Marathon Weekend 2027

[Naomeri]

I admire your dedication

I started it the day I had to wake up early to do my lightning lanes, so it kinda worked out time-wise. But I definitely wasn't getting up at 2 or 3, just 5 instead of 7.

 

[lhermiston]

Me on January 11th: "Okay, I did it (the Dopey). It sucked getting up 4 days in a row at 2/2:30 am, and I don't ever need to do it again."
Me on March 12th to DD: "What do you think .. should we sign up for the Dopey again?"

UGH!!! Race amnesia has really set in. I swore we would only do it once just to say we did it, and now here we are trying to figure out whether to join the registration madness on Tuesday. I'm kind of pushing for the Goofy, but DD said we'd have serious FOMO. What do those of you who have done multiple Dopeys think? Is she right?

I did Dopey in 2019 and said, “Yeah, one is enough.” I came back for Goofy in 2020 and 2022 and happily rode off into runDisney semi-retirement.

I did not miss Dopey or recall feeling much FOMO. I do recall feeling like Dopey was pushed HARD every one of my race weekends.

For 2027, I am likely Dopey or Bust (maybe Goofy). This might be a last hurrah for me and rD, so I want to make it a big one.

If I had the time and means to do MW annually or semi-annually, I would probably stick with Goofy and not miss Dopey all that much.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Really depends on the person and how susceptible you are to FOMO.

Me? I hate lack of sleep more than wanting 3 extra medals so for me Goofy is a great compromise.

For others, they'll be disappointed not doing them all.

Why not split the difference and SHE can do Dopey while you sleep in 2 extra days and YOU can do Goofy, then compare notes at the end of the week.

LOL, I like that idea except that I'm sure she'd wake me up! I hate the lack of sleep, too. That was by far the biggest factor in our first Dopey (her race amnesia is apparently stronger than mine as she was the main complainer about that, LOL).

I did Dopey in 2019 and said, “Yeah, one is enough.” I came back for Goofy in 2020 and 2022 and happily rode off into runDisney semi-retirement.

I did not miss Dopey or recall feeling much FOMO. I do recall feeling like Dopey was pushed HARD every one of my race weekends.

For 2027, I am likely Dopey or Bust (maybe Goofy). This might be a last hurrah for me and rD, so I want to make it a big one.

If I had the time and means to do MW annually or semi-annually, I would probably stick with Goofy and not miss Dopey all that much.

I sensed the pushing hard of Dopey this year. It's funny, we've done the half at Marathon weekend a number of times and never had a tiny bit of FOMO, but we both fear that having done it once, we'll want to be doing it again.

 

[laurend]

Lmao was sick for ONE WHOLE MONTH with flu A after MW2026 - normal flu symptoms, and then some weird garbage with my salivary glands that involved an ultrasound, and then bronchitis that flared up enough to need a course of steroids.

Totally derailed my spring marathon plans, but I’m back on a normal run schedule again and will drop to the half for my race 4/4. Have been putting in some light workouts again and <2h long runs feeling good.

In a shocking turn of events, my teenager is planning to come with us next marathon weekend and is willing to run the 10k, so I might be trying for a Dopey reg?? Need to get a solid commitment from her one way or the other before next week! MORE SHOCK: she didn’t need a huge nudge to consider the half instead!

 

[DopeyBadger]

For some reason I just remembered how 2018 had an early registration for folks who participated in 2017. Forgot there was also a small discount!

Gawrsh I miss when loyalty was appreciated and not taken for granted.

@DopeyBadger - is this what it would take for your return???

Well… I did run my first race, a marathon, because it was ONLY $10 more and who wouldn’t want twice the distance for only a few more dollars. I mean it was so economical. Realistically it won’t happen in 2026 or early 2027, but my MIL did say she wanted to go to another race weekend before things turn for her. So maybe late 2027 or 2028 MW? I got a LOT of work to get back into racing condition though. We’ll see how things continue.

 

[marty3d]

LOL, I like that idea except that I'm sure she'd wake me up! I hate the lack of sleep, too. That was by far the biggest factor in our first Dopey (her race amnesia is apparently stronger than mine as she was the main complainer about that, LOL).

