Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2025 (Feb 20-24 2025)

[DisneyDad0315]

Just booked the Disney Dolphin for race week. I had no idea there was a Run Disney event going on that week when we planned our vacation earlier this year. We have a Disney Cruise on Feb 26 and we planned on going to Disney World before the cruise.

Is there a cheering section anywhere? Can my kid and I make a sign, dress up and go cheer on the runners? If so, does that require a ticket to the run? Thank you

 

[1lilspark]

Just booked the Disney Dolphin for race week. I had no idea there was a Run Disney event going on that week when we planned our vacation earlier this year. We have a Disney Cruise on Feb 26 and we planned on going to Disney World before the cruise.

Is there a cheering section anywhere? Can my kid and I make a sign, dress up and go cheer on the runners? If so, does that require a ticket to the run? Thank you

I don’t think that there is a designated cheer section anymore (pre pandemic I know there used to be a chEAR squad add on)

However the 10k for Princess should either run down the boardwalk or possibly the whole crescent lake loop and there are plenty places along the course for crowd support there

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Just booked the Disney Dolphin for race week. I had no idea there was a Run Disney event going on that week when we planned our vacation earlier this year. We have a Disney Cruise on Feb 26 and we planned on going to Disney World before the cruise.

Is there a cheering section anywhere? Can my kid and I make a sign, dress up and go cheer on the runners? If so, does that require a ticket to the run? Thank you

On Sunday, for the half marathon, crowds are allowed into Magic Kingdom to cheer along Main Street before the park opens. Be aware all of the races start VERY EARLY, though. All races start at 5am (Fri 5k, Sat 10k, Sun Half).
Because of these early hours, supporters on the Boardwalk (as previous poster mentioned) aren't allowed to make much noise, so most just make signs to hold up.

 

[azrivest]

Is there a cheering section anywhere? Can my kid and I make a sign, dress up and go cheer on the runners? If so, does that require a ticket to the run? Thank you

As previous posters said, you can wake up early and go cheer at Magic Kingdom for the Half on Sunday. You need to be there really early to get a good spot.

Since you're staying at the Dolphin, you could also cheer on the Boardwalk. Last year, the 10k on Saturday followed the walkway from HS to Epcot. It's a "quiet" zone yes, but many ppl still show up to encourage runners taht morning. That all depends on which race course we get, which can vary a little from year to year.

 

[The Expert]

Because of these early hours, supporters on the Boardwalk (as previous poster mentioned) aren't allowed to make much noise

[rant incoming...]
As someone who has stayed at BWV for years and who (before I started doing rD) was woken up more than once when I didn't realize our stay was over a race weekend, I call BS on this. Sure, at first it was confusing/annoying, but as soon as I realized what was going on, I made coffee and cheered from my balcony. My family continued to stay at BWV when I started doing races so that they had a convenient cheer spot.

I hate that they started this "quiet zone" when the races returned after Covid. It's ONE morning -- tell your guests to suck it up or join in the cheering!
[/rant]

 

[Naomeri]

[rant incoming...]
As someone who has stayed at BWV for years and who (before I started doing rD) was woken up more than once when I didn't realize our stay was over a race weekend, I call BS on this. Sure, at first it was confusing/annoying, but as soon as I realized what was going on, I made coffee and cheered from my balcony. My family continued to stay at BWV when I started doing races so that they had a convenient cheer spot.

I hate that they started this "quiet zone" when the races returned after Covid. It's ONE morning -- tell your guests to suck it up or join in the cheering!
[/rant]

I mean, they’re willing to disrupt everyone’s sleep for fireworks testing in the middle of the night, so why not for races?

 

[Zutroy]

You can also cheer from the TTC. They have barricades set up where the course goes under Seven Seas Drive and there are usually a bunch of people there cheering. In 2020, I was staying at the Poly and forgot it was PW, so I went for a morning run and came up on the spectator area in the TTC. Part of me contemplated hopping the fence and banditting the race. I’ve also seen people cheering along the barricades set up in the MK/TTC parking lot.

