Official Dopey 2017 Thread

[opusone]

I see that Dopey registration is open again.

Must have only been a very few spots... today it says SOLD OUT again.

 

[Barca33Runner]

The twilight zone is barely part of the ride. The pre show and music are the biggest parts that involve the twilight zone.

There are licensing fees for it but it's nothing major or too expensive.

Your tie in is sort of how it will be themed.

To me it's like frozen in Norway it sort of works but really doesn't.

Yeah, I never actively avoided the ride because of the branding it just wasn't one of the first things that I would have gravitated toward. It's perfectly fine and fits the attraction well so whether they change it or not I'll still go on the ride.

 

[PrincessV]

I find this all very interesting. RunDisney goes from selling out all of their races on a regular basis to not selling out most of them and keeps getting rid of on course entertainment deferrals and such. Do they not see a correlation here? Then you have Disney parks that are seeing lower attendance and RunDisney is one of those things to keep attendance up. Are executives just blind or am I missing something?

My take: rD was never intended to be a profit engine in its own right - its value has been in putting heads in beds and wallets in parks during slower resort periods. And while attendance in parks is down, profits are UP: pretty much a theme park's goal, as lower attendance requires less staff (so less $ spent on payroll), reduces wear and tear (less $ going into upkeep) and, perhaps, a better guest experience (potential for repeat visits.) In general, I've seen a decline in running interest across the board and I'm sure that's carrying over to rD, too. So if rD can reduce costs by eliminating entertainment/deferrals/whatever, and they have fewer people interested in registering, AND they increase registration fees, they're still bringing people into the parks and making money.

 

[rteetz]

My take: rD was never intended to be a profit engine in its own right - its value has been in putting heads in beds and wallets in parks during slower resort periods. And while attendance in parks is down, profits are UP: pretty much a theme park's goal, as lower attendance requires less staff (so less $ spent on payroll), reduces wear and tear (less $ going into upkeep) and, perhaps, a better guest experience (potential for repeat visits.) In general, I've seen a decline in running interest across the board and I'm sure that's carrying over to rD, too. So if rD can reduce costs by eliminating entertainment/deferrals/whatever, and they have fewer people interested in registering, AND they increase registration fees, they're still bringing people into the parks and making money.

But they aren't bringing people to the parks if park attendance is down.

 

[PrincessV]

But they aren't bringing people to the parks if park attendance is down.

I'm only seeing attendance reported as down over the summer, though - no races then. I was speaking mostly of the past - using rD to bring people to WDW (I know nothing about DLR) during slower times. I'm willing to bet that rD targets a higher paying customer, so even with reduced attendance overall, revenue increases through resort/merch/food sales. Going forward, I wouldn't be surprised to see a reduction in rD offerings if the bean counters find that they no longer need to bring in more people during those historically slower periods.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

But they aren't bringing people to the parks if park attendance is down.

Think this through - overall attendance is down, but that has nothing to do with the possible impact that rD events might have had. Maybe attendance numbers would be even worse without these events. I really don't know, and Disney has not released this kind of detailed data, but you can be sure of one thing - Disney is doing this to make money.

 

[rteetz]

I'm only seeing attendance reported as down over the summer, though - no races then. I was speaking mostly of the past - using rD to bring people to WDW (I know nothing about DLR) during slower times. I'm willing to bet that rD targets a higher paying customer, so even with reduced attendance overall, revenue increases through resort/merch/food sales. Going forward, I wouldn't be surprised to see a reduction in rD offerings if the bean counters find that they no longer need to bring in more people during those historically slower periods.

Quarter 2 and quarter 3 saw lower attendance. Star Wars weekend and tinker bell were part of those quarters.

I think as a whole Disney pricing is really starting to make people take a second look. That coupled with construction and the nickel and diming. Cuts from the parks have been a huge story over the last 6 months.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

... whether they change it or not I'll still go on the ride.

