A Different Take on Marathon Weekend

[geaux_half]

I just came across this and was/am by this bloggers take on the marathon. http://www.mouseextra.com/2010/01/12/a-call-to-end-the-marathon-madness/ With the early morning start, I thought Disney did a great job of limiting the impact on the parks' normal operations.

 

[JimB.]

What a whiner. And probably a couch potato too!!

 

[jmasgat]

I can empathize. If I was a non-runner, I would probably feel put out, too. (Okay, honestly, I would be whining!) But I'm a runner, so selfish me...let the fun continue! And unless I was I in a total fog at the Studios--we didn't run anywhere near Toy Story Mania.

Maura

 

[jeanigor]

Wow. I was there on vacation over that weekend. I ended up being a spectator, and thought it was great fun and very exciting. It cemented my feelings of doing the 1/2 in 2011. He sounds like he is a sad sad little man.

 

[solotraveler]

Wow. I was there on vacation over that weekend. I ended up being a spectator, and thought it was great fun and very exciting. It cemented my feelings of doing the 1/2 in 2011. He sounds like he is a sad sad little man.

Seriously.....

Before I ever started running, I toured during marathon weekend and it was just NOT that hard to work around!

He's getting taken to task pretty well over there... what a blowhard!

 

[jeanigor]

Seriously.....

Before I ever started running, I toured during marathon weekend and it was just NOT that hard to work around!

He's getting taken to task pretty well over there... what a blowhard!

I even followed the marathoners...each time I saw the guy dressed as Captain Jack pass, it was time to go to the next park. Each time I took a method of Disney transport, it was easier than trying to leave a park at closing.

He reminds me of an even more spoiled version of Goldie Locks. Nothing is right unless its what he wants.

 

[cewait]

He did have one vaild piont about Disney not explaining well to all guests what was happening.

Other than that he is a sad little brat.


Thanks for sharing

 

[SAHDad]

A few years ago, we were there during marathon weekend. While we ran the half, we had no problems dealing with the full - we just had a leisurely breakfast, and hit the parks a little later than we might have otherwise done. It wasn't a big deal.

I can see how it can inconvenience people, but OTOH, I think Disney does a much better job dealing with road closures, etc than many big city marathons do.

 

[tiberius]

One thing you can be sure of, Disney would not put on the marathon weekend if it was a net negative on most people's experiences. My family toured the Studios that day. They took the buses from POR and spent most of the day at the park without significant impact to hold them back from enjoying the day. Plus, I seem to recall the parks not looking very crowded on marathon day, so how bad could it have been?

 

[FireDancer]

It sounds like this Mike character needs a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-mbulance



Both times I came down for the half I didn't feel one bit inconvenienced on the following Sunday. As for letting the guests know, in both 2006 and 2008 there was documentation on my door on either Thursday or Friday explaining that the transportation would be slowed so plan accordingly.

 

[deekaypee]

I agree with Charles--Disney's not been great about distributing information. For instance, I was at POR and got the letter about marathon weekend and delays. But I know other guests at POR did not. And as participants, many of us do have reservations about Disney's race organization, transportation, communication, etc. Not enough to stop me from signing up for next year, mind you, but there might have been a germ of solid criticism in his rant. But that's what it was, a rant.

Other than that, he's a wanker.

And he's not the only one. I was on the course at DHS--Streets of America, I think--and heard an exchange. A CM was trying to stop a guest from passing in front of us, and the guest argued back, "I paid admission to this park. They didn't."

Guess the above guest (and the blogger) doesn't know about that race-entry fee I pay. As compared to a one-day admission, and for as much time as I spend in the parks on race days..... I'm a bargain for Disney--paying lots of money not to crowd the parks on marathon weekend, except to run in the early a.m. and then eat & drink a lot at night (it's called recovery)!

 

[RunningGirl]

I thought that Disney did a much better job getting information out this weekend. We had a letter in our room addressed to both marathon participants and non-participants discussing marathon transportation, spectator transportation, and the effect on non-participant transportation. I do think that Magical Express needs to be handled differently on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This guy is not a Disney newbie; he knew it was marathon weekend; he could have arranged his plans for minimal impact. I've never read anything by him before, but I'm not impressed - just complaining and complaining without suggestions for improvement. Since Disney claims it's now the biggest marathon weekend in the country, set your expectations and plan accordingly.

