You read that right – I spoke to someone who works for the company that programs the runDisney registration queue software! Not just runDisney, either; in this conversation, Oogie Boogie Bash tickets came up too.
I’m going to keep it vague for safety. Nothing about our chat suggested that the info I received was in any way secret, but I don’t want to accidentally get anyone in trouble. So just trust me when I say that this individual knows what they’re talking about.
WAIT, WHAT’S THE runDISNEY REGISTRATION QUEUE?
Juuuuuust in case you’re new to the runDisney game, let me clarify what I mean by registration queue. See, a lot of people try to register for runDisney race bibs when they drop. If they were all allowed to descend on the website at once, it would crash. No bibs for anyone!
So instead, before anyone can enter said website, everyone is put in a sort of virtual waiting room. Currently, you’re allowed into the waiting room a bit (variable, but usually between 5 and 15 minutes) before the official bib drop time.
Once the predetermined time rolls around, everyone already inside the waiting room is randomly assigned a number. Anyone who subsequently enters the waiting room will be assigned a number behind the pre-registrants in order of arrival. As the numbers tick up, people are slow-dripped into the website proper, where they can make their bib purchase. If the bib you want sells out before your number comes up, well, them’s the breaks.
It’s not a perfect system, but it removes at least one potential major technological barrier from the proceedings. And since runDisney is unlikely to institute a lottery system, it’s probably the best case scenario for keeping the descending hordes organized in as fair a fashion possible.
SO WHAT DID I LEARN ABOUT THE runDISNEY REGISTRATION QUEUE?
I had one main question for my queue contact, and it was this:
Does opening multiple browsers clog, slow down, or otherwise mess up the registration process?
I ask because I’ve seen this point brought up in debate by many people, most commonly in social media comments. Technically you can only enter the registration queue once per browser. To get around this, lots of people – myself included – use multiple browsers, as well as incognito windows, to increase their odds. Think of it as buying multiple lottery tickets. You’re still at the mercy of Lady Luck, but you’ve gifted yourself more chances.
However, I’ve frequently seen rhetoric claiming that this “slows down” the virtual queue process and makes it clunkier and more laborious for everyone involved. Some people even say it makes your odds worse. I guess suggesting that system knows somehow and punishes you for trying to get clever?
Well, let’s finally put these rumors to rest. Per my insider, multiple browsers has no bearing on how well the queue runs OR your randomly assigned position. There are no plans to crack down on multiple browser usage, as this would be addressing what on their end is a nonexistent problem. The queue system is expressly designed to deal with massive numbers of people, so there’s nothing to “clog.”
BUT IS THAT FAIR?
Now, if you wanted to argue that multiple browsers is unfair, you could… kind of. Yes, the most fair way to go about it would be one “lottery ticket” per person. However, the system allows you to give yourself an advantage. It’s not a pay to play scenario like Club runDisney, either. Anyone can open multiple browsers and/or incognito windows if they’re so inclined. Nor is it a matter of resources. It’s a matter of knowledge and experience.
Think of it in terms of other Disney tech systems, like Lightning Lanes. If you know that Disney drops additional Lightning Lane return times on the hour, and therefore make it a point to refresh the app at the time for the best selection, is that cheating?
If you know that refreshing the Cosmic Rewind virtual queue a second before the drop time as opposed to one the dot will get you in ahead of other hopefuls, is that cheating?
You didn’t do anything anyone else couldn’t. The difference is that, through either research or experience, you knew enough to do it. I don’t see how multiple browsers on registration day is any different.
NEVER MIND runDISNEY; WHAT’S THE OOGIE BOOGIE BASH DEAL?
My insider had one more interesting piece of information. They said that there’s legislation in California that may make doing pre-entry for virtual registration/commerce queues illegal. Apparently it’s considered unfair? If it passes, everyone would have to enter the registration queue at the drop time (usually 10am). Thus it would become a question of getting in line first. No more randomly assigned queue order for anyone who entered ahead of time.
This would not only affect the Disneyland runDisney races, but other Disney events that currently use a similar on sale system, and here Oogie Boogie Bash was specifically name dropped. I can only assume this would mean something similar for Magic Key drops.
Should that be the case, it will no longer be an advantage to have multiple browsers. At least not on the same computer. Whichever one you opened first would automatically be the first to get through to the purchase page. You might be able to leverage multiple computers, especially if you have someone(s) to help.
I don’t know when or even if this is gonna happen. No sense in getting worked up ahead of time. But if it does, it will materially change the landscape of Disneyland’s runDisney, party, and other event purchases.
IN CONCLUSION
Case closed, folks: open as many browsers as you want on runDisney race registration day. Go nuts. Increase your odds.
I’ll be curious to see if anything changes in California. For myself, I honestly don’t understand what about the pre-opening waiting room’s randomly assigned numbers is unjust.
If you have an opinion in either direction, I’d love to hear it!
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Twitter @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!