 

[nancipants]

For the half, people also cheer at the Epcot bus area, or the finish line, of course.

 

[DisneyDad0315]

[rant incoming...]
As someone who has stayed at BWV for years and who (before I started doing rD) was woken up more than once when I didn't realize our stay was over a race weekend, I call BS on this. Sure, at first it was confusing/annoying, but as soon as I realized what was going on, I made coffee and cheered from my balcony. My family continued to stay at BWV when I started doing races so that they had a convenient cheer spot.

I hate that they started this "quiet zone" when the races returned after Covid. It's ONE morning -- tell your guests to suck it up or join in the cheering!
[/rant]

That is really cool to hear. My daughter and I will dress up, have some signs, and go cheer the runners at the boardwalk area. We can easily walk there from the Dolphin. This is what makes Disney special to me. I had heard of RunDisney but never really looked into it. My kid and I are going to cheer total strangers and have a blast doing so in our costumes. I'm really looking forward to this. She is 8 and she's growing up so fast. I gotta take advantage of her wanting to hang out with her dad.

 

[DISfam2401]

That is really cool to hear. My daughter and I will dress up, have some signs, and go cheer the runners at the boardwalk area. We can easily walk there from the Dolphin. This is what makes Disney special to me. I had heard of RunDisney but never really looked into it. My kid and I are going to cheer total strangers and have a blast doing so in our costumes. I'm really looking forward to this. She is 8 and she's growing up so fast. I gotta take advantage of her wanting to hang out with her dad.

... Or why not run the 5K together? Totally fine if you walk it, too! Registration is on Tuesday morning!

 

[DisneyDad0315]

... Or why not run the 5K together? Totally fine if you walk it, too! Registration is on Tuesday morning!

LOL I just asked her and she said she would rather dress up and cheer random people than run the 5K. Maybe next time.

 

[Princess Bossypants]

Does anyone know (because I cannot remember) if you can go back for merch, like the jackets, in your account after registration, or does it have to be done at registration? I ask because last year sizes were limited at the expo. Thank you!

 

[Naomeri]

Does anyone know (because I cannot remember) if you can go back for merch, like the jackets, in your account after registration, or does it have to be done at registration? I ask because last year sizes were limited at the expo. Thank you!

You can go back afterward.

 

[Princess Bossypants]

You can go back afterward.

Thank you!

 

[The running raven]

I’m still trying to decide which races to register for. I know I’m going to do the 5k, but I’m not sure if I should add another race. I love the 10k distance and feel, but I don’t care for jasmine. On the other hand, I love sleeping beauty and the design, but I don’t think I’ll have the time to be ready to do a 1/2 by February.

 

[Princess Bossypants]

Have you done a half before? There are a lot of training program that range from 3-6 months.

 

[The running raven]

Have you done a half before? There are a lot of training program that range from 3-6 months.

Not yet, but I’ve signed up for some virtual ones I’ve been needing to do. I know I have enough months, but I don’t think I’ll be able to train as consistently as needed. Mostly I’m just worried about having it “looming” over me. But it does sound really fun, and it would be a cool challenge

 

[The Expert]

Mostly I’m just worried about having it “looming” over me.

See, I need a race on the horizon to motivate me. So rather than thinking of it as "looming", I think of it as the reward at the end of my training period. Try framing the race as your celebration -- your victory lap! Because you definitely have time. (I am starting my Dopey training plan today.)

 

[SugarSweetLee]

See, I need a race on the horizon to motivate me. So rather than thinking of it as "looming", I think of it as the reward at the end of my training period. Try framing the race is your celebration -- your victory lap! Because you definitely have time. (I am starting my Dopey training plan today.)

My Dopey training starts this week too!

 

[Princess Bossypants]

My Dopey training starts this week too!

I totally agree!