Disney clarifies costume policy ahead of this weekend's Walt Disney World Marathon

Jan 05, 2016 in "Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend"

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Posted: Tuesday January 5, 2016 11:31am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Following on from the revised park admission guidelines for guests wearing costumes, Disney has today moved to further clarify how the policy will apply to participants at runDisney events.

The new rules come into effect January 6 2016, just head of this weekend's Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. You can read the full policy at the official runDisney website.

All participants and their Guests may dress as their favorite character, but must follow these guidelines as determined solely by Disney.

Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
Guests who dress like Characters may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.

For runDisney participants ages 13 and under:

Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

For runDisney participants ages 14 and older:

Layered costumes, that could conceal prohibited items, are not permitted (e.g. Jedi robes).
Costume props, including those that surround the entire body (e.g. Death Star, UP House) are not permitted.
Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length Princess dresses)
Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
Guests may not wear masks of any kind.

Please note that while costumed attire may be worn during runDisney events, Guests 14 and older are not permitted to wear costumed attire in the theme parks. As a result, Guests may need to change their attire prior to visiting the parks after participating in a runDisney race.

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Texas84Jan 19, 2016

Looks like they did clamp down at DLR. Didn't see any TIE fighters or X-Wings or Walkers this year.

dreamfinderJan 19, 2016

Yeah, it was a neat idea, but they just ended up walking. Was hoping they were going to have at least jogged it, but don't think that was the case.

Texas84Jan 19, 2016

Saw that guy. Wow. Did not see the monorail though. That sounds cool.

dreamfinderJan 18, 2016

Saw several people in big bulky costumes. The guy with the giant mickey ears on a backback frame (Earful Tower or Mickey Bar maybe?) to a 6 person monorail costume. I had heard they let em squeak this time since the change was announced so late.

Texas84Jan 12, 2016

Don't know if this is true but I'm hearing that firefighters who wanted to run in full gear were turned away. They do this as a tribute and I saw them last year. I'm not passing judgement, just reporting what I heard.

mousehockey37Jan 06, 2016

I find this release to be a bit contradictory.... Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. Then further down the page it states: Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Ok, so which is it? Depending on the toy sword, it's gonna pass for being "easily mistaken..." :banghead:

SumrdogJan 06, 2016

I saw a few Death Stars last year at the Star Wars half, and a Millenium Falcon. It all looked quite cumbersome. The oddest one I ever saw was the guy who ran the entirety of the 2014 full marathon carrying a tuba. The tuba was dressed as Big Bird. I was in the pack with him for the last 6 miles.

Tinkerbell 8Jan 06, 2016

I saw a guy dressed up as the Up house at the Wine and Dine this past year, balloons and all. I didnt take a picture but im sure you can find one on google.

-emJan 06, 2016

Agreed that it was beginning to get more like a costume walk than a endurance running event and at the end of the day it's not particurally safe to have excessive costumes on the course so all in all I agree with the new rules.. However it's freakin crazy they drop this less than 24 hrs out from the largest race weekend of the year.. So I expect entrance to the compound will be crazy with rumored metal detectors, costume checks and who knows what else...

FerretAfrosJan 05, 2016

...and if you thought a measly Death Star at a 10K was ridiculous... Yes, they did the entire Half Marathon like that. I generally don't mind the new rules, as they simply reinforce a lot of what was already written down. There are a couple objective things that I question (layers aren't okay in a costume, but presumably okay for regular running clothes?), but overall it's common sense and reflects what's actually comfortable-ish to run in What bothers me is that they're just posting these rules today, less than 48 hours before their next race. People are already in WDW for Marathon Weekend, and many others will travel without ever having seen this post. runDisney sent out an email a couple weeks ago (after the new rules for the parks) encouraging costumes like nothing had changed, so I think it's in bad form to suddenly enforce these new rules with no warning. I'm also expecting this to add further complications to the pre-race hoopla that we already have to deal with

Mad StitchJan 05, 2016

It was beginning to get a bit ridiculous.

WDWBryanJan 05, 2016

I like the prop examples Eg Death Star or UP house Would love to see a picture of someone dressed up as those

DisneyRoyJan 05, 2016

Interesting. It looks like the new policy still holds...no costumes in the parks. I wonder based on the fact they are changing this for runDisney if they will look at it again once Halloween comes around.