Tower of Terror Organizers, an Ear Please

[windwalker]

There is talk of a 15 min time limit on the Tower of Tower race? Why? The lure of this event is the fun, it's not about time limits or competition, its about a celabration. It's about a fun evening for lovers of Disney and of health and fitness.

The difference between a 15 mpm pace limit and a 17 mpm pace limit is 16 total minutes. Surely you can prolong the sweepers for another 16 minutes so this can be a Disney style event of fun insead of a "lets get it over with".

WISH team members if you agree with me please speak out and let them know.

Thank you for listening. We want all the folks to have fun without having to worry about being swept.

Dave

 

[Disneefun]

I'll probably get flamed to high heaven for this, but I can understand why Disney sets the limits they do. They have to close roads and divert traffic for these races. If they didn't set strict time limits, other guests at "the World" would be inconvenienced for far longer. Disney has to balance getting the races done with keeping other guests moving along and inconvenienced as little as possible. Plus they have to have course workers, medics and volunteers out on the course as long as it's open. This costs $$$. I know it doesn't seem like much to say keep it open "only" sixteen more minutes, but Disney has reasons why they want to "get it over with" and I can't argue with that. Yes, the races are supposed to be fun, but they are also races with all that entails.

The reason I run most of my races at Disney is because they have the most generous time limits of most races. I can't find a race around here -- or even a "fun run" that has a time limit of more than 13 minutes/mile. And I can't find a half or full marathon that offers more than 12 minutes per mile. I think Disney is more than generous with their times.

Sorry, but I just have a divergent viewpoint, I guess.

 

[solotraveler]

I'll probably get flamed to high heaven for this, but I can understand why Disney sets the limits they do. They have to close roads and divert traffic for these races. If they didn't set strict time limits, other guests at "the World" would be inconvenienced for far longer. Disney has to balance getting the races done with keeping other guests moving along and inconvenienced as little as possible. Plus they have to have course workers, medics and volunteers out on the course as long as it's open. This costs $$$. I know it doesn't seem like much to say keep it open "only" sixteen more minutes, but Disney has reasons why they want to "get it over with" and I can't argue with that. Yes, the races are supposed to be fun, but they are also races with all that entails.

The reason I run most of my races at Disney is because they have the most generous time limits of most races. I can't find a race around here -- or even a "fun run" that has a time limit of more than 13 minutes/mile. And I can't find a half or full marathon that offers more than 12 minutes per mile. I think Disney is more than generous with their times.

Sorry, but I just have a divergent viewpoint, I guess.

Well I'll get flamed right along with you then, because I completely agree with you.

Disney has some extremely generous time limits on their races, which attracts a lot of people and makes it more fun (I think). If the pacing for the half and full marathons are 16MPM, then 15MPM for a 13K seems perfectly fair and in line with what they have done before.

Kevin

 

[WDWFAN9]

Well as a penguin I agree with OP! Especially since it appears that WDW is having trouble filling Minnie. I am fine with the 16mpm pace for the half and full, but for the shorter "speciality" distances Disney could really expand their appeal to a whole different market. I hesitate to call the penguins less serious athletes, but I bet there are a lot of people (think mall walkers for example) who wouldn't attempt a half or full but would love a shorter distance with a little bit more generous time limit. More serious runners (again I hesitate to use that word, I hope you know what I am trying to say) probably wouldn't travel for only a 13 or 15K, but I think there are probably a lot of people who would love to earn a medal at WDW, and if they have a good experience would come back again and again. And as far as ToT goes, they are keeping MGM open until 1AM, so keeping the course open for another 16 minutes seems immaterial to me.

 

[Maherae]

Well, I'm going to jump in here... I think Dave is only referring to the 15 minute time for the ToT race..not the other established races. ToT is in honor of ToT's 13th anniversary, and will probably just be a one time thing. The park closes at 7:30 to the regular guests, so we won't be inconveniencing them. With it starting at 9 p.m. and at a 15 minute pace, we should be finished by 11-11:15 p.m. A 16 or 17 minute pace would make it at the most 11:16 - 11:31. Since we have a party that will be going on until 1 a.m., where's the harm?

