My thoughts on the runDisney Registration Madness

After the intense registration process that was Wine and Dine last week, I've taken a week to process and think about it.  Particularly, the reaction on Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media regarding the event.

First, let me say that I was one of the lucky ones.  Not only was I able to secure registration for runDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon for the third year in a row, my mom, my dad, and I were all able to get registrations for the Jingle Jungle 5k (the first time running this event for all of us!).  We were all working on separate computers and entered the queue right at noon.  Each one of us had to wait anywhere from 7-12 minutes to complete our registrations.  My mom got through for the 5K first, then I got into the half.  I quickly also registered for the 5K and finally my dad got into the 5K as well.  It took us all about 15 minutes to all complete our registration processes.  I was flabbergasted when the registration filled up in a little over half an hour.  I thought my insistence that we all register at noon was my own special brand of runDisney crazy.  Nope!

 

The start line of the Wine and Dine Half Marathon last year

Having participated in runDisney the past couple of years, it definitely is true that "every mile is magic." One of the most special aspects of runDisney is all of the other participants.  runDisney events are possibly the most beginner friendly races I have ever seen.  runDisney is often the motivation for people to take up running and feel that sense of accomplishment crossing the finish line.  Last year, I had to line up in my corral by myself.  I was immediately making new friends and talking to other runners.  It is just an awesome experience.

Which is why it's so sad to hear all the negative things people have to say on social media.  Yes. The registration process was STRESSFUL.  Yes, it's awful to only have some family members get in.  Yes, it's awful to be shut out entirely.  I also recognize that I'm writing from the place of all of us getting into our desired races.  HOWEVER...

runDisney is supposed to be fun.  It is not a place to complain about others.  So what if people walk the races.  So what if people run the whole way.  I've seen so much complaining from front of the packers about back of the packers and the same from the other way around.  First of all, we should be encouraging everyone to get fit and healthy, and if runDisney is the thing that does it, that's fantastic!  Second, I really feel if you are running a Disney race for time, you're missing out on the fun.  I worked very hard last year for a good proof of time to end up in Corral A, just for the sake of better pictures (foiled of course by Splash 'n' Dash).  Finally, I've heard people complain about people that get swept.  ANYTHING can happen during the training for a race or during the race itself.  You have to respect the distance.  How about we show a little compassion and a little kindness to others? Just some food for thought.

Here's some FUN pictures from the past couple of years (last year's recap will be up soon...or at least before this year's Wine and Dine) :)

 My dad and I during the Animal Kingdom portion of Wine and Dine in 2013

Hanging out with Buzz & Woody in the Studios (and happy to get out of the rain) at Splash N Dash 2014

Splash N Dash Racecation at Walt Disney World -Day 1 (Animal Kingdom)

Let me start by saying I have total race envy right now of everyone who got to complete the Dopey Challenge at WDW Marathon Weekend (or any of the races really) or the Rebel Challenge at Disneyland.  Both of those challenges are on my runDisney bucket list.  Seriously though, congratulations to all those who completed them.

In order to make me feel less FOMO about not being at the events these past two weekends, it's finally time for some more Splash N Dash Recap.  I left off after the expo.

After the Expo, Andrew and I returned to our room at Saratoga Springs and dropped off our race stuff.  I also had to grab my Donald Mickey ears for our afternoon in Disney's Animal Kingdom.  I definitely wish I had more pictures for this one.

Since we had to wait forever for a bus back to Saratoga (seriously, every other hotel had 2 buses show up before ours did), I had to push back our Fastpass+ for Kilamanjaro Safaris.  Fortunately, I was able to do so and before long we were off on our first attraction in Disney World.

Confession: I have never been a huge fan of the safari.  I love animals, but I don't often get to spot them.  This time however, one of the giraffes must have known it was half marathon weekend because he was running all over the place!  This picture is him stopping for a snack:

We were starving after our safari ended, but our Expedition Everest window was about to open.  We headed over to Asia and rode Everest.  Disco Yeti was actually working!  I don't think I've ever been on the ride when the audio anamatronic was working but it is truly wonderful.  The stand by wait was only 10 minutes at that time, so we obviously rode again.

We finally had time to stop to eat before our next Fastpass+ at Dinosaur (but really, Countdown to Extinction).  Andrew got his lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, however they don't have any vegetarian options on the menu, so I was out of luck.  Luckily, I was able to get a quick-service veggie burger not too far away.  It was spicy, but pretty tasty.

After lunch, we still had about fifteen minutes before our Fastpass+ window opened.  Who do we see walking by, but Safari Donald.  Donald is both mine and Andrew's favorite character so we obviously had to stop for a picture:

Donald Duck is #1! (He was also a big fan of my ears)

After riding Dinosaur, which is actually one of my favorite attractions, we had one final stop to make... I had to meet Dug!

I absolutely LOVE Up. And I wore my "Adventure is out there shirt for this occasion!

I really enjoy Animal Kingdom...but it was time to park hop to Epcot!

Wine & Dine 2014 -Event Guide Released

In less than one month, I will be on my way to Walt Disney World for the 2014 Wine & Dine Half Marathon.  Now that the countdown clock is showing a lower number, I can't even begin to say how excited I am.  The trip comes at the end of my busiest week of the semester at work, and I'll definitely be ready for this mini-cation. 

I've been counting the days since the countdown number was in the triple digits, and when the number got to 30 today, I was so excited (I'm obviously counting down the days until I enter the world, not the race).  I was even more excited to see that the event guide was released!!!

You can find it here: 2014 Wine and Dine Event Guide

I already have read the whole guide *almost* cover to cover and will likely do so many more times before the race on November 8.  I'm an obsessive planner, so I like to have all the information at my fingertips. 

One thing I did notice was that the expo started at 10:00AM on Friday.  For some reason I was working under the assumption that it started at 9:00AM.  I was worried about the Fastpass reservations I had previously made.  But even with transportation to and from the expo, hopefully we can make it to Animal Kingdom by 12:05 for our 11:05-12:05 Kilimanjaro Safaris fastpass!!! Honestly, as long as I get to ride Everest and Dinosaur, I'm happy!

What are your must do attractions in Disney's Animal Kingdom?