Marathon Weekend 2020

[merrunner]

I think it's definitely taking longer races to sell out. I think the half distance is extremely daunting to non runners and serves as a barrier to many runners.

I am guessing there are a few other factors in play, as well. One, there have been a number of articles in the running world describing the burst of the marathon bubble: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/05/sports/ny-marathon-running.html

So, a decrease in number of participants but more half and marathon distance races than ever.

In addition, I had read in a few places about the substantial increase in slots at Disney races. Combine those two factors, and you have a slower fill-time (or no fill at all - and agree about the longer distances being more of a barrier) in recent years.

 

[lhermiston]

Good morning, runDisney all-stars!

We are 170 days away from Marathon Weekend! For Sundays are for Disney, what is your all-time favorite nighttime show at a Disney park?

Happily Ever After is growing on me, but the one-two combo of Celebrate the Magic and Wishes will probably never be topped for me, too. I love IllumiNations, as well.

Have a great week, everyone!

 

[Neon Cactus]

Great question and that’s really hard for me to pick one. I’d probably go with the Main Street Electrical Parade. I grew up watching that at Disneyland and it was still awesome when I saw it at MK after my first marathon. I did like Spectromagic a lot too. And Fantasmic, though it seems better to me at Disneyland than DHS, with the Columbia and Mark Twain and on Rivers of America.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

My nighttime show has to be the original version of the Star Wars fireworks back when they did Star Wars weekends. The new version is nice as well.

I also really enjoyed the fireworks for the Pirates & Princess Party.

 

[rteetz]

what is your all-time favorite nighttime show at a Disney park?

Illuminations without a doubt. I’m hesitant for what is next. HEA is great too though.

I’d also pick Spectromagic over MSEP any day.

 

[Gemini1131]

The holiday wishes at the Christmas party for me. We got to experience it after a 10 year Disney drought and I’m not sure anything could top that for me

 

[KevM]

SAFD: it’s a tie between Illuminations and the Electrical Water Pageant (especially when watched on a CR balcony after a long hot day).

Re-reading the question, the Electrical Water Pageant is not technically a park show.

 

[camaker]

SAFD: I’m going to split my answer:

Fireworks show: Wishes/HalloWishes. Don’t get me wrong, I like HEA a lot, but for me the fireworks shows should be primarily about the fireworks. HEA has poured so much into the castle projections that the fireworks feel almost like a secondary part of the show.

Light Parade: Paint the Night. I was lucky enough to see one of the last showings of this at DL during my first DL race weekend. It was phenomenal. I’d love to see something like that brought to WDW. As far as the WDW light parades go, Spectromagic >>> MSEP.

 

[CDKG]

We are 170 days away from Marathon Weekend! For Sundays are for Disney, what is your all-time favorite nighttime show at a Disney park?

I have a few favorites... Just like @Neon Cactus I grew up watching MSEP at Disneyland. It looks very dated now and Paint the Night is an amazing tribute taking the technology of MSEP into the 21st century.

But, I have to say my all time favorite nighttime show is Fantasmic! (And I don’t mean HS’s cardboard boat version of Fantasmic! If that is the only version you have ever seen, you’ve never really seen Fantasmic!) More than once I can remember camping out at the Disneyland ticket booth to get tickets to the dessert party on the balcony of the Disney Gallery (now Dream Suite). That was the BEST way to watch the show. Magical!!!

 

[FFigawi]

Illuminations without a doubt. I’m hesitant for what is next. HEA is great too though.

I’m with @rteetz. Illuminations is dated and cheesy, but that’s why I love it.

 

[AFwifelife]

Can I choose the Electric Parade? None of the current shows are absolute favorites of mine. I'm very interested in what comes after Illuminations.

 

[lhermiston]

Re-reading the question, the Electrical Water Pageant is not technically a park show.

I’ll allow it!

 

[DIS-OH]

Illuminations with the Holiday tag ending!

 

[rteetz]

I’m with @rteetz. Illuminations is dated and cheesy, but that’s why I love it.

I don’t think it’s cheesy at all. It’s certainly dated but I’ll miss it.

 

[hotblooded]

The “Boo to You” Halloween parade during MNSSHP is my favorite. Haven’t seen it since 2013, but I just go the green light to attend the party in late October at the tail end of a work trip.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

what is your all-time favorite nighttime show at a Disney park?

My #1 all time was Wishes. I still get tears in my eyes when I watch some of the videos and hear the music.

My #2 would be the original light show on the castle, The Magic, the Memories and You.

My #3 would be my #1 if it had lasted - the original Star Wars fireworks show at DHS was absolutely amazing - the best fireworks show that I have ever seen, anywhere.

 

[lahobbs4]

I'll admit that I have never seen Fantasmic! or HEA. And I really don't remember much about Wishes that blew me away. Maybe something's wrong with me but fireworks have just never done it for me. I appreciate Illuminations but am excited to see what's next.

I did love the Main Street Electrical Parade. That will be my answer.

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD:

I believe I saw IllumiNations as a kid in the 90's, but we weren't really a fireworks family and only went to Disney twice so I don't have much in the way of nostalgia. My first visit since then was in 2012 and I remained not much of a fireworks guys. I never actually saw Wishes and fireworks themselves don't do a lot for me. I like Fantasmic! but it also leaves an overwhelming feeling that they should be doing so much better with that show. It's so incoherent with the random Pocahontas scene.

That said, I really love HEA. For whatever reason it hits all the feels for me. I enjoy the projection show much more than primarily fireworks.

 

[flav]

SAFD:
Main Street Electrical Parade followed by Wishes.

Looking forward to discovering what DL has to offer (in less than a month) but was thrilled to read that my favourite would be there!

 

[BikeFan]

Excited for the medal reveal next week. If they're really good, I might be able to lure a few more friends to join me on marathon weekend.

SAFD - I am currently training for the MCM at the end of October and starting to ramp up the mileage. Anyone else doing MCM?

I'm in for that one again this year.