Marathon Weekend 2024

[Marathongirl30]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.
I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first. I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

My DH, step-son and his gf will be at Hoop as well!! We will be sporting Dopey stuff, so say hi!!

 

[nekonekoneko]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.
I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first. I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

Everyone is different. But for us, since we're already up, after the race, we'll go back to the room to get cleaned up and then hit a park. Go there until about 5:00-5:30 or so and then find dinner and then head back to the room.

My DW also hates "being bored" so she hates just staying in the room during the day. But, of course, everyone is different. It's called what's your balance?

 

[RunWI1265]

Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

If I had to choose which days to go to the parks it would be before the 5k and Sunday after the marathon. It would be hard for me to go down there and not spend at least a day or two in the parks. I'll be there solo too if you'd like some company!

 

[GirlfromTN]

If I had to choose which days to go to the parks it would be before the 5k and Sunday after the marathon. It would be hard for me to go down there and not spend at least a day or two in the parks. I'll be there solo too if you'd like some company!

Those are the days I am considering - but I have a luncheon with the charity I am running with on the 5k day. Decisions decisions!

 

[GirlfromTN]

Everyone is different. But for us, since we're already up, after the race, we'll go back to the room to get cleaned up and then hit a park. Go there until about 5:00-5:30 or so and then find dinner and then head back to the room.

My DW also hates "being bored" so she hates just staying in the room during the day. But, of course, everyone is different. It's called what's your balance?

My only experiences have been the princess half (no challenge so I wasn’t worried about resting up) and Goofy in 2022 (covid times so I was avoiding the parks and sticking with the pool and outdoor dining to try to avoid getting sick, although of course I ended up with covid anyway lol).
But I generally don’t like sticking around the room at Disney because - you’re at Disney! And I’m not a big sleeper or person who can relax a lot anyway…

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.
I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first. I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

When I did the Dopey, I had tickets for the parks all four days. I went on Thur and Fri after the 5 and 10Ks and tried not to over-do it. I put some gear in a check bag and headed straight to the parks after the races and was able to be there when the ropes dropped and did pretty much all that I wanted to do by noon or so. I also went on Saturday afternoon to a park (maybe after lunch?) but made sure I didn't over-do it.
Sunday? After my post-race soak and nap, I walked (slowly) into Epcot from the skyliner and met up with a friend from work and his family. Fortunately he was dealing with foot problems and his wife was pregnant, so they weren't walking too fast. I then walked back to England and had dinner at their restaurant. No reservation, just walked up as a single diner and was seated within a few minutes. And as much as I would have loved to have stayed and watched the night show and fireworks, I was feeling the effects of 49+ miles, so I headed back to the room, did a little packing, and got some sleep since I was driving home in the morning.

So did I get much value out of the Sunday ticket? No. But I did Thur - Sat.
I have a breakfast reservation in HS at 9:30 on Saturday and then will be there for a few hours if you'd like to join. The key is to not be standing too long in any lines. Keep moving and you'll be OK. But stay and do my usual full-on, get-my-money's-worth all-day in a park? No.
Oh, and hopefully you'll join us at Hurricane Hannahs on Friday at 2.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

If I had to choose which days to go to the parks it would be before the 5k and Sunday after the marathon. It would be hard for me to go down there and not spend at least a day or two in the parks. I'll be there solo too if you'd like some company!

Some of us solo runners ought to meet up to do the parks.

 

[GirlfromTN]

Some of us solo runners ought to meet up to do the parks.

That would be a lot of fun! I usually go with family or friends to the parks, but not during marathon weekend - school has just started back and everyone has just been traveling for the holidays so I’m on my own.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.
I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first. I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

The only day I felt truly tired (during the day) was after the marathon, but I never did go to bed early any night. I slept 3-4 hours before every race and just rallied. If I had to choose before the 5k or after the marathon, I'd probably rather go hard before the 5k. You can sleep terribly that night and then get better sleep the next few nights to be rested for the full. And assuming you're in good shape even a long park day on Wednesday won't really wear on your legs to impact your half/full. I know people who would do the After Hours event before the 5k and just roll up to the 5k on no sleep haha! No matter what I feel like the four cumulative days of little sleep and all the racing make it hard to have a ton of energy on Sunday. I did go into the park and do some rides but I think I went to sleep the earliest the night after the marathon, funny enough.

 

[sandam1]

Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

My first question would be is this a Disney trip with a side of running or a running trip with a side of Disney? Since you said that you are doing Dopey, I suspect that the answer is the latter. But this was the question that my friend asked me before my first runDisney trip and something that I ask myself when I'm making decisions on every trip.

For my Dopey weekends, I usually do parks on the day of the Expo (I know that you're getting in late so this is less of an option). I love the night time shows so I will usually use Expo day to see one of them. Yes, that means that getting back to the hotel a little later than ideal, but a) I'm probably not going to sleep well that night anyway and b) it does help me sleep well the next night. One thing I do is make sure that I have everything set up for the next morning before I head to the parks so when I get back that evening, it's easy to head right to bed.

