Marathon Weekend 2026

[Herding_Cats]

That would be an awesome thing to add to the magical DisBoards runDisney Marathon Weekend Packet of Useful Info

Consider it done. I'll add it to the real bathrooms map, and a text description of the locations on/very near the course as well.

 

[JediKnightXan]

SAFD: I don't have to much useful to offer here as I'm just starting to try and figure out fueling. Last weekend made pancakes for breakfast and made a little extra batter to make some small pancakes that I have used on two runs so far without to much issue. Probably no where near the carbs required but it is something and easy to throw in a ziplock and not to expensive.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

SAFD: I don't have to much useful to offer here as I'm just starting to try and figure out fueling. Last weekend made pancakes for breakfast and made a little extra batter to make some small pancakes that I have used on two runs so far without to much issue. Probably no where near the carbs required but it is something and easy to throw in a ziplock and not to expensive.

I actually think these sound like a great idea. I might try myself. I'm just starting to think about fueling. This is my first dopey. I don't really fuel much for the half ( the beans they give out and maybe a nature's valley granola bar around mile 8/9), so it's a whole new world.

 

[JediKnightXan]

I actually think these sound like a great idea. I might try myself. I'm just starting to think about fueling. This is my first dopey. I don't really fuel much for the half ( the beans they give out and maybe a nature's valley granola bar around mile 8/9), so it's a whole new world.

Ya I'm in a similar boat, I have only raced haves before and therefore never really had to worry about fueling. The Gatorade on the course was always enough, and I just didn't worry about it in training runs. Should be a fun adventure, I hope the pancakes work out for you!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Ya I'm in a similar boat, I have only raced haves before and therefore never really had to worry about fueling. The Gatorade on the course was always enough, and I just didn't worry about it in training runs. Should be a fun adventure, I hope the pancakes work out for you!

Thanks

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I actually think these sound like a great idea. I might try myself. I'm just starting to think about fueling. This is my first dopey. I don't really fuel much for the half ( the beans they give out and maybe a nature's valley granola bar around mile 8/9), so it's a whole new world.

Definitely work out your fueling. Worst half I ever had, I fueled very poorly. Lesson learned, and ever since I have been much more diligent about fueling.
FWIW, after a half in Atlanta, they had cold cans of Coke. It didn’t sound all that good but turned out to be surprisingly refreshing.

 

[sandam1]

I actually think these sound like a great idea. I might try myself. I'm just starting to think about fueling. This is my first dopey. I don't really fuel much for the half ( the beans they give out and maybe a nature's valley granola bar around mile 8/9), so it's a whole new world.

I think that a lot of people have hit on this point, but even if you wouldn't normally do much special for a half marathon (or a 10K or even the 5K), you definitely want to reconsider how to handle them when you're putting these races in a row. If you wind up in a deficit from underfueling when you are doing "just" a half, that's one thing. But it's very easy to make a mistake during the early races that you won't even realize is a problem until it bites you - hard - on Saturday or Sunday.

But that being said, everyone is an individual and there are absolutely people do well with minimal fuel.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I think that a lot of people have hit on this point, but even if you wouldn't normally do much special for a half marathon (or a 10K or even the 5K), you definitely want to reconsider how to handle them when you're putting these races in a row. If you wind up in a deficit from underfueling when you are doing "just" a half, that's one thing. But it's very easy to make a mistake during the early races that you won't even realize is a problem until it bits - hard - on Saturday or Sunday.

But that being said, everyone is an individual and there are absolutely people do well with minimal fuel.

Great point. Hadn't really thought about the 4 in a row issue. Will pay much more attention to it.

 

[PrincessV]

One more fueling tip? Carry at least one more serving than you expect to need. Learned that lesson when a race start was delayed by a lot and I needed to choose between starting in the hole or burning a gel pre-race that was meant for during the race. See also: the race I thought would take 1.5 hours, but wound up being close to 3 in the absence of fuel due to goofing around. See also also: the one when they ran out of fuel on the course and I was able to help someone else out. Especially with gels, there’s always room to stuff one extra in!

 

[camaker]

Good afternoon RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). This week's question is a topic that comes up over and over again on the boards. What are your favorite places to stay during MW? On site or off? Anywhere you don't recommend?

