Merida, Moana, and Rapunzel: My 2026 RunDisney Princess Half Marathon Recap

In this episode of Design for Adventure, I am diving into a full recap of my recent trip to Walt Disney World for the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. This was my fifth time participating in this event since 2011, and I brought along my mom, my two best friends, and my two children for a fun-filled girls' weekend. I break down everything from the registration "disaster"—where two of my friends had to secure charity bibs—to the logistics of staying in a two-bedroom suite at Bay Lake Tower using DVC points.Key Highlights from the Weekend: • The Expo Experience: I share my honest (and slightly frustrated) thoughts on the "insane" amount of unnecessary walking required to get bibs and why I think the quality of the participant shirts has gone downhill. • Race Morning Logistics: I discuss the massive benefit of staying on the monorail loop, which made getting to the starting line at 3:30 a.m. significantly less stressful than taking a bus. • Corral Strategy & Pacing: Despite having a proof of time for Corral A, I chose to start in Corral B to run with my friend. We utilized a strategy of running the first three miles without stopping to get ahead of the crowds, which allowed us to hit shorter character lines later in the race. • Characters & Costumes: We counted a record 19 characters on the course this year! I talk about our group costume as the Wicked Stepsisters and Lady Tremaine. • Post-Race Recovery: Why I believe walking through Epcot after a race is better for your legs than napping, and our traditional post-race breakfast with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. • The PhotoPass Investment: I highly recommend the Memory Maker/PhotoPass package, especially for military families who can get it at a discount, as it captures all your race and park memories without you having to pull out your phone. • My Favorite Medal Display for my RunDisney Medals: https://amzn.to/4wLjmML (Affiliate link) Whether you are a seasoned runDisney veteran or are thinking about signing up for the first time when registration opens in June, I hope these tips on pacing, planning, and recovery help you cross that finish line with a smile. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure: • Instagram: @DesignForAdventurePod • Facebook: Design for Adventure • Pinterest: Designed for Adventure Podcast (  / designedforadventurepodcast  ) • E-Mail: [email protected] • Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life! (My earn a small commission from the link)