Once upon a time, in a Walt Disney World far far away in 2019, runDisney cheer sections were epic! Along the courses, runners could expect to see friendly faces with snacks, drinks, and awesome race signs to keep them going. As with many things in the post-2020 world, the rules and expectations have changed. If you are cheering on a runner at an upcoming event, here is your runDisney spectator guide so you’ll know how to cheer at Disney World races.
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runDisney Spectator Guide: How To Cheer At Disney World Race Weekends
As we all know, the world has changed- and that includes how runDisney allows spectators to cheer a race.
Here is your spectator guide for runDisney events so you know how to cheer safely at a Walt Disney World race weekend.
Best Locations For Cheering runDisney Events
The ChEAR packages did not come out for the 2023-2024 race weekends at the time of this writing.
That may mean they are a thing of yesteryear, or they may simply still be in the evaluation phase.
So you can’t count on those premium locations being available for your cheering needs.
Here are the official suggestions from runDisney for your cheer squad.
Wine and Dine Spectator Cheer Locations: runDisney spectator guide
We’ll update for each race as we know more, but this is the official scoop from runDisney.
No spectators will be allowed on highways or overpasses at this time.
If a park is open, you can see your runner along the routes inside the park. But if it is still closed when they run through, that will not be an option.
Where to Cheer the 5K Wine and Dine Runners
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Finish – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
Where to Cheer the 10K Wine and Dine Runners
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:10 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Mile 4- Hollywood Studios Parking Lot | 5:20 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Walk from the Boardwalk hotels OR park in the Hollywood Studios parking lot. Should be able to see runners near the Skyliner station. |
| Mile 5- Boardwalk Hotel | 5:25 a.m. – 8 a.m. | If you are staying at the Boardwalk Hotel area, you should be able to see runners around mile 5 before they enter Epcot. Could possibly take an Uber or Lyft to this location but you will not be allowed to park in the hotel parking lot. |
| Finish – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:25 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
We cheered at the finish line for this race in 2021.
How we got there:
- Took an Uber to Epcot.
- Was dropped off in the Epcot parking lot at the standard Uber/Lyft drop-off.
- Walked over to the edge of the race course and stationed ourselves on the railing.
You can also take the race bus to Epcot.
One note: since Marathon Weekend 2022 there has been a different security setup, so you will need to go through Epcot security to get to the same location we ended up at in the future.
Where to Cheer the Half Marathon Wine and Dine Runners
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:20 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Mile 3- Boardwalk Hotel | If you are staying at the Boardwalk Hotel area, you should be able to see runners around mile 5 before they enter Epcot. Could possibly take an Uber or Lyft to this location but you will not be allowed to park in the hotel parking lot. | |
| Mile 4- Hollywood Studios Parking Lot | Walk from the Boardwalk hotels OR park in the Hollywood Studios parking lot. Should be able to see runners near the Skyliner station. | |
| Finish – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:55 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
If you check out the runDisney race maps for the Wine and Dine, you’ll see that the half and 10K both go through the Boardwalk resort area.
If you are staying at these resorts, you should be able to walk out to the racecourse and cheer your runners on.
If you are NOT staying at these resorts, it is unclear how likely you will be able to take an uber or drive and park in the lot in order to cheer.
Be prepared to be turned away as parking lot security has tightened a bit over the past 2 years.
Marathon Weekend Cheer Spots
2023 5K Spectator Locations
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
2023 10K Spectator Locations
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Finish –Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot |
2023 Half Marathon Spectator Locations: runDisney spectator guide
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Center Drive | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible ONLY by foot from Epcot Parking Lot |
| Mile 3.6 – Ticket & Transportation Center | 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. | Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center |
| Mile 4.4 – Disney’s Contemporary Resort | 5:15 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort |
| Mile 4.8 – Magic Kingdom Park- Main Street, U.S.A. Area | 5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center, exit monorail and walk down ramp, follow overhead signs and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom Park. *Theme park admission ticket not necessary before 8 a.m.* |
| Mile 6.7 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | 5:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa |
| Mile 7.1- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | 5:15 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort |
| Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot |
We spectated at the TTC and the Epcot Bus station locations.
Taking the Monorail from Epcot was quick and easy transportation for spectators that allowed us to bypass any road closures.
In our case, we:
- Took the race bus from the resort hotel to Epcot.
- Went through race security at the Epcot entrance.
- Boarded Monorail.
- Changed Monorails at the TTC. Took the Magic Kingdom monorail.
- Entered Magic Kingdom. We decided there wasn’t enough room for us on Main Street since our signs were HUGE and reversed back to TTC.
- Found a spot at TTC to cheer! This was an excellent place to see our runners go by.
