Marathon Weekend 2025

[Fenway1970]

I’m just here to plug the ginger chicken ramen at the Morimoto counter (not the sit-down) in DS. Totally saved me last year for dinner after the half when I was a bundle of nerves and didn’t want to eat. It had all the things. Salty broth, ginger for my tummy, noodles, and enough protein

Ooooooooh, I think I just added this to my list! Thanks for the tip!

 

[FFigawi]

Maybe a dumb question here but could use some input/ideas. Trying to figure out my fueling plan for the half and full.

For 2023 Dopey I used Huma gels - those were easy enough to pack my pockets and time them along with water stops. Super easy/no thought required/quick.

For training this year I’ve been using Tailwind. Trying to decide my best plan here - I don’t really want to carry water or bottles with me at Disney, but could I guess. I’ve seen people fill their bottles/add their powder of choice at the water stops. That all seems kind of messy/laborious? Curious if you use Tailwind or a similar powder - what’s your race plan? Thank you!

I like tailwind too, and I carry a handheld with it for training runs but DO NOT want to do this in a race. Interested to see the responses.

Maybe a little late on this, but I’ll chime in anyway. I find the best way to use Tailwind for a full is to premix it in concentrated form in soft flasks you can carry in a belt. Drinking a sip every 15-20 minutes (or at every aid station to wash it down with some water) will keep you going for the entire race.

I personally like the Naked band (be sure to size correctly and tight) and flasks, though Nathan makes nice ones too.

https://nakedsportsinnovations.com/...cts/naked-running-band?variant=40776613167284
https://nakedsportsinnovations.com/products/naked®-running-flask-500ml

 

[Herding_Cats]

Last offer for sharing my photopass/memory maker for MW! I've done this for 2 previous years, so I've mostly got it figured out at this point. At $10/race distance it's an equal split for all of the races if I can fill all of the spots. I will email you a zip file with all of your pics on Wednesday the 15th (the first full day we are back home) but I'm also happy to grab a few pics during the race weekend and send them to you if you want them to share on your socials. If you're wanting park pics, I can also get those for you, we would just have to add eachother to our friends and family (and you can lock me out of seeing/changing any of your plans, which I absolutely would not do anyway!) Send me a message if you want in!

I still have available:
5k -- 2 spots
10k -- FULL
HM -- 2 spots
M -- FULL

quoting for updated list.

 

[camaker]

Is there a comprehensive list of all potential meet ups and times? We are a reluctant fence watcher but if we put it in the calendar it would help push us to make sure we attend

There are meet-ups before each race at a pre-defined light pole in the parking lot of the pre-race staging area. There's usually a photo or diagram describing the location that'll be shared closer to race weekend. In addition, someone usually has a DIS sign to help locate the group. That meet-up goes from when the first person arrives at the light pole until we break to head to the corrals.

The other meet-up is at 2:00 on Friday afternoon at Hurricane Hannah's at the Yacht and Beach Club. It's a drop-in/drop-out affair that generally runs a couple of hours.

 

[Herding_Cats]

As stated above, all of the info will be in "The Document" that we'll share on here probably around the 4th or 5th. But to give a preview, our meeting spot is the orange dot by the baby care/self-treat tent. It's the first lightpole once you get into the reunion area, and historically has been near some foodtrucks. Whatever charity group that's purple and green tries to usurp our spot, but there's room for everyone. (White arrows are where you walk in when you arrive)

 

[The Expert]

As stated above, all of the info will be in "The Document" that we'll share on here probably around the 4th or 5th. But to give a preview, our meeting spot is the orange dot by the baby care/self-treat tent. It's the first lightpole once you get into the reunion area, and historically has been near some foodtrucks. Whatever charity group that's purple and green tries to usurp our spot, but there's room for everyone. (White arrows are where you walk in when you arrive)

View attachment 921867

Note that the other group was NOT at our light pole during W&D, so either they weren't represented en masse or chose another spot. We'll also have a great SIGN for our pole and there's a new giant utility box on it that makes it pretty easy to identify. (I think @Naomeri got a pic at W&D.)

 

[rick1zoo2]

I totally get what everyone is talking about! I only started running a year and a half ago. At first, I felt all obligated to follow training plans and that I wasn't a "real" runner unless I was running 4 times a week. It just was too hard and too much thought. I have now come to the realization that a run every three days is perfect training for me. I do a sequence of 5 miles, 5 miles and 10 miles. I also walk or hike 4-5 miles on the non-running days. My schedule just has the two hours a day of moving built into it (I know I am lucky to have that kind of time). I've done the challenges at Springtime and Wine & Dine and got through those pretty well.
I am signed up for the Dopey but honestly am unlikely to finish the marathon. Mostly I want to run through the castle and walk the rest of the way. I figure my 13 minute pace will not put me in front of the balloon ladies enough to finish but I am fine with that! Maybe next year (when I am 60), I will skip the half and just try to complete the marathon.

Your training sounds strangely identical to mine....

