Marathon Weekend 2026

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD This is tough as it changes as quickly as Disney changes things up. It used to be the personal boats on Bay Lake but alas, Covid was the demise of those. Mini golf was fun, especially with different course options. But as Disney has taken things away, the magic has decreased while costs increase, and the bubble has broken. With DD at school in Daytona and us either having or renting a car our side trips went from Discovery Cove or SeaWorld to spending a couple days before or after Disney exploring the space coast. When we are at Disney it’s much more resort time as opposed to the parks. DD has already given up her AP and we thought about it this year. Between running and special ticket events, I’m not sure I even need the parks, we can just enjoy the resort and explore other areas of FL.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

SAFD This is tough as it changes as quickly as Disney changes things up. It used to be the personal boats on Bay Lake but alas, Covid was the demise of those. Mini golf was fun, especially with different course options. But as Disney has taken things away, the magic has decreased while costs increase, and the bubble has broken. With DD at school in Daytona and us either having or renting a car our side trips went from Discovery Cove or SeaWorld to spending a couple days before or after Disney exploring the space coast. When we are at Disney it’s much more resort time as opposed to the parks. DD has already given up her AP and we thought about it this year. Between running and special ticket events, I’m not sure I even need the parks, we can just enjoy the resort and explore other areas of FL.

My mom and I are feeling this way. One of the reasons I’m looking to not do the parks next year is saving that money, and I can put it towards my choice of hotel, which will likely be the Swan. Even with the daily resort fee, the S/D is lower each night than even some of the Disney moderates.

 

[AZMermaid]

SAFD- way outside the parks but last trip we went to Kennedy Space Center- wow! That was really great! But closer outside the parks, we had a great time in the community hall at OKW just relaxing with various activities.

This morning I snagged a Poly Studio for MW! Today is my 7 months and I figured I was getting a SSR one bedroom, which was totally fine. But I saw it there, watched the world clock count down to 5AM AZ time and crossed my fingers. I can’t believe I got it! It’s a preferred view so I put in a waitlist for standard to save some points, but I’m thrilled!

 

[camaker]

SAFD- way outside the parks but last trip we went to Kennedy Space Center- wow! That was really great!

DD and I made the trip down for the Space Coast Marathon a few years ago and visited Kennedy Space Center as part of it. It was fantastic and I highly recommend both the race and space center.

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: Wait, there is stuff to do other than the parks? LOL. Most of our time is spent at the parks. Even on MW. As soon as the races are over, it's clean up ASAP and head back over to the parks. I do enjoy going over to Disney Springs. The tough part is that it's so dang crowded at night. I do like going over there at night, grabbing a Nobb Hill Chill from Ghirardelli, and just hanging out. There have been times where we have come down the escalator from the parking garage, seen the crowd in front of World of Disney, and then turn right back around to the parking garage.

Riding the skyliner without a park destination is also something we enjoy. Just explore the different resorts along the track. We will usually get off at Epcot and walk around the Yacht/Beach Club and then the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk Resort in the evening is cool, especially when the weather is a little colder and they have the fire pits going.

That is about the extent of our activities outside the parks. I think now that my wife has an AP also, we may take some time to do things outside the parks. I definitely want to try out the mini golf courses. And if I can ever convince my brother in law to come out with his family, hit the regular WDW golf courses.

 

[smileyanna]

SAFD:
I enjoyed the pool/hot tub at Wilderness Lodge this past MW. Lots of runners talking about past Dopeys, the weather etc.

I stayed away from the parks as much as possible last year to save my legs for my first Dopey, but this year I’m planning more park time during my Goofy.

 

[UNCBear24]

I agree with everyone who has mentioned having some Coke when you are starting to feel like you are on E. That sugar and caffeine can start your motor up again. Also, that ice cold fizziness is also a nice pick me up. My plan for this past marathon was to stop at the Coke machines outside of HS for that last boost of energy. I had my credit in my phone case for that. I knew I was pressing up against my goal time, so decided not to stop. But what I learned from someone on the board is that the medical stations have Coke. Just have to ask for it. I will definitely be utilizing that for MW 2026.

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

 

[Herding_Cats]

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

I drank about 2/3 of a mini coke at mile ~12 of the marathon to break up the gels/waffles.

 

[jrsharp21]

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

While I haven't done it in an actual race, in my training, I have been drinking a mini coke around mile 12/13 in a 20 mile training run. For MW 2026, my target is to try to find a source of Coke around mile 15/16.

 

[sandam1]

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

I usually start using it around Mile 17. This is for two reasons - 1) because that's around when the WDW marathon gets to Animal Kingdom and is a decent opportunity to purchase some (although, as I found out during this year's race, only in a cup) and 2) that's around when my body transitions from half marathon (when I have more latitude about what fuel I can take in) to marathon distance. After this point, I don't feel like chewing anything and need to be a lot more conscious about forcing calories into my system.

I use about 10 oz. because that's what fills one of my water bottles and I take a couple of sips every 10-15 minutes. If I have easier access to refills (i.e. on long runs close to home), I might use more.

 

[nancipants]

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

I had a few sips of a bottle of coke in Animal Kingdom when I passed my family, so it was between mile 17-18. I didn't want to carry the rest, and wasn't sure if I could keep it all down, so I gave the rest back to my husband and finished it later.

I plan to try coke during some of my longer runs, and will probably get a small Flipbelt bottle to carry it around, that way I can stash it in my belt during the marathon.

 

[The Expert]

As a spectator, I plan to have a supply of mini Coke cans somewhere along the marathon route for 2026.

 

[nancipants]

As a spectator, I plan to have a supply of mini Coke cans somewhere along the marathon route for 2026.

"General...count me in."

 

[Stitch&Co.]

As a spectator, I plan to have a supply of mini Coke cans somewhere along the marathon route for 2026.

You're a good egg.

 

[PrincessV]

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

When I got the craving for it! Once, that was in AK on a very hot day - I think that was around mile 17 that year. Another time it was at the Boardwalk, so mile 24+. Training, I stopped at a gas station about mile 16 of an 18 miler. So generally late in the game, but totally dependent on weather and how I was feeling.

ETA: also, can’t say enough about how amazing it was to have the Coke WITH ICE AND A STRAW in AK, vs. a bottle or can.

 

[camaker]

For those that have tried Coke during your marathon, at what point (how many miles into the run) did you drink it and how much did you drink? I may have to try it.

I'll take Coke at any point during an ultra, usually in 4-8 oz portions. I don't know that I'd really want much more than that at a time. I'm currently wondering how a frozen Coke from AK or DHS would hit. You get the cooling of the ice along with the sugar and caffeine hit of the Coke without the risk of carbonation that might not sit well at marathon paces.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I'll take Coke at any point during an ultra, usually in 4-8 oz portions. I don't know that I'd really want much more than that at a time. I'm currently wondering how a frozen Coke from AK or DHS would hit. You get the cooling of the ice along with the sugar and caffeine hit of the Coke without the risk of carbonation that might not sit well at marathon paces.

Ooohhhh the frozen coke might be worth investigating. I love a coke after a race but had one during once and felt icky pretty quick. I assume it was the carbonation so this might be the answer!

 

[Naomeri]

Ooohhhh the frozen coke might be worth investigating. I love a coke after a race but had one during once and felt icky pretty quick. I assume it was the carbonation so this might be the answer!

This is exactly why I'd want a nice, cold, pre-opened bottle/can--all the sugar and caffeine, none of the bubbles.