As a runDisney fanatic, I’m super glad that the Disney World races are seeming to increase in popularity.
©Disney
After all, who doesn’t want to galavant through empty Disney parks in a fun costume while also meeting tons of RARE Disney characters? And THEN you get to wear an adorable medal around the parks! It’s super fun, and I’m happy that the events are starting to get the attention they deserve. However, there IS a downside to this increase in popularity.
Y’all, these races sell out like HOT CAKES. Lately, it seems that it takes longer and longer to get through that online queue to grab a spot in the races. It’s also becoming common for a lot of folks to be waiting in said queue and not get a spot at all!
Loungefly and other merch at a runDisney expo
On April 9th, registration opened for the 2025 Disney World Marathon Weekend, which hosts the ONLY full marathon in the Disney Parks. It’s a popular event that only seems to be gaining popularity with each passing year.
runDisney merch
This year, I was only able to snag a spot in the Half Marathon after waiting in line for nearly two hours. By the time I was able to register, everything except for the half and full were sold out. The full was sold out by the time I finished my half registration.
©Disney
Well, if you were hoping to register…I hope you got registered. Otherwise, it seems that you’re out of luck. ? There are plenty of other races to participate in, though, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated with information on upcoming races as we have it. Make sure to follow along here so that you’re always in the loop.
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runDisney 2 Suggestions
1) Let me select all of the races I want to sign up for and only have to fill in the information one time. Currently as it stands, I have to fill in ALL of the information for every single race. Which takes forever.
2) The Virtual Waiting room blurb says I will be “randomly” entered into the Virtual Queue when it opens at 10. But anyone entering after 10am is put in sequential order. I entered the waiting room 15mins early and had 3 computers open. One got in the others never did. My wife entered the Virtual queue 10:05. And she waited 30 mins.
There is just something wrong with that.
As someone’s who has done this marathon many times, it’s very frustrating how difficult it is to register now. Thankfully my daughter and I got marathon spots, but it took 90 minutes and I sat there on pins and needles while watching everything else selling out. This is what happened with races like Chicago, Marine Corps, Big Sur and they ended up going to lottery systems. I don’t see a lottery working for Disney as so many people do these races with family and friends.
Pro Tip:
Disney Pre Gives out Registrations to various Charitable organizations. I have included the link for the list of partners below. Most companies do donation matching so if paying 200 bucks already you can sign up for to run for a cause, pay the 50 bucks to register and then use the extra money you would have already spent toward the donation goal you have to hit then double it with a matching program. From there is just a little bit of fundraising or giving the money yourself.
https://www.rundisney.com/plan-your-trip/disneyworld/travel-providers/disneyworld-marathon-weekend/
Hope this helps someone!
So what is the secret to even getting to register?
I’ve been wanting to do a Disney run on either coast for many years .. I have still yet to even get in any que to register … I am a past Disney cast member and an annual pass holder and now magic key inspire holder .. and that doesn’t even help .. so how does one even get to a virtual que?
I think the reason it is harder for us to get a spot is because they have allowed people to pay more money for “Club Disney” which has a Platinum level, a Gold level, and a Silver level, who get earlier access and by the way are all also sold out. Anything to make a buck Disney. They are sucking the magic out of everything.
Re: Kelley Martin
Mybexperience is that the secret is to have MUKTIPKE devices in the Virtual queue.
I myself had 3 different computers. And my wife had one addition.
Comp #1- Never went under “More than 1 hour”
Comp #2 – got in at 45mins
Comp #3 – Eventually got in around 1hr 15mins.
Wifes Comp – was at 30mins when I got in on Comp #2.
2nd recommendation…
Be ready to (and offer to your family) register Multiple people whomever gets in first register everyone instead of every man for himself.
Re: Lance Koenig
In what world is a runDisney registration on $50???
Even the bottom rung 5k is $112.
And just because someone donates to one of the charities on the list, does not (in any way) entitle you to a race registration.
The link you gave is a list.
Nowhere does it say anything about offering registration slots for donations.