Marathon Weekend 2026

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: I usually book ADRs and then adjust if I'm just not feeling it when I get down there for the weekend. I will still book ADRs even if I am solo, but get them at places with a bar so I can choose to eat there rather than at a table, assuming they have space. Flying Fish before the HM has become my tradition, as is some place with steak and a good drink Sunday night after the marathon. This year I am going to try the new (at least to me) Bourbon Steak at the Dolphin that replaced Shula's. I also booked Beak and Barrel to check it out.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

I had an additional quart sized Ziplock bag with running fuel in it on my flight last week. It had Huma gels, Untapped and Applesauce pouches. I usually only do carry on so I forgot to throw it in my checked bag but didn’t have any issues in my carry on. I didn’t even take it out!

Good to know! I think I will try it!!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

The marathon event page shows Honey Stinger as a sponsor so I think it’s safe to assume they’ll have the Honey Stinger chews on the course again like Wine and Dine.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Does anyone know if they have Untapped at the expo? It’s gotten to be my favorite running fuel and it just dawned on me today that I might not be able to get it on the plane if I’m not checking luggage. No room in my quart bag!

If you're flying domestically, having more liquids than a quart bag is usually a non-issue (especially with pre-check). I too put my liquids in a quart bag, but my friend always travels with her carry on loaded with full size liquids just tossed in her bag with no issue She actually got her bag checked once when we traveled together so they saw all of them and still let her bag go through haha.

 

[Herding_Cats]

The marathon event page shows Honey Stinger as a sponsor so I think it’s safe to assume they’ll have the Honey Stinger chews on the course again like Wine and Dine.

They’ve been a sponsor since 2022 and aside from that year, their only contribution has been the stroopwaffle in the post-race box. They had gummies on the course for 2022, and it’s been sport beans on-course for the last 3 years. I’m hope they’re switching back to the gummmies since they used them for W&D because aside from my dislike of sport beans, they are legit a slipping/tripping hazard in course when they get spilled on the road.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I forgot about the stroopwaffle since I can’t eat most of what’s in the box. Petition for an allergy friendly/plant-based box! Do they usually reveal what nutrition is on the course in the event guide?

 

[The Expert]

I love this!!!! That’s so cool!!! Untapped has truly became my HG of running fuel. It doesn’t hurt my stomach, and it’s super easy to get down, since it’s liquidy. I figured if I don’t check a bag, I’ll try getting them on my carryon. Worse case scenario, they will confiscate them. I can use other things…just very much prefer these!

In a pinch, I've used (real) maple syrup with a bit of salt mixed in water in place of their hydration mix. Obviously the gels are actual maple syrup, which isn't hard to find, but dividing them up into a clean delivery method for the course might be tricky.

This year I am going to try the new (at least to me) Bourbon Steak at the Dolphin that replaced Shula's.

We just tried it last month, after years of going to Shula's. Do NOT recommend. The steak was far lesser quality for almost double the price, and the service was downright bad. The only thing that was good was the baked potato. We were really disappointed. In the future, if we're willing to pay $83 for a ribeye, we'd go off site to Mortons.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I also use Untapped and have never found it at the expo or anywhere in Orlando. I HAVE packed and taken it with me -- both carry-on and in checked luggage -- and I've never had it pulled. I do take it in ziploc bags just in case of leakage.

The company is literally five minutes from my house and when I order, they often hand deliver it. It's pretty cool to have your running fuel brought to your door by a World Champion skiier and Olympian! (Marilyn is the one I typically see. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiing_Cochrans)

I think I saw one of your posts last year and ordered some from them. I love it! I could never handle the consistency of gels, but I love maple syrup. It goes down very easily and so easy to carry too. Big thank you!

 

[sandam1]

It had Huma gels, Untapped and Applesauce pouches.

I've tried twice to use applesauce packets as improvised ice packs in my carry-on (I wanted to bring some sandwich meat with me because we weren't going to get the grocery store right away) and both times it was pulled for inspection. I don't know what it looks like in the xray machine, but it obviously isn't good.

 

[sandam1]

SAFD - My circumstances are slightly different because I stay on the dark side (i.e. Universal) for runDisney weekends, but we stick almost exclusively with quick service meals. I just don't know how I'm going to feel and what I'm going to want at any given time.

