Course Map
About this Race
The Walt Disney World Marathon is a celebration disguised as a road race, a flat course in Orlando that runs through all four Disney theme parks, past the castle and the iconic attractions in the pre-dawn Florida darkness. The terrain is gentle, but the very early start, the costumed crowds, and the photo stops with characters define an experience built around fun rather than speed. Held in January, it still contends with Florida's warmth and humidity as the morning wears on. The magic and the park backdrops are the entire point, not the finishing time. It suits runners who want a joyful, family-friendly bucket-list event and treat the day as a celebration over a competitive effort.
Course Insight
Disney is a celebration more than a race: a flat, pre-dawn January course that runs through all four theme parks with character photo stops, fireworks and crowds, run in surprising Florida humidity. Pace for the warmth and the stop-start rhythm rather than a clean split, and embrace the experience. The flat terrain is easy, but the early start and humidity are real. Treat it as a festive long run with magic woven in. Run relaxed and the parks carry you through.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to very flat, lots of turns.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 69m
- Elevation loss
- 70m
- Highest point
- 31m
- Lowest point
- 21m
- Net elevation
- -1m
- Start
- Near Epcot (Walt Disney World)
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:11:50 — Leonid Shvetsov (Russia), 1995
- Women's
- 2:31:54 — Judit Nagy (Hungary), 1995
Race History
The Walt Disney World Marathon was first held in 1994 in Orlando, growing into a celebration disguised as a road race that runs through all four Disney theme parks. With its pre-dawn start, costumed crowds, and character photo stops, it built its identity around fun rather than fast times. From its founding it expanded into a hugely popular destination event and race weekend. Held each January, it draws a vast, festive field to the Florida parks.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Orlando International (MCO), Orlando Sanford (SFB) & Tampa (TPA)
- Best area to stay
- The on-property Disney resorts for race-day convenience, the International Drive area for value and proximity, and Lake Buena Vista for mid-range options near the parks.
- Getting to the start
- Use the official Disney transport: buses run from the resort hotels to the Epcot staging area in the very early morning, so allow lots of time for bag check and the long walk to corrals.