I’ve eaten my way around Walt Disney World, stayed at numerous Disney resorts, and know the parks like the back of my hand, but this year I finally did something I’d been dreaming of: I ran my very first runDisney race!

Here’s the thing: I wasn’t a runner until pretty recently. But I figured if I was going to run a race, it might as well be at Disney World! So I signed up for the 5K during the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and let me tell you, it was everything I hoped for (and a few things I didn’t see coming). I went in thinking the running would be the hard part. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t even close. Here’s everything I learned on my first runDisney race weekend, including the one thing I really wish someone had warned me about.

The Hardest Part: The Expo Merch Virtual Queue

Here it is, the thing nobody warned me about. The virtual queue for official runDisney merchandise at the race expo is no joke! The virtual queue opens at 7 AM and 1 PM, and if you have your heart set on specific merch, you need to be ready to join right at 7 AM on the first day. A lot of the merchandise, especially the 5K items, sold out within hours of the expo opening.

I wasn’t as ready as I should have been, and I didn’t get in until the 1 PM window. By then, most of the 5K merchandise was already gone. I had my heart set on a 5K tank or shirt to remember my first race by, and missing out on that stung more than any mile did. I did snag the general Wine & Dine race Christmas ornament, so I didn’t leave empty-handed, and it’ll be a sweet reminder every holiday season.

My advice: Treat the expo merch queue like a boarding group drop. Set an alarm, have the app open and ready, and tap that button the second it opens at 7 AM.

The 5K Was Basically Three Different Races

This was new for this year. runDisney added more participants to the 5K, so while there were corrals A through G, they didn’t all run at once.

• Corrals A–C ran first in back-to-back waves, then the course was swept.
• Corrals D and E went next in waves, followed by another sweep.
• Corrals F and G ran last, again in waves.

So depending on your corral, your start time (and your race experience) could look pretty different from someone else’s. Keep that in mind when you’re planning your morning and comparing notes with friends running the same race.

You Walk a LOT Before the Race Even Starts

I knew I’d be covering 3.1 miles on race morning. What I didn’t factor in was all the walking that happens before the starting line. Expo day alone had me on my feet for hours, between getting my bib, browsing vendors, and wandering around. Then on race morning, there’s the walk from where you arrive at EPCOT to the starting area. It adds up fast! If you’re doing a runDisney race, wear comfortable shoes on expo day (not your race shoes!) and plan some time to rest your feet before the big morning.

It’s a Lot of Standing Around… Until Suddenly It Isn’t

Race morning started EARLY. My alarm went off at 4:30 AM, and I was heading to the bus by 5 AM. Coworkers who had run before told me to get to EPCOT before my corral opened, so I did. My corral opened at 6 AM, and I was in the area ready to head in by 5:45 AM. I was in the first wave of my corral, and I didn’t actually start running until 7:30 AM. That’s almost two hours of waiting! I expected some downtime. Honestly, I pictured myself sitting on the ground, stretching, and relaxing. Nope! We stood the entire time. Then, after all that waiting, it was suddenly go time.

My advice: Still arrive early (you don’t want to stress about missing your corral), but mentally prepare to be on your feet for a while. And bring a throwaway layer! It was chilly that morning, but I skipped a jacket because I didn’t want to deal with gear check. Standing still for two hours in the cold, I definitely wished I had an old sweatshirt I could ditch at the start.

Character Stops Were Quick (For Me!)

One of the best parts of a runDisney race is the character stops along the course, and I was NOT going to skip them. I stopped for four: Chip ‘n’ Dale, Remy, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow. Every single one was a surprise, which made spotting them along the course even more fun. Best of all, each photo took less than 30 seconds of waiting. That said, this wasn’t everyone’s experience. Runners in corrals A–C reported much longer waits for characters. If character photos are a priority for you, your corral (and wave) could make a big difference.

The Race Flew By

After all that waiting, the race itself felt like it was over in a blink. I didn’t look at my pace once, but I ran the entire time, and I’m really proud of that! My one regret? I wish I had looked around more. Running through World Showcase as the sun came up is something most guests never get to see, and I was so focused on running that I didn’t fully soak it in. If you’re doing your first runDisney race, take a second to look up and enjoy where you are. You’ll want that memory.

The Cast Members Made the Day

This shouldn’t surprise anyone. We all know Cast Members are the real magic at Disney World. But truly, every single Cast Member I encountered before, during, and after the race was excited, encouraging, and kind. From the corrals to the course to the finish line, their energy made the whole morning feel like a celebration. If you run, thank them. They’re up even earlier than we are!

I Got Way More Emotional Than I Expected

I knew finishing would feel good. I didn’t know it would hit me the way it did. Running a runDisney race had been a dream of mine for a long time. Crossing that finish line meant so much more than I expected, and I found myself fighting back tears. It’s hard to describe, but if you’ve ever wanted to do one of these races, I hope you get to feel that moment too.

Would I do a runDisney race again? Absolutely! I am running the Disney World half marathon in January, and I’ve learned a lot to take with me! For more Disney news, be sure to follow us at DFB!

Should You Still Avoid runDisney Weekends During Your Disney World Trip?

Have you run a runDisney race? Tell us what surprised YOU most in the comments!