Official 2020 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend - CANCELED

[PCFriar80]

So I just did a crazy switch of flights. I canceled my Southwest flight, but the travel funds were only good for a trip through November 12, 2020. I have a trip planned to Maine in October booked with American. Since I just booked that flight, they have a no fees to change flights right now. So I switched my October flight to be with Southwest. My sister lives in Montana (but Southwest doesn’t fly there), so I will probably switch my American flight to Montana when we decide on a good date for that.

As part of the crazy flight switch, I had to book and cancel a couple extra SW flights to combine Travel Funds (so I could use all of my money). I had rebooked the Orlando flight a few times to get a better rate, but each time I did that, it created an additional travel fund. And I learned through this that you can only use three payment options when booking a SW flight - two travel funds and credit card.

Other than the crazy flight switch, it was pretty easy to cancel my resort, ADR, and FP+ online.

I think I followed along?

 

[Calfan]

So I just did a crazy switch of flights. I canceled my Southwest flight, but the travel funds were only good for a trip through November 12, 2020. I have a trip planned to Maine in October booked with American. Since I just booked that flight, they have a no fees to change flights right now. So I switched my October flight to be with Southwest. My sister lives in Montana (but Southwest doesn’t fly there), so I will probably switch my American flight to Montana when we decide on a good date for that.

As part of the crazy flight switch, I had to book and cancel a couple extra SW flights to combine Travel Funds (so I could use all of my money). I had rebooked the Orlando flight a few times to get a better rate, but each time I did that, it created an additional travel fund. And I learned through this that you can only use three payment options when booking a SW flight - two travel funds and credit card.

Other than the crazy flight switch, it was pretty easy to cancel my resort, ADR, and FP+ online.

By the way, for everyone either with existing SW travel funds expiring through May of this year, and for newly cancelled SW flights that were scheduled for now through May, SW is extending the expiration dates of travel funds, so folks might not have to jump through these kinds of hoops:

https://www.southwestaircommunity.c...tending-Travel-Credit-and-Refunds/ba-p/103844
Travel Funds Extension Policy*
With the unprecedented cancellations and airport closings happening around us every day, we understand travel plans are changing for many Customers. So, we are making a temporary exception to our already very flexible travel funds policy. As you know, our current policy outlines that nonrefundable tickets not flown on the travel date, but canceled in accordance with Southwest’s No Show Policy, can be applied to future travel up to one year from the original purchase date, but must be used by the individual named on the ticket.

In recognition of the current travel environment, we are extending the expiration date of some travel funds:

• Customers’ funds that have expired or will expire between March 1-May 31, 2020, will now expire June 30, 2021
  
• Any newly created travel fund because of a flight cancellation between March 1-May 31, 2020, will have an expiration date of June 30, 2021

It will take our Technology Teams a few weeks to make these changes to the expiration date of the funds, and we appreciate your patience while our Teams work quickly to make this happen. This gesture of goodwill gives Customers an additional year to use their funds and take the same trip next year as they were planning to take this year.

 

[Jsciv]

"Out of an abundance of caution".... that phrase needs to be retired because at this point it was definitely NOT the reason this was canceled. "Our resort will probably be closed, public backlash would be humiliating, the state of Florida might ban the event, and we'd be possibly legally vulnerable to a class action suit if we held the run and anyone got sick" is more like it.

 

[MissLiss279]

I think I followed along?

View attachment 482339

Haha! Yeah, it took me a while to figure out how to combine travel funds, but google was my friend.

By the way, for everyone either with existing SW travel funds expiring through May of this year, and for newly cancelled SW flights that were scheduled for now through May, SW is extending the expiration dates of travel funds, so folks might not have to jump through these kinds of hoops:

https://www.southwestaircommunity.c...tending-Travel-Credit-and-Refunds/ba-p/103844
Travel Funds Extension Policy*
With the unprecedented cancellations and airport closings happening around us every day, we understand travel plans are changing for many Customers. So, we are making a temporary exception to our already very flexible travel funds policy. As you know, our current policy outlines that nonrefundable tickets not flown on the travel date, but canceled in accordance with Southwest’s No Show Policy, can be applied to future travel up to one year from the original purchase date, but must be used by the individual named on the ticket.

In recognition of the current travel environment, we are extending the expiration date of some travel funds:

• Customers’ funds that have expired or will expire between March 1-May 31, 2020, will now expire June 30, 2021
• Any newly created travel fund because of a flight cancellation between March 1-May 31, 2020, will have an expiration date of June 30, 2021

It will take our Technology Teams a few weeks to make these changes to the expiration date of the funds, and we appreciate your patience while our Teams work quickly to make this happen. This gesture of goodwill gives Customers an additional year to use their funds and take the same trip next year as they were planning to take this year.

