Becoming a Disney Sports Enthusiast

This week I received a letter from Walt Disney World informing me that I was a Disney Sports Enthusiast, and all the rights and responsibilities that accompany that prestigious title.  I’d consider myself an enthusiast of many things:  Disney Parks, Disney memorabilia, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, Jeeps and knitting ( my other non-Mouse related interests).  But how did I, or how does anyone become a Disney Sports Enthusiast?

Back in late September 2012, I was getting so excited about my first runDisney race, the Jingle Jungle 5K in November.  DisneyGroom and I were registered for Princess, but I knew I HAD to come back and be part of the Marathon weekend in January.  It will be the 20^th Anniversary – that is bound to make it even more special.  So I signed DisneyGroom and myself up for the 5K on January 11.  And I began to pay more attention to the runDisney chatter on the various Facebook groups and twitter.   The more I tuned in, the more I realized I wasn’t going to be satisfied with just running the Family 5K. 

I was, and still am so in awe of the Marathon and Half runners.  They work so hard, training for months – working towards just one day, or in the case of Goofy runners – two very long days.   This fangirl wanted to be there.  To be a part of those amazing races somehow.  

I checked the runDisney website for Volunteer registration and discovered the WDW Marathon Weekend option was not available (yet).   I kept checking back and finally it was up! I’m not sure how many days it had been up – but not long, I imagine.  I snagged this screengrab below on Oct 4^th and sent it to my husband to peruse (and decide which race and where he wanted to volunteer).   

 

Welcome, Monica  |  My Active |  Donation Center |  Fundraiser Center |  Logout    REGISTRATION Registration Steps: 1. Registration Options 2. Accept Waiver 3. Complete Form 4. Submit Payment 5. Print Receipt 2013 WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend Volunteer Registration Volunteer Sign-Up SELECT SOMEONE TO REGISTER Myself (Monica Clemence) Walter Clemence Julie Santelices Someone Else PARTICIPANT INFORMATION ( * indicates required information)

