Official Wine & Dine 2014

[Rose&Mike]

Anyone doing the Give Kids the World Gingerbread Run the morning if the W & D Half?

Good to know that it is the same day. Depending on the circumstances (mostly whether we decided to get a car) we might. Thanks for the heads up.

Was it the same weekend as w&d last year?

 

[Jacoby 46]

All signed up for the 5K, got my room booked at the Swan and now all I need is for Southwest to open their dates up!!

I am looking for some park tickets as well, if anyone has any places they recommend or should I go directly through Disney for that?

 

[mking624]

We currently have a reservation at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is not listed as a host resort. Is this going to be a major problem when it comes time to get to the 5k at 6am and to get back from the half at 2am?

We may be able to switch but it would probably be at Saratoga Springs and we don't really want to be that far out.

You can always take a cab. I'm not sure about the parking logistics, so I can't be of any help there if you're wanting to use your own car. I have only ever stayed at a host resort and just used event transportation.

 

[faneuil]

I think it more a back to back race play where you could run two halves on two coasts in two weeks and receive the C2C at the same time.

Just think of the people who are planning on doing a C2C, and then don't get in.
Avengers will be full in 6 hours probably.

Hope the rundisney website is ready for the onslaught.

To QVCShopper: I think some ppl are bothered because they needed a little more time to have the $$ to register. and the legacy thing.

I'm new to running, and I've already learned to have the money ready long before registration even opens. Otherwise I won't get in.
I didn't register for W&D, just cause I don't think I'll be ready for a 1/2 this fall. I might be underestimating myself, but that's okay.

 

[MRS AR]

Any idea if they will have early sign up for Avengers? And a possible date?

 

[VAfamily1998]

Just think of the people who are planning on doing a C2C, and then don't get in.
Avengers will be full in 6 hours probably.

I'm worried about that (planning to do C2C, but not getting into Avengers). I plan to be ready at my computer, several minutes before registration even starts.

I know that a local race here in VA (17.75, which guarantees entrance into the Marine Corps marathon) sold out in minutes a couple weeks ago. I think Avengers will sell out in less than 1.5 hours.

 

[faneuil]

Any idea if they will have early sign up for Avengers? And a possible date?

Avengers opens March 25th at noon Eastern Time.
I'm assuming, if there's early registration, that will start March 18th.

 

[MRS AR]

Thanks

 

[Limes96]

From a business point of view, this is instructional. Don't you think they will create more weekends similar to W&D? I'd think they would figure there's a huge market for this kind of thing. They'll either really raise prices in future or they'll create new races. Maybe both.

 

[Castle2Castle]

All signed up for the 5K, got my room booked at the Swan and now all I need is for Southwest to open their dates up!!

I am looking for some park tickets as well, if anyone has any places they recommend or should I go directly through Disney for that?

Not sure about the 5k, but with registration for the half there is a link provided in the registration confirmation e-mail for discounted tickets through runDisney. IF they provide the same benefit for the 5k I would look there as the discount is as good as I've come across.

If there is no such benefit for the 5k, then you might check with Undercover Tourist or see if you have any access to TicketsAtWork; they each had different packages and prices the last time I looked, so could give you a couple options depending on how many days you're looking to visit the parks.

 

[Castle2Castle]

From a business point of view, this is instructional. Don't you think they will create more weekends similar to W&D? I'd think they would figure there's a huge market for this kind of thing. They'll either really raise prices in future or they'll create new races. Maybe both.

My understanding has been that runDisney is a separate segment from the Disney Parks and Resorts, and that their needs and requests take a backseat to Parks & Resorts. If that is indeed the case, then there could be limitations on the addition of new race weekends from Parks & Resorts being reluctant to work around race schedules during other non-peak times.

 

[rebeccam31]

Not sure about the 5k, but with registration for the half there is a link provided in the registration confirmation e-mail for discounted tickets through runDisney. IF they provide the same benefit for the 5k I would look there as the discount is as good as I've come across.

If there is no such benefit for the 5k, then you might check with Undercover Tourist or see if you have any access to TicketsAtWork; they each had different packages and prices the last time I looked, so could give you a couple options depending on how many days you're looking to visit the parks.

You can indeed order park tickets through runDisney even if you are only running the 5K. I did it yesterday. It is a GREAT discount. I was very pleased.

 

[charmed1212]

I'm new to running, and I've already learned to have the money ready long before registration even opens. Otherwise I won't get in. I didn't register for W&D, just cause I don't think I'll be ready for a 1/2 this fall. I might be underestimating myself, but that's okay.

This is me exactly. The Enchanted 10k was my first RunDisney and not knowing anything previous, I ensured I had the money and the ability to sign up when it opened. I have followed suit for every race I have signed up for including wine and dine. I figure if I assume it will sell out quick, I am already covered. I know this is not the ability for everyone, but maybe many people think this way.

 

[cewait]

From a business point of view, this is instructional. Don't you think they will create more weekends similar to W&D? I'd think they would figure there's a huge market for this kind of thing. They'll either really raise prices in future or they'll create new races. Maybe both.

