The MousePlanet Mailbag is a regular compilation of some of our reader feedback and writer responses that may be of interest to our readers. We encourage you to drop your questions, opinions, or comments to us in care of our mailbag.
With registrations for the Walt Disney World marathon filling up, staff writer Lani Teshima answers some related questions. Kelly writes:
We will be going to Orlando for the Disney marathon on January 2008 and wanted to know if my family members (not running) need to buy passes to get into the park to see the start and finish of the marathon?
You do not need to buy park passes to see your family members in the marathon. Although access is controlled at the start and during the run, there are no real restrictions at the end of the event.
I wrote an article called “Great Spectations” that addresses a lot of the questions friends and family members have about being a part of the Disney World marathon experience for their loved ones.
Although the course has evolved somewhat since the article ran in December 2005, most of the information is still accurate. Take a look at the viewing tips I provide in the article, and you can plan ahead to coordinate where you can cheer your family members on.
For many, half of the battle when running a marathon is mental. The will to continue and finish can often overcome fatigue, and having supportive family members can make a huge difference. I’m glad to hear you are hoping to join the runner for a trip to the parks. I hope you all have a great experience!
Kristen D. writes:
I was wondering what people have said about the WDW marathon and if it is a good Boston qualifier?* I missed my time by three minutes, so I want to pick a good course this time. I know it’s flat…but are there so many people that it’s easy to get boxed in? Are there message boards where people talk about their experiences? Thanks.
If you are an elite runner interested in a Boston qualifier, your best bet is to subscribe to the Disney Deads mailing list. The Disney Deads are an offshoot of the Dead Runners Society, and include relatively faster runners so I’m sure they can provide you with some good information. You can learn more about them at their Web site (link).
In my experience, I’m not sure I would recommend the WDW as your qualifier due to a couple of reasons:
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Running surface: There are a variety of running surfaces that some runners find bothersome. Those specifically mentioned include some “cobblestone” areas in Animal Kingdom designed to feel rural, and an Astroturf-covered bridge crossing in the backstage area after the halfway mark. In addition, I have seen at least one person slip and fall over the rubber matting they use to cover the ChampionChip sensor strips. While this last one could happen anywhere, it is something to keep in mind.
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Narrow corridors: There are a couple of tight and narrow areas that require some navigating. These include the passage from the backstage to Main Street segue, and through Cinderella’s Castle.
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Tight turn radius: There are some tight corners in this run that have runners doing something close to a 90-degree turn in a narrow area. These include that segue onto Main Street, the turn into Cinderella’s Castle, as well as in parts of Animal Kingdom.
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Banked onramps: The course includes a few onramps and offramps on the Disney “highway” system, and a couple of them are banked to aid drivers. Although the angle is imperceptible in a car, they are noticeable when running. Some people find this uncomfortable.
That said, there are a number of good things about this race, including:
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Complete closure of all traffic: Because everything happens on Disney property, they can completely shut everything down, and they have a pretty good handle on keeping spectators away from runners. Unlike marathons like NYC, you shouldn’t run into any errant or overeager spectators who decide to dash out to the middle of the course to take a picture of the runners.
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Well-placed and well-supplied water and first aid stations. Although I’ve heard of the stops running out of water and energy gel packets for slower runners, you shouldn’t run into this problem at your pace.
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Normally great weather. There are occasionally extremes in Florida temperatures, ranging from near-freezing to exhaustingly hot, but for the most part you can count on a pretty mild climate, which means you will be able to maintain a pretty good pace without being affected by the temperature.
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Wide open areas: Although there are narrow concourses, there are a few places that are completely wide open, including the multi-lane road towards Magic Kingdom.
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Very flat course: The hilliest portions are freeway overpasses. The course is about as flat as you can get.
Hope this helps!
[*”Boston qualifier” refers to standard marathon course certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations, completed within 18 months prior to the annual Boston Marathon (held in April), which runners use as proof they can run fast enough to qualify for the elite race (for example, prospective male runners ages 18 to 34 must run a time of no more than 3 hours and 10 minutes, or 3 hours 40 minutes if female). For this reason, competitive runners often plan carefully to make sure that the marathon they choose has favorable running conditions so they can run as fast as possible. This usually means finding courses with smooth, flat, consistent surfaces, good weather, and so on.]
Anne writes:
I just came across your informative section here on MousePlanet. I just signed up for the 2008 Disney Marathon after hearing about it online. I’m a Disney nut and I’m only sorry I didn’t hear about it before the Goofy Challenge filled up! I love your info from the 2005 marathon. Will you be updating for this year? I’ve never run a marathon before so I’m constantly looking for helpful info. I actually took your shoe advice and just purchased a pair of Asics! My old cheapie sneakers are taking a toll on my knees, hips, etc. I’m hoping these will help. Let me know if you’ll be doing the online month-by-month countdown and whatever else this year. Thanks so much for the inspiring words… let’s hope I make it!
