Hello again, Annemaria! I’m so happy to see you back here at
planDisney, and thank you so much for your question. I completely understand wanting to plan around crowds. I think we all dream of those peaceful, pixie-dusted park days where we feel like we have Main Street, U.S.A. all to ourselves!
While there’s never truly a “quiet” time at
Walt Disney World, some dates do tend to draw more Guests than others, and yes,
runDisney weekends like the
Disney Princess Half Marathon can definitely add a little extra hustle and bustle to the atmosphere.
The good news? You’re visiting for two full magical weeks, and the Princess Half Marathon events only span a few days, from February 26 through March 2. That means you'll have plenty of time both before and after to explore the parks at a more relaxed pace!
During race weekend itself, you’ll typically see the biggest surges in the early mornings, especially at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, since these are popular routes for runners and supporters. If you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, I recommend planning visits to Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios during those mornings, since those two parks are often less impacted by the race festivities.
And if you do want to head to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT on a race day? Consider arriving later in the day, once the races have wrapped up and runners have headed back to their resorts to rest. Late afternoon and evening visits tend to be much calmer, and you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the attractions and entertainment.
Annemaria, I hope this helps you map out a plan that keeps your days as calm and crowd-free as possible! If you have any more questions along the way, I’m always here and so happy to help.
Warm hugs,
Ana Paula