RunDisney Registration Tips & Tricks

Are you ready to lace up your running shoes and take on the magic of a runDisney race? If so, you’re probably wondering how you can secure one of those hard-to-get race bibs. Read on to learn about all the runDisney registration tips and tricks so you can have the chance to run around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-timer, there’s a runDisney race for everyone

Have a Game Plan

With thousands of people trying to register for the same race, it’s important to have a plan of action. Therefore, determine which race you want to register for, have your credit card information ready, and be prepared to act quickly when registration opens.

These step-by-step tips will help you secure your registration, but they are not a guarantee:

Be prepared:
- First, make sure you know which race you want to run and have all the necessary information ready.
- This includes personal details, payment information, shirt size, and any relevant race information.
- Second, if you have to register more than one person, be sure to have their information easily accessible.
Create a runDisney account:
- Before you can register for a runDisney race, you need to create an account on the runDisney website.
- Make sure your account is set up well in advance of registration day to avoid any issues.
Create a Disney account:
- To register for a runDisney race, you will need to create a Disney account if you don’t already have one.
- This will save you time during registration.
Set aside time:
- The past has revealed that registering for the races doesn’t always go as planned.
- The runDisney site has been broken in the past on registration day. Should that happen, you must be patient
- DO NOT click refresh in your browser, or you may lose your place in the queue.
Have multiple devices ready:
- With so many people trying to register at the same time, it’s important to have a backup plan.
- Use multiple devices, such as a computer and a phone, to increase your chances of securing a spot.
Have multiple browsers ready:
- Yup, you may need to use the default Safari browser on your iPhone, and the Edge browser on your computer. (It’s quirky things like this that could make or break your chance of getting a bib.) Or 2 different browsers on one computer.
Be patient:
- Even with multiple devices, it’s possible that the registration process could take some time.
- To save a little time in the registration steps, you can skip the Proof of Time portion of the registration and go back to that later and enter your information by logging into your runDisney account.
- Don’t forget to go back and enter that information by the required due date, or else you will be assigned to the last corral. That has happened to me before and it’s not fun!
- Proof of time dates and requirements can be found on the runDisney site under each event’s details.
Consider charity packages:
- If you’re having trouble getting into a race through the regular registration process, consider signing up for a charity.
- The charity bib option may be more expensive, but it can provide guaranteed entry into the race.

runDisney Registration Dates

runDisney has published its list of events and the corresponding registration dates for the 2023/2024 races.

Walt Disney World Races Registration Dates

2023 Wine & Dine weekend (November 2-5, 2023)
– Club runDisney registration opens March 14, 2023
– General registration opens March 21, 2023
– Virtual registration opens on March 24, 2023

2024 Marathon weekend (January 3-7, 2024)
– Club runDisney registration opens April 4, 2023
– General registration opens on April 11, 2023
– Virtual registration opens on April 14, 2023

2024 Princess weekend (February 22-25, 2024)
– Club runDisney registration opens June 13, 2023
– General registration opens June 20, 2023
– Virtual registration opens June 23, 2023

2024 Springtime Surprise weekend (April 18-21, 2024)
– Club runDisney registration opens August 15, 2023
– General registration opens August 22, 2023
– Virtual registration opens on August 24, 2023

Disneyland Race Registration Dates

Disneyland half marathon weekend (January 11-14, 2024)
– Club runDisney registration opens February 7, 2023
– General registration opens February 14, 2023
– Virtual registration opens February 17, 2023

The 2023 Virtual Series themes will be announced soon and general registration opens on April 25, 2023.

runDisney Charity Bibs

There will be the chance that you won’t get registered for the race that you wanted. Certainly, don’t give up all hope just yet because you can still try to secure a race bib by choosing to run for a charity. The list of charities for each race weekend is found here:

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Participating Charities

Princess Half Marathon Weekend Participating Charities

SpringTime Surprise Weekend Participating Charities

Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Participating Charities

runDisney Registration Cost

RunDisney registration fees can vary depending on the race or challenge you wish to register for. As a general guideline, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend races can range from around $110 for the 5K up to around $220 for the marathon (single races). Pricing details broken down by race weekend can be found on the runDisney site.

Challenge registrations cost more, ranging from around $440 for the Goofy Challenge to around $660 for the Dopey Challenge. Keep in mind that prices can vary, so be sure to check the official runDisney website for the most up-to-date information.

Registering Multiple Runners

Are you planning on doing the races with your family members? You CAN register yourself and all of them at the same time. BUT, you have to register them after you complete your registration when the “Add another registration” button is at the bottom of the page. Please note, this does use up your time in the queue. If you do need to register family members or friends, if they can sign up themselves, that is ideal.

Please note there are age eligibility requirements for participants:

All participants for a 5K distance must be 5 years of age or older.
Participants for a 10K distance must be 10 years of age or older.
Participants for a Half Marathon must be 12 years of age or older.
Participants for the Two Course Challenge must be 12 years of age or older.
Age requirements for Virtual races are the same as in-person events.

Can I Register for RunDisney with a gift card?

Only one form of payment is accepted for runDisney registrations. Gift cards are accepted as a form of payment BUT you can only use ONE form of payment. Otherwise, you CANNOT use the gift card first and pay the balance on a credit card. It needs to be one or the other.

How to Cancel or Change Your runDisney Registration

What if you need to make a change to your runDisney race registration? Just be sure to check the runDisney race refund policy and transfer policy for each race. You will always have the option to contact runDisney directly and explain your situation, but the results will be determined at the discretion of runDisney. Similarly, to make a change to your registration you can contact runDisney or visit the runner relations booth at the race expo.

At the time of this blog post, race registrations are NOT transferrable as per the runDisney site:

“Sale, trade and/or transfer of race entry/bib number is strictly prohibited and may result in the disqualification of and/or banning of offenders from participating at future events. Anyone caught attempting to sell or transfer their race entry/bib to another person/participant, pick up another person’s/participant’s race entry/bib, or participate in a race using another participant’s race entry/bib, will have said race entry/bib cancelled and/or revoked, be disqualified and be removed from the race without refund.”

However, race registrations can be deferred as long as the desired race distance is not sold out. See runDisney’s policy below:

“Registrations may be transferred within the same race weekend to a longer race distance, as long as the desired race distance is not sold out. The participant must log into their runDisney account and select the registration they wish to transfer. Once the participant has selected the new distance they wish to transfer to, the participant will be prompted to pay any difference in registration price (if any) and then a transfer processing fee will be applied.”

In conclusion, the key to successfully registering for a runDisney race is to be prepared, have a plan, and be patient. Hopefully, with a little pixie dust, you will get everything you wished for and will live happily ever after! Good luck!