21 Best runDisney Tips for a First-Timer
Interested in running a runDisney race, but not sure how to go about planning one? We can help you out!
Disney vacations are a daunting trip to organize on the best day. Even the most seasoned traveller knows, that a Disney trip requires a whole new level of travel-planning.
Throw in working a vacation around a race, and the stress level goes up even more! Especially considering the race registration opens up almost a year in advance!
But don’t worry, we’ve been there, and done that! And we have the medals to prove it!
Will walk you through everything you need to know when planning a successful and enjoyable runDisney vacation.
Best runDisney Tips for Planning an Awesome Vacation
As we mentioned above, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to planning a runDisney vacation.
From choosing your race to booking your accommodations, choosing the perfect outfit, and let’s not forget about actually training for the run, it’s a lot to think about.
We have put together a list of all of our best tips as well as important things to consider when planning your perfect runDisney vacation.
1. Which runDisney Race Distance is Right for You?
First things first — how far can you, or do you want to, run?
John and I are both avid runners. We have several half-marathons and one full marathon under our belts. The kids, while not serious runners, have completed both 5k and 10k races.
It has always been on my bucket list to run a race at Disney. I couldn’t imagine a more magical experience. Not to mention, being able to celebrate in the parks afterward would be pretty epic.
That said, we really weren’t prepared to train the entire family for a half-marathon. So in the end, we decided it would be easier just to do the shorter 5k and 10k races.
This would take the pressure off the whole family, and make it easier for all of us to enjoy the actual races. The kids agreed, and so our first decision was made.
2. Which runDisney Race Theme Are You Most Interested in Running?
Did you know runDisney offers several different themed races throughout the year??
With all those choices, you just need to see which one fits your schedule, or if you have a preference for certain medals (i.e. Princesses vs. Marvel Heroes).
The length of the race you plan on running will also need to be considered, as some race weekends, for example, don’t include full marathons.
Some of the more popular races include the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (which is the one that we did), the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and the Princess Half Marathon Weekend.
Of course, it is Disney after all. So you really can’t go wrong with participating in any of the runDisney races.
We chose to run the popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend as the races take place the first week of January.
This meant that the kids would not miss too much school, and we could take a break from the cold Canadian winter!
3. Be Prepared for the Big Price Tag
If you are accustomed to running other races, you will know that most registration fees are typically not shocking. This is not the case with Disney.
But then a runDisney race is anything but typical.
Between the great swag, awesome medals, the entertainment on the course, and the magic of running in the theme parks, the pricetag is pretty high.
With that said, we definitely think it’s worth it. Even though, for us, it meant budgeting a little more on other stuff.
We recommend just building the cost of the race into the price of the trip. If you can afford a Disney vacation (which is a pretty big deal), then the sticker shock of the race won’t seem so bad.
4. You Need to Book Your runDisney Race Months in Advance
One thing I did learn, and feel it necessary to mention, is just how popular these runDisney races are!
This is especially true for the shorter distances. It’s really no surprise that the 5K and 10K races, which we were planning to run, actually sell out every year!
So if you are thinking about a runDisney vacation, it’s definitely NOT something that can be thrown together at the last minute.
You will need to find out the date and time that runDisney will be opening up registration for your race, then clear about an hour off your calendar to sign up.
I’m totally serious! I felt like I was back in the ’80s trying to get through to Ticketmaster for a Madonna concert!!
In all seriousness though, I streamlined the process by creating my “My Disney Experience” account prior to registration day.
I then had two devices and a desktop computer logged in at the precise time when the registration opened.
It took about 12 minutes before a portal opened, allowing me to book my races.
About half an hour later, the four of us were registered for two races each.
And just to drive my point home – by the end of the day, the 5K race was sold out, with the 10K race selling out within the week.
The half and full marathons remained open until race day if I’m not mistaken.
But the Dopey challenge also sold out pretty quickly.
If you’re not familiar, the Dopey challenge is when participants run the 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full marathon all in the same weekend.
It adds up to a whopping 48.6 (crazy and insane) magical miles. But you get a phenomenal bonus medal for completing the challenge.
But just to give you an idea of how far in advance you can expect to sign up… we booked our races in April 2019 for the January 2020 Marathon Weekend!
5. Why Do You Need to Submit Proof of Time?
If you are registering for a half or full marathon, then you will need to submit proof of time. Some people get a little nervous when they see this, but don’t worry.
It’s not like the Boston Marathon where they won’t let you participate if you can’t complete the race in record time.
