RunDisney & DVC

[twinsouvenirs]

So I read somewhere that DVC'ers get a booking advantage for RunDisney events and I have lots of questions!

Our Jan '15 trip should line up with Marathon Weekend, and I am considering the 5k as a way to force some baby-weight-loss. And an excuse to dress up Have any DVC members done these races?

Questions:
-Do DVCers get early registration?
-Are there specific DVC race hotels you basically 'have' to stay in for transportation, and if so do these change year to year?" We are going to book SSR but we're hoping to switch to OKW.
-Do people dress up for the 5ks on Marathon weekend, or is that just for longer races or the Princess?
-If we just did the 5k but wanted to do a regular trip, is that doable or is Marathon week/weekend a nightmare for a regular tourist?

Any other insight/advice re: the races and DVC?

 

[bumbershoot]

For marathon weekend his year all resorts were host resorts. Yes people dress up for the 5k. I got a small discount using a DVC code but if I recall correctly I missed any early registration that might have existed for this year's. if you are not running the half or full, but do wish to go anywhere those days, take Disney transportation. And don't book anything vital.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Do you know around when they open registration for the races?

 

[bwvBound]

Do you know around when they open registration for the races?

I have only one data point ... Registration opened on 17-DEC-2013 for the Expedition Everest Challenge Run of 3-MAY-2014 .

Related thread:http://ww35.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3202178

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Just saw that general registration will open April 22, so I'll start checking on April 18

 

[mrsgoose8]

Disney does a great job, but definitely expect delays going into to the parks during the half marathon and full. People will still running in Hollywood studios as late as 12, possibly even later . That was near the end of the course the last two years.

FYI the 5k is not timed, just a "fun run" but you still get a (plastic) medal.

I believe you also get a discount if you are a visa holder, so I'll be checking both to see which is better

Run Disney races are a lot of fun!

We stayed at AKL for marathon weekend this year and the year before we stayed at Pop Century before we were owners.

People dress up for all the races!

Last year we definitely noticed the crowds lightened significantly by the Tuesday after marathon weekend. Unfortunately since the 5k is first, you may feel more of the crowding bc it will peak with spectators & runners for the half & marathon.

Lmk if you have more questions!!

 

[DisneyRegulars]

-If we just did the 5k but wanted to do a regular trip, is that doable or is Marathon week/weekend a nightmare for a regular tourist?

Any other insight/advice re: the races and DVC?

I don't have all the information you are looking for, but I wanted to make one recommendation to you. Spend the $15 per child and have your twins do the kid races. We were at Disney this past marathon week and I have to say, the kid race was the highlight of our trip, and more importantly my 3 year old son's trip. It was the only thing he mentioned to his daycare provider when we got back. For the registration fee he got a t-shirt, a personalized bib, to run a race (his was 100meters), photographers, a medal, and snacks at the end of the race. He had so much fun he wanted to do it again. Mickey is at the finish line wearing his track suit. It was just so awesome, and my son was so proud of himself for running the whole race. I'll be writing more about it in my trip report, but I haven't gotten there yet. Also, the race photos were amazing. I never buy photo packages, but I actually bought the photos for this race because it was just the best experience and the photos show that.

I'm really confused about the host resort thing though. We were staying at Animal Kingdom and when I asked if there was a bus to the Wide World of Sports the CM said "Yes. Just take any bus to a park, then take a bus to All Star Sports, then take a bus from there to Wide World of Sports." I had to laugh at Disney's round about way of saying "No!"

Finally, we were there the week leading up to the Marathon. It was busier than our usual Disney trip later in January or September, but the crowds were definitely manageable. I think the 5k would be awesome for you to do.

Here are a couple pics, note that this is a kid who DOES NOT RUN, and he is so happy!!!! Also I forgot to mention that parents get to run with their kids.

And the finish photo. Sadly he lost his medal only a few hours later.

 

[kristenrice]

BEWARE!! RunDisney is ADDICTING!!!

