Official 2020 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend - CANCELED

[rteetz]

It will also be interesting to see if this is the end of rundisney period

I've had the same thought. I really hope not.

I think thats a bit extreme. Obviously anything is possible but I don't think we are close to that yet. They are going to need these types of events to continue to fill rooms.

What makes you think that runDisney would end? I know this is pandemic is bad and will have an effect on TWDC in every aspect. I do think that the parks will recover from this. I do think that TWDC will need to provide discounts in the short term based off similar situations with 9/11 and the 2008 recession. I just don't think this will end RD overall. Wine and Dine still sold out in minutes even with the Coronavirus threat looming.

Agreed.

I don't necessarily think it will, only that it's possible. More so, I wouldn't be at all surprised if rD goes on hiatus. For how long? Who knows? Maybe only a month. Maybe 6. Maybe 12 or more. I can't get too into the weeds on it, but what I've seen and heard all week here in FL does not give me confidence about much of anything. I very much hope I start seeing things move in a better direction, though.

They can't go on hiatus before they would do something with Wine and Dine. While bibs not on general sale yet but they have also already sold packages for 2021. Yes they can refund those but they are also going to need to have these events to fill rooms like I said earlier. The travel industry isn't going to just boom the day this is over.

Since they’re refunding us (I would prefer they keep the credit on my account so I don’t risk respending the money I had already allocated to the race registrations) and not deferring our registrations, will they please open to us a few days early? It’s always so stressful to get all four in my family registered for all the races before any one of the distances fill up. And the limited release Magicbands.

That would create another mess for a struggling IT department already.

 

[Krandor]

I think what I'm going to do is go run the virtual half on the day the actual half was supposed to run. The greenway won't be the same as running through disney but still seems an appropriate day to do it.

However, I'm skipping the 5:00am start time.

 

[mmm_texas]

I think what I'm going to do is go run the virtual half on the day the actual half was supposed to run. The greenway won't be the same as running through disney but still seems an appropriate day to do it.

However, I'm skipping the 5:00am start time.

I'm a total newby as far as runDisney goes so it's very likely I'm missing something, but as I understand it the virtual has to be completed by 3/31. At least if you want to download the completion certificate, I suppose!

 

[BigEeyore]

WHAT IF...

So rD sends us a full refund. Then - they offer a "virtual Rival run challenge" w/ the Kessel option so that we have a chance to still get our medals (but just pay the typical virtual run fee). Those medals have to be sitting in a warehouse somewhere (along with whatever merch they had) and this would give them a way to unload those and recoup some of the $. And it would allow people like me to feel like I kept my "perfect Sith" streak going.

 

[Krandor]

I'm a total newby as far as runDisney goes so it's very likely I'm missing something, but as I understand it the virtual has to be completed by 3/31. At least if you want to download the completion certificate, I suppose!

Certificate doesn't matter at all. I'll have my garmin results and that's all I care about. They send you the medal with or without the certificate. As long as I do the 13.1 miles I'm happy. I've never filled out the certificate for a virtual though really the only disney virtual I do is star wars and I only do that for kessell.

So you are right it technically doesn't count since it will be after 3/31 but counts well enough for me. I originally was going to do it this weekend but I think I'd just rather do it on the former actual race day.

 

[drummerwife]

Here’s another what if...

Are the medals and merchandise made in China? If so, what’s the likelihood that production was never started or only partially completed before the country went on lockdown? I truly don’t know just thinking out loud.

 

[Harlaxton]

Here’s another what if...

Are the medals and merchandise made in China? If so, what’s the likelihood that production was never started or only partially completed before the country went on lockdown? I truly don’t know just thinking out loud.

I think this is likely the reality. As long as China has the molds it wouldnt take them long to mass produce 70,000 medals, give or take. Even if the races were to be run they probably wouldnt be produced until now to then ship to the US right before the races. As much as we all want our medals I'd be willing to bet 6 rolls of toilet paper they don't actually exist, minus the virtual half medals.

 

[huskies90]

That seems a bit extreme. Once it’s safe enough for the parks to reopen, I’m sure they can bring back the races.

Extreme? All we have been talking about since this started is the extremes which is why everything is getting canceled. When will it be “safe”? The virus is not going away. It will still be out there even when the curve flattens out. Until we accept that and realizes that people will get sick and people will die from this, it will never be safe enough unless we get a vaccine which will most likely be 12-18 months away. But what we are missing is the impact of all the closures and cancellations will be far worse than what we are dealing with now with the virus, especially if this goes on for months, let alone 12-18 months. The week or so of closings in this area have already left thousands unemployed and now we are mandating businesses to close which will force more unemployment. Travel and entertainment industries will be shot. The supply chain will start to collapse and people won’t have means for food and supplies. I am sorry, but runDisney (and many more important things in this world) very well could be gone for a long time.

