Marathon course questions

[prncssjas]

TGIF RunDisney friends!

So this question is for all of you that have run the full during marathon weekend--DH and I will be running the full in 2026 for the first time and I have seen the course maps from prior years. Since we have only run the half distance during January and Princess week, MK is really the only theme park we have experience running through (well, EPCOT but I am not counting that since we have also done the 5k and 10k races). I would love to hear about your expriences running through HS and AK.

For example, at the MK we always stop for a photo in front of the castle. Is there a similar photo stop at Animal Kingdom (like in front of the tree of life) and at Hollywood Studios? I know there will be the little green tents along the course but I didn't know if there was a similar set up to the MK where there are several photographers lined up and stop if you wish to.

Does the course get narrow and/or very crowded in any parts of HS or AK? I'd love to hear all the good/bad/ugly about the full course. Thank you!

 

[RuntheMouse]

If you’re in Animal Kingdom after park open, I have a pic from a regular photo pass photographer in the blue circled area. It’s right before you bear left to go toward Everest, it has a good shot of the mountain in the background.

 

[prncssjas]

If you’re in Animal Kingdom after park open, I have a pic from a regular photo pass photographer in the blue circled area. It’s right before you bear left to go toward Everest, it has a good shot of the mountain in the background.

Thank you--this is super helpful. I just need to figure approximate times I arrive in each theme park. I can only estimate this for the half course, lol! My castle pics in the MK are always around 6am -- maybe by studying the course map, I can guess my times.

 

[Fenway1970]

Unless they change the course you're only within the park boundary of HS for a hot minute, but I'm pretty sure they had a photo spot set up with Tower of Terror in the background for this year's marathon.

 

[marty3d]

Thank you--this is super helpful. I just need to figure approximate times I arrive in each theme park. I can only estimate this for the half course, lol! My castle pics in the MK are always around 6am -- maybe by studying the course map, I can guess my times.

You should be able to use the MW DISlist to estimate your time for the marathon - the link to this year's version (courtesy of @Herding_Cats @The Expert @Kerry1957 @DopeyBadger )

https://www.disboards.com/threads/marathon-weekend-2025.3936804/post-65912539

 

[RuntheMouse]

Unless they change the course you're only within the park boundary of HS for a hot minute, but I'm pretty sure they had a photo spot set up with Tower of Terror in the background for this year's marathon.

Make sure you wait to eat your Dove chocolate they give you backstage until after the photographer……don’t ask why I know this.

 

[nancipants]

For AK, they don't have a Tree of Life photo op, but it's very easy to pull off to the side and get a selfie or get a photo from another runner. I noticed someone taking a selfie at the same time as me and offered to take her pic if she took mine. For staged photos, I got a pic in front of Everest and I believe it was just designated for runners.





They also have photo pass people taking staged pics with Tower, as well as Spaceship Earth.

 

[prncssjas]

Make sure you wait to eat your Dove chocolate they give you backstage until after the photographer……don’t ask why I know this.

LOL ok...I clearly don't know this inside joke but I trust you!

 

[prncssjas]

. I noticed someone taking a selfie at the same time as me and offered to take her pic if she took mine.

OMG @nancipants I love your pics! You look splendid! And so happy! Unfortunately, I will likely look like death in my marathon pics (based on prior marathons so this is science based) but if I can look a fraction of this cuteness, I will be happy!

 

[prncssjas]

You should be able to use the MW DISlist to estimate your time for the marathon - the link to this year's version

WOW, this is so comprehensive and helpful! I just need to make sure I remember to stay close to these boards as marathon weekend approaches--sounds like it was so much fun for everyone to be involved! Thanks again.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Brown teeth…….enough said.

LOL ok...I clearly don't know this inside joke but I trust you!

 

[FlyingDonut]

Can we use this for our course speculation thread given the construction in AK? Did this year's course go anywhere that there have since been construction walls?

 

[nancipants]

It ran through Dinoland, but not THROUGH the walled off portion. TBD whether they will eventually extend the construction through that pathway and cast exist past the bathrooms. I believe there are alternative exits near Nemo, Restaurantosaurus, and closer to the front of the park.

 

[fatmanatee]

I'm not sure it's even been confirmed that the changes to the half and full course from this year were due to construction over there.

FWIW they have done a different exit out of AK when the course went to ESPN but the route didn't seem to deviate too much from this year's.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

@prncssjas if you liked the highway miles to/from MK during the HM, just wait for the grand parking lot tours at BOTH the TTC and Blizzard Beach during the full! All kidding aside, you will have great experience and have the benefit of the course being new to both of you. The full will have the same narrow spots that you experience in the HM around the new Poly/Grand Flo area. The full adds an additional spot, affectionately referred to as the international squeezeway, on the path between HS and Boardwalk. You also get a couple more cheering spots with great crowd energy similar to the TTC area of the HM (nothing beats Main Street of course) just outside HS near the Skyliner and again by the Boardwalk. Gives a bit more energy when you need it late in the race.

 

[nancipants]

OMG @nancipants I love your pics! You look splendid! And so happy! Unfortunately, I will likely look like death in my marathon pics (based on prior marathons so this is science based) but if I can look a fraction of this cuteness, I will be happy!

Haha, thank you! I definitely did not FEEL cute. I was excited because it was my first time running through AK and I knew I'd be seeing my family soon. Once we left Animal Kingdom and we turned onto Western Way, I was a hot mess again.

 

[prncssjas]

if you liked the highway miles to/from MK during the HM, just wait for the grand parking lot tours at BOTH the TTC and Blizzard Beach during the full! All kidding aside, you will have great experience and have the benefit of the course being new to both of you. The full will have the same narrow spots that you experience in the HM around the new Poly/Grand Flo area. The full adds an additional spot, affectionately referred to as the international squeezeway, on the path between HS and Boardwalk. You also get a couple more cheering spots with great crowd energy similar to the TTC area of the HM (nothing beats Main Street of course) just outside HS near the Skyliner and again by the Boardwalk. Gives a bit more energy when you need it late in the race.

Thank you so much, this is super helpful and I must be a weirdo but I actually DO like the highway miles--it's wide open, little distraction, and gives me space and time to actually enjoy the running (I know, what a concept? ) so parking lots are OK with me too. Good to know about the bottlenecks and hopefully, with an earlier corral start, it might not be too awful. I am really looking forward to this!

I appreciate your help @GuinnessRunner , thanks again!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just wanted to note that the marathon course this year did exit the park through a section of Dinoland which is now closed.

Route this year....


Base photo courtesy of @bioreconstruct on X, red line (course) added by me, you can see the demo'd Triceratop Spin circle and carnival game area (and sadly Cementasaurus). The construction area that's now closed off includes those gift shops and restrooms there on the right.


If I had to guess/play course speculator, I'd say they'll probably tinker with the course to exit the park on the other side / behind Dinosaur (which is the white roof building) then connect with the backstage route we've used the last few years. Just a guess though.

 

[Z-Knight]

LOL ok...I clearly don't know this inside joke but I trust you!