I was thinking about trying to get Homecomin' for expo day as we'll be at Disney and we're not doing the 5K so I'm not concerned about the big meal, but nothing is available right now. Plan B might be to see if I can find something for Saturday afternoon as I'll be at Disney Springs for the Rise & Run meet-up and we'll be done running, but my heart isn't set on it. For Princess this year, we did D-Luxe Burger on Saturday afternoon and it really hit the spot. Or Polite Pig, which is another favorite of mine.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
I love ADR Day, it was last week for us as we are coming in a few days before the expo. Both my daughters have Celiac so we have a few restaurants we know work well and tend to stick to those: Ragland Road, Boma, Sci Fi Theater and we also often to breakfast buffets late in the morning, this year it is Whispering Canyon Cafe, Cape May and Tusker House. The late buffets work great on race days as they leave time to get ready after races and get to the parks and also provide a good protein recovery and hold us over to an earlier dinner before heading back to the resort to get to bed and do it all again the next day!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

We just tried it last month, after years of going to Shula's. Do NOT recommend

We were huge Shula’s fans. So disappointing they changed at all, let alone to something inferior.

a pinch, I've used (real) maple syrup with a bit of salt mixed in water in place of their hydration mix. Obviously the gels are actual maple syrup, which isn't hard to find, but dividing them up into a clean delivery method for the course might be tricky.

YES! I’ve seen people make their own, using different delivery methods, which is obviously more economical. But let’s be real…I don’t have the time or the patience for that!

 

[KCO5988]

SAFD:
I love ADR Day, it was last week for us as we are coming in a few days before the expo. Both my daughters have Celiac so we have a few restaurants we know work well and tend to stick to those: Ragland Road, Boma, Sci Fi Theater and we also often to breakfast buffets late in the morning, this year it is Whispering Canyon Cafe, Cape May and Tusker House. The late buffets work great on race days as they leave time to get ready after races and get to the parks and also provide a good protein recovery and hold us over to an earlier dinner before heading back to the resort to get to bed and do it all again the next day!

I think you commented on a previous post I had about Riviera GF pizza, but if you get the chance to check it out (maybe if you've got an EPCOT park day and can skyliner over), the margherita is 10/10 one of the best GF pizzas I've ever had.

 

[Disney at Heart]

We have reservations at Tutto, Yak and Yeti lunch after the half, Liberty Tree after the full, Roundup Rodeo, and Summerhouse. For those booking “dinner” at Beak and Barrel, we went there W&D weekend. It is a tavern, not a restaurant. We had charcuterie with our two drink and 45 minute maximum. It was lots of fun, but just know you won’t get a full meal there.

 

[PrincessV]

Is there a chart floating around anywhere of what time the balloon ladies or 7 hour pacers have started the marathon in the past few years? Trying to get a sense of whether or not there's consistency.

I’m sure someone has the actual data, but the Balloon Ladies usually start about an hour after the first official start time. However, there have been times the entire start process has been sped up to deal with weather or traffic delays. The shortest start process I’ve experienced, they started much faster than an hour later - I want to say it was around 35 minutes.

 

[Herding_Cats]

For those booking “dinner” at Beak and Barrel, we went there W&D weekend. It is a tavern, not a restaurant. We had charcuterie with our two drink and 45 minute maximum. It was lots of fun, but just know you won’t get a full meal there.

I wondered if there was a time limit just because of how popular it's going be as the new kid in town. This is good to know.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I’m sure someone has the actual data, but the Balloon Ladies usually start about an hour after the first official start time. However, there have been times the entire start process has been sped up to deal with weather or traffic delays. The shortest start process I’ve experienced, they started much faster than an hour later - I want to say it was around 35 minutes.

it appears that Threads has a "RunDisBalloons" whatever-it-is you call accounts on there that update them just about every mile. I don't have an account and also 0 desire to create one, but it would be a good place to check.

Can confirm that in 2022 they expedited the daylights out of the start.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

We just tried it last month, after years of going to Shula's. Do NOT recommend.

Thanks for the info. Will be looking for someplace else now it appears.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I think you commented on a previous post I had about Riviera GF pizza, but if you get the chance to check it out (maybe if you've got an EPCOT park day and can skyliner over), the margherita is 10/10 one of the best GF pizzas I've ever had.

Thank you! I had forgotten about that. That is a great idea for an Epcot day!