Very flat course but 85+% on emptied highways with little to see except other runners.

More strikingly, the whole event left me somewhat emotionally flat. This was my 24th marathon but 1st at Disney. Call me old-fashioned...but I think there's something to be said for not being overly structured. Sure, the marketing & planning gangs are top notch but the weekend had such a heavy Disney hand that it all felt too forced and artificial...lacking any real emotion, heart or spontaneity.

I'm going back to races where things like the start countdown is given by a live announcer, not a pre-recorded voice.

Maybe trying to be so perfect isn't such a great thing after all.

- The course is NOT flat. It seemed as if we were frequently going over various overpasses and ramps. Nothing major, but enough to keep you from a PR.
- Plenty of water/sport drink stops with gel and fruit stops later in the race.
- The Disney people in the parks did a nice job of trying to encourage the runners. There were not many other spectators, since the parks were closed (those that were there- Thanks for your encouragement!).
- It WAS neat running through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.
- Expect to get up unbelievably early the day of the race. The buses from the Disney resorts to the Epcot parking lot run from 3:00 am - 4:00 am. From the parking lot you have to walk quite a distance to the start (it seemed like at least a mile) to make the 6:00 am start. Now that I have went through this 'process', I see that the only reason you need to go to the parking lot is to leave your clothing bag for after the race. If you are staying at one of the Disney resorts on the East side of Epcot, I wonder if you could just skip the clothing bag, sleep in a little, and walk over to the start line at about 5:30 am? Disney may have security people at the intersections to prevent this, however. Just a thought.
- Disney had plenty of port-a-johns at the parking lot and near the starting line. If you didn't want to wait at all, the walk to the start area provided ample woods on either side of the road.
- I expected to finish under the Epcot globe. Instead they run you through some alleyway to finish in the parking lot. Very disappointing.
- The weather is very unpredictable. You have to be ready to run in anything from the 20s to the 60s. Waiting 2 hours for the start can make even 50 degrees feel like winter if you aren't dressed warmly - wear more throw-away clothes than you think you will need.
- Most of the race is obviously on the connecting roadways and not in the parks, so it is not extremely scenic. For those of us from the north, however, it was nice to not see snow and to run in shorts and a singlet.
- I did not like being sucked into the Disney 'money machine' where everything costs and costs a lot. Lodging and food were very expensive. The race T-shirts are OK, but at the expo Disney was happy to sell you the types of shirts that should have been given to the runners in the first place. They even had the nerve to charge $1 a minute (I think) for massages after the marathon.
- In some ways the marathon had the feel of being on one of Disney's park attractions. As if this were a ride that we would get off of after 26.2 miles. I know many people worked very hard to put on the race and I appreciate their efforts, but the Disney stamp was apparent. It was a little like Disney doesn't understand all the needs of marathoners.
- This race is a novelty that many if not most marathoners probably will want to run once. More than once? I don't know.

Course is relatively flat. Much of the course is on open roadway and very boring. Of the 26.2 miles, only 7 to 8 miles are through 'entertaining' areas. It is neat to run through the four theme parks, but fan support outside of those areas is sparse. Disney controls the location of spectators and are herded like cattle. Therefore, your own fans were limited as to available viewing areas. Disney employees knew very little information concerning the race and were not helpful when asked. Plenty of water stops and medical facilities along the way. Volunteers were cheerful and helpful especially considering the inclement weather. Expo before the race was lacking from 'outside' suppliers and vendors. The best part of the race? - The medallion is super. If you live in Florida or need a family vacation in Florida, you need to run Disney Marathon. However, don't expect to see or receive everything you read in the brochures.

This race is not what it is advertised to be. Like all Disney events the organization was very good, water stops etc. However the course is very boring with many miles of roads with nothing but trees, overpasses, and Disney back lot maintenance facilities. The time spent running in the theme parks is a very small part of this course. For a large race that cost more than others, the expo, goodie bags, and T-shirt design were poor. Finishers medal was nice. The only spectators are the volunteers and those in the theme parks. Compared to Marine Corps, Myrtle Beach and Rock and Roll this is not a good marathon. I would not do it again.

Start with a 3:30 AM bus ride to be at a parking lot by the required 4 AM, stand around for 90 minutes in that parking lot, then add a 1 mile walk to the start area.
Running in the Wonderful World of Disney theme parks? Sure, if you think employee entrances, storage areas, backroads and the waste water treatment facility make up the park. Less than 2% in a decent part of the parks. 98% on spectator-less highway. Boring course and extremely expensive trip (expected). Not worth the money for 'major marathon' number 7.

The half marathon was great. There were times when the course had a bad view, but running through the parks was worth it. I loved it.

Early start (cold) may bother some. I liked it. The run through the parks is wonderful. However, most of the race is outside the parks with not many spectators. I ran it every year as long as I lived in Florida. I miss it but I dont think I will travel to Florida to run it again. If you want to really have fun and great race run New York.

I am not complaining about how bad the marathon is. I am running it again in a few weeks. I just want people to know what they're in for. What they DON'T advertise.

Last year we had to be in place several hours before race start. It was about 32 degrees and quite chilly. One can only warm up for so long. I recommend bringing some throw away sweats.

The course is more than 70% on roads between the parks and has quite a few overpasses. The scenery on those roads leaves a lot to be desired. Spectators are very sparse if you look for that sort of thing.

I thought there were plenty of aid stations and the volunteers were great. I will only run this as long as I live nearby though. It is much more expensive than other marathons and not as good.

I'm a cold weather runner so the early morning start didn't bother me...some it might. The biggest gripes involve the course....boring overpasses and highways. This is directly proportional to the number of spectators, which was next to zero. They try to make you forget about these really big inadequacies by running you through the theme parks for a few miles. Those are great, no doubt about it, but they really don't compensate for a subpar course. Did it once, not again. I suggest you do it once just to say you have but leave it at that. There are others that are better. Have fun. Good running.

The race starts way-way too early(6am). You are asked to be in your Hotel lobby by 4:30 am to make it to the start on time(nuts!). There was no water at the start for runners. This is Disney so of course you could buy water. The course was 70% on their parkways and highways. You get a beautiful tour by Disneys sewer treatment facility. Fan support is really non-existent. The marathon tee shirt was an non descript shirt that has no year on it, which means that if you wanted a decent shirt with the year you could buy it(remember this is Disney where if they can make a buck off you they will). This race was nothing but sizzle and not a hint of steak. Pleasssse do yourself a favor and pass on this one.