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Disney World Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Disney World Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 818 [displaying comments 501 to 511]
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C. K. from Chicago
(9/19/2006)
"A Good Marathon for First-Timers" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran Disney World in 2005. It was my first marathon, and at the time, I didn't have anything to compare it to. Overall, it was a good marathon, very well organized. The characters made it fun, if you were into that kind of stuff. You mostly run through the back alleys of Disney World Parks except when you run through the Magic Kingdom. There was a really boring and long stretch on a highway outside the park with no spectators and so you really had to rely on your tunes to take you the rest of the way. My biggest complaint about the race is that spectators have to buy a pass for each of the parks in order to watch you run through them. Since my husband didn't do that, he wasn't able to see me for most of the second half. Now that I have run Chicago and Boston, and I have something to compare it to, I would give the DW Marathon a lower score on crowd support and scenery. I would not likely run this race again. | |
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J. B. from Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
(8/18/2006)
"Great marathon!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great marathon! The course included all four parks with Disney characters and staff lining the route to cheer the runners on and pose for pictures! Very fun and laidback, and with great prizes! | |
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Suzy Holt from North Carolina
(8/14/2006)
"Sign up for this one TODAY!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Disney was my 4th (2005), but I wish it had been my first! The race is very "Disneyesque" - complete with fireworks, Mickey and Minnie calling the start, characters cheering and high-fiving you throughout the race, and Disney trivia as you are running! About 25K people run this one; it is big enough to ALWAYS have people around you (good!) but not to the point where it bottlenecks (like 40K in Chicago). You run through all 4 parks, the staff support is incredible, and the medal is even shaped like Mickey Mouse! We all know that marathons aren't exactly spectator-friendly, but my support was able to see me several times throughout the race using the monorail to get around. My only complaint: large t-shirt. I even got to the expo VERY early. Why ask my size when you only print L and XL in the first place?! To add to my disappointment, it was an awesome long-sleeved tech/Dri-Fit shirt! | |
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C. M. from Springfield, Missouri
(8/9/2006)
"A Great Place For a First Marathon" (General Comments)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon was Disney in 2003 with the Team in Training Program. (I have done two since.) I can honestly say that I cannot think of a better marathon for your first. Disney was amazing! They seemed to be able to predict what a runner would need at every turn. There were fireworks at the start and generally, non-stop entertainment. (Aaaahhh... distractions... I love them.) And the spectators were great. Where there could not be spectators, Disney made sure to put some of the most enthusiastic employees I have ever seen to cheer you on. I cannot say enough great things about this race. Have fun! | |
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L. A. from Delaware
(7/6/2006)
"Goofy's Challenge needs improvement" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 After running this race previously I only came back because it's a perfect excuse for a family vacation in January. I was going to run the half, but the Goofy Challenge was just too tempting. That's where the organization fell apart. The expo ran out of Goofy mechandise early. There's plenty of parking - except you had to park at the opposite end then walk across the vast empty lot. The new course for the half marathon started on a narrow one-lane section of road, which made it take 25 minutes for the back-of-the-packers to reach the starting line. Luckily I was in the first corral but heard many gripes about how tight the start was. At the finish you had to stand in a long line to get your wristband switched for the marathon race. The marathon went just a smoothly as always (except why were there two lit-up signs that said "5 miles" that were a quarter mile apart? Could this explain the GPS's reading high?) The Goofy results posted at Pleasure Island were posted alphabetically and just listed your time for each race. No placement or cumulative time was given. Even on the certificate it just listed each race time. It's nice to see how many people tried it and where you placed. At least have a searchable database like the other results so we can do it ourselves. Overall the marathon is a good race as long as you remember that only a few miles total is actually in the parks. The rest is in pine woodlands along lonely stretches of road. Disney does get points for having the most porta-johns and the coolest medals of any race. | |
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Paul Semendinger from Wyckoff, NJ
(5/19/2006)
"Nothing Quite Like Disney" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 6th marathon...and I PR'd. 3:34:34. I LOVED THE MARATHON!!!!! Sure, there were some things I didn't like: The start was freezing cold (not Disney's fault and the giant jumbo tv with pictures of families, friends and such was such a great touch), there were not free refreshments at the start (although a worker gave me a free bagel), the goody bag did not have great items, they were not flexible with t-shirts (changing sizes was a problem for some)...BUT, none of this took away from what was just a wonderful memorable experience. THE DISNEY WORLD MARATHON WAS GREAT!! Running through the parks, I was especially amazed with the crowd on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom (reminded me of NYC), being cheered by Mickey Mouse and all his friends...it was GREAT! It was FANTASTIC! The sign markers with pictures of Disney characters and inspirational/motivational quotes added a great touch. I loved the race. If I could, I'd run this race every year. It was such a great experience. The medal is the best I have yet earned. Being in the parks the days before and after added to the magic of the whole experience. My whole family enjoyed our special vacation to Disney. It was the best! (one recommendation - post the results at the parks and at all the Disney hotels after the race. Getting to Pleasure Island wasn't easy - we did not want to leave the parks - and posting the results in many locations would reduce the crowds at Pleasure Island...) THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE I hope to be back again someday! | |
