It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for the 2024 Disney Princess Half Weekend. The first Princess Half Marathon was back in 2009, making this the 16th year for the event (including virtual races during the pandemic). The races take place over the course of three days, with additional days for the Expo event at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports and for Disney Princess Yoga after the races. To make things as smooth and simple as possible this weekend, whether it’s your first race or your 100th, here’s everything you’ll need at your fingertips for the whole weekend in one place.

General Details

The 2024 Princess Half Marathon Weekend takes place this coming weekend. The Expo event begins tomorrow, Thursday, February 22, 2024. Races are over the following 3 days, with the Disney Princess 5K is on Friday, February 23, the Disney Princess 10K is on Saturday, February 24, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Sunday, February 25. Then we close out the weekend with Disney Princess Yoga on Monday, February 26.

If you are participating in any of the weekend’s races, be sure to log into your runDisney account before heading to Expo to complete your waiver form. If you haven’t gotten it via email, you can also download your Check-In Pass for Expo once you’re logged into your account.

Expo – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Schedule:

• Day 1: Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 10:00am – 8:00pm 
• Day 2: Friday, February 23, 2024 | 11:00am – 7:00pm 
• Day 3: Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm

All race participants will need to go to the Expo at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports before their race to pick up their race bibs. You aren’t allowed to have someone pick up your bib for you, so make sure that you’ll be able to get there at least a day before your event. When you go, you’ll bring your Check-In Pass (printed or screenshot/digital are both fine) and a valid photo ID with you.

You can drive yourself to Expo. Parking is very straightforward and generally readily available. You can also use Disney’s provided Expo transportation from the resorts. It generally runs back and forth all day from 30 minutes before Expo opening to 30 minutes after Expo close. 

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

• Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 9:30am – 8:30pm
• Friday, February 23, 2024 | 10:30am – 7:30pm
• Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 10:30am – 3:30pm

You’ll pick up your race bib in the State Farm Field House with your valid photo ID, your Check-In Pass, and your digitally signed waiver (they’ve generally just checked to make sure that your Check-In Pass indicates that it’s been signed). Then you’ll pick up your race shirt(s) and gEAR Bag in the Athletic Center. If your shirts don’t fit, you can exchange your size for a different one there too so long as they have the new size available.

Virtual Queue

On the first day of Expo, Thursday, February 22, 2024, there will be a virtual queue for the runDisney Merchandise Shop at Expo. This will be the only way to shop on the first day, so make sure to join if you plan to shop on Thursday. You can join the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app at 8:30 a.m. Eastern that morning. If you need detailed instructions on how to join, you can find them right here under “Virtual Queue Process”. runDisney suggests that you plan to arrive at Expo when you have about 60 minutes remaining on your estimated wait time.

runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Race Events

Before we dig into each individual event, here’s some information that will apply no matter what you’re running.

New Costume Guidelines

runDisney updated their costume guidelines recently and has done a good job trying to clarify the new rules. Here’s a general overview. You can find the full language here under “Costuming Guidelines”.

Participants may dress as their favorite character, but must follow these guidelines:

• Costumes must be family-friendly and not obstructive or violent.
• Participants aged 14 and up may not wear masks. (Participants 13 and younger may wear masks, but eyes must be visible and they shouldn’t cover the whole face.)
• Costumes may not drag on the ground or include sharp objects or weapons that could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
• No layered costumes that don’t follow the natural contour of the body. (I.e., if you could hide something prohibited under it, it’s not permitted.) Layered clothes like tutus and cold weather gear are expressly permitted.
• No costumes or props that are inflatable, physically connect two or more participants, surround the whole body with hard edges (e.g., don’t be the Up house), or otherwise present a safety hazard (e.g. don’t carry King Triton’s trident). Small, inflatable or otherwise soft props are expressly permitted.
• Tutus, transparent wings and hats/headwear are okay so long as they don’t cover your face.
• Capes must be waist length or shorter.

Transportation and Arrival at the Race

runDisney recommends that you arrive no later than 4:00 a.m. for the races, but traditionally people will start to arrive well before 3 a.m., so arrive early if you plan to try to get character pictures before the races. The lines get long very quickly. 

Participants and spectators who are staying on property are encouraged to use the provided runDisney event transportation. You’ll find transportation times and pick-up locations posted on signs in the lobby of your resort. 

There will only be monorail transportation during Sunday’s Princess Half Marathon, not for the 5K or 10K. The Skyliner will not be running as transportation to any of the races.

If you plan to drive, you will need to park in the EPCOT parking lot. Parking is free before 6:00 a.m. on race mornings. Here is the lot map that Disney has provided, but don’t stress about memorizing this–there will be people to guide you in. If you’re using a ride share service, follow the signs to the designated drop off area.

