No character "test" during Tink 5K and 10K.

[Dis_Yoda]

Talked to someone at the runDisney booth. The decision was made "for safety" and it'll be like that tomorrow as well.

I didn't ask about the half or other race weekends, mostly because I felt like she was giving me pushback ("there were characters! They were just up high!") and I didn't want to snap at her. I just expressed that I was disappointed and that if it was "for safety" then why weren't any characters in the finish area? That stumped her.

So at least I know what to expect for tomorrow?

If that's the case - 2018 will be the last year of races for us for everything but Light Side

 

[Ariel484]

You both have valid points, which doesn't explain my theory at all. The only thing I can think of is that this is the test run to see how much it affected times. Though aren't rD 5k runs generally untimed? I wonder if they keep times but just not publish them (or do the 5k bibs not have timing chips?)

5K bibs don't have chips, except for Dopey Challenge 5K bibs.

 

[FelisLachesis]

5K bibs don't have chips, except for Dopey Challenge 5K bibs.

For the 5K and 10K it's nil to minimal

Thought not, there goes that test.

Ugh, what was rD thinking? Did they not expect a backlash of this magnitude?

 

[FelisLachesis]

Talked to someone at the runDisney booth. The decision was made "for safety" and it'll be like that tomorrow as well.

I didn't ask about the half or other race weekends, mostly because I felt like she was giving me pushback ("there were characters! They were just up high!") and I didn't want to snap at her. I just expressed that I was disappointed and that if it was "for safety" then why weren't any characters in the finish area? That stumped her.

So at least I know what to expect for tomorrow?

Knowing me, I might have said something to her that could've been particularly harsh. I know it wasn't her decision to pull the characters, but depending on the type and amount of negative feedback they receive, if they'll change course sooner than later.

 

[kirstie101]

If that's the case - 2018 will be the last year of races for us for everything but Light Side

I agree. I wont be back for Tink next year like I was planning if this is the case. Avengers will be off my radar permanently. I'll stick with Light Side for awhile since I have legacy and its a convenient weekend for us to travel. But even at light side, I'll drop the 10k/challenge if DD doesn't want to do it anymore and I'll just stick with the half.

 

[klmcleod]

Well as a 10k'er who's here now chilling a bit and getting caught up on the news, I can tell you I'm pissed!!! I came a long way for this, this is my first rundisney event, and characters are part of my I planned this long and expensive vacation!! We won't know until tomorrow what really happens but if all this is true, then I probably won't be doing any more Disney runs! I'll stay home and run them there!!

 

[jewelspirit]

My brother was hired by the temp agency for this weekend. He worked the 5k this morning, so I plan on asking him how the position went. He and I have volunteered for numerous races, so hoping to learn how things are changing.
Terrible about the characters, I know that the atmosphere they create is part of what got me into running. The best part of the Half at Disneyland Paris were all the unique characters on the course (all three aristocat kittens!).

 

[Ariel484]

FWIW, I totally forgot that the race volunteers are hired and aren't "volunteers" as normal. I personally didn't see any issues with that.

 

[FelisLachesis]

FWIW, I totally forgot that the race volunteers are hired and aren't "volunteers" as normal. I personally didn't see any issues with that.

And I thought this was also a "cost cutting" measure? Didn't volunteers who worked until the end of that day's race get a 1 day park ticket when they left? Paid help now just gets money for their time, no more park ticket.

 

[jewelspirit]

And I thought this was also a "cost cutting" measure? Didn't volunteers who worked until the end of that day's race get a 1 day park ticket when they left? Paid help now just gets money for their time, no more park ticket.

You needed to work either two shifts (~6 hrs each) on Thurs-Sat, or one shift on Sunday in order to qualify for the park ticket. They used to give a 1-Day parkhopper that was good for a year. Last couple of times the ticket was only a 1-Day 1-park ticket good for three months from the race.

The temp agency is paying $13 per hour, with shifts from 5-8 hours. I know they were struggling to fill positions, especially Sunday, since they were emailing out asking if those already registered had friends or relatives interested in coming in last Saturday to fill out the paperwork and register to work Sunday.

 

[Simba's Girl]

Who the hell wants to wake up at 3 o butt crack in the morning for a Disney race with NO characters!?

Hope they realize their mistake and remedy it before the next set of races.

 

[FelisLachesis]

They usually are because Dopey takes up roughly 7500 spots and they are limited to around 12000 to begin with.

The more I think about this, the more you're actually helping a point I'm trying to make. I'm trying to be generous to rD on the number of sellouts they have, and you're telling me the numbers are less than I'm stating. Regardless, the equation I'm using is:

additional profit = (Amount saved by removing perks) - (amount of money lost in reduced registrations).