After the 5K, I take a quick nap and try to be at the parks by by 11ish and then back to the hotel by 7 (6 if I still need to eat dinner).

My first time doing Dopey, I tried to go to the parks after the 10K (I had an AP) and I lasted about 3 hours (if that). I was tired, cranky and completely over the lines and crowds. I told my friend "I'm not having fun. I'm going back to the hotel. Stay if you want." Last year, the same friend and I looked at each other after the 10K and said "no parks!" I took a nap, she did some computer work. We went to the pool and hot tub. We prepped for the next two early mornings. We ate dinner early and got to bed at a good time. It was 100% the right decision for us.

You couldn't drag me to the parks on Saturday. I go right into recovery mode - get a good nap in, maybe some pool time, do a meet-up at Disney Springs (which is always one of the highlights of the trip for me), an early dinner and to bed EARLY. By that point, I'm in laser-focused on getting my body whatever it needs at that point.

Post-marathon, I tried to nap (after bathing, eating, etc.), but both years, I was too uncomfortable to really sleep. We got to the parks mid to late afternoon and, honestly, it was pretty easy to keep going. Adrenaline and the post-race high were pretty powerful. I was moving slowly, but I wasn't tired.

Everyone is different. There are people who would go stir crazy hanging around their hotel as much as we did this past year. But I love the hotel we stay at so I had no problem getting to spend some time enjoying the amenities that I usually don't get to because we go, go, go. In fact, we stayed at the same hotel for Springtime Surprise, never stepped foot in a park (both of us had let our APs lapse), and had the best time.

 

[jmasgat]

@GirlfromTN You will get as many opinions as Disboard members! So I may as well add mine....I did Dopey in 2018, Goofy a few times. I always go to the parks. Expo Day is usually travel day for me, so I arrive in the afternoon and don't do a park. But the day of the 5k/10k/Half, it's park touring as usual. Understand though that my "Usual" involves "rope drop and out by 1-ish" I am not a dawn to dusk park tourer.

Marathon day, I don't do a park. I never know how I will feel after a marathon, and so I don't take the chance. I use that day to rest and then go walk around either BW or Disney Springs on my Quest for a Chocolate Shake. Then I will stay for Monday/Tuesday to have other park days.

YMMV. Even at the ripe old age of 65, I can make it work. As much as I hate opening my wallet to Disney, I can't go onsite to Disney and then not go to parks.

 

[accm]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.
I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first. I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

I have an AP, so it's hard for me to give an impartial recommendation. But assuming you'd be ok with not "maximizing" the value of your park tickets, I'd buy a 3 day pass, and go on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. I don't think the evening hours are worth the extra $100 you'd need to pay to add one more day to your pass. Just try to not stay out too late and I think you'll be OK. (Another disclaimer - I walk a lot for work, so I'm used to being on my feet a lot in addition to running. I don't know how or if that plays into the fact that I can walk around the parks without impacting the races)
This past year, I had no issue going to the parks on those days. Saturday I was beat though from lack of sleep, and spent most of the day napping or at the pool.

 

[accm]

Another reason why I'd want to go to the parks on Sunday is to get some medal pictures. It's such an iconic photo in front of the castle, I wouldn't want to miss it.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

"There are people who would go stir crazy hanging around their hotel as much as we did this past year."

[raises hand]

This is so me. We go on vacation and the DW wants to sit by a pool or on a beach, and I'm wanting to be moving and/or doing something. I don't idle very well, especially at the most expensive happiest place on earth.

 

[dobball23]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.
I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first. I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?
I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over? Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy). My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

I have the first Hoop Dee Doo seating on Sunday as well. See you there!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Hi all, looking for some practical advice here! I am traveling solo to WDW for Dopey, staying onsite. I don’t have an annual pass, so trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy park tickets for a few of the days I will be there.

This is really going to depend on your park-touring style. And if you are like me (which is rope-drop through fireworks, do all the things, wring out every cent of that ticket price) you need to be VERY honest with yourself.

I won’t arrive on Weds until early afternoon, so will have to go to the expo first.

If all you're planning on doing at the expo is grabbing a your bibs/shirts (which should be just the one stop if they continue to have the dopey stuff in one spot) you could be in and out of the expo in about 30min, pending the traffic that's coming in/out of the expo.

I could go to MK that day, since there are late hours for deluxe resort guests. Is it a horrible idea to stay up late the night before the 5k, as long as I planned to get a nap the following day?

How well do you function on limited rest? Which resort are you staying at (because a 20min bus ride back to SSR or OWK is a totally different thing from a 5min monorail to GF/Poly/BLT)? Staying until close and the waiting for Disney transportation and then getting your room might put you at 1am before you get into bed. Would you stay for ALL of the extended hours? Is it "worth it" to you paying for a park ticket that would have you in the parks from say.....3pm-midnight?

How do you feel about doing the 5k, taking a short nap, and then hitting a park on Thursday? Could you take a nap shortly after your race, or would you be too amped up from the excitement?

