News and Developments for Future In-Person runDisney Events

[Livelovedance]

I noticed spring surprise notes different distance as well as themes so that’s intriguing

With different distances each year do we think they will still have some form of perfect status for this race weekend?

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

Again, this only makes sense if they open registration for it back up. They'd have to do so like...today...if they want to bolster numbers for W&D registration.

I agree. But until today it wasn't able to deliver on what it promised in seeking memberships. I could see them opening it up soon, in time to get crazies like us who are desperate to get a registration.

 

[ReginaMBK]

I agree. But until today it wasn't able to deliver on what it promised in seeking memberships. I could see them opening it up soon, in time to get crazies like us who are desperate to get a registration.

Definitely. I do hope you're right that they open up soon, because I would be one of those crazies!

 

[Tiggerette]

The FAQ says that registration has to be through runDisney, but it doesn't say that Travel Agents or charities can't make the non-transferable reservation on behalf of their customers/donors. I'm a little confused whether there will be similar TA or charity options.

 

[Stroller Boy]

I believe (with no evidence) that Club runDisney has been a major disappointment for Disney as the value proposition just was not there for many/most people. Changing POTs and getting rid of early registration for DVC and APs my be a desperate attempt to increase Club runDisney membership.

I would agree, but why wouldn’t rD use the energy and pent up demand right now to pad those Club numbers? I was so against it but would consider it now given the pandemic mess. I’m sure they have thought it through though. Perhaps in fairness to the initial members who’ve gotten squat this far.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I believe (with no evidence) that Club runDisney has been a major disappointment for Disney as the value proposition just was not there for many/most people. Changing POTs and getting rid of early registration for DVC and APs my be a desperate attempt to increase Club runDisney membership.

Yep. For those that worry about merch availability, being able to register for a race, or being closer to the front of a race to enjoy more of the offerings, then Club runDisney Platinum has it all.



A clear move by runDisney given the things that were changed from prior weekends.

Again, this only makes sense if they open registration for it back up. They'd have to do so like...today...if they want to bolster numbers for W&D registration.

I'll be curious to see when/if they open more registration. The FAQ says when it's sold out for a year it's sold out. But I wonder when their open/close of a year is. Probably sometime in the summer given their race calendar schedule.

With different distances each year do we think they will still have some form of perfect status for this race weekend?

Hard to say definitively. I would think yes, but it also gives them a reason not to as well.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

Does anyone have an idea of the course maps? I feel like there is a certain rhythm over the years for the various maps. For instance, one of my fondest WDW 2006 memories was running through World Showcase early in the morning with the music playing. Looking at past maps, the possibility of hoping to recreate that experience would be to do a 5K or the full marathon (I was leaning towards the half).

 

[cburnett11]

Well, I guess I’m going to have to try to run extra fast on my downhill marathon at the end of July. I have a barely under 2 HM, but not 1:53 or a sub-4 marathon. I was originally planning on running this marathon for time but I had to take a bit of a speed break from mid-May to mid-June, so I lost a bit of my speed that I had just gotten back.
Still - there’s an outside chance that I can make this work if the heatwave leaves the Seattle area!

Is this one of the marathons run on the tunnel course? I was considering signing up for one of these earlier this year, but then had some minor running setbacks and decides to save this for another year.

 

[FFigawi]

Does anyone have an idea of the course maps? I feel like there is a certain rhythm over the years for the various maps. For instance, one of my fondest WDW 2006 memories was running through World Showcase early in the morning with the music playing. Looking at past maps, the possibility of hoping to recreate that experience would be to do a 5K or the full marathon (I was leaning towards the half).

The full hasn’t looped through World Showcase at the start of the race for a while. The 5k or 10k would be the best options right now.

 

[Kerry1957]

Again, this only makes sense if they open registration for it back up. They'd have to do so like...today...if they want to bolster numbers for W&D registration.

You make a good point. Perhaps they want us to feel the pain so we are primed to buy in when they open Club runDisney registration up again.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Does anyone have an idea of the course maps? I feel like there is a certain rhythm over the years for the various maps. For instance, one of my fondest WDW 2006 memories was running through World Showcase early in the morning with the music playing. Looking at past maps, the possibility of hoping to recreate that experience would be to do a 5K or the full marathon (I was leaning towards the half).

That one is definitely a moving target since they don't typically announce courses until well after registration. Some times there are clues in the language of the race descriptions, but those can change after registration. So I would plan to register for the event you want and not so much for whether it will or won't go somewhere specific. The marathon in 2020 did EPCOT early (link), but the course change was an absolute terrible choice for traffic patterns. So unless they make some changes to the traffic patterns, then I would lean towards them going back to the traditional marathon course headed towards MK from the start. Although there were some good reasons behind the 2020 course. But nothing definitive will likely be known for months.

