On one of my recent TikTok videos, I was asked a question by Wherever the road leaves…”Do you have a hotel you would recommend staying at for the races?”
The answer is YES, I certainly do. But it is a complicated answer because there are several factors to take into account.
First, for those people who may be unfamiliar with what I am talking about, The Walt Disney company has a division that organizes run race events, coincidentally called runDisney. These run races take place throughout the year at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in Califoria. As a matter of fact, the races are making their return to Disneyland in 2023 after a hiatus of several years. Long story, but Disney was in a pissing match with Orange County and the city of Anaheim. That seems to have been resolved.
For now, lets focus on runDisney at Walt Disney World. There are four race weekends. The Marathon Weekend in January. The Princess Races in February, The Springtime Surprise in April, and Wine & Dine in November. All the weekends consist of a 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon, but the Marathon Weekend in January adds a full Marathon (full is a misnomer, since a marathon IS a marathon).
The question at hand is where to stay. Lets address a couple of variables:
Is Budget a Concern?
If the cost of the hotel is a huge factor for you, espcially considering the astronomical cost of the races, then you should absolutely go with a Disney value resort. These are the All-Star resorts. There are three of them, and they are themed to Sports, Music, and Movies. They are priced very reasonably, but they also book up so if you are planning on any races this year, you should already be booked. Or do it NOW!
I have stayed at the All-Star resorts a couple of times, and while they are certainly nothing special, they are not without their charm. The main benefit is cost, but there is the added benefit of buses for the Disney races. While all resorts get bus service for all runDisney events, the All-Star resorts are in very close proximity to the ESPN campus, where the Race Expos are held. The resort is also fairly close to EPCOT, where the races all begin, so the rides are quick.
The other option that budget conscience people have is staying off property for the races. You certianly can do that, but you would have to have a car. Parking at EPCOT is free for the races. So if you would prefer a cheap hotel or an AirBNB for the races over the fun of Disney, that is one way you can go.
Is Convenience Your Priority?
What about convenience? This is certainly subjective. If you want the simplest experience to get to and return from the races, I would recommend staying at a monorail resort or a resort in the Crescent Lake area. These offer you options for returning to your resort.
The monorail resorts are The Polynesian, The Grand Floridian, The Contemporary & Bay Lake Tower.
The Crescent Lake resorts are The Boardwalk, The Beach & Yacht Club, and The Swan & Dolphin resorts.
With each of these options, you can linger at EPCOT after the races and they return to your resorts by either taking the monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center, or TTC, or you can go through EPCOT IF you have a ticket and reservation for EPCOT to return to your resort. That last part is crucial. I often go to EPCOT as my park of choice after the Marathon. I will discuss why another time.
Spectators
The other huge benefit to the resorts I just listed is their proximity to the race courses. On Marathon Weekend, the Half and Full both run right in front of The Contemporary & Bay Lake Tower and The Grand Floridian. They sort of go by The Polynesian, but regardless, it is a short walk to The Grand from there. Addtionally, if you are staying at the Monorail loop resorts, your family and friends have the opportunity to cheer you on at The TTC and on Main Street USA in The Magic Kingdom. During the races, before the park opens, spectators can enter Main Street for free to watch the race. The area is cordoned off for safety and it offers a fantastic environment for runners and spectattors alike.
The Crescent Lake resorts are also on the course for the Marathon, but not the Half (keep in mind that the courses do change occasionally). They are, however, on the course for the 10k. So depending on which race or races you are doing, this may make a difference for you. Again, if your family and friends are staying at one of the Crescent Lake resorts, they can cheer you on from in front of the resort during the 10k and Full, or they can go into EPCOT during the full if they have a ticket and park reservation.
One additional resort that stands alone is Coronado Springs. I stayed there for the first time for the 2023 Marathon Weekend and I loved it. It also offers the opportunity to spectate from two places on the resort property. It is also very close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, with several restaurants on the grounds.
What About the Other Resorts?
While the resorts I have talked about so far are, IN MY OPINION, the best to stay at, there are so many great Disney resorts. I have stayed all over and I have my favorites that have nothing to do with runDisney race weekends. I love the Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Saratoga Springs. The Caribbean Beach resort and Pop Century / Art of Animation are also great because of their access to the Skyliner, which is Disney’s aerial transportation between some resorts and Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
At the end of the day, you can never go wrong with a Disney resort. I choose to rent a car every time I go to the races. I find the busing for the races to be problematic for me. I am not very social at 3 to 4 am…but maybe you love chatting it up with your neighbor before dawn. If so, more power to you!
I hope this answered your questions about resort stays for runDisney events.
