Marathon Weekend 2026

[StarGirl11]

SAFD: Flying from Columbus on Wednesday morning. Going to hotel (Sports- we can pretend it’s because it makes me feel like an athlete but really it’s because of $) to drop off luggage (and hopefully check in!), and then to the expo for Dopey bibs! After the expo I’m not sure. I’m sure my partner knows . Last year I was at the expo for over 6 hours, and I would prefer to not repeat that experience.
This is my first MW where I am flying in Weds instead of Tues, and I’m a little anxious about it.

Lol the 6 hour thing was me at the Marine Corps Expo this year. So crowded I ended up getting there around 10-11. Didn’t leave until around 4.

Which is wild because normally I’m only at expos for around 3 maybe 4 if the crowds bad usually at the big expos

 

[fatmanatee]

I hope there's a good story behind this. I can't imagine spending that much time at any expo, Disney or otherwise,

I wasn’t there for that long but the line to get in was absolutely insane. I think they added additional security procedures that weekend? Forget what the story was but there was some sort of incident that happened prior to MW.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Final long run (9 miles) in the books!

SAFD: We will drive down Friday morning, drop luggage at Pop, and take the skyliner to the HH meetup. We’ll go to the expo after that. Saturday, I’m running the half, back to Pop to clean up, brunch at Olivia’s, then check in at Poly. Sunday, DH is running the marathon, then some resort time and a celebratory ‘Ohana dinner. Monday, we check in at Yacht Club and finally enjoy DATW, and have a Geo-82 reservation so we can see the fireworks from there.

I am determined to stay healthy this year. Last year, we had planned on DATW, but I got the flu and we had to cancel. I’m pretty sure I picked it up from a woman who was in line in front of us on our arrival day, so I’m planning to bring masks and hand sanitizer and be extra careful this year.

 

[jpholic]

SAFD: Driving down from NC on Tuesday and it will be a early morning start. The plan is to get in around noon and hope the room is ready. If not, we'll grab some lunch and toot around Orlando. I'm not staying on Disney this trip. My family will be there to support me during the marathon and my sister wanted to take the kids to Universal so we'll be at one of their resorts this trip. Had a friend secure a last minute Dopey bib so excited to have some company on this adventure. Just one ADR for breakfast after the 10k and doing dinner with my parents at Universal one night. The weather change has prompted me to pack my swimsuit. Probably going to spend some time by the pool, relax and recharge after each race. Sunday afternoon we'll head over to MK for medal pics but other than that no plans for Disney. I do want to have a couple hours in the Universal parks with my niece and nephew and rides some of their rides with them.

Today was my final run for Dopey training and its surreal that all the 'hay is in the barn' as they say. I can take down this big *** calendar on my wall that I've been tracking my runs with.

 

[Novatrix]

My DW asked why I didn't just fly down to Orlando since it's just me now, but the thought of having to haul all my running stuff through NYC for a day made that a hard no.

Just for future reference, luggagehero and bounce work really well for stashing stuff in/around NYC. Depending on which airport you're flying in/out of, JFK also has airport run luggage storage options.

 

[smileyanna]

Finished the scariest pre-race day of all - skiing with my kids a week before Goofy

SAFD: Flying down with the family on Friday morning. Somehow we have plans for intense park touring Friday-Sunday, and our run charity dinner is 6-8pm on Friday night (WHY??). A little nervous about juggling it all, especially since four of us are sharing a room at Pop.

Jealous of everyone arriving today or soon. Happy travels.

 

[lhermiston]

Don't forget Teetz who was very active here for years before the powers-that-be kicked him out. And I have it on good authority that @lhermiston will be running MW in 2027 when Rogue Two makes its triumphant return.

Man, can anybody keep a secret around here?

 

[Novatrix]

SAFD: I made a last minute adjustments to my plans a couple of weeks back, so I'm now flying down from Philly Wed night, checking into the Poly for 1 night, switching to the regularly scheduled plans for Beach Club Thursday until Monday, then switching to Copper Creek for 1 night before flying home Tuesday. Plans outside of minigolf, HH, Goofy races and DATW to be made up as I go along.

 

[SheHulk]

Finished the scariest pre-race day of all - skiing with my kids a week before Goofy

SAFD: Flying down with the family on Friday morning. Somehow we have plans for intense park touring Friday-Sunday, and our run charity dinner is 6-8pm on Friday night (WHY??). A little nervous about juggling it all, especially since four of us are sharing a room at Pop.

Jealous of everyone arriving today or soon. Happy travels.

I'm afraid to walk across a little patch of ice to get to my car right now! Skiing the week before Goofy sounds like the equivalent of jumping out of an airplane! Glad you are in one piece.

 

[StarGirl11]

I wasn’t there for that long but the line to get in was absolutely insane. I think they added additional security procedures that weekend? Forget what the story was but there was some sort of incident that happened prior to MW.

New Orleans Truck attack was a few days before.

Finished the scariest pre-race day of all - skiing with my kids a week before Goofy

SAFD: Flying down with the family on Friday morning. Somehow we have plans for intense park touring Friday-Sunday, and our run charity dinner is 6-8pm on Friday night (WHY??). A little nervous about juggling it all, especially since four of us are sharing a room at Pop.

Jealous of everyone arriving today or soon. Happy travels.

