Stressed about planning your runDisney weekend schedule? You’re not alone. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed before my first race. Where do I stay? What do I pack? How do I get to the race? It’s not just about the training; there’s so much more to consider.
Planning a runDisney race weekend is busy and requires careful preparation. You need to book a hotel, figure out transportation, and possibly arrange a flight.
Disney World is already bustling with activity, but add thousands of runners into the mix and it can feel like full-on panic mode. There’s a lot to research, especially if you want to enjoy a vacation before or after your race.
Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a first-time runner, here are ten tips to help you make the most of your magical race weekend:
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- Register Early and Prepare Well
- Book a Hotel on Disney Property
- Visit the runDisney Expo Early
- Plan Your Transportation
- Get Plenty of Sleep
- Test Your Race Gear
- Arrive Early to the Race
- Skip or Limit the Character Photos During the Race
- Stay Hydrated and Nourished
- Practice Race Etiquette
- Bonus: Decorate Your Hotel Door
Tips for runDisney Weekend at Disney World
1. Register Early and Prepare Well
Securing your spot in a runDisney event can be competitive, so register as soon as possible when the slots open. I once paid for a race 3 times and I still didn’t get in. Unless you receive a confirmation email – it’s not final. Disney websites are famous for going down during big ticketed events and these races are no exception.
Once registered, start your training with a specific plan that mimics the race conditions, including back-to-back long runs if you’re participating in a multi-race challenge like the Dopey Challenge.
Please take the training part seriously, a long-distance race isn’t an easy thing to accomplish. I’m a pretty active person and did strength training and 10-mile walks regularly to train but I never ran more than a 2-3 miles at a time. And I collapsed at the finish line. It was a very tough race and for my second race, I buckled down and consistently ran every week to build up strength and endurance. You can read about my first runDisney race here.
Whatever race you’re signing up for, make sure you can run 1-2 miles more than that. And you can do it with run/walk intervals – that’s my favorite way!
2. Book Accommodation at a Disney Resort
Staying at a Disney resort can significantly simplify your logistics. Disney provides complimentary transportation to the race events, ensuring you avoid the hassle of driving and parking on race day.
We stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort for our race and it was perfect! The transportation was easy and the hotel had signs and information posted everywhere about the race to make sure you didn’t miss a thing.
Related Post: Coronado Springs Resort at Disney World – Review
3. Visit the runDisney Expo Early
The runDisney Expo is not just for picking up your race bib; it’s also an opportunity to explore merchandise, get last-minute gear, and soak in the race atmosphere. Arriving early can help you avoid crowds and give you a chance to enjoy the various vendors and photo opportunities.
The Expo is also packed on the first day and a lot of merch sells out. We arrived on day two in the early afternoon and the only sizes left for most merch was XL- 3XL. I think a lot of resellers hit the place early – unfortunately. So just be prepared of sizes are gone and enjoy a fun oversized shirt.
4. Plan Your Transportation
Disney offers special race day transportation from all Disney resorts. Buses typically start as early as 2:30 AM.
We arrived at our bus at around 3:25 AM and then it took 10-15 minutes to get to the race. From there, it was about an hour from when we got dropped off to when we got to our corral.
Be aware that you will need to walk about a mile from the “racers” area to the actual corral location where the start line is. This is why you need to give yourself enough time before the start of the race.
5. Get Plenty of Sleep
The early wake-up calls can be challenging, especially if you’re participating in multiple races. Prioritize sleep by going to bed early each night. The excitement of Disney can be tempting, but adequate rest is crucial for your performance and enjoyment.
For my first race, we got into bed around 5 PM, fell asleep around 6:30 PM, and then woke up at 2 AM. It was tough to fall asleep that early because we weren’t tired and it was so early.
For my second race, I practiced getting up 15 -30 minutes earlier each morning for the entire week of the race.
The day before the race I woke up 1.5 hours before my actual wakeup time for the race but it made sure that I wanted to get to bed super early and would actually be tired.
