Marathon Weekend 2026

[lookingforsunshine]

SAFD: Lock, Shock, and Barrel on the course would be INCREDIBLE.

My favorite character interactions are the ones where I am dressed as the character (especially when it’s not even on race theme so it’s a surprise!). I have had this with Peter Pan and Piglet during MW 2025. I am also a sucker for taking a photo with the animal outside DAK during the marathon.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

It appears that Sam's Club is going to have a DGC "sale" going from 11/7-9 where you can get a $200 DGC for $180, limit of 4. These are e giftcards, not physical giftcards.

Dumb question…How does this work with being ecards? Are they easy to use and what do you use them for?

 

[WDW 4 ME]

but I very excitedly stopped for Lumiere

So jealous! Lumiere is my favorite!!!

 

[MissLiss279]

Dumb question…How does this work with being ecards? Are they easy to use and what do you use them for?

What I do is go add them to my Disneygiftcard.com account. I can either then apply the Disney gift card to something I am paying for online, or I can transfer the money to a physical Disney gift card that I already own.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Dumb question…How does this work with being ecards? Are they easy to use and what do you use them for?

What I do is go add them to my Disneygiftcard.com account. I can either then apply the Disney gift card to something I am paying for online, or I can transfer the money to a physical Disney gift card that I already own.

This is what we do as well. In addition to this, we keep a spare empty physical GC in a wallet so that if we happen to misplace our GC that has money on it, we can just use the app to move the money.

Pro tip: if you can find a DGC with a QR code on the back instead of the barcode, you won't have to enter the 16-digit code every time you pay for something through the app (such as when you mobile order food or do mobile checkout at the expo or store that offers it.)

 

[marty3d]

This is what we do as well. In addition to this, we keep a spare empty physical GC in a wallet so that if we happen to misplace our GC that has money on it, we can just use the app to move the money.

Pro tip: if you can find a DGC with a QR code on the back instead of the barcode, you won't have to enter the 16-digit code every time you pay for something through the app (such as when you mobile order food or do mobile checkout at the expo or store that offers it.)

I do the same though living in Canada and having to deal with currency conversion I use my GC primarily for hotel deposits - that way I don’t get hit with double the conversion rates when I change/ cancel reservations. I also use the GC for Genie+ purchases. Anything through the My Disney app is really easy to use GC for.

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: I love getting photos with rare characters on course, or the fab 5 in a rare outfit!
My absolute favorite character stop from a race was Elvis Stitch one year for W&D
Wishlist for this year - since going to Tokyo Disney I have a new appreciation for the Duffy characters and would love to see any of them out on course!
Also saw Partysaurus Rex will be at Jollywood Nights - he would be fun on course!

 

[The Expert]

Medals are on display at Wine & Dine expo! Some have springs but I don't see any other movement. The back is the same design on all of them. State Farm is prominent on the ribbons.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Reposting from the W&D thread:

So you don't have to squint, they aren't selling refillable cups at the expo. They are *only* available in the post-race/reunion area. And if I'm reading this correctly, they are only refillable in the post-race/reunion area. No getting a cup after the 5k, and then taking it with you if you make a trip back to the expo for more merch/food/character pics to get refilled there. Interesting move by rD/WWOS. I wonder what the break-even point is for the refillable cups there and people getting multiple drinks vs people only getting 1 drink because it costs the same (no discount) to get a 2nd. Or maybe they felt like people were drinking too much at the expo? Or people were staying longer because they were drinking and it was causing extra congestion? Is this a money thing, or a people-management move?

UPDATE WITH MORE INFO per FB:

"PSA for those that have certain expectations for the expo this weekend.
(Also known as why no beer cups, yo?)
Disney has chosen to outsource their food service for the expo this year. The people who have the contract are part of this [fb] group, and are very motivated to make your food experience this weekend a good one.
In fact they have a post up right now soliciting feedback to fix anything that isn't working.
However, the beer cups that you are used to are a Disney licence, and not part of the contract. It's not the vendor's fault.
Honestly, probably not Disney's fault either, they likely didn't know how popular those cups are.
But regardless of whether or not someone is to blame, the contractual situation is what it is. Hopefully it can be addressed for Marathon Weekend expo.
Please be nice to the new vendor, they are good people, and really do want to make you happy."

 

[pluto377]

@The Expert Are the medals all about the same size? Thanks so much for the great pics!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: Lock, Shock, and Barrel on the course would be INCREDIBLE.

You called?....

 

[Zutroy]

Medals are on display at Wine & Dine expo! Some have springs but I don't see any other movement. The back is the same design on all of them. State Farm is prominent on the ribbons.

View attachment 1018736
View attachment 1018739

I guess this confirms that RD used chipped medals in their promo pics, and that these aren’t intentional “shadows” or designs or whatever. Uh-oh.

