runDisney rumor NO MORE DEFERRALS??????

[Anisum]

I'm curious about the trip insurance that includes the bib cost. Can you use that for injuries or would it only be applicable to things that normal trip insurance is? Unexpected delays, deaths in the family, major illnesses, etc. It just seems like a much harder process.

 

[sourire]

I'd say to keep checking...I started getting nervous about the deferrals no longer being offered before Dark Side weekend. I called to ask and was told that they were not offering deferrals for that weekend...then the link appeared on the website a week or two later.

I still maintain that they'll go away some day, but runDisney's phone support is sketchy at best.

And they'll see illegal bib sales skyrocket.

Thank you for this information!

DH and I are signed up for the DL 1/2 next month. Unfortunately, DH developed an injury over the last few weeks that we thought might be shin splints despite getting new sneakers, backing off the mileage, resting for 2 weeks without any running, etc. He saw ortho doc today and has to get an MRI next week, but whether it is shin splints vs. fracture, he will not clear him for at least 6 weeks from today as far as running goes. I called RunDisney to ask about deferral for the Disneyland Half for him, and they were ZERO help. They told me to email RunDisney instead. I will let you know what happens and will keep checking the website!!

 

[jamiek81]

I was told today by RD no more deferrals, but that for extenuating circumstances (i.e. pregnancy complications, Zika Virus restrictions from your doctor, etc.) you can email rundisney@disneysports.com and they'll review your registration for refunding. It makes sense because I'd imagine that keeping track of deferrals would be complicated on their end. The GA agent told me to email a statement/description of the issue, doctors restrictions, and your confirmation number(s).

 

[Keels]

Someone on a RD Facebook group mentioned the same thing, but had more details.

He is having brain surgery and provided doctor's confirmation of surgery and prognosis. RD offered to refund him half the cost of his registration, not including Active fees, but in the form of a Disney Gift Card. Sucks that they won't do a direct refund, but there are always ways to get cash value from a gift card.

Anyway. This was for the Disneyland Half, so who knows how things will change going forward.

 

[jamiek81]

Update: I was issued a full refund for my registration for the 10K and Half Marathon I was scheduled for. My doctor did tell me she doesn't have concerns about me completing the 5K so I kept that registration. Since I'll still be traveling and just unable to race the longer distances, I'll still be picking up my merchandise. They were very nice about it and I encourage anyone that has a medical issue to contact them. It seems like they are responding more positively in more recent weeks probably due to the number of complaints they received about the phase out of deferrals and their strict non refundable policy.

 

[rteetz]

Update: I was issued a full refund for my registration for the 10K and Half Marathon I was scheduled for. My doctor did tell me she doesn't have concerns about me completing the 5K so I kept that registration. Since I'll still be traveling and just unable to race the longer distances, I'll still be picking up my merchandise. They were very nice about it and I encourage anyone that has a medical issue to contact them. It seems like they are responding more positively in more recent weeks probably due to the number of complaints they received about the phase out of deferrals and their strict non refundable policy.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Ariel484]

Some possible news...and I'm only posting because it's been mentioned to me by Cast Members* twice now:

I think we have all figured out that deferrals really are gone since they weren't offered for Disneyland Half weekend (I was hoping for an official announcement, but alas ). I have been told twice now that runDisney will start offering race registration insurance - HOWEVER - both times this has been mentioned to me (over the phone when talking with runDisney travel agents), it has been mentioned in the context of something that is included in booking an overall package - so you'd book a package through runDisney and would get insurance that covers your hotel, as well as your race registration. It hasn't been clear whether you can get it separately on its own and then stay in a hotel offsite or use DVC points or whatever (which - Active.com, the company that manages runDisney's race registrations, has the capability to offer race registration insurance, so...).

I haven't been able to find any documentation on this related to runDisney yet, but since it came up today in the context of booking a room for Tink (the reservation specialist I talked to mentioned it when he was going over the cancellation policies because "deferrals are gone now"), I'm wondering if we'll see something about it soon, since early Tink registration begins tomorrow (and online booking for runDisney packages for that weekend will open tomorrow). Granted, the other time it was mentioned to me was just before Dark Side weekend, and that was months ago...and that same person said there wouldn't be any deferrals for that weekend, but there were.

Anyway - IF they offer this, I hope there is an option for race-only insurance, and that it doesn't have to be tied to booking a package. But with the recent change of TAs only being able to sell bibs as part of a package at WDW, I'm thinking runDisney sees this - the opportunity to purchase race registration insurance - as another way to get runners to stay onsite and book the rD packages.

I'm curious about the trip insurance that includes the bib cost. Can you use that for injuries or would it only be applicable to things that normal trip insurance is? Unexpected delays, deaths in the family, major illnesses, etc. It just seems like a much harder process.

The guy I talked to today specifically mentioned "injuries or illness." If they release info this week, I guess we'll know!


*Yes I know CMs aren't always super reliable with this stuff, but I have to think they'll do SOMETHING now that deferrals are gone.

 

[Ariel484]

^^and I don't know what this means for people who have signed up for races that didn't have this possible new insurance option in place - Paris, Wine & Dine, Avengers, WDW Marathon Weekend and Princess. No deferrals for those runners but no possibility to buy insurance at registration because it wasn't in place yet. Doesn't seem fair.

 

[rteetz]

I've heard rumblings about race insurance as well. It would make sense to do it as part of a package.

 

[Ariel484]

I've heard rumblings about race insurance as well. It would make sense to do it as part of a package.

It would, but I think they'll get backlash from people who don't want to book packages from them if they don't offer a race-only option as well. I get it from a business standpoint, but to (possibly - because it hasn't been announced yet, so this is just guesswork) not have an option for someone wanting to stay offsite or use DVC points or something like that to purchase insurance...people won't be pleased. Especially since Active already has this for other races - pretty much all of my local races have an option to purchase insurance.