All you have to do is submit your personal best from an officially timed race (usually from the last couple of years) to Disney.
This gives them an idea of how fast you’ll probably run on race day.
Disney can then judge which starting coral they should put you in to keep things moving smoothly on race day.
For a half marathon, you will need to submit a 10K or longer for proof of time. If you are running the full marathon, Disney will need a half marathon or longer for proof of time.
If you are running the 5k or 10k race like we were, you won’t be asked this question.
6. Do I Need to Worry About Pace?
And speaking of pace, should you worry if you are not the fastest runner? Definitely not! Disney wants to make their race weekends enjoyable for all levels of runners.
Especially if you are planning to do the shorter races with younger kids, you shouldn’t be too concerned.
As I mentioned, for the 5k race (which is untimed), we saw many people who walked the entire distance.
For the 10k, our family does a walk/run style, and we had no issues.
Just keep in mind that the 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons require an average 16:00 minute/mile pace.
This is pretty reasonable if you have trained for the event.
7. Definitely Train for Your Race!
And speaking of training, this should absolutely go without saying. TRAIN for your event!
Trying to run a race anywhere is not fun if you haven’t trained for it. And if you are sore or having a rough go, you will definitely not be able to enjoy the magic of running through Disney.
This is especially true if you are running back-to-back races, or if you are completing one of the Challenges.
Take the time and do the work beforehand. If this is your first race, there are many apps and websites that will take you from the couch to a half marathon in a matter of months.
And considering you will need to book your race almost a year in advance, you really have no excuse!
8. What About Family Members Who Aren’t Running?
If only certain members of your family are running the race, runDisney also has VIP packages that you can purchase to take care of the spectators!
ChEAR Squad packages are available for Full and Half-Marathons only. While we did not need this during our race weekend, we have friends who have made use of this service and found that it was an amazing experience.
Disney provides VIP guests with reserved grandstand seating near the castle and the finish line, private port-o-potties, hot and cold beverages, as well as other merchandise depending on the package you purchase.
Prices can range from $65 to $180 per person, depending on the race and the package type.
Just a heads up, not all races have the option for ChEAR Squad packages. And the packages were actually suspended for a few years.
Your best bet is to check the website to see if the packages are available for your race weekend.
If the VIP package is out of your price range, there are spots along the race route for spectators.
Your best bet is to speak to someone at the Expo who will be able to tell you where the best spots are. They will also be able to tell you when and how to get there.
9. Race Start Times Are Incredibly Early!
Another thing that may be a consideration for you when booking a runDisney event, is the start time.
It’s EARLY! 5:30 am to be exact! Shuttles begin picking up runners from the resorts at 3 am!
So even though my kids were excited to run, they most definitely were NOT IMPRESSED by what time we had to get up.
Especially true considering it had been a later evening in the theme parks the night before. And by Day 2 of the races (our events were on consecutive days), a mutiny was brewing!
This is where we had to find a little bit of balance. We tried not to stay out too late in the parks. And we also went back to our hotel room after the race for a shower and a short nap.
This seemed to keep everyone happy. But it did cut into our time in the parks.
10. When Should I Arrive?
We would recommend arriving at least one day prior to your race. This will give you plenty of time to settle in, register at the Expo, and get a little rest.
Another thing we would recommend is timing your Disney vacation so that the race falls at the beginning of the trip. For example, we arrived on a Wednesday, and our races were scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
This way, you get the races over with and don’t have to stress about eating properly or training, or even last-minute race jitters, during your entire vacation.
11. We Recommend Staying Onsite
Because of those early starts, we would totally recommend staying onsite during your race weekend.
As we will mention often, Disney runs like a well-oiled machine. And race weekend is no different.
One of the biggest perks of staying onsite is having very efficient transportation to and from the race venue. Disney provides comfortable coach buses that stop directly in front of the resorts.
With a continuous stream of buses stopping at our resort, what could have easily been a two-hour line-up, only ended up being about a fifteen-minute wait.
The same was true for the ride back.
If you are staying offsite, you will need to plan ahead. Make sure that you are able to get to the park in plenty of time before the race.
That means getting through the traffic and road closures, and parking the car, all while still leaving yourself enough time to get to the start line.
12. Should I Wear A Costume?
Running a Disney race is the perfect opportunity to come in costume! Forget about your everyday running outfit and try something themed.
And people definitely take their runDisney race outfits quite seriously!