Thank you very much for your kind words.
I’m glad you splurged and bought a good pair of running shoes. Running/jogging is a very cheap hobby but you do definitely want good shoes.
The WDW Marathon Guide was a limited-run series intended only to run for 2006, but we will still periodically publish articles about the marathon and other endurance events from time to time.
In the next group of letters, Cast Place editor Shoshana Lewin answers some questions about international Disney hiring, both Stateside and abroad. Kira writes:
I’m living in Japan now and wanted to know how can I apply for a job at Tokyo Disney. I’m interested in working at the restaurants or outlets facilities, and was wondering how can I send my resumé. I’ve worked before at Disney cruise line and at the Magic Kingdom (college program). If you know anything about it, I would appreciate it if you could send me the information. Thanks in advance.
Here’s the contact information on careers in Asia. It isn’t as easy as with careers in the states, but since you are already in Japan, it might be easier for you:
Toru Ochiai
Recruitment
The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Limited
Human Resources
No. 32 Kowa-Bldg.,
5-2-32 Minami-Azabu,
Minato-ku,
Tokyo 106-0047
Japan
Good luck and please let us know what happens.
Charlotte writes:
I live in the UK and I have recently turned 18, I see working at Disneyland a great opportunity, however would the fact that I live overseas be a problem? I don’t want that to ruin the chance I may have. I would be very open to move.
Have you looked into the international programs at Walt Disney World? The advantage there is WDW provides housing. I know Disneyland does employ international students, but they don’t provide transportation or housing—so you might have a harder time getting around. Were you looking to work over a summer or longer?
Charlotte replies:
Thanks for getting back to me so soon! I have looked at the international program yes and found it a little confusing! What is the difference between working with WDW and Disneyland (although I think WDW would be more suited for me as it does provide accommodation)? I’d be hoping to stay longer than a summer, but any kind of offer would be great. I just wanted to know the odds of being accepted, being where I come from.
The biggest difference between the two is that there is no specific international program at Disneyland (link) whereas WDW has one. Your odds of getting hired vary based on the area you want to work in and the availability in that area. Because WDW is larger, there are more available jobs. Disneyland is awesome… but again, because of its size, most of the cast members are local (although I do know of people who have moved from across the country. You might want to contact Disneyland directly and see if they suggest you do anything specific as an international applicant. Good luck!
Finally, staff writer Brian Bennett responds to a note regarding his recent photo tour of the Beach Club resort. Larry H. writes:
You did 99 percent of a wonderful job with your photo tour of the Beach Club & the Beach Club Villas. Still, there was one thing missing (well, sort of missing, I’ll explain further on) that is as much an “icon” of the Beach Club as it’s blue & white paint job. I searched & search through your photos, and only barely managed to finally pick it out. I’m speaking, of course, of Art, the Greeter at the Beach Club.
Art is an institution and indeed truly an icon of the Beach Club. Any travel shows about the Beach Club (for example, Great Hotels with Samantha Brown for the Travel Channel) always show Art, and indeed he’s “famous” in that people who’ve never stayed there before tend to have seen &/or heard of Art.
Art’s been at the Beach Club since right around when it opened. While I never had the opportunity to meet Walt Disney personally, Art pretty much is the living embodiment of what Walt wanted from his Cast Members. Never without a smile, never letting anyone pass without a “Good morning, Captain!” or “And how is the lovely lady enjoying herself today?” Art brings the magic of Disney truly to life.
On a user discussion thread on another website, there is an extensive discussion about Art and what he means to so many who have had the pleasure of meeting and occasionally getting to know the man. As was posted on behalf of someone’s child, Art is the “Mickey Mouse” of the Beach Club. Just as none of us can imagine the Magic Kingdom without the Mouse in residence, so many of us also feel that the Beach Club is not and could not BE the Beach Club, without this wonderful man. While Disney may consider his title to be “The Greeter”, for my wife, myself, and many others, Art is truly The Grand Admiral of the Beach Club.
Now, I did say that he was “sort of missing” in your photo tour. If you look closely at the photo that you captioned “The lobby”, you can see a gentleman wearing a blue jacket, white pants, and a white hat. That is, without a shadow of a doubt, Art himself. For anyone who visits this excellent hotel, all I can say is, make time to not just say hi, but actually talk to Art. I guarantee that he will manage to make you feel like the magic truly lives at Walt Disney World.
Thanks for your note. I guess being 99 percent wonderful isn’t too bad.
I agree with your comments on Art the Greeter. It’s cast members like him (and there are hundreds if not thousands of them at Walt Disney World) that make the resort such a wonderful place to visit.
