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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 711 to 721]
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Gayle Rockey from Ohio, USA
(1/16/2003)
"What a blast!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first ever marathon and it was everything I had hoped it would be and more! The volunteers and spectators were awesome and have NO idea how instrumental they were in motivating me to keep going, so to them I say THANK YOU! I couldn't have asked for a better first marathon experience! | |
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P. B. from Ohio
(1/15/2003)
"Huge Improvement" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my third Disney Marathon in a row. Disney finally listened to runner's comments and improved the race. The inspirational comments and Disney trivia along the course were great. This is a must do for all marathoners. Yeah the early start is tough, but keep in mind it can get hot in FL and this race has a lot of slower runners and walkers. The start is great and the run down Main Street USA cant be beat. There are some boring parts of the course, but that exists with almost all marathons. The volunteers and Disney staff are fantastic. The party at Downtown Disney was great and I hope they continue it. The Tshirt was a 100% improvement over the last couple of years. The expo was crowded and traffic was bad with remote parking. The expos at Wide World of Sports were much better in years past. The medals remain my favorite--who doesnt want a mouse medal? Great Improvement Disney staff---see you next year! | |
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Milehigh runner from Golden, Colorado
(1/15/2003)
"THE BEST DISNEY MARATHON YET!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great event, and I will continue to run in this event each year ? for my love of Disney, my passion for running, and my love for the course. I have run it now for 4 years straight and have seen it mature slowly to a race that one not to be missed. This is the only event I know of - where you can plan a true family vacation around and pass on the morals and values that we hold so close in our passion for running and health to your kids by direct example. Connecting the two things, the race with their Disney vacation will make a lasting impression for sure. It?s nice to know that this event is about, health, running, family values and fund raising for a good cause to fight a terrible disease, and never about prize money as there is none and will never be as it?s not the purpose or direction of the event. Also, I want thank Jon Hughes (Race Director) who did an excellent job with planning and organizing this event. There were noticeable improvements this year, and the race has found its identity in the area of entertainment. This year adding the Gospel choir and band near the Wide World of Sports (mile 20 and 21), the big screen monitors (3 of them on the course) with DJ?s to cheer you on and talk up the runners in a positive way ? Great idea! The additional charters and the live animals at the back entrance to Animal Kingdom all were very cool. The Expo speakers had Creigh Kelly as the MC, special guests Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Keith Brantly, Julie Isphordging, Greg Meyer, and Jeff Galloway, Nancy Clark (sports nutrition expert), Dr Tommy Owens (National Tn?T Director) and NY City Marathon race director Allan Steinfeld - All first class. Keep up the great work DISNEY ? I can?t wait until next year ? January 11, 2004 for the 11th. | |
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a. m. from Marietta, Georgia
(1/14/2003)
"My favorite marathon yet!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my third marathon and it was my second Disney Marathon -- I did Disney 2002 also. This year's race really was wonderful! Specific likes: A great medal; well organized event; friendly and enthusiastic race staff/volunteers; beautiful sunny, cool day (especially compared to the cold rainy 2002 Disney Marathon!); a beautiful finish through Epcot. Specific dislikes: O.K., the course has a couple of really dull stretches before and after the Animal Kingdom Park. But overall, the course maintained enough interest to keep me motivated. | |
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F. N. from New York, NY
(1/14/2003)
"Simply amazing (2003)" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 After reading all the negative comments, I was expecting much from this marathon. To my surprise, Disney delivered. I would recommend this race to anyone. I have run 16 marathons including NY, Chicago, Paris, and Rome, and the Disney marathon ranks right up there. I haven't run Disney 2002 but it seems that the management read some of the negative comments and responded in a big way. Let me comment on how Disney addressed the problems from 2002: Negative signs on the roadside: Aparently, Disney listened because when I ran it, I could only see inspirational signs on the road: Also, they had quizzes with answers about 600 yards away. That was really fun as it kept me distracted. Course is flat but boring: Not at all. It is true that you run on highways, but with the entertainment along the course, I hardly noticed. The race along with music was rocking. Waiting 2 hours before the race: This year it was cold at the race start. Since I knew I would be waiting for a long time, I had brought my walkman and listened to my music. If someone drops you by car, you can stay in the car and wait there. But to tell you the truth so much was happening that I just had the change to listen to music for 30 minutes, change, drop my bag and go to the starting line. The start: The start was just amazing. Mickey and Minnie were on hand to entertain us before the start. It was a real act and fun. The start was also amazing with the countdown with fireworks. The race: The race is flat, very flat. At mile 5, I was on cruise control until the end of the race. I have to add that I ran the race in 3:28:54 (PR) and I found the race to be very fast. Along the course, you'll get to high five all your favorite Disney characters, see yourself on a big screen (2 times), and you'll receive the best medal of all marathons, period. The long-sleeve shirts are very nice too. As soon as I finished, I got to take a picture with the two chipmonks. In the evening, I got in Pleasure Island (free with your race number) and I danced the night away with some friends and other marathoners. We got back to the hotel at 3 in the morning and promised to be back next year. Do it. you won't regret it. It is well worth the $90. | |
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Jeffrey Glenn from Florida, U.S.A.
