The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[flynnibus]

It has been brought up many times on these boards that it isn't really a serious event. Of course, it isn't it's Disney for goodness sake. Want to run seriously? There are some "real" events with famous names. The Boston and New York Marathon comes to mind.

Have you ever ran in a large scale (10k+) race like these? It's not just 'boston marathon winners' and then the 'fat 5k' participants. There are a whole range of people below your boston winner who want to be able to participate in a race they should be able to enjoy without playing pinball off walkers the entire race.

Just because a crowd has taken over something with their volume.. it doesn't mean the event should be redefined to fit them. Like I said, let Disney setup 'you can do it!' races and leave the enthusiasts races to the enthusiasts. runDisney wasn't setup to be a support group for coach potatoes looking to break their old habits.

 

[Bolna]

Have you ever ran in a large scale (10k+) race like these? It's not just 'boston marathon winners' and then the 'fat 5k' participants. There are a whole range of people below your boston winner who want to be able to participate in a race they should be able to enjoy without playing pinball off walkers the entire race.

Just because a crowd has taken over something with their volume.. it doesn't mean the event should be redefined to fit them. Like I said, let Disney setup 'you can do it!' races and leave the enthusiasts races to the enthusiasts. runDisney wasn't setup to be a support group for coach potatoes looking to break their old habits.

I think the recent addition of 10k races try to fit that purpose. They are easier to get through than a half marathon (and also less of a health risk for those who did not train enough). But then there are people who like to run a fast 10k and we have the same problem, too. They also seem to have become much stricter about proof of former race times and adjusted corrals. So runDisney is very well aware of the problem.

 

[sshindel]

Have you ever ran in a large scale (10k+) race like these? It's not just 'boston marathon winners' and then the 'fat 5k' participants. There are a whole range of people below your boston winner who want to be able to participate in a race they should be able to enjoy without playing pinball off walkers the entire race.

This. Plus, add in the fact that they are expensive! The Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon that I ran was $185 or so for registration. I ran that race because I wanted to prove that I could run that far. I did not stop at any of the character spots. I wanted to run it. While the race was fun, it was by no means a throw-away for me. This year I'll do another one, and currently the plan is to have a target time that I am shooting to hit. A lot of this will depend on how far I have to walk in the beginning while the herd narrows out and if I can make up time as I go along.
For a LOT of runners out there, races like this are challenges. Try and get a personal best. There is no reason Disney could not accommodate serious runners (shooting for world class times), casual runners trying for personal bests, casual runners just trying to finish, and walkers. In some respects, they do try. I just don't think they do a great job of vetting for their corral placement. I know it would be impossible to catch every single person, but if they could get the system down, these events could easily handle all types of guests.
To be fair though, at least with the race I was in (14k runners), only the first mile was really a problem. After that, there was plenty of space to make it around people. Still, taking 1 mile out of 13 and basically throwing it out the window is rough if you have a goal that you are trying to stretch to hit.

 

[wdisney9000]

Back on topic, you may not want to go into it here @WDW1974 , but I'm wondering what you might know about this growing runDisney business? We talk about DVC and Mommy Bloggers and the Social Media Team poseurs scamming their employer from their Celebration office as examples of 21st century bizarro-world shell games. But runDisney just gets bigger and bolder every year. They just announced the fourth major runDisney event of the year for Disneyland, this Star Wars Half-Marathon thing, and it sold out within minutes at the hugely inflated prices they charge. There seems to be an endless appetite for these running events, and at Disneyland they take over both parks and all three hotels for a long weekend. They charge a fortune for the privilege of attending, and it's this oddly huge and yet niche market Disney is milking for all its worth.

It's certainly more successful than D23, you gotta give 'em that.

runDisney... How did it start, who runs it, where does all the money go, and where does it all end?!?

I did not know that they charge money for being a spectator. Copied this from the runDisney site. Some of the more expensive packages include food and beverage and private restrooms. They really do think of every way to charge people. Good question, where does the money all go?

