Disneyland Half Marathon 2024

[fatmanatee]

The SW half I ran didn’t go through the Angels stadium so wasn’t necessarily expecting it here. Would have been neat though.

So as it turns they hold a motorbike event the weekend before and then several monster truck shows in January and February. So there's your answer, the place is probably a mess all winter.

 

[jmasgat]

Stupid question....why is there a dashed line on the 10k route map? Is there a tunnel?

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Stupid question....why is there a dashed line on the 10k route map? Is there a tunnel?

It's a backstage tram tunnel under the road where buses and shuttles drop off guests.

 

[pluto377]

So I have a rental car booked but I’m trying to decide if I need it? I’m flying into LAX so I feel like it’ll be easier to go to the expo straight from there and the to my hotel (which seems to be a long walk to DLH). But I guess I could just Lyft both places? When I leave I have a super late flight so I was just going to park at Toy Story and leave from there instead of having to get back to my hotel collect my bag and the get a Lyft. Am I overthink ling this? How bad is it really driving around? I’m from Long Island so I’m no stranger to traffic and crowded roads.

 

[StarGirl11]

So I have a rental car booked but I’m trying to decide if I need it? I’m flying into LAX so I feel like it’ll be easier to go to the expo straight from there and the to my hotel (which seems to be a long walk to DLH). But I guess I could just Lyft both places? When I leave I have a super late flight so I was just going to park at Toy Story and leave from there instead of having to get back to my hotel collect my bag and the get a Lyft. Am I overthink ling this? How bad is it really driving around? I’m from Long Island so I’m no stranger to traffic and crowded roads.

Honestly LAX is a mess. Getting a ride from Lyft too and from shouldn't be much of an issue. Regardless of whether you rent or take a lyft you're going to have to go a bit out of the way to get it. Looking at the lyft location depending on the terminal your flying into this might be easier said than done. Though I can't say for sure since I haven't flown into LAX in years so I'm not sure what the lyft spot is like because the last time I went there they were still doing pickup curbside so that was years ago.

Getting Lyft out to one of the airports is usually painless. Though I have had the experience of it taking over 30 minutes for a car to get assigned to me before but there was a lot going on (early March, raining, and just around 5 pm).

Also its probably a good time to remember gas in CA is really not cheap. And if your going to use the car to only get to and from the airport. You might get better price wise overall just to use Lyft. I know usually when I'm out in CA unless I'm planning to go visit friends I don't rent. And I almost never stay onsite.

 

[StarGirl11]

Stupid question....why is there a dashed line on the 10k route map? Is there a tunnel?

It's a backstage tram tunnel under the road where buses and shuttles drop off guests.

Yeah there's a reason I marked it on the map if my memory serves me (and I could be wrong its been 6 years) right the angle of descent and ascent is pretty close to the Contemporary hill. It just has a longer part between the downhill and uphill. But its still steep as heck. It being a tram tunnel definitely explains why.

 

[LorrieAnn5]

Also I’m trying to figure out and failing what the deal here. Is this like this because we’re going to go up the trail and turn out or is it some sort of weird angle entrance? It’s been long enough since I’ve been on the trail I honestly can’t tell.
View attachment 819065

I've never been there, but Google Maps Satelite shows this area pretty clearly. It's an angled path to get in to that area then a built in loop to go around and come back out on the other angle. It looks like Mile 9.2 thru 10.2 will contain three "loops" or hairpin turn style routes. Seems like this is going to be a bottle-neck/slow down mile!!! EEEEK!!!!


In training news......my training plan had two 10k race simulations, one at week 8 of the plan (half way) and one today at week 13 (out of a 16 week plan). At week 8, I ran straight thru, no breaks. took me exactly an hour. Today I decided to test out the RWR Galloway method of 2 minutes run/30 sec walk. It was virtually the same at 59:35 for the 10k, but my average heart rate was about 20 points lower today.
I've been training as running straight through my easy and long runs. I'm not confident in if I should plan to RWR or plan to run it all and then switch if needed? My longest run of the training plan was 2 hours and I ran 11.4 miles (straight through).
Uggg....I don't know....I've never run this much. I'm trying and I hope it will be worth it.

 

[sandam1]

At week 8, I ran straight thru, no breaks. took me exactly an hour. Today I decided to test out the RWR Galloway method of 2 minutes run/30 sec walk. It was virtually the same at 59:35 for the 10k, but my average heart rate was about 20 points lower today.
I've been training as running straight through my easy and long runs. I'm not confident in if I should plan to RWR or plan to run it all and then switch if needed?