Kevin and Disneefun, I totally agree with the pace limits for the established races. It's a goal to work towards. If you get swept one year, there's always next.. Anne

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with the spirit of the time constraints (traffic and theme park venue considerations).

However I have always been scratching my head of why the time limit a 1 minute faster pace over Mickey. But I think the 15:00 pace is consistent of all their shorter events. Seems illogical to me especially since their main draw has always been January and that limit is set for 16:00.

 

[monte]

Anne, you think this race is a one time thing? Oh man, I'm bummed...I was looking forward to doing this walk in 2010. Rats!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I would agree with Dave as what is 16 more minutes. Disney does pay some of these people but what does a few employees and volunteers cost them for those few minutes?

I RD a couple of 50K'S in which I give 9 hours to complete. It is my time and a few volunteers who are my friends. I understand Disny has more costs but they have many more runners and charge much more than I do. If it is a party to 1 am, than lets banana:

 

[windwalker]

I would agree with Dave as what is 16 more minutes. Disney does pay some of these people but what does a few employees and volunteers cost them for those few minutes?

I RD a couple of 50K'S in which I give 9 hours to complete. It is my time and a few volunteers who are my friends. I understand Disny has more costs but they have many more runners and charge much more than I do. If it is a party to 1 am, than lets banana:

Yep since most of us going to this little fun fest are spending our kids inheritence to go I think an extra 16 min is a reasonable request.

I'm spending $1,200 for room, a $120 for entry fee, 1500 mile round trip in the stang, with gas probably $3.00 plus a gallon. Not to mention Erica and I will probably spend another $1,000 there on food and goodies. So yea I feel like we have the right to expect a reasonable time limit for our friends who are spending just as much.

Let's see where did I hear this, "Where dreams come true". I would think being swept from a fun party race would be a nightmare. We come here because it is different and not like every other race. It's Disney where our dreams can come true, at least for a few moments.

Sorry but this is my humble opinion. What attracted me to the WISH team was it's togetherness and let's all pull for each other concept. That is so refreshing in this dog eat dog cheat your neighbor world.

Our goal of course is to have everyone encouraged and motivated and trained to be able to beat what ever time limit there is. But if we grow we will always need that extra few minutes of cushion, till we can get our new members over the hump. Not to mention those times when life gets in the way of our training.

Dave

 

[WDWFAN9]

Since Disney has not given a definitive answer about pacing requirements I've got to hope that they are giving serious consideration to a more generous time limit. A novelty race like this isn't about PR, it's about fun. I'm sure there are lots of WISHer family members that would love to participate in an event with their loved ones, but for whatever reason would find a 15mpm too stressful.

And let's be honest, WDW is interested in the bottom line....more participants mean more entrance fees, more race event purchases (pins, tshirts, etc) and thus more $$$ in Disney's pockets. A more generous time limit would also appeal to people who are already going to be in WDW, hear about the race, and think - hey we can do that! Again, more entrance fees, more race purchases, more reason for people to spend ALL of their vacation dollars at Disney.

I hope Disney decides to go with a more generous pacing requirement for ToT, attracts a ton of participants, and finds the event so successful that it becomes an annual party!

 

[windwalker]

Since Disney has not given a definitive answer about pacing requirements I've got to hope that they are giving serious consideration to a more generous time limit. A novelty race like this isn't about PR, it's about fun. I'm sure there are lots of WISHer family members that would love to participate in an event with their loved ones, but for whatever reason would find a 15mpm too stressful.

And let's be honest, WDW is interested in the bottom line....more participants mean more entrance fees, more race event purchases (pins, tshirts, etc) and thus more $$$ in Disney's pockets. A more generous time limit would also appeal to people who are already going to be in WDW, hear about the race, and think - hey we can do that! Again, more entrance fees, more race purchases, more reason for people to spend ALL of their vacation dollars at Disney.

I hope Disney decides to go with a more generous pacing requirement for ToT, attracts a ton of participants, and finds the event so successful that it becomes an annual party!

