Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend 2024

[StarGirl11]

I saw you go by. When we got to the front they had at least 6 open.

Glad to hear that improved. Remember thinking it was weird that they only had two open. I don’t normally like doing what I did this morning. But we have to be up there by a certain time for safety checks and to roll out. Plus any last minute adjustments (which were a thing this morning).

Gotta do what we got to do unfortunately.

The last 15 minutes of entertainment this morning was fabulous. I've never seen choreographed dancers and singers before in a pre-race--and the fire works were amazing. I feel like they heard the complaints and really upped the game. The lines for characters were crazy--Minnie and Mickey must have been an hour when we went by. It was practically under the tunnel of toontown. Very fun race. No security issues here and was able to go back to the Grand Californian through the Grizzly peak entrance. Looking forward to Sunday.

I can’t say I’m surprised by the Mickey and Minnie line. Disneys leading characters in Halloween costumes = long line. I must have been the first to get there and stop because there was no line. Took me longer to go around the circle to them then for the actual photo. But still wow.

 

[DianaMB333]

I loved it!

Everything went smooth in my experience, easy pass through security, the halloween decor and the projections at Main Street were awesome; the entertainment before the race started; all well labeled; the characters costumes and locations… and the finish at DCA was awesome… very relaxed place to sit, enjoy the ambiance, photos with that big Mickey in the back…

Really loved it!

 

[StarGirl11]

Vid from my handcycle of this morning: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFJQG82X/

 

[fatmanatee]

Found a nice map of the character stops today. Someone else posted a photo with Loki on the AC balcony area so not sure if they were both there or rotating out.

Assuming stormtroopers were also on that raised area at GE as per usual.

 

[StarGirl11]

Found a nice map of the character stops today. Someone else posted a photo with Loki on the AC balcony area so not sure if they were both there or rotating out.

Assuming stormtroopers were also on that raised area at GE as per usual.

View attachment 892363

Swapping out. I only saw Loki when I went through. No Scarlet Witch

 

[Bree]

Found a nice map of the character stops today. Someone else posted a photo with Loki on the AC balcony area so not sure if they were both there or rotating out.

Assuming stormtroopers were also on that raised area at GE as per usual.

View attachment 892363

I saw someone in Avengers campus, but no idea who she was. Now I know

There were some selfie props backstage too.

 

[StarGirl11]

Also full credit to DL photopass. They tag fast. WDw I love but they can take a few days because of how manual tagging works for us. I’m already seeing castle photos

 

[fatmanatee]

Not sure this impacts anyone here directly but is worth noting that they're taking the weather situation seriously: RD just announced that the kids races tomorrow will be starting early, at 8:15.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

For anyone staying at a Disney hotel, I was just told by the info booth at the expo that they added a shuttle for us. It drops off at the bus depot across the street from the 10k/half starting point. Lol, that makes me Saturday morning easier.

Ohh let us know how that goes, I really wanted a bus for going back on the half to skip the security lines to just walk back to my hotel

 

[StarGirl11]

seeing reports on FB that the water stop ran out of water. If your running the next two days make sure you have some in case theirs a repeat of that

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

I usually don't race with my water belt, but am glad I brought it just in case. I was impressed there was still lots of merch at the expo, I just was there I got the ornament and ears I wanted. A little sad the Halloween cat shirt was sold out.

 

[dweibel]

Anyone know how many corrals are in the Half Marathon this year?

 

[fatmanatee]

Anyone know how many corrals are in the Half Marathon this year?

According to a chart for pacers going around there will be 9, from A to I.

 

[rockpiece]

The run Disney staff I talked to at the expo said the busses should be picking up from the hotels at 3:15 and dropping off at the bus drop off. If the line is too long and I just decide to uber do I only go through security going into the race? Not trying to deal with a backup at security at downtown Disney.

 

[Lauren in NC]

This was our 2nd DL 5k with the family. I’d say my kids were in a much better place pace-wise than January, but with the heat (we stopped every time we saw a water fountain) I think we barely shaved 20 minutes off our extremely long time

I liked this course a lot better than the January one. And the fireworks this morning were such a surprise! We were right around the Candy Palace and the first time those side bursts went off over Main St - wow, just amazing. Plus the stunning piano rendition of the national anthem! Definitely a huge improvement over January!

I know it’s a 5k, but I really wish there had been more than one water station. I’d say we were towards the later end (finished around 6:20-ish) and we saw so many people off to the side resting or visibly struggling with the heat. We brought our own and supplemented with the bottle fillers and water fountains (plenty along the course). To Disney’s credit, there were plenty of CMs keeping eyes out but considering the record heat plus how many race newbies 5ks draw in, I would’ve thought they’d be shoving the water in everyone’s faces! Anyway, not sure what the longer races will be like, but it might be best to plan on relying mostly on your own water supply, if possible.

As an acclimated Californian, I found the heat pretty uncomfortable but it was bearable for the most part. Once the sun really came out, though, it quickly turned into a different story. My husband’s gone from his carefully trained steady pace to planning on just doing as much as possible for the half before the sun rises.

Any way, despite the weather, we had a great time. Definitely looking forward to next January! Good luck to the 10k and half runners!

 

[rockpiece]

Was super smooth getting in, now just to wait in the corral till go time.

 

[Novatrix]

So shuttle report from Disneyland Hotel.

Got in lie for the shuttle at 3:26 and the line was super long. After 20 minutes of not seeing a shuttle, someone went up and asked the bus staff what the situation is.

Apparently, Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian each were assigned 2 shuttles that can hold 40 people each. They were supposed to loop every 15 minutes, but I'm sure there were delays with loading, ect.

Decided to just walk it once someone confirmed Downtown Disney was open. (I'd been told yesterday when checking in that it would be closed.)

It didn't seem like a long walk, and both Security lines went super quick, so definitely the right decision.

 

[DianaMB333]

I’m loving the entertainment pre-race here…
Now I wish Orlando do similar and more! LOL

 

[Novatrix]

Ok, I think the DJ was having fun with the forecast. Last song prior to the Corral A sendoff/Grim Grinning Ghost countdown was Chappell Roan's Hottogo.

 

[rockpiece]

Not as many character stops as WDW but the course is way better, it’s so cool running through the majority of the parks compared to highways.