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| Photo credit: RunDisney |
So. I'm not registering for the new Dopey Challenge on Marathon Weekend (5K + 10K + Half + Full). I never had a desire to go Goofy (Half + Full), so Dopey's definitely too much for me. Even Mickey (Full) pushed my limit. But that still leaves Donald (Half) and Minnie (10K) as options, you say! Which leads me to say something that almost pains me, and as a Disney Park lover that I never dreamed I would:
I reached my runDisney tipping point - and tipped over.
runDisney has priced me out of their races. And not just that - I feel that the level of service has gone down in the past couple of years, while the prices have skyrocketed (yes, registration cost is a big factor, but so is lodging - especially now that marathon weekend is no longer considered "value" season at the resorts). The Marathon Weekend races have become overcrowded, and I truly believe that the almighty dollar has finally managed to outpace Disney's legendary customer service - at least when it comes to the runDisney brand. Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic for "the good old days," but Disney race weekends have lost a little "magic" for me.
Not to say I didn't have to almost physically restrain myself from going into Active yesterday and registering for SOMETHING (especially the Minnie 10K) - the desire was there. I love racing through the parks, getting Disney bling, and seeing a lot of good friends on race weekends. I'm already experiencing serious FOMO over that weekend, and I'll be insanely jealous of everyone's beautiful medals. But I just can't do it next year. I need a break from the craziness into which Disney races have evolved recently.
So the annual (and regularly semi-annual) runDisney trips for this girl are no more. The plan is to hopefully be back for Marathon Weekend in 2015, but even that is up in the air (especially if the prices keep increasing at the current rate - ouch!). In the meantime I'm going to try to plan a non-running trip to WDW (kinda forgot we could do those) during a week where it's not as crowded and we can just enjoy the parks and get some of that magic back.
I haven't updated the tag line or the title block of the blog yet, because I'm just not sure what to put up there. And it's not just because I'm not participating in Marathon Weekend - I'm not planning to run ANY Disney races in the next year. Which is saying something considering they've got quite the year coming up!
- Expedition Everest Challenge
- Inaugural Dumbo Double Dare
- Tower of Terror 10 Miler
- Wine & Dine
- Inaugural Dopey Challenge
- Tinkerbell
- Princess
Q4U: So what do y'all think? If you've participated in past runDisney events, have you noticed the same changes I have? Is it keeping you from going back or is the Mouse still getting your running money? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your opinions!
I have definitely heard that the overcrowding is an issue and that it's lost some of its magic! You are not the first to notice this. I've also been told that since it's my first race (Princess 1/2 in 2014) that it will be ok, I'll enjoy it, and it will be special because it's my first. I have no qualms about it being my LAST if I find it too much, I can find plenty of magic at Disney without running, but I'm excited to try it at least once. I think the prices are pretty outrageous, but people keep paying and races keep selling out. It may be that many newcomers like me try it and then are replaced by more newcomers as veterans get tired of the issues that are popping up with having such large, popular races! (well, wasn't THAT a novel?) ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely something you have to experience at least once (hopefully more than that) - and you'll have a great time! I ran my first Princess Half this past February and it's a fun race - especially if you get into the spirit of the race and dress up and play around with the theme!
DeleteI think you've exactly hit the nail on the head with your comment about veterans being replaced by newbies.
Thanks for the comment! I'd love to hear about your runDisney experience after your race next year. Good luck!
I'm definitely cutting back. I decided I needed another shot at the marathon, but I'm out for Princess. I enjoyed the trip this year, but I just didn't enjoy the race. I keep reminding myself that Disney exists outside of race weekends.
ReplyDeleteThis, exactly. We've gotten so caught up in the race weekends that it's definitely time to plan a non-running trip!
DeleteAs much as I LOVE Disney races, I'm also taking a break from Marathon Weekend. It's time for me to explore other races for a little while. I am jealous of the runners that will receive a women's fit shirt, though! RunDisney has had a lot fun updates and announcements lately, so I'm the much anticipated international race will be announced sometime this year!
ReplyDeleteThe excitement of the new race and the "changes" announcement made it so hard to say no. But, as Disney's shown time and time again, there's something even better around the corner! And I'm sure it'll make us glad we waited. ;-)
DeleteGirl we will have severe FOMO together. I'm not doing any of those races, either...and for many of the reasons you stated. I'm glad to know someone else feels the same way I do. From all the hype, I thought I was the only one.
ReplyDeleteIf there's one thing Disney's spectacular at, it's promotion! The FOMO's going to be hard to deal with!
DeleteAnd I know myself - by "holding back" this year, it will only make me anticipate whatever our next runDisney trip ends up being that much more.
So it's not that I'm done with RD completely, I (and my wallet) need a break, lol.
