Hiya Emily,
Welcome to planDisney, and thank you so much for your question. First off, congratulations on signing up for the
Walt Disney World Half Marathon! You are going to have an incredible experience. From the moment you pick up your bib at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo and browse all the exclusive race weekend merchandise, to the camaraderie of fellow runners cheering you on, to the joy of running through the theme parks before sunrise with characters waiting for fun photo stops, every single mile is pure magic.
Like you, I stayed off property for one of my races and rented a car, so I can tell you firsthand that driving yourself to
EPCOT on race morning is the way to go. Parking is plentiful and easy to navigate, and there are a few big advantages over using a rideshare service. Because you’ll need to arrive well before dawn, rideshare availability can be unpredictable. The drop-off location for rideshares is not closer to the corrals than the spaces available to those who drive themselves. Plus, having your own car gives you a comfortable place to relax, enjoy a quiet snack, keep warm before heading to the start line, or even catch a quick nap if you are super early. You will also have a safe spot to leave anything you do not want to carry during the race. Since you already have a rental car, I think driving yourself is the easiest, most convenient, and most flexible option.
As you plan for race weekend, do not forget to fuel your body with a good pre-race meal. For delicious carb-loading options, I suggest heading to
Disney Springs for a hearty pasta dinner at
Terralina Crafted Italian or
Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante. Over at EPCOT,
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in the Italy Pavilion is always a great choice. Disney’s BoardWalk also offers
Trattoria al Forno, a perfect spot for a cozy and satisfying pre-race dinner.
Emily, I hope this gives you confidence heading into your magical race weekend. If you would like more tips for navigating race morning or ideas on how to celebrate after you cross that finish line, send me another question. I would be happy to
help you plan the perfect victory lap in the parks.
Best of luck with your training and race!
Brent