The upcoming Walt Disney World marathon is only a few weeks away. In the first of letters in this week’s mailbag, staff writer Lani Teshima answers some marathon-related queries. Alan Byerly writes:
I was guaranteed an entry in the marathon in January 2007 after having to cancel out my paid entry in the 2006 race. Whom do I contact to confirm this? Can you give me a phone number or e-mail address for the person in charge of registration? I appreciate any help you can give me.
If you still have the contact information you used to notify them when you cancelled your 2006 registration, my suggestion is that you use the same address.
If you no longer have this information, my suggestion is that you contact the organizers through the WDW Marathon Web site. Go to http://www.disneyworldmarathon.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click the “Contact us” link and you will see an online email form. Make sure you select the Marathon from the pull-down menu for the email subject line, and someone should contact you about your registration.
Since the marathon is technically filled to capacity, I strongly urge you to contact them as soon as you can.
Suma writes:
I am a marathon runner, and I won a silver medal in the Bangalore international marathon. I’m looking out to practice for more marathons. I used to drink 6 – 7 liters of water per day even when I don’t practice at least 3 days in a week. How safe it is? Am I over-hydrated? Will I have any problem with water? Is that too much? I am 24 years old, weigh 50 kg., and my timing is 4:23:47 for 42.195 kms.
Regarding water intake, in the U.S. the recommended daily intake of water for an average adult is generally considered to be about 2 liters, but this does not count the time a person is exercising.
However, since your question has to do with whether you are drinking too much water, my suggestion is that you speak to a local physician who can provide you with sound medical advice.
Sean Garnett writes:
You may or may not be the person to answer this question, but I am planning on running the Disney Marathon and am wondering if the park gives any type of deals for those people staying at the park who are running the race. Thanks for any info you can give.
I’m not quite sure what sorts of “deals” you are thinking of, but in general, no. For example, you can make your hotel reservations as a marathon participant, and I think doing so puts you in a specific category in their system. It might even give you a slight advantage in room rates. However whatever discount that is provided is negligible and people can find similar rates without being a marathon participant. In addition, you do not get any admission discounts to the parks. You will still need to pay for your tickets to get into the parks.
The only real perk you have is access to Pleasure Island on Sunday night, which they’ve been doing for a while. Assuming they will do the same thing for next January, I believe all you need to do is go to the Pleasure Island ticket booth with your running number.
One notable “deal” is for volunteers who work the marathon weekend. In addition to a free windbreaker, you also get a free one-day, one-park admission ticket for working as a volunteer. If you have friends or family traveling with you who are open to volunteering for half a day or so, this may be a good way for them to get a little extra for their efforts.
That said, my suggestion is that you wear your finisher’s medal during your trip after the marathon. You will get lots of smiles from other finishers, and some words of congratulations from cast members as you hobble around the parks on Monday and Tuesday.
Next, MousePlanet staff writer Brian Bennett answers a wide variety qustions about of Orlando-area theme parks. Marissa writes:
I love your essay. I just went to Sea World this summer. I am 13 years old and I already know what I am going to grow up to be. This show inspired me to keep believing in life and that if you believe, then what you wish for will come true. All my life I have wanted to be a marine biologist or a veterinarian. Now I am positive as to what I want to be. I know that I want to be a killer whale trainer at Sea World. I have this huge passion about killer whales. Even though people make fun of me for it. I believe that I will grow up and be a killer whale trainer.
Do you know any way I could talk to {by phone} any of the killer whale trainers? I would like to ask them what it took them to be killer whale trainers and what type of schooling do you need to become a killer whale trainer.
Unfortunately, I don’t personally know any of Sea World’s animal trainers nor do I have any behind the scenes access to the park’s training facilities and employees. I would suggest, however, that you check out these websites for more information:
SeaWorld: http://seaworld.com/
Shamu: http://shamu.com
Also, if you have the opportunity, you may want to sign up for the “Marine Mammal Keeper Experience” the next time you’re at SeaWorld! It’s expensive, but allows you to find out what it takes to become a marine biologist. You might even want to call the toll free reservations number and see if they (the reservations folks) can give you more information about contacting the trainers and getting the specific information that you’re looking for.
The following is quoted from Seaworld.Com:
“The ultimate animal career adventure! Get a real-life look at what it takes to care for SeaWorld animals. Experience the thrill of working alongside marine mammal experts and coming face-to-face with marine life. Get your hands wet as you prepare special diets and assist our Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Team as they care for endangered manatees. Work side-by-side with our animal care specialists as they care for and interact with dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions and walruses.
“Up to three guests per day, age 13 and older, can participate in the “Marine Mammal Keeper Experience” The program begins at 6:30 a.m. and includes lunch, a T-shirt, a career book and a seven-day pass to SeaWorld. Cost is $399 per person including tax.
“Reservations for the “Marine Mammal Keeper Experience” can be made by calling 1-800-327-2424 or by visiting the SeaWorld Behind-the-Scenes Tour counter inside the park.”
I’m sorry that I’m not able to give you more specific help than that, but perhaps it will—at least—put you in the right direction!
Good luck in pursuing your love of animals and specifically killer whales! You will have no happier life than if you do what you want to do and what you enjoy doing! Study hard, work hard, and I’m sure you’ll make it into that tank with Shamu!
Shaun writes:
I’m interested in knowing about the make up of the cars in the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. They said that they are equipped with street bike engines, something like 1100 cc motor? If that’s true what type of motors do they have and how much do they weigh? What type of transmissions are they using so they have reverse?
I know it is a lot to ask. I would love to see the insides of one of these bad boys. What is the top speed of them? Are they very responsive to drive? How fast do the do 0-60?
