Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon

[LAKid53]

I don’t think they could survive solely on virtual events. They obviously make money on the merch they sell at the live events. I don’t however, think they are going away anytime soon. The virtuals are probably at the very least good to bring in new runners into runDisney (like myself).

I agree though, the live events offer an experience that is far superior to a virtual. I cannot say for myself since I have yet to partake in one. I do plan on doing so though.

I am interested to see what their calendar looks like. I really am interested to see what that new theme is for runDisney.

EDIT: I just don’t know when they could restart live races, my gut says 2022. No one really knows though.

But a 2nd year of virtual races will hurt rD in the long run. Frankly, their prices for virtuals are out of sync with other races.

They really need to be planning for an on-property reduced W&D in November, but with a contingent plan to go virtual if things still look bad in August.

There were a lot of unhappy rD legacy runners when rD decided to kill that. Lots of pride in having run Marathon, Princess, Dopey, W&D since their inceptions. And your race bib tells everyone you are perfect.

 

[LAKid53]

Not only that but runDisney is also paying Track Shack to run the event, they have to pay entertainment as well. Think of runDisney more as a contractor using Disney property.

In reality, Disney just shuffles money from one division to another.

 

[Surferboy567]

Frankly, their prices for virtuals are out of sync with other races.

They really need to be planning for an on-property reduced W&D in November, but with a contingent plan to go virtual if things still look bad in August.

There were a lot of unhappy rD legacy runners when rD decided to kill that. Lots of pride in having run Marathon, Princess, Dopey, W&D since their inceptions. And your race bib tells everyone you are perfect.

I also agree, they are extremely overpriced for virtual races.

I would be very unhappy if I was a perfect Star Wars runner as well.

 

[LAKid53]

I also agree, they are extremely overpriced for virtual races.

I would be very unhappy if I was a perfect Star Wars runner as well.

I'm one...or I was.

 

[Rteetz]

I agree, it’s costly to run an event. Disney doesn’t do anything without the goal is making money though. They have to be making some kind of profit somewhere in all this to warrant them doing the races in the first place.

It could be attendance, merch, food and beverage. Something has to be seeing a bump in order for them to see this as a worthwhile event. Judging by the amount of interest and people running these events, I’d say they are popular enough that they are making a profit somewhere.

It was mostly John Hughes idea to create a world class running event in Florida. He partnered with Disney. At first it really was not a money driven venture. When it was at its height with 4 weekends on each coast it definitely was money driven.

 

[Surferboy567]

I'm one...or I was.

Yeah, that really wasn’t a good move at least in my opinion on their end.

Star Wars was the race weekend I wanted to participate in person probably the most. It’s a shame they decided to retheme it, I am excited to see what they come up with.

Thinking it’s probably going to be a Pixar centered event. Which would probably be cool, part of me hopes it retains a Star Wars theme though (it probably won’t).

EDIT: Huge Star Wars fan myself.

 

[Rteetz]

Yeah, that really wasn’t a good move at least in my opinion on their end.

Star Wars was the race weekend I wanted to participate in person probably the most. It’s a shame they decided to retheme it, I am excited to see what they come up with.

Thinking it’s probably going to be a Pixar centered event. Which would probably be cool, part of me hopes it retains a Star Wars theme though (it probably won’t).

I am expecting a rotating theme so they can pick and choose the latest and greatest thing. If the weekend remains at all that is.

 

[GimpYancIent]

I agree, it’s costly to run an event. Disney doesn’t do anything without the goal is making money though. They have to be making some kind of profit somewhere in all this to warrant them doing the races in the first place.

It could be attendance, merch, food and beverage. Something has to be seeing a bump in order for them to see this as a worthwhile event. Judging by the amount of interest and people running these events, I’d say they are popular enough that they are making a profit somewhere.

Rough estimates for a Marathon weekend, considering kids races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and full Marathon, would have a number in the neighborhood of 80,000 plus participants then throw in family and friends, well, that's a lot of people. Whether or not staying on property merchandise, food, drink and park tickets etc. generate a lot of money. Yes there is cost to putting on live run events but in Disney's case there is more to it than the run events.

 

[Surferboy567]

I am expecting a rotating theme so they can pick and choose the latest and greatest thing. If the weekend remains at all that is.

That is a strong possibility.

Star Wars just has so many great ideas to base a race off of, I can’t help but think their are lots of missed opportunities there.

I know they can’t use Marvel but the same applies there.

Really hoping it’s a Pixar themed weekend, but a rotating theme seems likely as well. Of course, would like if it stayed Star Wars as well. The problem with a rotating theme weekend is they kind of already have one with Wine & Dine. I think my interest would depend on if I like the theme presented. Pixar and Star Wars themes ensure that I probably enjoy the themes.

 

[LAKid53]

I am expecting a rotating theme so they can pick and choose the latest and greatest thing. If the weekend remains at all that is.

Without the corresponding Anaheim race that got you 2 extra medals - Coast to Coast AND Kessel - not surprised interest in the Dark Side race started to decline. Throwing a bone in the form of the virtual to keep the Kessel going wouldn't make people happy forever.

