A Complete Guide to Run Disney Weekends at Walt Disney World

Updated : MARCH 2024

Run Disney is the branch of the Disney company that hosts races in the Disney parks. At this time, races are taking place in Walt Disney World (FL), Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland (CA). There are also several Virtual Races offered each year.

I’ve participated in three Run Disney weekends, one as a spectator when my husband ran the 2016 Disney World Marathon and two as a runner running both the Princess Half Marathon in 2018 and the Disney World Half Marathon in 2023. I loved each of these experiences because Run Disney is a special kind of magic and unlike any other race. The atmosphere is so positive and fun that it’s the perfect place to race for a new runner. Run Disney is a true community geared to raise up each participant no matter your skill level. The organization of the races and the weekend overall is top notch and everything you need is taken care of for you. I highly recommend the experience and can’t wait to participate again myself.

In this entry I will be discussing the details of Run Disney weekends at Disney World.

Run Disney races take place during “race weekends” where a series of races are held in the mornings over three to four consecutive days. These weekends draw large crowds and each race has thousands and thousands of runners. 

The distance of the races ranges in length from a 5K (3.1 miles) to a full marathon (26.2 miles). Some race weekends also feature Kid’s Races that take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports and are shorter in distance.

Participants must be registered and races paid for ahead of time. Registration typically opens up about 9 months prior to the race and since the races can and do sell out quickly, particularly the shorter distances, I suggest planning far ahead by knowing what day registration opens up and registering ASAP.  

All distances welcome runners, joggers, or walkers. You just have to be able to keep up a 16 mile per minute pace. There is also a hand cycling division for special needs athletes.

Every finisher will earn the same medal at the finish line. 

The Events

The race offerings stay fairly consistent year to year. There are four race weekends a year at Disney World and, while each weekend has a theme, each race will also have a sub-theme. For example at Princess Half Marathon Weekend the overall theme is Disney Princesses while the 10K race theme may be Cinderella specifically. These change annually but there are often patterns that emerge over the years so a look at the past themes will give you an idea of what you can expect for future themes.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January

• 5K
• 10K
• Half Marathon 
• Full Marathon 
• Goofy Challenge – Half Marathon and Full Marathon 
• Dopey Challenge – 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon 

Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February

• 5K
• 10K
• Half Marathon 
• Fairy Tale Challenge – 10K & Half Marathon

Springtime Surprise – April

• The theming of these races and their distances change every year.

Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November

• 5K
• 10K
• Half Marathon 
• Two Course Challenge – 10K & Half Marathon

Challenges

If you really want to challenge yourself and earn an extra medal at the final finish line, you can sign up for a challenge. In a challenge you run multiple races back to back on consecutive days the ultimate goal being the Dopey Challenge where you run a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and then Full Marathon over the course of four mornings. 

The Courses

The race courses will take you through at least one Disney park and, for the longer races, through several. While your time running in the park will be memorable and thrilling, the vast majority of the race will be on highways and roads throughout Disney property. 

Starting lines and finish lines are in parking lots, most typically at EPCOT with the view of Spaceship Earth in the background. 

The highlight of many half and full marathons is running in Magic Kingdom down Main Street and through Cinderella’s Castle. 

The Expo

The day before, or a few days before your race, you will have to visit the Expo which is held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and is accessible by bus from your Disney resort.

Here you will pick up the bib you’ll wear during the race, drop off your safety waiver, and get your included t-shirt. You will also have the opportunity to purchase additional Run Disney merchandise and shop at one of many third party vendors.

There are running seminars you can attend free of charge and this iswhere the kids races are run.

Getting There 

Disney provides free bus transportation from all Disney hotels to the race Start but be sure to get in line early for the bus. I suggest getting there at least 15 minutes before the first bus is scheduled.

The buses will also run later to bring you back to the hotel once you’ve finished the race. 

The monorail will also be running. 

You also have the option to drive to the starting area and park so , again, make sure you get there early as roads will close to allow for the race to start. 

** Always double and triple check your bus and start times the day before and follow Run Disney on social media for any updates or day-of emergency changes ** 

The Race Itself!

Be ready for large crowds!

You will see lots of running outfits and costumes because almost everyone has a themed outfit, their race shirt. or some will even be wearing elaborate costumes.

Expect a long walk to the starting line because the buses drop you off near the runners Welcome Area. Here you will find port-a-potties, character meet and greets, and bag check. From there you will walk to the starting area which is about a mile walk by the time you get to the start line.

Every runner is assigned a starting corral (group) based on their submitted expected finish time and where you line up at the start is based on that group. Runners are released onto the course in waves and this process can take some time, about an hour for a half marathon, for the entire field to start. 

While on the course, make sure you keep a pace of 16 minutes per mile. Disney starts the pacing count when the last runner crosses the starting line, so if you started 20 minutes before the last wave enters the course then you have some cushion on the pace. The “balloon ladies” are a group of volunteers who are the last to start all Disney races and they keep to the exact 16 minute pace so as long as you’re in front of them you’re on pace. If you fall behind pace you’re in danger of being removed from the course or “swept” by Run Disney and placed on a bus to be driven to the finish line and not allowed to finish.

You will see lots of run/walking in both groups and individuals. This is a style of running where you run for a set interval of time and then walk for a set interval of time and Disney offers training programs on the Run Disney website that include this method. 

** Race Etiquette-When taking a walk break make sure to keep to the right. If you are going to stop running, raise your hand to let those behind you know. ** 

Photographers will be all over the course and at the finish line and you can spot them by their bright green vests and chairs. If you have Memory Maker you can link these photos to your account using your bib number or you can purchase them individually. I recommend purchasing Memory Maker in advance of your trip for the discount and so you can share your photos on social media ASAP. 

There is a ton of entertainment on the course:

• Character Stops – Get a photo with your favorite character mid-run
• Mile Markers – Every mile marker features a Disney character
• Music – DJs , drum lines, choirs, and more are along the course

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At The Finish Line

Seeing the finish line finally in front of you is an amazing feeling. You did it! The crowds are cheering, characters are high-fiving runners, and the announcers are celebrating all while photographers are snapping that perfect shot of you crossing the finish line. 

You will be given your medal, a snack box, water, and the chance to take photos with your medal. Then you’re ushered to the reunion area where you can meet up with your friends and family, meet more characters, shop for last minute merchandise, grab some light food, and hop the bus back to your hotel or walk to your car. 

Cheering 

If you have someone with you who would like to cheer Disney makes it easy to do.

You can cheer at pretty much any point along the course but some are easier to get to then others.

While you can’t cheer at the starting line, you can take the bus to the EPCOT parking area with your runner then hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom to see them run down Main Street. A ticket is not needed to get into Magic Kingdom for cheering.

Other great places to cheer, depending on the course, are at the Ticket and Transportation Authority, the Polynesian Resort, the Boardwalk Area, and Future World in EPCOT.

There is limited viewing at the actual Finish Line but you can see your runner shortly thereafter. You can also enjoy the reunion area out of sight of the course where there is some seating available.

Cheering fans are welcome to ride the buses and monorail with their runners. Be sure to check the bus times when you’re cheering as transportation runs before the race and at the end of the race but not all transportation continues to run during the race.

After your race and some rest time at the hotel this is the perfect opportunity for a special meal or to hit the parks wearing your brand new medal.

That’s Run Disney! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a Run Disney race weekend? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!