 

[Krandor]

Extreme? All we have been talking about since this started is the extremes which is why everything is getting canceled. When will it be “safe”? The virus is not going away. It will still be out there even when the curve flattens out. Until we accept that and realizes that people will get sick and people will die from this, it will never be safe enough unless we get a vaccine which will most likely be 12-18 months away. But what we are missing is the impact of all the closures and cancellations will be far worse than what we are dealing with now with the virus, especially if this goes on for months, let alone 12-18 months. The week or so of closings in this area have already left thousands unemployed and now we are mandating businesses to close which will force more unemployment. Travel and entertainment industries will be shot. The supply chain will start to collapse and people won’t have means for food and supplies. I am sorry, but runDisney (and many more important things in this world) very well could be gone for a long time.

Rundisney will be fine. If we do what needs to be done for 2-3 months we can mitigate the effects of this thing and then hopefully be able to move back to a more normal life with new precautions then we used to have,

 

[huskies90]

Rundisney will be fine. If we do what needs to be done for 2-3 months we can mitigate the effects of this thing and then hopefully be able to move back to a more normal life with new precautions then we used to have,

Hmmm...2-3 months of all businesses being closed and we will be fine? I am not sure what the world will look like with businesses closed for 2-3 months but my guess it won’t include things like runDisney for a long time. I agree we will recover from this but it is going to be years before things will get back to any sense of what we would consider normal. I think we need to realize that the comments about runDisney being gone for awhile are a real possibility. I hope I am wrong.

 

[Krandor]

Hmmm...2-3 months of all businesses being closed and we will be fine? I am not sure what the world will look like with businesses closed for 2-3 months but my guess it won’t include things like runDisney for a long time. I agree we will recover from this but it is going to be years before things will get back to any sense of what we would consider normal. I think we need to realize that the comments about runDisney being gone for awhile are a real possibility. I hope I am wrong.

So you think closing everything is wrong.

What is your alternative plan?

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

Extreme? All we have been talking about since this started is the extremes which is why everything is getting canceled. When will it be “safe”? The virus is not going away. It will still be out there even when the curve flattens out. Until we accept that and realizes that people will get sick and people will die from this, it will never be safe enough unless we get a vaccine which will most likely be 12-18 months away. But what we are missing is the impact of all the closures and cancellations will be far worse than what we are dealing with now with the virus, especially if this goes on for months, let alone 12-18 months. The week or so of closings in this area have already left thousands unemployed and now we are mandating businesses to close which will force more unemployment. Travel and entertainment industries will be shot. The supply chain will start to collapse and people won’t have means for food and supplies. I am sorry, but runDisney (and many more important things in this world) very well could be gone for a long time.

Not to be rude, but I didn’t need a lecture in response to a simple comment. I fully understand that this is a serious situation, in fact I’m someone taking it extremely seriously to the point that I am not going anywhere unless absolutely necessary. Maybe the RunDisney races won’t happen for the rest of this year and possibly even early 2021. But as others have said, in order to start bringing people back, Disney may need events like this.

And I'm not going to say anything else because I’m not trying to start an argument.

 

[huskies90]

So you think closing everything is wrong.

Yes. I believe closing everything for 2-3 months is wrong. The damage it will do to the economy, society and infrastructure/supply chain that all of us rely on to live will far out weigh the damage the virus does. There is a reason gun and ammunition sales have spiked. It could get very ugly if things collapse.

What is your alternative plan?

First of all, have a plan. We don’t seem to have a consistent plan. I suggest locking down for 2-3 weeks. Possibly a month if we can handle it. Flatten the curve and give the health care system some time to better prepare. Then let everything go back to normal with more knowledge about social distancing, staying home when sick, and washing hands etc. Possibly direct funds/resources to better protect those at risk instead of trying to financially help every American. Understand that the virus will not be gone and people will still be getting sick and people will still be dying. I know it sounds horrible but this is a horrible situation. We have to treat it like other acts of God (disease, natural disasters, etc) and understand you cannot save everyone. Eventually we will get a vaccine and we will also begin to build immunity. Finally, be better prepared for the next virus/strain because it will come again.

Not to be rude, but I didn’t need a lecture in response to a simple comment. I fully understand that this is a serious situation, in fact I’m someone taking it extremely seriously to the point that I am not going anywhere unless absolutely necessary. Maybe the RunDisney races won’t happen for the rest of this year and possibly even early 2021. But as others have said, in order to start bringing people back, Disney may need events like this.

And I'm not going to say anything else because I’m not trying to start an argument.

You are not being rude. This is a message board where we should encourage discussion and you can say whatever you want. Believe me, I would much rather be talking about our upcoming trips/races and I certainly hope your comments are more accurate than mine!!

