Marathon Weekend 2023

[lookingforsunshine]

And runDisney's customer service to date has been equally awful. Walt would be appalled at the whole system.

When I switched from Goofy to just the marathon, I emailed them to ask if I could get any money back. I was pretty sure they’d say no, which they did, and that’s fine— I just had to ask. But what they also said that I thought was really dumb was that they did not allow people to switch to lesser distances. I’m like… well, your computer system let me do it so it seems like you do??? Lol.

 

[Jason Bryer]

They clearly have prewritten responses. I have received this exact message at least four times this year:

For the safety and comfort of our runners, we must place a limit on the number of Guests participating in any of our races. Regrettably, the capacity of individual registrations has been reached in this particular event weekend. Furthermore, runDisney race registrations are non-refundable, therefore a waitlist is not available. We apologize for any disappointment this may cause.

I understand this was not the response you were hoping for, and I would urge you to consider our official charity groups as they may still provide opportunities to participate in this race. Please visit the "Plan Your Trip" tab of the runDisney website for more information.

Please be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and visit The runDisney Blog for the latest announcements regarding our events. Keep in mind that event availability and other details are subject to change, but the event pages will always be updated with the most current information.

I feel really stuck right now because half our party has a 5k bib and the other half doesn't. I feel particularly awkward because I am the one who suggested this trip and said I would handle all the planning but because of their y system I feel terrible, especially for the two kids who will feel left out. If I could cancel the other ones that would at least give me another option.

 

[camaker]

It is beyond my comprehension as to why we cannot have a 5-minute checkout window after finding an open registration. That way, you know when you click to register whether you will get it or not. This whole "type at the speed of light with shaky fingers and a pounding heart with the small sliver of hope that you are fast enough" approach is just garbage and completely unnecessary. And runDisney's customer service to date has been equally awful. Walt would be appalled at the whole system.

This really wouldn't help anything, though. It would just shift the "click at the speed of light and hope you're fast enough" from the checkout process to the open registration button. People would be just as frustrated that they got notice that the race was open, but it's never available when you get to the site. The current way you can at least feel like you're part of the race to register!

 

[Jason Bryer]

One more thing, it appear they don't take phone calls anymore. You can only leave a message but I have yet to receive a call back.

 

[Jason Bryer]

This really wouldn't help anything, though. It would just shift the "click at the speed of light and hope you're fast enough" from the checkout process to the open registration button. People would be just as frustrated that they got notice that the race was open, but it's never available when you get to the site. The current way you can at least feel like you're part of the race to register!

I disagree. I would rather know I don't have the registration before I enter the 100 or so required fields they require before checking out.

 

[PrincessV]

I can’t even log in on the regular WDW site, let alone get anything accomplished on rD’s. I keep getting “You are not authorized to log in.” Say what?! Disney’s IT is appalling.

 

[camaker]

I disagree. I would rather know I don't have the registration before I enter the 100 or so required fields they require before checking out.

It depends on what the goal is. If it's securing a registration, it wouldn't help. If it's avoiding the hassle of entering information and then finding out you don't have an entry, then sure.

 

[GreatLakes]

It depends on what the goal is. If it's securing a registration, it wouldn't help. If it's avoiding the hassle of entering information and then finding out you don't have an entry, then sure.

I'd want to know as soon as I click if I'm in, not after entering information. That is how shopping carts should work. If there is inventory and you grab it then it is yours until you check out or until your cart expires.

 

[NewYKRunner]

It depends on what the goal is. If it's securing a registration, it wouldn't help. If it's avoiding the hassle of entering information and then finding out you don't have an entry, then sure.

I'd want to know as soon as I click if I'm in, not after entering information. That is how shopping carts should work. If there is inventory and you grab it then it is yours until you check out or until your cart expires.

100% agree. Like ticketmaster and others, you have your product in your cart for a specified amount of time. It’s yours in that time.

 

[camaker]

I'd want to know as soon as I click if I'm in, not after entering information. That is how shopping carts should work. If there is inventory and you grab it then it is yours until you check out or until your cart expires.

100% agree. Like ticketmaster and others, you have your product in your cart for a specified amount of time. It’s yours in that time.

I don't disagree with this, but the point I was trying to make (poorly trying) with the initial response was that given the scarcity of registrations, all implementing that timer would effectively accomplish is that you would show up at the site only to find no registrations available because someone had gotten there first and had the registration already "reserved" in their cart. It wouldn't increase the overall likelihood of being able to register. It just changes the end point. You then have to win the race to hit the "Open" registration button first versus now when you have to win the race to hit the "Payment" button.

