Do I want to run a Disney race?

[Wines Not Whines]

My parents live in Florida, about 2.5 hours from Disney, and usually at some point in December or January, we go down there for a visit and also take my son to WDW. We've never done a Disney race before.

DH and I are contemplating doing the half marathon in 2014 (the one in January). One set of grandparents would come down with us to watch our son during the race. I have a few hesitations: (1) The cost is ridiculously high. Is it worth it? (2) I'm guessing the parks will be really crowded that week, at least more crowded than when we usually go, which is mid-December, before the holiday rush.

If you've done a Disney race, would you recommend it? I'm sure it's fun to run through the parks, but what about the other 10 miles of the race? Are the parks ridiculously crowded that week? I need some advice before I pull the trigger and register.

[Deleted]

Yes, you do! If you are in an early corral (A or B), the race experience is much nicer. The half doesn't have that many boring stretches of park roads outside the park. There is always a band or character to keep you entertained. However, you only spend a mile in MK and maybe a mile in Epcot so it's not a lot of park running.

I didn't think the parks were that crowded. It's mostly just runners and their families. Some come the week before to enjoy the parks and some stay the week after so it splits it up. The weekend may be bad but I still thought they were empty. Afternoons are more packed and Sun. morning will be empty since the marathon is being run.

I really can't describe the awesomeness of the race. I'm not even a big WDW fan and loved it! Plus you get to wear your medal around for the day and everyone congratulates you. That is cool.

[Wines Not Whines]

Ok, that does sound fun. I looked up the corral times for this year, and assuming they're similar for next year, we should be in Corral A.

[gt7301b]

They start SO EARLY, this is what keeps me from signing up.

[Deleted]

May 6, 2013 8:38:20 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

They start SO EARLY, this is what keeps me from signing up.

I am not an early morning person.  In fact, I almost talk myself out of going to races that start at 7:30 because it's "stupid early" for me.  LOL  However, I had no problem rolling out of bed for these races and between the bus ride and being entertained prerace, I managed to do 2 days in a row and was more excited about it the 2nd day.  Disney is truly magical. 

[taratru]

Yes! They're so fun. Totally worth the cost, especially if you are in Corral A and can actually run.

[mrsjthompson]

I just ran one this weekend.  I say go for it!  Just know that they are very crowded courses and you might not be able to run the whole time, and that you may want to stop for pictures along the way.

[stinkerbell6879]

DO IT! I have ran WDW 1/2, Princess 1/2, Tinkerbell and the Disneyland 1/2. Yes, they are expensive, super early, crowded, etc. BUT so worth it! They are fun, lot's of fun pictures, and honestly...I love the Disney "Bling"
:-)

[taratru]

I forgot to add that if you make a trip out of it, stay the week after. The parks were only crowded on that Sunday and Monday and were empty the rest of the week.

[Wines Not Whines]

May 6, 2013 13:55:46 GMT -5 taratru said:

I forgot to add that if you make a trip out of it, stay the week after. The parks were only crowded on that Sunday and Monday and were empty the rest of the week.

Thanks for the tip. Is it less crowded after vs before? I have to admit part of the reason I like to go during that time of year is to see all of the holiday themed stuff, and I think they put a lot of it away after the marathon.

[kellydelq]

Well since I am a certified Disney nut, the answer is yes.
We were there this past year from Thurs-Mon, on Thurs we were able to catch some of the holiday décor at HS but then magically over night they disappeared, I am pretty sure MK had their décor down already. We have been there at all different times of year and this was definitely our favorite, the weather was perfect and it was not as crowded as I expected it to be despite being marathon weekend. I actually felt like there was a lot less kids in the parks than other times we have gone and more adults. Run Disney is so efficient too and all the expo and race day stuff ran so smoothly even if it was super early.
We are heading back for the Wine & Dine half this year instead, cannot wait!

[taratru]

They do have the decor down already the week after, but the castle was all lit up during the race, which was literally breathtaking for me, since I didn't expect it. I came around the corner and my jaw just dropped. The whole trip up Main Street is something I will never forget and well worth the cost, imo.

[trigal]

We've signed up for the Wine & Dine half in November. Soooo excited!

[taratru]

May 6, 2013 17:18:39 GMT -5 trigal said:

We've signed up for the Wine & Dine half in November. Soooo excited!

Me too!  I'm stoked.  We're making an anniversary trip out of it.  

[julygal]

DH and I ran the half this year, and I think it was worth it. I felt it was very well organized. It was the first race I experienced with entertainment and spectators along the whole course, which was not only fun but very motivating. Running up Main Street was just awesome! There were bottlenecks that we couldn't run when we wanted to, but it seemed a minor annoyance in an overall wonderful race. We loved combining doing something for ourselves (the half) with a family trip (the parks with the kids). We did not go into the park on Sat or Sun. Instead we used those days to recover and enjoy the resort. Mon-Wed after the marathon the crowds were very low at the parks. We are contemplating signing up again for Jan 2014. They are reducing the numbers allowed to register for the 2014 race, so we are hoping there won't be as many bottlenecks.

[Wines Not Whines]

Ok, I signed up! Disney half marathon, January 2014, here I come!

I hope they accept my proof of time... it's kind of weird that they didn't ask for a link or anything.

[mrsjthompson]

May 6, 2013 19:04:15 GMT -5 taratru said:

May 6, 2013 17:18:39 GMT -5 trigal said:

We've signed up for the Wine & Dine half in November. Soooo excited!

Me too!  I'm stoked.  We're making an anniversary trip out of it.  

DH and I also!  It's going to be my first half.

[jessj222]

May 6, 2013 8:38:20 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

They start SO EARLY, this is what keeps me from signing up.

Same here!

[trigal]

May 6, 2013 19:04:15 GMT -5 taratru said:

May 6, 2013 17:18:39 GMT -5 trigal said:

We've signed up for the Wine & Dine half in November. Soooo excited!

Me too!  I'm stoked.  We're making an anniversary trip out of it.  

That's our anniversary month too!  Although, that's not why we're going.

[wannabe]

Disney runs are incredibly fun and totally worth it. I ran Princess at WDW this year: www.wanlifetolive.com/2013/03/this-girl-was-on-fire.html

And also tinkerbell. www.wanlifetolive.com/2013/01/faith-trust-and-pixie-dust.html

DO IT.

[secretlyevil]

Disney puts on a pretty fantastic race. January is their biggest so that's a good one to go with. They'll take your proof of time. Just have to warn you - January's weather is freakin' weird. So you could get either extremes - cold and hot.