RunDisney Half Marathon Week Park Strategy

[DisneyDad0315]

The family and I are taking a trip to Disney World and it happens to be the RunDisney Princess Half Marthon. We are going to go to each of the 4 parks, with no park hopping. Just 1 park a day. Which park should I visit which day? I have never been to Disney World during an RunDisney event.

Feb 21 - 5K (5AM-8:30AM) - Check into Dolphin - No Theme Park this day
Feb 22 - 10K (5AM-8AM)
Feb 23 - 1/2 Marathon (5AM-9:30AM)
Feb 24 - Yoga
Feb 25 - No Event
Feb 26 - Check Out of Dolphin

 

[1lilspark]

First I notice you are checking into the dolphin on 5K day… friendly reminder you will need to pick up your bibs/shirts for your races at the expo on the 20th

if you plan to prioritize a nighttime spectacular I’d do that park after Yoga on the 24th or on the 25th as you won’t have to worry about early morning wake ups for weekend events

I would also think of where you want yo do medal pictures at

 

[CarolynFH]

The family and I are taking a trip to Disney World and it happens to be the RunDisney Princess Half Marthon. We are going to go to each of the 4 parks, with no park hopping. Just 1 park a day. Which park should I visit which day? I have never been to Disney World during an RunDisney event.

Feb 21 - 5K (5AM-8:30AM) - Check into Dolphin - No Theme Park this day
Feb 22 - 10K (5AM-8AM)
Feb 23 - 1/2 Marathon (5AM-9:30AM)
Feb 24 - Yoga
Feb 25 - No Event
Feb 26 - Check Out of Dolphin

Are you running, or just want advice on how the races affect the parks and transportation to and from the parks?

I can tell you the 5K won’t be any problem at all, and I don’t think the 10K will either. I just can’t remember how the half affects things - I think the full marathon in January is the one that messes things up!

@SugarSweetLee, can you help?

 

[DisneyDad0315]

Are you running, or just want advice on how the races affect the parks and transportation to and from the parks?

I can tell you the 5K won’t be any problem at all, and I don’t think the 10K will either. I just can’t remember how the half affects things - I think the full marathon in January is the one that messes things up!

@SugarSweetLee, can you help?

Just advice on how the races affect the parks. I am not running at all. My apologies for the confusion. My daughter and I are going to dress up one day and have a sign to support the runners. If the race is by the Disney Dolphin hotel

 

[1lilspark]

Just advice on how the races affect the parks. I am not running at all. My apologies for the confusion. My daughter and I are going to dress up one day and have a sign to support the runners. If the race is by the Disney Dolphin hotel

the most impact it will have would be Sunday/Monday as runners will want to take pictures with their medals at the castle/in the hub…I’d also expect princess meets especially the “Host” princesses to have longer waits so people can celebrate

 

[CarolynFH]

Just advice on how the races affect the parks. I am not running at all. My apologies for the confusion. My daughter and I are going to dress up one day and have a sign to support the runners. If the race is by the Disney Dolphin hotel

I think one or two races might go by the Dolphin, but I’m not sure. You might monitor the 2025 Princess Half thread in the runDisney forum here. Once the course maps are posted (which will be closer to the race) someone will have answers to your questions.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/princess-half-marathon-weekend-2025-feb-20-24-2025.3941285/

 

[sponica]

I've been there the past 2 princess weekends.

The Saturday 10k you won't have much of an issue. The day that is a major pain is the 1/2 marathon. Go to Hollywood studios that Sunday so that you don't have to rely on a bus to get anywhere, Epcot has historically opened later and getting to MK will be a nightmare.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Are you running, or just want advice on how the races affect the parks and transportation to and from the parks?

I can tell you the 5K won’t be any problem at all, and I don’t think the 10K will either. I just can’t remember how the half affects things - I think the full marathon in January is the one that messes things up!

@SugarSweetLee, can you help?

The races will all be over before the parks open, but I agree that there will be more people trying to visit MK on Sunday/Monday to get medal pics with the castle. Reservations that weekend will be even harder to come by at Cinderella's Royal Table, Storybook Dining, and probably the princesses breakfast at Epcot (can't remember if there are other princess character meals).

The exact routes for each race won't be announced until a week or two before the event.

 

[CarolynFH]

The races will all be over before the parks open, but I agree that there will be more people trying to visit MK on Sunday/Monday to get medal pics with the castle. Reservations that weekend will be even harder to come by at Cinderella's Royal Table, Storybook Dining, and probably the princesses breakfast at Epcot (can't remember if there are other princess character meals).

The exact routes for each race won't be announced until a week or two before the event.

Thank you for the information! My experience is all with January Marathon weekend. And that year the half was cancelled due to weather, so we didn’t experience the real thing. (DD and DSiL, along with many others, did their own half around Crescent Lake, though!)

 

[DisneyDad0315]

I've been there the past 2 princess weekends.

The Saturday 10k you won't have much of an issue. The day that is a major pain is the 1/2 marathon. Go to Hollywood studios that Sunday so that you don't have to rely on a bus to get anywhere, Epcot has historically opened later and getting to MK will be a nightmare.

Thank you so much for the advice. I'll go to Hollywood Studios on 1/2 marathon day. Sounds like a plan!