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Disney 1/2 Marathon - A look Inside the Race



I’ve done the Disney 1/2 Marathon twice, and let me tell you, I run for the medals.


The rain stopped just in time for pic before heading to the starting line.
The rain stopped just in time for pic before heading to the starting line.




If you’ve ever thought about doing this race, you probably know that getting up at 3 a.m. is part of the deal. Disney shuts down the roads by 4 a.m., so if you're driving yourself, you need to be prepared to leave early. For me, as a local, I had to decide whether to drive over or stay at a hotel nearby. I opted for the Disney hotel experience both times. The first time I stayed at the All-Star Hotel, and while it was a bit on the pricey side, the convenience of the shuttle service was very nice.



Starting Groups
Starting Groups

Fast forward to 2025, and I stayed at a gorgeous hotel, Signia by Hilton Orlando - Bonnet Creek. Unfortunately, it didn’t have a shuttle service. This time, I used Uber to get to the Epcot Parking Lot/Starting Line. It was more affordable, and the convenience was still there—we felt like VIPs with door-to-door service! The Uber was about $15 each way.



Sadly, the weather in 2025 wasn’t kind to us at 4 a.m. It was freezing, and the rain was sideways. The masses were huddled inside and beside every available shelter. Ponchos everywhere! But by the time the race started, the weather had cleared up, and we were good to go.



The race itself? Fantastic, mostly. And something I always wanted to do. The Disney 1/2 Marathon is all about the experience. The characters along the course, the parks, and the unbelievable entertainment make it a very special event. You can stop to take pictures with characters or just snap a quick selfie like I did. Sure, my time was a bit slower because of it, but for me, the goal is not about pace—it's about enjoying the moment and crossing the finish line.





Throughout the race, there are plenty of water, Gatorade, energy, and medical stations, along with emergency personnel on bikes keeping an eye on things. For this race, I made the decision to do an interval run (to save my knees), and it paid off. I had little to no pain during or after the race, which was a huge win for me.



At the finish line, I treated myself to a glass of champagne (along with my free bananas) and followed it up with a huge pancake breakfast at a favorite breakfast spot. This year, I ran the race with my two children (18 and 21) and my daughter's best friend. It was something I wanted to do with them while we were all physically capable and had time on the calendar. But I think this will be the last time I do this particular race for several reasons:


  • The sign-up process is stressful. You have to sit online forever on a waitlist to get a spot.


  • The cost is steep—about $224 each, not to mention the cost of hotels and transportation.


  • Waking up at 3 a.m. is not my favorite thing.


  • The course was incredibly crowded and extremely narrow in some areas, to the point where you had to walk for safety.


  • Florida weather in January can be extremely unpredictable. I’ve had one great weather experience and one really bad one—unfortunately, 2025 was REALLY bad!


That said, the medal is definitely cool, and the race shirts have a nice design. Disney does an excellent job with customer service, but the negatives are hard to ignore.



Many racers told me that their favorite Disney race is the Wine and Dine, which is in October/November. They say it's great because of the food and drinks available in the park after the race. If I do another Disney race, that might be the one I try.



For now, though, it's time to start planning my next race - The Winter Park 5K!



Michele Gerber, I am a writer, producer, content creator,  professor, adventure seeker. and sadly, I've had to be gluten-free for over 15 years. So, I am kind of an expert. I  am passionate about, or maybe  obsessed with, entertainment  and my latest binges, my favorite gluten-free foods, projects and design,  and adventure.   And, I'll sprinkle in social commentary.  Because somethings need to be said Out Loud..

I am a writer, producer, content creator, professor, adventure seeker,

and am passionate about - or maybe it's obsessed with -

entertainment, my projects, food, and having a little fun.



Copyright © 2025 By Michele Gerber. All Rights Reserved.

© 2025 By Michele Gerber, All Rights Reserved

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