virtual Run Disney review from Dealing with Disney

I decided to finally see what the virtual Disney Runs were all about.

A friend of mine told me she signed up. She wanted to keep her momentum going which inspired me to look into as well. I have learned to love the Run Disney events.

It appears they offer seasonal Virtual events options from the Run Disney website. (see link HERE)

There were 3 races available to choose from or a full circuit registration containing all 3 races. This came with a bonus medal as well. 

Each event was $45.00 and the combined package was $145.00. This was more $$ obviously but ok, I can see they have added in the cost of the extra medal you earn.

What does this get me or should I say, what do I get out of this event?

I can see the Disney love of just doing it for Disney,  doing it for the medal or doing it to keep momentum of working towards goals. All options seemed very reasonable to me and got me excited, therefore I signed up for the gauntlet.

My friend pointed out her whole family planned to do the virtual run but she only had one member sign up for it. They didn’t need to each pay the price nor need duplicate medals.. Smart girl!

Ok.. SO this was my first real look into a virtual run.. I found all the needed information except how to validate, how to send in my time in when the run was completed.

The RunDisney site was very vague on this matter.

The only thing I could find is that the medals would be shipped at the end of the ‘completion timeframe’. The event started in April and ended in August.  Being new to this experience, I was unsure of their meaning behind the verbiage. It took 4 back-and-forth emails (literally) to get the simple answer to the basic direct question asked. They kept directing me back to the site and adding information I didn’t ask for~~~ Seriously….. we all know how special Disney is in with tech support.

What I learned:

Each paid registration participant will be auto shipped the medals after the ending date of the run series.. It is based on the honor system only.

I just don’t know how to feel about this. I did more research. Pretty much 99% of any virtual run from any vendor is based on the honor system. This left me perplexed.

I can see both sides of the honor system. I don’t like Debbie downers but I feel like I am one on this.

I was pumped, ready to go do my race, prove my time to earn my medal. Now, I feel like the medal has lost some meaning/value since anyone can just get it without anything behind it.

I want validation. I have personal validation -I guess that will do. At this point It has to since I already paid for it.

I am sure most people that do it will also put in the run/walk behind it. If they don’t, so be it. That is life in general.

My thoughts kept swirling in my head to make sense of this. I know Disney offers these events for the fun of it. I have to accept this as well. We sign up for the fun of it and our own self satisfaction.

I operate differently. I need a goal because without one I will usually cheat myself. Lol.

I have turned this event around to use as my blog, my experience and record my times here as my validation!

To participate, you can run, walk both and even split it up to get to your total miles registered for. One could walk a half a mile a day until you reach the 3.1 mile total.

Other ideas popped up in my head as well!

With the registration comes fun little downloads and ideas.

You can download and print Mile Markers, Bibs and a completion certificate.

Making the best of it!

You can create a run group to do the events with!

Join a local run group to see if others may join the event with you, set your course, post your mile markers and create a fun little celebration for completion.

Another thought was what if you did the race AFTER you receive the medals in the mail.  Do the race and have someone award the medal directly after the run?! How fun would that be in a group?!

Join the Run Disney Facebook group and post your success there as well!  There are many options in making this a fun virtual event.

I am doing it with my husband! He has been my cheerleader!

One added bonus in the virtual run events. Proceeds usually go to a charity.

IN the registration I signed up for, proceeds went to the Orlando Fisher House which provides lodging for families of active duty military and veterans receiving inpatient medical care at the VA. I like this. I like this a lot. Under each event, the charity will be posted so you can see where proceeds will go.

Here are some of the images to share of the downloadable files as well as picture of the medals received. They are very well made with awesome designs (of course)!

Another reason I wanted the full set with this series, the bonus medal was themed from the old original ticket book sold for Walt Disney World Resorts! I actually have a ticket booklet!!! What a treasure!