Marathon Weekend 2022

[bovie]

SAFD: Not sure I have a best memory. Running wise, finishing my first marathon, barely ahead of the balloon ladies, was amazing. Sitting on the porch of Trail's End drinking whiskey cocktails after Wine and Dine was pretty great too.

Nonrunning- I went to on my first Disney trip after finishing med school. I had wanted to go so badly as a kid and never got to. One of my friend's parents let me and another friend who'd just finished grad school use their time share. We were so broke! We flew Allegient, bought discount tickets, and ate PB&J in the lines to save on food. I babysat to pay for my park ticket. It was amazing and I wouldn't change a thing.

A couple years ago, I went with my BFF and her husband/ kids. Super different experience to go with littles, in the best way. Didn't know how fun it could be to ride the Teacups four times in a row.

Honestly though, sometimes the best part is the weird time spent in lines or on the bus, talking about whatever. Disney was my bright spot of something to look forward to, and usually a chance to spend time with friends who lived far away. Super thankful for it.

 

[Cabius]

Question for those who have run the full marathon in the past.

Have they done packet pickup for the full marathon on Saturdays in the past, or is Friday the last day for packet pickup?

I've got a DVC reservation for January 2022. I'm planning on running the full marathon, but not sure if I have to arrive Thursday to guarantee that I can pick up on Friday, or if I could arrive Friday, pick up Saturday, and run on Sunday.

Obviously they could change it in 2022 from past years, but I'm hoping for some guidance.

 

[SheHulk]

Question for those who have run the full marathon in the past.

Have they done packet pickup for the full marathon on Saturdays in the past, or is Friday the last day for packet pickup?

I've got a DVC reservation for January 2022. I'm planning on running the full marathon, but not sure if I have to arrive Thursday to guarantee that I can pick up on Friday, or if I could arrive Friday, pick up Saturday, and run on Sunday.

Obviously they could change it in 2022 from past years, but I'm hoping for some guidance.

You can pick up for the marathon on Saturday. That's normally when I go and it's pretty quiet by then.

 

[Cabius]

You can pick up for the marathon on Saturday. That's normally when I go and it's pretty quiet by then.

Thank you!

 

[iamsarahpotts]

SAFD: What a hard question! Like so many people, I've been going to Disney since before I can remember. I think just the "feeling" of being at Disney World is it's own weird and wonderful memory.

I started going with my husband in recent years and every trip is just the most fun and happy time. We are ride warriors when we're there together, so we always try and break our previous records. For example, our Everest record is riding it 10X in one day. We could've hopped back in line and ridden more, but our brains were starting to wiggle in our skulls. The whole "should we do it again?" conversation while we're exiting rides and laughing, and planning what pose we're going to do for the pictures is just silly and fun.

My sister (she's nine years younger than me) and I were left alone in MK the year she graduated high school. The rest of the family had to call it a night and go relax, but we were determined to stay until the park closed. We were semi-delirious and decided to ride Astro Orbiter together. Neither of us had been on it in a while and didn't realize we probably shouldn't ride in the same rocket. We crammed in it and just laughed the whole time about how crazy we must've looked.

The year Toy Story Land opened, I woke up really early and got to the park before it opened to try and get in line for slinky dog while my family slept. It was SO cool to get a glimpse of the land for the first time, and feel the excitement of the crowd as CMs walked us to the entrance. And I only had to wait 5 minutes to ride slinky!

I was able to catch Illuminations on it's last night while I was there on a birthday trip. My husband wasn't feeling well, so he went back to the resort and I got a margarita and waited for the show in the rain! Why is getting caught in the rain at Disney World so fun??

While on a trip for my mom's 60th birthday last February, we had the PERFECT day at Hollywood Studios! It was a mix of good planning and good luck! As we were headed out, I realized I had ridden every ride and watched every show EXCEPT Smuggler's Run. My family headed back to the resort and I ran back to check the ride of my list. I had a nice leisurely stroll through the park as it was closing down.

Apparently I really like special moments by myself and being stupid-silly with my family.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Has anyone heard anything about when booking resort stays will open for 2022, not including DVC?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Have they done packet pickup for the full marathon on Saturdays in the past, or is Friday the last day for packet pickup?

