[IN PROGRESS]
FAQs
Registration
When is registration day?
The dates for each race weekend are listed in the post above. In recent years, registration has officially opened at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
How do I register?
1. Make sure you are at your computer before registration opens. Links to the virtual queue have gone live up to 15 minutes before registration begins. However, anyone who enters the queue before registration starts is placed in the queue in a random order, and anyone who enters the queue after registration starts is added to the end of the queue. In other words, it doesn't matter whether you join the queue 3 or 12 minutes early, but if you join 1 minute late, you will (theoretically) be after everyone who joined early.
2. You can use multiple browsers/devices to increase your chances of getting a better random placement in the queue. Each device or browser will have a different queue ID. Multiple tabs opened in the same browser will have the same queue ID.
3. You CANNOT edit after registration: email address, name, date of birth, gender. You CAN edit other fields, so just pick whatever is fastest.
4. You can register multiple people in one transaction. However, registrations in your "cart" are not held for you, so if a race sells out while you are registering person #3, you're out of luck. Decide whether your approach is "everyone runs or no one does" or if you will prioritize certain registrations before going back for others if possible.
Find a detailed rundown of the registration process with screenshots
here.
Can I register for another person? If I do, how do I send them their registration?
You can register for someone else, either in a single transaction or in multiple transactions. Make sure you enter their information, including the correct email. Once you complete the registration(s), you will have an option in your runDisney account to transfer the registration. If you registered someone else, you will send them the link and this sometimes causes the registration to "disappear." This can be corrected at the expo by completing the paper waiver and showing them your confirmation email.
How quickly do races sell out?
Short answer: very quickly. For individual race sellout times, see
this post.
I didn't get in! Am I doomed?
Not necessarily. If you didn't get a spot in the race you wanted, you have a couple of options.
1. Run with a charity. This is a good opportunity to still have the race weekend you dreamed of and support a good cause. RunDisney keeps a list of
official charity partners, and if you ask on the relevant weekend thread, someone may have run with the charity you're interested in before and can provide more info.
2. Follow a registration alert account. Occasionally small numbers of spots will open up in a race, and if you're quick, you can snag one. Follow @runDisAlerts on
Twitter,
Telegram,
Slack, or
D i s c o r d and sign up for notifications to try to get a bib.
Planning for the weekend
When should I arrive?
Y
ou'll need to pick up your bib at the expo at least one day before the race. Expo hours usually run until early evening (7 or 8) for the first days and then until mid-afternoon on the last day (Saturday). So make sure you give yourself at least enough time to get to the expo before it closes on the day before your race.
What will the race route look like?
Unlike most races, Disney course maps aren't released until they publish the digital event guide about two weeks before the races (the link is the same for each race and will be password protected if no race guide is available). However, recently courses for each race weekend have been similar from year to year, so you may be able to get a general idea.
Where should I stay?
People have shared thoughts on hotels in many previous race weekend threads, so you can search there for recommendations. You can also check out the specific threads for
WDW race hotels and
DL race hotels.
Do I need a Proof of Time (POT)?
If you are running a HM or M at Disney and you have run a recent HM in less than 2:15* or a marathon in less than 4:30, or the equivalent, it is a very good idea to submit proof of time before the deadline for your race so that you will be placed in an earlier corral. Lots more info on POT, including corral cutoffs,
here.
*For the 2024
Disneyland Halloween HM and Wine & Dine HM, the cutoff has been extended to a 2:30 HM or equivalent.
What corral will I be in?
You won't know for sure until you get your bib at the expo. But you can make a good guess based on the
POT chart if you submitted a POT. Without a POT, you can get a general sense of what your placement might be once you get your bib number (from your expo pass) and people start sharing their numbers and estimated finishing times.
How do I sign my waiver?
All participants must sign a waiver in order to run. US-based participants can complete their waivers online through their runDisney account. International participants (as well as any US residents who forget or have issues with registration transfers) can sign the waivers quickly and easily at the expo before picking up their bibs; you will just need your confirmation email.
I can no longer participate. Can I get my money back? Or can my friend run instead?
Officially there are no refunds for race registrations. Sometimes people are able to get a gift card for part of the fee if they email runDisney and explain the circumstances, but it it's a case-by-case decision on their part. Race registrations are not transferable.
Expo
Where and when is the expo?
