Hi there, Nicole, and welcome to planDisney!
One thing that’s for sure about runDisney (whether you’re running or not), the good energy is palpable and you’re going to see smiles around every corner. The
runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is hands down the most fun I’ve ever had running at Disney World because it’s one of the few races that you can take in the sights of Magic Kingdom. But I know that you’re wondering how this could affect your very own Magic Kingdom day, Nicole. So, let’s dive right into the details.
The shortest race that weekend, the 5K, will be on Friday. This will most likely be the least busy of the race days. Saturday’s race is a 10K, while Sunday’s is the half marathon. The races on both Saturday and Sunday begin around 5 a.m. and the
Magic Kingdom section of the half marathon on Sunday is around the halfway point (miles 5 and 6 out of 13). A certain minimum running pace has to be met before runners get “swept” from the course, which means that Magic Kingdom should be clear of runners around 8 a.m. This is just in time for the start of
Early Theme Park Entry. In other words, the theme park itself may have a few extra Disney fans over the weekend, but you won’t have trouble rope dropping and getting on rides early. Most runners will descend upon the theme parks as guests after their midday siestas; you might see longer lines in afternoon and especially at night.
However, the race routes could definitely impact super early transportation to Magic Kingdom and
EPCOT because some roadways leading into the theme parks are sectioned off for the race participants. So, if you plan on driving into the parks (versus taking a Disney bus), pack some patience because it may take slightly longer than usual depending on how far along the race is at the time.
AN EXTRA GEM: Because there will be many runDisney enthusiasts on property that weekend, I recommend that you book any advance dining reservations or
Lightning Lane pass selections as early as your window allows. There will be a lot of people who are hungry for good eats and ready to hit the theme parks attractions.
Nicole, your upcoming vacation will be here before you know it! Feel free to
reach out to us at planDisney if you have additional questions before, during, and after your adventure.
Magic always,
LeAndra