Laura's Disney Lines

I wanted to share some of the comments I've received from other participants in the Tower of Terror races and from the party attendees.

From Ray:
I couldn't agree more! This was one of the worst prepared races imaginable. No one had any "official" information-cast members to volunteers were all giving out conflicting information on course expectations and party information for those not running. Seemed like no one knew for sure exactly what was going on. This was reinforced by the traffic conditions that delayed the race start--Disney got surprised by the lack of coordination and communication. Add to that the lack of Disney touches on the race--no characters, or any real "specials" along the course and it became apparent this was not even 2nd rate as a race or event.
The medal was cool. The shirt was ok.
The water stops were well stocked and well manned.
The course was "easy"--for a 13k, pretty simple route.
Bad "show" for Disney--no seeminlgy thinking through any particulars of a race or of a Disney event for this (even the pre-race stuff on screen was lame).

From Susan:
Just a quick comment on the late start of the race Saturday. Since you walked over from the Boardwalk hotel you missed the horrible traffic jams that were taking place on all roads leading to the Studios. My sister and I stayed at the Caribbean and we left at 7:45pm, thinking that would be more than enough time to get to the Studios. We were wrong. At 8:15 we were still sitting in traffic, going absolutely no where. In order to even get out of the Caribbean you had to turn right, head toward Downtown Disney and make a u-turn. Finally, I drove to the Boardwalk hotel, and crossed there into the Studios parking lot. Traffic was backed up in all directions. A lady who came from a hotel on International Drive told me traffic was backed up to the Interstate and people were getting out and walking on the sides of the road and medians. The only way to be fair to all those people stuck in traffic was to delay the start of the race.

I think Disney really messed up in having no transportation for runners staying onsite. I also think having 4000 people trying to enter a parking lot while you are also emptying the parking lot of day guests was not the brightest idea either. All in all, though, my sister and I had a great time (6.5K) and we will definitely enter again next year.

From Patt:
This is only my second Disney race (having done the half marathon in 2006) and I enjoyed this race as much, if not more, than the half. We also did the 13K and liked the night atmosphere more than the morning/day. Anything I don't have to get up at 4:00 AM to do I like more. ;-) Agreed, this was the inaugural race and they do need to think things through a little. A coworker did the 5K and even she was saying she thought there should have been different medals. I'll be signing up for this race again next year.

From Masayo:
I agree, it's not a Disney race. It was pretty much a confusing and disorganized race I think. For us party goers (and race cheer stations/spectators) we got just that wrist band, no map or no directions on where we can cheer for runners or what else was going on. I'm so glad that I was with Deb, Beci, Mike Newell and Linda Mac on that night. I don't know if I could have enjoyed the night otherwise with such little information.