Paris just did Villains and it looked awesome.I’d love to see a villains themed race and a race weekend that’s just generic Disney.
One would argue WDW weekend is generic Disney with the Fab 5 and Dopey.
Paris just did Villains and it looked awesome.I’d love to see a villains themed race and a race weekend that’s just generic Disney.
I seem to remember talk about the dip in 2017 full finishers at the time. That morning was really cold and I vaguely remember somebody saying that many Florida locals who had registered for the marathon woke up that morning, saw below freezing windchills, and just said nope. Somebody did some analysis suggesting that there were way fewer finishers from south Florida than usual. I could be misremembering though.
Love the thread so far and I agree that the runDisney races declines are probably due to many factors mentioned. The key is probably the cost combined with the other factors of one and done destination race (combine the relative duplication of the events in here) and they over saturated their own race schedule.
The graphs are great and it supports the original question of why the decline in runDisney participants. So if the dip in 2015 is real and race participants are increasing 2016-2018 then why are the WDW number flat.
Yeah I think MW is the generic mickey Disney weekend. DL had a villians 10k during one of Dl half marathon weekends. The shirt from that race is one of my favorite.Paris just did Villains and it looked awesome.
One would argue WDW weekend is generic Disney with the Fab 5 and Dopey.
I think the real decline will show up in Marathon weekend 2019. Demand for this weekend has fallen below where all races sell out. It will be interesting to see if this continues into 2020. 2019 Princess is sold out through Disney, so while it didn't sell out as fast I don't think they would count a sold out race as a decline in runners. (yes I know there are still bibs available through TA's )
I seem to remember talk about the dip in 2017 full finishers at the time. That morning was really cold and I vaguely remember somebody saying that many Florida locals who had registered for the marathon woke up that morning, saw below freezing windchills, and just said nope. Somebody did some analysis suggesting that there were way fewer finishers from south Florida than usual. I could be misremembering though.
2020 does have 15th anniversary Goofy though. Princess is really the only weekend that consistently sells out. I think that weekend has the effect of moms, daughters, and friends who want to run a race together especially one geared towards women.
I agree I do think Dopey and goofy sell out in 2020 just maybe not very fast. I believe Goofy sold out for the 10th in 2016.Do people really care that much about Goofy by itself anymore? With Dopey in the picture now, it seems like the majority of the people who were attracted to Goofy have moved over to Dopey. I can see how people with limited funds and vacation time would opt for Goofy over Dopey, but they're in the minority these days. I'll be impressed if Goofy sells out for 2020 in a short amount of time.
Personally I would never run Dopey but often consider Goofy. A half marathon followed by a marathon is a big enough challenge to me that it would be appealing to say I did it once. Adding on a 5k and 10k, the biggest challenge there is waking up 2 extra mornings at a godawful hour which is very unappealing. That’s just me but I’ll bet I’m not the only one. Someday I’ll get that Goofy medal.Do people really care that much about Goofy by itself anymore? With Dopey in the picture now, it seems like the majority of the people who were attracted to Goofy have moved over to Dopey. I can see how people with limited funds and vacation time would opt for Goofy over Dopey, but they're in the minority these days. I'll be impressed if Goofy sells out for 2020 in a short amount of time.
Do people really care that much about Goofy by itself anymore? With Dopey in the picture now, it seems like the majority of the people who were attracted to Goofy have moved over to Dopey. I can see how people with limited funds and vacation time would opt for Goofy over Dopey, but they're in the minority these days. I'll be impressed if Goofy sells out for 2020 in a short amount of time.
Do people really care that much about Goofy by itself anymore? With Dopey in the picture now, it seems like the majority of the people who were attracted to Goofy have moved over to Dopey. I can see how people with limited funds and vacation time would opt for Goofy over Dopey, but they're in the minority these days. I'll be impressed if Goofy sells out for 2020 in a short amount of time.
Do people really care that much about Goofy by itself anymore? With Dopey in the picture now, it seems like the majority of the people who were attracted to Goofy have moved over to Dopey. I can see how people with limited funds and vacation time would opt for Goofy over Dopey, but they're in the minority these days. I'll be impressed if Goofy sells out for 2020 in a short amount of time.
Other than race retreat what adds on are there?
They tried a resort packet pick up option which actually wasn’t a terrible idea if one wanted to avoid the expo but that didn’t work out. Personally I don’t think runDisney does nearly the amount of add ons they could like the parks do.That stupid spectator package is one. I also remember the absolutely ridiculous "Welcome Party" they had for the 2015 which was probably a worse way to spend money than just wiping yourself with it and dropping it in the porta potty. I feel like I'm missing some from over the years but I would have to go back and do some Googling.
They tried a resort packet pick up option which actually wasn’t a terrible idea if one wanted to avoid the expo but that didn’t work out. Personally I don’t think runDisney does nearly the amount of add ons they could like the parks do.
I have alternated years between Goofy and Dopey. The extra wake-ups for Dopey are my turn-off. I still like them both and am glad that Goofy is still an option.Do people really care that much about Goofy by itself anymore? With Dopey in the picture now, it seems like the majority of the people who were attracted to Goofy have moved over to Dopey. I can see how people with limited funds and vacation time would opt for Goofy over Dopey, but they're in the minority these days. I'll be impressed if Goofy sells out for 2020 in a short amount of time.
People try to cheat the system/cut the course/whatever at more than just Disney races though. It seems like every week I'm reading about DQ's and course cutters at all sorts of races all over. People cheating to try to qualify for Boston happens all over. To me Disney isn't any more open to that kind of stuff than any other races.
I still love WDW, and I still love running, but we are cutting back on WDW for a few years. For the first time in a very long time we will not be racing with you guys in January. We will be back for the SW races in April, but won't be going into the parks. My son wants to run it with me before shipping out (Navy). For us, the two are connected and we won't be doing another race weekend without going into the parks.Also are you or do you see yourself cutting back on runDisney and why?
I think there are a few factors.
1. Cost
2. Value for the dollar
3. Overall decrease in running races worldwide
4. Non-anniversary years
That stupid spectator package is one. I also remember the absolutely ridiculous "Welcome Party" they had for the 2015 which was probably a worse way to spend money than just wiping yourself with it and dropping it in the porta potty. I feel like I'm missing some from over the years but I would have to go back and do some Googling.
Are you talking about the one at Disneyland Half for the Anniversary? I went to that one and felt it was way worth the money because all the big rides were open and you got a no-crowds viewing of Paint the Night. For $79 it was a steal.