Marathon Weekend 2026

[KellyKateri]

I bought a lightning lane for 8am for Everest, so hopefully that helps us get through faster. I am also planning on making a second and third lightning lanes right after we scan into Everest for ToT and Rockin. Not planning on riding all three, but hope it increases our odds on getting on at least one ride!

 

[Disneyhanna]

at what temperature does Florida humidity go from making everything feel colder to making everything feel warmer? I’m eyeing the marathon forecast with concern.

I’ve noticed a huge difference in a 60F humid start vs a 70F humid start. My first MW 5k was 2023 and it was around 70F and 90%+ humidity at 3am and it felt like soup. Standing around was fine, but as soon as I started running, it was like the air condensed on my body. I remember stopping for a photo and sweat was just dripping off me onto the ground. I was soooo shiny in that photo. It will be more tolerable in the low 60s. Still warm, but at least I could get in a few miles before I have to wring out my shirt

Mid 50s and the humidity doesn’t bother me at all. Low 50s and it does start to get a bit chillier. Mid to high 40s and it starts turning into that bone chilling cold.

 

[Fenway1970]

Well gang, we're coming down to it. Despite going into this year feeling woefully undertrained, I find myself looking forward to another Dopey. Given the warmish weather forecast and the difficult training year, I've decided to just enjoy it and do the best I can. I do expect to finish all four, even if I have to hold hands with the Balloon Ladies to do it (or have Team Not So Fast drag me!).

Don't hate me but I can't really be too sad about the warm weather forecast, especially after last year's arctic blast nonsense. December in PA was annoyingly windy and frigid and I'm hoping Orlando's warmer climes will actually be rejuvenating in a way. Being able to run in shorts will be a treat for me.

Anyway see you all down there! I'm hoping to get there early enough this year for the lightpost meet up(s). I wasn't in any hurry last year to head out in the cold.

 

[JediKnightXan]

Thank you all for all the thoughts, advice, words of wisdom, encouragement and effort you all put into this place. From a first timer this place has been an incredible resource, and I really appreciate everything.

Good Luck to all and I hope you have safe travels uneventful travels and wonderful race week/weekend.

For running I'm not thrilled about the warm temperatures, but for the rest of the week, SIGN ME UP! This weekend I felt like I was tied to my fireplace just couldn't get warm. Looking forward too some warmth, sunshine and some pool time! (Assuming I'm in any shape to get in a pool after the marathon).

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Brooks rD!!
I am already beyond the question of how many pair of (Disney) shoes is reasonable to have… but do I really need another Mickey Mouse pair?

i recall a basic advice on how to choose running shoes: “it is not about the look, but the fit (and your feet)”…. However if there are ears, castles or MM shapes/ autograph,… then.. … worst case… more park shoes… which means I have to go to the parks more often right? (Disney math always gets me)

I love the way you think!

 

[jillinastoria]

Good morning! Hello again, and thank you for the amazing spreadsheet--I have learned so much from it! And to all of you, again, for your encouragement and advice.

One more question, that might be too specific--I am trying to do a simulated race morning this morning in terms of when I get up, what I eat, etc. What I'm most curious about right now is probable transportation time from my resort to the start group. I was lucky enough to find a Poly Tower studio, so I'll be taking the monorail. Is budgeting an hour enough time to get from my room to the TTC to the start area? Or is 90 minutes safer? I know the Poly and monorail pretty well and know it would be enough on a normal park day, but I'm not sure how much crowds and security changes things on marathon morning ...

Thanks in advance if anyone knows!

 

[FFigawi]

So I’ve ridden Everest before during the Marathon, but I’m thinking about adding ToT to my repertoire this year. Is there a way they’ll let you skip the preshow or are you in it for the whole thing?

The whole thing. Most people are pretty good about letting you pass them and go to the front of the line if you ask nicely and politely for both ToT and RnRC. Takes about 45 minutes to do both.

They're doing 2 separate VQ drops which is new for WDW as far as I know. Maybe they had it for W&D? I feel like maybe they had 2 for the DL races. I don't know if this means that they VQ will hit capacity and people will be shut out in the morning and need to try again in the afternoon. Either way, this is not something they had last year, and I'm not sure walk-up on day 1 will still be "a thing" until later in the day.

Which is why I always get there later in the day. Grab beer, grab bib, grab shirts, and then visit the rD stuff.

at what temperature does Florida humidity go from making everything feel colder to making everything feel warmer? I’m eyeing the marathon forecast with concern.

60-ish for me. I train in weather where it’s hot and humid year-round, and somehow Florida feels like that.

 

[PrincessV]

at what temperature does Florida humidity go from making everything feel colder to making everything feel warmer? I’m eyeing the marathon forecast with concern.

Caveat: I’m an acclimated Floridian who hates being cold! That said, I’ll echo @nancipants - the sun is WAY more of a factor in how warm it feels at any temp than humidity. I can be comfortable in a thin tee and shorts at 60º with full, late morning sun, but would be in tights and a jacket at 60º with little or no sun.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I noticed on Apple there is about a 10 degree drop in temp from Saturday to Sunday on race weekend. I know Apple Weather is notoriously wrong, but please, please, please let it be right this time. That would be glorious for the second half of the marathon! Nothing quite as mean as a hot Florida sun when at my 20 and running around the Blizzard Beach parking lot!

