Thousands of people will anxiously be sitting in front of their computers, smart phones and other devices the morning of June 24 desperately hoping they are one of the lucky ones.
Hoping they win the lottery – the RunDisney lottery.
This October kicks off another year of RunDisney, a series of race weekends that take place at both Walt Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in California. Each year the races grow in popularity making it harder and harder to earn a coveted race bib.
They are known to attract a variety of people from all over the world including hard-core runners, hard-core Disney fans, casual runners and even fast walkers who take part to enjoy all the pomp and circumstance that comes with these events.
“It’s a very safe, comfortable running environment,” said Heidi Pickert, a senior manager for RunDisney Sports Development. “What better place to run than through our theme parks. There is nothing more amazing than walking, (and running) through EPCOT as the sun is coming up.”
Pickert shared tips with USA Today Network on how to better your chances of securing a spot in a RunDisney race.
Before RunDisney registration opens
Go to the RunDisney.com well before registration opens and create an account.
This is where you’ll create a username and password and enter in basic information. Doing this in advance will save a good amount of time on registration day.
All RunDisney events require participants to have a valid MyDisney account. You can create a MyDisney account directly from the race registration form or RunDisney.com
Morning RunDisney registration opens
Stay connected to the RunDisney website and all the RunDisney social media accounts.
This will have all the latest and most up-to-date information on registration including important dates and times. Registration on June 24th opens at 10 a.m. ET. That is for the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World, which is Feb. 26 – March 2, 2026.
Have all the information you will need to register nearby. That includes your average pace time, T-shirt size, email address, home address and birthday.
You will need this for all the people you are registering. There is no limit as to how many people you can register. However, the more people you register, the longer it takes to complete the registration process.
Be ready moments before registration for RunDisney opens
Log into your RunDisney account a few minutes before registration actually opens.
Find the event you want to register for and click “register now.”
Are virtual queues part of RunDisney registration?
Yes.
Once you click “register now,” you are randomly assigned a place in the virtual queue.
When your turn comes up, enter the asked information and complete the process as quickly as possible.
Your spot is not held until you see confirmation on the screen. You also will get a confirmation email. If you do not get that confirmation email, reach out to RunDisney.
What if the RunDisney races sell out before you can register?
There’s still a chance to take part.
RunDisney officials do not comment on the exact number of participants accepted to each race. Although, the number varies for each one changes depending on several factors including the location, route, time, etc.
“We are constantly evaluating,” Pickert said. “We want to make sure it’s a safe and enjoyable course for everyone.”
She recommended people reach out to one of the many RunDisney charity partners that often will enter runners on behalf of the charity in exchange for fundraising.
What is the cost to take part in a RunDisney race?
Cost depends on the race length and location.
Guests can pay the registration fee using a credit card, Disney Rewards card and even a Disney gift card.
Do you need to purchase a theme park ticket to participate?
Nope.
While many of the races will go through the theme parks, they all start and end in the parking lot.
Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Trying to register for a RunDisney event? Officials give tips on how to make the cut
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer, Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
