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runDisney Star Wars Events
- Thread starter DznyGrlSD
- Start date
Figment82
Well-Known Member
That happened to me with this year’s Rival Run. Went back and forth with the old bank and RunDisney regarding who would ultimately be responsible for the refund. The bank initially said they weren’t, but I received a cashier’s check from them a few weeks later.
It sounds like now rD will issue a Disney Gift Card, but I don’t know if you have to engage them first.
Surferboy567
Well-Known Member
Here is what I heard from runDisney:
“Once registered, reply to this message with your registration information for both the Kessel Run Challenge and Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon. Our Registration Team will refund the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon registration, totaling $59.00 to the original form of payment. Unfortunately, we are not able to refund processing fees. Please know that it may take up to two weeks for the refund to process, and we will contact you once your refund has been completed.”
Looks like I am doing Kessel.
“Once registered, reply to this message with your registration information for both the Kessel Run Challenge and Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon. Our Registration Team will refund the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon registration, totaling $59.00 to the original form of payment. Unfortunately, we are not able to refund processing fees. Please know that it may take up to two weeks for the refund to process, and we will contact you once your refund has been completed.”
Looks like I am doing Kessel.
Correct - on a typical year, Space Coast caps at 7600 runners. This year, they had about 3100 in-person runners spread out between two courses (north/south half and full marathon). Disney would’ve had to severely cap registration - and reconfigure the course to avoid pinch points (that stretch to the BoardWalk is terrible even in a non-pandemic situation).
And I agree, although it’s been almost 2 weeks and I haven’t heard of any contact tracing issues from the race, all you’d need is 1 individual to claim they got sick on Disney property - especially from a racing event - and the news media would be all over it.
People on Reddit and FB are discussing which race will be the next in-person. General consensus seems to be 2022 WDW Marathon Weekend. Such a depressing thought. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to run Space Coast, as it will most likely be my only one for the next year.
I'd think 2021 W&D would be the first, given the news about the Pfizer vaccine yesterday. If sufficient supplies are available for the general public by Spring, one would think by November on-property races could resume.
That happened to me with this year’s Rival Run. Went back and forth with the old bank and RunDisney regarding who would ultimately be responsible for the refund. The bank initially said they weren’t, but I received a cashier’s check from them a few weeks later.
The 2nd email I received stated that if rD couldn't refund the original payment, you could get a check. I don't want a gift card I wouldn't be able to use except at WDW or online. Which is why I'm going to re-register for the virtuals and then cancel my original registrations. Why they just can't do a doggone refund if you switch to virtual is beyond me.
Figment82
Well-Known Member
I think they want to keep the money “in the Disney bubble”, so to speak. Tying it up in a gift card forces you to use it for a future trip, or through shopDisney. Where they hope that you’ll end up spending far more than the allotted amount!
But I completely agree, having a straight refund would be far preferable. I know there are probably plenty of people who could really use that money for other things. Especially when everyone registered months ago, when situations could have been far different from what they are now.
Surferboy567
Well-Known Member
A quick observation...I looked at last year’s medals in a couple of videos and it actually appears their is another difference between this design in the blog post versus last years.
The design is the same but I have noticed the “5 years running” has been taken off all the medals. For example on the 5K medal it was where “2021“ is on the new design. The same trend applies to the 10K medal where it appeared on the bottom of the medal. Found this interesting and thought I would mention it.
It is also worth mentioning anyone notice the cool wing looking pattern on the shirts?
...I am also starting to get this feeling this will be the last Star Wars race for the foreseeable future which really pains me to say. Their are however, great themes they could retheme it to (I think Pixar is an likely candidate) I will really miss Star Wars though, it is kind of a shame it has to be rethemed. At least, I caught the races before it was too late (assuming I secure a spot).
EDIT: For the 5K medal I forgot the medal is double sided so it is possible the “5 Years Running” is on the other side as it was on the video, but the point about it being removed from the 10K medal still stands (unless their is another side). The Kessel Medal also has it removed.
The design is the same but I have noticed the “5 years running” has been taken off all the medals. For example on the 5K medal it was where “2021“ is on the new design. The same trend applies to the 10K medal where it appeared on the bottom of the medal. Found this interesting and thought I would mention it.
It is also worth mentioning anyone notice the cool wing looking pattern on the shirts?
...I am also starting to get this feeling this will be the last Star Wars race for the foreseeable future which really pains me to say. Their are however, great themes they could retheme it to (I think Pixar is an likely candidate) I will really miss Star Wars though, it is kind of a shame it has to be rethemed. At least, I caught the races before it was too late (assuming I secure a spot).
EDIT: For the 5K medal I forgot the medal is double sided so it is possible the “5 Years Running” is on the other side as it was on the video, but the point about it being removed from the 10K medal still stands (unless their is another side). The Kessel Medal also has it removed.
Star Wars is finished. The race will be re-themed in 2022. I don't get the idea the theme was unpopular...races were sold out every year since 2016.
I think the race will become a Marvel themed one. Disney IS all about their IPs right now.
Here's the response from one of my Sparkle Squad runners regarding the Perfect runner program.
