Marathon Weekend 2025

[jrsharp21]

I know that it's too early to have a reliable weather forecast, however The Weather Channel is now predicting a low of 42 and a high of 54 for Sunday. Is it too much to ask that we get a low in the 50s?

I like your style!!!! I will take any increase in the temps. Accuweather is also now showing that Saturday will be the colder day of the two. Off to grab some more running tights.

 

[kps7795]

I like your style!!!! I will take any increase in the temps. Accuweather is also now showing that Saturday will be the colder day of the two. Off to grab some more running tights.

Us birds of a feather will be cold together.

 

[MissLiss279]

We have snow predicted for Sunday, and it won’t get above freezing before I fly Tuesday morning (low of 9 when I leave !!). Hopefully a whole day is enough time for them to get things taken care of and planes inbound Monday night and ready to take off Tuesday morning!

 

[PrincessV]

Can we talk marathon spectating for a minute?

I cheered from outside DHS this year and it was great! But I’m considering another option this time and want real-life input if anyone’s got some…

With Early Entry, I should be able to be inside AK by shortly after 7:30am. My math is showing I’d be able to catch runners with paces roughly 12:00/mi and slower, so a decent chunk of the field. Any experience with cheering from inside AK? Are spectators allowed to loiter on the sides of the course? Can I have a sign? I’m thinking over by Nemo/Dinoland would be the best spot for some free space, no?

The Balloon Ladies should clear AK about 9am. If I figure an hour to get out, drive, and get to the DHS parking lot, I could probably catch the 14-16:00/milers there. EP would be another option, but feels like it would be more difficult and time-consuming to get to and into.

Or, is that all a lot of effort for no good reason and I should just park myself at DHS for the duration?

ETA: never mind! It just occurred to me to look at videos from last year and spectating in AK or DHS looks like a pain. I’ll stick with my nice spot outside DHS again.

 

[Psymonds]

The forecasting, especially for Apple weather, has been terrible lately. I blame AI, probably.

we moved 6 months ago and I just figured out that the weather station closest to me that apple uses for temperature is over 1500 feet higher. Not sure how hot it is down in the valley, the old station that used to be near my old house is still the closest station at my elevation but is now 5 miles away.

that being said, local temperatures can vary quite a bit just based on shade/sun, type of material (it's always 10 degrees hotter on the south side of our house due to the direct sun exposure) YMMV.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Can we talk marathon spectating for a minute?

I cheered from outside DHS this year and it was great! But I’m considering another option this time and want real-life input if anyone’s got some…

With Early Entry, I should be able to be inside AK by shortly after 7:30am. My math is showing I’d be able to catch runners with paces roughly 12:00/mi and slower, so a decent chunk of the field. Any experience with cheering from inside AK? Are spectators allowed to loiter on the sides of the course? Can I have a sign? I’m thinking over by Nemo/Dinoland would be the best spot for some free space, no?

The Balloon Ladies should clear AK about 9am. If I figure an hour to get out, drive, and get to the DHS parking lot, I could probably catch the 14-16:00/milers there. EP would be another option, but feels like it would be more difficult and time-consuming to get to and into.

Or, is that all a lot of effort for no good reason and I should just park myself at DHS for the duration?

I'll check the chart and see what it looks like from a numbers game. Are you wanting to cheer for Dis'ers or just runners in general?

Editing to add:

Balloon ladies should enter AK at approximately 9:55 and exit Dinoland by around 10:07. They would then be entering HS sometime near 11:43, and by all estimates from the dislist, all Dis'ers should be out of HS by 10:40. Being able to enter at 7:30 would mean you would likely get to see a good chunk of the C-corral or later Dis'ers.

I have seen people spectating in AK in the past, so I don't think they would have an issue.

 

[PrincessV]

I'll check the chart and see what it looks like from a numbers game. Are you wanting to cheer for Dis'ers or just runners in general?

Runners in general, but I have a couple friends I’ll be looking for specifically - timing-wise I’ll catch them at any of my options, so I’m mostly thinking about ease of getting around and what’s allowed within the parks. You’d think after 7 WDW marathons I’d remember where I saw spectators, but I do not lol!

 

[DHSsenior007]

Does anyone know about how frequent the buses are to take people to the marathon? I'm staying at BWV. I know they start at 2 but have no clue if I can expect one every 15 min, every 30 min, etc... just trying to plan how early I need to get up.

