1. If you want the whole disney experience, then stay at a disney hotel. But you can stay cheaper by staying off-site, and driving in on race morning is pretty easy. Then again, the bus from an on-site hotel is easier.

2. You DO have a better shot at disney-branded stuff by going to the expo early. However, it wasn't nearly so bad in 2007 as it was in 2006. If you choose to go to the expo on Thursday, I recommend against trying to be there when it opens. Everyone else has the exact same idea, and the expo is CRAZY CROWDED right when it opens. Show up an hour or two later, and it isn't so bad.

3. The expo is big and has lots of stuff. But in the 4 times I've done Disney, I've never one time seen good deals at that expo. Your mileage may vary, just don't expect to walk out with tons of bargains.

4. In 2007, it was hot and humid. In 2006, it was ice cold. Watch the weather, and bring LOTS of clothes for various conditions.

5. You will be waiting at the starting line and pre-staging hour for an hour or two. If it is cold, bring extra stuff that you don't mine tossing.

6. If you are planning on running 4:00 or faster, make absolutely SURE you are seeded in the proper corral. The starts of these races are very crowded. They do a good job with it, but it is still a pain and energy-sucking to have to try to get around the crowd.

7. Be prepared for about 8-10 miles of groovy running in the parks. And about 16-18 miles of boring highway running. It is not wall-to-wall Mouse. If you like talking to runners around you, this may help pass these less-than-wondrous miles easier. Anyway, the highway miles are no different from many other marathons... my point is to set your expectations: it is not 26.2 miles in the parks.

8. If you are a slower-than-5 hours runner, know that Disney does NOT have a good track record of taking care of the back of the pack. Which is really weird considering the demographics of this race. BRING A WATER BOTTLE. I surely hope they fix it this time, but be prepared regardless.

9. If you aren't so concerned about your time and want a rich experience, haul a little camera with you. the disney characters will pop up all over the course, even on the boring highway miles. Lots of people will stop and take pictures.

10. If you are planning on being focused and running hard (no matter your goal time...) be aware that some people lose their brain in this race. For example, as you exit the castle in the magic kingdom, there are photographers there. People will come to a complete stop right in front of you to pose for their moment. And they will stay there for your moment too. Be ready to jump out of the way to avoid clobbering them. In 4 fulls and 2 halves at disney, this has happened to me in EVERY race. And see my #9 tip above? Some people will come to a dead stop in front of you to take a picture of Belle or Aladdin or something. If you are in the middle of the pack, be ready .

11. You DO get to run some back areas that most people don't see. These are easy to miss if you are very focused on the run. Check them out. Even something like Mickey's Magical Recycling Center is fun(ny) if approached with the right attitude.



http://This message has been edited by srlopez (edited Sep-06-2007).

I'll echo what the above posters said, and reiterate the point about the weather. I ran Disney in 2004, and it was F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G!! It was SO bad for the hour or so before the start of the race at zero dark thirty!!

DO keep an eye on the weather, and, if there's even the most remote chance of a cold snap, bring appropriate clothes. I'd go as far as to say to go to Wal Mart or something, and look for a really cheap blanket, one that you wouldn't mind using for the pre race hours, then giving to a volunteer/leaving behind.

Know that if you do bring extra clothes that you discard, like sweats or something, Disney volunteers/castmembers collect them and (hopefully after washing them) distribute them to area homeless people. Pretty cool.

Totally disagree with using the busses from the disney hotels. I ran it twice and drove from the Disney all-star hotel in about 10 minutes, parked right at the finish line and was able to leave the hotel at about 4:30 rather than 2:30. Remember the last bus is at 3 not the first.
Then at the end of the race you can head back to your hotel when you want. Not when the next vacant bus comes.
This was also nice when it was 36 degrees at the start and I had a heater on while I waited