I also did Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge and both races are extremely crowded but the 1/2 marathon crowd was insane! From the time you pick up your packet to the finish line you stand shoulder to shoulder in line after line after line. Half marathoners were walking from the beginning and were more than 8 people abreast at times. Runner etiquette was just not there. It was impossible to pass on the left. I am not a fast marathoner but would like to have the choice to run. I did Goofy's Challenge in 2009 and the 1/2 was crowded but nothing like this year. Running through the parks and having pictures taken with the characters is great but the 1/2 marathon sours the experience. The marathon Sunday seemed tame compared to the 1/2. Still, there were too many walkers on the far left of the course when no one was walking to their right. Gel stations are advertised however beware two gel stations had run out during the marathon. I didn't even see a gel station for the half so bring your own! I left the expo without looking at the vendor's tables because it was over crowded. I had planned to buy a Goofy's Challenge shirt and a marathon t-shirt but by Friday at noon the entire Goofey's challenge section was picked clean and they were out of marathon cotton t-shirts! Very disappointing after waiting in the 'Mickey Mile' line to get into the expo.

This was my 7th Disney Marathon and 25th overall. The 'new' course for the 20th Anniversary was underwhelming. The 4+ mile 'detour' into the Wide World of Sports could not have been 'imagined' by a marathon-running Disney Imagineer. There were too many silly twists and turns that were seemingly slapped together to get the required 26.2 miles under our belts. I also missed the time in Epoct right after the start, before heading to the Magic Kingdom. It is a hidden gem in the race and should be reinstated. Lastly, taking a lap around the Petty race track was 'goofy,' but not in a good WDW way. Please return the runners in 2014 to the original course!

Course issues aside, this is still a great destination marathon. It is well organized (except the placement of the porta-johns on the feeder ramp to the corrals caused an epic traffic jam) and I have always enjoyed the early start.

This is my second marathon. The course itself is fantastic - but there is a need for improvement. To start of the Expo is great. Well organized, we did go right when it was about to close, but still got in and out. Fast forward to race morning. We had to catch a bus a 3:30 AM!!! They wanted you in your corral no later than 4:00am. With the amount of people, I understand this, but the race itself didn't start until 5:30. The last corrals didn't leave until 6:30am!! So we were standing around for 2+ hours. What's worse, is there were no porter potties at the corrals. there were some at the beginning like at corral A, but us slow folks in G and H had NONE. but since no one knew when their corral was leaving, we were scared to go back to the potties. everyone had to pee in the woods...a little ridiculous considering how much money we paid. I figured for sure there would be porter potties on the course. There were literally TWO at every other mile and lines were very long. Truly obsurd!!!! Come on Disney..we paid over $180.00 and you can't manage to have restrooms? The course was pretty magical. Except for the ESPN center. AND that 5 mile stretch on some highway. We were on about mile 16. They made us run around a TRACK - yep 400 meters around a track. The speedway lap wasn't bad because that was entertaining, but the track was ridiculous. the 20th anniversary at mile 20 was really really cool. They had all the disney characters and playing my favorite Lion King theme!!! All in all, it was a good marathon...but I have to say the bathroom situation was stupid. I lost 20 min on my time just wating for a bathroom.

Greetings. This is my 6th Disney and first Goofy. I've run 20 marathons (5 International) but have not seen any place that does it better than Disney. From start to finish, this is a world class event. The word is getting out and runners are coming but the event it getting overcrowded-the new course is overrated.

Too many bottle necks and you still run by the sewage plan. This year the wind was blowing the other way - thank God. Please Disney, if you are listening, please change the course to fit what Disney can really provide. On a special note 'HOW ABOUT THOSE VOLUNTEERS - THEY ARE BETTER THAN WORLD CLASS!!! Yes, I will do the Goofy next year.

Just completed the 20th anniversary run. Overall it was fantastic and highly recommend it as the first race. I did a 1/2 in Oct. You are going to be hurting, might as well be at the happiest place on earth, no?