 

[nancipants]

I noticed on Apple there is about a 10 degree drop in temp from Saturday to Sunday on race weekend. I know Apple Weather is notoriously wrong, but please, please, please let it be right this time. That would be glorious for the second half of the marathon! Nothing quite as mean as a hot Florida sun when at my 20 and running around the Blizzard Beach parking lot!

The real temp drop in that forecast happens Sunday night, but I’ll take it if it means it’s not 80 degrees during the marathon!

 

[The Expert]

Good morning! Hello again, and thank you for the amazing spreadsheet--I have learned so much from it! And to all of you, again, for your encouragement and advice.

One more question, that might be too specific--I am trying to do a simulated race morning this morning in terms of when I get up, what I eat, etc. What I'm most curious about right now is probable transportation time from my resort to the start group. I was lucky enough to find a Poly Tower studio, so I'll be taking the monorail. Is budgeting an hour enough time to get from my room to the TTC to the start area? Or is 90 minutes safer? I know the Poly and monorail pretty well and know it would be enough on a normal park day, but I'm not sure how much crowds and security changes things on marathon morning ...

Thanks in advance if anyone knows!

When I've stayed at Bay Lake, monorail/TTC/walk to start area is roughly 30 minutes, iirc. It can go a little quicker if you don't have to wait for any trains, though there are sometimes short monorail holds for maintenance or just waiting to fill that first train. I've also stayed at Poly (the original DVC side) and walked to TTC to get on the Epcot monorail there. That side is closer to TTC than the Tower, but you'll still be backtracking some to get to the monorail station. Walking to TTC and taking the Epcot monorail from there is probably a wash time-wise if everything goes smoothly, but you'd have more control over timing if there were any monorail delays.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

for me, that's around 72-75 degrees. But I am a person with chronically low iron who is cold all the time. We arrive Sunday afternoon when the temperatures are forecast to be around 70. I will wear pants and bring a sweatshirt to MK.

I've got some rusty nails in my shop, and I'll be happy to bring some down for you and anyone else who wants one.
Just stick a couple in your mouth like you're about to hammer up some 2x4's for a boost of iron....

 

[jillinastoria]

When I've stayed at Bay Lake, monorail/TTC/walk to start area is roughly 30 minutes, iirc. It can go a little quicker if you don't have to wait for any trains, though there are sometimes short monorail holds for maintenance or just waiting to fill that first train. I've also stayed at Poly (the original DVC side) and walked to TTC to get on the Epcot monorail there. That side is closer to TTC than the Tower, but you'll still be backtracking some to get to the monorail station. Walking to TTC and taking the Epcot monorail from there is probably a wash time-wise if everything goes smoothly, but you'd have more control over timing if there were any monorail delays.

Thank you!!

 

[PrincessV]

HOW changeable is a Florida forecast? Mine had no rain at all in it for today a few hours ago… but now it’s 70%.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

The spreadsheet is awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. Hope to meet at HH's on Friday. We are staying at BC so very convenient

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but how do people use LLs for rides during the race? Don’t you have to be checked in to the park for it to work?

 

[Disneyhanna]

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but how do people use LLs for rides during the race? Don’t you have to be checked in to the park for it to work?

System is not that smart

 

[JediKnightXan]

Is there any rough spacing to character/photo spots? Just trying to plan ahead on when I need to be thinking about.

 

[KellyKateri]

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but how do people use LLs for rides during the race? Don’t you have to be checked in to the park for it to work?

Two different IT systems on the backend for making lightning lanes and actually “scanning in” too. My group made park reservations for AK as we are all APs. Lightning lanes selection system does know if you have a reservation for a park or not, and if not, you’ll only see return times starting at 2PM. Throw all that out the window though if it’s a “good to go” day. I’ll probably switch our park reservation to HS once we scan into Everest before trying to make my second two.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Is there any rough spacing to character/photo spots? Just trying to plan ahead on when I need to be thinking about.

Below is the **2025** (NOT THIS YEAR'S!!!) list from the marathon.

There tends to be a list that gets passed around (sans mile markers) late the night before or the morning-of the race. It's not always accurate. They will get posted in here if someone sees one.

Marathon Character List:
Ariel 0.6
Gaston 1.1
Belle and Beast 1.8
Abu 2.5
Rafiki 2.7 NP
Launchpad 3.3
Powerline max and Goofy 3.8
Megara and Hercules 4.2
Pain and Panic 5.1
Chip and Dale 5.3
Female ant 6.2
Jack 8.3
Minnie and mickey on float 9.1 NP
Adventurers club 9.3 NP
Miracle and Bruno 9.9
Pooh 9.95
Sébastien 10.1
Stitch experiment and other experiment 10.4
Jessie and Woody 11.4
Mulan and Shan 12.7
Aladdin and jasmine 13.15
Chewbacca 14.1
Darth Vader 14.3
Ewok battle
Captain Phasma 14.9
Rey and Vi 15.8
Doug and Russell 16.6
Real bathroom AK 17.3
Standby only expedition Everest, not letting runners into single rider, time lied 5 min wait not 20 min
Tarzan and Jane 18 NP
Donald 19.25 Np
Lilo and Stitch 20.1
Lotso 20.3
Frozone 21.25
Bolt 22.25
Scrooge 23.5
Tot they're letting runners into lightning!
Tot 23.8
Brother bear 23.9
Oogie Boogie 24.7
Daisy 25.2
Timon 25.3
Olaf 25.8

And done!

NP= No Photopass