Marathon Weekend 2018

I am excited about Ratatouille in the France pavilion. Not only did I think it was a stellar attraction in Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris Resort, but it makes World Showcase more appealing for all ages. My friends and I enjoy a nice DATW; but, I can't take my younger nieces and nephews. And while the live entertainment is unique and wonderful, there is something to be said about an attraction which is open a wider range of hours. And yeah, it brings characters and movie properties into World Showcase, but its not as if Disney is trying to say all of France can be reduced down to Ratatouille.....<cough>Frozen<cough>.
 


I hope everyone had a great week!

It is Sunday and Sundays are for Disney!

Today's question:

Now that we are settled down from all the Disney announcements last week which one are you most excited for and why?

My answer: I think I'm most excited for Tron and the new Magic Kingdom theater. It gives MK more capacity to spread out crowds and they are two great additions IMO.

I am excited for the Pixar Place in Hollywood Studios (isn't HS getting a new name soon too?). I love Toy Story and Pixar and the slinky dog coaser looks fun (I'm not much of a thrill ride person so it looks more up my alley than say Rockin' Roller Coaster).
 
Last edited:
Forgive me if this has already been discussed (but this is a long thread and I skimmed a lot of it and didn't see this).

I'm doing the Half this January and I was on the runDisney site last night and noticed that it says the half starts in MK. Are they changing the course? I've only ever done one other half at WDW (the Princess a few years back), but I thought the general course was the same- Epcot to MK back to Epcot. I couldn't find a course map anywhere, so I'm wondering if anyone is in the know about the change or if it's just poor wording on runDisney's part. Thanks!
 


Forgive me if this has already been discussed (but this is a long thread and I skimmed a lot of it and didn't see this).

I'm doing the Half this January and I was on the runDisney site last night and noticed that it says the half starts in MK. Are they changing the course? I've only ever done one other half at WDW (the Princess a few years back), but I thought the general course was the same- Epcot to MK back to Epcot. I couldn't find a course map anywhere, so I'm wondering if anyone is in the know about the change or if it's just poor wording on runDisney's part. Thanks!

I'm not sure where you found that, but in the event description it states this:

Saturday, January 6, 2018
5:30 a.m.

Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida Start/Finish:Epcot®
Join a thrilling 13.1-mile run through Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®!

Reading the paragraph after that, it does say starting in the Magic Kingdom, but that was just a poor word choice. MK is the first park you run through.
 
I'm not sure where you found that, but in the event description it states this:

Saturday, January 6, 2018
5:30 a.m.

Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida Start/Finish:Epcot®
Join a thrilling 13.1-mile run through Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®!

Reading the paragraph after that, it does say starting in the Magic Kingdom, but that was just a poor word choice. MK is the first park you run through.

Thanks. I figured it might be poor wording. I was kind of looking forward to a new course (and I'm staying at the Contemporary, so starting in MK would have been pretty awesome). Thanks for your help.
 
Thanks. I figured it might be poor wording. I was kind of looking forward to a new course (and I'm staying at the Contemporary, so starting in MK would have been pretty awesome). Thanks for your help.

If there is one course over that Weekend that could use a bit of a revamp it's definitely the half. Running through MK is awesome, but that's pretty much the only highlight of the course. I would also guess it's just poor wording.
 
The only time I've ever done the marathon weekend half was 2015 when I did Goofy,I always do the full,its my favorite race!The half course is honestly not the most exciting course,its basically an out and back to MK,running on World Dr is a bit dull.Its very unlikely they would move the start from Epcot as that's race central,where everything goes down but I wonder if they could have 2-3 routes for the half and rotate them.Obviously for newbies running for the first time running through MK is a highlight but I think it would keep the race fresher and unique for many others if they would rotate a new course our two while keeping the original course in the mix.And when I say new courses I mean new courses,run us through DHS when the new areas open,Disney Springs,Typhoon Lagoon,etc..Is it a bad idea,maybe but at least for me it would give me a reason to sign up,cause right now I'm fine just doing the full.
 