As a Galloway runner, what I can tell you from experience is that your recovery/how you feel the next day will be a LOT better if you run/walk/run from the get-go.

 

[StarGirl11]

I've never been there, but Google Maps Satelite shows this area pretty clearly. It's an angled path to get in to that area then a built in loop to go around and come back out on the other angle. It looks like Mile 9.2 thru 10.2 will contain three "loops" or hairpin turn style routes. Seems like this is going to be a bottle-neck/slow down mile!!! EEEEK!!!!

Oh That is not going to be a fun spot in the chair. We can make turns but I'm going to have to slow all the way down and almost definitely going to have to hop turn the front wheel to get onto the trail. Looks like Santa Ana is going to be one of the slowest part of the race for me that isn't in the park. Like that area was always narrow it being a bottle neck isn't new.

I did not remember those turns though.

ETA: And looking at the old maps I think I know why. We completely skipped the trail in 2017. So the last time we were on there was 2016.

 

[jmasgat]

I've never been there, but Google Maps Satelite shows this area pretty clearly. It's an angled path to get in to that area then a built in loop to go around and come back out on the other angle. It looks like Mile 9.2 thru 10.2 will contain three "loops" or hairpin turn style routes. Seems like this is going to be a bottle-neck/slow down mile!!! EEEEK!!!!


In training news......my training plan had two 10k race simulations, one at week 8 of the plan (half way) and one today at week 13 (out of a 16 week plan). At week 8, I ran straight thru, no breaks. took me exactly an hour. Today I decided to test out the RWR Galloway method of 2 minutes run/30 sec walk. It was virtually the same at 59:35 for the 10k, but my average heart rate was about 20 points lower today.
I've been training as running straight through my easy and long runs. I'm not confident in if I should plan to RWR or plan to run it all and then switch if needed? My longest run of the training plan was 2 hours and I ran 11.4 miles (straight through).
Uggg....I don't know....I've never run this much. I'm trying and I hope it will be worth it.

If this is your first half, then yes, you've never run this much. This is why we train--to be ready. Sounds like your training has gone pretty well, and if you finish it off, you will be ready to go the distance (pardon the Hercules pun). So don't let fear keep you from trying.

That said, there is no one (other than you) that can decide how to complete the race. You get to set the expectations for what you want out of the race. If "running a half marathon" is one of those, then fine. Give it your best shot-- you won't know if you don't try. If "completing the distance any way I can" is one, and so you decide to run/walk, that's fine too.

As for recovery--racing can be/is hard, and it will take time for your body to recover. Doesn't mean it's bad, just means you put out a strong effort.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Looking at some numbers from the event guide:

-5k states it starts at 5:00am and closes at 5:15am. Spectator finish line states it closes at 6:15am. A 16 min/mile for 3.11 miles is ~50 min. So I'd say this jives with the expectation that the start will close very close to 5:15am, and all runners will be expected to maintain close to a 16 min/mile. At most a 24 min/mile. Compare that with a WDW 5k where the gap in time between gun and last person is closer to 60 min. My daughter and I for the 2023 Princess 5k took a little over 120 min to finish the race (enjoying character pics). So this race has a much smaller window for getting character pics. Take for instance the nearly 60 min we waited in line for three princesses in the 2022 Princess 5k. Seems like this race will be a little quicker with less available time.

-10k states it starts at 5:00am and closes at 5:25am. If we believe the 5k's "close goal" is accurate, then I'll presume this one is as well.

Here are the number of finishers in each of the past Disneyland 10ks for either Star Wars Light Side (Jan) or DIsneyland (Sept)

2017 - 11612 and 8197
2016 - 8994 and 9006
2015 - ? and 9048

Usual number of 10k finishers in Disneyland races is ~9371.

runDIsney at WDW uses mini-waves and an even flow rate to get runners across the start line. Which means the 50th percentile runner may be in Corral D of F, but they still cross at the 50th percentile mark. For instance, if they release all runners in 60 min total time, the 50th percentile runner is released around the 30 min mark. So instead of releasing 5 corrals in 1/5 increments, the release of corrals is proportionally related to the number of runners within that corral.

To get 9371 runners across the start line in 25 min would be a flow rate of 374 runners per minute.

