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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 641 to 651]
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S. S. from Minneapolis, MN
(1/21/2004)
"Nice course (for the most part)" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon and Disney was pretty much everything I expected. Very well organized, easy to get to the start and back. I really enjoyed most of the course, there's nothing like running through Epcot or running out of the castle. I didn't have any problems with crowding thanks to being moved up to the 2nd corral. I crossed the line in two minutes or so (took friends 14-15 min) and was running without too much dodging about a mile in. Not bad for a large marathon. The medal was by far the best I've received. Just a few minor complaints. First I didn't like getting the shirt before the race and having to pay for a 'finisher's' shirt. The t-shirt needs to be of a higher quality (I like to wear them lots). By far the worst crowd I've encountered, I really don't like complaining about that. I appreciate them coming out, but it really felt like if you weren't a 'Team in Training' or relative they wouldn't cheer for you. The crowd was silent coming into the finish area. I was really disappointed by that. Enough complaining. If you're a four-hour marathoner or better you should have a nice, smooth, fast race and probably a PR if you didn't spend the day before walking in the parks. I'll be back for the 2006 running. | |
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P. S. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(1/21/2004)
"Disappointed at Disney" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Hi folks! As a veteran of many marathons I wanted to respond to some of the comments from 1st-timers or those that have only run Disney. This was my 22nd marathon and I expected more from an organization that prides itself in world-class service. For a marathon/half-marathon event that drew 20,000+ I expected more. The expo was small and cramped, with few vendors for such a large race. The 'pasta dinner' was advertised to make it look like it was a part of the marathon experience (it was mentioned in the official marathon book that all participants received), but there was absolutely no coordination between the marathon and All-Star Cafe (where the 'dinner' was held). Good grief! There were only about 20 tables in a special function room adjacent to the actual restaurant! I've been to New York, Boston, Twin Cities, Grandma's, Rocket City, Columbus, Las Vegas, Flying Pig just to name a few, and all of the above marathons are better coordinated and more enjoyable than Disney. I understand completely why Disney wants to start the race sooooo early - to get the runners/walkers out of the theme parks asap, so they won't be an intrusion to other Disney guests, but to expect spectators to get up at 3am to catch the race is a little much. The course itself was very scenic, but was very narrow in many places, especially through the theme parks, which made it difficult to navigate. One the positive side, there were plenty of port-a-johns, but the post-race 'goodies' were pretty lean. Those of you that are 1st-timers or have never done another marathon, expand your horizons and try some other venue - you'll be glad you did, and then you'll see how far Disney has to go! | |
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J. D. from Florida
(1/20/2004)
"Disney Marathon miles 18-22 not all bad!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Hello runners and readers, I feel compelled to add this review in DEFENSE of the dreaded miles 18-22. As many previous posts have noted, this is the section of the Disney World marathon course that features nothing except empty highways. It was actually one of my favorite sections, because: - finally, after 17 miles of congestion and narrow theme park areas (it was still great to be inside the parks, don't get me wrong), the crowds thinned out and we could finally open up and run at a decent pace. - water and aid stations were plentiful, including orange slices around mile 19. - despite being on empty roads in the middle of nowhere, there were pockets of crowds and friends/family members cheering us on. Anyone who would venture outside the theme parks to cheer on the runners is welcome in my book! - it made the final 4-5 miles, which were almost entirely inside the parks, more interesting and exciting. The overall event was great, even these miles of highway running. I will be back in 2005! | |
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G. D. from Upstate New York, USA
(1/19/2004)
"Characters, parks GREAT - getting there wasn't" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon and you can't beat the course; the parks, the characters, the atmosphere - and the Mickey medal are great. However, Disney needs to do a better job getting people to the start line. Took us 1 hour to make what is normally a 10-minute drive. Seems if you aren't staying on site - and taking their transportation - they really don't help you get there at all. While I really liked the race, they need to do a better job with the expo, the fireworks and the refreshments at the finish line. Worst I've seen in ANY length road race I've run. All that said, I'm going back next year for the Donald medal (1/2 marathon). See ya there. | |
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Tom Reichling from Atlanta, Ga
(1/19/2004)
"Incredible, fantastic, can't wait till next year" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first try at a marathon, after completing 2 half marathons in the past year. My goal was to complete a marathon before I turn 50 in September 2004, and I could not have picked a better venue than Disney. What a feeling to have all those spectators cheering, the characters on the route, the whole package was just beyond my wildest dreams. I am hooked. I'll be back next year for sure! | |
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J. R. from Atlanta, Ga.