 

[Steffwalks]

Ignore the selfish attorney with the self rightous attitude. He should be pitied for his ignorance and selfishness. Did I mention that he is obviously selfish and self centered?

 

[cewait]

I agree with Charles--Disney's not been great about distributing information. For instance, I was at POR and got the letter about marathon weekend and delays. But I know other guests at POR did not. And as participants, many of us do have reservations about Disney's race organization, transportation, communication, etc. Not enough to stop me from signing up for next year, mind you, but there might have been a germ of solid criticism in his rant. But that's what it was, a rant.

Other than that, he's a wanker.

And he's not the only one. I was on the course at DHS--Streets of America, I think--and heard an exchange. A CM was trying to stop a guest from passing in front of us, and the guest argued back, "I paid admission to this park. They didn't."

Guess the above guest (and the blogger) doesn't know about that race-entry fee I pay. As compared to a one-day admission, and for as much time as I spend in the parks on race days..... I'm a bargain for Disney--paying lots of money not to crowd the parks on marathon weekend, except to run in the early a.m. and then eat & drink a lot at night (it's called recovery)!

Wanker - Yes!

I had a similar experience at Worldshowcase in one of my first Disney races (00 or 01). A guest was belly achin at the CM gurading the x-walk at England where we enter. All I heard was I paid to be here and you cannot stop me from crossing. She didn't but I kind a did. I think the NASCAR saying is "rubbing IS racin!" He crossed, I was too tired to care and too far gone to change course so we collided. He got the worst end of the bargain. He took a bath in my sweat and the cup I carried from the last water stop. I took Newton's Second Law of physics (a body will continue in a line unless acted upon by an external force) and got a lot of help turning the corner. He started yelling at the CM and I think she said I tried to stop you.

 

[lolafrances]

other than that, he's a wanker.

Totally.

 

[fashionista311]

what's that phrase - don't complain until you've walked a mile in another mans shoes? - well in this case this kid should try running, 26.2 of them, in another man's running sneakers

it's hard for me to imagine someone coming to disney and not realizing the marathon was going on - but i also have to remember that i grew up in florida with marathon/ironmen parents, so the rare year my dad wasn't doing the race (great way to get in a marathon and take the kids to disney!) we always knew a handful of people who were.

and again maybe because i've been exposed to so many races, both good and bad...but i think disney does a damn good job of keeping everything organized for the participant, spectators, and innocent bypassers

 

[mickeyncldkd]

I had a great time with the marathon. Disney did an excellent job with the weather being bad in many years. The gentlemen appears to be a self absorb and negative person. I actually feel sorry for the gentlemen. If he paid attention at the marathon weekend on both days. he would think different with all the great stories that were running. well, it is his lost. I can not wait until next year for the run.

 

[kmab00]

I was a spectator in 2009 and had NO problems with anything! It actually encouraged me to go for it this year so I did!

Seems like someone always has to complain about something...can't please everyone, I guess!

 

[kmab00]

Sounds like HE needs to find out when Marathon weekend is next year and choose a different weekend to vacation. Brat.

Bill said,
January 12, 2010 @ 8:37 pm

I am so sorry your vacation was interrupted by so many people who were, hmmm, let’s see, on vacation and doing something they enjoyed! But, apparently, if the activity does not fit in with your definition of fun, it must be stopped. By your reasoning, the hard ticket parties (like the Very Merry Christmas Party) should be eliminated because they cut into the time you can spend in the Magic Kingdom. While we are at it, let’s do away with those pesky afternoon parades, which make it difficult to cross Main Street to get into the Emporium to shop. And those darn fireworks cause traffic jams that slow down the trip back to the parking lot or hotel - they have to go! Hey, I know, let’s institute a minimum age for park entry so that you won’t have to be bothered by all those strollers and little kids running around. Get a life Mike. Or at least have a salad.

Well said!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Maybe he might have a point if his vacation was all of two days long. I think a little bit of research might have helped to avoid the "heart ache". I do see his point about the Magical Express and do feel badly for the guests leaving on Magical Express or trying to get to the airport that day. And I do agree that Disney should give some warning to guests - I didn't get a word about it at my resort. I only saw a sign on the road about major traffic delays Jan 9-10.

Oh and 155,000 on Toy Story Mania ... Pfffttt!!! DF and I have scored 250,000+ And isn't that FP line always mobbed with people on regular days?