CLICK HERE TO EDIT YOUR PROFILE First Name: * Monica Middle Name: Last Name: * Clemence Gender: * Female Birthdate: * 1/1/1972 Email: * monicaclemence@gmail.com Day Phone: * 8502416615 Evening Phone: 8502416615 The above information will be saved to your Active account. Existing Addresses: 3707 Wood Hill Dr Tallahassee, FL 32303   [ Edit ] Tampa, FL 33615   [ Edit ] Use new address (below) Address Line 1: * Address Line 2: City: * Country: * United StatesAustraliaCanadaNew Zealand------AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCote D'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance - MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea - BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea - Democratic RepublicKorea - Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLau Democratic RepublicLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia IslandSpainSri LankaSt Vincent and GrenadinesSt. HelenaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City StateVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (U.S.)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenYugoslaviaZaireZambiaZimbabwe State: * AAAEAKALAPARASAZCACOCTDCDEFLFMGAGUHIIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMPMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPAPRPWRISCSDTNTXUTVAVIVTWAWIWVWY    Outside USA:  Zip/Postal Code: * Make this a primary address? VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT • I will respect the rights, dignity and worth of athletes, coaches, other volunteers, friends and spectators of the Event. • I will treat everyone equally regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or physical ability, and regardless of whether such person has HIV/AIDS or sickle cell trait. • I will dress and act at all times in a manner which will be appropriate to my assigned responsibilities and a credit to myself, the athletes and the benefited Charitable Organization. • I will display control, respect, dignity and professionalism to all involved including athletes, coaches, opponents, officials, administrators, parents, Event spectators and media. Profanity and taunting are subject to immediate ejection. • I will respect the property of all hotels dormitories, schools, athletic, recreational and dining facilities. • I will report any emergencies to the appropriate authorities. • I will not take part in the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances while at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Nor will I take part in smoking or chewing tobacco while at the Walt Disney World® Resort. • I will not engage in any type of inappropriate behavior, sexual activity, and/or verbal or physical abuse. • I will abide by the rules and direction set forth by the benefited Charitable Organization. This Code of Conduct is designed to assist each volunteer in abiding by the philosophy of The Benefited Charitable Organization and its mission. Any volunteer who does not follow this Code of Conduct will be immediately terminated from current and future volunteer shifts and may be prohibited from participation in the Event. By signing this form and showing my photo identification I acknowledge that I have read the Volunteer Code of Conduct and all release and notifications and agree to adhere to said terms. I acknowledge that I have read the Volunteer Code of Conduct and all releases and notifications and agree to adhere to said terms.* YES Volunteer Shifts Available for Runner's Packet Preparation: (These shifts include the preparation of runner's registration envelopes and goody bag stuffing. Although some of these shifts occur in 2012, hourly credit for volunteers will be included in 2013.) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Mon, Dec 17, 2012, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Tues, Dec 18, 2012, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Wed, Dec 19, 2012, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Thurs, Dec 20, 2012, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Fri, Dec 21, 2012, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Mon, Jan 7, 2013, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Tues, Jan 8, 2013, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Runner Packet Preparation Volunteer, Wed, Jan 9, 2013, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Volunteer Shifts Available for Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Expo (AM): (Sports Enthusiasts who volunteer at Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo and also volunteer at either or both of the WDW Half Marathon or the WDW Marathon will receive a bonus complimentary one day, one park water park ticket.) (Choose a Maximum of 1 option) Expo Volunteer, Thursday, Jan 10, 2013, 7:30 AM-2:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Volunteer Shifts Available for Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Expo (PM): (Sports Enthusiasts who volunteer at Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo and also volunteer at either or both of the WDW Half Marathon or the WDW Marathon will receive a bonus complimentary one day, one park water park ticket.) (Choose a Maximum of 1 option) Expo Volunteer Check In, Thursday, Jan 10, 2013, 1:30 PM-7:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Expo Volunteer, Thursday, Jan 10, 2013, 1:30 PM-7:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Kids RacesVolunteer, Thursday, Jan 10, 2013, 1:30 PM-7:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Volunteer Shifts Available for Friday, January 11, 2013 at 5K and Expo (AM): (Sports Enthusiasts who volunteer at Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo and also volunteer at either or both of the WDW Half Marathon or the WDW Marathon will receive a bonus complimentary one day, one park water park ticket.) (Choose a Maximum of 1 option) 5K Race Volunteer, Friday, Jan 11, 2013, 4:00 AM-9:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Expo Volunteer, Friday, Jan 11, 2013, 7:30 AM-2:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Kids Races Volunteer, Friday, Jan 11, 2013, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Volunteer Shifts Available for Friday, January 11, 2013 at Expo (PM): (Sports Enthusiasts who volunteer at Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo and also volunteer at either or both of the WDW Half Marathon or the WDW Marathon will receive a bonus complimentary one day, one park water park ticket.) (Choose a Maximum of 1 option) Expo Volunteer Check In, Friday, Jan 11, 2013, 1:30 PM-7:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Expo Volunteer, Friday, Jan 11, 2013, 1:30 PM-7:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Volunteer Shifts Available for Saturday, January 12, 2013 at either the Health and Fitness Expo or the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Half Marathon:(Choose a Maximum of 1 option) Expo Volunteer Check In, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 7:30 AM-1:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Expo Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 8:30 AM-1:00 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Kids Races, Saturday, January 12, 2013, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM(Minimum Age 15 Years) Transportation Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 12:30 AM-7:00 AM (Minimum Age 16 Years) Bag Check Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 1:30 AM-7:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Medals Set Up Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 1:30 AM-7:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Race Retreat Lounge Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 1:30 AM-7:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Refreshments Set Up Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 1:30 AM-7:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Crowd Control Monorail/Buses Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 2:00 AM-7:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Runner Water Race Start Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 2:00 AM-7:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Medals Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 3:00 AM-11:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 0.8 Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 3:00 AM-8:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 4.1 Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 3:15 AM-9:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Crowd Control Start Viewing/Staging Volunteer, Sat., Jan 12, 2013,3:30 AM - 7:30 AM (Minimum Age 12) Course Monitor Magic Kingdom Auto Plaza, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 3:45 AM-10:15 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 9.9 Volunteer, Sat., Jan 12, 2013, 3:45 AM - 10:30AM(Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 11.3 Volunteer, Sat., Jan, 12, 2013,4:00AM -11:00AM(Minimum Age 12 Years) Course Monitor Epcot Volunteer, Sat., Jan. 12, 2013, 4:30 AM - 11:15AM(Minimum Age 12 Years) Runner Direction - Finish Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 5:30 AM-11:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Volunteer Check In Tent, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 6:00 AM-12:00 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) (not available) SAG Volunteer, Sat, Jan 12, 2013, 6:30 AM-11:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) (not available) Volunteer Shifts Available for Saturday, January 12, 2012 at Expo (PM): (Sports Enthusiasts who volunteer at Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo and also volunteer at either or both of the WDW Half Marathon or the WDW Marathon will receive a bonus complimentary one day, one park water park ticket.) (Choose a Maximum of 1 option) Expo Volunteer Check In, Saturday, Jan 12, 2013, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Expo Volunteer, Saturday, Jan 12, 2013, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM (Minimum Age 15 Years) Volunteer Shifts Available for Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon: (Choose a Maximum of 1 option) Volunteer Check In Tent, Sun, Jan, 13, 2013, 12:30 AM-8:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) (not available) Transportation Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 1:00 AM-7:30 AM (Minimum Age 16 Years) Refreshments Set Up Volunteer, Sun, Jan. 13. 2013, 1:30 AM - 7:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 years) Bag Check Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 1:30 AM-8:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Race Retreat Lounge Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 1:30 AM-9:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Runner Direction Start Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 2:00AM - 7:30AM, Minimum Age 12 years Crowd Control Monorail/Buses, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 2:00 AM-8:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Crowd Control Start Viewing, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 3:00 AM-8:30 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Water Stop # 0.8 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 3:00 AM-8:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power (ADE) Stop #0.8 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 3:00 AM-8:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 11.6 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 3:45 AM-11:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Water Stop # 16.3 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:15 AM-12:15 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 16.3 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:15 AM-12:15 PM (Min Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 19.5 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:30 AM-1:00 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 20.5 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:45 AM-1:15 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Water Stop # 21.8 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:45 AM-1:30 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Power(ADE) Stop # 21.8 Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:45 AM-1:30 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Course Monitor ESPN WWOS Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:30 AM-1:15 PM (Minimum Age 16 Years) Course Monitor MK Auto Plaza Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 3:15 AM-8:30 AM (Minimum Age 16 Years) Course Monitor Animal Kingdom Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:00 AM-11:30 AM (Minimum Age 16 Years) Course Monitor Hollywood Studios Volunteer,Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 5:15 AM-2:00 PM (Minimum Age 16 Yr) Course Monitor Int'l Gateway Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 5:00 AM-2:30 PM (Minimum Age 16 Years) Screaming Fans 22.3 Hollywood Studios, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 5:30 AM-1:45 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Screaming Fans 12.1 Animal Kingdom, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 4:45 AM-11:00 AM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Runner Direction Finish Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 6:30 AM-2:00 PM (Minimum Age 12 Years) Transportation Volunteer, Sun, Jan 13, 2013, 7:00 AM-1:30 PM (Minimum Age 16 Years) (not available) What size pullover jacket would you prefer? * (Please note that jackets are distributed to Marathon and Half Marathon volunteers only and sizes are not guaranteed to be available on event day. Answering this question will assist in planning for the best distribution.) - please select -SmallMediumLargeX LargeXX LargeXXX Large Are you employed by the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort? * - please select -YesNo If yes, what is your role and work location? Please list any medical needs that would affect your volunteer experience (ex: sensitivity to sunlight) Emergency Contact * Emergency Contact Phone *

