Marathon Weekend 2025

[nancipants]

SAFD: I am not fast so I don't stop for a lot of characters, but I like to when I can. I think my favorites so far are Perry the Platypus and Wall-E (he was before the race, though). I would love to stop for Mushu but I think I've only seen him out a couple of times and the line is always too long for me. I also love to stop for selfies with the cast members in World Showcase and Jeff Galloway if I spot him at the finish line. Oh, and Jogging Jack Sparrow! So I guess my favorite character stops are the unofficial ones!

I got selfies with the Canada CMs during my first 10k. I hope the France CMs are out early during the marathon because I want a photo with them, Les Mis style.

 

[The Expert]

I got selfies with the Canada CMs during my first 10k. I hope the France CMs are out early during the marathon because I want a photo with them, Les Mis style.

This reminds me of something fun I started a few years ago. I learned how to say "thank you" in all the languages of the World Showcase and told all the cheering CMs "thank you" in their own languages during the race! Those from Norway and China were most impressed, but they all sincerely appreciated it and I got great reactions.

Edit to add the translations, in case anyone else wants to play along:

• Mexico: Gracias
• Norway: Takk (sounds like 'tock')
• China Xièxiè (sounds like 'shay-shay')
• Germany: Danke
• Italy: Grazie
• Japan: Arigato
• Morocco: Shukran
• Frace: Merci
• United Kingdom: Thanks, mate! or Cheers!
• Canada: Thanks, eh!

 

[mtnmjd]

SAFD: I generally don't usually stop for a character unless the line is extremely short...like 10-15 people short.
I have stopped for Pluto (he borders on the must do), Donald, Buzz and Rafiki because it was only going to be a minute or two.
There are/were a few must stops for me regardless.....
Castle pic
Dopey, if running Dopey Challenge
Grave Diggers, during marathon
Jiminey Cricket and Mickey, my favorites
and when they still did the Star Wars races, the Hoth ice cave upside down diorama

I will try get pre/post race pics with character meets in the parking lot and pics with medals and relevant characters in the parks after races.

 

[Tall Todd]

Kicking myself for not stopping to meet Robin Hood and Little Jon during Marathon '22

 

[kps7795]

SAFD: I try to stop for as many character pictures as I can. My favorite thus far was Merlin because I have never seen him other than onstage at DCL.

The one character that I have made a point of not taking a picture with was Dopey because I want my first picture with him to be during a Dopey Challenge. I really hope to see Dopey on the course this year during the marathon. The best spot that I saw him was during the 2022 marathon when he was stationed in the alcove near Mine Train.

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

SAFD: My general decision process on when to stop is 1) how much do I love that character OR how rare is it, and usually more importantly, 2) how long is the line? I don't care who the character is, if the line has more than like 10-15 people in it I'm not stopping. I just can't stand around for that long during a race; it drives me crazy. Haha.

BUT, if I have a wish list I would want to see Pete (the line for him the last two DL races was just way too long), Baloo, any of the Country Bears, and probably anything from 90s cartoons I loved (Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck comes to mind especially).