What were rD events like back when you started running Goofy is 2006 and onward? My first rD race was the Half in 2012 at Marathon weekend and I can see a decline in the product as well. I am asking whole-heartedly out of curiosity and no criticism.
So back in the day, the courses were very different. The marathon and half marathon were not identical until mile 7 something like it is now. The marathon started with a pre-dawn lap of the World Showcase or Future World, depending on which start you had (red start or blue start). No experience like running the world showcase in the dark with all of the torches lit and a misty fog over the world showcase lagoon. The predawn lap put you in magic kingdom around mile 10. This spread the crowd out even more before you get to the castle. People could get into their natural running rhythm. There were a lot less people on the course. You could even run through the castle, no matter what your pace was. Now if you want to run through the castle you have to get there before it backs up. I've come to dead stops in the castle the past few years. But the first few Goofys I could run the castle and get good pictures regardless of pace. Remember in my Goofy career I've ranged everywhere from 1:55 half to 6:57 full so I have been all over the place with my pace. The ability to run through the castle was a result of the course crowd and not a function of my speed.
There was no such thing as "just running the half" or "only running the full." Each race was celebrated as an accomplishment. Now people can feel like a second rate citizen for "only running the 10k." I know the announcers try to make it a point of humor but it falls flat.
The race expo was better. Not as crowded. No eBay scalpers buying up everything for markup and resale. Actual swag, like cameras and sharpies. Shirt and bib pickup in the same location. Runner relations was helpful if you had a problem. They allowed for timing chip verification before you left the floor. We had different bibs for the half and the full, and we got wristbands upon completion of the half. This allowed for recognition of other Goofy runners around the theme parks. I know it is a small thing but it allowed for a feeling of inclusion like we were all part of some secret society. The race expo actually had good, world class speakers. Nothing against Jeff Galloway, but we would have talks given by Team Hoyt, Frank Shorter, Hansons-Brooks, current world class runners, John Bingham among others. Now we are lucky to get a speaker series schedule tweeted out the day before, and the topics are stale and tired.
There were more characters on the course, and the lines were shorter. The only significant lines would have been for the pirates, Mickey, and Goofy. Lots of rare characters too. I remember seeing Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers (rare for the time, this was pre-Lucasfilm purchase) without a line. We had Hercules and Meg. Great interaction by streetsmophere cast members as well. A copper in MGM studios gave me a citation for "going too fast" and "having too much fun." Expedition Everest was about mile 17 so it was much easier to get a ride during the race without worrying about the 16 minute pace. Disney also gave very specific checkpoints in the written program of the sweep points, so you could do the mental math to know how far in front of the sweepers you are. They would have more distraction things on the course as well, such as riddles or brain teasers from Sharpie. Oh yeah, and NO WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS!
Runners were a bit different then as well. Hardly any course cutting (or if they did it wasn't all over social media). No fighting for race expo purchases. Better course etiquette; rarely encountered walkers blocking the entire road. Runners were not as demanding or entitled. For example, the runDisney facebook page is full of people wanting medal reveals/Dooney information/Shirt reveal as soon as they register. The marketing campaign for the 15th marathon was intentionally not reveal the medal until the finish line. That would never happen now. Guess people don't want to be surprised? Costumes were nowhere near as elaborate as they are now. It was more of a Disney-Bounding thing. Side note: My wife was featured on one of the photos on the older Disney Endurance Sports website. She was running in a tech costume inspired by Snow White. This was before the current website.
Food was not in the prepackaged box. I know many people like the cheese (as do I) but it seems a bit more industrial now. Could just be me.
Races did not sell out immediately and you would get the percent sold on the website. I could wait months to register for Goofy (which sold out much faster back in the pre-Dopey days). Oh, and did I mention the price? First year Goofy was in the $130-$150 range if I recall. Now we shell out $600 for Dopey.
Disney has done some good things over the years too. Women's cut shirts. Race weekend transportation. Medals with lanyards that actually go through the medal instead of connecting via a small metal ring. Actually changing medals from year to year. We had the same Goofy medal for 3 out of 4 years. The volunteers are always great, particularly during 2010 when it was Disney on Ice. We got to run to stay warm; the volunteers had to stay put.
I was just particularly disappointed personally since it was my first Run Disney race and it was supposed to be my first half. But I do still love the medal and it is a story to tell. That being said, I am going back for Wine and Dine this year and doing the Lumiere Challenge, so I hope I get the full and true experience this time.
