Marathon Weekend 2026

[*DisneyDreamer]

SAFD: I stayed at Grand Floridian for Princess in 2024 and loved being able to take the monorail. It was so easy. But it is more common for me to stay at Saratoga Springs for race weekends since it’s our DVC home (we’ll be there for Marathon Weekend) so usually I’m Team Bus. Race buses there are also pretty easy because of Saratoga Springs’ proximity to Epcot.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:

I've done bus, drive and park (DH drives), and get dropped off in the ride-share loop (DH drives.)

Staying at SSR and OKW for race weekends means that the drive is suuuuper easy and takes less than 10min which is nothing to a midwesterner. Navigating the driveway into the ride-share loop is always a little weird because I feel like it isn't super well-marked but we have managed to not screw it up yet.

I like driving/getting dropped off because I'm more in control of when we leave, I can leave things in the care for post-race (snacks, extra water, a towel if I know it's going to be hot and I'll be extra gross, etc. I also like that if we drive and park we can wait in the car if the weather is wet or cold. I don't love how long the walk (usually) is back to the car post-race. This was especially true the morning of the "half of a half" when heavy rain was moving in and we barely made it into the car before it downpoured.

I also like the bus because there's great energy/comradery in the morning with other runners. I like the pre-race buzz that gets started as soon as you get in line to board. Again, specific to having stayed at SSR/OKW, these busses have always been smack dab in the middle of the line beside the reunion area, so that makes it the shortest walk post-race....that's important to me after the marathon when my legs have lost all of their want-to. What I don't love is that our usual resort only has 1 race bus stop and I usually have a 7-10min walk to get there. I have definitely taken the bus back to the resort post-marathon and then had DH chauffer me back to our building from the bust stop.

I understand why people probably love the monorail but I 100% would NOT want to walk up those stairs/ramps post-marathon.

 

[col1]

SAFD: I have stayed on property on all occasions for race weekends to benefits from the on site transport. I have never driven as coming from overseas hiring a car is costly and I would likely get lost

I would love to travel by monorail one day so maybe if I make it back to Marathon Weekend I will splurge on a night at a Monorail resort, (Poly if I did)

I have always been up and out for the early buses and have always found them to be excellent.

Only exception was the year I did race for the taste 2005. There were no buses so I ended up booking a cab and having to use the pay phone in the lobby the night before. Led to a pretty stressful night wondering if it would turn up. It did

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: I have taken the bus and driven and I would say that I prefer Team Bus. As @Herding_Cats said, I like the race energy that starts getting on the bus race morning. The idea of having a sanctuary to hang out in by driving if it's raining or super cold always sounds great, but the last time I did it, the walk back to the car after the races felt like forever. Staying at OKW this year though so, depending on where our room is, I might have to give driving a try again or at least drive up to the main building to reduce the walk before/after the race.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: Team Bus (though if I were ever staying at a monorail resort, I would do that) Race mornings at Disney are stressful enough with the ultra-early wake-ups and the costuming (which, I admit, I bring on myself) that I do NOT need to worry about driving around in an unfamiliar place

 

[Naomeri]

I understand why people probably love the monorail but I 100% would NOT want to walk up those stairs/ramps post-marathon.

Post-race stairs are a key recovery method for me

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD: I’ve always done the buses when we have stayed on-site and driven and parked at Epcot when we have stayed off-site. Both are fine. I prefer driving on our own as a result of several factors:

Social Anxiety- I get really nervous when talking to people and basically wish every conversation was over before it begins. I’m not good at small talk or understanding social cues. I replay conversations and worry about whether I said the right things or phrased my thoughts properly for days after even the most innocuous interaction. I’m hyper self-conscious about everything. So, the bus isn’t ideal.

Weather- We all know the Florida weather is incredibly variable. With the possibility of rain and cold, it is very nice to have the option of staying in the car to avoid getting adversely affected by the elements pre-race.

Sleep- We can sleep longer when we are driving In on our own. We can also take naps in the car before walking to the start line. The buses always forced us out no matter how close to race time it was (not complaining, this was obviously a necessity, just a fact).

Post-race Convenience- Nice to be able to have supplies without needing to check a gear bag.

 

[jpholic]

SAFD: Team Bus but have driven a few times. If I have my vehicle that trip and plans immediately following the race, it make it easier to have my own transportation.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Post-race stairs are a key recovery method for me

I prefer my recovery to take place on Monday, starting at La Cava de Tequila with an avocado marg. You are welcome to the stairs.

 

[rick1zoo2]

I understand why people probably love the monorail but I 100% would NOT want to walk up those stairs/ramps post-marathon.

We found the elevator up to the platform…

Monorail is great when staying at Polynesian and we would walk to the TTC instead of taking the full MK loop. The bus works fine, I like not having to deal with driving and we also eat breakfast on the bus on the way to Epcot.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:
It really depends for me. If I’m running with DS, he is firmly in Team Car. If I’m solo I likely am not renting a car so will be Team Bus.

I like the bus for the atmosphere and excitement of race weekend. And honestly it wakes me up a bit more. But if I have a car I always bring my keys just in case the bus is slow to show up or the weather is bad and I think I will want to sit in the car for a bit.

For Marathon Sunday I’m firmly team bus as I like to walk back through Epcot and cheer on the runners.

 

[nancipants]

I’m a local, so team car. I also prefer having control over arrival/departure.

 

[nancipants]

Double post.

 

[JackosinDIS]

SAFD: we are staying at BLT - do you get a choice of whether to monorail or bus, or do you have to do monorail if you’re staying there?