You’ve done your research and found the Run Disney race that you’d like to sign up for. Out of excitement, you join every social media page about that race. But then you read conflicting information about registration and go into panic mode.
I AM HERE TO HELP…
photo credit: the mouse
Below are some of the common Run Disney registration myths I’ve seen across social media. Let me tell you what the facts are so that your registration day goes smoothly!
Myth: You must have an active.com account.
You don’t need to have an Active.com account. You can register as a guest and create an account later. But I highly recommend setting one up prior to registration day. It will save your data and auto-fill information for you. This will help the process go quicker.
Myth: You must cancel all plans and sit at your computer when registration opens.
This is certainly not required, but most people do it. Challenges tend to sell out more quickly, but not everything sells out in 10 minutes. Inaugural and anniversary race years are more popular than others. If you are doing general registration, refer to the selling trends from DVC & Annual Pass registration.
Myth: By purchasing an Annual Pass, you can register early with DVC.
This is a tricky one. Yes- if you have an Annual Pass, you can register on the same day as DVC (two weeks prior to general registration). BUT you need to activate your Annual Pass before registration day. This means activating it at a park front gate.
Myth: Being in queue automatically means a guaranteed bib.
Once you are in queue, you have 15 minutes to complete the registration process. Once that 15 minutes is up, your spot is no longer reserved.
Myth: Having one family member register for everyone is best.
This is a lot of stress on one person and takes up too much time. Have everyone in your party register only themselves. This will help tremendously with saving time.
Myth: After a race is sold out, you can’t get a bib.
There are many charities and travel agencies that have bibs. RunDisney lists these charities and travel agencies on their website. So don’t panic if you missed a race registration.
Myth: You must buy commemorative items on registration day.
Pins, jackets and any extra commemorative item can be purchased on registration day but it isn’t necessary. You can buy some later online or at the expo, but not all. You are taking a slight gamble, with availability, by not purchasing them immediately. You don’t know the jacket or pin design until race weekend.
Myth: If you made a mistake on your registration it can’t be fixed.
This is common, especially when people rush through the process. Contact Run Disney if information was wrong or contact Active.com for payment issues. Most of the time, the issues are resolved with patience.
Good luck registering!
Great info. I would like to add though that the pre-order race weekend jackets that are available during registration are not available for general sale at the expo. If you see one of those jackets and you want one, you will have to wait until after the last race of the weekend and see if they have them at the merchandise tent in the family reunion area. Of course these jackets are a blind sale, meaning you don’t know what they look like till you pick them up. Of course there are always other jackets for sale during the expo!
That’s a fantastic clarification! Much appreciated. I missed out on last year’s Princess jacket and they weren’t available at the merchandise tent. Total bummer!
I wrote an edit! Thanks again!
Hey girl….
Thanks for your article!
I bought a jacket for the Star Wars race not knowing how it would look, and hated it when I saw it at pick-up. I had heard they can be returned, and it was true. I picked up the jacket, explained to the person that I wanted to return it, and they set me up with someone at the store counter to get my refund. I am pretty sure you can do this with the purses. This way you are guaranteed a jacket/item by pre-purchasing, without the worry of being stuck with something you don’t want.
I think your advice about the active account is spot on. Anything that saves time registering is a good idea, and you don’t have to worry about rushing and creating typos or other errors.
My daughter and I pre-purchased 2016 Wine and Dine jackets. Disney screwed up and no one got them on race day they said they will mail them to our houses at no charge. Can you return them ? And if so how? They people at expo were clueless how to do this. Since we bought them to wear at event we no longer want them
That’s awful! I’ve heard of things happening like that. I would call Run Disney with your confirmation number from your pre-purchase and demand a refund! Good luck- that’s sad!