So you planned a late February Disney World trip thinking it would be quiet. We respect the logic. We have been there. And we are here to tell you that this particular late February is not that.
The 2026 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend runs February 26 through March 2, every race is completely sold out, and the resort is about to hit a very specific kind of chaos that is equal parts incredible and logistically overwhelming. Glitter, medals, matching princess outfits, thousands of runners who woke up at 3:30 a.m. and have no intention of going back to sleep — it is all coming. Brace yourself and also maybe get excited because honestly the vibe is kind of unmatched.
Here is everything you need to know to survive, and maybe even enjoy, the next five days.
The Race Schedule — Because the Timing Actually Matters for Your Day
Here is the rundown on what is happening and when:
- February 27: Merida-themed Disney Princess 5K
- February 28: Moana-themed Disney Princess 10K
- March 1: Rapunzel-themed Disney Princess Half Marathon
- March 2: Disney Princess Yoga event
Complete both the 10K and the Half Marathon and you earn the Belle-themed Fairytale Challenge medal, which is gorgeous and also absolutely going to be all over your Instagram feed by Saturday afternoon.
Every single race starts at 5 a.m. Which means road closures start early. Which means you should not be attempting to drive to EPCOT at 6 a.m. on February 27, 28, or March 1 unless you enjoy sitting in traffic while still half asleep.
The 5K and 10K courses run through EPCOT, so those two mornings have closures around the park. The good news is both races are done before EPCOT opens at 9 a.m., with Early Entry for Disney hotel guests at 8:30 a.m. So the days themselves are fine — just do not try to arrive before sunrise.
March 1st Is the Big One, Stay Alert
The Half Marathon is a whole different situation. That course goes from EPCOT, through Magic Kingdom, and back. We are talking about road closures around two major parks simultaneously, scheduled until 10 a.m. And because thousands of runners will finish and then immediately head into those parks to celebrate, both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are going to be packed by mid-morning.
EPCOT is also opening an hour late on March 1st — 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., with resort guest Early Entry at 9:30 a.m. Our honest advice: do Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom that day. Both parks run normal schedules and will feel noticeably calmer while the two main parks absorb the post-race celebration crowd.
Why Princess Weekend Crowds Hit Different
So by late morning you have got your regular rope drop crowd, plus thousands of runners who just finished a 5K or 13.1 miles and are now emotionally running on adrenaline and pure Disney magic, plus all their families and friends who spectated and then followed them straight into the parks. That overlap compresses fast and stays compressed through mid-afternoon.
Magic Kingdom specifically becomes very emotional during Princess Weekend. The castle is the whole point for a lot of these runners. Photo lines swell. Fantasyland gets packed. Lightning Lane windows for headliners disappear earlier than you would expect.
EPCOT gets the decompression crowd — runners walking, snacking, wandering World Showcase in their medals, which honestly sounds kind of amazing but also means the festival booths are mobbed.
Your Actual Game Plan for Surviving This Weekend
Rope drop is your best friend this week. Seriously. Get to the parks before or right at official opening. The crowds build fast once races finish and you want to be inside and ahead of the wave.
Mobile order everything. Do not even look at a counter service line this weekend, just mobile order and walk up when it is ready. Counter lines are brutal during race celebration mode.
Build in a midday break. Leave the parks around 11 a.m. or noon, go back to the resort, swim, nap, eat something at the hotel, and return around 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Evening parks during race weekends are genuinely manageable and the energy is still great.
Be flexible with your plans, especially on March 1st. If your heart is set on Magic Kingdom that morning, just know what you are walking into and pack your patience. If you can swap to Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom, you will have a much smoother day.
The bottom line is this: Princess Weekend is one of the most emotionally charged and genuinely special experiences at Walt Disney World all year. It is also legitimately hectic. Both things are true and you can enjoy it while also planning around it. Go in with a strategy, let the celebration energy be part of your trip, and maybe leave some extra time to watch a runner get their finisher photo in front of the castle. Bring tissues. You will probably need them. And if you are planning a Disney trip in the future, bookmark the runDisney calendar — this is the kind of thing you want to know about before you book, not after you arrive.