 

[Herding_Cats]

Note that the other group was NOT at our light pole during W&D, so either they weren't represented en masse or chose another spot. We'll also have a great SIGN for our pole and there's a new giant utility box on it that makes it pretty easy to identify. (I think @Naomeri got a pic at W&D.)

several reference pics will be in the doc.

 

[jrsharp21]

Maybe a little late on this, but I’ll chime in anyway. I find the best way to use Tailwind for a full is to premix it in concentrated form in soft flasks you can carry in a belt. Drinking a sip every 15-20 minutes (or at every aid station to wash it down with some water) will keep you going for the entire race.

I personally like the Naked band (be sure to size correctly and tight) and flasks, though Nathan makes nice ones too.

https://nakedsportsinnovations.com/...cts/naked-running-band?variant=40776613167284
https://nakedsportsinnovations.com/products/naked®-running-flask-500ml

Based on your recommendation I picked up a Naked running band. Love it! It is much less bulkier than what I was using for runs. I also like that you can carry a large amount of full and not have to worry about it slipping out the elastic rings like on my previous belt. The other day on my 18 mile run, I had a bunch of Gu packs, two bottles of pickle juice shots, and my phone. I still had room for more.

 

[Naomeri]

Note that the other group was NOT at our light pole during W&D, so either they weren't represented en masse or chose another spot. We'll also have a great SIGN for our pole and there's a new giant utility box on it that makes it pretty easy to identify. (I think @Naomeri got a pic at W&D.)

Yep

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I completed the Dallas half marathon on Sunday and sadly my IT band injury resurfaced yet again at mile 11. I am trying not to completely fall into a pit of despair and I have to say that the post spelling out getting to the castle and then walking as a last resort is giving me a lot of comfort. I have trained way too hard to not complete Dopey this year and I will get across all four finish lines if it kills me. I at least got 18 miles in on 12/8 so I'm hoping that's worth something if I can't get another long run in.

First congrats on completing the race last weekend. I'm sure you've gotten a ton of suggestions on dealing with IT band, but throwing this one out since it worked really well for me. I use a lacrosse ball and get into the TFL. Essentially you put the lacrosse ball toward the back and side of glute/hip on side where IT band is bothering you. Best visual placement I can suggest is area between where your side and back pockets are on a pair of pants. You can get to it even better if you cross that leg over onto your supporting leg (i.e. rest ankle of leg you're working on the knee of the other leg). You will quickly find the tender spot! The lacrosse ball works well because it's small enough to get into the area that a traditional foam roller cannot get to and is firm enough to not collapse when you have your weight on it. You can use a trigger point ball or one of the other similar things out there, but lacrosse ball works great and is cheaper. I had lots of ITB issues until I learned this and it helped me more than anything else. Hoping it might do the same for you!

 

[Baloo in MI]

I was in a meeting this morning - paying really good attention…. When it dawned on me, we are three weeks out from the expo! That is so exciting! But it also got me thinking about the two hurdles in front of many of us. The last simulation this weekend and then for most likely all of us, Taper Maddness!

I just wanted to send encouragement to all as we face this challenging training weekend. And I also wanted to recognize how we then face the anxiety of every little sneeze - “am I getting sick?”; every little twinge or tweak - “did I just injure myself?”; and simply the anxiety of questioning if I did enough, if I am ready, can I do this???

Well know that it took lots of courage to sign up for your race(s), it took determination to get out and train for the past months, and regardless to what happens on race day(s) your showing up and giving it all you got is what really matters!

So with three weeks to go, know you can do this and you got lots of folks cheering you on! Good luck to all!

 

[runwithperseverence7]

I did a 6 mile tun today dressed as Tinkerbell, wings included. That’s probably the weirdest run I’ve ever done since that’s my first time running in costume. Had someone tell me they liked my wings.
Next 2 days are going to be very cold in the morning so I’m not sure if I will test my other outfits. Will play it by ear.

Question about character stops…I would like to get a character pic for each race. From my research it sounds like the 5k will be the hardest because of the no time limit and long wait. And for the others it seems like maybe later in the race is better.
What would your suggestions be?

 

[Herding_Cats]

I did a 6 mile tun today dressed as Tinkerbell, wings included. That’s probably the weirdest run I’ve ever done since that’s my first time running in costume. Had someone tell me they liked my wings.
Next 2 days are going to be very cold in the morning so I’m not sure if I will test my other outfits. Will play it by ear.

Question about character stops…I would like to get a character pic for each race. From my research it sounds like the 5k will be the hardest because of the no time limit and long wait. And for the others it seems like maybe later in the race is better.
What would your suggestions be?

The 5k isn't timed, so it really just comes down to how long you want to wait in a line, and if the line is so long that CMs have closed it. I think the longest DH and I have waited for a pic during the 5k is about 25min, and the CM was warning people that the line may get cut (it didn't, I think it was just a tactic to keep it from getting crazy) but the lines for Mickey/Minnie get looooooong. Like 45min+ if you're a mid-to-late starter.