 

[Krandor]

First of all, have a plan. We don’t seem to have a consistent plan. I suggest locking down for 2-3 weeks. Possibly a month if we can handle it. Flatten the curve and give the health care system some time to better prepare. Then let everything go back to normal with more knowledge about social distancing, staying home when sick, and washing hands etc. Possibly direct funds/resources to better protect those at risk instead of trying to financially help every American. Understand that the virus will not be gone and people will still be getting sick and people will still be dying. I know it sounds horrible but this is a horrible situation. We have to treat it like other acts of God (disease, natural disasters, etc) and understand you cannot save everyone. Eventually we will get a vaccine and we will also begin to build immunity. Finally, be better prepared for the next virus/strain because it will come again.

All of that is what is being done but we don't know if 2-3 weeks or a month will be long enough but yeah that is the plan. Shut things down long enough to get this under control and then we will have to deal with this after that. What we don't know yet is how long will be long enough. Based on china then yeah 2 months is probably what we are looking at to flatten the curve.


Even the president right now is only focusing on 15 days and then after those 15 days see where we are.

We are way offtopic for rundisney so this will be my last reply to you. Feel free to tell us why we shouldn't go beyond 2-3 weeks and after that should just "deal with it" and you won't get another reply from me. You get the last word.

 

[rteetz]

If this collapses runDisney than one would have to assume it collapses many other races. Sure it’s a possibility but I think it’s one of the last ones anyone is thinking right now including Disney themselves. I for one am really failing to see right now why this is a big possibility because frankly it isn’t. Not saying it couldn’t get there but at this point in time it’s just not.

 

[Thecouch]

Comes down to 2 things.
1st Does disney have enough money or access to enough money for things to be shut down for 1-4 months. Yes I believe they do
2nd is disney run profitable. The fees they charge and extra guest they bring to park I would say yes.
So as soon as the parks open and the government lifts restrictions on mass events or disney thinks it will be OK PR wise you will see more disney runs

 

[PCFriar80]

Comes down to 2 things.
1st Does disney have enough money or access to enough money for things to be shut down for 1-4 months. Yes I believe they do
2nd is disney run profitable. The fees they charge and extra guest they bring to park I would say yes.
So as soon as the parks open and the government lifts restrictions on mass events or disney thinks it will be OK PR wise you will see more disney runs

Let's not forget the millions of dollars that RunDisney generates for charities each year.

 

[TisBit]

Couple of thoughts. The collapse of RunDisney has already kind of happened. The number of events from five years ago to today is significant to say the least. California RunDisney collapsed, Tower of Terror is gone, the 5k scavenger thing at Animal Kingdom in May (can't remember the name) is gone at WDW. I definitely could see Star Wars just not coming back and maybe Wine and Dine going away. I doubt they will get rid of the Marathon Weekend, but it may become the only races left in the next year or two. But that is not strictly Disney related. Running events are collapsing everywhere. A lot of bad actors damaged events, everyone doing a race for whatever charity or cause they could think of and inundated the market and the novelty has worn off. People are not as interested and the amount of participants (I almost said runners) just aren't there like used to be.

As for Disney weathering this storm. Sure, they will survive as a whole, and while they have money to survive, I think you will definitely see a lot of things get cancelled or scrapped that are not necessary or aren't far enough along to keep doing. Parks have helped support the company for a few years, but now they will be in the red for at least a year or two. I expect them to reduce the number of cast members across the board, eliminate some of those extra magic things (could be character meets, extra fireworks shows, etc). Anyone familiar with the parks for years can recall when the parks were just the parks and not non stop entertainment, shows and events. Even letting some of the talent in Epcot go already, that will probably spread. If its not making money, don't do it until they return to the profits they want.

They will have to convince people to come back and as already said, this virus is not going away. Flattening the curve prolongs the infection rates over a greater period of time. Right or wrong, that is the approach they are taking. Maybe they will be able to find some treatments that save lives, but people will still get it and lives will be lost. There is no right or wrong answer and this will be debated for years. Even after 9/11 it only took a year or two for everyone to rehash every decisions and politicians to try to explain away why the supported something at the time.

 

[cgattis]

Sorry for everyone who has registered and trained so hard for this. I know it’s not the same to just say “oh just go run a different race.” Hopefully you’ll all still get some chance to get your medals, although I know that may be hollow too.

 

[mckinsey]

My DH and I are new to the virtual race, so please forgive what is probably an easy question. We had signed up for the Kessel Run Challenge. To submit our virtual times, I found the link to do the certificates. At the end of that, there was a tab that said “submit time,” which I hit and then printed the certificates. Is there somewhere else to submit time to make it official (and to get the medals), or am I overthinking it and I’m done? I can’t seem to locate any other place to submit the time. Thanks, and sorry for what is probably such a basic question.