Surferboy567
Well-Known Member
I initally thought Marvel as well, which would be an awesome theme for races, as I am a huge fan. Doesn’t that licensing deal with universal prevent them from doing anything marvel at Disney World (besides super select characters). That’s why I was thinking Pixar was the next logical option. They can do Marvel at Disneyland (as they have done in the past) not sure about Disney World.
...I am really going to miss Star Wars though. It really is a shame their are so many possibilities with theming for Star Wars. I wonder what the reasoning behind the decision was seems strange to make this move now.
EDIT: I also don’t “buy” that it wasn’t a popular race weekend. Star Wars is such a huge brand and based on my research it seemed to draw in crowds much like the other races. Definitely not as many as princess or marathon (at least from the videos I have seen). Enough though, to definitely keep around.
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Surferboy567
Well-Known Member
I can see it being a rotating IP weekend, but that is already what Wine and Dine is doing. The themes are only loosely connected to “food”. For this reason they may want to keep it a one IP affair.
It is a possibility though.
EDIT: Upon further research, their is a strong argument that themes are more food based then I thought originally. Some of them are a little bit of a stretch though.
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Demarke
Have I told you lately that I 👍 you?
My prediction: “We’re ditching the old Star Wars IP and introducing the 2022 Mandalorian Miles! Which is different... somehow!”
Remember, you heard it here first!
But seriously, Star Wars was a plenty popular enough theme, if attendance was lower, I think that’s way more likely due to the fact that Florida tends to get hotter than the two suns of Tatooine by April, rather than any problem with theming.
Remember, you heard it here first!
But seriously, Star Wars was a plenty popular enough theme, if attendance was lower, I think that’s way more likely due to the fact that Florida tends to get hotter than the two suns of Tatooine by April, rather than any problem with theming.
Chet Dakota
Well-Known Member
I dont get it. Maybe they couldn’t figure out how to run the course through Galaxy Edge and just said “screw it”. The Star Wars Light Side run at DL is what motivated me to start running in 2015. Very disappointed to see them move on with a different theme.
Have no desire to go virtual any more. I did the virtual half’s to keep my Kessel perfect only, and I agree, they were “training” for me. I paid for the experience on-site and for the opportunity to run IN the parks.
Surferboy567
Well-Known Member
See I thought this at first, they would keep the larger Star Wars theming but ”rebrand” the weekend. Makes sense with the Mando’s popularity and all the upcoming Disney + projects. The more I think about it though, it is more unlikely in my head. Here are some of the reasons why I think this.My prediction: “We’re ditching the old Star Wars IP and introducing the 2022 Mandalorian Miles! Which is different... somehow!”
Remember, you heard it here first!
But seriously, Star Wars was a plenty popular enough theme, if attendance was lower, I think that’s way more likely due to the fact that Florida tends to get hotter than the two suns of Tatooine by April, rather than any problem with theming.
1.) Why go though all the trouble to make people potentially angry saying you are going to “retheme“ the race. Only to turn around and...not “retheme” it. I think they are priming us for a much bigger IP shift.
2.) Why go though all the trouble to go out of your way to make the point to people about losing ”perfect” status when the “rethemed” race is the same overall theme.
and lastly...
3.) Why go out of your way to take away the “5 years running“ off every medal (assuming they are reusing last year’s already made medals).
I believe they should of kept Star Wars around, it is an amazing IP with so many possibilities and I really don’t understand the reasoning. As you mentioned above Mando...and especially the child (still waiting on using his true name to not spoil anyone who doesn’t want to be) is extremely popular. So popular, he would probably boost attendance to a much higher level if he was used as a theme.
All that being said, I am at least interested to see what they could do in terms of another theme...their are lots of possibilities. It is just so sad to see it go, especially for me since I wanted to do it in person...eventually. It will be hard to top Star Wars. At least I have the opportunity to run it now virtually.
durangojim
Well-Known Member
Not sure if anyone posted pics of the shirts. I’m a little bummed that Ahsoka isn’t more prominent.
My prediction: “We’re ditching the old Star Wars IP and introducing the 2022 Mandalorian Miles! Which is different... somehow!”
Remember, you heard it here first!
But seriously, Star Wars was a plenty popular enough theme, if attendance was lower, I think that’s way more likely due to the fact that Florida tends to get hotter than the two suns of Tatooine by April, rather than any problem with theming.
I've been doing the Star Wars race weekend at WDW since the inaugural year in 2016. Races sold out every year. The Expo merchandise was a madhouse. There may be fewer bib slots available (was told by a rD CM that the smallest race weekend is W&D), but it was popular. And warm, but not July pizza oven hot.
Perhaps you are right, gonna theme it to the Mandalorian. Which is still essentially Star Wars.
Surferboy567
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I would of used her more, given her popularity. Too be fair though, she wasn’t as popular as she is now when this was made.
This is coming from someone who’s favorite Star Wars character is Ashoka. I think most of the shirts are super cool, probably will be going for them.
EDIT: This was likely made sometime in 2018-2019. Pre-Mandolorian Ashoka, and Pre-Final Season of Clone Wars Ashoka.
Chet Dakota
Well-Known Member
Really liked the Challenge shirts and loved the Kessel design...and Maul on the 5k. These were the best designs to date. So sad.