Running Through Magic: Our Points-Powered Family Trip to Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Running Through Magic: Our Points-Powered Family Trip to Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

This January, our family embarked on an unforgettable adventure to the 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 8–12). As a passionate runner and Disney enthusiast, participating in this event was a dream come true. Even more rewarding was the ability to fund our entire trip using points and miles, showcasing the power of strategic travel planning.​

Flying High with Southwest Rapid Rewards

To kick off our journey, we utilized Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points to book round-trip flights for our family of five from Dallas Love Field to Orlando International Airport. By leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass and strategically timed point redemptions, we secured our flights with minimal out-of-pocket expenses.​

A Tale of Two Hyatt Stays

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (3 Nights)

For the first three nights, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, a Category 4 property in the World of Hyatt program. We redeemed 15,000 points per night, totaling 45,000 points for our stay. This resort offered a plethora of family-friendly amenities, including a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, mini-golf, biking trails, and more. Its proximity to Walt Disney World made it an ideal base for our adventures.​

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport (1 Night)

For our final night, we opted for the Hyatt Regency located within the Orlando International Airport terminal. This choice allowed us to rest comfortably before our early morning flight. We redeemed 15,000 World of Hyatt points for this stay, ensuring a seamless and stress-free departure.​

The Marathon and a Magical Park Day

Participating in the Walt Disney World Marathon was an exhilarating experience. The course took runners through all four Disney parks—EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios—each offering unique sights and entertainment. The energy and support from fellow runners and spectators were truly inspiring.​

Pre-marathon, our family embarked on an ambitious one-day tour of all four parks. With careful planning and the use of Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections, we managed to enjoy key attractions in each park, creating memories that will last a lifetime.  We started the day at Animal Kingdom since it opens the earliest and ended the night at Magic Kingdom with fireworks!

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Maximizing Points and Miles

This trip exemplified how strategic use of points and miles can make dream vacations a reality. By utilizing Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt points, we significantly reduced our travel expenses without compromising on experiences. This approach not only provided financial savings but also enhanced our overall travel experience.

Points Recap:

45,000 Hyatt Points- Grand Hyatt Cypress (using this card)

15,000 Hyatt Points- Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport (using this card)

120,000 Southwest Points (using this card) 

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