runDisney registration can feel as stressful as race day itself. In this episode I walk through how it works and what you can do to give yourself the best odds: when registration opens, the three ways in before the general public (Perfect status, Club runDisney Gold and Platinum, and Run for a Cause), how the virtual waiting room works, why a few open windows help, and what to have ready before you check out. Then Club runDisney's tiers, prices and perks, proof of time, how start groups and corrals work, and why the Balloon Ladies are on your side. This is Chapter Four of The runDisney Companion.

Registration details change often. Everything here is current as of October 2026, so double-check on rundisney.com before your registration day.

LINKS
This episode's article: https://thecastlerun.com/registration
The free Registration Day Checklist and the rest of the printables: https://thecastlerun.com/printables
Pacing calculator (how much time you'll have on the course): https://thecastlerun.com/cushion
The new 5K format at Wine & Dine 2026, explained: https://thecastlerun.com/wine-dine-2026-5k-changes/
Running Wine & Dine this week? My 2026 guide: https://thecastlerun.com/wine-dine-2026-guide/
run. eet. repeat. Book signing at eet, Thursday, October 22, 3–6 p.m., benefiting Kellsie's Hope: https://thecastlerun.com/eetWD
MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel: https://thecastlerun.com/MEI

NEXT WEEK
Training: how to pick a training plan, why a schedule matters, training on tired legs for a challenge, testing your fuel, and tapering.

THE BOOK: The runDisney Companion — https://thecastlerun.com/book
UPDATES: the Companion Hub — https://thecastlerun.com/companion/
New episodes Tuesdays at 5 a.m.

Book partners are sponsors of the book. There's no affiliate relationship; I don't earn anything when you book with them.

The Castle Run podcast and The runDisney Companion are not endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Disney or runDisney.

runDisney feels like it has been around forever. It hasn't. The name itself only dates to 2010, and the first Walt Disney World Marathon was in January 1994, with about 5,600 runners.

In this episode I follow the thread of each of today's four race weekends back to where it started: Marathon Weekend, from that first marathon to the half, Goofy and Dopey; Wine & Dine, from the Disney Classic 10K and the Tower of Terror 13K to the night half marathon; Princess, from Mini Marathon Weekend to the race that changed who runs runDisney; and Springtime Surprise, by way of Disneyland, Tinker Bell, Star Wars and the Rival Run. This is Chapter Two of The runDisney Companion.

LINKS
This episode's article and the runDisney history timeline printable: https://thecastlerun.com/history
All the printables: https://thecastlerun.com/printables
Running Wine & Dine this month? My 2026 guide: https://thecastlerun.com/wine-dine-2026-guide/
The new 5K start groups at Wine & Dine 2026, explained: https://thecastlerun.com/wine-dine-2026-5k-changes/
run. eet. repeat. Book signing at eet, Thursday, October 22, 3–6 p.m., benefiting Kellsie's Hope: https://thecastlerun.com/eetWD
MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel: https://thecastlerun.com/MEI

NEXT WEEK
Registration: how it works, how to maximize your chances, proof of time and Club runDisney.

THE BOOK: The runDisney Companion — https://thecastlerun.com/book
UPDATES: the Companion Hub — https://thecastlerun.com/companion/
New episodes Tuesdays at 5 a.m.

Book partners are sponsors of the book. There's no affiliate relationship; I don't earn anything when you book with them.

The Castle Run podcast and The runDisney Companion are not endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Disney or runDisney.

Four runDisney race weekends, one season, and one question: which one is yours? Here's how to choose — and why you shouldn't overthink it.

In this episode I walk through Wine & Dine, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Princess, and Springtime Surprise: when each one falls, the longest race, the challenge, the theme, which courses run through Magic Kingdom, and who each weekend is for. This is Chapter Three of The runDisney Companion.

2026–27 SEASON
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: October 22–25, 2026
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 6–10, 2027
Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 25 – March 1, 2027
Springtime Surprise Weekend: April 8–11, 2027

LINKS
The new 5K start groups at Wine & Dine 2026, explained: https://thecastlerun.com/wine-dine-2026-5k-changes/
MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel: https://thecastlerun.com/go/MEI

NEXT WEEK
The history of runDisney, and how each of these race weekends came to be.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Cold open
0:11 Welcome to episode two
1:12 Don't overthink it: what every race weekend shares
2:36 What's different: timing, distance, challenge, theme, course
4:30 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
5:39 Age requirements by distance
6:11 My first Wine & Dine, and its night-race roots
8:50 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
12:49 Why Dopey makes this my favorite weekend
14:15 Princess Half Marathon Weekend
16:12 My first race
18:38 Springtime Surprise Weekend
22:01 Virtual races
22:48 So which one? Don't overthink it
23:36 The book, updates, and MEI-Travel
24:10 What's next

THE BOOK: The runDisney Companion — https://thecastlerun.com/book
UPDATES: the Companion Hub — https://thecastlerun.com/companion/
New episodes Tuesdays at 5 a.m.

Book partners are sponsors of the book. There's no affiliate relationship; I don't earn anything when you book with them.

The Castle Run podcast and The runDisney Companion are not endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Disney or runDisney.