Assuming registration goes well this is what we’ll be doing. DS will do Dopey and I’m doing Goofy again. I know I’ll wake up when he has to get up but I’m fairly confident I can go back to sleep.

Everyone is different with the FOMO. I’ve done Dopey 3 times and decided I didn’t want to do Dopey every year. I really don’t like the 4 days of early wakeups - and I especially don’t like waking up for the 5k. I had zero Dopey FOMO. Others do. You might not even know until you try. I didn’t.

Also, Goofy has actually become a more exclusive Club. As there are fewer of us, maybe people should be worried about Goofy FOMO

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Well… I did run my first race, a marathon, because it was ONLY $10 more and who wouldn’t want twice the distance for only a few more dollars.

Perfect run math: you were getting an even bigger bargain to where you couldn't afford not to do the full marathon....

>> Also, Goofy has actually become a more exclusive Club. As there are fewer of us, maybe people should be worried about Goofy FOMO

Seriously. For the previously mentioned reasons of time, sleep, and money, I find the Goofy to be a nice compromise on fun and getting my money's worth. That said, I'll likely try for Dopey in 2028 due to it being an anniversary year.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Assuming registration goes well this is what we’ll be doing. DS will do Dopey and I’m doing Goofy again. I know I’ll wake up when he has to get up but I’m fairly confident I can go back to sleep.

Everyone is different with the FOMO. I’ve done Dopey 3 times and decided I didn’t want to do Dopey every year. I really don’t like the 4 days of early wakeups - and I especially don’t like waking up for the 5k. I had zero Dopey FOMO. Others do. You might not even know until you try. I didn’t.

Also, Goofy has actually become a more exclusive Club. As there are fewer of us, maybe people should be worried about Goofy FOMO

That is too funny--love the Goofy FOMO. And I'm so with you on the early wakeups--especially for the 5k. Weirdly the 10k was the biggest slog for us last year.

 

[Novatrix]

LOL, I like that idea except that I'm sure she'd wake me up! I hate the lack of sleep, too.

Simple solution. "DVC 1 Bedroom." She sleeps on the pull down in the living room. You get 2 days of uninterrupted sleep.

 

[Naomeri]

Simple solution. "DVC 1 Bedroom." She sleeps on the pull down in the living room. You get 2 days of uninterrupted sleep.

Or All Star Music family suite. Dopey runner sleeps in the living room, Goofy runner sleeps in the bedroom. And each gets their own bathroom.

 

[FFigawi]

Less than 300 days until MW 2027.

I’ll sleep a little easier in a week once I know whether I’m participating or not.

Me too! I booked my room at the Dolphin already. I hope I didn't jinx myself.

We need a code word to find each other in case we ever get cast on the same season… alliance! My fav Survivor podcast is RHAP.

Check out The Pod Has Spoken

 

[smrt1]

Lmao was sick for ONE WHOLE MONTH with flu A after MW2026 - normal flu symptoms, and then some weird garbage with my salivary glands that involved an ultrasound, and then bronchitis that flared up enough to need a course of steroids.

H

Lmao was sick for ONE WHOLE MONTH with flu A after MW2026 - normal flu symptoms, and then some weird garbage with my salivary glands that involved an ultrasound, and then bronchitis that flared up enough to need a course of steroids.

Totally derailed my spring marathon plans, but I’m back on a normal run schedule again and will drop to the half for my race 4/4. Have been putting in some light workouts again and <2h long runs feeling good.

In a shocking turn of events, my teenager is planning to come with us next marathon weekend and is willing to run the 10k, so I might be trying for a Dopey reg?? Need to get a solid commitment from her one way or the other before next week! MORE SHOCK: she didn’t need a huge nudge to consider the half instead!

