 15th anniversary I think?

 

[GreatLakes]

I think it would be less of an issue if they just kept the expo part open that was for packet pick up open longer, cause flight delays are a real issue esp right now flights are canceling or changing a lot right now.

I always recommend evening flights two days before your first event if possible. If your first race is on Friday get down there late Wednesday. At the very least early Thursday but I like to build in more buffer than one day.

or an upsell for on-site guests arriving late to have bibs be sent to their resort

I doubt this will happen since one of the reasons they (and other races) can charge for space at the expo is the guarantee that every runner has to be there to at least get their bibs. If they let runners bypass that it would be a harder sell for the vendors.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

2020 was the 15th anniversary I think?

Yes. Proudly have the luggage tag on my running gear bag to remind me of my first marathon and our first MW.

 

[Girlworthfightingfor]

My last race (besides Disney races) was in October 2019. I was running with a group of people that runs with disabled people to provide them an endurance experience and we pushed a wheelchair through the half marathon. Obviously my time was a little slower than normal (2:05). I can provide proof of that time; if you provide proof of time for a higher than 2:00 half, do they look at that in placing you in a corral? Or is there no way to submit a proof of time for higher than the cutoff? I can run under 2 hours, just not wanting to do a fall race...

 

[fatmanatee]

It looks like W&D is going villains theme again. I know many of you will be happy, but I really liked the Chef Mickey themes

I get it and I’ve never even done that weekend, always liked their medal designs. Feels weird to mix the two themes, if they’re theming it around villains they should just go all the way and call it Villains Weekend.

 

[jimrpa]

I get it and I’ve never even done that weekend, always liked their medal designs. Feels weird to mix the two themes, if they’re theming it around villains they should just go all the way and call it Villains Weekend.

Actually, I’m super happy they went villains again because i have always wanted a villains theme to make up for tot and was disappointed I missed it last year. But, with no AP registration, I’ll be frozen out most likely and won’t get anything

 

[Onceuponamarathon]

The frustrating thing about those sell-out times is they're not reflective of the opportunity to buy within those windows. I went for dopey 2020 and by the time I was finally released from the queue, it was sold out...

 

[Bree]

My last race (besides Disney races) was in October 2019. I was running with a group of people that runs with disabled people to provide them an endurance experience and we pushed a wheelchair through the half marathon. Obviously my time was a little slower than normal (2:05). I can provide proof of that time; if you provide proof of time for a higher than 2:00 half, do they look at that in placing you in a corral? Or is there no way to submit a proof of time for higher than the cutoff? I can run under 2 hours, just not wanting to do a fall race...

There will most likely be two choices to make regarding POT when registering. The first is finishing in more than 2:00 and a bunch of selections from the drop down to choose your anticipated finish time. In the past it was increments of 15 minutes (2:30-2:44, 2:45-2:59, etc). There will be nowhere to submit a POT when choosing that option. If you select a 2:00 or less finish time, boxes will appear to enter your POT race. If you link results that don’t prove your ability to run that fast they have a history of putting you in the very last corral. There are posts here on the Dis and social media with people who had done just that or never entered a POT.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I have been thinking about this a bit. No DVC, AP early registration and no TA bib package deals is stressful. Having to contend with a 2:00 hour cut off to use a POT is also stressful. But in reality I have managed to register for Dopey each time I tried. Sure I followed all the tips and was ready to go the second registration opened. But I got in. And I am very capable of going sub-2 hour to get a POT. I would have to train hard and run a good race, but I believe that time is still in me.

But I think my reaction and subsequent feelings of disappointment are more about feeling like these changes are not about the guest experience and all about pushing us to spend more money. Want to ensure registration and a good corral, you have to pay for it. It taints the excitement of the day. Leaves me a bit sad.

Of course I am going still, I love Marathon Weekend and I want to accomplish my 5th (in-person) Dopey. But my eyes are open!

 

[Bree]

I’m a tad annoyed with the new POT cutoff that was posted for W&D. Those capable of running a sub 2 half (or getting a qualifying 10K time) are few and far between. Just look historically at the very small percentage of bibs assigned to A & B corral. I’m thinking A & B will be combined into corral A now with Club RunDisney in B. That really stinks for those that are minutes away from a sub 2 half being lumped in with thousands of other people who are going to lie about their estimated finish time.

I’m good for POT for a half, but the POT cutoff for Dopey has me worried. Fingers crossed that it is sub 4:30. I would miss a 4:15 cutoff by 2 minutes with my best 10 miler. I am training for the Chicago marathon in October, but with my health issues I would be lucky to pull off a 4:45.

ETA: Don’t even get me started in th elimination of the AP/DVC benefit. I stuck it out with Disney during shutdown. I never canceled my pass and took the extension. This is like a big FU complete with middle finger coming from Disney after giving them my.loyalty.

 

[CP3uhoh]

At this point, I’m feeling pretty anxious about getting registered for Dopey. My normal safety blankets of the AP early registration opportunity and purchasing through a travel agent seem to be unavailable. At this point I’m considering trying for a W&D challenge bib, too, just to increase my opportunities for a race weekend.

We are stressed about this too, what are you going to do if you get both though or get the F&W challenge first?