Ooh I skied before my 2019 Dopey back when I was a lot more mobile up at Sun Valley. Probably not my best choice in hindsight but was fun

 

[AZMermaid]

SAFD- major FOMO of all of you arriving now and soon. I’ll be teaching 1st grade all week praying no one returns with the plague. We fly early Friday from Phoenix. We are connecting in Houston and should be to the Expo around 4:00. I always book a back up flight with miles that I can easily cancel when I have time based travel. So I have a direct flight booked for Friday night as well, but hopefully I’m not using that one! We are staying at Poly DVC and planning on parks on Saturday and Monday- returning home Tuesday.

 

[smileyanna]

I'm afraid to walk across a little patch of ice to get to my car right now! Skiing the week before Goofy sounds like the equivalent of jumping out of an airplane! Glad you are in one piece.

Ooh I skied before my 2019 Dopey back when I was a lot more mobile up at Sun Valley. Probably not my best choice in hindsight but was fun

It wasn't my first choice, but my kids made a strong case by listing some of the activities/weekends we've scheduled around my training schedule. Fair enough.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Hi! My friends and I are cheap and trying to save money. Can you guys help gut check me that I have the info right for downloading race photos for cheap (a.k.a. free)?

My neighbor Michelle has an annual pass and added memory maker for the year. We are connected on MDE so she'll be able to see all of my photos (park and race). I know that it used to be that Dopey bibs = 4 photo pass codes (1 per race) so I'm operating on that being true still.

Two friends are also running with me (up to 8 more codes) and another is doing the 5k, 10k, and half 3 more codes). This brings us to up to 15 photo pass codes. (If Dopey is a single code, then we have 6 codes for photos).

According to photo pass terms and conditions, you can put 10 rundisney codes onto your account. This means that if I put 5-10 codes on my account and Michelle does the remainder, she will be able to download all of our photos, right?

 

[The Expert]

Service was good, but not on same level as Shula's.

Sadly, that is no longer the case with the new ownership. We went to try it out in October and the service was seriously lacking. Also the menu prices doubled on everything -- $80+ for a filet?! We won't be going back.

 

[StarGirl11]

SAFD: flying out from Phoenix on Tuesday morning, hit MCO at 4:30. Meeting my brother and his family at the airport for an uber to Boardwalk. Mom and dad will already be there (getting in early to hit the store for essentials: water, bourbon). Dropping bags and heading to the Yachtsman for dinner (side note: any opinions on the Yachtsman? We used to eat at Shula’s, but branching out since that’s gone).

AK on Wednesday morning before the expo Wednesday afternoon. I’m running dopey, my brother is joining for the 5 and 10k. Can’t wait!

Saw this late but I love Yachtsman for their good prime rib. It’s become my go to post race celebration meal. Will be going Sunday

 

[Herding_Cats]

Pixie dusted by exiting guests as we went through the tunnel into MK! I just cannot imagine why they didn’t want to deal with a balloon with a shortened ribbon!

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: My travel plans consist of driving 20 minutes. But I’m not on vacation, so I have to work and don’t get to stay in a hotel.

I’m hitting the expo after work on Wednesday to get my bib for the 5k. Depending on how much time I have, I might hit the Brooks shoes and pick up shirts, but will save the rest of the shopping for later.

Thursday is the 5k. Then I’m heading home to nap before working in the afternoon.

I’m taking off all of Friday and plan to hit the expo for shopping and go to the Customized meetup, and of course Hurricane Hanna’s. Then I might go back to the expo for more shopping. (I like shopping. And it’s my birthday, and my presents are buying stuff at the expo.)

Saturday is up in the air. I was planning to spectate the HM, but a good friend’s mom passed away recently and the memorial service is Saturday afternoon. I’m trying to figure out if there’s enough time for me to drive there and back and still be in bed early enough to go to bed for the marathon. I really want to go to support her, but I’m not sure if it’s feasible. (It’s at least a 3.5 hour drive one way.)

Sunday I’m planning to eat off-site with family, unless I score a Disney meal somewhere outside of the parks.

Monday I’m taking off for DATW.

And Tuesday I go back to work.

 

[JackosinDIS]

SAFD: driving down to London Heathrow tomorrow to catch a morning flight on Tuesday. There are plenty of snow showers hovering around at the moment which will make the drive interesting (the UK grinds to a halt when there is snow )
All being well, we arrive MCO on Tuesday at 3.30pm, head over to BLT, drop luggage off and straight in to MK for parade and a ride on Tron. Weds / Thursday park days and expo, followed by 10k and marathon and more park days…
CANT WAIT to be there and hopefully meet up with some of you amazing people and enjoy the atmosphere! I have a stinking cold and cough from Christmas family gatherings, and a slightly dodgy ankle (RSI), but hey… I’m in Disney!

 

[Poohverine]

SAFD: Taking a red-eye from Portland Tuesday night to arrive Wednesday morning for the expo. Friends arrive Thursday as they’re all doing the 10k. We have some park reservations (HS Friday, MK Saturday, Epcot Sunday) and some food reservations (Ohana, Beak and Barrel). Otherwise, think this will be relatively chill as compared to our usual all-out trips to hit rides since I’m attempting Dopey! Scatter in some remote work, then flying back Monday afternoon!

 

[Thegoofysmers]

For this years wine and dine half they issued a heat advisory and many had issues with the heat on the course. Things could change, but it's looking like temps and conditions for the half and full could be similar to this years wine and dine. Do they ever shorten the races because of heat?