I’m pretty sure I got COVID after the 2020 Dopey, before we knew what COVID was. I guess I was a trendsetter. It’s Dopey all the way (have I mentioned that I’m a Perfect Dopey???). I’ve said it before (probably in this thread) that I can’t even imagine being there and not doing every single race. I love it all, from waiting for the bus at the hotel, all the way to crossing the finish line. I absolutely love running, so to be able to spend the five days of Marathon Weekend completely immersed in running is awesome. I love seeing the people that can kick my butt, and I love seeing the Disney people that would never have run a step in their lives if it wasn’t for rD, out there pushing themselves to do something they thought was impossible. I spent over 20 years waking up around 2:15am for work so I’m fortunate that the early mornings don’t scare me. Even today, three years after being freed from that miserable job, I still love getting up early and going for a run before the sun rises. It’s 4:35 right now, I’m having a coffee and then going out to run for a bit. Some people like to stay up late, I think they’re nuts. The morning is the best part of the day, I feel bad for people that miss it. And remember, Dopey cures Goofy FOMO, but Dopey FOMO cannot be cured by Goofy! See you at the start line.

 

[nancipants]

Well… I did run my first race, a marathon, because it was ONLY $10 more and who wouldn’t want twice the distance for only a few more dollars. I mean it was so economical. Realistically it won’t happen in 2026 or early 2027, but my MIL did say she wanted to go to another race weekend before things turn for her. So maybe late 2027 or 2028 MW? I got a LOT of work to get back into racing condition though. We’ll see how things continue.

You’re always welcome to slum it with Team Not So Fast.

 

[Erika10021]

I love it all, from waiting for the bus at the hotel, all the way to crossing the finish line. I absolutely love running, so to be able to spend the five days of Marathon Weekend completely immersed in running is awesome. I love seeing the people that can kick my butt, and I love seeing the Disney people that would never have run a step in their lives if it wasn’t for rD, out there pushing themselves to do something they thought was impossible.

That's how I feel too!

There is just so much to enjoy about the weekend; it's the whole process: pinning bibs, laying out clothes, figuring out which fuel to carry (if any), the buses, the spectacle that is the pre-race reunion area and corrals, the races themselves, the finish line, the satisfying walk back to pick up medals and snacks, post race shower and second breakfast. And almost more than anything else, the camaraderie of everyone at Marathon Weekend. It's unlike anything else I have ever witnessed.

We already booked our room and just signed up for the Dopey.

ETA: formatting issue when copying (missed a sentence)

 

[lhermiston]

Me too! I booked my room at the Dolphin already. I hope I didn't jinx myself.

Check out The Pod Has Spoken

I was leaning POFQ for MW, but it sounds like Swan and Dolphin are decent options, too. If I get in, my first email will be to my travel agent to price some options out.

And then maybe I’ll get around to telling my wife.

 

[PrincessV]

Me on January 11th: "Okay, I did it (the Dopey). It sucked getting up 4 days in a row at 2/2:30 am, and I don't ever need to do it again."
Me on March 12th to DD: "What do you think .. should we sign up for the Dopey again?"

UGH!!! Race amnesia has really set in. I swore we would only do it once just to say we did it, and now here we are trying to figure out whether to join the registration madness on Tuesday. I'm kind of pushing for the Goofy, but DD said we'd have serious FOMO. What do those of you who have done multiple Dopeys think? Is she right?

I’ve done 4 Dopeys and 3 WDW Marathons on their own or with one other short race and I honestly never felt FOMO the years I didn’t do Dopey. I think i all comes down to mindset: I’d made the decision to not do Dopey for specific reasons and my focus was on my own personal training and goals - I tuned out the Dopey noise and enjoyed what I was there to do.

That said… it took multiple Dopeys before I felt like I’d gotten what I wanted out of it and was ready to move on. I’d suggest thinking about whether it really is just FOMO or if you have unfinished business with Dopey!

Well… I did run my first race, a marathon, because it was ONLY $10 more and who wouldn’t want twice the distance for only a few more dollars.

I’ve used this rationale for 3 WDW Marathons lol! For basically the same price I can get more for my money? Even if I bowed out at mile 15, I’d come out ahead! The downside is that every other race now feels like a poor return in investment in comparison.

