Hey there, Michelle!
Welcome to planDisney. I'm so glad you've stopped by with your
Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning question! Michelle, I'm honored that you've turned to me for help with your question about spectating at a
runDisney event. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to enjoy runDisney races - both as a participant and as a spectator! I'm happy to share my experiences with you to help your family have a very special and memorable race-cation.
Michelle, it's wonderful to hear that your daughter will be taking on the
Walt Disney World Marathon! You and your wife must be extremely proud. This race is the most demanding of the runDisney events offered, leading participants on an exciting 26.2-mile journey throughout the theme parks, Disney Resort hotel areas, and roadways connecting these locations. Although the course maps for the
2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend haven't been released quite yet, in previous years, the finish line for the marathon has been located in the parking area at
EPCOT. (Stay tuned to the runDisney website, as the course map for next year's marathon should be posted within the weeks leading up to the event!)
Depending on your daughter's pace and corral placement, it's likely that she will cross the finish line during the theme park's operating hours. Therefore, you should be able to utilize
bus transportation to get from
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to EPCOT! I recommend arriving at the theme park approximately 45 minutes before your daughter's estimated finish time. This will provide ample time to walk from the bus drop-off location to the finish line (usually located near the parking area). Generally, runner tracking is offered, so keep an eye on the
Spectator Information page for the event for more information as the race date approaches. However, for more accurate tracking, I encourage your daughter to enable location sharing with you during the race. That way, you can track her in real-time on the race course! (I did this when tracking a friend on the Walt Disney World Marathon course this past January and was able to send her encouraging messages each time she passed through a theme park or reached a race milestone!)
Michelle, I hope you've found this information helpful as you continue to plan a magical race-cation with your family. I wish your daughter the very best of luck with her training and race preparation! If you have any additional planning questions, please hurry back over to
planDisney anytime. I'm here to help your family make the most of your runDisney race weekend!
Wishing you miles of magic,
Lauren