At WDW, the expo is held at ESPN Wide World of Sports. At DL, the expo is at the Disneyland Hotel. It opens the day before the first race and closes the day before the last race (Thursday - Saturday for every weekend except MW when it starts on Wednesday).
How do I get there?
Disney provides busses from WDW hotels during expo hours. Alternatively, parking is free. You would need to pay to park at DL.
Do I need to use the virtual queue?
You should use the virtual queue if (a) you are attending the expo on the first day AND (b) you want to go into the official runDisney merchandise building (which also has characters). If you are visiting on any day other than the first day, or if you only want to pick up your bib and/or visit the Health & Fitness Expo (where the race shirts/non-runDisney vendors are), you do not need a virtual queue spot.
Sometimes they don't bother with the virtual queue if the crowds die down in the afternoon, but you never know. Plan to use the virtual queue if you want to go to the rD merch area on day 1. Instructions for joining
here.
Can I pick up someone else's bib?
Parents may pick up bibs for minor children. Otherwise, you can only pick up your own bib. You will need your ID and bib number (which will be on the expo pass you'll receive a few days before the expo). If you forget your ID, you may be able to use a photo of it from your phone.
My flight was delayed and I won't arrive before the expo closes. Can I pick up my bib at the race?
Officially, no. However, historically people have been able to get their bibs on race morning in extenuating circumstances. If you are in this situation, plan to arrive at the race as early as possible. Even though it's been available in the past, emergency bib pickup availability is not guaranteed, and you shouldn't plan on it.
Race Day
What time should I get there?
The races start at 5 a.m. At WDW, official transportation starts running at 3 a.m. (5K/10K) or 2:30 a.m. (10M/HM/M). Get there as early as possible if you want photos with the pre-race characters; those lines are often closed before the corrals even open. Give yourself enough time at least to get through security at Epcot, drop off your gear bag if applicable, and make your way to your corral. Check the event guide for corral opening and closing times.
Should I take the bus or drive to WDW races?
Advantages of the bus: camaraderie, not having to drive in the middle of the night, shorter walk to the start area
Advantages of driving: flexibility, not having to worry about your bus getting lost (which has happened but is not common)
Also worth noting: access to Epcot parking lots is not available after 4 a.m., so if you're driving, make sure you arrive before 4 or you'll have to park at Hollywood Studios and take a bus anyway.
You cannot walk to the start line at WDW. All participants and spectators must arrive by car or bus and go through security.
What roads will be closed?
See the event guide for road closures. Google Maps will also typically reroute you to avoid the closures on race day.
How fast do I need to go?
For the 10K and longer distances, you must maintain a 16 minute/mile (9:57/km) pace beginning from the point where the balloon ladies cross the starting mat. The balloon ladies indicate the sweep point; that doesn't mean that you'll be swept from the race immediately if you fall behind them, but you could be. That also means that if you start significantly ahead of the balloon ladies (in an earlier corral or even closer to the front of the last corral), you would be able to average slower than 16 min/mile and still be okay. A good way to keep track of where the 16 min/mile cutoff is is to get the bib numbers for the last pair of Galloway pacers (released close to race day).
If you are tracking your pace on your watch and are concerned about being swept, make sure your watch is NOT set to automatically pause when you stop moving - bathroom breaks and character stops still count as part of your overall race pace!
The 5K is not officially timed (except for Dopey participants) and has a looser time limit. CMs will simply herd people along when they need to clear the course.
What fuel/drinks will be on the course?
For the 5K/10K: water only
For the HM/M: water/Powerade at all water stops, plus usually one food station (for the half) or three food stations (for the marathon. Food stations may have bananas OR a commercial running fuel like Sport Beans.
You should plan to carry your own fuel, both so you can have whatever you practiced with and so you can have enough for the race. It is not necessary to carry your own hydration unless you prefer to, as there are generally water stops every mile or so.
Where should my friends/family go to see me run?
The event guide will also have spectator information. Particularly if your spectators want to see you for a shorter race, they will probably need to take runner transportation to arrive early enough.
How do I get my photos?
On the back of your bib will be a formula for entering your code into My Disney Experience to get your photos. (If your bib # is less than 5 digits, add 0s to the front until you reach 5 digits to link your photos.) Disney is fairly quick about getting photos uploaded and tagged, but it may take several days to get all of your photos. Make sure your bib number is clearly visible on your front to ensure your photos are identifiable.
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