 

[The Expert]

I'm kind of pushing for the Goofy, but DD said we'd have serious FOMO. What do those of you who have done multiple Dopeys think? Is she right?

I've done three Dopeys and will definitely do more, but knowing that, I have no problem alternating to two or three races every year or two. I think it helps to know you've done it and will do it again.

Simple solution. "DVC 1 Bedroom." She sleeps on the pull down in the living room. You get 2 days of uninterrupted sleep.

THIS! DH comes with me but doesn't run, so he can stay up in the living room and even nap on the couch until I get up for the races, then he goes in and goes to bed. It works great!

I got a LOT of work to get back into racing condition though.

You’re always welcome to slum it with Team Not So Fast.

I was just going to say we'd be honored to have you!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

>> Gawrsh I miss when loyalty was appreciated and not taken for granted.
I see what you did there @GollyGadget

>> I do recall feeling like Dopey was pushed HARD every one of my race weekends.

Sitting in the corrals in Jan, listening to the cheers from who was doing Goofy vs Dopey, it sure sounded like there were more Dopey runners than Goofy.
I went to the results site to try to suss out just how many runners were in the different races.
The quick, approximate numbers I came up with are:
Dopey 6,525
Goofy 7,600
Full 13,283

Do those numbers sound correct? I was thinking that Dopey had the smallest number of runners, but maybe that is stale data and it has gotten so popular in recent years that it has passed Goofy.

>> I love seeing the Disney people that would never have run a step in their lives if it wasn’t for rD

This, @smrt1 ! Whether it is on the local greenway, or at Disney, my initial reaction is "there are too many people here", immediately followed by being glad that so many people are running and walking and being more active. It is ultimately a good thing.

 

[camaker]

>> Gawrsh I miss when loyalty was appreciated and not taken for granted.
I see what you did there @GollyGadget

>> I do recall feeling like Dopey was pushed HARD every one of my race weekends.

Sitting in the corrals in Jan, listening to the cheers from who was doing Goofy vs Dopey, it sure sounded like there were more Dopey runners than Goofy.
I went to the results site to try to suss out just how many runners were in the different races.
The quick, approximate numbers I came up with are:
Dopey 6,525
Goofy 7,600
Full 13,283

Do those numbers sound correct? I was thinking that Dopey had the smallest number of runners, but maybe that is stale data and it has gotten so popular in recent years that it has passed Goofy.

>> I love seeing the Disney people that would never have run a step in their lives if it wasn’t for rD

This, @smrt1 ! Whether it is on the local greenway, or at Disney, my initial reaction is "there are too many people here", immediately followed by being glad that so many people are running and walking and being more active. It is ultimately a good thing.

The Goofy numbers include Dopey runners, since they finished Goofy, too. So the actual number of standalone Goofy runners is ~1,075.

 

[smrt1]

>> Gawrsh I miss when loyalty was appreciated and not taken for granted.
I see what you did there @GollyGadget

>> I do recall feeling like Dopey was pushed HARD every one of my race weekends.

Sitting in the corrals in Jan, listening to the cheers from who was doing Goofy vs Dopey, it sure sounded like there were more Dopey runners than Goofy.
I went to the results site to try to suss out just how many runners were in the different races.
The quick, approximate numbers I came up with are:
Dopey 6,525
Goofy 7,600
Full 13,283

Do those numbers sound correct? I was thinking that Dopey had the smallest number of runners, but maybe that is stale data and it has gotten so popular in recent years that it has passed Goofy.

>> I love seeing the Disney people that would never have run a step in their lives if it wasn’t for rD

This, @smrt1 ! Whether it is on the local greenway, or at Disney, my initial reaction is "there are too many people here", immediately followed by being glad that so many people are running and walking and being more active. It is ultimately a good thing.

Not going to go into details, but running literally saved/changed my life, so I love to spread the joy. As far as your Dopey vs Goofy numbers, I’m thinking the Goofy total includes the Dopey runners as well, since they are technically participants in that challenge also. No way there are more Goofys than Dopeys. At the expo I think they had one or two kiosks for Goofy, and a long row for Dopey.