If the second variable wasn't actually varying, i.e. races were constantly selling out, then cutting costs is a way to actually improve profit. For everyone who says they'll never run a rD race again, there will be someone waiting who would take their place. But if enough people will disappear, and they're not getting replaced, this will hurt rD more.

If people stop going to 2018 Tinkerbell because of this, that might cause some heads to roll at rD upper management.

If races were constantly full, this movie quote is very fitting:

You can't play ball in this, you can't play ball with us. There are 38 girls getting tickets home ...who'll play in a bathing suit if I ask.

But, like you pointed out, they're not selling out.

 

[FelisLachesis]

You needed to work either two shifts (~6 hrs each) on Thurs-Sat, or one shift on Sunday in order to qualify for the park ticket. They used to give a 1-Day parkhopper that was good for a year. Last couple of times the ticket was only a 1-Day 1-park ticket good for three months from the race.

The temp agency is paying $13 per hour, with shifts from 5-8 hours. I know they were struggling to fill positions, especially Sunday, since they were emailing out asking if those already registered had friends or relatives interested in coming in last Saturday to fill out the paperwork and register to work Sunday.

A 1-day hopper at either DLR or WDW, peak, is $174, a 1-day base at DLR or MK is $124 (plus tax, but that doesn't matter here).

Going with your rate of working 12 hours at $13/hour, that's $156. If the volunteer ticket is no longer a hopper, then the money is a better deal, before taxes. Of course, with a ticket, you get it right there, and can use it that day. This money, you may have to wait a couple of weeks.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I think this decision by RunDisney is strange but it wouldn't make or break the races for me. I did the shortened Wine and Dine in 2015, Lumiere's Challenge last year, and this most recent Dark Side Challenge, and since I'm someone who finds it hard to stop for a line in the middle of a race, the only character picture I stopped for in any of those were Stormtroopers during the Dark Side Half who had no line (just one person who got in ahead of me). I still enjoyed each and every moment of the races and would be back in a heartbeat if I had the vacation time and work schedule flexibility. The atmosphere of running through the parks and resort areas is truly one-of-a-kind and so special.

So for those of you running the 10K and half this weekend, and future races if this becomes the new thing, just remind yourself how fortunate you are to be able to run and be in Disney, and enjoy every moment! Hopefully they'll rethink and at least have start/finish area picture opportunities since they make us get there so early!

 

[Barca33Runner]

A 1-day hopper at either DLR or WDW, peak, is $174, a 1-day base at DLR or MK is $124 (plus tax, but that doesn't matter here).

Going with your rate of working 12 hours at $13/hour, that's $156. If the volunteer ticket is no longer a hopper, then the money is a better deal, before taxes. Of course, with a ticket, you get it right there, and can use it that day. This money, you may have to wait a couple of weeks.

The ticket is only a theoretical cost. It costs Disney nothing to give out the ticket. It is possible they have given out for free something that the person would have spent money on; but it is also possible that they have added a patron to their park who will spend money on food, souvenirs, etc. who wouldn't have visited otherwise.

In short, I would much rather be compensating in tickets than cash if I were Disney.

 

[FelisLachesis]

The ticket is only a theoretical cost. It costs Disney nothing to give out the ticket. It is possible they have given out for free something that the person would have spent money on; but it is also possible that they have added a patron to their park who will spend money on food, souvenirs, etc. who wouldn't have visited otherwise.

In short, I would much rather be compensating in tickets than cash if I were Disney.

True! I was only looking at this from a marginal benefit standpoint of the volunteer. I wasn't even looking at it from the marginal cost standpoint of Disney.

 

[jaxonp]

I've just heard the characters might be at the 10k tomorrow. I guess will have to wait and see. Seems like a huge oversite

 

[Ariel484]

I've just heard the characters might be at the 10k tomorrow. I guess will have to wait and see. Seems like a huge oversite

I'm going into it expecting no characters. Last year I just took a bunch of empty park pictures and really enjoyed that, so that's what I'm planning for tomorrow. If there are characters, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Barca33Runner]

True! I was only looking at this from a marginal benefit standpoint of the volunteer. I wasn't even looking at it from the marginal cost standpoint of Disney.

With each successive detail, I get more confused. None of it makes sense and I can't figure out how any of these changes were ever seriously considered as options, leave alone actually instituted.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I'm going into it expecting no characters. Last year I just took a bunch of empty park pictures and really enjoyed that, so that's what I'm planning for tomorrow. If there are characters, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I feel genuinely bad for everyone at this race (well, as bad as I can feel for people who are at Disneyland ). I know you'll make the best of it though.

I hope they course correct from this decision, but I'm sure most will make lemonade out of lemons if they don't. RunDisney shouldn't be placing that burden on their consumers.