Does RunDisney Include Park Admission?
Most runDisney events include park admission as a form of compensation to volunteers who help put them together. Unfortunately, Disney recently changed this benefit without warning to volunteers – meaning many racers were only rewarded with half a day’s ticket instead of the full day they had worked so hard for!
Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours is a ticketed special event that provides limited entry to select theme parks, offering reduced wait times on rides and attractions. It’s an ideal way to make the most of your Walt Disney World visit if you’re partial to Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
On these special nights, many rides are open and character meet-and-greets available. Take a leisurely walk around the park at night to experience it with less crowds.
Plan ahead and ensure you don’t miss anything during this busy period. Arrive at the park a few hours early for the best experience, plus it will give you time to ride some of your favorite rides before other visitors arrive.
In addition to these advantages, your ticket also includes unlimited popcorn and ice cream bars (if they’re still available) as well as complimentary bottled beverages. Furthermore, you’ll receive a wristband that allows you to bypass line entry at certain attractions during the event.
Disney After Hours are an exclusive three-hour nighttime event available at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Tickets for these events usually go on sale several months ahead, providing guests with the chance to explore the park after regular hours with minimal crowds.
Tickets range in cost from $129-$159 per person, depending on when and which park you select. However, annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members often qualify for discounts on their tickets.
This three-hour event gives you the perfect chance to ride popular rides such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Millennium Falcon and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway without waiting in long queues or standby lines. Plus, meet Woody and Bo Peep in Toy Story Land before seeing Chip & Dale up close at Centerstage!
Disney After Hours events tend to sell out quickly due to their newness; some guests don’t know about them or can’t justify spending extra money. So if you’re on a tight budget or prefer not to spend your day in the park watching parades and characters, Disney After Hours might not be your ideal solution.
Festivals
Walt Disney World offers a vast array of events throughout the year, but some are more popular than others. These include numerous runDisney races, food festivals and other special occasions.
Your ticket to Disneyland includes access to all three parks at no additional charge, giving you even more reason for a magical vacation. They make for an enjoyable addition to your already packed itinerary and guarantee an extra memorable experience.
Disney offers a festive atmosphere during the Christmas season with plenty of entertainment for all ages. There are holiday stage shows and parades, festive decorations throughout the parks, as well as exclusive meals at select restaurants.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, there are plenty of holiday-themed attractions. Additionally, Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch perform traditional holiday songs with a modern spin in Totally Tomorrowland Christmas – an intergalactic musical revue featuring Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch.
One of the most renowned events is Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, held annually in spring. This stunning festival boasts abundant blooms, live music performances and delicious cuisine.
Walt Disney World hosts one of its most beloved events, featuring a large festival village with food from around the world, as well as a screened butterfly house and live concerts.
The event also features the Voices of Liberty, an eight-part a cappella singing group who perform on multiple nights.
For runners, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend each January features several races throughout the theme park – Goofy’s Race & Half Challenge, Dopey Challenge, runDisney Kids Races, Walt Disney World 5K & 10K as well as the headline event: the Walt Disney World Marathon.
Running enthusiasts should register early for these races, as they tend to sell out quickly. If you’re interested in running one of these events, keep an eye out for registration openings in 2022.
The Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, part of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, is an exciting race weekend with special events and medals for all finishers. This makes it a great weekend for both new and experienced runners alike – there are plenty of challenges along the way as well as chances to earn those coveted regal medals!
Extras
One of the wonderful aspects of visiting Walt Disney World is all of the experiences available outside the theme parks. From sports and spas to backstage tours and beyond, there truly is something for everyone!
While these activities might not be as popular as the Parks themselves, they still provide a fun way to spend a day at Disney World. Plus, if you’re staying at one of Disney’s owned resort hotels, you might even get to take part in these activities as an exclusive guest!
For foodies or those wanting to experience the creative genius behind Walt Disney World, there are plenty of culinary experiences available. Book a Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s or Flying Fish to witness how food is prepared in the kitchen.
Another option is taking a tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Epcot, where you can learn about the magic that goes into creating these incredible places. This tour is small and intimate, making it an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with those responsible for these remarkable structures.
Many of these extras come standard in your package, but some require an additional upcharge to cover the cost. These fees can range anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars and usually prove worthwhile.
On Halloween, the Boo Bash event at the Parks offers Guests reduced capacity, shorter wait times on popular attractions and complimentary sweet treats. It’s an ideal way to extend their visit!
On select holidays, the Holiday Celebration Party provides an exciting way for Guests to have some holiday fun. At this event, they can take advantage of reduced Park capacity, watch a festive cavalcade parade and interact with characters in an upbeat atmosphere.
In addition to the premium engagements included with Park tickets, Walt Disney World hosts a number of special events throughout the year. These can be an excellent opportunity to explore more of what the Parks have to offer at an additional cost and are definitely worth it!