Marathon Weekend 2026

[WDW 4 ME]

You can always jump in with Team Not-So-Fast! We have a proven track record of dragging fellow DISers across that finish line

Say more!

 

[Naomeri]

Say more!

MW 2025, I caught up with @Herding_Cats and @The Expert sometime after Animal Kingdom, really struggling mentally with my first Marathon/Dopey. They were great at cheering me up, and, at one point, @Herding_Cats did actually link arms and make me keep moving forward for a minute or two. Later, we stopped and waited for @nancipants at The Boardwalk and we all finished the race basically together.

 

[The Expert]

Say more!

As @Naomeri said, we will LITERALLY drag you if necessary! But in all seriousness, it's about getting whatever support you need when you need it. Want to vent frustration or celebrate wins here? Chat at the meet-ups? Get a little corral encouragement pre-race? Watch for familiar faces on the course to cheer each other on, high five or have a quick chat? Keep a few numbers in your phone for that text when you need it? Run, walk, sweat, complain, hurt together on the course? It's all that and more for us who often feel left behind due to our not-so-fast legs.

 

[SheHulk]

ADRs for Marathon Weekend are coming up! This will be the first time I'm trying to get in-demand reservations in years... has anything changed beyond the old tips & tricks?

 

[Herding_Cats]

This is why you come to the meetups at the light pole! And HH on Friday afternoon! I was pretty unsure the first year I went (and holy smokes that was 4 years ago now?!) but the group is so wonderful about gently pulling you into conversations and including you in a way that isn't overwhelming.

MW 2025, I caught up with @Herding_Cats and @The Expert sometime after Animal Kingdom, really struggling mentally with my first Marathon/Dopey. They were great at cheering me up, and, at one point, @Herding_Cats did actually link arms and make me keep moving forward for a minute or two. Later, we stopped and waited for @nancipants at The Boardwalk and we all finished the race basically together.

I mean...when the words "I need to stop for a minute" came out of your mouth at the absolute worst part of the course (entering BB) and it seemed like you were hitting the wall and starting to spiral, that was a big fat NOPE. We can stop for other reasons. But not that one.

As @Naomeri said, we will LITERALLY drag you if necessary! But in all seriousness, it's about getting whatever support you need when you need it. Want to vent frustration or celebrate wins here? Chat at the meet-ups? Get a little corral encouragement pre-race? Watch for familiar faces on the course to cheer each other on, high five or have a quick chat? Keep a few numbers in your phone for that text when you need it? Run, walk, sweat, complain, hurt together on the course? It's all that and more for us who often feel left behind due to our not-so-fast legs.

Cheery and yell like psychos for other Dis'ers as you pass them along the course. IYKYK.
Or, bum some tylenol off someone when the aid stations have run out. It's me. I'm someone.

Maybe @pluto377 wants to join us if she makes it to the start line with her pneumonia struggles.

ADRs for Marathon Weekend are coming up! This will be the first time I'm trying to get in-demand reservations in years... has anything changed beyond the old tips & tricks?

I mean, be prepared for it to not work? I've had issues the last couple of years where entire restaurants weren't showing any availability for 60+8 which was absolutely bananas to me.

 

[nancipants]

The reservation system has at least improved somewhat with being able to specify date ranges.

 

[jrsharp21]

ADRs for Marathon Weekend are coming up! This will be the first time I'm trying to get in-demand reservations in years... has anything changed beyond the old tips & tricks?

Going to try for reservations at Beak and Barrel (me and thousands of other people). I can't recall, what time do reservations go live when your window opens?

 

[jmasgat]

Going to try for reservations at Beak and Barrel (me and thousands of other people). I can't recall, what time do reservations go live when your window opens?

Supposedly 6 am, I think. As for Beak and Barrel…it was impossible to get when it first opened, but I got a midday reservation for W&D weekend. I ended up canceling, but I can tell you that even when I was at MK and randomly checking, reservations were open for that same day.

 

[SheHulk]

The only thing I am trying for that might be "in-demand" is Oga's... is that even a hot ticket these days?

 

[nancipants]

The only thing I am trying for that might be "in-demand" is Oga's... is that even a hot ticket these days?

Not really. I've been able to find same-day reservations some times.

 

[jrsharp21]

The only thing I am trying for that might be "in-demand" is Oga's... is that even a hot ticket these days?

In our last two trips to WDW, Oga's has had same day reservations available on the app. Even the standby lines were very minimal when we were at DHS.

 

[pluto377]

@Herding_Cats Yes, I definitely want to join you guys! I'm determined to at least start all four races.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Geo-82 for fireworks is probably the most in-demand. My ADR was yesterday so I had the pick of whatever I wanted though, perks of a long length of stay. Don't forget to book capture your moment for Marathon Sunday or Medal Monday as that opens up with ADRs as well!

 

[Herding_Cats]

I have to attempt to book BBB for DD for this trip. Even with all of the changes they've made to it very recently (no more "tiers" for dresses, it's either the shirt package or the dress package, and apparently much more limited choices) DH is still all-in on her experiencing it. So I get the joy of staying up until midnight for that one and then being up at 6am for everything else.

 

[The Expert]

Don't forget that some WDW restaurants are also available on OpenTable! One example is Cake Bake Shop. It always looks full through the Disney dining page, but is readily available via OpenTable.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Going to try for reservations at Beak and Barrel (me and thousands of other people). I can't recall, what time do reservations go live when your window opens?

Scored one for wine and dine inside of the 60 day window so keep an eye out if you don’t grab one right away, they do pop up. I can tell you I’m booking again for MW, it was fun, very much like Oga’s as far as being immersive but with better food. And pirates. It is Disney pricing so an expensive lunch but we enjoyed it

 

[Dopey 2020]

Also managed to score Geo-82 the day before, they pop up as people cancel as well. We completely forgot about that one booking wine and dine. Very relaxing away from the crowds and screaming children but definitely higher end (higher priced drinks) It was enjoyable and we’ll probably book it as well but if I had to choose one or the other I’d go with lunch at Beak and Barrel

 

[accm]

SAFD: Training is going well, although I did start late, and from a crappy base. My goal for this MW is to have fun and support my friend who is running her first Dopey, so I don't need to be in A race shape.

On the ADR front, I ended up booking a 3 way split stay (why? I hate split stays), so I can't book my main ADRs until Saturday.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: Training is going well, although I did start late, and from a crappy base. My goal for this MW is to have fun and support my friend who is running her first Dopey, so I don't need to be in A race shape.

On the ADR front, I ended up booking a 3 way split stay (why? I hate split stays), so I can't book my main ADRs until Saturday.

if you are OK with calling (I haate making phone calls for CS stuff) I have had a very helpful CM "combine" my stays in the system in the past so I could make all of my ADRs on the first day I was eligible to do so. I don't know if that's something their system upgrades took away from them....i remember reading something about it a year or so ago...but it might be worth a call.

 

[accm]

if you are OK with calling (I haate making phone calls for CS stuff) I have had a very helpful CM "combine" my stays in the system in the past so I could make all of my ADRs on the first day I was eligible to do so. I don't know if that's something their system upgrades took away from them....i remember reading something about it a year or so ago...but it might be worth a call.

I tried that a couple of years ago and they weren't able to do it even after trying a few different CMs. I've had pretty good luck getting ADRs, so hopefully the free dining plan for kids promo doesn't change that too much. Speaking of, with 2 kids the dining plan is now a no brainer.