Are you a fan of RunDisney events? Do you love the magic of Disney and the excitement of racing through the parks? If so, you might be wondering if Club RunDisney is worth it.
After all, with its exclusive perks and amenities, it certainly sounds appealing. But is it really worth the investment?
That’s what we’re here to find out.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Club RunDisney and explore the pros and cons of membership. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether or not it’s worth it for you. So let’s get started and figure out if Club RunDisney is the right choice for you.
Before we get started, if you’re a fan of all things Disney and love discussing theme parks and planning Disney vacations, then I want to announce the launch of my new private Facebook group, the Disney Park Advisor Community. This is a place where Disney park fans can come together to share their love of all things Disney, ask questions, get advice, and make new friends. Click the link to request membership. I can’t wait to see you in the group!
What is Club RunDisney?
Club RunDisney is a one year membership program for runners that offers a range of perks and benefits a year-long membership that provides special conveniences, perks and rewards for dedicated RunDisney runners and is available in three membership levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Here’s a quick overview of the benefits offered at each level:
Silver Membership
- Member Welcome Package
- Member Jacket
- Club RunDisney Magnet
- Membership Card
- Tier 1 Pricing Year-Round for Available RunDisney Races
- Exclusive Club RunDisney Virtual 10K
- Club RunDisney Designation on Race Bibs
The cost of a Silver membership is $265.43 (includes a 6.6% platform service fee). There are a limited number of Silver memberships available.
Gold Membership
- All Silver Benefits
- A Guaranteed Opportunity to Purchase One Registration in Each Race Weekend Through Early Registration
- Club RunDisney Designation on Race Bibs
The cost of a Gold membership is $531.93 (includes a 6.6% platform service fee). There are a limited number of Gold memberships available.
Platinum Membership
- All Silver and Gold Benefits
- A Guaranteed Opportunity to Purchase Two Registrations in Each Race Weekend Through Early Registration
- Priority Corral Placement for All RunDisney Events
The cost of a Platinum membership is $851.73 (includes a 6.6% platform service fee). There are a limited number of Platinum memberships available.
Memberships go on sale annually in May and are valid from October 1 to September 30 of the following year.
By becoming a Club RunDisney member in the spring, your membership will cover the following season beginning later in October of that same year and continue through September 30 of the next year.
Memberships can be purchased on the RunDisney website when they’re available but they’re sold out for the 2022-2023 season.
Club RunDisney Race experiences
One of the main perks of Club RunDisney is the access it gives you to exclusive race experiences. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an elevated way in a range of Disney running events, including popular races like the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Disney Princess Half Marathon.
RunDisney offers a variety of race experiences for runners of all skill levels, including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons.
These races are known for their unique and special features, such as running through Disney theme parks and having character meet and greets along the course.
Members also have access to special start corrals, which offer a range of perks and amenities. For example, the Platinum may come with an upgraded starting group and other amenities.
One of the best perks of membership is early access for Gold & Platinum members for registration.
In addition to these perks, Club RunDisney members also have access to exclusive events and experiences, such as member-only parties and meet-and-greets with Disney characters.
Club RunDisney gear
Membership has its privileges and some of those privileges are perks like a Club RunDisney Members Jacket, Club RunDisney Magnet, Membership Card, and Club RunDisney Virtual 10k Medal as part of their membership benefits.
The Member Jacket is a special jacket that is exclusive to Club RunDisney members, and it’s a great way to show off your membership and your love of running.
One of the best things about joining Club RunDisney race is getting to add a shiny new medal to your collection.
RunDisney offers a variety of medals for different events, including special edition medals for certain races. As a Club RunDisney member, you might have the opportunity to get an exclusive medal design and access to special merchandise not available to the general public.
Club RunDisney Expo Experience
Club RunDisney members get early access to the Club RunDisney Expo Experience, which, for the platinum level, includes the Club RunDisney Headquarters with convenient packet pick-up and early access to the RunDisney Merchandise Shop.
The Club RunDisney Headquarters is a special area at the expo where Club RunDisney members can pick up their race packets and get all the information they need for the race.
It’s a convenient and hassle-free way to get everything you need before the race.
Additionally, Club RunDisney members have early access to the RunDisney Merchandise Shop, which means they can get the best selection of merchandise before it’s available to the general public.
This is a great opportunity to pick up exclusive items and show off your support for RunDisney.
Pros and Cons of Club RunDisney
There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to join the club.
Pro #1: Access to exclusive race experiences and training resources
One of the main benefits of Club RunDisney is the access it gives members to exclusive race experiences and training resources. As a member, you’ll have the access to exclusive events and experiences, such as member-only parties and meet-and-greets with Disney characters.
