Crossing the Finish Line; Donald Duck; Pluto; In costume as Tink and Peter Pan
  • On Jan 2, 2025
    Andre from FL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I’m running the 2025 marathon on January 12. How can I have my family waiting on the finish line?

    Hi Andre! Welcome to planDisney—so glad you stopped by!

    After all those training miles, the 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is finally here—woo-hoo! You’re probably feeling a mix of excitement, nerves, and maybe (if you’re like me) a little bit Dopey. No one knows exactly how race day will go, but trust me—seeing your family cheering you on can be a huge boost when the miles start to feel long.

    Spectating Tips

    Spectating at a runDisney race is an event in itself! The runDisney Digital Expo & Event Guide is a great resource—it has a chart of spectator viewing spots for each race, including the marathon.

    If your family wants to be at the finish line:
        •    Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel? They can take a bus or monorail to EPCOT.
        •    Driving? Be ready for road closures and delays. Parking at EPCOT is free before 6:00 AM on race mornings.
        •    Using a Ride Share? Drivers should follow signs to the designated drop-off area at EPCOT.

    Some folks park at EPCOT to drop off their runner, take the monorail to Magic Kingdom to spectate, and then head back to EPCOT for the finish line. My husband always aims to arrive at the finish at least an hour early to snag a good spot.

    To make it easier for your family to stand out in the crowd, they should bring neon poster board signs with fun slogans. Not only will they catch your eye, but they’ll lift the spirits of all the runners! (do an online search for “running poster ideas” if they need inspiration.)

    Quick Tips for Race Day

        1.    Stay Warm: Bring “throwaway layers” to keep cozy in the starting corral—everything left behind is donated to charity.
        2.    Track Your Progress: Have your cheer squad sign up for Live Runner tracking (find the link in the Event Guide) so they can follow your pace and estimated finish time.
        3.    Sign Your Waiver: Log into your runDisney account and sign the digital participant waiver ASAP.
        4.    Pick Up Your Bib: Your Expo Check-in Pass (available January 6 in your runDisney account) is required for bib pickup at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo.
        5.    Shop for Merchandise: On January 8, a virtual queue opens for the Official runDisney Merchandise Shop at the Expo. You’ll need the My Disney Experience app with location services turned on to join the queue.

    Andre, I hope this helps! Have an amazing race, and who knows? Maybe I’ll see you out there on the course. Good luck!

    Eean
thumbnail image for Eean

Meet the Panelist: Eean, Pennsylvania

Hi, I'm Eean from Pennsylvania! My name may be unique, but my love for Disney is something I share with many. I'm the mom who's always ready to sprinkle a little pixie dust at PTO meetings, in the grocery store aisle, or during my monthly Bunco club. Whether it's sharing tips for navigating the parks or helping someone plan their dream trip, I can't resist the chance to make someone's Disney vacation even more magical! Learn More About Eean

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