Marathon Weekend 2025

[Fischstick]

Like many, I don't hate the earlier start time. More time in the dark is USUALLY good for January in Orlando. But I am definitely NOT liking the removal of World showcase at the end.

Does anyone think this may also have to do with trying to discourage runners from riding as many rides as they can? In the past couple of Dopey's I've noticed many runners trying to cram in as many rides as they can and not get swept. Like, if we start you earlier, you will have more opportunities to be in and OUT of the parks before regular, paying guests. Just another thought.....

I guess I will wait and see how it shakes out.

 

[GollyGadget]

I’m honestly surprised at all the Epcot backlash. I did not see that coming. As someone else mentioned, it provides the opportunity to run through WS with all the torches lit. But mostly my positive opinion is based on the fact that by that point in a marathon, I'm ready to be done. After telling myself for miles that I just need to get to Epcot, I'm always frustrated that WS is sooooo far. I do wish they would let us exit under Spaceship Earth again.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I’m honestly surprised at all the Epcot backlash. I did not see that coming. As someone else mentioned, it provides the opportunity to run through WS with all the torches lit. But mostly my positive opinion is based on the fact that by that point in a marathon, I'm ready to be done. After telling myself for miles that I just need to get to Epcot, I'm always frustrated that WS is sooooo far. I do wish they would let us exit under Spaceship Earth again.

I'm already running through WS with torches lit for the 5k and the 10k since I'm running Dopey. (And it's the same for SS/W&D/Princess, right?) A lot of people who sign up for the races sign up for multiple distances and are running multiple weekends. The marathon is the only time we are running through WS while the park is open/sun is up, and can grab treats. This map looks like they're just trying to shuffle us through Epcot as quickly as possible.

 

[FFigawi]

Here are the estimated times needed for Everest and TOT/RnR based on the course and 4:30am start time:


View attachment 897813

To read it. If I were starting in Corral A, and wanted to ride Everest, then I need to go slower than 10:24 min/mile pace up through Mile 17.3, but not slower than 16:46 min/mile pace as that puts me at risk of being swept.

If I were starting in Corral C, and wanted to ride TOT/RnR, then I need to go slower than 9:50 min/mile pace up through Mile 23.5, but not slower than 15:34 min/mile pace as that puts me at risk of being swept.

@DopeyBadger out here doing God's work. Nice to know I’ll be able to make Everest, TOT, and RnRC. The big question now is if Thirsty River will move their opening time up 30 minutes too.

 

[Naomeri]

I'm already running through WS with torches lit for the 5k and the 10k since I'm running Dopey. (And it's the same for SS/W&D/Princess, right?) A lot of people who sign up for the races sign up for multiple distances and are running multiple weekends. The marathon is the only time we are running through WS while the park is open/sun is up, and can grab treats. This map looks like they're just trying to shuffle us through Epcot as quickly as possible.

Exactly, it feels like I've run WS in the dark a million times already (even though I've only been doing rD since Princess 2022) I wanna do it in daylight and have some cheering people in the park

 

[fatmanatee]

Does anyone think this may also have to do with trying to discourage runners from riding as many rides as they can? In the past couple of Dopey's I've noticed many runners trying to cram in as many rides as they can and not get swept. Like, if we start you earlier, you will have more opportunities to be in and OUT of the parks before regular, paying guests. Just another thought.....

I don't think it'll have much of an impact. No change with MK, everyone was in and out before park open there. Corral A runners are most likely to get through AK before that park opens, but that's a smaller group and if they really want to, they can change pace, do more photo stops, etc. Both HS and Epcot will be fully open, and they haven't prevented people in the past from going off-course to do Tower or RnRC. Biggest impact for the Epcot course change as far as rides are concerned is that you don't go by Remy or Los Caballeros, but they're close enough to the course that maybe you can sneak over? That said I never really heard of these as being popular for racers, my understanding is that it's Everest as the most popular by far due to its accessibility and then maybe a coinflip between RnRC and ToT. And at the end, if you have the stomach for it, Guardians is on the way out. I only know of one person who has done that one though.

 

[StarGirl11]

I’m honestly surprised at all the Epcot backlash. I did not see that coming. As someone else mentioned, it provides the opportunity to run through WS with all the torches lit. But mostly my positive opinion is based on the fact that by that point in a marathon, I'm ready to be done. After telling myself for miles that I just need to get to Epcot, I'm always frustrated that WS is sooooo far. I do wish they would let us exit under Spaceship Earth again.