6. Test Your Race Gear
Whether you’re running in a costume or your favorite running outfit, make sure to test everything during your training runs. This includes your shoes, clothing, and any accessories. Comfort is key to avoiding chafing or other issues during the race.
I didn’t practice running or even doing my long walks with my race bag. And then on race day I realized that I was tensing so much and also had the bag on that I was super sore afterwards.
Now, I train with my bag on and also all the gear I wear on race day. If it’s a costume, make sure it’s lightweight and you have full range of motion and it won’t cause chaffing.
7. Arrive Early to the Starting Line
On race day, aim to arrive at the starting area early. This will give you time to navigate any unexpected delays, use the restrooms, check your gear, and position yourself in the correct corral without rushing.
Like I said before, it’s about a mile from the racers’ check-in area to the corral location. So give yourself all the time you’ll need for that walk. This is also when you will do the bag check for the race. There could be lines, so be prepared.
8. Skip or Limit Character Photos
runDisney races are unique with their character stops, park routes, and entertainment along the way. These experiences make runDisney events special but can also distract you from the actual race.
A lot of people are delayed by waiting in crazy long character lines. If you have a good corral number or you’re a fast runner, then hopping in a line or two won’t hurt your time but if you’re just starting out I wouldn’t recommend stopping for photos.
We didn’t stop for a single character photo and finished WITH the Balloon Ladies. We took some photos of the characters as we passed and that was it. It’s still a race and you have to finish on time or you will be swept and removed from the course.
Related Post: Tips for Staying Comfortable at Disney World
9. Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Hydration is crucial, especially in the Florida heat. Use the hydration stations along the course and carry your own if necessary.
Start hydrating (not overhydrating though) the week of the race. Add some electrolytes to your water, drink an extra cup or so a day. Just get your body ready.
On my first race I didn’t eat enough – I had a salad for dinner and a banana for breakfast. Don’t make this mistake. Eat up! Have lots of carbs and protein and feed those muscles! During my runs, I like to have the GU energy gels. I didn’t use them on my first race because I have a sensitive stomach and I was afraid I would get sick during the race. But I started to train with them for my second race and I was just fine. Ease your way into new items and your body will get used to them.
Post-race, replenish with lots of electrolytes, potassium, I like magnesium, and then of course whatever fun meal you want. We ordered McDonald’s at our hotel 😀. We couldn’t decide which restaurant to go to and we were also very tired, so staying in and enjoying a meal in bed after a nice shower was perfect.
10. Practice Race Etiquette and Be Patient
One of the wonderful aspects of runDisney events is the diversity of participants, ranging from novice runners to seasoned marathoners. This inclusivity is fantastic, but it can also require a bit of patience.
The courses can get crowded, so be mindful of those around you. Signal with your hand if you’re transitioning between running and walking, and stay to the right if you’re walking to let faster runners pass. Avoid walking in groups that block the course.
At some point during the race you will all be running on a sidewalk – that’s how wide it will be. It’s squished. Stick to the path, a lot of people trip running on the grass. You will need to slow down but you’ll be fine.
Bonus Tip: Get in the Spirit of the Race
Just like on a Disney Cruise, many participants decorate their hotel room doors for the race weekend. This can add to the fun and camaraderie of the event. Use easy-to-remove tape instead of stickers to avoid damage.
Seeing all the creatively decorated doors can be a fun way to get into the spirit, and it’s something you might want to participate in during your next race weekend.
This is what our neighbors door looked like! I wish I knew to decorate ours ahead of time.
runDisney Race Weekend
By following these tips, you can ensure a fun, stress-free, and memorable runDisney weekend. I hope these tips help you to plan and schedule your first runDisney race weekend.
Everything is going to work out, your hard work and training and preparation for this race and trip are all worth it and will all payoff.
This was a truly special running experience and although I had trouble with my first half marathon, it made me focus and buckle down and kept me motivated for my second race.
I hope you have a great experience and take this time to meet new people, and other runners, and add more to this great runDisney culture. See you at the Finish Line!
XOXO,
Julia
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