If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this week, you may notice Disney Adults are running around with a little extra sparkle! As MouseHouseNews.net reported last month, the 2026 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is taking place February 26th – March 2nd. This event brings tens of thousands of runners, spectators, and supporters to the resort. Princess Half Marathon Weekend is one of the most anticipated February events at Walt Disney World, with noticeable impacts on crowds and transportation at the resort hotels and in the parks.
Disney Adults attending the event will be lacing up their sneakers to participate in 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon races starting Friday. However, participants will likely start arriving mid-week so they can get an early start on their theme park visits and also to attend the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. This expo is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and will be open Thursday – Saturday. Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is a lot of fun, but you need to be aware of the event’s impact even if you are not participating. Here’s how it can affect your trip this week.
Resort Hotel Impacts
If you are staying at a Disney Resorts Collection Hotel, you likely noticed the first impact already. The nightly price you pay for your room is higher this weekend. This is simply a supply and demand situation. The flood of people descending on Disney World for the event means demand for rooms goes up and supply of available rooms decreases. You might have even seen hotels sold out of the room type you want, particularly the closer to the event you booked your reservation.
You may also notice the following impacts:
- Public spaces (lobbies, food courts, pools) feel busier than usual
- Elevators and transportation areas may be more crowded during peak times
- Guests will often spot elaborate race costumes, medals, and themed gear throughout the resorts
Additionally, participation in the races requires that runners wake up overnight to arrive to the race well before sunrise. This means that you should be prepared for overnight activity around you starting Friday, as buses for the races start running around 2:30 AM each morning. If you are not participating in a race and would like to minimize sleep disruption, politely ask a Cast Member for a room on a higher floor and away from elevators when you check in this week. This is especially important for resort rooms with exterior doors such as Disney’s Pop Century or the Village Rooms at Coronado Springs. It might also help to bring some earplugs with you just in case.
Transportation Impacts
There are typically road closures and detours that happen with runDisney events, as some of the race routes take runners onto roads. This is, of course, to ensure safety of participants. Usually these changes are minimal and have an effect during the morning hours. The day you will find the most extensive transportation impacts will be on Sunday during the Half Marathon event. These closures are typically along World Drive and in the EPCOT and Magic Kingdom areas, so heads up if you are driving. Even if you are using Disney transportation, however, you might notice the following:
- Longer resort bus ride times
- Delays for guests heading to park opening, dining reservations, and tours
- Increased congestion near Skyliner and monorail stations
Given this information, it is a wise move to allow extra time getting around Walt Disney World this upcoming weekend. If you are staying at a resort within walking distance to a park, you might consider getting some steps in.
Park Impacts
The Disney Princess Half Marathon attracts people from all over the world. Like other runDisney events, everyone wants to be part of the magic. However, if you read MouseHouseNews.net, you already know to correlate increased crowds with longer wait times at the theme parks. You’ll need to pack a little bit of extra patience if you are visiting this upcoming weekend so everyone can experience the same magic. You may want to also consider purchasing Lightning Lanes if you are prioritizing rides during this trip. One other note, specifically for Disney Adults visiting EPCOT on Sunday, March 1st:
Due to the Disney Princess Half Marathon, EPCOT will have a delayed opening and will open at 10 AM. This means that guests with the Early Theme Park Admission perk will be able to enter starting at 9:30 AM on March 1st.
These impacts to your Disney World vacation are not bad; it’s just good to be aware before you get there. Disney Adults will still have a great vacation, and the race participants are tons of fun to be around! Even if you’re not participating in any of the races, you can show your support by wearing a little extra sparkle yourself! If you can’t beat them, join them! For those visiting Walt Disney World this week, have fun! Be sure to visit MouseHouseNews.net for more information to help you plan your next trip.