Also I hadn’t thought of this earlier but WS is notoriously one of the hottest sections of the course outside of Animal Kingdom. Which like the later at least had shade.

I kind of have mixed feelings on the torch thing though. I’m also in it for Dopey. And maybe my opinion will change after doing this with Dopey. But my first FL event was when they still had the WS showcase loop in the dark. And idk it felt different than doing it for the 5k or 10k.

There’s something I found invigorating about the early loop that never quite felt on the latter loop or even on the shorter races). Maybe it’s a hype thing I don’t know.

(That’s not to say the latter loop wasn’t an excitement of its own. But it didn’t feel the same.)

 

[flav]

And, could we not run through Blizzard Beach instead of around in the parking lot? I don't know what time that park opens or how wide the sidewalks are. More miles in DHS would have been welcome too, we barely touch it.

Blizzard Beach (and its parking lot) was included in the 2020 marathon and I liked it. Olaf was there with snoap falling. They had to cut the course because of the heat but I don’t get why they are not including the park anymore.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Not sure what I think of the new course. Definitely I don’t like not finishing in the WS; to me that is so cool. And I’ll miss seeing sunrise over Space Mountain. Plus I don’t like change, speaking as an old fart fuddy-duddy.
Also add me to the camp that the earlier start is primarily a measure to get us out of the parks sooner. Just more of Disney’s “how much can we tick off our “guests” and fans and still take their money?” mindset. They continue to make it harder and harder to like them.

Surgery finished up this afternoon. Since then has been a combination of updating family and friends and napping.
The best news is no searing pain down my leg, so sciatic nerve is in good shape. Woo- hoo!
The most amazing thing is that my leg is already loadbearing capable, to the limits of pain tolerance. Certainly nothing that I am going to push, it is simply surprising, and I am a bit more mobile than anticipated. I am spending the night downstairs in the easy chair, but will likely be able to go upstairs tomorrow night to shower and sleep in my own bed.

Thank you so much for all the thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement. This is not the first time I’ve had an operation, but I think this is the most that I’ve been concerned about the outcome. Physical therapy should start in about four weeks, and I hope to be easing back into training runs in the spring.

 

[stitchnj]

Glad to hear the surgery went well!

This is my first (and only!) full marathon after running several Disney halfs. I’m not sure what to think of the new course. I do have concerns about running in WS in the dark - what I remember about the early miles as a member of team not-so-fast is all the congestion on the highways and people running around the sides in the grass, falls, etc. I would think that would be worse in WS since the pathway is even narrower?

 

[GollyGadget]

Glad to hear you're on the mend @Mr_Incr3dible !

 

[PrincessV]

You still come out the front of the castle, you just turn left and not right when you exit.

DOH! I have no idea how I saw that so wrong lol! I’m blaming Hurricane Brain. I need about a 3 month nap to recover and the stupid storm hasn’t even arrived yet.

Not sure what I think of the new course. Definitely I don’t like not finishing in the WS; to me that is so cool. And I’ll miss seeing sunrise over Space Mountain. Plus I don’t like change, speaking as an old fart fuddy-duddy.
Also add me to the camp that the earlier start is primarily a measure to get us out of the parks sooner. Just more of Disney’s “how much can we tick off our “guests” and fans and still take their money?” mindset. They continue to make it harder and harder to like them.

Surgery finished up this afternoon. Since then has been a combination of updating family and friends and napping.
The best news is no searing pain down my leg, so sciatic nerve is in good shape. Woo- hoo!
The most amazing thing is that my leg is already loadbearing capable, to the limits of pain tolerance. Certainly nothing that I am going to push, it is simply surprising, and I am a bit more mobile than anticipated. I am spending the night downstairs in the easy chair, but will likely be able to go upstairs tomorrow night to shower and sleep in my own bed.

Thank you so much for all the thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement. This is not the first time I’ve had an operation, but I think this is the most that I’ve been concerned about the outcome. Physical therapy should start in about four weeks, and I hope to be easing back into training runs in the spring.

This is excellent news and I’m so glad for you!

 

[pluto377]

@Mr_Incr3dible glad your surgery went well!

 

[col1]

@Mr_Incr3dible glad your surgery went smoothly and hope your recovery is as well.

 

[nancipants]

Woo-hoo @Mr_Incr3dible! You'll be back to superheroing in no time.

