Disney relies on volunteers to make each of their runDisney marathons go smoothly. Until now in exchange for their time, Disney gave each volunteer a complimentary full-day theme park ticket as a “thank you.” However, after this year’s Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, without notice, volunteers received only a half-day ticket.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that this came as a complete shock to many of the race volunteers who have helped out over the years.
“Over and over [during the event], you hear the announcements, ‘Thank you, volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you. We depend on our volunteers,’” said Michele Stone, who has volunteered with runDisney events for more than seven years. “And then they went and changed the tickets without anybody knowing. So that was just like, ‘You only half appreciate us now.’”
Typically, Disney would mail out full-day tickets to each volunteer within 60 days after the conclusion of a race. However, this time they were handing them out as they were leaving the event. Each ticket stated that it was not valid until after 1:00 p.m.
Even though volunteers enjoy giving their time to help out during the event, receiving a complimentary ticket was a nice bonus. Some volunteers asked about the change in the ticket and were told they would be half-day tickets going forward.
Volunteers lend their help with every key moment of a race weekend, from race bib pick-up at the Health & Fitness Expo to race day operations.
runDisney website
The runDisney website says that “the volunteers at a runDisney event play an important role in a runner’s race journey.” They give motivation to the runners to keep “pushing through the remainder of the race.” They also will also provide any number of other assistance from “manning the water stops along the course” to awarding finishers with their medal all with a “friendly face at each moment.”
The Sentinel also reported that after word got out about the ticket change, a number of people started backing out of upcoming events, including the highly popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January.
They went on to report that “people with volunteer organizer Track Shack said they are still seeking 1,800 volunteers between the January race weekend and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February.”
When reached out for comment, a spokesperson simply told the paper the tickets were a gift “as a thank you for the support of their presence at the race, and we hope the volunteers will enjoy their time in the parks.”
One volunteer said that these races “could not go on without volunteers” she then said, “It’d be a bad experience for a runner.”
Some volunteers said this is just another of Disney’s cost-cutting measures.
Chris Ballesteros, who has been volunteering with runDisney for eight years said she didn’t understand why Disney made the change. She went on to say that in fact, those people who are in their park for a full day will be “eating and drinking more, so Disney makes more money.”
She went on to say that when they use their free passes they pay for parking, food, souvenirs, and more.
Have you volunteered for runDisney? If so, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Check out some of our other coverage of runDisney marathons:
Dates Revealed for 2023-24 runDisney Events at Walt Disney World
runDisney unveils Winners Medal for Castaway Cay Challenge in January 2023
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Source: The Orlando Sentinel
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