Through some recent discussions on the Mickey Milers Facebook group, it has come to our attention that runDisney no long provides deferrals for any of its races. (Previously, you could pay a nominal fee to defer a race a year into the future.) Even more disheartening, this was not a change that was broadcast by runDisney or even before registration for the races took place, but, instead, was something we found out about when of our fellow Mickey Miles team members was informed of this policy change when requesting a deferral because of upcoming brain surgery. Instead of allowing him to have a deferral to a future year, runDisney decided to make a “1 time exception” to the “no refunds” policy and provide our fellow team member with a Disney Gift Card in the amount of 1/2 of the funds he paid to register for his races (minus the registration fees that Active.com charges.) That’s right, instead of allowing a runner to defer to the future because he was having brain surgery, runDisney said he could have 1/2 of his money back, in the form of Disney credit.
Policy changes like this disappoint me, greatly. When Elyssa had her brain surgery a couple of years ago, runDisney was fantastic about deferring our race registrations at no cost to the following year. Knowing that race was coming up again was a huge part of what motivated Elyssa to learn to walk, and then run, again. Getting that deferral was such a pivotal moment, that I clearly remember the night I got off the phone with runDisney, walked into Elyssa’s hospital room (crying) and said “I just got off the phone with runDisney. We’re running the race next year. You and me. Whatever it takes.” It was about 2 days later that Elyssa took her first post-surgery steps, and about 5 days later that she first jogged around the hall. To hear that runDisney has decided to not offer this same benefit to someone who is a very active participant in the runDisney community is heartbreaking. It really feels like taking some of the magic away
Elyssa and I love participating in runDisney events. We’ll be running the Star Wars: Dark Side Challenge in April of next year, and are really looking forward to it. In fact, while we are participating in it, we’ll probably love it. That said, thinking about it now, it saddens me that runDisney’s policies are standing in the way of people having the same chance to “come back” from major surgery and injuries that Elyssa did. Frankly, I would have been devastated if runDisney told me what they’re telling people now. It’s so disappointing that I hardly even know how to express it.

[…] Disappointing Changes to runDisney Policy; and […]
Thats really disappointing about the outcome of this, this may be something that just depends on the CM though? I emailed runDisney 10.14.2016 and told them I needed to defer my upcoming Full Marathon in January, and my Dark Side Half Marathon in April( for medical reasons). They told me they have discontinued deferrals for the race series, but as a “gesture of goodwill” they would refund me both race registration fees! I absolutely was not expecting this, and I am so happy with that information! Four days later on 10.18.2016 I got two emails from Active.com with my receipts of refund for both races! THANK YOU DISNEY. I still plan on going to the parks those weekends, but just not racing. Not sure if this is what they will do from now on, or if this is just their solution since discontinuing the deferral process is so new, or what? but either way, im happy with the results! I will be racing in 2018 though!!
Thats really disappointing about the outcome of this, this may be something that just depends on the CM though? I emailed runDisney 10.14.2016 and told them I needed to defer my upcoming Full Marathon in January, and my Dark Side Half Marathon in April( for medical reasons). They told me they have discontinued deferrals for the race series, but as a “gesture of goodwill” they would refund me both race registration fees! I absolutely was not expecting this, and I am so happy with that information! Four days later on 10.18.2016 I got two emails from Active.com with my receipts of refund for both races! THANK YOU DISNEY. I still plan on going to the parks those weekends, but just not racing. Not sure if this is what they will do from now on, or if this is just their solution since discontinuing the deferral process is so new, or what? but either way, im happy with the results!