Advice for non Marathoners

[gstq]

Hi All,

I am coming to Disneyland from Sydney and arriving on 4th and have a 10 day pass for the time we are there. I am coming with my wife and 3 children miss C 6 Miss S 9 and Mstr C 2 1/2 and I didn't realise I will be there for the Marathon weekend (we are not marathoners). Can someone help me with what to expect ? will it be overly busy because of the events? do they last all day? will we be able to get in the parks ?

Thanks in advance

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I've done two Disneyland race weekends, and I'm coming down for the Disneyland half. I have found that the early mornings (before 10 or even 11) are pretty empty in the parks, as most people go back to their hotels to shower, stretch and rest after finishing their races. The crowds build pretty steadily after that, though, and it will be pretty busy in the afternoon through the evening. I would guess that the night crowds might thin a bit on Friday and especially Saturday nights as the races start at 5:30 a.m. I know I'll be heading back to the hotel at 8 or 9 p.m. on Saturday.

I would plan to take advantage of the low crowds in the morning. Make sure you have dining reservations for any table service restaurants you want to eat at on Friday-Monday (Monday is a federal holiday). Make good use of FastPass, because standby lines will be long in the afternoon and evening.

It's not impossibly crowded, but it will be busy.

 

[SMD]

There are also 2 parties and parts of the parks will close early on Thurs and Fri night for those. The race weekend crowds start Thurs when the expo opens. There are races Fri, Sat & Sun and the parks may open an hour later to accommodate them, meaning more people can make it by the opening on Fri & Sat. The start/finishes are by DLH, so that area can be crowded. Monday is also a holiday, so many people will be there for the 3 day weekend, and stay for Monday. What are your dates? There is also an AP party and part of the park will close early on 8/31 and DL closes early for a CM event on 9/10.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

DL opens at 9 on Saturday and Sunday. While the parks themselves aren't too crowded around that time, the security tents will be rather crowded if you are going from the Disney hotel side of Downtown Disney toward the parks, as runners head back from the finish line area. Totally forgot about that!

 

[gstq]

There are also 2 parties and parts of the parks will close early on Thurs and Fri night for those. The race weekend crowds start Thurs when the expo opens. There are races Fri, Sat & Sun and the parks may open an hour later to accommodate them, meaning more people can make it by the opening on Fri & Sat. The start/finishes are by DLH, so that area can be crowded. Monday is also a holiday, so many people will be there for the 3 day weekend, and stay for Monday. What are your dates? There is also an AP party and part of the park will close early on 8/31 and DL closes early for a CM event on 9/10.

Hi There,

We fly in on Friday morning 4th and will be staying at the DLH 4th and 5th before moving to Villas at Grand Californian from 6th to 11th, we are a planning on easing into it on 4th and will probably spend the day at the DLH hotel. First parks day will be 5th and then on from there. We have planned to take it easy so hopefully it wont be too busy

Thanks for the heads up

 

[gstq]

Thanks all for the feedback fingers crossed it wont detract from our time there its our 20th anniversary and its a long way to go and hoing to make the most if it

 

[V.I.N.C.E.N.T.]

So if you had to pick between Sunday or Monday (Labor Day), which would it be? I am thinking Monday would be the best for crowds. Any thoughts?

 

[gstq]

Is anyone able to tell me what times the races finish on each of the days, please?

 

[Lauren in NC]

There's a 16 minute per mile pacing requirement, so the max is 3.5 hours for the half marathon on Sunday. All the races start at 5:30am, so they should be finished at the latest by 9am. The only exception is the kids' races, which are held at 9am on Saturday in Downtown Disney.

Monday would probably be better crowd wise, as most people who've traveled for the marathon weekend will probably be heading home then. We went on Labor Day last year and while it was busy, several people did comment to us that the weekend had been much more crowded.