 

[camaker]

Wow, go to a board game night at a friend's yesterday and then come in here late last night to find out things have absolutely blown up! It's also been quite entertaining to watch some people absolutely lose their #@#!$ over the course changes in some FB groups. I always love coming back in here to relative sanity after venturing into those places.

As for the course, I have some thoughts. They're just my thoughts and aren't intended to invalidate or criticize others' thoughts and opinions on the changes. Overall, my first impression of the change is "That's an interesting strategy, Cotton, let's see how it works out for them." Now, that's based mostly on the online reaction I've seen so far, not a verdict on the course itself. As far as the course itself goes, my first impression is "let's see how it goes". As far as specific points on the course itself, I don't ride rides or buy drinks during the race, so from my perspective:

• 4:30 Start - (I'm just not that much of a morning person)
• Starts with park time instead of jumping straight on the highway -
• Runs around World Showcase - (Sure, it's at the beginning and not the end, but WS lit up with the torches and bulding lights in the dark is pretty magical and I'm often too tired to care at the end)
• Runs through all 4 parks -
• Extra time in Magic Kingdom -
• Still runs through the castle -
• Higher likelihood of slower runners seeing the castle lit up -

I don't see too many negatives from my perspective that aren't already part of the existing course. There may be some new negatives to the course, there may be some new positives. I'm going to withhold final judgement until I've run it. All in all, it still looks like a WDW marathon to me and I'm going to have as much fun as possible with it.

 

[kps7795]

4:30 Start - (I'm just not that much of a morning person)

Between FB and here, I have seen A LOT of people complaining about the earlier start time. However, I don't really see how this is an actual problem. If I remember correctly, the corrals opened at 3:15 last year and it seemed that most people were already racing to get a spot at the front of the corral. So, I am sincerely curious what time everybody is getting to the staging area? Personally, I always wake up at 2:00 and I leave my hotel by 2:30. Hence, the 4:30 start time just means 30 less minutes waiting in the corral for the race to start. For me, at least, this is a win-win scenario.

 

[camaker]

Between FB and here, I have seen A LOT of people complaining about the earlier start time. However, I don't really see how this is an actual problem. If I remember correctly, the corrals opened at 3:15 last year and it seemed that most people were already racing to get a spot at the front of the corral. So, I am sincerely curious what time everybody is getting to the staging area? Personally, I always wake up at 2:00 and I leave my hotel by 2:30. Hence, the 4:30 start time just means 30 less minutes waiting in the corral for the race to start. For me, at least, this is a win-win scenario.

My assumption here is that along with pushing the start time back to 4:30, they'll also be pushing the transportation start time and corral opening times back 30 minutes, as well. So as long as people are concerned with catching the first bus or getting to the corrals on the early side to obtain a preferred position or even get to a DISboards meet up prior to us dispersing to the corrals, everything is going to shift back 30 minutes with a concomitant shift in required wake up, breakfast and pre-race/transportation bathroom times.

 

[fatmanatee]

Between FB and here, I have seen A LOT of people complaining about the earlier start time. However, I don't really see how this is an actual problem. If I remember correctly, the corrals opened at 3:15 last year and it seemed that most people were already racing to get a spot at the front of the corral. So, I am sincerely curious what time everybody is getting to the staging area? Personally, I always wake up at 2:00 and I leave my hotel by 2:30. Hence, the 4:30 start time just means 30 less minutes waiting in the corral for the race to start. For me, at least, this is a win-win scenario.

I think I woke up at 2:30ish last time I did this, literally up, get myself ready in 5-10 min, and out the door, buses were starting earlier that day. On the fourth day of those alarms, it wasn't easy for me. Would guess they'll also have to change the bus schedule so they also start earlier, so I'm looking at a 2:00 am alarm. I dunno, maybe I'll wait for one of the later buses? But you know how it is, there's always stress about something going wrong with the buses, or long lines to get on. People stress about corrals because the sooner you get in, the sooner after 5 (now 4:30) that you get out. Will have to figure out what makes sense for me.

 

[kps7795]

But you know how it is, there's always stress about something going wrong with the buses, or long lines to get on.

You're preaching to the choir about the stress regarding the buses. I used to take the bus, but my DD and I have been driving to the past few races and it's much more pleasant if you have a car with you. The only drawback is the much longer walk to the parking lot rather than just hopping onto the resort buses when the race is over.