Thanks! I should have looked a little harder for this, but it was showing that they expired in November. Hopefully, things will be back to normal-ish by October, and this race trip will still happen.

 

[camaker]

For heaven’s sake, folks, try to be happy that RunDisney did what we’ve been asking/expecting them to in canceling the race weekend and giving us a better refund plan than expected and stop nitpicking the verbiage of the announcement! It sounds petulant.

 

[Sphyrna]

I was hoping it’d get rescheduled rather than cancelled. I’m glad they’re doing full refunds instead of deferring to next year. But it would be nice if those registered for this year’s would be automa registered for next year.

Kinda stinks on the Kessel Run. I did it last year and the only reason I did the virtual was for the KR. I think those registered for KR should have the option of canceling the virtual and get a refund (and not get the medal).

 

[Critter2020]

I apologize if this has been addressed, there is a lot of info being flung around.

I did not sign up for the virtual run, but I've been training and really would like to keep the momentum going. I just checked, and the registration for the virtual is still open until March 31st. Any recommendations on if it's worth signing up for to get rewarded for our training efforts?

Thanks!

 

[princessbride6205]

Just cancelled everything. I knew it was coming, but it still hurt to hit all the cancellation buttons. We just booked an August trip - hoping we're able to use those 2018 banked points up and not lose them! (Oct UY)

 

[doombuggy]

Shoot, I was hoping for a postponement. Well, maybe all of the merch they have for the event will eventually end up at the outlets...my running outfit will have to wait for next year. Off to cancel me day off request

 

[ReginaMBK]

So, are we assuming a continuation of park and resort closures will soon follow this? We are still keeping our reservations until an official announcement.

 

[mmm_texas]

I completed the virtual part of the Kessel Run Challenge earlier this month, so at least I'll receive my first ever race medal (although I really only signed up for the virtual because of the Kessel Run part).

I agree that a refund instead of postponement is in general a good thing for most people, but since the Wine & Dine is sold out, it means I'm out of luck until next year. Also, our annual passes will have expired by next April, so that adds some cost if I want to wait for the SW event next year. (Plus, I had a great rate for my resort reservation and airfare!)

I know all of that is insignificant in the bigger picture, but I'm still disappointed.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

So, are we assuming a continuation of park and resort closures will soon follow this? We are still keeping our reservations until an official announcement.

Probably by Sunday.

 

[PrincessV]

I saw the notice, but have been too busy today to get over here until now. Bummer. Sad. Not unexpected at this point, but yeah... really disappointing. With a side of happy surprise about refunds.

I know the least of many’s worries but I have a lot of time to think as I’m sure many of us do. I am curious to see how they handle perfect runners for this. Will the 5th come next year or will they just skip it like the 2017 wdw half?

Oh, it's pretty high on my list lol! I assume with a full cancellation we'll retain Perfect status for next year, which will count as #5. But I'd really like to know for sure!

 

[Jsciv]

For heaven’s sake, folks, try to be happy that RunDisney did what we’ve been asking/expecting them to in canceling the race weekend and giving us a better refund plan than expected and stop nitpicking the verbiage of the announcement! It sounds petulant.

Sorry, I was being a little silly and snarky, I didn't mean to come off as truly upset.

 

[PrincessofAlderaan]

Sorry, my browser didn’t update recent replies and this is a repeat of another post about Kessel Run refunds. Not sure how to delete, so please just ignore!

Kessel Run was addressed in the email announcement. International runners will get a full refund, runners with US addresses will get the virtual half medal in the mail and a refund, less the $59 virtual cost.

 

[fatmanatee]

I apologize if this has been addressed, there is a lot of info being flung around.

I did not sign up for the virtual run, but I've been training and really would like to keep the momentum going. I just checked, and the registration for the virtual is still open until March 31st. Any recommendations on if it's worth signing up for to get rewarded for our training efforts?

Thanks!

I think you should go for it. Keep going, go for the half if you can, and find a way to treat yourself. Sounds like you're leaning in that direction so yeah.

 

[DurangoJim]

Is it too much to think that they may offer a virtual version of the Star Wars races during the summer when the pandemic calms down?

 

[1lilspark]

I'd be surprised if all runDisney events through Marathon weekend 2021 weren't canceled.

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

 

[Harlaxton]

Going to have to put my 2020 Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon medal on its own rack 6 feet away from the rest of my medals to symbolize how crappy this year is turning out.

 

[PrincessV]

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.