You should keep two things in mind for Saturday packet pickup. First off is that if merchandise matters to you, there may be fewer options, choices, and sizes available on Saturday. Second is that Saturday packet pickup hours may be shorter than the other days so make sure you check the Expo hours in advance to make sure you are there on time.

 

[chantaldb]

SAFD: my first trip to WDW, must have been around the 4th of July in 1983 (so everything in Epcot was still brand-new ) . Great memories of the fireworks. DD (6 at the time) has fond memories of racing a much older girl to wake up Tinker Bell at the Tinker Bell's Treasures gift shop .

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

Hi!

I'm hoping to do the half marathon in 2022 with my family. (Me: 47, Husband: 49 Son: 18). We would be coming from Ottawa, ON Canada. We love Disney and try to go at least once every 18 months. Our last trip was in February 2020- we squeaked in a high school grad trip before COVID really took hold. However, we haven't done a race weekend at Disney since 2011. We are so looking forward to it! All of our planning is hypothetical at this point but it helps to pass the chilly winter time.

Question:
Does anyone know if the Skyliners run in the middle of the night to get people to the starting line? I can imagine it's likely busses only but it might sway my choice of resort if there were Skyliners running.

TIA,

OttawaDisGirl

 

[SheHulk]

Hi!

I'm hoping to do the half marathon in 2022 with my family. (Me: 47, Husband: 49 Son: 18). We would be coming from Ottawa, ON Canada. We love Disney and try to go at least once every 18 months. Our last trip was in February 2020- we squeaked in a high school grad trip before COVID really took hold. However, we haven't done a race weekend at Disney since 2011. We are so looking forward to it! All of our planning is hypothetical at this point but it helps to pass the chilly winter time.

Question:
Does anyone know if the Skyliners run in the middle of the night to get people to the starting line? I can imagine it's likely busses only but it might sway my choice of resort if there were Skyliners running.

TIA,

OttawaDisGirl

Skyliners only go to International Gateway at Epcot, and you traditionally can't walk through Epcot to get the the race start in the morning. Even people staying at the boardwalk resorts have to bus it or drive.

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

Skyliners only go to International Gateway at Epcot, and you traditionally can't walk through Epcot to get the the race start in the morning. Even people staying at the boardwalk resorts have to bus it or drive.

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Booked BLT yesterday for Marathon weekend--hoping it goes forward!

 

[brent02139]

Thank you!

For saturday pickups, I would aim for the morning. Last thing you want is some airline delays or bus schedule issues that would end up missing the pickup window. Even if you do end up getting there in time, you would be stressed out and hard to have some downtime before the race.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I've never run a marathon but am hoping to do this one. When does sign-up become available? Does it sell out very quickly?

Where does the race start and end? Any favorite resorts you guys like to stay at for this race? Any other advice for someone who knows nothing about Disney races (or marathons at all)?

 

[flav]

SAFD: Great question... It is hard to pick only a few favourite memories! I asked that question to DH and DD during our walks this week, it helped narrowing it down!

- Planning: I will always remember the 7AM phone calls to Disney Dining... “Hi, I am calling to make 20 reservations (we are on DDxDP)” But also the talks about what we wanted as a trip, what resort, what FP+
- The arrival: That excitement when we arrive at the resort or the park in general. And specifically, when we go under the railway station and arrive in MK Town Square... It brings back the other memories of those steps (first trip when I was twelve, pushing the stroller with small kids, being first at rope drop on a solo trip and running before sunrise).
- The food: So many of our memories are linked to food, it’s almost scary! That could be another SAFD in itself.
- Taking it easy at the pool, especially Stormalong Bay at the BC. We all remember the hula hoop contest there!
- Getting to a runDisney race at 3AM... That ambience. Someone described it as palpable or electric. It is.

ETA: Epcot at night with DD then 1.5yo wanting so badly to tell us (she couldn’t speak sentences at that age) that the sky had fallen into the floor. You could almost ear her synapses clicking into place. Fascinating!

