Marathon Weekend 2027

[marty3d]

I like the idea of multiple summer 5ks, especially if they could do different parks.

Even if they did nighttime summer 5k races, you still couldn't get me to go to Florida that time of year.

I'll be the counter. If they had a series of 11pm/midnight 5k/10ks in July/August, it would be the first time since childhood I'd go back to Disney in summer and I'd be happy to do it.

I will say, if they wanted to make a nighttime Villains race in September, I wouldn't be opposed to that either.

I am intrigued by an evening summer 5K series and that's probably the only way you could convince me to ever go to Florida in July or August again.

I had the opportunity to run the ToT 10 Miler at night in September. It was over 75 degrees and 85% humidity at the start (I believe it was 10PM). It was one of the most brutally hot races I'd ever run and I was dead at the end.

So of course, sign me up for summer night races. Why not? Villains? Return of the ToT 10 Miler? I'm all in.

We're all mad here.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I liked the road start as well. The walk was time for me to settle in and start getting mentally prepared. That being said, I doubt they would ever bring it back. It's more cost for Disney as they had to break it down and clear it off after both mornings in order to open the road back up to traffic. Not sure the money from any extra capacity it would create would offset the expense and work required to make it happen. Same reason we don't see races start at any other park now.

The other thing they could do to increase capacity without changing the start is simply increase the time between releases of corrals and mini-waves. It wouldn't completely solve it but would help spread people out more. Of course that creates its own issues with both park ops wanting everyone through the parks ASAP and course logistics (time you need people working at water stations, etc.) and potentially safety with more runners still being on course as temps rise for the longer races.

Just like registration, RD seems to have found what they think is their sweet spot to balance everything. Guessing somebody would have to make a strong business case to get a change made and I'm not holding my breath that will happen given how popular the races are right now.

 

[The Expert]

The other thing they could do to increase capacity without changing the start is simply increase the time between releases of corrals and mini-waves.

They did exactly this during Princess and it worked really well.

 

[PrincessV]

They did exactly this during Princess and it worked really well.

Agreed - my experience from the back of D was WAY better than expected! I really hope whatever they did carries over to future races.

 

[jrsharp21]

I miss the road start as well. I liked the walk out. Like others have said, it got the blood flowing, gave you some time to have a snack and drink. Also, like others have said, the port a potty situation was much better. It also felt like there was more room in the corrals, instead of being on top of each other. The start of the run was much easier also as you didn't have to deal with an immediate left hand turn and everything getting bunched up right away like it does now.

 

[Naomeri]

I had the opportunity to run the ToT 10 Miler at night in September. It was over 75 degrees and 85% humidity at the start (I believe it was 10PM). It was one of the most brutally hot races I'd ever run and I was dead at the end.

So of course, sign me up for summer night races. Why not? Villains? Return of the ToT 10 Miler? I'm all in.

We're all mad here.

It can’t be that different from some of the Springtime Surprise start conditions, except with the guarantee that the sun is not going to come up before you finish.

 

[JediKnightXan]

It would be great if they added a race outside of the normal school year.

Pulling the kid out so I can go run a race seems a little silly, and I wouldn't spend the money to go without them, so I think my window closes for a while after next year.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

It would be great if they added a race outside of the normal school year.

Pulling the kid out so I can go run a race seems a little silly, and I wouldn't spend the money to go without them, so I think my window closes for a while after next year.

Unfortunately that’s not really a possibility since summer in Florida would be too hot and miserable for a long race.

 

[Psymonds]

Unfortunately that’s not really a possibility since summer in Florida would be too hot and miserable for a long race.

yeah, people are suggesting a night run, but the misery index is probably pretty high then too.

Spoiler: lulz

There's always Christmas....

 

[PrincessV]

It can’t be that different from some of the Springtime Surprise start conditions, except with the guarantee that the sun is not going to come up before you finish.

Oh, it was worse. Much, much worse. And I say this as a Floridian. There are legends surrounding the inaugural TOT because the aftermath was SO bad.

 

[JediKnightXan]

Unfortunately that’s not really a possibility since summer in Florida would be too hot and miserable for a long race.

Ya I understand why they couldn't do it for a lot of reasons, health and safety being a big one. I'm just wishing on a star.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Questions for the board - What is the cut off date for the Dopey PoT submission? I have not run a race in years (Boston, 2023) so do not have anything to submit. I need to pick a 10 miler or half marathon for my Dopey PoT, but I want to be sure to give myself adequate time to train.

Thoughts?

 

[Psymonds]

Questions for the board - What is the cut off date for the Dopey PoT submission? I have not run a race in years (Boston, 2023) so do not have anything to submit. I need to pick a 10 miler or half marathon for my Dopey PoT, but I want to be sure to give myself adequate time to train.

Thoughts?

If proof of time is not provided by August 3, 2026, or if the data provided is incomplete or cannot be verified, you will be placed in the last start group. No start group changes will be made after such date.

 

[matt and beth]

On the AP/DVC/rD vets loyalty topic, here’s the thing some may not know: it was Disney and rD that pushed loyalty - for many years. I can only speak for myself, but when I say I miss early AP registration and/or recognition for veteran rD participants it’s because that was something rD once gave and has since taken away - it’s not something new I wish they’d bring. Early registration, discounted race registrations, legacy status: that was part of the brand and encouraging runners to keep coming back was a large part of rD’s marketing. I understand that someone decided getting rid of that was good for business (though I’d really love to see how, exactly), but it never feels good to have perks taken away.

I would agree. We bought DVC because of RunDisney. We barely squeaking in the last couple of registrations. If we start to fail we really don’t need DVC anymore TBH. As others have shared if it became a lottery and only some of the family made it and the others didn’t we would find something else altogether to occupy our time. DW is already saying it’s time to move on.

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

I wasn't registering this year, but reading over the posts gave me secondhand stress! And a big dose of FOMO. I'm glad it's not a lottery like London or New York, which I enter knowing I probably won't get selected. I have no ideas that haven't already been mentioned, but I selfishly wish they would stop advertising.