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Apr 29, 2024

Disney World Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 818 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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K. S. from Rolla, Missouri (1/13/2015) "Great race! But they skimped where they shouldn't" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race was amazing. My first Disney race event and I did the Dopey Challenge. Everyone is right when they say that the early mornings are hard. 4 mornings in a row of 2:30 wake ups are tough, but worth it. The course is great and the entertainment out on the course means you're rarely bored. Plus, so many people are running that there's ALWAYS someone to talk to and to cheer you on. That said, my ONE major complaint was that they refused to give out space blankets at the end. Even if you went to the medical tent, they said you could only get one if you were ill. When a race volunteer was asked why, they said that space blankets were deemed 'not medically necessary' for runners. Seriouslythe race series is expensive enough just to register. For the 5K you get a giant snack box. But they can't spare a few extra cents per runner for a blanket to maintain body heat after a grueling race? It's cheap and seems like a silly place to skimp.
D. M. from Ohio (10/22/2014) "Every Mile IS Magic (Mostly)" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Starting with the bad - the start is 5:30 but if you're taking the resort transportation, it's best to be on the bus by 3:00 or 3:30. Take note that this is a VERY popular race and, if you're in Corral C or later, expect the course to be crowded until around Mile 7 or so. There are a number of times in that first 6 miles where you are unable to run your pace because of how crowded it is. The Disney marathon has more walkers than I've seen at any other event. This exacerbates the congestion. I've seen people walking within the first half-mile! (How'd they get in an early corral?) Don't get me wrong - it's great to see people participating in marathons but I feel it needs to be pointed out in a review. The Disney races are very expensive, too, but since they sell out in a matter of minutes the free-market guy in me says maybe they need to charge more (don't tell Walt). Just be prepared to pay for a 5K or 10K what you would pay for a small, local Half or Full. That's all the bad I can think of. Everything else is great! The course is a BLAST! It's a bonus that Disney owns and controls all the land/roads that comprise the course. Yes, this is a meandering, serpentine course because of routing through the parks but that is definitely part of the draw. Running through the castle, in the backlots, through EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Wide World of Sports (WWOS) is unique and enjoyable. Plus, if you're a grown-up kid-at-heart, the characters along the way are icing on the cake. I've read others complain about running through WWoS. I have to disagree. It is such a unique experience for me (twice now) that I really savor that part of the course. Running on the sprint track and by all of the baseball diamonds is interesting...especially if they're playing ball that day but I like running through the baseball stadium. There's usually a large crowd there and the warning track is welcome to the feet after 20 miles of pavement. I will say that the course out of Animal Kingdom to WWoS is boring as heck. It's all highway and it's (to me) very mentally taxing. Maybe that's why I look forward to WWoS so much, too. Once you hit Hollywood Studios (around mile 22) it's a 'breeze'. The crowd support in the park is amazing and even more so along the path between Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Even though you've run 24 miles at that point, it's like walking on air because of the support from everybody out there. The course support is the BEST I've experienced. Besides the usual Port-a-potties the parks have real bathrooms!! You can wash your hands! The water stations are plentiful (almost too much - who needs a water stop at Mile 1?). The course entertainment is top-notch and I appreciate all the cast members out there cheering on the runners and handing out candy at Mile 23! The medals are also top-notch and easily the most conversation worthy to visitors to my house. Overall, I cannot say enough good things about the Disney marathon. It's the most expensive one out there yet still worth every penny!
K. P. from RI (3/13/2014) "Love The Weekend, but Please Go Back To Old Course" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fifth consecutive Disney Marathon and I enjoyed this weekend as much as all of the rest. Looking forward to heading down in 2015 for my sixth straight! Yes, the marathon is crowded and there are some really congested spots along the course, but if you pick your spots you can do ok. This year was my PR. The only negative is the course going thru the Wild World of Sports. That part of the course is terrible. The old course was so much better. You use to run thru EPCOT to start and it was so cool. It was still dark and between the lights of EPCOT and the massive crowds it was a very inspiring start. Now they cut that out and you are bored to death running thru the Wide World of Sports and highway with no spectators for miles 15-20. Anyone who is going to run the race in the future should send a note and try to get them to switch it back. But regardless the weekend is great.
Joe O'C from Sterling, MA, USA (2/10/2014) "Another DOPEY Runner checks in" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Like other folks i went down to Disney to run the Dopey challenge. It was a really great experience. PROs: Disney knows how to throw a party and the race shows it. Flat course is a lot of fun to run. Good entertainment Enthusiastic fans great set of medals lap of the track especially with the show cars sure beats the old run up and down a street CONs: Started in corral P we had stand too long in the cold going by the water treatment plant really actually stinks (smell) too much race time in the ESPN complex it got real boring real fast should have mickey, goofy and dopey in the finish area for pictures
M. R. from Orlando, Fl (1/26/2014) "Call me Doopey" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Disney World Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well run races over four days. Get ready for an early start but I like early starts. All four event came off flawlessly. The only complaint I have is the seeding for the Doopey runners -they had us to far back. Expo is nice with a good selection. The medals as always are big and very Disney. Food at the finish is different but I liked it - same food each day. Courses take you through the parks - I expecially like Magic Kingdom in the dark all lite up. Courses are basically flat. Long sleve tech shirts - better than the past few yeasr. Well supported and you can have pictures with every Disney character. This was my 30th marathon, my 100th half marathon, 7th Goofy and 1st Doopey. I will be back!