(1/19/2004)
"Vacationer's Caution" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A very valuable lesson I learned and all should think about it... don't spend the entire day (the day before) at one of the theme parks with your family... it will negatively impact your race time. :) Otherwise, I thought the course was great - very flat (my 7th marathon). It was very well staffed with plenty of water stations and restrooms. The characters were lots of fun along the way. The finish was fabulous - TONS of people cheering you on, but not too many - I did find my family cheering me as well (it would have been nice if, during the race, Disney would have allowed spectators to be in the parks). | |
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Kathy L, from Atlanta, Georgia
(1/19/2004)
"Great 1st marathon! Would do it again!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was GREAT! The start was good but took a few minutes to cross, plenty of porta-potties, and we did not heed the 4 a.m. time to get to the race, and still had no problem. Were parked at 5:15 and at the cold start, and kept warm in the crowd of the corrals. The miles between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are long, but overall, a fun race to do. Will know next time where family can view that isn't in race directions. The medal is SUPER too! | |
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G. K. from Chicago, IL
(1/19/2004)
"Fun race, but where are the results?" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 9th marathon. Loved it. Weather was perfect for running, and the support and organization were tremendous. I got lucky, in that our shuttle bus was 1 hour late, so that I got to staging area just 30 minutes before the start. BUT, where are the results? No real-time splits. No ability to judge age group results. I can't even tell how many runners finished. VERY VERY disappointing, and so easy to fix. Great place to race and vacation. Lots of turns but the cheering spectators were fabulous. I'm just wondering how I did. No clue. | |
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B. R. from Peachtree City, Georgia
(1/18/2004)
"Pure Disney....." (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 You just can't beat the 'rush' of running that first loop of Epcot before dawn, with the beauty of the sights and sounds of Disney in lights. Or running up Main Street, USA and heading through Cinderella's castle to the cheers of thousands of spectators. It's pure, magical, Disney. I would love it if the organizers could package some of that 'magic' and sprinkle it over miles 17 - 25 - where the course tends to drag. Better signage for spectators would help boost crowds - and some live music would help. The quality of the 'Official Race Merchandise' seems to have slipped a little since 2001. The volunteers were great... plenty of them and VERY encouraging. I wonder if they know how much their encouragement really helps the average runner! Overall, a great experience. If you are only going to complete one marathon, definitely make it Disney. | |
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J. K. from Scranton, PA
(1/18/2004)
"Great experience, couldn't stop smiling!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Disney was my 18th marathon, including New York, Boston (twice) and other national and international events, but running down Main Street, USA to screaming crowds with Cinderella's Castle in the background was one of the most exhilarating feelings I have ever had in a race. We stayed on site and the bus transportation to and from the race was excellent. Yes, it is an early start but, logistically, it can't be avoided. Note: do not think of this as a warm-weather race. Arrive prepared and think disposable. The trips through EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom were literally awesome. MGM was nice and Animal Kingdom was a bit disappointing. I recommend allowing runners to go all the way around Mickey's sorcerer hat in MGM and at least run past the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. The extra distance can be taken from the uneventful out-and-back hairpin section of the course. I was quite surprised by the amount of spectators on the course, and not just in the parks. And with large, well-manned water stations basically every mile I never got the desolate feeling some people have referred to. It's not easy to organize a race of this size but Disney did an excellent job. All in all it was a great experience. And of course I finally have my Mickey medal that I have been wanting for years! My wife and older son also ran in the Family Fun Run races on Saturday and there was nothing like watching my 3-year-old cross that finish line and get his first finisher's medal! I will cherish that memory forever. We are already talking about going back. If you have kids and consider yourself a running family, this is a truly magical marathon vacation! Thanks Walt!! |
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