So What did you think of the 2011 W&D Half Marathon Weekend?

[wasabi girl]

Hi everyone! So...this years race and after party as compared to last years, if you did both? What did you see that you liked or didn't?

I'll start off by saying that I haven't run either, my daughter has run both, so my opinion is spectator opinion. (Last year I did the 5K, this year I wanted to go the the 40th at the MK). I thought this year was a vast improvement over last year. It was great that all of Epcot was open, there was much to do while waiting for the runners to finish. It was equally great that more food locations were open so that 12,000 people weren't all trying to cram into lines at World Showcase, there were a few lines, but nothing like last year. I liked that we were given a gift card rather than vouchers, last year we didn't use the vouchers b/c the lines were too long.

As a spectator I wish we could see the start of the race, and I wish they had a decent viewing area for the finish. I mean, that is why we are there, to see our runners, I wish they figure out a way for us to see and cheer them on. They had some TV screen thing that did not mostly work, so, they did try, but you'd think they would have set it up early in the day so they would be sure to have live video feed of the runners, especially the start and finish.

All in all, I think it was tremendously improved from last year, but there are still a few kinks to work out.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2810377

This thread discusses the same topic...as far as the spectator opinions, my other half loved the spectator party. He ate and got to ride attractions with no waits over and over and over! I didn't get to enjoy the party as much due to it being so late but I got to enjoy the cheese soup which made me very happy.

 

[ScoJo15]

Agree that the spectators (and relay team members) should be able to see the finish...maybe they'll fix that for next year...but overall this year was a HUGE improvement over last year!!

Loved how there were no lines for the food/drinks until later in the evening (seemed to fill up at 2am...which by then we were kind of done anyway). Was nice to run the race, have bathrooms to change in, and then have a wide open party for a good bit of time. Last year it was a nightmare with lines everywhere regardless of what time of night it was.

Also loved the $10 gift card idea, which was refillable at any merchandise stand. But did not like that the only choices for our free beverage was cheap beer or a soda...where was the wine?? It IS called the WINE and dine after all.