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.
We recently posted a request for reaction from readers regarding a recent crackdown on the use of headphones during marathons or other road races. Disney Sports has stated in its race instructions for the upcoming Disney Marathon in January that headphones are not permitted for safety reasons. The following letters indicate that most people intend to continue using headphones during races. Anna B. writes:
I am running in my first Disney Marathon this January. Right now I’m planning on using my headphones. I have run in the last 2 half-marathons at Disney and used them. They recommended we don’t use them but they said they wouldn’t ban them. I’m taking a “wait/see attitude”. If they threaten to not give me my medal I might not use them. I have Oakley glasses with the MP3 built in so it is hard to detect that I’m using anything. I think the new rule is ridiculous. I can hear instructions with my music on. I wonder if these people realize how hard it is to run 26 miles without some “help”—like music.
Rae M. writes:
I have run in every Disney event wearing headphones and have had no problems. This is interfering with my personal rights as a runner. Where is the ACLU when you need them? Have any of those people that made that rule actually run in any endurance events? Why are they punishing the mid pack runners because they are so worried some elite runner might possible get some information about another runner. Have you ever seen an elite runner with headphones NO! Personally I have never been run over by another runner wearing headphones. The only time I have ever been run over is by runner 4000 trying to be runner 1000! I need that music to keep me going by about mile 16. I am not going to stop wearing my headphones and I just challenge somebody to try and take my iPod and $100 earphones away from me. Runners REVOLT!
Frank writes:
When I first started running WDW races five years ago, I saw the restriction on carrying iPods, and so left mine at home. It certainly made the races a bit more of a chore. However, after several years of seeing many runners with them, I brought mine two years ago for the half marathon, and last year for the marathon. I’m running the Goofy for the first time this year, and plan on bringing my iPod. I must admit that I do not turn it up loud enough to prevent me from hearing what is going on around me, but I still think it’s a silly restriction—if you follow the “logic” involved, then as the New York Times article stated, deaf runners should be banned as unsafe. As to a competitive advantage, the truly elite runners who win the prizes don’t use them, so I don’t see the harm in the rest of us being able to do so—I’d happily declare myself ineligible for any prize (which I will never have any chance of winning anyway) to be able to run with my iPod.
Jeffery H. writes:
I train and compete wearing an MP3 player with earbuds (not headphones), and it has never been a safety issue for me (and part of my day job is safety management). I keep the volume low enough so I can hear what is going on around me. When I run through the parks, I usually pause the MP3 so that I can listen to the park soundtrack, but the MP3 definitely comes in handy on the road portion of the races.
I have run 10 Disney endurance races, and I plan on continuing the tradition. I will continue to use the MP3 with earbuds, unless otherwise instructed.
Mike S. writes:
I used my iPod while running the Disneyland Half Marathon, even though the rules stated not to, there was a huge percentage that did. I can’t imagine doing it without it and I will probably do it in the future as long as there is no penalty.
Claudia R-A. writes:
I am registered for the 2008 WDW marathon and currently training hard. I find that if I do not have my music with me, whether running outside or on the treadmill, the sessions seem much tougher and sometimes a well chosen song gives me the encouragement I need to carry on or power through.
I know that headphones are not allowed on the WDW marathon course but I plan to take mine anyway. I may not use it the whole way round but there may be times when I find that the course is too boring or no one to speak to or need that little bit of inspiration so I need to have the choice of music with me.
I never turn the volume up too loud and sometimes use only one headphone so that I can still hear the encouragement of the crowds or my fellow competitors. I think it’s okay to allow headphones and probably quite hard to police this rule but some people probably play theirs quite loud and that would be hazardous, so I can see the reason for the rule.
If Disney had music the whole way round then of course I wouldn’t need my MP3 player but as it happens they don’t and some stretches seem quite dull so I need to have to hand whatever it is that can see me through—whether that is liquids, fuel or music is up to me.
Here’s a question for those of you who run or walk, related to some of the reports we had from MousePad posters on their experiences at the Tower of Terror 13K (link): How do you feel about course etiquette? Should race organizers do a better job of educating participants who might be new to racing and unaware of general expectations? We want to hear from faster runners who have to deal with dodging around walkers, and from walkers about runners pushing past them. Write in to the mailbag and share your thoughts!