ChEAR Squad Package Pricing:
Half Marathon

• Bronze Package – No Charge
• Silver Package – $39
• Gold Package – $65
• Platinum Package – $120

Marathon

• Bronze Package – No Charge
• Silver Package – $39
• Gold Package – $65
• Platinum Package – $120

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

• Bronze Package – No Charge
• Silver Package – $39
• Gold Package – $85
• Platinum Package – $180

 

[71jason]

Any truth to the ITM rumor that CMs were told American Idol Experience is closing in 6 months?

I found the news odd. Was supposed to close last year, but got a last-minute reprieve, the assumption was another 3-year contract. I suppose it could have been a 1-year extension--or WDW could have an escape clause.

 

[sshindel]

I did not know that they charge money for being a spectator. Copied this from the runDisney site. Some of the more expensive packages include food and beverage and private restrooms. They really do think of every way to charge people. Good question, where does the money all go?

ChEAR Squad Package Pricing:
Half Marathon

• Bronze Package – No Charge
• Silver Package – $39
• Gold Package – $65
• Platinum Package – $120

Marathon

• Bronze Package – No Charge
• Silver Package – $39
• Gold Package – $65
• Platinum Package – $120

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

• Bronze Package – No Charge
• Silver Package – $39
• Gold Package – $85
• Platinum Package – $180

So, according to this, they do not charge for spectators. The lowest package (just getting an E-newsletter. how fancy) is free.

However, as you get to the pay-levels, you get things. This is from the Star Wars 1/2 marathon page:
ChEAR Squad – BRONZE ($0) Package includes:

• E-newsletter detailing all of the weekend events to make your experience truly magical!

ChEAR Squad – SILVER ($45) Package includes * :

• The E-newsletter included with the Bronze Package plus…
• ChEAR Squad gear kit which includes:
  • Mickey clappers (exclusive to ChEAR Squad!)
  • ChEAR Squad t-shirt
• Reserved ChEAR Zone viewing location excluding Finish Line (Half Marathon Only)

ChEAR Squad – GOLD ($69) Package includes* (Half Marathon Only):

• All of the Silver Package amenities plus...
• Entry into the Finish Line ChEAR Zone which includes:
  • Reserved grandstand seating (first-come, first-served)

ChEAR Squad – PLATINUM ($99) Package includes* (Half Marathon Only):

• All of the Gold Package amenities plus...
• Entry into the Platinum ChEAR Zone which includes:
  • VIP Finish Line lounge seating
  • Continental Breakfast
  • Executive Style Restrooms
  • Comfortable Finish Line Seating*
  • Live video feed from the Course
  • Complimentary parking at the Disneyland® Hotel

 

[EpcoTim]

Have you walked through Emporium or WoD lately? Sales everywhere. All kinds of "two for $X" signage. Discounting is the Disney brand now.

EVERYDAY LOW PRICES !!

Of course they also have to compete with all the crap discount stores that sell the same, well, crap.

 

[jakeman]

Personally I find the amenities of the room in the values more deplorable then the price. I think the minimum standard is too low for a Disney property.

Disney has been extremely slow in following the movement toward higher end linens and additional amenities in all of their rooms.

I didn't see my first duvet in a Disney room until I stayed at the Yacht Club 3 years ago. There is absolutely no reason that a Hampton Inn in Omaha, NE should have better rooms in 2006 than the Yacht Club in 2011.

The resorts have slowly gotten better over the past 4 years or so, but their standard for the longest time was the early 90s standard (with the thin comforter and synthetic hotel blanket underneath) than it should have been.

 

[Witchy Chick]

Anyone that knows me (none of my internet friends) know that what I am about to say is not a put down. I'll explain after.

The Disney 5k is already a 'fat 5k'.

I feel that is absolutely great. I have said before and I will say again, I admire more, people that are not physically svelte and yet will go out and try to do something that in the past they have never been able to do. In the case of people that are very overweight and have lost weight either through surgery, diet or just plain making a massive effort, it is vitally important that these people have a place to do something like this. It is not a contest and never should be. For many it is nothing more then an opportunity for people to test themselves without fear of being laughed at or discounted as unable.

It has been brought up many times on these boards that it isn't really a serious event. Of course, it isn't it's Disney for goodness sake. Want to run seriously? There are some "real" events with famous names. The Boston and New York Marathon comes to mind.