Would hate to see them kill that race weekend. While I'm not happy they've so unceremoniously dumped the SW theme, a rotating theme would be nice. Except it won't be one many fans would like to see - Marvel.

 

[LAKid53]

Rough estimates for a Marathon weekend, considering kids races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and full Marathon, would have a number in the neighborhood of 80,000 plus participants then throw in family and friends, well, that's a lot of people. Whether or not staying on property merchandise, food, drink and park tickets etc. generate a lot of money. Yes there is cost to putting on live run events but in Disney's case there is more to it than the run events.

I believe I read WDW pulls in several million from race weekends... especially Marathon and Princess.

 

[OG Runner]

I believe I read WDW pulls in several million from race weekends... especially Marathon and Princess.

I wouldn't be surprised. I have run 5 marathons. Each time I have run I have stayed on property for a week, with
park passes, meals, etc. It could add up.

 

[Swissmiss]

I really don't think they do. runDisney can't survive solely doing virtuals. The in person events themselves are more or less loss leaders. They bring people into WDW to spend money at hotels, parks, and resorts. Race registration is not for profit. That money goes into the crazy costs it takes to put on the events.

And what many people tend to forget (or overlook) is the money to put on an event is usually paid out several weeks if not months before the event and why most race registrations are non refundable. IMHO, they will not be opening registration for any races until they are more sure than not that the race can be held. I suspect that the insurance policies taken out by race organizers will specifically exclude recovering lost deposits etc for any event organized before there are assurances that the event can go forward.

I, like everyone else, had several races cancelled last year and was quite surprised that all of my registration fees have either been refunded or rolled over to whenever the race was/will be held. Two or three of them, being smaller, local events, were finally held in the Fall (just in the nick of time before we shut down again here) and the last one I am still waiting to hear if it will happen in May. I am betting no, because I doubt the current 15 person limit per gathering restriction will be increased enough for a race weekend with several thousands.

 

[OG Runner]

That is a strong possibility.

Star Wars just has so many great ideas to base a race off of, I can’t help but think their are lots of missed opportunities there.

I know they can’t use Marvel but the same applies there.

Really hoping it’s a Pixar themed weekend, but a rotating theme seems likely as well. Of course, would like if it stayed Star Wars as well. The problem with a rotating theme weekend is they kind of already have one with Wine & Dine. I think my interest would depend on if I like the theme presented. Pixar and Star Wars themes ensure that I probably enjoy the themes.

Could they do something like a "Guardians Gallup"? Similar to Star Wars and a Marvel IP they can use in Florida.

 

[LAKid53]

And what many people tend to forget (or overlook) is the money to put on an event is usually paid out several weeks if not months before the event and why most race registrations are non refundable. IMHO, they will not be opening registration for any races until they are more sure than not that the race can be held. I suspect that the insurance policies taken out by race organizers will specifically exclude recovering lost deposits etc for any event organized before there are assurances that the event can go forward.

I, like everyone else, had several races cancelled last year and was quite surprised that all of my registration fees have either been refunded or rolled over to whenever the race was/will be held. Two or three of them, being smaller, local events, were finally held in the Fall (just in the nick of time before we shut down again here) and the last one I am still waiting to hear if it will happen in May. I am betting no, because I doubt the current 15 person limit per gathering restriction will be increased enough for a race weekend with several thousands.

As we are witnessing right now, Florida has few, if any, restrictions on crowd size.

 

[Surferboy567]

Could they do something like a "Guardians Gallup"? Similar to Star Wars and a Marvel IP they can use in Florida.

I’m sure they could dance around the contract much like they are with Cosmic Rewind. Problem is, are they enough characters they can get away with for an entire race weekend.

 

[LAKid53]

I’m sure they could dance around the contract much like they are with Cosmic Rewind. Problem is, are they enough characters they can get away with for an entire race weekend.

There have been questions whether GoTG are considered part of the Avengers family as noted in Marvel's 1995 contract with Universal. Did including those characters in the last 2 Avengers films retroactively make them part of the Avengers? I'm sure TWDC lawyers answered that question prior to construction of the ride.

That being said, I know many would like to see a race themed to that IP include more than just GoTG - imagine if Disney could capitalize on Wanda Maximoff with a race theme.

 

[Swissmiss]

There have been questions whether GoTG are considered part of the Avengers family as noted in Marvel's 1995 contract with Universal. Did including those characters in the last 2 Avengers films retroactively make them part of the Avengers? I'm sure TWDC lawyers answered that question prior to construction of the ride.

That being said, I know many would like to see a race themed to that IP include more than just GoTG - imagine if Disney could capitalize on Wanda Maximoff with a race theme.

DLP can

 

[LAKid53]

DLP can

Technically, DLP IS east of the Mississippi....

 

[Rose&Crown]

I’d be very curious how they’d get the expo set up since the lines there can be crazy.

Also in a year they’re cutting costs left and right I just see this as a headache/cost they probably won’t want to take on. I hope I’m wrong.

Also didn’t know people lost their perfect status this year, that’s horrible. I’d be very mad about that.