The Running Thread --2025

[col1]

For yucks, I went to one of the tour companies supposedly handling US participants…..I was put in a queue just to get into the web site…..so very Disney. They had packages left—pretty spendy, but there were like 3 hotels. Marathon tours was sold out. Seems like it’s a $4-5k outlay minimum. And more if you’re a single runner.

There is a company based in the UK that was doing packages for the WDW marathon. The entry fee is £200 and you have to pair it with a minimum 4 night stay at a Disney property with the cheapest being POR. Cost for 4 nights for 2 guests was £1950 !!.

Any fleeting thoughts I had about trying to convince DW to take a short trip were quickly dismissed

 

[The Expert]

In my mind, the travel packages are like the Disney dining plan... It isn't a deal, but a convenience. Sure, on your own budget you might choose a different hotel, or may not pay for some of the tours, but you're getting access to the race itself and often extras like chartered transportation to and from the expo and the race, pre and post race meals and group shakeouts, etc. You might find yourself clearing out the gift shop of rice krispy bars as you wait for your Uber to the airport, but you mostly got your money's worth.