Since it's Disney's job to make people feel good, I can't think of a better way that benefits so many people and allows them to lose the self loathing that so many lived with for years. This is one thing that can honestly and proudly be defined as a place where everyone is a winner.

I totally agree with you on the 5K. In fact, my fat a$$ did it last January. One and done. LOL My 60-some-year-old in-laws also did it, with little-to-no training. While I ran a good portion of the 3.1 miles, they walked. A LOT.

I think the more pressing issue is when folks register for the half or full marathons, and either don't train at all or don't train enough. Even though the Disney races are not "elite" as NYC or Boston Marathons, serious runners (like my husband) do train for the Disney half/fulls. And the problem comes in when those who didn't train properly walk the entire marathon route and impede the way of those who did train. I know my husband has complained of "runners" just dead stopping right in front of him almost causing a collision, of runners running approx 100 yards and slowing to a walk at the start of the race, of runners not adhering to "runner etiquette" (slower traffic (walkers)) keep right). I think proper corralling would help -- put all walkers in the last corral. I think Disney requiring a previous half/full finish time (for corral placement) will help. I think Disney sweeping the course (if you can't maintain a 16 min per mile pace, you get swept) will help.

The big draw for these non-marathoners to participate in the halfs/fulls is the "bling." They all still get medals whether they finish or not, whether they walk the entire route or not, whether they maintain a 16 min pace or not.

I know my limitations and 5K is about it. My "bling" was a plastic medal vs. a metal one. I'm proud of it though.

Yes. Absolutely. And to me this all ties in with Disney's recent-ish decision to gear so many in-park offerings to families with very young children. For many, if kids still need that mid-day break it IS DEFINITELY worth it to stay on property (especially at a monorail/Epcot resort). And when a rogue wave like the Frozen M&G pops up...for more than a few parents the on-property premium is worth it - make that FP+ 60 days in advance and avoid standing in a 3, 4, 6+ hour queue (the horror...the horror).

^^^ THIS. When we went in Jan '13, we stayed on-site, in a MK monorail resort, with the DDP (at my husband's foolish insistence). Our kids were 4.5 and just-under-3 at the time. I wanted the convenience of the monorail resort since the kids were small. Our next Disney trip is likely Summer of '15 to DLR. Any future WDW visits, I am highly looking at staying off-site (or "on-site" at Swan/Dolphin) and splitting time between WDW and Uni. The kids will be big enough that we don't have to head back to the resort for naps, and I will be all about getting better value for my money.

 

[culturenthrills]

Kings Dominion Still has all that beautiful greenery! Sure, some parts of the park are not as nice but here are a few pictures from a trip I took to the Dominion a few weeks ago around international street and the hub area
View attachment 56289 View attachment 56290 View attachment 56291 View attachment 56292

Wow they totally redid the walkway up to the Eiffel Tower from Candy Apple Grove. It used to be blacktop. I walked it many a night after working at the park back in the day.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Have you ever ran in a large scale (10k+) race like these? It's not just 'boston marathon winners' and then the 'fat 5k' participants. There are a whole range of people below your boston winner who want to be able to participate in a race they should be able to enjoy without playing pinball off walkers the entire race.

Just because a crowd has taken over something with their volume.. it doesn't mean the event should be redefined to fit them. Like I said, let Disney setup 'you can do it!' races and leave the enthusiasts races to the enthusiasts. runDisney wasn't setup to be a support group for coach potatoes looking to break their old habits.

I think that is what they have done. It's everybody else that can't seem to let it sink in. Whether intentionally or not, that is what it is. If they didn't want that to happen, they could have stopped it at any time. The jocks must find their high someplace else. In the meantime, it helps many people find themselves and let's them have the opportunity to feel like they might have accomplished something regardless of how unethical that seems to the sweat sock crowd.

As I stated there is no other family friendly place that does that. Serious events are being run all over the place. That is where the true enthusiast needs to go, not try to mold Disney into just another exclusive club. Either that or bite the bullet and show some real athleticism and dodge those walkers and show just how superior they all are to the "couch potatoes". Since other then the winners themselves there is no one on the planet that cares who won the "runDisney" event.

