 Earlier in the week it was announced that Disney was cancelling all RunDisney races on the west coast for the foreseeable future. This was kind of known since none of the races for 2018 had gone on sale yet, and the first one of the year was in January. So as of today, the Super Hero Half Marathon in November may be the last race on the west coast for some time. Written by Gregg Condon The reasons for this are as extensive as the excuses flying around. Everything from Star Wars Land construction to Disney trying to "stick it" to the Anaheim City Council for them dragging their feet approving the Eastern Gateway and Harbor Bridge. Never mind that Disney dragged their feet for more than a decade while they had a very favorable city council in Anaheim. So what does this mean for you, the consumer? Because the ramifications of this go FAR beyond race weekends.  First off, if you think the Eastern Gateway and Harbor Bridge is going to be completed by the time Star Wars Land opens, I've got some bad news for you. And it's going to make traffic around the resort during the 24 hour Disney parties look pale in comparison. There simply aren't enough roads, parking spaces, access points, freeway exits and ways to get people to the park. The Eastern Gateway wasn't going to fully address this problem, but it's better than them adding 400 parking spots in the Toy Story Lot.  And who is going to feel the brunt of all this? The Disneyland front-line Cast Members and park visitors. Disney is still going to get their money, the city of Anaheim is still going to get their tax revenue. People are still going to descend on the parks to be "first" to visit Star Wars Land. They are still going to complain on Twitter on how big of a nightmare it is, how Star Wars doesn't fit at Disneyland and how everything is now ruined ... all while waiting 10 hours to get into the new land.  So with all of this, WHY did Disney cancel RunDisney races? Is it because of Star Wars Land construction? Possibly. But as you can see, we got pretty close to it last year during the Super Hero Half.   It also can't be because it wouldn't allow enough distance running through the park, because during the Super Hero race in 2014 there was just over 2 miles of running through the parks and backstage ... during a 13.1 mile race.
It can't be because Anaheim doesn't like the revenue they get for the police, traffic officers, permits and other things.  This is about 2 sides wanting different things, one side (Disney) dragging their feet and one side (Anaheim) not wanting to bow down to the mighty mouse. Sure, them cancelling these races may not impact you right now, in fact, many of you will probably enjoy not having runners descend on "your" park 3-4 times per year. What makes you think the relationship between Disney and Anaheim will somehow improve by them doing this? If anything, it's going to make it worse. And the next time Disney wants to expand their parks or resort or build a hotel ... good luck. Related Updates:
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 Last weekend Renée and Andrew made their way out to Disneyland for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, and of course some Disneyland fun on one of the hottest weekends of the year. Here is our first of two (yes, count em' two) Disneyland updates we'll have this month. The next one in a few weeks. Written by Renée Girard and Andrew Cunningham We're at Disneyland this weekend to run. Or walk. Or crawl, depending on how we feel in this excessive heat.
"Shade? No bag line?..." . . . "Nahhhh"  Halloween signage starting to appear at DCA. Can't wait to see their new additions this year!  Remember folks! If you're out enjoying the SoCal parks this weekend- make sure you stay hydrated!  I'm sorry, the old DCA can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh... CAUSE IT'S DEAD.  Killin it.  Hydrating or carb loading?  Walt's message on a breadstick packet. Dreams come true.  Rise and shine! It's time for the RunDisney Disneyland10k! Loving the Pixar theme this year. The 10k is Monster's U  Current line for the Disneyland metal detectors... Jk! People as far as the eye can see at the #rundisney #Disneyland10k starting line  We're already sweating 😖  Not a terrible view to be dying to  Starting to get some daylight around #NotMyTower 😜  Backstage areas decorated to look like a college campus!    Sun coming up around Disneyland    Really enjoyed our ride on Pirates at Disneyland with the woman in front of us filming the whole thing on a tablet. Vertically.  Delicious dinner at Blue Bayou tonight with the Fantasmic dining package. Worth waiting extra time to get seated next to the water. 
Blue Bayou package seating for Fantasmic gives an amazing view of the show. And wow, we were impressed with the new updates!     The addition of Pirates was one of the many highlights. Can the WDW version please finally ditch Pocahontas for something like this??  Another early morning with several thousand sweaty friends. Stay safe and hydrated!!
The finish line will be a welcome sight in a few hours.  Jeff Galloway is in my corral!  Time to start! And sweat!  Here's a rare sight, no line at Cove Bar!  Still a warm morning run on Main Street, but grateful for the early start and clouds.