I started training for the 5K during F&W festival. I gave myself over a year to go from couch to 5K. By the third month of training, not only could I do the 5K, but I signed up for the 1/2 Marathon. It was the *best* Disney experience I've ever had. I always said "one and done" but now, I am hooked. I even got DH and the kids involved. We are going to do the Everest Challenge in 2015. I wanted to do the Wine and Dine 1/2 again, but since the kids won't be old enough (12 and 10 by then), we are going to do the challenge as a family. Someday, I want to run the Princess 1/2 with my girls. Hopefully, by the time they are old enough, I won't be too old.

As far as staying at a host resort goes, yes, it is much easier. You have to go to the WWoS to get your packet before the race. If you are not at a host resort (which provide direct shuttles), you have two options: take a taxi, or get to a host resort somehow. On race day, I think you will be at/in the park so getting there from any resort should not be a problem. I know that for the 1/2, we started at the WWoS and there were NO drop-offs allowed. We had to take a bus, either from Epcot or from a host resort. We were at AKV which was NOT a host resort so we took the bus to Epcot and transferred to the race shuttle. It wasn't a huge deal, but I will try to stay at a host resort next time. It's just more convenient.

Good luck with your training! I can't wait to get back into the running thing. I have my first 5K of the year on Feb 22 and I haven't run at all since November. The weather is terrible on the west side of the mitten and running indoors is B-O-R-I-N-G!

 

[AmyB2006]

Oh no!!! He lost his medal???? How sad.

OP...All resorts are host resorts now I think. They changed that recently.

You may have to get there a "roundabout" way, but transportation runs there. Some of them, you have to be there by 4:00 a.m. so transportation starts running around 3:00 am I think??

 

[jahber]

Oh no!!! He lost his medal???? How sad. OP...All resorts are host resorts now I think. They changed that recently. You may have to get there a "roundabout" way, but transportation runs there. Some of them, you have to be there by 4:00 a.m. so transportation starts running around 3:00 am I think??

They are all host resorts for marathon weekend and it says transportation available from all resorts on Princess weekend on the rD website (which is definitely new). But not ALL races offer transportation from all the resorts, so if you end up running a different race another time (and you might! As someone said, they are addicting!), be sure to choose a host resort

 

[mrsgoose8]

Ditto DisneyRegulars-- my daughter did the kids race in 2013 and still talks about it! I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed when we go in June that there's no race.

FYI there was a special shuttle from AK to ESPN sports /and the start line for races on race days... for marathon weekend; and to/from all resorts this was offered. On other rundisney races not all resorts are "host" resorts with bussing.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Ditto DisneyRegulars-- my daughter did the kids race in 2013 and still talks about it! I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed when we go in June that there's no race.

Oh no, I hope she's not too disappointed. We definitely want to do more races with our son, but next year is not looking like a possibility for us either (it's either aulani or huge family trip in late January). I'm very excited about doing the family races someday too.

I agree with the other poster that warned against it being addicting. We're signed up for the expedition Everest challenge in May, and I'm already thinking about how we could squeeze in a half marathon trip. Other than the ridiculous cost, at least it's a healthy addiction.

 

[tiggersam00]

Running is not always fun... Having just done the W&D 1/2 I can tell you that... Some training days were rough! That being said, rundisney is a great motivator during tough runs, check out the Mickey miles podcast or dis unplugged podcasts to pass the time on runs . I finished C25K and after a month or two realized I could run using Galloway and decided to give the 1/2 a try... Also DH was doing the half and I am super competitive, couldn't let him get a cool medal while I sat around lol! We stayed at a host resort and had no issues getting around, but taxis are not a direct option for the race day so keep that in mind if you stay at non race hotel... you will have to transfer at Epcot to WwoS. In terms of costumes, do it! So much fun running in a sparkly outfit, and rundisney is addicting, I am already thinking of what to wear for this years W&D lol

 

[bwvBound]

Looks like registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon opened today:
https://www.facebook.com/DisneyVacationClub