The walk to start line and lack of port-a-potty in corrals could have been better managed. There has to be a better way to get started and finish. Why not start in a park and finish at the same place? A lot easier for runners, family members, and commuting/travel. The stretches of the route that are industrial are just not fun. Is this the best way through the parks?

Expo was great. There was a lot of energy everywhere and every moment of it. Post race recovery/chute area was great. A lot of medical help and camaraderie. I will do it again...and it will be Goofy!

This was my seventh WDW race, with fulls, half, and two Goofys in the mix. This year I just ran the full for the new medal, which was a great medal. There were way too many runners. The buses could not get spectators around, the expo was so crowded I did not stop at one vendor, as it took too long to get in, it was like the line to the Toy Story ride, you needed a fast pass because I stood in line for almost one hour just to get in! I wish they had kept the limit at 15000.

This was my 4th Disney and 2nd Goofy Challenge. The event organizer and the Disney organization are 2nd to none but they have allowed the number of runners to exceed the capacity of the course. Over 25,000 runners for each of the major events this year(1/2 marathon on Saturday and marathon on Sunday)caused a number of bottle necks along the course, slowing runners to a walk. The Expo had great Vendors but the venue is now too small for the over 55,000 participants for the weekends events. The Disney cast is supportive and I love seeing my favorite Disney characters along the way. The fact that the course and Expo venue simply can not support the number of runners are the only drawback to an otherwise Magical Weekend.If you are not worried about your finish time, don't mind crowds but want to have fun, this is still a great event.

I have run 65 marathons and this one ranks as my second favorite (only the Swiss Alpine Marathon ranking higher). From start to finish Disney put on a classy and spectacular event. I will be back to run this one again and again!

This was my tenth year of Marathon running and my 42nd race. I wanted to go big and I went to Disney. Was it worth paying $380 to register for the Goofy? Getting up at 2:00 AM? Was it worth the flight, hotel, costs, etc.,
For a special race yes. I prefer smaller races where you can drive to the start and finish, spend less than $150 for the hotel and registration. Orlando has a lot to offer and I could spend all days sitting in my hotel balcony looking at the palm trees than shovellilng snow or calculating wind chill in Canada. A costly, memorable race with a few logistical snags but worth it if you are looking for a special reason to leave a cold climate and enjoy the sun. The Southern hospitality is amazing and you can wrestle an alligator at Gatorland Zoo ($10).

I wanted to run a marathon for my 30th birthday and when I found out that the Disney marathon was actually on my birthday weekend my decision was made!

I stayed at the Caribbean Resort and loved that they had a bus system set up specifically for the race weekend events. I only had to walk a few minutes to the bus stop and then was dropped off only a short walk to the main area for the marathon. I would really recommend a Disney Resort if you don't want to have to stress over getting where you have to go!

Although 2012 was probably considered a milder temperature year it felt quite hot to me after training in freezing cold temperatures in Ontario, Canada. Unfortunately the design of the course had me hitting the longest stretch of highway right around the time the heat really started to hit me. I had to start walking a lot at about the 18 mile point. I got especially discouraged when the course doubled back on itself during this stretch. I also found that you ran on a lot of freeway on/off ramps which I found difficult on my legs.

Running through the parks was really cool but I was so focused I didn't really get to enjoy it. I also enjoyed the various themed entertainment along the highway stretches. The highway stretches can be a bit long and boring but with the placement of the parks there's not much that can be done about that.

I think my favorite part was a couple hours after the marathon when I was 'waddling' around the parks wearing my medal and all the park staff were complementing me on my accomplishment! It was also fun to see all the other people with the medals around their necks 'waddling' around too!

I would really like to come back and do this marathon again but I would like to do it just for fun and take time to really enjoy being in the parks and maybe even stop for a picture with Captain Hook or one of the other characters. I also think it would be more enjoyable now that I'm better trained and have more marathons experience.