2024 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Staging Map

Maps for road closures for the 10K and Half Marathon are below, as well as further details on transportation for each race.

If you’d like a little extra magic (and convenience) in your transportation, Minnie Vans are also available to on property participants. If you’re interested in this paid option, you can ask for more information at your resort.

gEAR Bag Check

The clear plastic bag that you get your race shirts in at Expo will serve as your gEAR Bag for the weekend if you want to use one. gEAR Bag check is available for all three of the races. You’ll find it in the staging area before the race. Here is a map of the area generally, but, again, don’t feel the need to memorize anything. There are plenty of people there to help if you have questions.

runDisney Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Reunion / Staging Area Map

I’ve covered gEAR Check in detail in other articles. If you need more information about how the process works or what you should bring, it’s right here.

Race Bib and Start Group Assignment

For each race, your start group is indicated by a letter in the upper corner of your bib. You’ll be able to enter the start area and your corral at the following times:

runDisney Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2024 Start Group Opening and Closing Times

Medical

If you need medical assistance before, during, or after the race, they are there to help! Medical stations will be located on each course as well as at the finish line. You can also look for medical personnel riding the course on bikes, in the finish chute and walking around the family reunion area. You should also fill out the Emergency Medical Information area on the back of your race bib. 

Weather

It’s likely to be a chilly weekend, especially as we wait to start before sunrise!! Definitely have mylar blankets handy if you tend to get cold. You can also bring clothing or blankets to bundle up while you wait. When you start to run, you can take it off and cast it aside somewhere off of the course. Disney’s Textile Services team follows along at the back end of the race and collects all of the layers of clothing that runners remove. The clothing is then laundered on site and donated to people in need.

I’ve listed my go to items for cold race mornings before–you can find everything here.

Disney PhotoPass – Race Photos

Disney PhotoPass® Photographers will be on the course and at the finish line taking your photos. To view them, you’ll need to link them at Disneyworld.com/PhotoPass or on the My Disney Experience app. To link your photos, enter the following codes, replacing the xxxxx with your bib number. If your bib number has less than 5 digits, start with 0s.

• Disney Princess 5K: 2024 PRIN S5Kx xxxx 
• Disney Princess Enchanted 10K: 2024 PRIN 10Kx xxxx 
• Disney Princess Half Marathon: 2024 PRIN HLFx xxxx 

It’s great to get PhotoPass for your race weekend trips, as it will include all of your pictures from Expo and the races. Otherwise, you’ll be buying them a là carte.

Spectator Guide

You’ll find spectator viewing areas for each race in the sections that follow. Generally, Disney does not allow spectators to watch the race on open roadways or overpasses. They also ask that you not hand out any food or drinks to athletes on the course. To volunteer at official water or food stops for future races, you can email celebratedcharityvolunteer@disneysports.com.

If you’re making a sign, try using the brightest paper you can find to help your athlete find you, especially before sunrise. A friend of mine wears a neon hat to cheer for his husband and it makes him so easy to spot in the crowds on Main Street! Knowing your athlete’s pace and tracking them on the course can help you to know when and where to look for them. And be realistic if you plan to cheer in more than one location (e..g, on the course and at the finish line) as transportation can be slow moving on race days. It’s good to know your priorities going into the morning.

runDisney Disney Princess 5K

• Theme: Ariel’s “Part of Your World” 5K
• Date: Friday, February 23, 2024 | 5:00am – 8:30am
• Transportation: Athletes and spectators should arrive at EPCOT by 4:00 am for all of the races. Transportation times and pick-up locations for on property resort guests will be posted on signs in the lobby of each resort. There will not be monorail or Disney Skyliner transportation during the 5K or 10K. Details for participants who plan to drive is in the general race information section above.

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

• • Resorts to Start Line 3:00am – 5:00am
  • Finish Line to Resorts 6:30am – 8:30am
• Course: Start and finish, EPCOT parking lot

runDisney 2024 Disney Princess 5K – Course Map

• • PhotoPass Link: 2024 PRIN S5Kx xxxx (replace xxxxx with your bib number)

• Corral Start Group Opening and Closing Times

runDisney Disney Princess 5K Corral/Start Group Opening and Closing Times

• Additional Spectator Information:

runDisney Disney Princess 5K – Spectator Viewpoints

runDisney Disney Princess 10K

• Theme: Rapunzel’s “Tangled Up” 10K
• Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 5:00am – 8:00am
• Transportation: Athletes and spectators should arrive at EPCOT by 4:00 am for all of the races. Transportation times and pick-up locations for on property resort guests will be posted on signs in the lobby of each resort. There will not be monorail or Disney Skyliner transportation during the 5K or 10K. 

