If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in late February, you might want to think twice about heading to EPCOT on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025.
EPCOT
While EPCOT is typically a must-visit for its iconic attractions, international cuisine, and festivals, it’s one park we’re steering clear of on that particular day. Why? Three words: Princess Half Marathon.
Race Weekend Crowds
The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is one of the most popular runDisney events of the year, drawing thousands of runners (and their cheering squads) to the parks. The Aurora-themed half marathon on February 23rd is the crown jewel of the weekend. While the races themselves happen early in the morning, the impacts last all day, especially at EPCOT.
©Disney
Here’s the scoop: the half marathon starts and finishes in EPCOT, making it the epicenter of activity on race day. That means runners, spectators, and volunteers will be flooding the area, not to mention regular park guests trying to navigate the chaos.
World Showcase crowds during a runDisney race
Race weekends are always busy, but the Princess Half Marathon tends to draw extra-large crowds because of its popularity and the fact that it coincides with peak travel times for families.
Late Park Opening
Another factor to consider is the adjusted park hours. On February 23rd, EPCOT won’t open to regular guests until 10:00 AM, with Early Entry for resort guests starting at 9:30 AM. This is later than usual and a direct result of the race logistics.
EPCOT park entrance crowds from this year’s race weekend
So, even if you’re planning to arrive bright and early, you might find yourself waiting outside the gates alongside a crowd of tired (but happy) runners. And once inside, you can expect heavier foot traffic as race participants stick around to celebrate their victories because what better way to refuel than with a plate of tacos in Mexico or a beer flight in Germany?
What This Means for Your Day
If you decide to brave EPCOT on February 23rd, prepare for:
- Crowded Pathways: Between race spectators and post-run park-goers, EPCOT’s walkways (especially around World Showcase) are likely to feel more packed than usual.
- Longer Wait Times: With so many extra people in the park, ride queues are bound to be longer – even for typically low-wait attractions.
- Traffic Delays: Transportation to and from EPCOT might take longer, as road closures and detours for the race could affect buses, cars, and ride-shares.
Our Alternative Plan
We’re skipping EPCOT altogether on February 23rd and recommending you do the same. Instead, consider visiting a different park or even taking a resort day. Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom could be great options, or you can enjoy a more relaxed day by the pool or exploring Disney Springs.
Animal Kingdom
If you’re staying at Disney World for the week, don’t worry as there’s plenty of time to enjoy EPCOT’s attractions, dining, and festivals without the hassle of race-day crowds. Just be sure to plan your visit for another day.
©Disney
Trust us, avoiding EPCOT on February 23rd will save you a lot of stress, and you’ll have a much better experience when the race buzz dies down.
in the meantime, we’ll keep you in the loop with any more runDisney news, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest!
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Actually the picture of the crowds on race day look like a typical day. We were there last year on race day (had a friend in the race) and honestly we all thought it was a typical busy day at Epcot feel. Keep in mind we are regular AP and DVC locals so we don’t really stress over fighting crowds. However my point is while it may seem busier it really isn’t to much crazier. Disney is just BUSY. I miss the days of low crowds.