If you do choose to run in a costume, test it out ahead of time. If it gets in the way, rubs or chafes, or becomes in any way annoying, you are not going to have a fun run.
While we chose not to do this, as I would get easily annoyed by anything other than a themed shirt, there were a ton of people who came decked out in Disney gear.
From gorgeously detailed outfits to simple tutus, glow-in-the-dark accessories, and matching team outfits, it made for some pretty awesome people-watching!
Some were downright jaw-dropping… like the lady who ran the 10K in a full-length replica of Mary Poppins’ white dress. Crazy and awesome all at the same time!
But just a heads up, there are rules regarding the type of costume you can wear during a runDisney event. Check the Race Policies section under Costumes for your event to see the fine print.
13. Wearing the Right Shoes is Important
Even if you are just a casual runner, you know the importance of having the right shoes.
And even with all the training in the world (which we will get to later), the wrong pair of shoes will destroy you.
You should have a comfortable pair of running shoes, or at the very least, cross-trainers. Don’t wear those cute sporty shoes that look great, but don’t have any cushion.
And definitely DON’T wear a brand new pair of shoes that you haven’t broken in it. That is a recipe for blister disaster.
This applies to the kids as well. Make sure that their shoes are comfortable and fit properly.
And if you are running in one of the Challenges, we would also recommend having two pairs of broken-in runners to alternate.
It is especially important to have a backup if your shoes get wet, or something happens to them.
Even with all the funky costumes we saw, everyone was wearing running shoes. Some were clever enough to cover their runners to look like something else, but good shoes won out over fashion.
14. Be Prepared for the Weather
Because we did the January Marathon Weekend, we had to consider the weather when deciding what we wanted to wear for our race.
It’s pretty chilly, and dark, at 5:30 AM. Especially since you are inevitably going to be stuck waiting around for your turn to run.
It actually took us longer to cross the start line after the initial gun went off than it did to complete the 5K race!
We wore long-sleeved shirts and long pants and were still pretty chilly while waiting.
However, by the time the race was done, the sun was up and we were sweating.
If you are doing the half or full marathon, this decision becomes even more important. Disposable rain ponchos, extra sweaters, hats, and even gloves might be a necessity during your wait.
But what do you do with all these layers once you start running?
What we have done in the past is to buy inexpensive hoodies and long-sleeved shirts from thrift stores. We then discard them along the race route as we warm up.
Since we were running shorter races at Disney, we did not need to do this.
However, if you are wondering what happens to all that discarded clothing, don’t worry. Disney collects the clothing, launders it, and then donates it to people in need.
Fun Fact: In 2018, Disney collected, laundered, and donated more than 13,000 lbs of clothing during Marathon Weekend! Crazy right?
15. Attend the Runners’ Expo
The Runners’ Expo is where you go to pick up your race kit (bibs, shirts, merch). It was truly one of the best we have been to (and hubby and I have run races in Canada, the US and Europe).
The runDisney Expo took place over three days, so depending on your event, you had plenty of time to attend.
Just make sure you show up with a photo ID for each person who is running… kids included.
We used our Passports, and they were all checked!
You also need to make sure your waivers (downloaded from the runDisney site) are signed and completed for each runner. It makes the process go much smoother.
The event was well organized and it was super easy to get there. If you are staying onsite, resorts provide shuttle coach buses at pretty regular intervals.
There was a great selection of products and services available, including a whole arena dedicated to just runDisney merch!
You could buy everything from exclusive Ears and collector pins to water bottles, pyjamas, and everything in between!
My kids even found an exclusive runDisney Pressed Penny machine inside the Expo! Big score for them!
We spent about 3 hours at the Expo, so take this into consideration when planning your park days.
16. Get Enough Sleep!
My best advice is to make sure that you get enough sleep before your race.
This can be easier said than done. The temptation to stay out late in the parks is pretty hard to resist. Trust me, we made that mistake the first night!
Thankfully, we were only running a 5k race. But getting up at 2 am was NOT FUN! And we were pretty tired afterward.
Not to mention, it was a lot harder trying to get the kids up and ready. Our second night we were in bed a lot earlier, and our 10k race went much smoother.
Planning your park visits around your race schedule will make things easier for everyone. And will make it feel less like you are missing out.
But if you are running the half or full marathon, or doing one of the Challenges, this is especially important.
17. Be Prepared to Wait Around
As I mentioned earlier, there is a TON of waiting around before the race starts.