How does that compare to other WDW races?
-The 2023 WDW Marathon had 12694 finishers and released in 44 min which is 289 runners per minute.
-The 2023 WDW HM had 15344 finishers and released in 59 min which is 260 runners per minute.
-The 2023 WDW 10k had 11868 finishers and released in 65 min which is 182 runners per minute.
-The 2022 WDW 10k had 10509 finishers and released in 65 min which is 161 runners per minute.

And compared to Disneyland races?
-2017 Light Side 10k had 11612 finishers and released in 44 min which is 263 runners per minute.
-2016 Light Side 10k had 8994 finishers and released in 33 min which is 272 runners per minute.
-2017 DIsneyland 10k had 8197 finishers and released in 49 min which is 167 runners per minute.
-2016 DIsneyland 10k had 9006 finishers and released in 37 min which is 243 runners per minute.

So if we truly release in 25 min for the 2024 Disneyland 10k, then it'll be quicker than any recent previous Disneyland race, and will be more dense at 374 runners per minute than most recent runDisney races.

-HM states it starts at 5:00am and closes at 5:35am.

Here are the number of finishers in each of the past Disneyland HMs for either Star Wars Light Side (Jan) or DIsneyland (Sept)

2017 - 12442 and 8717
2016 - 11612 and 13084
2015 - ? and 15248

Usual number of HM finishers in Disneyland races is ~12220.

To get 12220 runners across the start line in 35 min would be a flow rate of 349 runners per minute.

And compared to Disneyland races?
-2017 Light Side HM had 12442 finishers and released in 65 min which is 191 runners per minute.
-2016 Light Side HM had 11612 finishers and released in 35 min which is 331 runners per minute.
-2017 DIsneyland HM had 8717 finishers and released in 45 min which is 193 runners per minute.
-2016 DIsneyland HM had 13084 finishers and released in 61 min which is 214 runners per minute.

So if we truly release in 35 min for the 2024 Disneyland HM, then it'll be quicker than most recent previous Disneyland races, and will be more dense at 349 runners per minute than most recent runDisney races. But the 2016 Light Side HM does she there's some precedence for the speed and density.

It'll be interesting to revisit these numbers after the race weekend to see how close they stuck to what they said they would do.

Lastly, because the event guide is digital and all that information is lost forever after the weekend is over, and inevitably there will be questions for the 2025 DIsneyland Weekend, here are some saved images from the guide.



*Same for the 10k pre-race. No image for 5k pre-race.





Kids races





Yoga



Expo

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Looking at some numbers from the event guide:

-5k states it starts at 5:00am and closes at 5:15am. Spectator finish line states it closes at 6:15am. A 16 min/mile for 3.11 miles is ~50 min. So I'd say this jives with the expectation that the start will close very close to 5:15am, and all runners will be expected to maintain close to a 16 min/mile. At most a 24 min/mile. Compare that with a WDW 5k where the gap in time between gun and last person is closer to 60 min. My daughter and I for the 2023 Princess 5k took a little over 120 min to finish the race (enjoying character pics). So this race has a much smaller window for getting character pics. Take for instance the nearly 60 min we waited in line for three princesses in the 2022 Princess 5k. Seems like this race will be a little quicker with less available time.

-10k states it starts at 5:00am and closes at 5:25am. If we believe the 5k's "close goal" is accurate, then I'll presume this one is as well.

Here are the number of finishers in each of the past Disneyland 10ks for either Star Wars Light Side (Jan) or DIsneyland (Sept)

2017 - 11612 and 8197
2016 - 8994 and 9006
2015 - ? and 9048

Usual number of 10k finishers in Disneyland races is ~9371.

runDIsney at WDW uses mini-waves and an even flow rate to get runners across the start line. Which means the 50th percentile runner may be in Corral D of F, but they still cross at the 50th percentile mark. For instance, if they release all runners in 60 min total time, the 50th percentile runner is released around the 30 min mark. So instead of releasing 5 corrals in 1/5 increments, the release of corrals is proportionally related to the number of runners within that corral.

To get 9371 runners across the start line in 25 min would be a flow rate of 374 runners per minute.

How does that compare to other WDW races?
-The 2023 WDW Marathon had 12694 finishers and released in 44 min which is 289 runners per minute.
-The 2023 WDW HM had 15344 finishers and released in 59 min which is 260 runners per minute.
-The 2023 WDW 10k had 11868 finishers and released in 65 min which is 182 runners per minute.
-The 2022 WDW 10k had 10509 finishers and released in 65 min which is 161 runners per minute.