For the longer races you are correct: the further in the race you get, the shorter the lines tend to be. The caveat there is that sometimes they will put rare characters between MK and AK during the full and those lines can get on the longer side. I would also expect lines for Minnie/Mickey or Goofy to be longer and possibly closed if you're in the back of the pack. It seems like after you get through MK that people really start to focus on the fact that it's a long run and become less willing to stop and stand in a line (even if it's just a few people.) By HS (again, in my experience) the lines are less than 10 people and in some cases 0!

SOMETIMES there is a "leaked" list of the character stops, or people will post the signs for them that they see around property, so we have an idea of what should be where for what race. And then you can plan for your "must-stop" pics.

My strategy is usually to stop for whatever is fun/new during the 5k and 10k, while keeping an eye on time in the 10k. For the HM and marathon I usually skip all of the characters until I'm at least half way to MK (so the first 5 miles) unless the line is short. The course for the HM doubles back between MK and Epcot and sometimes there are characters set up in the grassy median between the opposing lane directions and you can stop for the character on your way back where the line is usually shorter.

Also, these are not "normal" character interactions. Its ONE pic and you go. People using phones for pics are encouraged by CMs to have them ready to go before it's their turn so it's a simple hand off, pick, hand back. This makes the line move quickly unless you get behind a group that wants a bunch of different groupings of people.

 

[Naomeri]

I did a 6 mile tun today dressed as Tinkerbell, wings included. That’s probably the weirdest run I’ve ever done since that’s my first time running in costume. Had someone tell me they liked my wings.
Next 2 days are going to be very cold in the morning so I’m not sure if I will test my other outfits. Will play it by ear.

Question about character stops…I would like to get a character pic for each race. From my research it sounds like the 5k will be the hardest because of the no time limit and long wait. And for the others it seems like maybe later in the race is better.
What would your suggestions be?

While it's true the lines get long in the 5K, since there's basically no time limit, you can just wait. But the lines do get shorter later in the race, even for the 5K, because so many people stop for earlier characters. And if you just want a character pic, and don't particularly care who the character is, there's usually some that are less popular/known than others, especially in the longer races.

Plus, there are usually 4 characters available for pictures pre- and post-race. Those lines do get long, but if you do it post-race, there's nothing stopping you from waiting for however long it takes.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

Thanks for the great info! I may just stop for whoever has shorter lines.

@Herding_Cats and @Naomeri

 

[Herding_Cats]

OH! Also! It seems that they have gotten a bit more strategic with the lines, and in recent years had a CM with a "line starts here" paddle that NAMES the character(s) at the end of the line, which helps keep people from running up to see what character it is and then turning around and running the wrong way on the course to get to the end of the line.

 

[PrincessV]

I did a 6 mile tun today dressed as Tinkerbell, wings included. That’s probably the weirdest run I’ve ever done since that’s my first time running in costume. Had someone tell me they liked my wings.
Next 2 days are going to be very cold in the morning so I’m not sure if I will test my other outfits. Will play it by ear.

Question about character stops…I would like to get a character pic for each race. From my research it sounds like the 5k will be the hardest because of the no time limit and long wait. And for the others it seems like maybe later in the race is better.
What would your suggestions be?

All of what’s already been said, and I’ll add…

Often, the earliest stops in the 5 and 10 have a bit shorter lines because so many folks pass them up hoping to bank time and/or find “better” characters down the road, and/or just got into a groove and don’t want to stop yet.

Photos in the dark are often dodgy. Sometimes the lighting setup is good and the flash works well and the photographer has the right setting… but so many of mine in the dark have been bad, I’ve basically made a “no stops before sun-up!” rule for myself. I mostly reserve that for the half and full, though, since it would be so limiting for the 5 and 10.

Race theme characters get the longest lines - see: Dopey, Mickey/Minnie, Donald/Daisy, the Chipmunks, especially. Less-known characters almost always have shorter lines.

 

[DianaMB333]

I was in a meeting this morning - paying really good attention…. When it dawned on me, we are three weeks out from the expo! That is so exciting! But it also got me thinking about the two hurdles in front of many of us. The last simulation this weekend and then for most likely all of us, Taper Maddness!

I just wanted to send encouragement to all as we face this challenging training weekend. And I also wanted to recognize how we then face the anxiety of every little sneeze - “am I getting sick?”; every little twinge or tweak - “did I just injure myself?”; and simply the anxiety of questioning if I did enough, if I am ready, can I do this???

Well know that it took lots of courage to sign up for your race(s), it took determination to get out and train for the past months, and regardless to what happens on race day(s) your showing up and giving it all you got is what really matters!

So with three weeks to go, know you can do this and you got lots of folks cheering you on! Good luck to all!

Beautiful message.. thanks!

 

[MissLiss279]

I’m late to the SAFD:
I didn’t have anything new planned until I switched one of my ADR’s to Summer House on the Lake. I have had their cookies, but haven’t sat down to eat there. I’m looking forward to it!
I will hopefully be riding Tiana’s for the first time too.