In case you haven't heard, Disney races are kind of the best thing since fairy godmothers. And next weekend, I’ll be joining 24,000-plus other women in Orlando, Florida, to run the annual Disney Princess Half-Marathon.

The 13.1-mile course goes through Magic Kingdom and Epcot Theme Parks (which is half the reason I’m running it), and finishers get a sweet royal-themed medal at the end (basically the other half—I’m all about that race bling). Unfortunately, I don’t know much else about the event…so I asked some runDisney veterans to give me the DL.

If you’re running the race (tweet me @rissygayle!) or thinking of doing so next year, consider this your insider’s guide to owning the Princess Half like a boss—or queen.

“Disney races sell out fast. Be sure to snag your bib as soon as registration opens so you don’t miss out. And make reservations to stay on Disney property—there are bunches to choose from at various price points, and they’re all worth it. Disney arranges free shuttles to and from the race, and having staff around to answer any questions you might have is extremely helpful. Plus, it’s an early start time, so you’ll want to be nearby.” —Carrie Beth Lesser Pfeil, 42

“You have to be at the race location at, like, 4:30 a.m., so make sure you go to bed eaaaarly. And since you’ll be standing around until your corral starts, bring a banana with you. That way you don’t have to scarf down breakfast at 3 a.m.” —Katie Smith, 30

“Your phone or camera for pictures. And music. You’ll need it for the less-exciting highway stretches of the race.” —Robyn Lesser, 40

“It’ll be chilly, so bring a sweatshirt you don’t care about—then toss it on the ground. Disney collects them all and donates them. Wear sunscreen (it’s Florida, after all!) and hats are key. They shade you when it’s hot and sunny, act as an umbrella when it’s raining, and keep your head warm when it’s cold.” —Taylor Dixon, 25

“Most people dress up, especially in a tutu or tiara. You might feel left out if you don’t! Scour Pinterest for outfit ideas. You can even find people selling handmade tutus and character-specific tops. Just be sure to try them out before your race to make sure you’ll be comfy.” —Melissa Beck, 24

“Pick one or two characters (max) you want to take pictures with. The lines can be long, so if you break away from the race to take a lot, you’ll risk not finishing.” —Alexandra Mack, 28

“Enjoy the energy, but know that Disney races attract a lot of novice runners because of their fun-spirited nature. Always pay attention to who is in front of you. Look for the universal sign of a hand raise—that means, ‘Hey, I’m about to walk in two seconds.’” —Taylor Dixon, 25

“This is a rare opportunity to stop taking racing so seriously! You’re at the "Happiest Place on Earth," so take in what’s around you, make friends with strangers, party with runners post-race, and have fun. You’re paying for the Disney experience, so make the most of it.” —Alexandra Mack, 28