Sorry for all the questions. I love the show and didn’t know how you would marry up a motorcycle engine to a car. Makes my head spin you know. High revs with a very responsive motor and quick acceleration sounds awesome.
I sent your questions off to a cast member that works on the show. Here are some of the answers you were looking for:
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What size engine is installed in the cars (CCs)? 1300 cc
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What type of engine is it? The legal department does not want us to discuss the brand names, but is it a modified version of a high performance street bike.
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How much do the engines weigh? That I am not sure of. I believe the car itself is less that 1000 lbs total.
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Can you describe the transmissions?
It is a 4 gear Moto transmission with a simple add-on that will switch all 4 gears to reverse. -
What is the car’s top speed? Not sure, probably around 80; the top end gears have been removed from the transmission.
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What is the acceleration (0-60mph in how much time)? The power to the wheels is instantaneous, but it is a matter of traction for us. Our cars are designed to break traction… not a good thing for acceleration
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Are the vehicles responsive to the driver? Better than anything on the road.
Shaun responds:
So the transmission is a motorcycle transmission hooked to a chain driven 4-speed gearbox that drives the rear wheels? Who makes the gearbox for this add-on conversion or does it use the motorcycle drive shaft to the rear wheels? What brand is the 1300 cc motor, Honda, Yamaha? How much HP do they have? Would you say that they are quicker off the line than a normal engine is in a car?
You’ve already exhausted my knowledge of the show vehicles. Next time you stop in at the Studios, you should head back there and see if you can catch the cast members at work on the cars (you can look into the workshops as you walk through the show queue.)
I bet the CMs on hand would love to share more!
Tara Walker writes:
Hello my name is Tara, and I am looking for a Walt Disney World Goofy Bowling ball. Do you sell them or know of any place I can purchase one at? I would really appreciate it if you could get back to me! Thank you very much!
No, I’m sorry, but MousePlanet does not sell those bowling balls.
You might want to try MouseShoppe.Com, they might sell those, or the WDW
Merchandising Department at (407)363-6200.
[Staff writer Lani Teshima added the following.]
The Disney-themed bowling balls you are thinking of are made by Brunswick, and they are part of their Viz-A-Ball line. Brunswick started making these a few years ago, and they have proven to be a very popular way to get kids to take up bowling as a hobby. When they first began making Disney bowling balls, they were only available through bowling alleys, who used them as incentives for people to sign up for bowling leagues. In addition, many of the designs are released as limited editions, and they do periodically change the designs, further increasing interest from bowlers and collectors. Currently, Brunswick does not have any Viz-A-Balls with Goofy, but since they continue to make Disney character bowling balls, they are bound to release a new Goofy one in the future. Viz-A-Balls are now readily available through bowling alley stores and online bowling merchandise Web sites, and if they are new you can specify the ball weight, and have a local shop drill and prep the ball for you.
If you are really interested in a Goofy ball to just add to your Goofy collection, you might check with online auction sites such as eBay; Brunswick has had Goofy design Viz-A-Balls in the past and you can find Goofy bowling balls in the secondary market. The main thing you need to remember is that you will likely not have your choice of weight, and if the ball was actually used by a bowler, it will have already had its holes drilled.
Lynne Brochu writes:
You are such a wealth of information, I figured if anyone knew the answer to this question, it would be you. I was complaining to someone last night about how my family of 6 (we have four daughters), has to always get two rooms at the All Stars, because unless we get a suite in another resort (with the exception of the Wilderness Cabins), we can’t fit into one room. That makes it more affordable for us. One friend said that when she was younger, they would stay at the Contemporary Hotel, 6 people in a room, one on a cot. Do they still offer cots at any of the resorts? Thanks for any info you can share!
Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, I don’t have good news to share back to you. Rollaway beds are made available at the Disney resorts only to add space for one additional person. If the room can only normally accommodate four, then the rollaway can only take care of one person to a total of five.
You’d think with the size of some of those Disney rooms (at the Contemporary for example) that the Disney folks wouldn’t make such a big deal about it. Unfortunately, they’re pretty strict.
Disney allows up to five people into some rooms at Port Orleans Resort (in the Alligator Bayou area) that are fitted with bunk beds. As you’ve pointed out, the Fort Wilderness Homes can handle your whole family… And suites at the various resorts can do so also.
You might want to investigate the All Star Music resort. They are converting some rooms into suites. Also, Coronado Springs has some suites that are also less costly than the suites at the premium resorts.
Lynn replies:
I think my e-mail was confusing. What I basically want to know is if any of the Deluxe resorts (which can normally accommodate 5 people), would allow a cot for the 6th person. It sounds like the answer is yes, but I’m not sure.
I would be very clear when making reservations, though, that you need a room that handles five and you’ll be adding a sixth person. In fact, to make sure there’s no misunderstanding, I would strongly recommend that you make a preliminary call to the resort(s) you’re interested in and discuss the matter directly.
You can find the phone numbers for all of the WDW resorts at MousePlanet, of course.
[Staff writer Lani Teshima added the following.]
The occupancy restrictions for hotels are usually by local ordinance and has to do with safety. That said, depending on the age of the child (for example, a toddler less than 2 or 3 years old) might not get counted in the official occupancy count, so it might be worth your calling to check.
The situation would differ if all six were adults, since the occupancy restriction may be related to local fire ordinances; in such a case, no one, including a supervisor or manager, would be able to make an exception to the rule, without risking a fine. One thing to keep in mind, though; even with a spacious room—six is pretty crowded, with no privacy and busy bathrooms.