The horses of Disneyland were out in the backstage areas.  Running through Angel Stadium is always a highlight of the DisneylandHalfMarathon  It was a hot one out there today. Hope everyone stayed safe and hydrated!  Pizza Planet delivery truck at the finish area.  Well, I finished. Not my fastest or best, but the course was enjoyable and it's become my favorite Labor Day weekend tradition. -Renée  After running, we feast! 
Decorative Mickey leaves seems to be the new water art at Disneyland.
Epcot and Pirates 50th merchandise from D23 being sold at store on Main Street in Disneyland.
Halloween theming is starting to show up in Cars Land at DCA.
A closer look at the Pirates 50th shirts at Disneyland.
Star Tours 30th anniversary merchandise from D23 is available in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.
Just noticed that Tower of Terror is still on the Disneyland drink cups.  So as of 12:15pm, California Screamin has a 90 min standby wait. FP return time is 12:35. I don't understand.  Wait time for California Screamin dropped to 45 minutes now but I'm about to board and can already get another FP.  Cove Bar, is it worth the hype? I've never been but every time I visit DCA, there's a huge line.  The new FP system at Disneyland seems really inefficient. Radiator Springs Racers return FP line wrapped all the way around the building!  Had a wonderful visit Disneyland resort this weekend for the runDisney marathon! Might just be making a trip for Halloween soon!   Related Updates:
 Happy Friday, we hope you had a great short work week and have enjoyed all of the amazing updates this week. Today we have the second part of Renée and Andrew's weekend at Disneyland. If you missed part one of their update be sure to check it out here. Written by Renée Girard and Andrew Cunningham (Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version) We are up bright and early to run the Disneyland 10k!   And we made it to Agrabah!   After running a 10k, might as well drop in one last time at DCA Tower.
Our last ride on classic DCA Tower. Fun ride but we're fine with Guardians coming in. After all, FL does it better:)
Going to check out Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters in Cars Land.   Luigi's is a cute ride, definitely a nice addition to Cars Land.  We might regret this, but we're going on the swinging gondolas on Mickey's Fun Wheel.  Immediately regretting this as we swing freely above DCA.  But you do get a nice view of the parks from Mickey's Fun Wheel.  California Screamin' has been down all morning. So far one train is cycling the track.
Radiator Springs Racers is also down again  No line at the beer truck and 2 major rides down? Guess what we're doing!   Disneyland has jalapeño cheese pretzels. Please bring them back to WDW!  Haunted Mansion is closed but reopening in a few days with their holiday layover.   Rivers of America is also closed, but still offers a lovely view.  You can see a bit of the Star Wars land construction just behind the walls in Critter Country.  Haven't seen too many of the Disneyland "gangs" this weekend. We were curious as to why Walt is in quotes on theirs.  Having a pre-marathon dinner at DCA's Wine Country Trattoria.   Delicious meal of pasta, with a side of wine, to get some carbs in before tomorrow's Disneyland Half   One last stop at Cars Land and Radiator Springs before heading out for the night. 
Ever see a line at the Starbucks at Downtown Disney at 5am? Gotta get some fuel for the Disneyland Half!  The elite runners in the Disneyland Half are on their way!  Just another morning run with thousands of other sweaty crazy people.  Corrals backed up all the way to the parking structure.  Here we go! See you in 13.1 miles!  Cars Land was up first 
Running through the Paradise Pier area of DCA, with the World of Color fountains on.
 The Three Caballeros were among the characters along the route in DCA
Tower of Terror in the background of Flik's Fun Fair, a view that will soon be changing.  Here's what you've all been waiting for... The back side of Tower!  The course changes had us go through Disneyland for a shorter distance but back to DCA after  Storm Troopers were the only Star Wars characters out and about in Tomorrowland.   Going through Fantasyland and of course the highlight of running through Sleeping Beauty castle 
Love that the Disney PhotoPass folks are doing the course photography here too  Characters from Robin Hood on the bus on Main Street  Got to catch up with the news boys on their trolley on Buena Vista Street at DCA.  One more run past Tower before exiting the parks and on to the streets of Anaheim.  All of the cast members and volunteers throughout the race course were awesome!  Before finishing back at Disneyland, the next best thing is running at Angel Stadium!    Finished! More Disneyland Half updates to come, but shower and breakfast come first.  Please make a separate line at bag check for runners after the race. This is painful.  After finishing the Disneyland Half & Disneyland 10K , a perfect way to celebrate is lots of food at Goofy's Kitchen    Our afternoon of relaxation includes beer at Grand Californian's Hearthstone Lounge.   Love this hidden Mickey, that you can find in the lobby of Disney's Grand Californian hotel.  And our Disneyland Half weekend has come to an end. See ya next year!  Related Updates: |
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