runDisney At Disneyland: Everything You Need To Know Before 2024

The news runDisney fans have been waiting for dropped at D23 Expo 2022: runDisney is coming back to Disneyland. We have to wait until January 2024, but it’s coming! If you’re new to runDisney or missed out on running the West Coast races, you likely have questions. Here’s everything you need to know about runDisney at Disneyland before 2024.

If you're new to runDisney or missed out on running the West Coast races, you likely have questions. Here's everything you need to know about runDisney at Disneyland before 2024.

This is Disneyland runDisney 101: everything you need to know before 2024.

Table of Contents

Is runDisney Coming Back To Disneyland?

YES.

Based on the newly released runDisney race calendar for 2023-2024, there will be one runDisney event at Disneyland in 2024.

The runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will be held January 11-14, 2024.

Registration begins February 7, 2023, for Club runDisney members, February 14, 2023, for general guests, and February 17th for virtual runners.

If you want to be there, this is the place to be to start your Disneyland runcation planning.

Disneyland hotel sign: rundisney at disneyland will return January 11-14, 2024.

Disneyland runDisney 101: Everything You Need To Know Before 2024

It’s been a few years since runDisney gave us the news: the runDisney events were being put on hiatus at Disneyland.

And it was a bummer to hear, especially for those that loved the challenge of running coast to coast.

We’re going to give you all the details you need to know about the Disneyland runDisney events including some history, travel tips, and hotel options.

We’ll also share some old Disneyland race course maps so you can get an idea of what to expect when the races return.

runDisney At Disneyland: The History

The first running event held at Disneyland was actually a marathon. It was held in 1995.

There has not been a full marathon at Disneyland since.

It apparently wasn’t mapped out too well, and there was some confusion on the course, leading it to run a bit short. So an extra mile was added to the end.

The route had runners making two loops around and through Disneyland Park to complete the marathon with a finish on Main Street, U.S.A.

A lot changed over time, and the runDisney events grew into a local and then international favorite.

Star Wars half marathon with storm troopers at runDisney at Disneyland

What Races Were Held At Disneyland?

runDisney at Disneyland grew to 4 races per year.

The last year, the races were held:

Star Wars Light Side Weekend (January MLK weekend dates)
Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend (Mother’s Day weekend dates)
Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend (Labor Day weekend dates)
Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend (Veterans Day weekend dates)

Each race weekend had a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon (and challenge medals for those running the 10K and half).

rundisney coast to coast medals 2 — Left: regular coast-to-coast medal. Middle: Kessel Run medal for running both Star Wars races. Right: pink coast to coast for running Princess Half and Tinker Bell in same year.

Special Medal For Coast To Coast Runners: runDisney at Disneyland

There was also a special runDisney coast to coast medal offered for runners who completed a half marathon or higher distance at each coast in a calendar year.

runDisney has confirmed that a Coast to Coast medal will be offered again.

Here’s everything you need to know about runDisney Coast To Coast medals.

Is Disneyland Busy in January?

It can be- depending on the dates and what is happening in the parks.

Check out this post to answer the question about the best dates to book for a Disneyland vacation in January.

The race will bring in a lot of runners, but arriving early or staying later might get you some great, low-crowd park time.

paradise pier hotel sign at Disneyland. where to stay for a rundisney race weekend at disneyland?

Where Should You Stay At Disneyland For a runDisney Race?

Disneyland has many options- but they look very different from a Walt Disney World vacation.

You have 3 on-site resorts to choose from, but they will sell out quickly due to proximity and Disneyland on-site hotel perks.

The great news is that you can find more affordable and just as accommodating hotels and resorts in walking distance of Disneyland.

Check out the Anaheim hotels on S Harbor across the street from Disneyland!

Many of these will also end up on the race routes which means your family can pop out and see you go by.

Here’s a great list of the best Good Neighbor resorts for runDisney at Disneyland that includes a map for you.

guardians-of-the-galaxy-mission-breakout.

Where Will the Disneyland runDisney Races Start and Finish?

NEW! This information just dropped on us for the 2024 race happening in January.

Disneyland 5K

Start: Disneyland®Park (This is exciting! The Neverland 5K for Tinker Bell Half Weekend used to start in the park)

Disneyland 10K

Start/Finish: Disney Way

runDisney® Kids Races

Start/Finish: near Disney Way

Disneyland Half Marathon

Start/Finish: Disney Way

What Time Do The Disneyland runDisney Races Start?

5 am PT is the official start for all runDisney races, except for the kids races.

Those will start at 10 am PT.

Should You Get Park Tickets During a runDisney Weekend?

We always vote yes to this question!

Disneyland is smaller land-wise, but it packs in a ton of unique attractions (and spins on attractions you may see at Disney World).

We think many of the attractions at Disneyland are superior to Walt Disney World (yep, we said it!) and encourage you to go ahead and check them out before or after your races.

What Makes runDisney At Disneyland Different?

The biggest things we loved about the races are the lack of transportation drama (you can just walk to the start line from almost all local hotels- so easy!) and the HUGE community support.

From car clubs to cosplayers to dance teams to bands to the Red Hat Lady society, you could count on Anaheim to support the runners.

We always said runDisney at Disneyland was the perfect Mullet race: party in the front (with all the characters and park time) and business in the back (where you could really pick up the pace with the city mileage).

Here’s some more detailed information on what makes Disneyland races different from Disney World races.

cosplayers as loki at the rundisney disneyland half marathon

What Do The Race Courses Look Like At Disneyland For runDisney?

We don’t know what courses will look like for runDisney at Disneyland in January 2024, but here are some links to previous courses you can check out.

If you have more questions, please come join the No-Guilt Disney Facebook group and ask away!

Registration Dates and Times For Disneyland 2024 Race Weekend

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort

Club runDisney Gold & Platinum Member Registration | February 7, 2023 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET
General Registration | February 14, 2023 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET

Be sure to check out this post for ALL the runDisney registration tips you need!

dumbo double dare 2013 medal. Everything you need to know about runDisney at Disneyland before 2024

runDisney at Disneyland: Race Themes Announced for 2024

Themes have been announced for the 2024 races.

You can also check out the runDisney Disneyland medals for 2024.

Goofy | Disneyland Yoga
Pluto | Disneyland 5K
Donald & Daisy | Disneyland 10K
Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse | Disneyland Half Marathon
Dumbo | Dumbo Double Dare
Chip ‘n’ Dale | runDisney Kids Races

Not only is Disneyland adding Yoga this year, they are also bringing back the kids races. Which are absolutely adorable.

How Much Does runDisney Cost At Disneyland?

The million-dollar question, friends!

Well, not quite a million dollars, but it certainly can add up.

To register for each race, you will shell out quite a bit of money. As a reminder, these are non-transferable and non-refundable, so be sure you are ok losing out on some coins in the case of an event you can’t control… 11 months down the road.

Yes, we know. It’s nuts.

But it’s the runDisney policy and doesn’t look to be changing any time soon.

Goofy | Disneyland Yoga- 108.99
Pluto | Disneyland 5K- 108.99
Donald & Daisy | Disneyland 10K- 148.99
Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse | Disneyland Half Marathon- 234.99
Dumbo | Dumbo Double Dare- $389.00
Chip ‘n’ Dale | runDisney Kids Races- $35

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