Mix marathon magic with the Magic Kingdom and what do you get? runDisney, the road-running arm of Walt Disney World Resort. Runners from all over the world flock to the theme park in Orlando, Florida—often dressed as their favorite fictional character—to participate in one of the many races held every year.

runDisney has grown significantly since the first Walt Disney World Marathon in January 1994. More than 5,000 runners competed in that inaugural race, less than half of the 11,335 runners that completed the 2022 marathon. Over the last three decades, runDisney added more races, such as 5Ks and 10Ks, to be more inclusive for runners of all ages and abilities. For ambitious runners, Disney added challenges that encourage participation in multiple events across race weekends.

Whether you’re running an upcoming runDisney race or thinking about signing up for one, Runner’s World has you covered with everything you need to know about the enchanting race series.

The 2024 runDisney Race Calendar

Here’s a full list of the upcoming races and challenges.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Florida)

  • Walt Disney World 5K — January 4, 2024
  • Walt Disney World 10K — January 5, 2024
  • Walt Disney World Half Marathon — January 6, 2024
  • Walt Disney World Marathon — January 7, 2024
  • Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge — January 6 – January 7, 2024
  • Dopey Challenge — January 4 - January 7, 2024

In 2025, race weekend will run from January 8 to January 12, with registration beginning April 9, 2024 for the general population.

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend (California)

  • Disneyland 5K — January 12, 2024
  • Disneyland 10K — January 13, 2024
  • runDisney Kid Races — January 13, 2024
  • Disneyland Half Marathon — January 14, 2024
  • Dumbo Double Dare — January 13 – January 14, 2024

For 2025, race weekend will run from January 30 to February 2, with registration beginning June 18, 2024 for the general population.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (Florida)

  • Disney Princess 5K — February 23, 2024
  • Disney Princess Enchanted 10K — February 24, 2024
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon — February 25, 2024
  • Disney Fairy Tale Challenge — February 24 – February 25, 2024

For 2025, race weekend will run from February 20 to February 24, with registration beginning July 30, 2024 for the general population.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (Florida)

  • Neverland 5K — April 19, 2024
  • Adventure Is Out There 10K —April 20, 2024
  • Hakuna Matata 10-Miler — April 21, 2024
  • Stitch's ‘Ohana Challenge — April 19 – April 21, 2024

For 2025, race weekend will run from April 3 to April 6, with registration beginning August, 2024 for the general population.

The organization also expects to host the first Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon weekend from September 5 to September 8, 2024 (registration begins February 13, 2024), and the annual Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resorts from October 31, 2024 to November 3, 2024 (registration begins March 12, 2024), but have yet to announce specific race dates.

runDisney Registration and Costs

The runDisney events are exceptionally popular—as of this article’s publication date, every runDisney race until April 2024 is sold out—so those looking to sign up should do so as soon as possible for races later in 2024 and for 2025 races.

While runDisney registration periods vary year to year, the organization usually advertises sign up dates six to eight months before race day. For example, in October of this year, runDisney announced the registration for the 2024 Disneyland Halloween Marathon Weekend in California will start on February 13, 2024.

To register for any runDisney race, you first sign up for a Disney account. If you already have one, simply sign in with your existing credentials. Prices vary depending on the race, but, for example, the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon cost $221 and $219, respectively. The shorter races that same weekend cost less, coming in at $108 for the 5K and $151 for the 10K. Other runDisney events stick to similar price ranges, depending on race distance.

You don’t need to purchase a ticket to Disney theme parks to participate, but your race registration does not include entrance to the parks postrace. If you want to do both, you’ll have to purchase both.

You also need to sign a liability waiver, which runDisney sends out digitally a few weeks before race day. You can either sign in online, or wait until you arrive at Walt Disney World and attend the race expo.

Lodging and Transportation

Disney currently has more than 25 resort hotels available to visitors and runDisney participants. Disney offers complimentary transportation from any of their resort hotels to the race start. If you drive yourself from an off-site hotel, there’s plenty of parking near the race start, 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon participant David Gramlich told Runner’s World.

Bib Pickup and Expo

To pick up race bibs—alongside race shirts and any pre-purchased merchandise—runDisney participants must go to the race expo, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. If you already signed the digital liability waiver, you only need to show a valid form of ID to pick up your bib. Expo hours vary depending on the weekend, but it generally opens the morning before the first race of the weekend and closes the day before the final race.

Race Day Logistics

Gramlich says that Disney pays close attention to details, and it shows on race day: “Everything was very well marked, with lots of signage and greeters making sure you’re in the right spot.” If he had any questions, the staff members were knowledgable and helpful. Bag check was a few hundred meters from the start line and was run efficiently. As you near the start line, officials corral you based on your entrance time.

The races start early to beat the Florida heat and ensure a smooth opening of the parks afterwards. But even though it’s dark at the start, Gramlich said energy was high: “They had music playing at the check-in area, lots of lights, and everybody’s super excited.”

runDisney Race Courses

There are plenty of water and food stops along all courses—each well-marked—and numerous first aid stations in case of emergencies. Each mile marker has a clock so you can keep track of your pace.

Regardless of distance, each course explores at least one of Disney World’s four theme parks. The marathon touches all four.

Spectating is limited to just a few areas because much of the races are run on Disney World’s access roads. But when runners do reach a spectator zone, it’s exciting. Gramlich’s family was cheering for him at Magic Kingdom at mile 10: “That was a surreal experience because you’re on a lot of Disney access roads and you’re winding through parks—and there’s not many spectators, so it’s pretty quiet. But then when you get to [spectator zones], it’s a real shot of energy.”

The courses are pretty flat too. Besides a couple exit ramps, Gramlich said it’s “nothing near the variables you might see at other races in other parts of the country.”

runDisney Challenges

Those looking to enjoy every second of racing at Disney World can take part in one of the weekend-long challenges that encompass multiple races. Here are the upcoming challenges:

  • Dopey Challenge: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
  • Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge: half and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
  • Dumbo Double Dare: 10K and half marathon during Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend
  • Disney Fairytale Challenge: 10K and half marathon during Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
  • Stitch’s ‘Ohana Challenge: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon during Springtime Surprise Weekend

runDisney Medals and Awards

Each runDisney race has its own special medal, usually featuring a Disney character. For example, for the 2022 Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend, the half marathon finisher’s medals features Joe, the jazz pianist from Soul. But there’s no word on who to expect on the 2024 or 2025 medals.

The top three overall finishers in each division receive additional awards. Gramlich finished second overall, so he received a trophy as well as a set of Bluetooth headphones.

Gramlich greatly enjoyed the entire experience, and not just because he ran well as an elite in the race: “I definitely would do it again. You have to embrace the Disney experience... If you’re a hardcore Boston Marathon runner that’s used to that experience... you’ve just got to understand that it’s kind of like a vacation.”

Headshot of Chris Hatler
Chris Hatler
Service & News Editor

Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.