 

[Tall Todd]

Just sharing a little example of how not great temperature forecasting has been lately…

My forecast high yesterday was 72º. Actual high? 82º.

QUESTION: anyone have experience using a poncho or disposable raincoat as a top layer to trap heat/shield form wind? I remembered that I have a couple disposable raincoats (think thickness like the ponchos Disney sells in parks) and am thinking that might be easier to manage than wrangling Mylar into a cape and sarong.

Patagonia Houdini is great for this. It'll pack up into its pocket that you can hold in your hand and throw into a pocket to carry the rest of the way.

 

[smileyanna]

Question about Dopey time requirements: Do I need to clear the finish line ahead of the balloon ladies/sweepers in each race in order to complete the challenge, or do I need to maintain at least a 16min/mile average pace in each race (even if I have lots of space before balloon ladies)?

 

[Disneyhanna]

Question about Dopey time requirements: Do I need to clear the finish line ahead of the balloon ladies/sweepers in each race in order to complete the challenge, or do I need to maintain at least a 16min/mile average pace in each race (even if I have lots of space before balloon ladies)?

Just need to cross the line and not be swept, balloon lady pace is visual guidance but not a perfect pace

 

[PrincessV]

Does anyone know about how frequent the buses are to take people to the marathon? I'm staying at BWV. I know they start at 2 but have no clue if I can expect one every 15 min, every 30 min, etc... just trying to plan how early I need to get up.

Honestly? It varies wildly for reasons unknown. Some resorts see buses coming and going constantly, while others have waited an hour for a bus to show up. If you have any concerns about timing, it’s recommended to catch the earliest bus, just in case.

 

[GollyGadget]

Does anyone know about how frequent the buses are to take people to the marathon? I'm staying at BWV. I know they start at 2 but have no clue if I can expect one every 15 min, every 30 min, etc... just trying to plan how early I need to get up.

Pre race they run continuously. In my experience, as soon as one fills another pulls up. I have no idea how they work for spectators or later in the morning.

 

[The Expert]

Runners in general, but I have a couple friends I’ll be looking for specifically - timing-wise I’ll catch them at any of my options, so I’m mostly thinking about ease of getting around and what’s allowed within the parks. You’d think after 7 WDW marathons I’d remember where I saw spectators, but I do not lol!

When we post the charts, just look for a runner with a similar start time and pace. You can also use the timing mats as a guide to when you can expect your runners at a certain spot in the course. There are some tips in the notes.

 

[jrsharp21]

Anyone still looking for cheap cold weather gear, check Costco. I just went over there at lunch and they had cold weather tights for $6.99 for a pack of two. Not sure how good they will be, but not a bad price point to try out. They also had some of their winter clothes on non posted clearance. There were some fleece joggers they had that I thought may be be good to wear around the park after the half and full. They rang up as $4. They would even be worth picking up to wear in the corrals if they don't quite fit correctly. I saw the manager talking about a bunch of the other winter clothes being on clearance.

 

[PrincessV]

When we post the charts, just look for a runner with a similar start time and pace. You can also use the timing mats as a guide to when you can expect your runners at a certain spot in the course. There are some tips in the notes.

All good - I looked at a video from last year and definitely do not want o be in a park, so I’m sticking with my location outside DHS!

 

[Leia's Mom]

Just ordered my tyvek paint suits for the corral and packing so many throw away clothes. So, my only worry now is if I slow down during the marathon and getting cold then. . . Go Dopey!

 

[fatmanatee]

Dumb expo question, since I don't usually deal with the VQ craziness: if I'm only looking to pick up pre-order merch do I still have to join? Will probably join anyway just in case but if I end up with a late number and have to use it to pick up my pre-order jacket I might have to hold off on pickup until a later date.

 

[nekonekoneko]

Dumb expo question, since I don't usually deal with the VQ craziness: if I'm only looking to pick up pre-order merch do I still have to join? Will probably join anyway just in case but if I end up with a late number and have to use it to pick up my pre-order jacket I might have to hold off on pickup until a later date.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/pre-ordered-merch.3915263/

I think the answer is no? There's a separate line for pre-orders.

 

[nekonekoneko]

I'm poking at different weather sites to see what's going to happen during race days.

Let's just say that Thursday, Friday and Saturday got very odd, all of a sudden. They're saying the highs will be anywhere from the low 50s to possibly the low 70s. Even the low temps are crazy. From the mid-50s to nearly the low 30s?

This is going to take another few days to smooth out.