(1/14/2003)
"Awesome experience " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first and all I can say is, 'Wow!' Sure, getting up at 3:00 was no fun, but the hotel (I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge) had the food court open early so you could get coffee, fruit, etc. Some people complain about the crowd support, but this race is held entirely on Disney property, not through the middle of a city with a million inhabitants, so of course there are going to be fewer spectators. But there were very good contingents at key locations throughout the race, giving the extra boost when it was needed. The fluid stations were very well run, with Powerade and water available very often. Also, in order to run thorugh all 4 theme parks, you have to run down some roads through the woods too. Just look at a map and that much is evident. But even those stretches have characters, radio station remotes, etc. there to provide that needed distraction. The start is done up right with Mickey and Minnie for the full and Donald and Daisy for the half, plus fireworks to start the race. And the finish is Magical, with Mickey and Minnie waving you in as you finish. The medal is awesome too. I definitely will be doing this race again next year. Time: 3:27:56 | |
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M. B. from Pennsylvania
(1/13/2003)
"This deserves more than just five stars..." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A superb marathon experience... combines the best of Disney with a super race! The major negatives that most cite are: (1) you run a good portion of the race on the isolated roads between the parks, (2) you see the not-so-attractive behind the scenes Disney, and (3) the cost. My observations are: (1) Disney does their best to keep things interesting with roadside trivia questions, Jumbotrons (wave at yourself!), Disney characters, music, and even some comedians along the more isolated stretches. Based on the Disney layout, some heavy roadwork is unavoidable in order to visit all four parks. Running on isolated roads isn't always a bad thing, though. There are times when a runner needs a little privacy (if you know what I mean...) Just be careful and don't run through a water-filled gully, as a few people accidentally did. (2) Behind the scenes is,I think, part of the attraction. Disney goes out of their way to keep this very hidden from regular visitors. Enjoy the opportunity to see that Disney is run by more than pixie dust and bippity-boppity-boo. I remember running past a very nice backstage mural of Christopher Robin & Pooh -- clearly done by a non-professional cast member -- which reminded me of what really puts the magic in Disney (the castmembers!) (3) The marathon entry fee is, indeed, at the upper end of the price range. That's inescapeable. Everything else is negotiable. Part of the secret of Disney is that there's a price level for just about everyone, starting with the $20 motels off-property. Admittedly, if your family is coming along a $20 motel room probably isn't going to pass muster, so by all means do some shopping around. There are some really good rooms in the $40-$50 range, with plenty of availability. If you want the 'full Disney experience', stay at a Disney resort. Tour packages come with even more bells & whistles, but you pay for them. Disney can be pricey regardless of when you go. Now a couple of clear positives: (1) It's Disney! Where else do you get to experience: fireworks at the starting line, running up Main Street U.S.A with the crowd cheering, animals (such as a llama and screech owl) with their handlers along the route, a finish through the World Showcase in Epcot, cheering employees all along the route, along with many other Disney-only features. (2) Great volunteers. The best I've ever seen. They were cheery, encouraging, and professional from start to finish. Even in the face of (what I consider) occasional rude runner behavior. I'm rather old-school though; I believe that all runners should be required to volunteer at a water station before being admitted to their first marathon. This is truly a race to relax and enjoy. Try not to get uptight when someone cuts you off because they've got to get a picture of themselves with Chip & Dale. There are a lot of first-time marathoners on this course (due to this being Disney.) Just savor the chance to be a part of it all, and you'll walk away with unforgettable memories and the best medal I've ever seen. Truly an 11 out of 10 race. | |
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T. L. from Dallas, Texas
(1/13/2003)
"11th marathon and I loved it" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After reading past comments from veteran marathoners I went into this race thinking the course would be dreadful, but I thought it was one of the most interesting I've ran. Between the parks they had wide screens, bands, and characters on the course. The runs through the parks were great!The only thing I would like to recommend course-wise would be to spend more time in MGM and maybe run over to the Blizzard Beach to get rid of the uneventful out and back near the WDW sports center. Organization was excellent. Don't like the walking to the start--too long! The medal is beautiful--my favorite so far, and I liked the T shirt. A finisher's T shirt would be a nice touch. There was no finish line fan-fare out in the parking lot. No real food, no tables, no band, because they want to get you on those buses and out of there. That was disappointing, but not all marathons have a cool finish. I highly recommend running this race! | |
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c. m. from florida west pam beach
(1/12/2003)
"Make it cheaper" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are looking for a cheaper way to get in this race do not tell Disney you are running. I live in florida and I used the number from the pamphlet. It would have cost me over 1200.00 dollars but for my weekend I just called Disney and booked one of the host hotels as average joe going to Disney World and saved 700.00 bucks | |
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A Runner from Barre, Vt
(12/21/2002)
"Need a bib for half marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would like to buy a bib for this race, 2003. If you want to sell yours. My email is Mukkets@aol.com. 802-476-0892. For 2003 race. Thank you, Sincerely,Dave Horner |
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