Plan to leave in plenty of time to get to the race and go through the security checks.
Unfortunately, being well prepared also means that you will end up waiting at least a couple of hours before the race starts.
Not to mention, it took us over an hour just to cross the start line after the race officially started.
Think of how many thousands of people Disney needs to organize on race day, and you will begin to understand.
But don’t worry, you won’t get bored! There are places to grab a drink or a snack, tons of port-o-potties, pre-race entertainment, character meet and greets, music, and of course, awesome people-watching opportunities.
For the January race, they had warming tents that you could pay a fee to enter. Inside, you will find coffee and bagels, private port-o-potties, and places to sit.
While we didn’t choose to go this route, it would be a great option to pass some of the time.
18. Practice Good Runner’s Etiquette
Since we are not new to running, runner’s etiquette is something we have been practicing for over a decade.
But it was something we definitely taught our kids about as soon as they started participating in races.
If you are not familiar with runner’s etiquette, take the time to do a quick search online to learn the basics.
Knowing how to behave during a race not only makes things easier for those around you, but it also makes things safer and more enjoyable.
I can’t tell you how many times I have almost run someone over during a race because they have stopped dead in their tracks without warning!
If you are going to walk, stay to the right. If you are about to stop or start running, raise your hand.
Don’t walk or run in a long line if you are in a group. This makes it difficult for others to get around you.
And if you are going to pass someone, pull a Captain America 🤣 and say “On your left” and pass on their left.
19. Purchase a Memory Maker/Photopass Plan
When going to Disney, we recommend adding Memory Maker to your trip. It’s a great way to document all the special moments and is super convenient at race time.
This is especially true if, like me, you are the family photographer and never seem to end up in any of the shots.
Memory Maker lets you download all the pictures taken of you by PhotoPass photographers throughout your Disney vacation, even those taken during your races.
During the runDisney events, you will find photographers before, during, and after the race. They will be at all character meet and greets and in green tents along the race route.
while running, just make sure that your race bib is visible at all times, as this is the way you are matched to your photos. We had to be extra careful since we always seemed to have sweaters tied around our waists.
Of course, you can also use your phone at character stops, or along the routes, to take your own photos.
20. If You See the Balloon Ladies… RUN!
We couldn’t write a post about runDisney races without mentioning the dreaded balloon ladies!
These are literally ladies who run with balloons. They maintain a 16-minute mile pace and signal the end of the racing line.
If you end up behind the balloon ladies, you will be “swept.” In other words, a shuttle will pick you up and transport you to the finish line.
Because Disney has to open the parks by a certain time, they can’t have stragglers trying to complete the race after a certain time.
But even if you are walking the entire 5k race, you should be able to stay ahead of the Balloon Ladies. This may not be the case for longer races, so just keep them in mind.
21. Most Importantly… Enjoy the Experience!
Taking part in a runDisney race weekend is definitely one of the most memorable runs my family has participated in. We totally enjoyed every aspect of it (well maybe NOT the 2 am wake-up).
That said, we would recommend not making this race about trying to score a personal best.
Enjoy the entertainment, dress up, stop for character meet and greets, take pictures as you run through the parks, and enjoy the fact that you are in the parks before they are even open!
I didn’t even need to listen to my running playlist, as I much preferred listening to the Disney soundtracks that were being played throughout the parks.
A Few Final Notes
The races, especially the 5K and 10K sold-out ones, are really busy! Don’t wait till the last minute to make your way to the venue. And don’t expect to get through the race chutes quickly.
As for the race itself, all was good! Pretty decent and scenic routes, characters out and about for photo opportunities (the more popular the character, the longer the line, however), enough hydration stations, and snack boxes provided at the finish line.
The finisher medals were pretty nice too!
Final Thoughts on Our runDisney Experience
But as with all things Disney, we felt very taken care of.
Disney operates like a well-oiled machine… with the Marathon Weekend being no exception. They think of everything!
From the comfort of heated coach buses on a chilly race morning to the organization at the race start and finish areas, to the post-race photographers waiting to document your victory, it was a completely awesome experience!
The happiest place on earth makes a wonderful backdrop to a morning run. But would I do it again??
The runDisney Castaway Cay challenge is already pencilled into my five-year plan!
Have you had the opportunity to take part in a runDisney race? Tell us all about it!
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- The 17 Best Restaurants in Disney World for Kids
- What to Pack in Your Disney Park Bag – 33 Essential Items
- 21 Best runDisney Tips for a First-Timer