 

[Witchy Chick]

FYI -- those "spectator" packages are for special viewing areas to view your runner. I watched and cheered for my hubs outside of International Gateway during Wine and Dine (at NO CHARGE) and also outside of Poly for the Jan '13 full marathon. You don't HAVE to purchase those spectator packages to watch your runner. Just take a look at the half/full routes, and find a FREE spot to see your runner.

 

[flynnibus]

As I stated there is no other family friendly place that does that

There are local level races all over the place and aren't fleecing you like a Disney race does. It's clear you've clueless in this and just want to advocate for something without any knowledge of the situation... or apparently any clue what motivates recreational runners. It's not about competing like world class runners and you've no idea what burdens this mash up causes.

 

[alissafalco]

Any truth to the ITM rumor that CMs were told American Idol Experience is closing in 6 months?

I hope its true!

 

[BrianLo]

Yes I'm pretty bold about posting while writing it then I get nervous after reading it. I guess that means anyone that is interested in reading my posts need to monitor the boards 24 hours a day 7 days a week

Drat

Would some kind soul like to PM me the Coles notes version? @Soarin' Over Pgh

 

[doctornick]

Yes I'm pretty bold about posting while writing it then I get nervous after reading it. I guess that means anyone that is interested in reading my posts need to monitor the boards 24 hours a day 7 days a week

Could you at least indicate if your next project is at Uni or WDW? Or someplace else?

 

[truecoat]

It's not about extremes tho.. my point was the middle has moved up dramatically.

Even with corporate rates.. I pay $110-$150/night in markets like SanJose. I had to pay $130/night in freakin Wisconsin last week.. staying in Manhatten is 200-300/night easy.

I'm not saying Disney isn't overpriced - I just think some of the reference points are dated and impractical now.

I can't find a NICE hotel offsite that can sleep my family for $60-80/night. Maybe if I stuffed in a motel room or something.. but practical is more like $100-120 as a reasonable expectation. So if Disney charges $120-150... with some areas plus/minus from the other... they are in the ball park. If an upgraded room were in the $200 range... that's what I would expect.

That doesn't mean I think their $300-$500 rates are grounded in anything but insanity... but I also don't think their value/mods are 2-3x overpriced. Just overpriced by a margin many might justify. Personally I find the amenities of the room in the values more deplorable then the price. I think the minimum standard is too low for a Disney property.

I think the UNI properties are overpriced as well... but they can be justified because of the Express pass perk. Canbana I have to think about yet..

Still need to decide where to stay when we hit uni in November.. or if I decide to skip Uni and maybe try discovery cove.

Need to try Priceline every once in a while.

 

[wdisney9000]

So, according to this, they do not charge for spectators. The lowest package (just getting an E-newsletter. how fancy) is free.

So, according to what you just said, the lowest package does not mention anything about being able to actually WITNESS the race in person (aka spectator) in any of the "official" areas for viewing.

 

[wdisney9000]

FYI -- those "spectator" packages are for special viewing areas to view your runner. I watched and cheered for my hubs outside of International Gateway during Wine and Dine (at NO CHARGE) and also outside of Poly for the Jan '13 full marathon. You don't HAVE to purchase those spectator packages to watch your runner. Just take a look at the half/full routes, and find a FREE spot to see your runner.

Thats good to know. Are the "official" viewing spots worth the money they charge?

 

[sshindel]

So, according to what you just said, the lowest package does not mention anything about being able to actually WITNESS the race in person (aka spectator) in any of the "official" areas for viewing.

True, it does not specify that you can witness the race in one of the special reserved viewing areas, but also does not mention that you can pretty much watch them from anywhere else on the 13.1/26.2 mile course.

Sorry, this is from farther down on that page:
Viewing Your Runner
You can view your runner in different locations along the Star Wars Half Marathon course including select locations inside the Disneyland® Resort, along the streets of the surrounding neighborhoods and the Finish Line area. Spectator viewing will be available near the finish line for the Star Wars Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and runDisney Kids Races.