Thank you Pat for sharing your feelings.

Dave

 

[cobbler]

They have the 15 minute per mile pacing requirement listed on the website now.

 

[windwalker]

They have the 15 minute per mile pacing requirement listed on the website now.

Then it's time to stand together if we want to see it change.

Dave

 

[TWyn]

Since Disney has not given a definitive answer about pacing requirements I've got to hope that they are giving serious consideration to a more generous time limit. A novelty race like this isn't about PR, it's about fun. I'm sure there are lots of WISHer family members that would love to participate in an event with their loved ones, but for whatever reason would find a 15mpm too stressful.

And let's be honest, WDW is interested in the bottom line....more participants mean more entrance fees, more race event purchases (pins, tshirts, etc) and thus more $$$ in Disney's pockets. A more generous time limit would also appeal to people who are already going to be in WDW, hear about the race, and think - hey we can do that! Again, more entrance fees, more race purchases, more reason for people to spend ALL of their vacation dollars at Disney.

I hope Disney decides to go with a more generous pacing requirement for ToT, attracts a ton of participants, and finds the event so successful that it becomes an annual party!

I couldn't agree more with what you said, Pat. This is my first race, and although I'm hoping that I don't have problems with the 15 min/mile pace, I sure would be more comfortable if they upped it a minute or two. I think it's great if some runners want to really try hard for a quicker finish, and I admire them for it, but a slower pace would give the newbies and the ones who aren't quite as quick, like myself, a chance to not be under quite so much pressure, yet still finish in a reasonable time.

 

[jeanneg]

Thanks, Dave, for starting this thread....I agree with you wholeheartedly. If this is a fun event, it should be a little more INclusive. Runners may not understand this, but for walkers, the difference between a 16-minute mile and a 15-minute mile is a quantum leap. I would love to do this event with my husband, but he is not in particularly great shape. He can walk a 15 minute mile but only for a mile or 2. He can probably walk at a 15:40 for the entire 8 miles. I think that finishing this event would be a great impetus for him to do more and get in better shape. But if it's a 15 minute minimum, I hesitate to sign him up because it could seriously kill him. An additional 8 minutes should not cost Disney any more since it would be offset by a greater number of entry fees. If the serious runners would like to do a 7 or 8 minute pace, that is completely fine, but they shouldn't resent all the Pooh people who would like to experience a little of what it's like to be an athlete.

 

[windwalker]

Thanks, Dave, for starting this thread....I agree with you wholeheartedly. If this is a fun event, it should be a little more INclusive. Runners may not understand this, but for walkers, the difference between a 16-minute mile and a 15-minute mile is a quantum leap. I would love to do this event with my husband, but he is not in particularly great shape. He can walk a 15 minute mile but only for a mile or 2. He can probably walk at a 15:40 for the entire 8 miles. I think that finishing this event would be a great impetus for him to do more and get in better shape. But if it's a 15 minute minimum, I hesitate to sign him up because it could seriously kill him. An additional 8 minutes should not cost Disney any more since it would be offset by a greater number of entry fees. If the serious runners would like to do a 7 or 8 minute pace, that is completely fine, but they shouldn't resent all the Pooh people who would like to experience a little of what it's like to be an athlete.

We have to win this. It's what WISH is all about. I think Robert is working on it. If enough Wish team members will speak their opinions maybe it will help.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Dave: Yes I am working on WDW about how they need to increase the time limit. I think the more the merrier who say they may not do it unless the time limit is increased They don't want another Minnie

 

[windwalker]

Dave: Yes I am working on WDW about how they need to increase the time limit. I think the more the merrier who say they may not do it unless the time limit is increased They don't want another Minnie

Glad your doing what your doing Robert.

Dave

 

[jeanneg]

Dave, I stumbled upon this thread by accident yesterday.......you might want to post a link on the training thread.

 

[DianeL]

Your voices were heard.... 2 1/2 hours to finish. Check WWoS to see if for yourself but at 12:48 pm EST on 5-1-2007 they had updated the pace requirements. WOW!