The only time I've ever done the marathon weekend half was 2015 when I did Goofy,I always do the full,its my favorite race!The half course is honestly not the most exciting course,its basically an out and back to MK,running on World Dr is a bit dull.Its very unlikely they would move the start from Epcot as that's race central,where everything goes down but I wonder if they could have 2-3 routes for the half and rotate them.Obviously for newbies running for the first time running through MK is a highlight but I think it would keep the race fresher and unique for many others if they would rotate a new course our two while keeping the original course in the mix.And when I say new courses I mean new courses,run us through DHS when the new areas open,Disney Springs,Typhoon Lagoon,etc..Is it a bad idea,maybe but at least for me it would give me a reason to sign up,cause right now I'm fine just doing the full.

I like your course rotation suggestion. I'd love to have them bring back the old marathon courses as options too. Running around World Showcase in the dark was a really great way to start the race.
 
I like your course rotation suggestion. I'd love to have them bring back the old marathon courses as options too. Running around World Showcase in the dark was a really great way to start the race.
I was just talking with my running buddies about that during our long run this Sunday morning. That was a great experience. I loved the fire and the drumbeat as you ran through it. It was an incredible way to start a race.
 
I like your course rotation suggestion. I'd love to have them bring back the old marathon courses as options too. Running around World Showcase in the dark was a really great way to start the race.
Starting a race in World Showcase with the torches lit up is why I fell in love with the 2016 Dark Side course. It was otherworldly with Star Wars music piped in.
 
Sunday's question: There is a lot to be excited about, but I'm most excited about the changes to Epcot. Epcot is something that makes Disney World as a whole really special (though it's my third favorite park out of the four), and I'm happy to see it get some needed attention. I'm already dreaming of how awesome our family trip will be during the 50th anniversary when most (or all?) of this stuff will be complete.
 
I've been pondering the chEAR squad for months, now, and now it's time to pull the trigger.

On both days, I wanted to get pictures of her in front of Cindy's Humble Abode, and then on Sunday, catch up with her somewhere around or in AK (I now have hoppers, thanks to my daughter "fixing" my tickets when she went to MK yesterday) and in AK, give her a change of clothes and an energy boost, then run to Epcot to see her finish.

The reserved seating sounds nice, so I can get in, take the pictures at MK, and get out, and not have to fight for a seat. Getting chEAR Gold seems like a no-brainer.

My question is the Race Retreat / chEAR Platinum. She wants the retreat because her pre-race ritual usually involves a commode, and she likes having access to a little food (but we can always bring that) and the temperature control is nice. I'd be her bag check, so that's not necessary. It's post-race that I have a concern about. She's going to run SLOW. How slow is she? Let's say she might be handed a balloon during the race ;) I'm wondering if she would be able to actually enjoy the retreat after the race, or if it's going to close up on her before she actually finishes? She'll probably be starting out of corral L-M (out of P) [12-13 out of 16]

As a newer disney marathoner with health concerns, I appreciated having family meet me at Cinderella Castle, ESPN (and once in front of the McDonalds near ESPN), and finally at the finish. If they had passes they would have met me in animal kingdom instead of ESPN. My first race or two, I was spoiled by them! They brought a spare pair of shoes and socks in case of rain (I blister very easily), refills for meds (stomach meds like gas-x, sudafed, actual medications- all tested as needed during previous runs), and refills for fueling (gels, my water/Gatorade mix, salt pills). Now that I have a hydration backpack I carry what I need myself, but if it was forecast to pour rain or have temperatures that will make me think I'm running on the sun (due to my cold-loving penguin-esque qualities), I would be forever grateful to be spoiled again.
As to the race retreat, as a slow runner, the post-race wasn't worth it because it was basically over by the time I got there. And the morning retreat closed before I was able to make use of it. Also, being slow and enjoying as many picture opportunities as I can stand, there are usually many open seats by the time the back of the pack arrives at the end. I'm local, so I bring everything I need to the start and dump it before the race begins.
 
Running through the water parks would be way cool. But with narrow paths I don't see it happening otherwise I could see people falling into the creeks! But it would be fun.

Finally, have our room booked, All-Star Sports again. Nothing fancy, but it's been good for what we need in the past.
 
Sunday question: Super excited about Ratatouille & the new Epcot countries! It's our favorite park (close second is AK) so we are happy to have more reasons to spend time in the World Showcase and immerse our kids in that area even more
 
Sunday question: Super excited about Ratatouille & the new Epcot countries! It's our favorite park (close second is AK) so we are happy to have more reasons to spend time in the World Showcase and immerse our kids in that area even more

Sadly, no new country pavilions were announced at D23. There was a rumour that Brazil would be mentioned, but it never came to pass.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top