Marathon Weekend 2025

[pluto377]

SAFD: I think all of mine have been mentioned. My number one is Magical Express and luggage service. It just made the whole process so much easier especially when we had young kids.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: I hate it when a ride/feature/show disappears from WDW, but I've come to (grudgingly) accept that the parks are in constant flux. That said, certain rides are so iconic that they should never leave. The Teacups comes to mind, ditto the genuine steam trains, Astro Orbitors Space Mtn, etc.
I loved the Magical Express, but made use of it only once since we usually drive. That one time was my very first race, the 2009 Half, and my luggage did not arrive until about 10:30 or so, well after the Expo had closed. Lesson learned: always have running gear in carry-on.
I didn't like all the plinths in front of Spaceship Earth with the family plaques, and now I have to wonder about all the people that spent the money for "lasting memories" that are now gone.
I enjoyed Maelstrom and haven't been on the Frozen replacement yet. I loved the old Dinosaur ride, moving through some really good animatronics.
As previously stated, I hate the Primeval Whirl is gone; it was a fun ride and with a theme that made me chuckle. When we had small kids, we spent hours in that area.
I enjoyed both the backlot ride and the stunt show at HS, not that I don't thoroughly enjoy all the SW stuff. I also liked when it was MGM-HS and there was actually production work. I remember seeing illustrators working on Lion King cels. And the Marathon used to go through the back of HS. I still have a great photo of me with Phineas and Ferb, which my children loved at the time. And bring back the Sorcerer's hat! Do they still have the HS street performers? I always enjoyed watching them, and even interacted with them a few times.
Downtown Disney? Used to love doing that, especially Pleasure Island. I guess it was a victim of its own success.
The ex and I visited regularly, so for us it made sense to buy 10-day passes with the never-expire option and we'd use them over the course of 2 or 3 visits to burn them down, but it sure made the per day cost a lot more reasonable. Now, it is all so much more expensive and nickle-and-diming (more like 20's and 50's now....) us to death with fees for what used to be "free" and the insane costs.
Second (and last) wife isn't as big of a fan of Disney, so she's been only for work functions, thus my only visits are now for race events, plus the fact that Disney seems to have a business model of "Just much can we overcharge/alienate/offend/tick-off out base before they quit coming back. I'm really close, but ignore a lot for the enjoyment of running through the parks. For that, there just isn't any other place.

 

[The Expert]

I didn't like all the plinths in front of Spaceship Earth with the family plaques, and now I have to wonder about all the people that spent the money for "lasting memories" that are now gone.

They moved some of them over by the bus pickup/drop off area and the rest over toward the area you walk through to get from security to the staging area for races.

 

[Desdemona924]

I didn't like all the plinths in front of Spaceship Earth with the family plaques, and now I have to wonder about all the people that spent the money for "lasting memories" that are now gone.

They moved some of them over by the bus pickup/drop off area and the rest over toward the area you walk through to get from security to the staging area for races.

To be fair, when these were marketed, they weren't sold as something that would be there permanently. I don't remember how long it was supposed to be, but I think they were there at least 10 years longer than planned.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I didn't like all the plinths in front of Spaceship Earth with the family plaques, and now I have to wonder about all the people that spent the money for "lasting memories" that are now gone.

MY DW and I got one for "free" on our first trip there as part of our vacation package. As I recall, nobody was buying them so they resorted to gifting them to guests. We went and saw it once on a subsequent visit (to show our oldest daughter who is mentioned in our little quote (you cold do a picture or a quote) since my wife was pregant with her at the time), but otherwise we never bothered to go look for it again.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:
I loved the Magical Express, but made use of it only once since we usually drive. That one time was my very first race, the 2009 Half, and my luggage did not arrive until about 10:30 or so, well after the Expo had closed. Lesson learned: always have running gear in carry-on.

That was my first run(Disney) too! Luckily did not have your luggage issue -but yes, running gear in carry on! only!

 

[runsparkles]

SAFD: a lot of old Hollywood Studios is missed even though I love the new stuff too. I remember when they had the Disney Channel parades in HS. Great memories dancing in the streets. There are many good mentions in the threads as well. Disney Quest was great for rainy days too. The NBA experience didn’t see to have the attraction that was expected..

 

[Barca33Runner]

The NBA experience didn’t see to have the attraction that was expected..

That’s one that I’ll never understand. I’m a Disney fan but I’m a bigger fan of the NBA. In other words, the exact person that should have had some interest in the NBA Experience.

Yet, in a twist shocking to no one, I really couldn’t have been more indifferent to the idea. NBA souvenirs, fan gear, and memorabilia are readily available for purchase elsewhere (and not at Disney retail+ prices). I’m sure a few of the games would have been fun, but I’m not sure why they thought people would to pay to, essentially, shoot hoops.

 

[DHSsenior007]

We are looking to book our airfare soon and since we will be traveling with our toddler (and all of her stuff- oi), we're planning on doing a private car to take us from MCO to BWV. However, I wanted to make sure I would still have a way to get to the expo. Is there a bus that runs from the on-site resorts to the expo or could I plan on taking an Uber? Any other recommendations?