The next group of letters on Disneyland-related topics are answered by our Disneyland Park Update writers.
Herniette A. writes:
I am looking for a job with Disneyland in California. I can’t find a site where I can contact the resort about jobs. Can you help me? I really want to work there for a year if they want me and I hope can you help me to find a way to contact them about my wish.
Disneyland Resort maintains a job posting Web site.
Lee D. writes:
How do I check to find out whether I have any unused days left on three 5-day hopper tickets I bought a few years ago?
You didn’t mention whether your tickets are for Disneyland or Walt Disney World (WDW). Disneyland hopper tickets expire 14 days after first use, so if you used them at all they have now expired. WDW hopper tickets vary depending on when you bought them and, if they are the newer “Magic Your Way” tickets, whether you bought the “no-expiration” option; I suggest you call WDW Guest Relations (407-939-6244) to be sure.
Max C. writes:
Thanks for your great updates about Disneyland Park. You do a wonderful job keeping us all informed about the park and its news.
I was looking to purchase 1-day park hopper passes (we have some friends coming in to town in a couple weekends). They are no longer for sale at AAA or Vons. There are no discounts available. As a matter of fact, AAA indicated they do not even sell any Disneyland tickets anymore.
As a tip, if any locals attend a major Southern California university (I know USC and UCI have it available), there are indeed discounted 1-day park hopper tickets available there. UCI’s current price is $67 per adult.
Hope this information helps, and keep up the good work!
This is interesting, and we’ll look into it with an eye to updating our published tips. Thanks for reading MousePlanet and writing in.
Steven W. writes:
When I was in Innoventions at Disneyland at the end of October, I noticed that only the upstairs is open, the center hub and downstairs are all blocked off. Is there a renovation or construction work going on that is not beings displayed in the associated list of the park update?
We don’t have any official information on why the lower level of Innoventions is closed. Two possibilities we’ve seen bandied about are a) the rotating outer ring needs service, and b) exhibit sponsorship changes. Either or both of these may or may not be accurate. We’d also heard that the lower level would be open before Thanksgiving, but again, that should be treated as rumor and not fact
Laura C. writes:
I was at Disneyland this past weekend, in Frontierland I noticed a sign that pointed to the “Tom Sawyer Island Raft Landing”. I thought the island was renamed and there certainly were pirate shows on the island. Could the sign just be a forgotten part in the transformation of the island or are they trying to retain some of the original parts? Thanks so much!
My understanding is that the island is still officially named “Tom Sawyer Island” but the pirates have temporarily taken it over–though the duration of that takeover really depends on how long the pirate craze lasts. Thanks for writing.
Torrey B. writes:
I had recently read your article of the expansion of the Grand Californian Hotel and spa.
I already know that there are going to be villas that sleep 12 and the expansion is going to go on behind the Grand Californian.
Can you tell me any more? Are there going to be guest rooms added on too? Are they going to be any different from the ones currently at the hotel? Is the expansion going to go on another property?
According to the information we’ve received, there will be 250 units added, including 50 DVC “Vacation Villas”. The Grand Californian currently has 745 guest rooms. Thanks for writing.
Matt B. writes:
I was just starting to plan my trip to Disneyland in February, and noticed that the calendar shows the Jungle Cruise is out of service for the whole month of Feb 2008. Do you have any insight? I looked on the site but didn’t find any information.
I’m praying that it’s wrong, as that’s my son’s favorite ride. Ah well…
According to Disneyland.com’s refurbishment calendar, the Jungle Cruise will be closed from January 28 through February 29. We don’t have specific information as to why the attraction will be closed, but later winter/early spring is usually the time when annual refurbishments are scheduled.
Finally, Mouse Tales author and MousePlanet columnist David Koenig responds to a Cast Member’s letter, who wrote in response to a photo that appeared in David’s most recent column.
Sabrina writes:
Just in case you were wondering, the cat in your photo is Bagheera (or at least that’s what we’ve nicknamed him at Storybookland). He may look cute, but he’s responsible for eating several of our baby ducklings each season!
Thanks for the additional information. Perhaps he was coming down for breakfast! Has he made his home behind Storybook?
This cat, spotted by David Koenig, has been nicknamed Bagheera by Storybookland cast members. Photo by David Koenig.