I agree with everything you stated, Jenny. I also don't think it will matter too much as far as customer service and price go for the reason you and Karen mentioned -- the demand is there, so honestly, there is no good business case to change anything at all. They know that. Even the "cutting the limit by 2000 total across half and full" (which they are trying to sell as "we listen to our runners") is just silly. If they took all 2000 from only the half (nevermind the full), it would amount to less than 3 people every 100 feet on average. The money will be more than made up for by the other events, extra day of lodging and meals of extending the weekend, and premiums on new challenges like Dopey.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, I don't fault them for any of that (well, maybe just the "we listen" spin). They have a successful race series going on that people are obviously more than willing to spend the money on. Good for them. And good for those than want to go play and do so.
We will likely still go down for the weekend, but not race. That got me thinking, though -- is it really about the money? After all, as high as the race registrations are, they end up being a fraction of the cost of the weekend after lodging, meals, travel, and a slushy beverage or two. After thinking about this for a while, this is where I ended up:
* the money we spend on the weekend to visit with and get to play with friends is well worth it to us, so we will go and do that
* the money we spend on that race and all that it entails (good and bad), no longer is even close to worth it for us, so that has been scratched from the weekend's activities.
When we separated the two items, it made it very easy for us to realize what we wanted to do.
(and Karen thought she wrote a novel ... pppffffttttt)
I like your "novel," and I always appreciate hearing your views on things like this, Joey! And you're so right - they are a successful company above all else. And I certainly don't fault anyone for wanting to go or having the ability to participate (I hope it didn't come across like that :-/ ). If I had unlimited time and resources I'd be at every one of those events myself!
DeleteIf I weren't trying to save money for other trips throughout the year, I'd be at WDW to chEAR and hang out with everyone in a heartbeat! But then I also think about some of those "deserted" weeks where you feel like you practically have the parks to yourself and how that is such a completely opposite experience from the hubub of race weekends...and I want that. There's no perfect solution, obviously!
So I'm hoping that some of you FL "locals" might be willing to pop over and hang out a bit if we do manage to plan a "low-key" trip, because I love me some ROTEr time!
Re: And I certainly don't fault anyone for wanting to go or having the ability to participate (I hope it didn't come across like that :-/ ).
DeleteYour post didn't come across as anything other than reasons for a personal decision. I was just adding on.
You are right on the "resources" bit. We all have limited resources, and have our own reasons on how we'd like to use them. I guess it is just that simple.
I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I still loved the Disney race. I'm still a relatively new runDisney racer, so I'm not sure where I fall in to the spectrum of "veteran" versus "newbie." I've done the 5ks before and the full marathon in 2013 (but my dad has done all of the races in marathon weekend for many years).
ReplyDeletePersonally, I really want to go back next year, I just don't know where I will be living. Yes it was crowded, but no more crowded than many of the other races I do (including my local 5k on Thanksgiving Day). After doing multiple races in the fall where I was last or pretty close to last (and by myself the entire time), I know I prefer crowded over that. I need people to encourage me. I also know people have great well-organized local races, but I do not in the area I live in without driving a few hours. I figure if I'm going to have to drive a few hours and spend money on a hotel anyway, I might as well do it in Disney.
I also think Disney puts on a good show (and my dad agrees which is why he keeps coming back). I said to my dad during the first two miles that the entertainment put on by Disney compared to a Rock n Roll event puts Rock n Roll to shame (and we've done a lot of Rock n Roll races).
I completely understand not partcipating anymore if it has become not your thing. I also am still new to runDisney (and never done any other race weekend besides marathon weekend) so it does still excite me. I'm sure eventually I will take a break and do other races and then come back.
Jenny, I am EXACTLY where you are at with runDisney races. Much as I love Disney and the fun that goes with Disney races, I have been underwhelmed with my last couple of experiences: ToT 2012 and WDW Marathon 2013. I am running Dumbo this year (my first time at Disneyland ever) but after that I'm going on hiatus for a bit. For that kind of money (plane tix + hotel + parks + race reg) it seems like a waste to spend it and just spend the weekend feeling frazzled and claustrophobic. Depending on what I hear about the 2014 races (like if that 2000 runner reduction really makes a difference...) I will revisit my decision in future years, but for now I'm looking for other options, both for running and for getting to FL.
ReplyDeleteAnd as it turns out I have a work thing during marathon weekend, so even if temptation got the best of me, I simply CAN'T register for WDW 2014...
Jenny, I am in the same Non Dopey/Goofy club as you . I had planned my 2013 WDW Marathon adventure as my "Go big , Go home trip." and it seems like it was a good idea based on the increasing costs. I don't see myself as a newbie or a veteran so these races are still great fun and an amazing experience for me but I have to admit the urge to RunDisney is waning.(the over crowding wasn't fun IMO) .It is a long haul for me and a lot of £££ ,I enjoy spending time with my Running buddies but I think it is likely to be somewhere else and less $$ for all of us.
ReplyDelete