I think that this is where virtually everyone is going to land on this particular change. The ride is the attraction at ToT for most people, not the theme. The theme is spooky and pretty cool (especially at night), but I will continue to ride as long as the ride itself is not compromised by a change in theme.

 

[rteetz]

Think this through - overall attendance is down, but that has nothing to do with the possible impact that rD events might have had. Maybe attendance numbers would be even worse without these events. I really don't know, and Disney has not released this kind of detailed data, but you can be sure of one thing - Disney is doing this to make money.

Yes that is true. Though I honk even without RunDisney the parks would be around the same. You'd be surprised a lot of people avoid marathon weekends.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Yes that is true. Though I honk even without RunDisney the parks would be around the same. You'd be surprised a lot of people avoid marathon weekends.

And that weekend was a ghost town before the marathon events ramped up.

 

[rteetz]

And that weekend was a ghost town before the marathon events ramped up.

So was September and October until Disney started doing free dining now they look like summer crowds at times.

 

[Ariel484]

the market is over-saturated with races. I don't think there needs to be two Star Wars weekends. I like Tink Weekend, but I don't think you need two women-centric race weekends either. And I think the dumbest move they made was taking their one unique race and tossing it aside for the ultimate money-grab: the two-race challenge.

Agree with this! Two Star Wars weekends definitely seem like overkill, especially when they have SO many other things they could use for themes (I've said it before, I'll say it again - Pixar weekend would be awesome, or using some of the super-classic rides as race themes...possibilities!!). And I like Tink weekend too, but that one doesn't seem to sell super well for them. They even just closed registration a couple of weeks before the event this year, I don't think it actually sold out. I feel like it wouldn't be a terrible idea for them to maybe change up some of the race themes every 5 years to sort of keep things fresh, but I can't see them actually doing that.

The Wine & Dine change was really disappointing to me (for a few reasons, see one below). All of the weekends are so similar now - similar distances, time of day, courses, etc. - that there definitely is not as much incentive to do multiple race weekends, especially at WDW.

But I think part of why the races aren't selling as well is because the running boom in general has died down, and unless you're a hard-core Disney fan, I DO think that these events are 1-and-done for a lot of people.

customer service is handled by central customer service at Disney.

Could not believe it when I found out about this. Before they announced the Wine & Dine change, I called rD to ask why the prices hadn't been posted yet and got some crazy made-up response. I flat-out asked the person on the phone, "do you actually work for runDisney?" and they said "no." Okay, thanks? When I first starting doing these events in 2011, I'd email them a question or an updated proof of time and would get a personalized email response...those days are gone, that's for sure!

That's really my biggest complaint with runDisney right now - I think their customer service is terrible. I hate that it's so hard to get an actual answer to a question, and even when they do tell me something over the phone, at this point, I don't trust what they say.

 

[Ariel484]

And that weekend was a ghost town before the marathon events ramped up.

Yeah, even in 2012 (or am I thinking of 2011?) they were letting runners with finisher medals into the park *for free* the day after the marathon ("Marathon Monday"). They stopped that in 2013, I guess...which makes sense, I guess that's when the races were REALLY starting to get bigger and crazier.

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, even in 2012 (or am I thinking of 2011?) they were letting runners with finisher medals into the park *for free* the day after the marathon ("Marathon Monday"). They stopped that in 2013, I guess...which makes sense, I guess that's when the races were REALLY starting to get bigger and crazier.

I guess but from 2008-2012. Disney was hurting, attendance was lower, guest spending was down. 2013,14,15,16 higher attendance, higher guest spending, etc. it wasn't just races contributing. I think we are now hitting a max out point with everything for Disney.

 

[rteetz]

Could not believe it when I found out about this. Before they announced the Wine & Dine change, I called rD to ask why the prices hadn't been posted yet and got some crazy made-up response. I flat-out asked the person on the phone, "do you actually work for runDisney?" and they said "no." Okay, thanks? When I first starting doing these events in 2011, I'd email them a question or an updated proof of time and would get a personalized email response...those days are gone, that's for sure!