SAFD: I'm a dedicated member of team "on site". I'll start off with the generic advice to stay where you enjoy the theme and amenities. All resorts have transportation to and from the Expo and the races. My go-to resorts are POFQ for its small size and proximity to Epcot and, more recently, CBR as I've found the Skyliner to be an absolute transportation game changer for getting to and from DHS and Epcot. In addition, I rarely use the food court, so the Sodastream machines they've installed all over the resort meet my needs perfectly making the resort size a non-issue for me. The only place I've stayed that I absolutely wouldn't recommend is CSR. The resort is just too big, with potentially long distances between room and food/drink options. I know many love CSR and my opinion is colored by the fact that I stayed there during a cold and windy MW 2018 when I developed bronchitis during the races, so YMMV.

 

[JackosinDIS]

SAFD: good question which I will be interested to read the answers to! I’m on-site all the way as a DVC member. I’ve gone with advice from the boards and booked BLT for my first MW. I know I love the rooms and food options there, so just need to figure out the race transportation logistics now.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I would love to try POFQ but haven’t been able to justify to myself the expense yet. I’ve enjoyed Pop Century from my last couple of stays and will be there for MW 2026. I can say that I’ve enjoyed Coronado when the DW’s company was paying for it.

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: I would love to stay on site for a race weekend, but as I live 20 minutes away from Epcot (at 2:30 in the morning on race days), I can’t justify the extra cost, especially since Swolphin has gotten so much more expensive. So I’m off site, but at least I get my own bed.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

SAFD: I am team onsite. I’ve stayed at many over the years. I love Coronado but will splurge going forward to stay in the tower. I was in the rancheros for Princess and it was fine, but I like the Tower for the central location. I’ve also stayed at Pop in the preferred section and would do that again. I loved staying at the Swan in 2022 but that has gotten out of my price range recently.

 

[mmm_texas]

SAFD: On site, and runDisney buses (or monorail). So far I've mostly stayed at the Swan Reserve, but also the Contemporary. I've stayed off site twice, but I don't prefer it.

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD: Lucky enough to own DVC so we’re team onsite. We almost always stay at BRV in a 1 bed but this year we’re booked at RIV in a studio I’ll miss the W/D but am excited to have all the high carb food options before the race!

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: Team onsite here too. Even if I was going to drive to the races in the morning, there's something about being surrounded by runners all weekend that I really enjoy and makes MW feel special to me. Have stayed in most categories other than monorail for MW. Love BW resorts for the proximity to Epcot, the choices in and around the boardwalk and the ability to have anyone traveling with me to be able to just walk outside to cheer. Downside is that there's no food court so food choices are mostly sit down. Also loved Pop. Big fan of the Skyliner and it does have a great food court with lots of quick options. However, this year going to try OKW (renting points). Have stayed there before but not for MW. Paying less for a (slightly) larger and arguably nicer room than it was for Pop was the decision point for me. Although I really will miss the Skyliner.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

SAFD: I am team on-site and off-site. For MW it’s definitely on-site. For any other weekend it’s off-site.

MW: A preferred studio at SS is the current go to for us with 2026 being the third year in a row. I rented points from Davids the first year and then last year I found a person here on the rental boards and that worked out so well I am renting from them again. We’ve even requested the same room as it was the perfect location. The rD bus was right outside our room, food was close, and so was the boat to DS.

Any other weekend: We own with Hilton so that’s a no brainer. The Tuscany location is super easy to get to and from during the weekend. We also get the one bedroom here so more space. The reason we don’t do this for MW is because of the M. It’s not a race that I want to drive home from and it’s usually the only race where someone is waiting for me at the end so staying on-site is just easier. I do like the overall vibe for MW so it’s great to see how the resorts try to make it extra special for the runners.

 

[nekonekoneko]

My DW and I found it's more important to have a car than where we're staying. We use the room basically to sleep, store our stuff and get cleaned up. Once we leave the room, we won't go back until it's time to retire for the evening.

That said, we love having our own car to get to the races. The CMs running the Epcot parking lot really know what they are doing. It's congested, yes, but it's still mostly smooth. It takes no more than 10 minutes to get from the end of the line on World Drive to a parking spot. We also have fun blasting our own music and having the AC at the temp we want.

I also go into the car to sneak in a nap during the marathon as she runs

 

[MissLiss279]

SAFD:
I really like staying at SSR for MW. For the longer stay (7-8 nights), I like having the option of relaxing in a generally quiet, peaceful resort. I also like having easy access to DS for different food options.