 

[NewYKRunner]

I don't disagree with this, but the point I was trying to make (poorly trying) with the initial response was that given the scarcity of registrations, all implementing that timer would effectively accomplish is that you would show up at the site only to find no registrations available because someone had gotten there first and had the registration already "reserved" in their cart. It wouldn't increase the overall likelihood of being able to register.

Maybe there could be a notification of none available, but ‘X’ spots in peoples cart with next possibly available in ‘X’ minutes. I don’t think Disney cares that much at this point.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Deleted-- meant to post this in the running thread.

 

[Tanya Tink]

A reasonable guess is around 1-3pm the crowds should dissipate.



Historically speaking, the parks tend to be VERY busy when Marathon Weekend falls so close to the New Year holiday.



Very likely the 5k course will be:

View attachment 702411

Race will take place from 5am to about 7:45-8:00am. Looks like EPCOT is opening at 8:30am (8:00am for resort guests?). So there will be some impact, but pretty minimal. Looks like most road closures end around 7:30-8:00am from the Princess 2022 5k (link). Some of those road closures below were because of road construction during Princess. The event guide linked will change to Wine and Dine eventually.


View attachment 702412

Will the 5K in January 2023 still likely be in EPCOT? When are the courses for marathon weekend released?

 

[camaker]

Will the 5K in January 2023 still likely be in EPCOT? When are the courses for marathon weekend released?

Yes, it is very likely to be in EPCOT. It's been run their every year since I started going to Marathon Weekend in 2016. RunDisney sets up a race village in the EPCOT parking lot and uses it as the start and finish for all Marathon Weekend races. It is RunDisney, though, so nothing is set in stone.

The official courses will be released when the event guide comes out 2-3 weeks prior to the race weekend.

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

I don't disagree with this, but the point I was trying to make (poorly trying) with the initial response was that given the scarcity of registrations, all implementing that timer would effectively accomplish is that you would show up at the site only to find no registrations available because someone had gotten there first and had the registration already "reserved" in their cart. It wouldn't increase the overall likelihood of being able to register. It just changes the end point. You then have to win the race to hit the "Open" registration button first versus now when you have to win the race to hit the "Payment" button.

I understand what you’re saying and I agree. I just would really rather know when I click to register whether I get it or not. Spending all the frantic time trying to enter my info with shaky fingers and a blood rush to the head only to get a “race is full” message at the end just sucks. Being the first to click “register now” seems more fair to me, but it is what it is.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Possibly unpopular opinion: having a cart that would “hold” a registration for 10min would give people who got to the “your registration is being held while you enter the info” the opportunity to sell it. Like “oh, I have a dopey reg in my cart. For $900 I’ll put your info in.” Would people have to be fast? Yes. But you KNOW someone would figure out a bot to grab carts to do this.

Also, idk much about webpage design, but it seems like in order for them to hold carts they would have to change the part where you still have to select the race even though you entered by clicking on a specific race.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Good Morning runDisney All-stars, it is time for SAFD:

Today’s question: Who is the best Disney movie villain?

My answer: I narrowed mine down to three - I know it was even my question, but I just could not narrow it further…. Mother Gothel (Tangled) she is simply terrifying. Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog) he is in one of my favorite Disney movies and there is just something about him; I mean he does have friends on the other Side! But my absolute favorite is Yzma (The Emperor’s New Grove). I have always felt that it was an underestimated movie and I just love her!

 

[jpeterson]

Good Morning runDisney All-stars, it is time for SAFD:

Today’s question: Who is the best Disney movie villain?

My answer: I narrowed mine down to three - I know it was even my question, but I just could not narrow it further…. Mother Gothel (Tangled) she is simply terrifying. Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog) he is in one of my favorite Disney movies and there is just something about him; I mean he does have friends on the other Side! But my absolute favorite is Yzma (The Emperor’s New Grove). I have always felt that it was an underestimated movie and I just love her!

I have to go with Yzma as well. I even have a dog named after her.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: easy one for me. Going back to the classics and picking the Queen from Snow White. She terrified me when I was a kid both in the movie and in the Snow White Adventures ride at DL. Stuff of nightmares.

 

[Livelovedance]

SAFD: I’ve never been a fan of the villains. Although I really enjoyed MNSSHP in the past, the appeal of villains themed events outside of that is lost on me. However, if I was going to name who I thought was the “best” Disney villain, I’d have to pick Scar. He essentially killed his own brother, and almost killed his nephew, to gain power and control. I can’t watch that scene without tearing up.