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

• Resorts to Start Line 3:00am – 5:00am
• Finish Line to Resorts 6:30am – 9:00am

Details for participants who plan to drive is in the general race information section above. This is the road closure map provided by Disney for that morning:

• Course: Start and finish, EPCOT parking lot

runDisney 2024 Disney Princess 10K – Course Map

• PhotoPass Link: 2024 PRIN 10Kx xxxx (replace xxxxx with your bib number)

• Corral Start Group Opening and Closing Times

runDisney Princess 10K Corral/Start Group Opening and Closing Times

• Additional Spectator Information: Spectators can follow their runners’ split times for the 10K and Half Marathon by inputting their information here.

runDisney Disney Princess 10K – Spectator Viewpoints

• Official Race Results: The official race results for the 10K and Half Marathon will be posted on the evening of each race.

runDisney Princess Half Marathon

• Theme: Tiana’s “Almost There” Half Marathon
• Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 5:00am – 9:30am
• Transportation: Athletes and spectators should arrive at EPCOT by 4:00 am for all of the races. Transportation times and pick-up locations for on property resort guests will be posted on signs in the lobby of each resort. There will be monorail transportation for the Half Marathon. 

Bus Transportation Times to/from all Disney Resorts (except below), Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts:

• • Resorts to Start Line 2:30am – 4:30am
  • Finish Line to Resorts 6:00am – 10:30am

Guests staying at Magic Kingdom Resorts MUST use Monorail transportation to EPCOT for the Half Marathon:

• • Monorail to EPCOT 2:30am
  • Monorail EPCOT to Magic Kingdom 4:30am

There will not be Disney Skyliner transportation to any of the races this weekend.

Details for participants who plan to drive is in the general race information section above. This is the road closure map provided by Disney for the morning of the Half Marathon:

• Course: Start and finish, EPCOT parking lot

runDisney 2024 Disney Princess Half Marathon – Course Map

• • PhotoPass Link: 2024 PRIN HLFx xxxx (replace xxxxx with your bib number)

• Corral Start Group Opening and Closing Times

runDisney Princess Half Marathon Corral/Start Group Opening and Closing Times

• Additional Spectator Information: Spectators can follow their runners’ split times for the 10K and Half Marathon by inputting their information here.

runDisney Disney Princess Half Marathon – Spectator Viewpoints

• Official Race Results: The official race results for the 10K and Half Marathon will be posted on the evening of each race.

runDisney Disney Fairytale Challenge

Runners registered for the Disney Fairytale Challenge will run both the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday and will receive a third medal at the end of the Half Marathon for completing the challenge. You need to be registered for the challenge specifically to get the additional medal–you won’t get it for registering for and running each of the 10K and Half Marathon separately. This year’s challenge is themed to Frozen’s Anna and Elsa.

Disney Princess Yoga

The race weekend ends with Princess Yoga in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. This is a one hour yoga experience on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 5:30 a.m. Each participant will be provided with a yoga mat and carrying strap and bottled water. Parking in the Magic Kingdom lot is free until 5:00 a.m.   

Guests should complete their digital waivers beforehand and bring their ID and Check-In Pass to check in for the event. Check in begins at 4:00 a.m. at the Transportation and Ticket Center, with the parking lot itself opening at 3:45 a.m. Guests will be transported to Magic Kingdom on the ferry. Transportation to the Magic Kingdom entrance will stop at 5:00 a.m. so guests must arrive prior to that time. Note that if you’re staying at a Magic Kingdom resort you will not be able to use the walking paths to Magic Kingdom, as they will still be closed.

There will be limited event transportation for this event with only one pick up per resort, so be mindful of the schedule if you plan to use it. This is the schedule as provided by runDisney. The details will also be available at your resort.

Disney Springs Deals for Runners

If you head to Disney Springs over the weekend, be sure to bring your race bib or medal. Lots of shops and restaurants are offering deals for race participants. You can find a list right here: https://www.rundisneyexpo.run/disney-springs 

Disney Water Parks

Also…it’s going to be a little chillier this weekend, but as the day gets warmer after the race you can also make use of a the deal being offered to runners for Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. During race week, participants and up to 3 guests can get a one-day ticket to the park for $32.00+tax, which is half the usual day entry price. (Valid 2/22-2/28/2024)

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And that’s a wrap on the run down!! Watch here and on my Instagram @thecastlerunner over the weekend for live updates on the races and recaps after each event. I try to start near the front of the race and provide coverage throughout during, especially for the 5K and 10K. I’ll also be at Expo early tomorrow covering the process and official merchandise. 

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