 

[Cabius]

For saturday pickups, I would aim for the morning. Last thing you want is some airline delays or bus schedule issues that would end up missing the pickup window. Even if you do end up getting there in time, you would be stressed out and hard to have some downtime before the race.

Thanks! I definitely plan to fly in the day before pickup at the latest; I just wasn’t sure if a Friday arrival would be too late.

 

[jmasgat]

I've never run a marathon but am hoping to do this one. When does sign-up become available? Does it sell out very quickly?

Where does the race start and end? Any favorite resorts you guys like to stay at for this race? Any other advice for someone who knows nothing about Disney races (or marathons at all)?

Given the Covid uncertainty, signup is unknown. Normally, it was in mid-April. The races can sell out quickly (especially Dopey), but the marathon has tended to last a little longer. Again, not known whether 2022 will proceed, what the race capacity will be. Best advice would be if/when it opens, sign up.

The race starts and ends at Epcot, specifically starting on Epcot Center Drive and ending in the parking lot. All resorts have bus transportation to race and expo, so your choice of hotels depends on budget and preference. People stay all over (and offsite too--you can drive to the race and park at EPCOT. I have done both)

Finally, search this forum for the threads for Marathon weekend 2020 to get a feel for things. Here's the main one. But there are lots of people who have asked more specific questions about registration, hotels, spectators and they post their own threads.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/marathon-weekend-2020.3729134/
ETA: Here's a link to the 2018 Marathon Weekend Event Guide (before RD took back in-house) It will give you a feel for things.

http://rodale-usa.instantmagazine.com/rundisney/dwmar18#!/index

 

[happ]

Has anyone heard anything about when booking resort stays will open for 2022, not including DVC?

I was able to book Swan & Dolphin online. You should be able to reserve Disney resorts by phone.
Update: Online booking is available now (2/16).

 

[BikeFan]

I've never run a marathon but am hoping to do this one. When does sign-up become available? Does it sell out very quickly?

Where does the race start and end? Any favorite resorts you guys like to stay at for this race? Any other advice for someone who knows nothing about Disney races (or marathons at all)?

The Disney Marathon is great for first-timers. My son, wife, and brother-in-law all ran it as their first, and had a great time. The course is flat, fun, and easy, though it can get crowded at points, and both the Disney entertainment and your fellow Disney runners make it a really special atmosphere. The time limit is also pretty generous. The only variable which can make it tough is the weather - it's been everything from just above freezing to mid-80's on Marathon Weekend. You'll definitely want to keep an eye on the weather report just before you leave and be prepared for anything. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Any other advice for someone who knows nothing about Disney races (or marathons at all)?

I've run two marathons, both at Disney World and both as part of Dopey. It's a great experience. Disney does a great job at on course support. Both 2019 and especially 2020 were brutally hot races and there was plenty of first aid for those who needed it and ample water/powerade stations. The atmosphere feels like one gigantic party celebrating running and a love of Disney. If you enjoy taking photos with characters, the Disney marathon offers plenty of characters along the course ranging from Mickey and friends to more minor characters that appear for maybe 5 minutes in one movie.

Now for the more important part, training. Find a plan that works for you. There are a wide variety of training plans that will help you successfully complete the marathon. They use different methodologies and following them will help you find success. The plan I used to complete many half marathons leading up to the marathon was not the plan that I used to finish my first marathons, but I learned so many valuable and successful lessons from those plans that they laid the groundwork that helped me feel ready to tackle the marathon. It took me many years to feel ready for that. For others, it can take a matter of weeks because each of us is different.

So find a plan that works for you, that fits your schedule, and works with your life.

And last, but not least. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not be afraid to share your worries, fears, concerns, setbacks, and yes the triumphs too. One of the biggest mistakes I made in preparing for my first half marathon was doing the whole thing in near total isolation. I don't mean running by myself, rather I mean hardly telling anyone what I was doing. I lived in fear that someone would tell me I was destined to fail, so I was too scared to share my struggles. I determined to not repeat that mistake before my first marathon. So when a very encouraging setback came during training, I shared my fears and concerns with this community. A few offered their wisdom and counsel, many more offered message of support that meant more than I can say. So while I ran by myself during the marathon, I did not ran the race alone.