My understanding has been that runDisney is a separate segment from the Disney Parks and Resorts, and that their needs and requests take a backseat to Parks & Resorts. If that is indeed the case, then there could be limitations on the addition of new race weekends from Parks & Resorts being reluctant to work around race schedules during other non-peak times.

It is my understanding through a direct conversation with a party who knows (their picture is in the race program) that negotiations have been ongoing for one additional domestic race. The initial thought on location is WDW.

Wondering out loud --- I wonder if the announcement order of CA first then WDW is meant to possibly make a change to the other domestic race before it is announced. If as expected the Avengers sells out in minutes, then could the WDW destined race be moved to DL. Or are they waiting for the dust to settle before announcing the next race. Interesting to watch. I need to worm my way back into this person's office again.


With regards to high prices... I think that is a given. Its the ole supply and demand thing on steroids. They do have to exercise caution as the half races are already out of pre portion with the norm. It would not take much to create a huge back lash.

The other alternative that was not mentioned is to open slots in the rces. Hopefully cool heads will prevail and they will not grow the larger races any. The courses are already bulging at the seams.

 

[Castle2Castle]

The other alternative that was not mentioned is to open slots in the rces. Hopefully cool heads will prevail and they will not grow the larger races any. The courses are already bulging at the seams.

If I'm remembering correctly, they actually went the opposite direction recently for the last Marathon Weekend - or at least that's what I remember them claiming in a runDisney video promoting the race in 2013. I believe it was Faron Kelley discussing the changes for Marathon Weekend, saying they had listened to runner complaints of too many runners and congestion, reducing the number of slots in the race as well as increasing the number of corrals to spread things out even more.

Hopefully they'll adhere to that so that those who succeed in registering and pay for the races continue to have more positive experiences than not along the courses.

 

[cewait]

If I'm remembering correctly, they actually went the opposite direction recently for the last Marathon Weekend - or at least that's what I remember them claiming in a runDisney video promoting the race in 2013. I believe it was Faron Kelley discussing the changes for Marathon Weekend, saying they had listened to runner complaints of too many runners and congestion, reducing the number of slots in the race as well as increasing the number of corrals to spread things out even more.

Hopefully they'll adhere to that so that those who succeed in registering and pay for the races continue to have more positive experiences than not along the courses.

That is absolutely correct. They reduced the numbers for the half and full, but not as much as they originally said in early 2013. I was thinking my notes said capping around 23-24k on both days. I think they only lowered the entries by about 500....

I only offered the increase the numbers as a way of alleviating the entry angst. I also hope that they continue to pair back the entries to get back to the 20-22k cap.

 

[Jacoby 46]

Not sure about the 5k, but with registration for the half there is a link provided in the registration confirmation e-mail for discounted tickets through runDisney. IF they provide the same benefit for the 5k I would look there as the discount is as good as I've come across.

If there is no such benefit for the 5k, then you might check with Undercover Tourist or see if you have any access to TicketsAtWork; they each had different packages and prices the last time I looked, so could give you a couple options depending on how many days you're looking to visit the parks.

Thank you I just realized that when I was looking at the email!! Excellent discount and couldn't be happier!!! Thanks again!

 

[QVCshopper]

I posted this in the other thread about the races selling out quick, but I thought I'd copy here too. I thought about why I signed up for the race, and I think these factors are very important.

---------------

I think people are overlooking two important reasons for a quick sellout:

1) the pace minimum is 16 minutes per mile. The average person in decent health can walk that fast or faster. Would I ever do a non-Disney half marathon and run the whole thing? No way! But, an opportunity to run and walk at a slower pace? Sure, sounds fun!

2) Election Day is the Monday before the race. We picked that week as a vacation week because my kids will only miss four days of school instead of five. Then, I saw I could do the race while I was already there, so why not?

Really, these two factors may be a HUGE contributing factor in non-runners and regular vacationers signing up.

 

[maa]

I posted this in the other thread about the races selling out quick, but I thought I'd copy here too. I thought about why I signed up for the race, and I think these factors are very important. --------------- I think people are overlooking two important reasons for a quick sellout: 1) the pace minimum is 16 minutes per mile. The average person in decent health can walk that fast or faster. Would I ever do a non-Disney half marathon and run the whole thing? No way! But, an opportunity to run and walk at a slower pace? Sure, sounds fun! 2) Election Day is the Monday before the race. We picked that week as a vacation week because my kids will only miss four days of school instead of five. Then, I saw I could do the race while I was already there, so why not? Really, these two factors may be a HUGE contributing factor in non-runners and regular vacationers signing up.

That was exactly the case with us. We were already planning to go during this time because of the election and Veteran's Day. Once I saw the race date fell in the middle of our trip...why not?

 

[SRUAlmn]

I hope this doesn't sound "bratty," but I'm pretty bummed. This was going to be our first Disney race. I was so excited! I'm a little annoyed that there are so many people who've done a million races and who are racking up medals...I know its silly, but I'm just sorta bummed. Congrats to all who were able to register!