Pro #2: A great collection of RunDisney swag
One pro of Club RunDisney is the swag that members receive as part of their membership. This includes a Member Welcome Package, a member jacket, a Club RunDisney magnet, and a membership card. These items can be a fun way for runners to show off their Club RunDisney membership and display their love of running and Disney.
Pro #3: Cost savings through tiered pricing via early registration opportunities
Joining Club RunDisney can save you a little money when registering for events. This can be advantageous for those intending to compete in several RunDisney races, allowing them to save money on the race fees. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the price of Club RunDisney membership could negate some or all of these savings, depending on how many competitions one plans to enter.
Con #1: Cost of membership may be expensive
One of the main drawbacks of Club RunDisney is the cost of membership. Memberships range in price from $265.43 for a Silver membership to $851.73 for a Platinum membership (prices include a 6.6% platform service fee). For some runners, the cost of membership may be too high, especially if they are only planning to participate in a single event or two. It’s important to consider whether the benefits of Club RunDisney are worth the cost of membership for your own situation.
Con #2: Limited number of memberships available, which may make it difficult to join the club
One potential drawback of Club RunDisney is that there is a limited number of memberships available which can be frustrating for runners who are hoping to take advantage of the benefits and experiences offered by the club. It’s worth noting that Club RunDisney memberships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s a good idea to act quickly when membership registration opens if you’re interested in joining the club.
Con #3: May not be practical or cost-effective for runners who are only planning to participate in a single event or two
Club RunDisney may not be practical or cost-effective for runners who are only planning to participate in a single event or two. The cost of membership may be too high for runners who are only planning to participate in a single event, and they may not have enough time to make use of the benefits and experiences offered by the club.
Who is Club RunDisney for?
Even though RunDisney considers Club RunDisney to be for everyone, it truly works best for a certain type of runner. This is beneficial to their business, as they earn more profit with more members joining the program.
DVC Members and Annual pass holders
One group of people who may be attracted to Club RunDisney are DVC Members. These people have already made a commitment to Disney vacations and are most likely pass holders too. In comparison with non-DVC runners, their expenditure for each race weekend is probably much lower as they do not have to spend for hotel accommodation and admission ticket bundle. Also, these people may have some spare money available to spend on membership since they are not allocating funds for other connected costs.
Big RunDisney fans
Another group that might be interested in Club RunDisney are simply people who are huge fans of RunDisney culture. The perks associated with the membership, like club jackets and special bibs for races, would likely appeal to these mega-fans. If you’re the type of person who loves showing off your RunDisney pride, this membership might be right up your alley.
Camaraderie of the club
Runners who love the camaraderie and community of running events. Club RunDisney offers a variety of social events and opportunities for runners to connect with each other, which could be a great way for runners to make new friends and find support and motivation from their peers.
Friends and family in groups
Groups of friends or families who want to guarantee entry to a race and have access to the expo may also benefit from the membership program. If you’re planning a trip with a group of people and want to make sure you all have a spot in the race and can shop together at the expo, Club RunDisney might be a good option for you.
Back of the pack runners
Some slower runners with more disposable income than normal might be willing to pay a little more for better corral placement. If you’re someone who struggles to keep up with the RunDisney Balloon Ladies, you might be willing to pay a little extra to get a time cushion on the course. It remains to be seen how much runners will be willing to pay for this perk, but it is now an option for those who want it.
Endurance event trainers
Runners who are training for other endurance events and want to enjoy the training atmosphere that comes with central Florida and Disney. Club RunDisney offers a variety of events, including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons, which could be useful for runners who are preparing for other endurance events, such as triathlons or ultramarathons. In addition, if you’re trying to get a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon is a qualifying race.
The Verdict: Is Club RunDisney worth it for you?
Ultimately, whether or not Club RunDisney is worth it will depend on your own priorities and preferences
But you knew that already.
I’ve armed you with the information to figure out how Club RunDisney can either fit in with those priorities and preferences, or be opposed to it.
If you’re a runner who is planning to participate in multiple RunDisney events and is looking for access to exclusive experiences and training resources, it can really be a great upgrade to your experience.
However, if you’re not planning on participating in several RunDisney events (you’re a more casual runner who is only planning to participate in a single event or two) the cost of membership probably won’t justify the benefits.
Nexts Steps
The next step is connect with other Disney racers and fans. Join the Disney Park Advisor Community group to connect with other Disney fans and get tips and advice on planning the perfect Disney vacation. This private Facebook group is the perfect place to share your love of all things Disney and get insider knowledge from other Disney enthusiasts. Simply click the link below to request membership and become a part of our community.