2023 Full Marathon Spectator Locations
Walt Disney World® Marathon ONLY
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start/ Mile 4.5 – Epcot Center Drive | 5:00 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. | Accessible ONLY by foot from Epcot Parking Lot |
| Mile 9.0 – Ticket & Transportation Center | 5:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center |
| Mile 9.8 – Disney’s Contemporary Resort | 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort |
| Mile 10.3 – Magic Kingdom Park- Main Street, U.S.A. Area | 5:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center, exit monorail and walk down ramp, follow overhead signs and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom Park. *Theme park admission ticket not necessary before 7:30 a.m.* |
| Mile 12.0 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | 5:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa |
| Mile 12.5- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | 5:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort |
| Mile 16.5 – 17 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom | 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | In park viewing is accessible to guests who purchase theme park tickets that are valid on race day |
| Mile 23.1 – 23.3 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | In park viewing is accessible to guests who purchase theme park tickets that are valid on race day. Guests must take WDW Transportation (buses or FriendShip Boats). |
| Mile 24 – 24.4 – Disney’s Boardwalk | 6:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Accessible via Disney’s Boardwalk |
| Mile 24.6 – 25.3 Epcot | 10:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | In park viewing is accessible to guests who purchase theme park tickets that are valid on race day |
| Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot |
Princess Half Marathon Weekend Cheer Spots
Ready to cheer on your favorite Princess?
Here are the best cheer locations for spectators at the 2023 runDisney Princess Half weekend.
2023 Princess 5K Spectator Locations
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
2023 Princess 10K Spectator Locations
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot |
| Finish –Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot |
If you have a car and can make it to Hollywood Studios, you could also cheer here. This would be about mile 4 on the route.
If you are staying at the Boardwalk Hotels or can get an Uber to one of them, you can also cheer along the Boardwalk between miles 4 and 5. You’d want to go to the Boardwalk Inn side of things as the race does not go past the Beach or Yacht Club.
2023 Princess Half Marathon Spectator Locations: runDisney Spectator Guide
All spectators for the Half Marathon will be directed to Hollywood Studios for parking and will be bussed over to Epcot.
It also appears that the roads may close earlier to accommodate the new start line.
Please plan accordingly if you wish to see the start of the Princess Half from Epcot by arriving to Hollywood Studios early!
| LOCATION | TIME | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Start – Epcot Explore Lot | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | Accessible ONLY by foot from Epcot Parking Lot |
| Mile 3.6 – Ticket & Transportation Center | 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. | Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center |
| Mile 4.4 – Disney’s Contemporary Resort | 5:15 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort |
| Mile 4.8 – Magic Kingdom Park- Main Street, U.S.A. Area | 5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center, exit monorail and walk down ramp, follow overhead signs and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom Park. *Theme park admission ticket not necessary before 7:30 a.m.* |
| Mile 6.7 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | 5:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa |
| Mile 7.1- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | 5:15 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort |
| Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot | 5:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot |
2023 Springtime Surprise Spectator Locations
- 5K: only available at the start and finish lines in the Epcot parking lot.
- 10K: only officially available at the start and finish lines in the Epcot parking lot, but the route does encompass the Boardwalk. If you are able to make it to one of those hotels, you can see runners there. You can also see the runners as they enter Epcot from the Epcot bus stations. This would be between miles 2 and 3.
- 10-Miler: only officially available at the start and finish lines in the Epcot parking lot, but the route does encompass the Boardwalk. If you are able to make it to one of those hotels, you can see runners there. You could also cheer from the Hollywood Studios parking lot if you are able to get to that location. The race starts at 5am so the runners will be through these areas well before Disney transportation begins running. It may be a challenge to see them at Hollywood Studios unless you have a vehicle. You could potentially Uber/Lyft to the Boardwalk hotel area (but your mileage may vary on if security will let you through). You may also see the runners as they enter Epcot from the Epcot bus stations. You’d park in the Epcot parking lot and walk all the way to the right in order to see the runners re-enter the park. This would be between miles 8 and 9.
Can You Hand Out Drinks Or Snacks To Your runDisney Runners?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot hand out drinks or snacks to runners along the runDisney racecourses anymore.
You can share fun race signs and ring those cowbells!
Spectator Tips For runDisney Events: runDisney spectator guide
- Bring a sign! They really help make the miles go by for the runners on the course.
- Be loud! Clap, cheer, encourage, cowbell- whatever works for you can help keep the energy up for the runners on the course.
- Know what your runner looks like! This is HUGE- and helpful if your runner is in costume. Picking out a Goofy Hat is easier to see than someone in basic black Nike athletic gear!
- Wear something distinct so your runner can find YOU! A bight shirt or big hat is always a good way to stand out in the crowd.
- Stay to the end if you can. The Back of the Pack is the most wonderful experience of the human spirit to witness, and they will appreciate you for staying!
We hope this runDisney spectator guide will help you cheer those magical miles!
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Patty Holliday has been running Disney since 2011. She knows just about every tip, trick, and hack there is to cover the runDisney Magical Miles at Disney World and Disneyland. She knows every mile isn’t *always* magical- but with training, tips, and a little bit of pixie dust, they can be a lot of fun! You can also find her at noguiltlife.com and noguiltfangirl.com