 

[The Expert]

@The Expert Are the medals all about the same size? Thanks so much for the great pics!

Yes!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Okay, need some advice from my running friends. As some of you may remember, I have been struggling with ITBS. I switched from a stability shoe to a non stability shoe, based upon recommendations, in case that was putting too much strain on my ITB. The first neutral shoe I tried was NB 880’s and I knew it was a no go after 3 runs. Now I’m in ghost max. I think I like them? They are taking a bit to get used to. I do not hurt on my runs. BUT…am having hip flexor pain and kneecap pain which I’ve never had before, after my runs, and on days I’m not running. Do we think this is shoe related? I really don’t want to go back to the running store again because I’m just not sure if these are the wrong shoe. Maybe I need to get used to them a bit more? Also…what do I do for my long run this weekend? Wear my stability shoes, in case I do just need to ease into the ghost max more, or stick to my ghost max?

 

[KCO5988]

Okay, need some advice from my running friends. As some of you may remember, I have been struggling with ITBS. I switched from a stability shoe to a non stability shoe, based upon recommendations, in case that was putting too much strain on my ITB. The first neutral shoe I tried was NB 880’s and I knew it was a no go after 3 runs. Now I’m in ghost max. I think I like them? They are taking a bit to get used to. I do not hurt on my runs. BUT…am having hip flexor pain and kneecap pain which I’ve never had before, after my runs, and on days I’m not running. Do we think this is shoe related? I really don’t want to go back to the running store again because I’m just not sure if these are the wrong shoe. Maybe I need to get used to them a bit more? Also…what do I do for my long run this weekend? Wear my stability shoes, in case I do just need to ease into the ghost max more, or stick to my ghost max?

I strongly suggest finding a PT that does gait analysis. I just did one and the amount of output data is crazy. Stability, ground contact time, how well the load is carried up your leg, etc. They’ll also check for muscle weakness not running (do a single leg glute bridge, raise your leg and don’t let me push it down, etc).

 

[WDW 4 ME]

I strongly suggest finding a PT that does gait analysis. I just did one and the amount of output data is crazy. Stability, ground contact time, how well the load is carried up your leg, etc. They’ll also check for muscle weakness not running (do a single leg glute bridge, raise your leg and don’t let me push it down, etc).

I’ve been going to a PT since August for my ITBS. We have done a gait analysis as well.

 

[BigEeyore]

Okay, need some advice from my running friends. As some of you may remember, I have been struggling with ITBS.

I had terrible issues with ITBS after MW in January, and then I had the Tokyo marathon 2 months later so I didn't get to recover. After that I took a good 3 weeks off from running and then eased back in and have been OK since (knock on wood!). I also was working with a sports chiro who was doing a lot tissue/muscle manipulation on me, plus lots of stretching/foam rolling/heat therapy. Additionally I committed to strength training (which I had neglected) and that has helped a lot I think.
I run in a stability shoe FWIW but I don't think that has much to do with it.
Not much advice - just wanted to share that there is light at the end of the tunnel because I was starting to feel frustrated and hopeless at the beginning of the year.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I would like to amend my SAFD to add Duffy. I am heartbroken he was on the 5K course today!! I have a golden doodle named Duffy.

Picture tax:

 

[WDW 4 ME]

State Farm is prominent on the ribbons.

Obnoxious

 

[WDW 4 ME]

I had terrible issues with ITBS after MW in January, and then I had the Tokyo marathon 2 months later so I didn't get to recover. After that I took a good 3 weeks off from running and then eased back in and have been OK since (knock on wood!). I also was working with a sports chiro who was doing a lot tissue/muscle manipulation on me, plus lots of stretching/foam rolling/heat therapy. Additionally I committed to strength training (which I had neglected) and that has helped a lot I think.
I run in a stability shoe FWIW but I don't think that has much to do with it.
Not much advice - just wanted to share that there is light at the end of the tunnel because I was starting to feel frustrated and hopeless at the beginning of the year.

THANK YOU!!! ITBS is the WORST. It is soooo frustrating and I am so behind on my training plan. I do feel like I’m at the point where I am turning the corner with it. It feels like a tendon again vs a hard bone! Tons of strength training and tissue manipulation. I feel like cupping has helped a lot. So much so, I bought my own cupping set to use at home. So if I make it to the start line in Jan, you will be able to pick me out from the circular bruises all along my ITB! Haha

I am just worried about new injuries at this point. While the ITBS is not fun, I don’t worry about it long term. This hip pain has me scared. Went down the torn labrum rabbit hole the other day in my research. Maybe I will try my stability shoes again this weekend and see how it goes. I never had any other pain with those u told me my ITB.