Registering For A runDisney Event: Tips From A Veteran

With Marathon Weekend registration opening to the public on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, I figured I would share my insider knowledge and give you the 411 on how to get into your preferred runDisney event. Registration Day is a big deal as races typically sell out within minutes, and with the well-known Disney IT issues we experience across the board (yup, even down to runDisney's site), you're in for a whirlwind day.

Lets cut to the chase. Registration day is stressful and can be a disappointment for many runners trying to secure their spot. My goal with this post is to help you understand what you need to do to better your chances of getting into your desired race. Now, lets get down to business...and defeat...everyone else trying to secure a bib.

runDisney has not resumed the former travel agency program and is still requiring all runners to register directly through runDisney.com. They have resumed the charity program and more and more charities have been advertising availability of runDisney race registrations- base price plus minimum fundraising requirements. You can find a list of charities participating also on runDisney's website.

What YOU need to do in advance to be prepared for registration day:

• Review the runDisney FAQs; ESPECIALLY the details in the Registration FAQ and Account Management FAQ sections!

• Have your individual runDisney account set up and ready! Have all participant details (listed below) written down and ready! 

• Should your first choice race sell out, it’s a good idea to have a second choice that you can pivot and register for!

Ready! Set! GO! At 10:00 AM EST the links on the runDisney.com site will go live. Click on the first one that goes live, regardless of which distance it is! You will be put into a random virtual queue with an estimated countdown until your turn to attempt to register (the times will increase and decrease rapidly so don’t walk away for too long)!

Tech Tips:

• You can be logged in on multiple devices, although runDisney does not encourage this, it is still a very common practice as it gives you varying wait times to watch which one puts you into the registration first. There is no proven type that works best/fastest. I will say that I personally have better luck on my laptop versus my phone.

• Lets talk about using different browsers. There is no tried and true one that has proven to work best. Each registration day seems to have different quirks and speculations as  to which browser works best, which device works best, which connectivity works best (to wifi or not to wifi, that is the question), etc. 

• That long queue ID at the bottom of your screen can travel across devices- so if you’re on laptop and need to start driving to work, copy and text yourself the ID link! 

Registration Details:

You can register other participants (minors and adults) during the registration process but you will need ALL of their demographic information:

• Email address (if over 18) that they have used to set up Disney accounts (under 18 can have the same email address as parent/guardian)

• Date of birth

• Phone number and address 

• Emergency contact and relationship to participant 

• T Shirt size (all adult sizes, Male S-XXL and Female v-neck S-XXL) 

• Any disability accommodations needed to be requested

• Pace and Data Questions:

  • Select pace option that does not require proof of time (for example- over 2 hours 45 minutes for the half)- you can go back in later and modify! 

  • For 5K or 10K pace estimates - pick one and come back later to modify

  • Affinity groups - come back to modify later

  • Number of runDisney events - come back to modify later

  • Event weekends participated in - come back to modify later 

  • Same for merchandise - skip it for now and come back into your account later

• You “should” be able to register for multiple event registrations during your online session (for example, the 5K and the Challenge) and for multiple people. You will register for one race registration, or challenge registration, completely and then register for the next. Once you've registered for all your events, you'll then come to a final payment screen. 

• Registrations are NOT final or guaranteed until payment has processed and you’ve received registration confirmation email!

• Only one method of payment is accepted for a transaction. Have your card info all ready (card number, expiration date, security code, name on card, address linked to card). 

• Again, you are NOT IN UNTIL 1. the payment screen has processed, 2. you get the registration confirmation message on the screen, and 3. double check your email and account to ensure it’s there. 

• If you’ve registered someone else, their race will be listed in your account until they get their email, log in to their account and attach their registration. 

Now to Plan all Racecation!

• On-property rooms will start selling out fast, especially with 2025 room and ticket packages already being on the market.  For best options, contact me ASAP for your free racecation quote!

• Disney requires a refundable $200 deposit for room & ticket packages, or 1-night rate refundable deposit for room-only reservations.

  • I do work with Annual Passhodlers for room-only reservations and can access  promotional discounts that become available exclusively for AP's.

  • I cannot book on DVC points, but I do often help DVC guests with their tickets and planning for a small fee.

  • I can absolutely apply your Disney Chase Rewards and Disney Gift Cards to your reservation, as well as all major credit cards for deposits and payments.

  • I help navigate the complexity of planning not only a Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation, but also with the added layer of details for a runDisney event weekend, at no additional cost to you, when you plan your trip with me!

Good luck on registration day and may the odds be ever in your favor!