And compared to Disneyland races?
-2017 Light Side 10k had 11612 finishers and released in 44 min which is 263 runners per minute.
-2016 Light Side 10k had 8994 finishers and released in 33 min which is 272 runners per minute.
-2017 DIsneyland 10k had 8197 finishers and released in 49 min which is 167 runners per minute.
-2016 DIsneyland 10k had 9006 finishers and released in 37 min which is 243 runners per minute.

So if we truly release in 25 min for the 2024 Disneyland 10k, then it'll be quicker than any recent previous Disneyland race, and will be more dense at 374 runners per minute than most recent runDisney races.

-HM states it starts at 5:00am and closes at 5:35am.

Here are the number of finishers in each of the past Disneyland HMs for either Star Wars Light Side (Jan) or DIsneyland (Sept)

2017 - 12442 and 8717
2016 - 11612 and 13084
2015 - ? and 15248

Usual number of HM finishers in Disneyland races is ~12220.

To get 12220 runners across the start line in 35 min would be a flow rate of 349 runners per minute.

And compared to Disneyland races?
-2017 Light Side HM had 12442 finishers and released in 65 min which is 191 runners per minute.
-2016 Light Side HM had 11612 finishers and released in 35 min which is 331 runners per minute.
-2017 DIsneyland HM had 8717 finishers and released in 45 min which is 193 runners per minute.
-2016 DIsneyland HM had 13084 finishers and released in 61 min which is 214 runners per minute.

So if we truly release in 35 min for the 2024 Disneyland HM, then it'll be quicker than most recent previous Disneyland races, and will be more dense at 349 runners per minute than most recent runDisney races. But the 2016 Light Side HM does she there's some precedence for the speed and density.

It'll be interesting to revisit these numbers after the race weekend to see how close they stuck to what they said they would do.

Man I hope rundisney thinks through these numbers... this run is going to suck if they pack us in like that esp since the first half of the half marathon is the parks where it is already tighter... hopefully either the numbers are smaller than what we know or they are going to runner later than are publishing and doing like what I do my aunt who is always late... I tell her things will start 10 to 15 mins earlier than they are suppose to so she arrives on time. So hopefully that is what disney is doing just making sure the late people are still there on time.

 

[StarGirl11]

In training news......my training plan had two 10k race simulations, one at week 8 of the plan (half way) and one today at week 13 (out of a 16 week plan). At week 8, I ran straight thru, no breaks. took me exactly an hour. Today I decided to test out the RWR Galloway method of 2 minutes run/30 sec walk. It was virtually the same at 59:35 for the 10k, but my average heart rate was about 20 points lower today.
I've been training as running straight through my easy and long runs. I'm not confident in if I should plan to RWR or plan to run it all and then switch if needed? My longest run of the training plan was 2 hours and I ran 11.4 miles (straight through).
Uggg....I don't know....I've never run this much. I'm trying and I hope it will be worth it.

Just popping in on the second half. I’m former Galloway for obvious reasons (there is no such thing as run/walk in the chair theirs just speed. Trust me I wish there was at times). But I honestly would recommend RWR. I get that classic to run through but plenty of people use RWR to run fast times. Hell I qualified for Boston under the ambulatory division under the method (sub 6 which may not be fast for average people but it is for us).

I did spend about I think a year or so experimenting with just running through. But for me at least I could never get beyond a 10k racing wise with being able to run straight through. And RWR lead to the above mentioned time on what is commonly agreed to be one of the toughest full courses. NYC.

Honestly for nothing else the recovery was always better under RWR than straight through. And it’s easy enough to adjust to. I would suggest making the change personally.

Honestly I probably had as many succesful years on my feet before my disability got worse. Because of the RWR method.

Man I hope rundisney thinks through these numbers... this run is going to suck if they pack us in like that esp since the first half of the half marathon is the parks where it is already tighter... hopefully either the numbers are smaller than what we know or they are going to runner later than are publishing and doing like what I do my aunt who is always late... I tell her things will start 10 to 15 mins earlier than they are suppose to so she arrives on time. So hopefully that is what disney is doing just making sure the late people are still there on time.

Yeah I’m distinctly in the camp that things rD might be being a bit over optimistic on the first time back. Because they’ve definitely never tried to estimate how long it takes to start before. And anyone who tracks starts can tell you it can vary from year to year depending on factors.

Heck I don’t think WDW has this and they also sent out their guide the same day.