A. G. from London (1/25/2014) "Most fun I have had on a marathon" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Flawless organization, most encouraging spectators I have ever experienced, fantastic volunteers and Disney characters along the route - what more could you want? Came over from the UK to run the Goofy this year and loved it so much planning to come back for the Dopey.
A. B. from Kansas (1/17/2014) "FUN RUN" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 And this is truly a FUN RUN in every sense of the word. It is fun because of the atmosphere at the start, during the race, and after the race. It is fun in bringing back childhood memories. Or, in my case, in bringing back memories with my own children. And it is a fun run because the emphasis is on fun, not run. Where else would people stand in line for 25 minutes to get their picture taken with a Disney character? Where else would people get up at 2:30 in the morning to catch the bus to the start? Where else would runners willingly walk through Cinderella's castle because is seems the thing to do? This was my third trip to Disney. The first I ran the marathon; the second I ran the Goofy; and this year an undertrained me entered the Goofy but ran only the half. Obviously I like the races and the entire experience from the Expo to the finish line. Disney knows how to handle crowds and they know how to treat people. Don't go for the PR; don't go for the time; don't go to race. Go to have a true FUN RUN!
M. G. from Arizona (1/15/2014) "High expectations met..." (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Judge the merits of this race objectively. No one handles organization and execution better than Disney (Chicago is a close second). It's best to have the right expectations when running Disney-it's almost a full week event (four races plus a day to visit the expo). This race is costlier than others but it IS worth it. The QUALITY of what they do is far above others. Their limitless army of volunteers/staff/race officials make certain EVERY single need is CHEERFULLY met. This race attracts a lot of newbies, repeaters, and many, many that run up to all four races. ALL four races start on time. ALL four races are adequately signed, have enormous water stops, and also have the signature Disney photo-ops and entertainment throughout the courses. It is HIGHLY recommended to stay on Disney property to use their shuttle buses, esp. if you're running multiple races-the 3:15 wake up call every morning is the hardest part of the week. The 5K starts at 6:15; the others at 5:30-everything is adequately lit and signed despite the darkness. Running down Main Street and seeing the castle lit up with thousands cheering is worth the entire weekend. Depending on the race, you see most parts of the properties. The half and full covers the most ground and hence more of the parks. There are quiet stretches between parks that you'll run on-they're the service/access roads that connect the parks. Bag inspection and bag drop are easy. Post-race goody boxes, medals, wrist-bands, first aid, medal distribution all run smoothly. There is color, music, and activity all around you ALL weekend long. As always, medals are outstanding as are the gender-specific tech shirts. Packet pick up is fast and while the expo is very large and crammed, it functions well. Race photos and results come back quickly. Weather was fairly good this year-expect cool to mild to humid and maybe some snow-it's never certain until race day. Remember, it is Disney-you pay top dollar but you get TOP QUALITY. Wear your shirt and/or medals post-race throughout the parks and EVERY cast member there will congratulate you-they do treat you like a star. Many run these races for fun-wait in line for photo opps and even jump on rides; others buzz through. Many are in Disney-garb - it's all part of what makes this race a pilgrimage for runners. Except for a few inclines, it's relatively flat. Novice or veteran, it's worth the money spent. Be warned, the races sell out FAST every year.
R. F. from Chicago, IL (1/14/2014) "Fun run" (about: 2014) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course was not challenging but the characters and athletes were all wonderful. It was exciting for me to run through all of the parks. The only drawback was the start time because in order to get in the corral, you had to be up very early. Otherwise, this race was extremely fun and can't wait until next year.
B. B. from Arlington, Virginia (1/14/2014) "A Great Experience" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I highly recommend this race, if you don't mind shelling out the dough. The organization is impeccable even the packet pickup flowed smoothly, despite the huge number of runners. The fireworks with each corral start were a great touch, and running through the Magic Kingdom is just plain cool. And if you are having a bad day and need to pull the plug on a PR effort, you can always just run around and take pictures with all the Disney characters that are stationed all over the course! Also, a shout-out to the Clif Bar pacers who led me to a PR on Sunday they were awesome! Pro: - Flawless organization. - Flat, fast course (except for the choke points, see below). - Seasoned pacers. - Fun distractions along the route, like a lap ON the motor speedway and a lap INSIDE the baseball stadium. - Disney touches you can't get anywhere else, like running through Cinderella's castle and high-fiving characters on the course. - Good medals. - Very nice expo. Cons: - It's pricey (of course it is; it's Disney). - There are a few spots where the course narrows and it gets congested - there are something like 20,000 people out there - so it's nearly impossible to run an even pace throughout the race. - Some of the roads you run on are canted more steeply to the side than I'm used to and they can be uncomfortable to run on.

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