The full hasn’t looped through World Showcase at the start of the race for a while. The 5k or 10k would be the best options right now.

2020, but it was a cluster for other reasons. *Correction, 2020 didn't go through the full World Showcase, but rather a quick dip through EPCOT.



ETA- Actually you're right @FFgawi. They said World Showcase, and not EPCOT specifically.

 

[Z-Knight]

Yep. For those that worry about merch availability, being able to register for a race, or being closer to the front of a race to enjoy more of the offerings, then Club runDisney Platinum has it all.

View attachment 585708

A clear move by runDisney given the things that were changed from prior weekends.



I'll be curious to see when/if they open more registration. The FAQ says when it's sold out for a year it's sold out. But I wonder when their open/close of a year is. Probably sometime in the summer given their race calendar schedule.



Hard to say definitively. I would think yes, but it also gives them a reason not to as well.

the club runs till september, so likely would open up just before that...and likely would only be active for registrations after september, so doesn't help this year.

 

[shellott-hill]

Notice that the Club runDisney says "A guaranteed opportunity to purchase one spot in one distance each race weekend through early registration"

I interpret that to mean not goofy, not dopey, but marathon, half, 10k or 5k.

 

[Tigger23]

The FAQ says that registration has to be through runDisney, but it doesn't say that Travel Agents or charities can't make the non-transferable reservation on behalf of their customers/donors. I'm a little confused whether there will be similar TA or charity options.

My TA said there are no TA presale bibs this season (unlike in the past). I don’t know about charity options.

 

[Livelovedance]

Yep. For those that worry about merch availability, being able to register for a race, or being closer to the front of a race to enjoy more of the offerings, then Club runDisney Platinum has it all.

View attachment 585708

A clear move by runDisney given the things that were changed from prior weekends.



I'll be curious to see when/if they open more registration. The FAQ says when it's sold out for a year it's sold out. But I wonder when their open/close of a year is. Probably sometime in the summer given their race calendar schedule.

Ugh... Leave it to runDisney to find ways to justify such an expensive purchase! Removing AP/DVC early registration and changing the POT requirements makes their club seem a little more reasonable. But the price on top of race registration fees has me like

Edit to fix a typo and also note that starting the next club registration in September would definitely help me avoid FOMO, and help my wallet

 

[The Expert]

I believe (with no evidence) that Club runDisney has been a major disappointment for Disney as the value proposition just was not there for many/most people. Changing POTs and getting rid of early registration for DVC and APs my be a desperate attempt to increase Club runDisney membership.

I think this is it. As a silver member, I've received my welcome package with a jacket and magnet, and my virtual race medal. I've also gotten exactly two emails, one of which was to say benefits were extended a year due to no races. I'm TICKED that they took away early reg for DVC/AP as that's the only reason I went with Silver instead of Gold. If they do open things back up, I'll be upgrading!

 

[JBinORL]

No early AP registration sucks

2:00 HM time change sucks

But damn am I happy in-person racing is returning

 

[Barca33Runner]

Club rD will never get a penny from me. If I miss out on registrations because I’m not in it then I’ll just find cheaper races elsewhere.

ETA: Not intended as a rebuke to those who have it. Just saying that if it becomes a de facto requirement then I’ll be headed elsewhere.

 

[Baloo in MI]

In the span of 15 minutes of catching up on the thread I have gone from elated, to anxious, to disappointed, and settled back into anxious.

I am so happy and grateful that MW is in-person and on the traditional dates! I have resort, tickets and flights all already booked; so way stoked about that! But seeing the level of interest and then the decisions to cease early registration for DVC & AP as well as push the POT’s to 2 hrs leaves me disappointed. And if i these changes ate simply about meeting the benefits advertised to the runDisney Club, I am bummed. No knock on folks who joined, they clearly made a good decision. I just wish the other benefits had remained and the POT was not so tough.

Ironically, I just recently joined DVC. Certainly not just for early registration opportunities, but that was a factor. Also, the 2hr cutoff is really tight! If I push I am certain I can be back under 2hrs, I was only about 40 seconds off this past fall. But this is supposed to be my daughters first Disney Half. She is capable of a 2:30 half and we were going to get it in the fall. But two hours is not reasonable for her. So no POTs for us.

Of course this is all reliant on us successfully registering on 7/27. And we had hoped to get me a Dopey, her a Half and three family members the 5K so we could do it all as a family. Ooof!

So I remain grateful this is happening and I will prepare to do battle on 7/27. But to say I am a bit anxious is an understatement!

 

[Barca33Runner]

I’m sure someone has noted it (my reading comprehension hasn’t been the best this morning) but the springtime surprise having ToT and EE in the image seems to indicate people hoping for versions of those races to come back may be in luck.