I kept bugging him that week, and finally that Saturday I decided to just register us both for what I wanted – rather than wait for him.

I, of course wanted to hand out medals.  DG’s only request was “not directing cars”.

As you can see in red above – there is a nice incentive to volunteering at the Expo AND the race.  So with only our Friday Morning 5K in the way, we had some options for the Expo.  And we also thought we had many options for the Half or Full.

Well, no such luck.  All the options you see above were GONE.  Sold Out. Filled. Full. Done. There was only one option left:   Waiting List to be a volunteer for the Half ----  no preference whatsoever as to time, location, day, anything.   I selected that option for us both (before it too disappeared).  Then I grumbled at the husband and anxiously awaited some confirmation that we got in.

Well, that confirmation arrived yesterday in the mail, in the form of a letter.

DG and I are both stationed together at the Powerade/water station located at 0.8 miles into the Half Marathon.   Woo Hoo!

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/wdw-marathon/2013-Half-Marathon-Course-Map.pdf

The lessons here are:
1) Figure out which race/event you want to get involved in.  Several months prior, begin stalking the runDisney Volunteer webpage: http://www.rundisney.com/volunteer/ and look for your event.
2) Do NOT WAIT to sign up for the openings once they are up.  You must register through Active.com as if you were registering for a race, and slots seem to fill up VERY quickly. So JUMP on it.
3) If you are WAITLISTED, don't despair.  Keep your name on the waitlist.  There may be hope after all.
4) I didn't stress this above, but with the perks of being a Sports Enthusiast comes the responsibility of upholding the honor code outlined in the registration.  Of course, we will all conduct ourselves like polite respectful adults, and be excellent to each other, but I found most interesting the language prohibiting alcohol and tobacco use.   I use neither, nor does DG, but many people do, so if this is a habit, take note.  I'm not sure how the volunteer organizers crack down on this, but be aware that they may.

Anyone reading this post that will be running the Half, or volunteering or cheering at the Half, if you are able to do so, please come by my waterstop and wave Hello.  Since all the volunteers will be dressed in identical jackets, to stand out - I'll be in Bride Mouse Ears, and I'll get DG to wear Groom Mouse Ears. Look for a tall white guy in glasses standing with a short Hispanic woman; we should be easily recognizable. :)

As you can see, I am really excited about our next trip to WDW! We've also got our 5K and meetups happening that weekend of course.  But, I’ll write about the volunteer experience after we get back next month.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and enjoying any time off from work. I am celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas through Jan 6.  (Three Kings Day in Latin America).  And I will be celebrating my 41^st birthday on New Years Day.  Last year we spent NYE and NY Day at Magic Kingdom, but with work schedules and everything – we are here in Tallahassee for my birthday this year.  I got some really great runner goodies lately from many different Santas that are worthy of a post. And my birthday may bring more yet...

If I don’t post again before January 1, have a wonderful and safe New Year’s celebration.