Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 2026

[jmasgat]

The Alley (just outside of Splitsville) is in the middle of DTD, next to where Tortilla Joes used to be

Thanks. Their website has virtual look/photos and this seems like it would do the trick.

And it’s funny….to this day I still sometimes refer to Disney Springs (WDW) as Downtown Disney, yet here….. I guess it”s like when I call my daughter by my sister’s name (or worse, when I sometimes mixed up our dog an our son!)

 

[DodgerGirlMissy]

Will be going to my first Disneyland rD weekend in 2 weeks. I’ve done lots of rD events at WDW. Looking for any information comparing marathon weekend vs DL half weekend. For example, photo stop popularity, will they use your phone, do people show up super early to the corrals, etc? Just trying to get some general info about the vibe there.

I've run a couple of the recent Disneyland races, and I just finished the Dopey challenge at WDW, so I can share what I've experienced.
1. Going through security is MUCH quicker at WDW. DL still uses the old school metal detectors, and they search bags, so just be aware of that.
2. DL does not have characters pre-race, so no need to get to the start line any earlier.
3. At DL, most of the "good neighbor" hotels are only a few minutes walk from the start line, so no need to stress over catching a bus.
3. If you're staying at the Disneyland Hotel, there is a shuttle that will take you to the start line. I believe Pixar Pier and Grand Californian also offer this service. HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking the shuttle, rather than walking through Downtown Disney. If you walk through DTD, you will need to go through security, and you may need to wait until security actually opens up the gates to DTD.
4. There are several Photopass photographers in the park at DL (I don't remember how many, but we got plenty of pics). If you are running the half marathon at DL, there are ZERO photographers outside the park, as the course runs through the public streets of Anaheim.
5. Speaking of public streets of Anaheim, DL does have entertainment (but no characters) at various points along the streets.

Hopefully this helps!

 

[klmcleod]

Now you all have me thinking of the specifcs for race morning (10k)! Thanks! Am I remembering right that they funnel us between the Camelot Inn and Tropicana to get into the parking lot pre-corral? I'll be coming from the Grand Californian this time instead of a Harbour hotel where I stayed last race.

 

[LilyJC]

Now you all have me thinking of the specifcs for race morning (10k)! Thanks! Am I remembering right that they funnel us between the Camelot Inn and Tropicana to get into the parking lot pre-corral? I'll be coming from the Grand Californian this time instead of a Harbour hotel where I stayed last race.

Yes, that is the best route if walking over from the Grand Californian (and it’ll be the same if you opt for the shuttle instead)

 

[LKing]

I'll be coming from the Grand Californian this time instead of a Harbour hotel where I stayed last race.

Without derailing this topic too much, why did you decide on GCH instead of a hotel on Harbor this time?

 

[kirstie101]

Now you all have me thinking of the specifcs for race morning (10k)! Thanks! Am I remembering right that they funnel us between the Camelot Inn and Tropicana to get into the parking lot pre-corral? I'll be coming from the Grand Californian this time instead of a Harbour hotel where I stayed last race.

Same here. That’s how I’m planning on walking as well. I don’t plan on taking the shuttle in the morning since it’s a short walk.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I am staying at a Main Gate Area Hotel. It is about 1.5 miles from DL. It looks like most people use the ART Shuttle to get to the park but it does not start until an hour before opening so much too late to use for the races. Anyone know if ART starts early on race days or should I be planning to walk in prerace?

 

[nekonekoneko]

I am staying at a Main Gate Area Hotel. It is about 1.5 miles from DL. It looks like most people use the ART Shuttle to get to the park but it does not start until an hour before opening so much too late to use for the races. Anyone know if ART starts early on race days or should I be planning to walk in prerace?

A few lines will have service between 3:00 and 4:00 am specifically to get to the races. This is for the half last year, but I suspect this year's service will be similar.

https://rideart.org/marathon/

The quick summary: On Friday and Saturday, they ran 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 15 (no Embassy Suites North) for the races. A few routes might be detoured. Sunday, 4, 5, 11 and 12 were running for the races. 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15 were not running for the races, but were running at their normal times.

 

[klmcleod]

Without derailing this topic too much, why did you decide on GCH instead of a hotel on Harbor this time?

lol, my sister is coming with! We originally had Harbour hotels picked out, but she really wanted to stay at the Grand. It's more of an atmosphere thing for her, so we switched. More expensive, ugggg yes. Not really any great early park perk anymore, ugggg yes. She just likes the atmosphere there. My personal preference is to stay on Harbour.

 

[Baloo in MI]

A few lines will have service between 3:00 and 4:00 am specifically to get to the races. This is for the half last year, but I suspect this year's service will be similar.

https://rideart.org/marathon/

The quick summary: On Friday and Saturday, they ran 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 15 (no Embassy Suites North) for the races. A few routes might be detoured. Sunday, 4, 5, 11 and 12 were running for the races. 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15 were not running for the races, but were running at their normal times.

Thank you, this is greatly helpful!!!