That's really my biggest complaint with runDisney right now - I think their customer service is terrible. I hate that it's so hard to get an actual answer to a question, and even when they do tell me something over the phone, at this point, I don't trust what they say.

It's not just runDisney customer service that's bad. As you and keels pointed out its all centralized. You call a Disney number and you're calling someone sitting in a building in Celebration, Anaheim, or even call centers in other states. Most of the time these places aren't even on Disney property.

 

[Ariel484]

And this article is about where the entry fees go (similar to what @Keels) posted earlier. Registrations prices for, say, the WDW Marathon and Half are right in line with other bigger events...and they (runDisney) know people will shell out the money for the X factor of running through Disney parks, so you have that in there too:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...athon-entry-costs-rising/stories/201504140017

 

[Chasing Dopey]

... but you can be sure of one thing - Disney is doing this to make money.

This is a really good point. And keep in mind what I mentioned before. While the race events at one time would have been seen as a great pull for lower seasons, the compartmentalization has lessened the importance of this. Parks, resorts, meetings, dining... all have to sink or swim on their own.

For example, The Contemporary has over 650 sleeping rooms, but because of its popularity, Disney Meetings are only allowed to use 250 rooms, for about 70,000 sq ft of JUST ballroom space. (That doesn't include pre-function, breakouts, and flex space, totaling 115,000 sq ft.) So Resorts is pretty much pushing Meetings out of its best space. So, now they have to expand Yacht/Beach Club's space to serve those clients, which bring in huge ancillary revenues for Parks and Resorts, but Meetings is on their own, so to speak, to make it work.

My take: rD was never intended to be a profit engine in its own right -

Funny thing is, they had no idea if anyone was going to show up the first time they tried it. They were hoping for 2000 and got about 5500. Once the running boom started and popularity of the half marathon exploded, it was a license to steal. (This is from the perspective of those on the Resorts and Meetings side.) But then it started to get out of hand, and the logistics created problems for Parks. Then the splits, and now major negotiations have to take place to get changes or additions made.

As for Dopey... getting back on topic, sorta .... I'm very curious to see how this longer weekend and much larger operation is presented. I have heard that WDW Marathon and DL Half weekend are considered premiere events, and it's noticeable. I can't wait!

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Re: Customer service... Ever notice a lack of "Have a Magical Day" at the end of a phone call these days? I rarely call anymore with the online stuff, but I asked once and she said some people complained that it seemed forced. Who are these people? But at least the Disney VISA people still say it. Odd.

 

[Ariel484]

As for Dopey... getting back on topic, sorta .... I'm very curious to see how this longer weekend and much larger operation is presented. I have heard that WDW Marathon and DL Half weekend are considered premiere events, and it's noticeable. I can't wait!

I do think there's sort of a *buzz* around the resort during WDW Marathon Weekend that is still there for the other events, but not quite to the same extent, if that makes sense - I think just because there's so many more people participating in the January weekend. It's fun!

 

[Keels]

As for Dopey... getting back on topic, sorta .... I'm very curious to see how this longer weekend and much larger operation is presented. I have heard that WDW Marathon and DL Half weekend are considered premiere events, and it's noticeable. I can't wait!

It's legit, for sure. Dopey this year was my first race weekend at WDW and I'm glad it was - it just has that SOMETHING special about it. The sheer number of runners alone. It's the only race weekend I've done so far (out of DLH, W&D, Marathon, Princess and Tink) where you see so many runners from the previous races (5K and 10K) out wearing their medals and supporting runners along the Grand Floridian stretch as well as the finish stretch at Epcot. SO many signs and people cheering.

And for the marathon, in the park ... I know we were slow and were definitely causing delays for people park-touring that day, but to see them all cheering when you pop out on the course across from the Rose & Crown in the UK ... man, I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it. People were so loud cheering, you would think you were in the home stretch to winning the race when really, the winners had crossed the finish line three hours before you.