Did the Goofy; overall, it was a great experience. Small, enthusiastic crowds; plenty of water stops; great photo ops. I left thoughts of good race times at home in PA. These races were going to be about FUN and Disney did not disappoint. Lots of first-time marathoners there; good choice for a race. The half included a race for soldiers deployed in Iraq - nice touch. I stayed onsite, did the parks, bought stuff, and ate all my meals there. So with all the money I threw down you couldn't have a voucher for a cup of coffee Saturday and Sunday morning? Only other complaint was about the expo: some nice Goofy-themed clothing in sizes XL - XXL. How about more M and L for those who don't arrive until Friday?

This was our second Disney, and this year we did the Goofy Challenge, and it was wonderful. The organization is excellent, corrals are just fine if you have a prior time, but not so good if you are a runner and get stuck with walkers in G or H. This year we were in B & C, and it was so much easier getting a free space to run, and we were with people running relatively the same pace at the start. Aid stations are plentiful and great volunteers helping that little extra Disney Magic way they do. We love all of the great sights in the parks and the special character greets they put out along the way, and it really sets this event apart. We will be back, and cannot recommend it highly enough. Now if we can just figure out a way to get free in the fall to complete the "Coast to Coast Challenge." I've read others complain that the crowds are sparse, but I've run a couple where I could not even see a runner in front or behind, much less a crowd, so to me, it appeared that Disney was overflowing with enthusiastic supporters. The best!!! My only caveat is to listen when people say to get there early. It is important, and it does give you time to calm down and settle in. Just enjoy the event, every bit of it, and you will leave with a big smile and a determination to come back.

I did the Goofy Challenge and it was one of my best marathon experiences ever. I took it slow in the half and was able to run a PB in the full marathon. Organization was excellent. Plenty of entertainment on the course, especially for the marathon and enthusiastic fans. Getting up in the middle of the night and waiting for the start in the cold was not so great, but it wasn't too bad either.

Yes, there are some negatives (cost, crowded, early start), but I would highly recommend this event for runners looking for a "fun" race. Running down Main St. toward the castle at the Magic Kingdom with all the lights on is one of my all-time running highlights. Spectators are sparse, but enthusiastic. You are truly made to feel special that day. Did the Goofy Challenge - might as well if you're already spending tons of money for flights, hotels, etc.

Don't go for PR or BQ. Embrace the surroundings. Stop for pictures with Mickey, Donald, Buzz, etc. Medals are great.

I've previously run the Philly Half twice. This was my first full marathon.

Cons:
Early start. Long walk to the start. I didn't have a qualifying marathon time so I was put in the very last corral and ended up with the walkers. This made for a frustrating start - ran the first 3 miles on the grass on the side of the road. But that's my problem because I didn't have a qualifying time for better placement - not Disney's.

The pros absolutely outweigh the cons. This marathon was SO MUCH FUN for so many reasons! Yes, you only run through the parks for a short time, but this gives you something to look forward to every few miles. Additional pros: Photos with characters along the way, employees and volunteers with big smiles, and great encouragement. Frequent water stops and clean porta-potties with short lines. The miles just kept flying by - there wasn't a single time where I thought to myself, "Oh my goodness. I have 14 miles left... I am never going to make it." The entertainment and sights between the parks are great. I only needed my iPod for a short time between Animal Kingdom and MGM.

I will definitely be back, hopefully in a better corral for a better time. Oh - and the course is flat!!

Disney is a shrewd business. It really depends on your value of their hyped "Magical Experience" to justify the event. It's understandable that they are going to mitigate the run's impact on the park by starting early, and they do pretty good in keeping the course entertaining (fireworks, bands, hot air balloons, characters, etc.). Personally, though, since it is so profit-driven, it's a "one-and-done" event for me. I didn't use the "free" park ticket since, like many others, I was already there on a Disney vacation plan. I would have preferred the option of maybe the pre-race exclusive runner tent or simply not paying $3 for a small cup of coffee. So in a nutshell, squeeze what you can from the photo ops along the course and savor the run because really what's "magical" is if you are left with any money when you leave.

If you want a cheap, convenient marathon with easy logistics, this is not the one for you. You have to pay a high fee, get up early, wait around in the dark for a long time before the start, and go through lots of turns with lots of people.

However, if you like Disney and want a big marathon and don't care about having to get up at 3:00 a.m., then this is the marathon for you.

This is my 6th Disney Marathon and 23rd overall. The course is flat, fast and fun. Of course you have to get up early, but in my opinion, that's a plus. For those who complain about the early start time and walk to the corrals, you know what you are getting into when you register. It's not as if Disney springs this on you on race morning, so you need to get over it.

Positives include the organization (Disney knows how to move mass quantities of people), the enthusiastic and pleasant volunteers, abundant water stops, the early start time and the high school bands on the course.

Negatives include the very lame post-race food, as well as an over-the-top corporate sell while standing in the start corral. Runners want to hear some tunes (or nothing at all), not the VP of Marketing from X Corporation [fill in the blank] telling us how happy X Corp is to sponsor the race.

Fans get a 3 because the ranks are pretty thin, but that's more a factor of Disney running us through the back feeder roads away from civilization. Oh yeah - a little more time in Animal Kingdom would be nice. It's a pretty long (read: boring) way from the 14-mile mark at Grand Floridian to the 22+ mile mark entering Hollywood Studios. The fans that are on the course can pump up the volume, though.

Always a good time at Disney; 2011 did not disappoint.

This was my fourth marathon and my second in a large crowd. (I also have run several half marathons in large crowds.) I do think this race is expensive, but with Marathon Monday, which was offered for the first time this year, I feel it was worth it. I got to the start line early. You have to walk about 20 minutes from the parking lot to the actual starting corral. There are plenty of porta-potties by the start area. I was a little surprised that quite a lot of the race was run in the back of the theme parks. My favorite part was running on Main Street and through the castle in Magic Kingdom. Running in Animal Kingdom, there were three spectators with live sheep, which was funny. Lots of Disney characters on the course to take your picture with, and lots of official race photographers on the course. The organization for this race was superior; there were plenty of water stops for everyone. I can't imagine running the same race twice, but maybe I will run this one again if they offer Marathon Monday again. And next time I would consider the Goofy Challenge. We had a blast and I think it should be run at least once.

Very organized... Disney always is. I did the Goofy... so I was not worried about my time. This is the place for relaxed runners, not diehards, looking to best their PR's. Great place for your first-time marathoners. I love the medals and shirts. I don't like the 2:30 wake up... and the long walk and wait at the start. I do understand that they have to start early, and with so many people, they don't really have a choice. Great, fun run; yes, I would do Disney again, for the third time!