We shall see!!

 

[Anisum]

^^and I don't know what this means for people who have signed up for races that didn't have this possible new insurance option in place - Paris, Wine & Dine, Avengers, WDW Marathon Weekend and Princess. No deferrals for those runners but no possibility to buy insurance at registration because it wasn't in place yet. Doesn't seem fair.

Agreed. Unless they offered to add it on at this point in some sort of email or whatever that said "As you may have heard we made the decision to stop accepting deferrals, etc... to make this transition easier we are allowing all those who are already registered for upcoming races to add insurance to their race registration..."

That would require rD to be organized though so we'll see when they release the info what happens.

 

[Ariel484]

Agreed. Unless they offered to add it on at this point in some sort of email or whatever that said "As you may have heard we made the decision to stop accepting deferrals, etc... to make this transition easier we are allowing all those who are already registered for upcoming races to add insurance to their race registration..."

That would be the right thing to do. They took the deferral language down from their site awhile ago, so I could see them saying, "well, it wasn't a guaranteed option when you registered!" I hope they don't do that.

That would require rD to be organized though so we'll see when they release the info what happens.

Not enough Pixie Dust in the world!!

 

[PrincessV]

Anyway - IF they offer this, I hope there is an option for race-only insurance, and that it doesn't have to be tied to booking a package. But with the recent change of TAs only being able to sell bibs as part of a package at WDW, I'm thinking runDisney sees this - the opportunity to purchase race registration insurance - as another way to get runners to stay onsite and book the rD packages.

I think this scenario is all too entirely possible. Which could very well ostracize locals who don't need resort accommodations, not to mention those of us who can't afford to stay onsite at WDW's ridiculous prices. But other WDW measures in recent years have done the same, so... I wonder: would losing a decent number of locals/people who typically stay offsite have more impact on rD's bottom line than it had WDW's?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I think this scenario is all too entirely possible. Which could very well ostracize locals who don't need resort accommodations, not to mention those of us who can't afford to stay onsite at WDW's ridiculous prices. But other WDW measures in recent years have done the same, so... I wonder: would losing a decent number of locals/people who typically stay offsite have more impact on rD's bottom line than it had WDW's?

Thousands of locals run in the WDW races every year. A significant portion of the race participants.

 

[wilkeliza]

Some possible news...and I'm only posting because it's been mentioned to me by Cast Members* twice now:

I think we have all figured out that deferrals really are gone since they weren't offered for Disneyland Half weekend (I was hoping for an official announcement, but alas ). I have been told twice now that runDisney will start offering race registration insurance - HOWEVER - both times this has been mentioned to me (over the phone when talking with runDisney travel agents), it has been mentioned in the context of something that is included in booking an overall package - so you'd book a package through runDisney and would get insurance that covers your hotel, as well as your race registration. It hasn't been clear whether you can get it separately on its own and then stay in a hotel offsite or use DVC points or whatever (which - Active.com, the company that manages runDisney's race registrations, has the capability to offer race registration insurance, so...).

I haven't been able to find any documentation on this related to runDisney yet, but since it came up today in the context of booking a room for Tink (the reservation specialist I talked to mentioned it when he was going over the cancellation policies because "deferrals are gone now"), I'm wondering if we'll see something about it soon, since early Tink registration begins tomorrow (and online booking for runDisney packages for that weekend will open tomorrow). Granted, the other time it was mentioned to me was just before Dark Side weekend, and that was months ago...and that same person said there wouldn't be any deferrals for that weekend, but there were.

Anyway - IF they offer this, I hope there is an option for race-only insurance, and that it doesn't have to be tied to booking a package. But with the recent change of TAs only being able to sell bibs as part of a package at WDW, I'm thinking runDisney sees this - the opportunity to purchase race registration insurance - as another way to get runners to stay onsite and book the rD packages.

The guy I talked to today specifically mentioned "injuries or illness." If they release info this week, I guess we'll know!


*Yes I know CMs aren't always super reliable with this stuff, but I have to think they'll do SOMETHING now that deferrals are gone.

It is definitly something they have been offering for over a year now. When I booked my Wine and Dine 2015 room they asked if I wanted to add insurance that would also cover my bib.

I do wonder can you cover your bib on a third party travel insurance? Never thought to try.

 

[SueInBoston]

I just registered for Tink's 5k & PDC this morning. I was disappointed that there is no insurance offered.

 

[DVCFan1994]

As a DVC member I would be in the angry camp if the insurance were only offered as part of the package. I am planning to do Dopey in 2018, but will not if there is no way to get insurance since deferrals are gone. That weekend is a great one to use points, so there is no way I'd be paying for a pricey package just to get the insurance.

 

[Ariel484]

Well as @SueInBoston pointed out, there was no insurance info posted for the race registration itself. I was told about it over the phone when asking for room rates for that weekend - which to me means it's either package only or they haven't rolled out a non-package option yet.

 

[Anisum]

I would (logically) think they'd want to cater to DVC by allowing DVC members using their points to get insurance as long as they buy park tickets or something but perhaps they feel there are enough DVC members who either don't use their points for that weekend or who will choose not to use their points and instead go with a package and feel that the money of those who are using DVC not buying insurance they may or may not need doesn't outweigh the ones who will go out of their way to not use DVC and get insurance.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

I see the point, it's their race, it's their call, no one if forcing you to compete. But then again, you have to register 9 months out, having no clue what lies ahead and a challenge will probably run you $600. If it's the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH then they need to offer some type of fallback whether it be deferral, insurance, etc.