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B. W. from Florida
(4/15/2006)
"Magical!!! What else?" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon which was with Team in Training. I heard a few "not-so-wonderful" stories during the training season, but I knew enough about Disney to know it would be magical - everything they do is. If it hadn't been for all the pictures I took - at the incredible mile-markers, with characters, under a huge pair of ears, of people in costume, and others - I probably would have shaved over an hour off my time. Loved the toy soldiers at the Disney-MGM Studios. Saluting the athletes was awesome. And, I still (it's now April) can't believe how guests lined the streets cheering us on. They paid over $60 a person to enter the park and spent their time cheering us instead of riding rides. Magical and memorable with a Mickey Medal! Thank you, Walt Disney World. See ya real soon. :) | |
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M. F. from North Carolina
(3/31/2006)
"Great race, plus a few fun surprises" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well, I waited a while before positing my Disney Marathon review, and I am glad I did. Disney just earned some extra "cool points," which the reviews below have missed. More on that later.... First of all: One of the best expos you will find anywhere. The Wild World of Sports Complex is huge, which allowed for lots of booths, and several great speakers. This was my third marathon, but my first Disney. Let me begin by saying my family members are big fans of Disney. I really enjoyed the race. My expectations were low, because I heard past reviews complain about "no crowd support." Because I expected nothing, I was shocked with how many people were on the course. Sure, there were not as many people as other big-city races, but the streets were far from empty. Disney bussed fans, bands, cast members, and characters around the course, so you were never alone for long. They covered the course with inspirational signs, 10-foot mile makers (some of which talked), and great aid stations as well. Not to mention you run through the theme parks too. What other marathon can you have your picture taken under a castle, in front of a four-story hat, and running by Mount Everest? It is true that the start is early, but I knew that when I signed up, so no complaints for that. The bus ride over was short and heated too. Besides, I like starting a run in the dark. It helps break the run into two parts. By the time the sun is up, you already have 5-7 miles under your belt. The post-race events were also good, although I wish there were more food and drink options. After 26 miles of Powerade, I would like something different. Coffee would have been great. The music at the finish was great. The Pleasure Island events did not seem any different from normal nights. It would be nice to have one club reserved for runners. Another recommendation is to have one restaurant (maybe Portabellas) reserved for runners the night before the race. 30,000 prospective runners looking to carb-load can fill up one restaurant without problems. Very few nice restaurants are easily accessible that serve "plain" pasta dishes the night before. There are some great Italian options with great choices, but not great pre-race meals. Another option is to add "Pre-race Pasta Meal" to the menu for those running... with salad, lots of plain pasta, and lots of bread. Now for the extra perk. Along with your marathon certificate, Disney sent an interactive CD-ROM. The CD had about a 7-8 minute video from the race. It also had some photo slide shows, interactive maps, stuff from the kid's races and more. Sure, the CD was largely created to market picture sales, and next year's race, but it was a welcome surprise that did not cost any additional money to receive. Made me want to go run again. Bottom line is the marathon is well done. Disney is very good at moving people, and the marathon is no exception. The race went off without any issues. | |
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J. L. from Orlando, Fl.
(3/22/2006)
"The best marathon for non-hardcore runners" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second year at the marathon, and my first year doing the Goofy. The race is serious, but also designed with the non-hardcore runners who just want to have fun. Old, young, fat, thin, they are all out there. VERY well organized, and they do a good job of making sure you have everything you need for a good run. The 4 a.m. start hurts. If you don't have a bag to check in, don't worry about getting there until 5. The only real drawback would be "Heartbreak Road" (Mile 17-21). Straight down the highway and straight back. It's real tough at the end of the race when you need the motivation. PLEASE, reverse the course and get it out of the way at the beginning. Then running through the Kingdom towards the end would be a great mental boost when you really need it. Otherwise, a great run and great for those who just run because they like to. (Have you seen the medal????). | |
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J. B. from Chicago, Illinois
(3/9/2006)
"Fun time for all" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Actually did the Goofy Challenge. Enjoyed the course. Water, Gatorade and food were great. Well blocked off from traffic. Only bad part was running though the sewage treatment area of Animal Kingdom. Smelled better in the portable john than outside of it. Great support for those running the first time. |
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