Goofy is about the challenge. Disney got me into running at a difficult time in my life (divorce) and helped me get through that period better than I could have thought. That first race was 10 years ago. I always wanted to do Goofy or Dopey just because of the challenge and do it at Disney. Just feels like a “full circle” type of thing ten years later. I don’t care about the characters either. I have never once stopped for a character at a Disney race.
I have looked at other races that might have a similar challenge. I have yet to find one.
Goofy - that's what I'm planning to do for a second year in a row because:
(a) I can do it in a weekend, unlike the Dopey
(b) anniversary of the Goofy
(c) I hate coming all the way down and not maximizing my time there
Expo: I get in and out of there as quickly as possible; I can't think of the last time there was something I wanted or needed. The expo itself is something to navigate while getting my shirts. The merch building, I can spend a bit more time in, but in recent years it has all been slim pickings, even on Wed night. The one time I want Disney to take my money, and they don't have much.
runDisney: the one attraction that has the gift shop at the beginning of the ride....
Disney itself: Yes, I'm in the camp of where they regularly tick me off with their prices and policies. Things like telling the volunteers that they will no longer get any perks is a shaft. Or some of their virtual queue nonsense. ("No rider slots left for today. But it's 5 minutes to closing and no one is here. Yes, but all slots are taken." Grrrr) The cost of the races themselves are huge, but there isn't anywhere else that is such a fun place to run, plus they have to pay cast members for all the character photo ops and starting the day stupid early in the morning. That said, would it kill Disney to include a park ticket with a challenge, half, or marathon entry? It isn't as if we wouldn't make it up in merch or food. The courses? They are what they are. Back in 2011 we ran a longer distance through HS, which was really cool. Now they have us do a cameo and out the door. I'd rather ditch the BB loop and return to the longer HS path, but I'm guessing they don't want us traipsing through Tatooine....
Since I'm not down there also doing a vacation, I've come to terms with the fact that it is something I really like doing, and to not pay attention to what I'm spending, and enjoy the atmosphere (like none other!), the medals, and the shirts. I'm not down there for the other race weekends, nor traveling to other cities for races, or even doing very many local races, so I enjoy my MW's.
And I will say this, comparing my 2009/2011 medals and shirts to present day? No comparison. The medals are so much fancier and the shirts more colorful and with more interesting designs. I really enjoy wearing my rD race shirts, and the reactions to the distances.
Fun fact: when I traveled to MW in 2009 for my first ever half and first ever rD race, I didn't know about the medals. I thought it would just be a t-shirt like all the 10K's that I've done, so the medals have been a pleasant surprise.
YMMV