🏰 Preparing for the Disney Villains Half Marathon 🎃👟- Part 3

2025 Disneyland Villains Half Marathon

Has anyone ever thought about doing a half-marathon? Better yet—a Disney RunDisney half marathon? When I first signed up, I wasn’t in shape, I wasn’t a “runner,” and honestly… I half-assed the training. But here we are! My husband, daughter, and I jumped in anyway, and it’s been a journey.

If you’ve read my earlier blog, you know how we got into this crazy idea. If you read the follow-up, you’ll see how it all ended. But this post? This one’s about the prep work: the training, the travel, the budgeting, the swag, and the lessons we learned along the way.

🏃 Training: Two Very Different Journeys

• My husband: Trained consistently, 2–3 times a week, and finished his half in 2:45. (Yes, he earned bragging rights.)

• Me: I did more of a run/walk combo. Apps like Strava, Runna, Couch to 5K, and iFit helped, but I quickly learned I need music and talking coaches. Nothing keeps me moving like the right playlist. (Also, shoutout to the unicorn yelling at me in Couch to 5K—kinda loved it. 🦄)

Lesson learned: Do what works for YOU, but put the work in.

💸 Budgeting for a Disney Run

Disney isn’t cheap (shocker, right?). But there are ways to make it more doable:

• Charity Bibs → You raise money for a charity, they cover your race entry. It’s a great way in, especially last-minute. Just make sure it’s a cause close to your heart. My husband and I often choose veteran or medical charities.

• Hotels → We use our Disney Vacation Club when possible. If not, I book through Expedia (hello points!) or Priceline. Pro tip: stay close. Our Hilton was half a mile away—perfect for those tired legs.

• Flights → I use Expedia, Priceline, and sometimes Hopper. Book Tues/Wed for the best deals! And always check luggage rules—nothing worse than surprise fees with all your race swag and camera gear.

🚗 Getting There

Since we’re in California, we usually drive down using 395 or 99. But if you’re flying, check combo flights (we’ve flown United out and Southwest back—it saved us $$).

Also: avoid LA traffic. Trust me. Leave at weird hours if you must.

🛍 The Swag & The Expo

The RunDisney Expo is runner heaven. You don’t need an appointment—just show up and shop. You’ll find:

• Sparkle skirts, running shorts, shirts, and shoes

• Snacks and hydration

• Tech gear & earbuds

• And, of course, all the race swag 🛒

This year’s highlights for us:

• My daughter → her iconic Loungefly backpack + ears

• Me → a foam poster (yes, I carried it proudly 🤣), magnet, and baseball jersey (which my husband keeps eyeing)

• Husband → limited-edition Brooks shoes (still salty they didn’t have my size)

• Bonus → a lime-infused tequila Dole Whip that glowed. I don’t even drink, but OH. MY. GOSH. Worth it.

The swag is honestly one of my favorite parts. I still have goodies from the 2017 Avengers Run. Each piece feels like a little time capsule.

✨ Final Thoughts

RunDisney does an incredible job. The organization, the energy, the community—it’s addicting. Even with the challenges (training struggles, travel chaos, Balloon Ladies breathing down your neck), it’s 100% worth it.

For us, RunDisney keeps the motivation alive. We may branch out to other runs someday, but the Disney magic is hard to beat. If this is on your bucket list, don’t wait—especially since Disneyland only has one more run in January before taking a break for a couple of years.

If you’re thinking about it… go for it. Train hard, budget smart, embrace the chaos, and let the magic carry you through. 🏅✨

2025 Photo Finish with Widelux!