 

[Naomeri]

We are looking to book our airfare soon and since we will be traveling with our toddler (and all of her stuff- oi), we're planning on doing a private car to take us from MCO to BWV. However, I wanted to make sure I would still have a way to get to the expo. Is there a bus that runs from the on-site resorts to the expo or could I plan on taking an Uber? Any other recommendations?

Yes, they have buses from all the Disney resorts to and from the expo.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

I just thought of another one—there was a roller skate stunt show for Tarzan. That was the very first movie our DS28 ever saw in the theater, so I have fond memories of taking our sons to the show when we went to WDW.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Osborne lights (but we now see them every year at Silver Dollar City)

I didn’t realize they still were displayed somewhere. What is Silver Dollar City? I loved running through them during the old nighttime W&D.

 

[lahobbs4]

I didn’t realize they still were displayed somewhere. What is Silver Dollar City? I loved running through them during the old nighttime W&D.

They don't use all of the lights, but you would recognize quite a few of the displays! It's a great theme park in Branson, MO. Fun rides, great food, and very clean.

 

[Herding_Cats]

We are looking to book our airfare soon and since we will be traveling with our toddler (and all of her stuff- oi), we're planning on doing a private car to take us from MCO to BWV. However, I wanted to make sure I would still have a way to get to the expo. Is there a bus that runs from the on-site resorts to the expo or could I plan on taking an Uber? Any other recommendations?

Yes, they have buses from all the Disney resorts to and from the expo.

The bus used for the expo (and on race day) is a big "tour bus" style bus from a 3rd party operator, and NOT a disney resort/park bus. These can run a bit less regularly after the first couple of days. If you want to get in and out at the expo and not sit and wait for the bus, an uber would be a much quicker option.

Also, since I found this out the hard way, you're not supposed to take a stroller inside the buildings at the expo, so plan accordingly for your toddler if they will be going with you.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I just thought of another one—there was a roller skate stunt show for Tarzan. That was the very first movie our DS28 ever saw in the theater, so I have fond memories of taking our sons to the show when we went to WDW.

I remember the Tarzan show and actually enjoyed it. It was in that theater down the path from Expedition Everest.

 

[The Expert]

I remember the Tarzan show and actually enjoyed it. It was in that theater down the path from Expedition Everest.

Thank you for triggering my memory... I need to add the Hunchback show at Studios. The single greatest live show ever staged on property -- no joke. It was SO fabulous! Worth a watch if you never saw it. If you've seen the Lion King Broadway show, you'll recognize a lot of ideas from this (which was staged well before LK).

 

[RN_Mama_inFL]

If he has a MDE account, that's what he uses for the sign-in for the rundisney account, even if he's never registered for a race. One login to rule them all! If there's an option to "send" him his regstiration, his MDE email address is the one to use. But as @camaker stated, disappearing registrations are "a thing" that should be able to be solved with an email to rundisney.

Call RunDisney. Disappearing registrations like this are a well-known problem since they implemented this registration system.

Sorry to clog the thread with this again. I’ve called Rundisney multiple times, different days and times, and it always goes to a voicemail box. Left a message. I also filled out the email form on the website. I’m not sure what else to do. Anyone know of a direct email address?

 

[Herding_Cats]

Sorry to clog the thread with this again. I’ve called Rundisney multiple times, different days and times, and it always goes to a voicemail box. Left a message. I also filled out the email form on the website. I’m not sure what else to do. Anyone know of a direct email address?

the rundisney helpdesk is staffed with very, very, few people. From what I've read, getting someone to answer a phone call is uncommon. Given that there was also just Princess registration, I'm sure they've gotten a ton of emails from other people with issues as well. Give it time, and someone will get back to you. This is something that can be addressed at the expo as well, if it comes to that (which is shouldn't.)

 

[The Expert]

Sorry to clog the thread with this again. I’ve called Rundisney multiple times, different days and times, and it always goes to a voicemail box. Left a message. I also filled out the email form on the website. I’m not sure what else to do. Anyone know of a direct email address?

Ditto what @Herding_Cats said. If you haven't heard in a few weeks, email again. If you have your confirmation screenshot and/or email, it won't be an issue even if you have to handle it at the expo.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

They don't use all of the lights, but you would recognize quite a few of the displays! It's a great theme park in Branson, MO. Fun rides, great food, and very clean.

The other Silver Dollar City is in Pigeon Forge, TN, now goes by the name Dollywood. She bought it during a midlife crisis of sorts back in the late 80s. It also has great shows, food, rides, and is very clean. The DW and I would rather drive 3 hours to go to PF and Dollywood than the hour drive to Six Flags.
The first time we went just happened to be the one day of the year that Miss Dolly (as the staff all call her) herself was there and rode through DW in a horseless carriage. Passed about ten feet from us. We had just ducked out of a a show called "My People", which I originally thought meant her peeps as in fellow Appalachian folk. Nope. My People was literally her family members! Various siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc in that show. Rather cool.
And the coolest non-ride: the bald eagle habitat full of injured bald eagles that have been rescued. If able, they get released, if not, their offspring do. I've seen one in flight when out hiking north of Atlanta. Awesome and majestic.