What do you guys think about the cost of the Disney running events? I was just looking at the half marathon for Jan, it is now $160 per person. So for my wife and I they want $320 for a 2.5 hour experience. I personally think it is getting to a point where it is not worth the cost.
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WDW running events - prices out of control?
- Thread starter ptaylor
- Start date
lukacseven
Well-Known Member
In Disney's defense, I have run many other races and paid almost as much for absolutely nothing. At least you get a nice shirt & medal. The course is nicer than most and the pre/post race experience is still one of the best. The transportation for the Expo and the race is also very convenient.
For example, the Philadelphia Marathon is $125. Aside form the race shirt and medal, there's no comparison - pay for parking at both the expo and race, no security or medical at the finish line.
It is a little pricey, but I don't mind paying more than other races, if the overall amenities and experience are better.
For example, the Philadelphia Marathon is $125. Aside form the race shirt and medal, there's no comparison - pay for parking at both the expo and race, no security or medical at the finish line.
It is a little pricey, but I don't mind paying more than other races, if the overall amenities and experience are better.
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
Yes, it is more pricey than the competition. Perhaps that fact will make you think twice about running every year. It certainly got my attention.
As a matter of value, it depends on what you want.
For casual runners like me, it is great to have huge crowds of average runners with loads of entertainment and a first aid tent second to none!
As a matter of value, it depends on what you want.
For casual runners like me, it is great to have huge crowds of average runners with loads of entertainment and a first aid tent second to none!
Increasing the price is one way of handling too many competitors. Some may consider it fairer than seeded entrants, i.e., having a requirement that you have to place above a certain level/time in local races in order to enter.
I will be involved in a sporting event in a couple of weeks which has become a victim of its success, and has had to turn away/limit competitors for the first time this year because there are too many to handle safely. It will be interesting to see if they raise the entry fees next year, look at ability (which is how they ended up cutting down final participants this year - teams had to limit entries to their top athletes) or a combination of both.
Entrants were told up front before registration that if the numbers were significantly larger than last year, this would happen and their money would be returned. They were up around 10%.
I will be involved in a sporting event in a couple of weeks which has become a victim of its success, and has had to turn away/limit competitors for the first time this year because there are too many to handle safely. It will be interesting to see if they raise the entry fees next year, look at ability (which is how they ended up cutting down final participants this year - teams had to limit entries to their top athletes) or a combination of both.
Entrants were told up front before registration that if the numbers were significantly larger than last year, this would happen and their money would be returned. They were up around 10%.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
Really, when you look at it, it is pretty much in line with other races.
They have a very good expo, great race support, and halfway decent finish line support (it's hard to do it really well with so many racers)
I just paid $30 for a local 5K that had a long sleeve cotton T-shirt in the goody bag - that was it. No medals, no trophys, nada. Granted it was a fund raiser for a cancer support charity so I am not complaining, but I think Dinsey's races are pretty much in line with the norm. On the high side of the norm, but still normal.
-dave
They have a very good expo, great race support, and halfway decent finish line support (it's hard to do it really well with so many racers)
I just paid $30 for a local 5K that had a long sleeve cotton T-shirt in the goody bag - that was it. No medals, no trophys, nada. Granted it was a fund raiser for a cancer support charity so I am not complaining, but I think Dinsey's races are pretty much in line with the norm. On the high side of the norm, but still normal.
-dave
fmingo36
Well-Known Member
I think the price of the actual race is equivalent to other races (The Rock & Roll series range from $140-$175).
The problem with running a Disney race is that you probably do not live locally so you're going to make a "vacation" out of the race; you need to add the expense of hotel, travel, food, park tickets, etc...AND that's why it's so expensive to run at Disney.
My last three vacations have centered around a Disney race and they were worth EVERY penny!
The problem with running a Disney race is that you probably do not live locally so you're going to make a "vacation" out of the race; you need to add the expense of hotel, travel, food, park tickets, etc...AND that's why it's so expensive to run at Disney.
My last three vacations have centered around a Disney race and they were worth EVERY penny!
dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
They are definitely on the high side. Now some of the events, not that far off. Their full isn't too bad, but the halfs cost the same amount. ? That doesn't seem right to me. The 5k's get me. I keep doing them, but $50+ for a 5k race? With a rubber medal? That doesn't really benefit any charity? Heck, I paid $25 for one one this upcoming Sunday, get a long sleeve tech t, hat, has real medals, and still serves are a huge fund raiser for a local toys for tots type program. Now admittedly Disney pays for buses, to staff the parks, pays for characters, etc etc etc that most local races don't have to deal with, all of while most likely compensates for the rest of that value. And of late (since the 2nd ToT13k, first was a fiasco), they have been really dialed in. Which is awesome.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
You found a 5K with a medal? I must have run over 20 5K's and a grand total of ONE had a medal - and it was some generic "finisher" medal that somone who owns a trophy shop must have donated.
-dave
dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
I forgot to mention this before. To the OP, the prices were cheaper when registration first opened. I believe they both increased the price as time went on (like most races do) but also offered discounts to previous runners, Visa card holders and a few other groups. I'm thinking they were 20-30 bucks less. So they rewarded early registrants.
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
Disney's Expedition Everest 5K comes with a nifty medal. Not rubbery at all.
2011 Disney full marathon included a park ticket, which if you didn't otherwise buy park tickets or have an AP was a pretty good value. As mentioned, for 2012 there were early registration discounts.
My own experience with Rock n Roll marathon races has been that there are discounts out there to be found. Last year, the New Orleans Mardi Gras Rock n Roll Marathon had a promotion during the NFL season that however many points the Saints scored in any particular game, you could get that many dollars off the registration fee. I took advantage of that one and got almost a $40 discount.
2011 Disney full marathon included a park ticket, which if you didn't otherwise buy park tickets or have an AP was a pretty good value. As mentioned, for 2012 there were early registration discounts.
My own experience with Rock n Roll marathon races has been that there are discounts out there to be found. Last year, the New Orleans Mardi Gras Rock n Roll Marathon had a promotion during the NFL season that however many points the Saints scored in any particular game, you could get that many dollars off the registration fee. I took advantage of that one and got almost a $40 discount.