Hi Jeremy, and welcome to planDisney! I did the Disney World marathon a few years ago and running through all four theme parks was an experience I’ll never forget! And I can only imagine that the Dopey Challenge is a whole new world of exhilaration!
Registration for the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is currently scheduled to open on March 4, 2025 for
Club runDisney members and on March 11, 2025 for everyone else. When the marathon weekend page is updated, typically a few weeks beforehand, you can confirm the exact time when registration will open on those days.
Spots can fill up faster than lightspeed, so I’d recommend being on the
runDisney website early. You can usually join the queue a few minutes before registration officially opens, and you’ll be assigned a queue number when the process begins. Once your number is called, you’ll be directed to the registration form. Sometimes, the wait can be over an hour, so I like to block two hours on my calendar just in case! It would be a bummer if any meetings got in the way.
You have plenty of time until dining reservations open for marathon weekend, but post-race brunch and dinner are extremely popular. So be sure to make any reservations you’d like as soon as your
booking window opens—60 days in advance, or if you’re staying on property, Disney Resort hotel guests can book 60 days before check-in for your whole stay (up to a 10-night stay). I loved celebrating my marathon finish over
‘Ohana dinner at the Polynesian!
If you're looking for a training plan, Jeff Galloway designed one specifically for the Dopey Challenge on the
runDisney website. I used the marathon training plan and felt really prepared on race day!
Good luck with race registration in March. And remember, every mile is magic, even in those last winter long runs!
JoAnna