The New York Road Runners’ virtual races are free, unless runners are using them as a way to get into a sellout race. In 2018, the organization opened 500 spots for runners to run a virtual marathon, which, if they completed it, would get them a race medal and guaranteed entry into the New York City Marathon this year (it cost $150, compared to $295 to run in the actual marathon; they also got a finisher medal but no finisher shirt). For guaranteed entry into the 2020 Brooklyn Half Marathon, runners can sign up for and complete each of six virtual races, at $20 per race. They also get access to a virtual trainer as part of their fee.
When NYRR found out they could no longer charge 100,000 people $10 for the lottery fee = a free $1,000,000 they had to find some other 'scrupulous' way of making easy money on people's gullibility.
Now they charge you a premium of $120 to guarantee your entry next year.
Brilliant.
Disney is no different.