And well if there is course crowding issue than there are probably going to be a lot of people talking to rD after the 10k I’m guessing

 

[nekonekoneko]

Camelot and Tropicana t

There's also a second entrance at Disney Way and Clementine Street, the SE corner of the staging area.

 

[StarGirl11]

So I have a rental car booked but I’m trying to decide if I need it? I’m flying into LAX so I feel like it’ll be easier to go to the expo straight from there and the to my hotel (which seems to be a long walk to DLH). But I guess I could just Lyft both places? When I leave I have a super late flight so I was just going to park at Toy Story and leave from there instead of having to get back to my hotel collect my bag and the get a Lyft. Am I overthink ling this? How bad is it really driving around? I’m from Long Island so I’m no stranger to traffic and crowded roads.

Adding on to this real quick because I forgot this when replying. I'm not sure which hotel you're at and this will be hotel dependent. But if yours has bell service and I know at least one of them will order a taxi to get you back to the airport if you arrange it ahead of time. That's also an option to keep in mind. And again even if it isn't usually getting a ride is relatively painless.

 

[nekonekoneko]

Anyone familiar with the space between the Camelot and Tropicana that they have marked as our entry for the 10k?

I looked in Google Earth, and it seems like this is the path they want us to take:



There's some openings past The Tropicana/Camelot into a backlot that filters into the lot we want to be in.

 

[pluto377]

Adding on to this real quick because I forgot this when replying. I'm not sure which hotel you're at and this will be hotel dependent. But if yours has bell service and I know at least one of them will order a taxi to get you back to the hotel if you arrange it ahead of time. That's also an option to keep in mind. And again even if it isn't usually getting a ride is relatively painless.

Thanks for the replies on this! I'm staying at the Candlewood Suites, which seems perfect for the races, but maybe not so perfect for the parks and Expo in particular.

All this talk about quick starts is getting me super worried about the half. My last long run was terrific in terms of pace, but I feel like with being at DW the week before and flying cross country on Friday I'm not going to be at my best. It's sounding like I won't have time for characters and even a bathroom stop might not be practical.

I tell you these Disneyland races are giving me so much stress I'm this close to canceling the whole thing. I've kind of been regretting it ever since I booked it and all these last minute details just might kill me. I'm so looking forward to arriving at Pop and being at DW in two weeks and all I feel about DL is dread. Ugh...

 

[sandam1]

I tell you these Disneyland races are giving me so much stress I'm this close to canceling the whole thing. I've kind of been regretting it ever since I booked it and all these last minute details just might kill me. I'm so looking forward to arriving at Pop and being at DW in two weeks and all I feel about DL is dread. Ugh...

I understand this feeling!

Personally, I'm a little (okay A LOT) bitter about all of the DL things that are going to be down for the race weekend (WoC, Blue Bayou, Small World, parade). This is my first time at DL in over 20 years and my friend's first trip ever and it feels like we are going to be missing a lot of what makes DL special.

As far as the races, I have this gut feeling that rD west is making this up as they go along. A lot of decisions seem very last-minute and are questionable (at best).

All of that being said, I'm trying to go into this with an open mind. I expect that there will be some bumps in the road. I'm hoping that they aren't catastrophic, but I'm planning on being completely self-supported for the runs and leave PLENTY of extra time (and patience) for the race mornings. My motto is "well, let's see what happens" and I'm trying not to pre-judge anything. I'm hoping that I will feel that Disney magic when I get there and be saying "I can't wait to come back next year" when I leave. And worst comes to worst, I've been on vacation for a week, got to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones, and have crazy stories to tell.

 

[nekonekoneko]

I tell you these Disneyland races are giving me so much stress I'm this close to canceling the whole thing. I've kind of been regretting it ever since I booked it and all these last minute details just might kill me. I'm so looking forward to arriving at Pop and being at DW in two weeks and all I feel about DL is dread. Ugh...

I don't think DL will be nearly as bad as it seems. I think a lot of the quickness is because The City of Anaheim wants everything cleared up as quickly as possible. But I think this shouldn't be too bad. The lot is fairly large, and from where you are, getting to the start for the 10k and half should be easy.

 

[The Expert]

So I have a rental car booked but I’m trying to decide if I need it?

gas in CA is really not cheap. And if your going to use the car to only get to and from the airport. You might get better price wise overall just to use Lyft.

Late to the party, but while you're doing the car math, check to see what your hotel may charge for parking. Most of the hotels I've stayed at near DL charge anywhere from $20-$80 a day (some are valet only).