TIPS AND ADVICE

Registering for your Disney World Half- or Full Marathon experience is just the beginning. Aside from perusing the Disney World Marathon website until race day, here are some other important tips and suggestions to help enhance your experience, should you be staying on Disney property and running either the Half or Full Marathon at Disney World.

Print out this page and check off your list as you go along. Should you have any questions, feel free to email leehoedl@yahoo.com. Also, revisit this particular page as additional suggestions are added as they are remembered.

 

PRE-FLIGHT AND PRE-REGISTRATION

14RACE PROGRAM, RACE PICK-UP CARD, IDENTIFICATION

Before leaving on your flight or travels to Disney World, double check that you have all the necessary materials (race program, race number pick-up card and personal identification). You will need this for your packet pick-up.

13HOTEL RESERVATION (CONFIRMATION)

With so many runners and family members attending each annual Disney World Marathon Weekend, it is beneficial to call ahead at least one week before arriving to Disney World to confirm your room reservation. You can call (407) 939-7675 to confirm your present reservation.

 

ARRIVING TO DISNEY WORLD

12SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE

Take a moment, when checking in, to see when shuttle buses will be running (from your hotel [on Disney property] to the Epcot parking lot) on the day of your race. In 2007-2009, the shuttles typically ran from 3:00 - 4:00 am, from Disney hotels to the EPCOT parking lot (runners' staging area).

11GROCERIES SERVICE

When checking in at your Disney hotel, check with the front desk as to how you can secure basic groceries (fruit, pasta, bagels, juice, etc.) or where you can find your pre-marathon foods/snacks on Disney property. Even if you have to take a shuttle to another Disney hotel complex on property, the ride doesn't take that long. Friday or Saturday (if you're running the marathon) is a good time to secure your food items.

 

RACE REGISTRATION/PACKET PICK-UP

10MAKE SURE YOUR PLANS ALLOW FOR PACKET PICK-UP

All runners must attend the Disney's Health and Fitness Expo for race number and packet pick-up. If you are planning to arrive at Walt Disney World® Resort before Thursday evening, it is recommended that you attend packet pick-up on Thursday to avoid expected long lines on Friday and Saturday.

Through a racer-specific email (which allows online access and print out), participants will receive an official race number pick-up card and athlete waiver. All runners must bring the pick-up card, signed waiver, and photo I.D. and present them at the Expo in order to receive a race packet. Do not forget to bring your identification, pick-up card and signed waiver!

Race packet pick-up is held at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex. The hours for race packet pick-up have typically been:

Thursday (Pre-Race) - 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday (Pre-Race) - 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday (Half-Marathon Day) - 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Double check the official Disney World Marathon Weekend website for specific packet pick-up times during these three days of the marathon weekend.

9OFFICIAL RACE MERCHANDISE

A wide variety of Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend merchandise will be available for purchase at Disney's Health and Fitness Expo.

Following the Expo, there is limited race souvenirs and merchandise that will be sold in the runners' staging area of the EPCOT parking lot prior to the race, but after that, you won't find souvenirs or merchandise for sale. Be sure to get your merchandise at the Disney Health and Fitness Expo.

8BE FAMILIAR WITH THE MARATHON ROUTE

Take some time to review the Disney World Marathon route the day before your race. That way you have a better mental idea of the mileage placement within the Disney World property. Click on the image below to see the larger route map for 2008 and 2009.

 

PRE-RACE SUGGESTIONS

7BE READY FOR YOUR SHUTTLE BUS

After you have found out what time the shuttle runs from your hotel to the runners' staging area, be sure to call desk service on the night before the race and leave a wake-up call.

Shuttles have typically started picking up racers at 3:00 am and stop their service at around 4:00 am. A wake-up call for 2:00 am should leave enough time for a carbo-load breakfast, prep and out to the shuttle pick-up location at your Disney hotel's entrance.

6BRING A BLANKET/TOWEL, WARM GRUBBIES, AND CASH

When you arrive to the EPCOT parking lot, there will be a short walk to the runners' staging area. If it holds true to the 2008 and 2009 races, the 2010 staging area will be a large compound where you can (1) listen to outdoor music, (2) purchase limited marathon clothing and souveniers, (3) purchase some food items (i.e. energy bars, coffee, water, juice, etc.), and (4) store your personal belongings in the Disney bag drop-off/pick-up area.

The runners' staging area is very large parking lot area that is completely bordered by porta-potties (enough for everyone). It's important to know there are no benches, chairs, bleachers or stands to sit on - there is only the graveled parking lot. Having said that, I would recommend that you bring a oversized towel (and/or a disposable blow-up water mattress) to sit on and to have space to stretch out. This towel will fit in the bag given to you by Disney World, which you will drop off prior to the beginning of your race.

The average temperature when arriving to the runners' staging area is in the high 30s/low 40s, with the race time temperatures ranging in the 60s and low 70s. Again, this is only an average. In 2007 and 2008, it was 65-65 degrees when arriving to the staging area and it reached temperatures in the high 70s/mid 80s of the marathon, with humidity over 50%. If temperatures are in the annual average range, it is always helpful to bring a pair of grubbies/old sweats that you can discard at the start of the race. Disney World staff will collect all clothing and good will the items to local shelters. Keep in mind that you will be in the staging area from at least 4:00 - 5:30 am until you walk about a quarter of a mile to the start line. You will wait there until the 6:00 am start, so it can get cold while you are waiting.

In 2007-2009, there were concessions available for purchase in the runners' staging area. Bring money for these items (coffee, hot tea, snack bars, etc.) and for any souvenirs you might want to purchase.

 

RACE SUGGESTIONS

5PACE YOURSELF AND ENJOY THE OPENING CEREMONIES

There are about 16,000 marathon runners and 16,000 half-marathon runners (in 2008 and 2009), so it not only will take time to get to the start line but also it will be slow moving in the first few miles. Be patient, line up on the right side of the road prior to the start line so that you can "high five" Mickey Mouse and his character friends.

With all Disney events, there are fireworks to kick off the half-marathon and marathon - you check out the runners' staging area, walking to the starting area, the race start and along the route of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Disney World Half Marathons and Marathons by going to Past Years' Goofy Challenges.

4BRING A CAMERA AND FEEL FREE TO TAKE PICTURES

One of the greatest mistakes of running the Disney World races is getting back home and then saying to yourself, "I wish I had stopped to take some photos." Bring a small digital camera that can be put in a fuel pack pouch on your waist. Take the time, if you have it, to add on an extra half hours so that you can pose with all the premiere Disney characters - you won't regret it. There are characters galore along all the race routes!

 

POST-RACE SUGGESTIONS

3BE SURE TO GET A FINISHER'S PHOTO

In the area just out from where you receive your finisher's medal, there will be oportunities to take your official finisher's photo. Don't forget to do so - just in case you want to order a copy when you get home.

2CELEBRATE AND PAMPER YOURSELF

After completing such a memorable and wonderful feat, be sure to celebrate and pamper yourself. Go out to a Disney dining experience - but be sure to wear your medal (see below)! If you are running in both the half and full marathon, be sure to get back to your room and take a quick ice bath to bring down any swelling and begin the healing process.

1DISPLAY YOUR MEDAL(S) PROUDLY WHILE AT DISNEY WORLD

It is customary and expected that you wear your Disney World finisher's medal(s) while in the parks. Don't be at all surprised if you are congratulated by a number of other park visitors - it's not only an honor to participate but also to finish any of these races.

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Finally, remember that the overall goal of the Disney World races is to have fun. Visit with people along the way, take photos with the Disney characters, wave at all the spectators and make some great lifetime memories.