Is 2015 the year you will tackle your first runDisney race?
Artwork from the 2014 WDW Half Marathon tee
Maybe you’ve already put some thought into where you’ll celebrate your accomplishment once the race is over. But what about before the race? You might have some questions about what’s available to nosh as you prepare to make your way to the starting line.
With Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend upon us, we thought now might be a good a time to show you some items that are typically available across Disney World Resort food courts — just some simple eats that might be similar to food you’ve eaten prior to training runs at home.
Everything Pop Food Court at Pop Century
One thing all Disney races have in common (well, the daytime races, in any case 🙂 ), is that they start EARLY. And you’ve got to get there even earlier. Your resort food court can be a great place to grab a few items the night before your race to have at the ready as you get dressed in the morning, or even bring to the race staging area to eat while you wait for your race to begin (at long last!).
Now, for many readers familiar with Disney Resorts, this info might be old hat. Then again, maybe it’s your first time visiting as a race participant, and you may never have looked at Grab and Go selections very carefully. So, here’s your chance to check it out!
A note before we begin: items may vary across resort food courts, but the photos below (taken at Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors and Pop Century’s Everything Pop) are intended to give an idea of items that are typical around the food courts.
Be sure to check out both the bakery cases and refrigerated sections of the Grab and Go areas.
Bakery Case at Landscape of Flavors
While the bakery cases are bound to have primarily dessert-style options, you can often also find muffins, bagels, and in some cases, plain white bread.
Assorted muffins
Assorted bagels
White bread
Spreadable toppings may be a little more difficult to spot, but pouches of peanut butter (not refrigerated), cream cheese, and Smart Balance (refrigerated) are usually not far away.
Peanut Butter pouches
Cream Cheese and “Smart Balance”
The refrigerated section holds yogurts, mixed fruits, veggies, and hummus snacks.
Refrigerated section at Landscape of Flavors
Yogurt
Fruit and veggie packages
Fruit trifle
Hummus and Pretzels
I’ve never had milk prior to a race, but I’ve heard that chocolate milk has a great reputation as being a terrific post-race recovery drink.
Milk
Your resort may have a selection of Vitaminwater brand drinks, and possibly sports drinks like Powerade.
Vitamin Water and Powerade
No matter where you are there is, of course, plenty of regular bottled water.
Bottled water
There are options outside the cases, too. Can’t say I’ve tried it, but I wonder if “Uncrustables” would be a suitable option around four in the morning ;)?
Uncrustables
If you’re eating in your room before departing, cereal might come in handy.
Assorted cereals
I’ve often found granola bars at resort food courts, but Landscape of Flavors is the first place I ever saw these Odwalla “Superfood Bars” in particular.
Odwalla Bars
Odwalla Bars
Whole fruit options feature oranges, apples, and — a runner’s best friend — bananas.
Whole fruit
Oh, and there are a few celebratory AFTER-the-race items, too, if you are so inclined…
Wine
Beer
My pre-race go-to is typically a fairly high-protein granola bar, a banana, and a bottle of water — super easy to carry to the waiting area, and filling without being overly so. That said, I am by no means a running expert or nutritionist, and every runner is different. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to experiment with what works best for you before the big day. You’ve worked hard… now it’s just time to show up, and ENJOY!!
We here at the DFB wish all you runners lots of luck, and many miles of fun and magic! We’re rooting for you!
Are you participating in a runDisney race this year? Please let us know with a comment… and good luck!!
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Do the resorts have special hours during marathon weekends? From what I understand the food court at Pop Century doesn’t open until 6am. I’m almost certain the marathons start very early.
Ken — I believe Wendy mentioned in the beginning of the article that these would be items you’d need to purchase the night before the race in order to consume them in the morning.
When we did the 1/2 marathon in 2013, the food court at All Star Sports was “open” early in the morning around 3am. It was just the grab and go options, no type of hot food service. Good for picking up something on the way to the bus or getting some early morning caffeine, but I’d suggest getting food the night before to be safe. They also offered runner boxes that had a bagel, banana, water bottle, and I think peanut butter in it for sale that week.
Some resorts may have something open early in the morning but you would want to check. I’ve always bought anything the night before so I have it the room. You usually have to be on the bus by 4:30 to be at the start on time
I’ll be doing the Princess 10k and thinking about Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare this year. Have two Princess Half-marathons & one DL Half to earn my Coast to Coast in 2014.
Hi!
I’d like to add that in previous races, the resorts have sold “pre-race” boxes that included a small Sara Lee bagel, Nature’s Valley granola bar, mini peanut butter, banana and small water bottle. Runners (or anyone really) could purchase the boxes either the day before the race or the morning of the race. The food courts are typically open for bleary-eyed runners needing their coffee. Also worth noting that although Disney resort coffee is some of the WORST I’ve ever had (love to hate it, though!), the coffee that is sold in the ESPN food trucks at the family gathering area at the race (before you move to the corrals) is undrinkable. And that’s coming from a die-hard coffee drinker. Get your coffee BEFORE leaving for the race!
Love your blog! Keep up the good work!
Stephanie — I would love to do a west coast race one day. The Dumbo Double Dare sounds great!
Happy running to you all in 2015!
Great article and very timely as runDisney is gearing up for three races in about 6 weeks. Thanks for the reminder of getting food the night before and helping newbie runners, like myself, begin to think about our options.
Some packets of oatmeal work great. Easy to pack in your bag on the plane, just heat up with some water from the sink or coffee pot, or microwave if you are lucky enough to have one.