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Yes, this is a real race, and it is MAGICAL.
If you're new to running, I recommend the 13.1 app — it trains you to run four minutes and walk one minute, until you can complete the full half. I started on their 5K version in 2015, and I could not even run for 30 seconds straight at the time. The program really helped me slowly build my muscles and endurance, and I was able to run a half within six months. The more time you give yourself to prep, the better you'll be come race day!
Worth noting that Disney requires you to keep a 16-minute-per-mile pace. Runners unable to maintain that may be picked up at any point along the course and transported to the finish line.
I traveled from New York, and was in Orlando for about four full days, so the estimated costs included:
The race itself: $200
Hotel: $150/night
Roundtrip flight: $200
Cabs/Uber: $50
Food: $350
Souvenirs: $100
Park admission: $100 - $180 per day
Even though this cost a lot of money, I didn't feel too bad about it because I had paid for things over the course of several months (first the race entry, then the flight a month later, then the hotel three months later, etc.).
Note: I did not pay for park admission as they were provided free of cost courtesy of Disney.
I know, that's hard to swallow. Park admission could range from $100 - $500, depending on what time of year, what type of ticket you purchase (one-day ticket, two-day ticket, park hopper), how many days, how many parks, etc. Of course, you can choose not to go to the parks and just run the race — it isn't required! You can find more about pricing here.
If you do intend to make a trip out of this, that means you should make dinner reservations in advance, you should use the My Disney Experience app to schedule fast passes for rides, and you should book all accommodations early. I booked my hotel in November and there were only three rooms left.
I know Disney is always packed, but I severely underestimated just how packed it would be for this eventful weekend. My friend and I wanted to eat at the Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom, but everything was booked at least a week before the race. 😭
There are buses available to take you to and from hotels to the parks, the Health & Fitness Expo, and the race itself. If you're staying off-site, parking is limited and it could be stressful trying to get to the events.
Also, when you stay at an on-site hotel, you get this cool MagicBand that works as your room key, your fast pass, your park admission, and more. You can read more about that here.
It's located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney. You can also buy a bunch of stuff here, including swag, costumes, running shoes, running gear, k-tape, energy bars, shoe charms, etc. They have basically anything you would need before the race.
I spent $40 on a shirt that says, "Look like a beauty, train like a beast." It's comfortable and cute, but also I can't believe I spent $40 on a tank top. 🙃
There are several viewing points along the course, including Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom and the finish line. There were also some people who sat in lawn chairs along the highways and in between parks around miles 3-5 and 7-9. They are super encouraging and it's great to have some extra motivation from strangers.
Which totally makes sense because of the live-action movie release.
Also, if you run the other Disney races, they have fun medals that coordinate with those, too — like the Star Wars-themed races.
Yes, that is correct. I recommend having an early dinner so you can get those carbs and whatever else you know works for you before a long run! You want to make sure you get the proper amount of sleep or it will be a rough morning.
I personally used this race opportunity to eat lots of yummy bread, pasta, and maybe even a full-on breakfast buffet with Mickey-shaped waffles. 😋
To get the most amount of sleep possible, I laid out my outfit and any necessary running gear (I am all about a running belt and wireless headphones) the night before so I could just get up and go. I also fueled with a banana and a RX bar.
The energy on the bus is low and you can tell everyone wishes they were sleeping, but once you get to the starting area, there are DJs and dancing and you are suddenly super pumped to run like hell. Also, worth noting that you can bag check (only in the clear plastic bags they provide at the Expo), but if you can bring only what you plan to run with, I would recommend that.
I ran a half in Central Park last year, and while the energy was awesome, it didn't compare to this. Not only was it so inspiring and motivating to run with fellow ladies (camaraderie FTW!), but it was also just so FUN — which isn't necessarily the first word you think of when talking about running 13.1 miles. (Just to clarify though, men can TOTALLY run, and are encouraged to do so!)
There were A LOT of people, so I did often run on the grass in the beginning to pass the crowd and speed up. But overall, running a race of this capacity makes you feel like you're all connected and bonded.
When you sign up for the race, you can enter your pace and proof of time to get proper corral placement. If you don't enter a time, you might be placed in the backend of the corrals.
If you are in corrals K-P, you probably won't start for a long time. I was in corral "I" and didn't begin until about 25-30 minutes after the start. I have never seen anything so massive, yet so well-organized.
Which would be completing a 10K on Saturday AND the half on Sunday. The 10K also starts at 5:30 a.m., so you will REALLY need sleep and rest.
If you successfully complete the challenge, you get three medals! Note that the costs will go up if you decide to compete in more events.
I saw a group of guys dressed as Disney princesses. Pocahontas was FIERCE. It's amazing to see how creative people are, and it's also cute to see the couple and group costumes. This is definitely the kind of race where you compete with someone — whether it be friends or family — so seeing people stick together for the sake of showing off a complete costume is so cool.
However, if you want to take a picture, you would have to stop running and veer off to the side to wait in long lines. But I think the reason the Princess race is so popular is because the characters along the course are iconic to the Disney brand. Not every RunDisney race features all the characters — it depends on which one you sign up for.
Some notable characters this year were Belle and Beast, Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas, Merida, Jack Sparrow, Mickey and Minnie, Maleficent, Gaston, Buzz Lightyear and Woody, Queen of Hearts, Genie, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Flynn Rider, Princess Tiana, and Snow White.
Good news is, the course is pretty flat with the exception of two major hills towards the end of the race. Also, the view consists of the sunrise, thousands of runners, costumes, and characters — so the run is anything but boring.
So don't stress about that too much. You are in DISNEY, running with people in costume. Enjoy it!
However, I will say that I had such a good pace that I didn't want to stop for character pictures or anything. I find that as soon as I start walking slow, or stop altogether, I lose momentum. The only walking I did was to quickly drink my water — but it is completely different for everyone and you should listen to your body above all else!
It was definitely chilly in the morning before we began (about 55-60 degrees), but once we started running and the sun came out, it was ideal running conditions (about 60-70 degrees, and hardly any humidity).
The historically average weather in Orlando, FL in February is about a low of 55 degrees and a high of 75 degrees with low precipitation.
I was determined to get at least one photo where I didn't look like a sweaty monster yearning for water.
I mean, you can't run in Magic Kingdom, at sunrise, and NOT take a selfie.
There's hundreds of strangers cheering you on and making you feel like a rockstar! Running through the crowd and through the castle was a truly unforgettable moment that I will always cherish.
It's basically a little packet of sugary goo that's supposed to give you an energy boost. I didn't know how much I needed that vanilla gel shot, but I swear it kept me going.
It was one of the proudest moments of my life. There are crowds cheering you on (not as robust as Magic Kingdom, though), and I started to run even faster because I knew I was so close. Once you approach the finish line, then there's a massive amount of spectators with signs and noise-makers. Disney even had a choir singing near the homestretch! It was truly magical and it felt like these people were throwing me a personal parade.
We got a little lunch box with a banana, Oreos, applesauce, nachos and cheese, a candy bar, a fruit bar, and water. I was expecting bagels at least. You will likely be starving afterwards from burning so many calories, and you also will want to celebrate your victory! So have breakfast reservations ready and toast your awesome run!
I mistakenly went to Epcot after running and ended up walking on a bad ankle all day. I needed to take a break from heavy exercise for a few days because of it. Listen to your body, go lay by the pool, and do all the heavier activities beforehand.
It was so well-organized, super fun, and running through Magic Kingdom was a dream.