I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to go to the parks on Friday or Saturday (before the half and full) bc I would be tempted to stay too late to get value out of the ticket, but maybe I could rally for a park on Sunday since at that point all the running is over?

I wouldn't discount Friday immediately if you are OK with minimizing standing in lines, and leaving the park in time to get to bed at a reasonable/early time in preparation for the half. Unless you think you'll be maximizing your course time during the 10k, you could be finished an back to your resort in the morning by 730, and have time to shower, hop on a bus, and get into a park when it opens (possibly even during EE.)

Again I know I would want to stay as long as possible to get my money’s worth so not sure how great of an idea it is since I haven’t done dopey before (only Goofy).

I did Goofy my first year, and Dopey the 2nd year, and while it's "only 9.3 more miles" those extra wakeups really can take their toll. Again, this is a "how do you function on limited rest" situation.

My other option would be to do a fun or fancy dinner - I have Hoop de doo booked for Sunday at 430 right now.
I’m leaving Monday morning so no chance for a park that day. Any thoughts or recommendations welcome!

How do you feel about medal pics? Do you definitely want to have them? In a park? Personally, medal pics are the only thing that could get me into a park after the marathon. But that's because I know what long runs do to me (and my appetite) physically, and I just wouldn't have a good time. But if it were my only opportunity to get castle medal pics, I would go. This is definitely a YMMV situation.

 

[jrsharp21]

The only day I felt truly tired (during the day) was after the marathon, but I never did go to bed early any night. I slept 3-4 hours before every race and just rallied. If I had to choose before the 5k or after the marathon, I'd probably rather go hard before the 5k. You can sleep terribly that night and then get better sleep the next few nights to be rested for the full. And assuming you're in good shape even a long park day on Wednesday won't really wear on your legs to impact your half/full. I know people who would do the After Hours event before the 5k and just roll up to the 5k on no sleep haha! No matter what I feel like the four cumulative days of little sleep and all the racing make it hard to have a ton of energy on Sunday. I did go into the park and do some rides but I think I went to sleep the earliest the night after the marathon, funny enough.

Very similar strategies here. I can sleep when I get home. LOL. I hit the parks every day after each run. I probably leave around 8pm or so to head back to the hotel. I try to be in bed by 10pm. But usually it's more like 11pm. Up at 2am to get ready. Sunday is definitely the day the crash happens. I have felt it the past two years. Around 5pm/6pm I hit the brick wall. I usually tell my family to stay and enjoy the last night at the parks and I head back to the resort and pack up and rest.

 

[Baloo in MI]

@GirlfromTN
Looks like you have already gotten a wide range of responses, here is one other thought. Part of the runDisney weekend experience is the sense of connection you get in the parks after the races. Whether you wear that day’s medal, race shirt or another runDisney item, while you are walking in the park your are sure to get “good job”, “congrats”, “how did it go” from guests and cast members. Standing in lines you will talk with perfect strangers about the races, you get knowing nods, etc. And in all this is just this sense of belonging to this crazy running community. It is one of the significant reasons I keep coming back. So that is worth at least some time in the parks after races.

FWIW - I go in on expo day and after each race of Dopey. I try to minimize walking and standing in line time, drink lots of water, eat an early dinner and get back to the hotel by early evening to get to bed and do it again the next day. And after the marathon I am closing down the park and going back to the parks for Medal Monday!!

 

[accm]

My son asked if he could join me yesterday for my run. So we went out and did 3 miles together. Lessons learned: don’t go for a run so close to hockey practice - he was more tired than usual, which made the run not as enjoyable. Also need to get him some clothes for running in the winter if he’s going to want to keep joining me.
Picture of my training partner, who’s so excited for marathon weekend:

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:

Good Morning runDIsney All-Stars!!! WIth each week we get a little closer so probably time to get serious! Ok, not really; so this week, you need to share - What is your all time favorite animated Disney movie? Only one, no honorable mentions…(Yes, I am being that cruel!)

My answer: The Jungle Book. When I was a kid, I watched this movie on VHS about 700 times. I was so jealous of Mowgli. I imagined being free to run in the jungle and have a best friend who was a bear. I have always really liked the music and just have such a soft spot for Baloo the bear, no surprise there I suppose. If I could only watch one Disney animated movie for the rest of my days it would be The Jungle Book.

Also I wanted to mention that last week I probably could have done a better job in bringing up the meet ups. So I am circling back. First, the meet-ups are for everyone, whether brand new to the thread, a “lurker” who is reading but never responding and the people who have been around these threads; all are welcome. As we get closer to MW and get the race info we will set an official meeting spot (likely that first light pole we have used in the past) and a beginning time. I will track down last year’s pictures and share those as reference. The suggestions for a sign are a great idea. Sounds like the Hurricane Hanna’s meet up on Friday will be at 2pm (I think I said 3pm - so ignore me!). Finally the DATW get together will take place on the Monday after the marathon, time and place to be decided. I can’t be a part of that event, so if someone wants to take the lead with time and meeting spot please do share. In closing, I really hope you will at least come to some of the meet ups. Have a good week!