 

[gstq]

There's a 16 minute per mile pacing requirement, so the max is 3.5 hours for the half marathon on Sunday. All the races start at 5:30am, so they should be finished at the latest by 9am. The only exception is the kids' races, which are held at 9am on Saturday in Downtown Disney.

Monday would probably be better crowd wise, as most people who've traveled for the marathon weekend will probably be heading home then. We went on Labor Day last year and while it was busy, several people did comment to us that the weekend had been much more crowded.

Thanks that's good to know really appreciate the feedback.

 

[roselark]

There's a 16 minute per mile pacing requirement, so the max is 3.5 hours for the half marathon on Sunday. All the races start at 5:30am, so they should be finished at the latest by 9am. The only exception is the kids' races, which are held at 9am on Saturday in Downtown Disney.

Monday would probably be better crowd wise, as most people who've traveled for the marathon weekend will probably be heading home then. We went on Labor Day last year and while it was busy, several people did comment to us that the weekend had been much more crowded.

That 16 min per mile pace clock does not start until the last person crosses the start line. Estimate a good hour for the last to start, so I would say at least 10am, probably closer to 10:30. There will be a lot of stragglers around the finish, so expect Downtown Disney area to be crowded for a while longer.

 

[gstq]

Estimate a good hour for the last to start, so I would say at least 10am, probably closer to 10:30. There will be a lot of stragglers around the finish, so expect Downtown Disney area to be crowded for a while longer.

Thanks, not too concerned with Downtown Disney area more the Parks and DLH, would I be better off focusing on DCA for those two days or does it not matter ?

Regards

 

[zanzibar138]

Hello fellow Aussie

I'm travelling from Melbourne to run the half marathon this year. We went over that weekend last year too (ran the 10k), and I agree with most of the observations mentioned so far. Here are some things you might notice.

• As previously mentioned, the bulk of the crowds will start building from the Thursday. It will be busy by the Friday when you arrive. Majority of the crowds will head home on Sunday or Monday though, and the rest of that week is known to be one of the quieter times of year. My advice... spend the weekend getting your bearings and taking in the atmosphere. Make ADRs for any dining you want to do on those days and make good use of FP. Once the crowds disperse, you will find the parks very enjoyable for the rest of your trip
• If you want to get stuck into rides straight away, make use of early mornings and late evenings. Most runners and their families will be showering/eating after their run when the parks first open, and retiring early in preparation for very early morning starts. There is a private party on the Thursday night, but that won't affect you anyway. Apart from that, the park hours are not affected at all - they make sure they send runners off early enough (and catch any stragglers) so that it doesn't interfere with the day-to-day operations of the parks.
• The area around the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney (especially that end of it) will be crowded until Saturday afternoon, as that's where all the running related things are - expo, start line, finish line, kids races etc. Also, a lot of people just come for the race and don't actually have park admission, so they will be enjoying the publicly accessible parts of the Disneyland Resort.
• You might not see any people actually running, but you will notice lots of people walking around in athletic clothes, and also plenty of people walking around proudly wearing their hard-earned medals once the races are finished.
• The last half marathoner may not finish until around 10am, but the parks are early on in the run. I would expect all the runners to be finished in the parks by 7ish. They will go around and pick up anyone who is too slow so that park opening is not affected.
• For the person wondering if they should focus on DCA - it really doesn't matter, the races don't affect one park more than the other.

Don't be concerned about it ruining your 20th anniversary celebrations. Make sure you stop by City Hall when you arrive to get anniversary buttons (and 1st visit ones too if applicable), and mention that it's your anniversary in all your reservations (hotel, dining, tours etc). You never know what sort of pixie dust might get sprinkled your way

 

[SMD]

Thanks, not too concerned with Downtown Disney area more the Parks and DLH, would I be better off focusing on DCA for those two days or does it not matter ?

Regards

Are you staying at DLH? The expo is in the hotel's convention center, so it will be crowded. Also, the start and finish lines and the reunion area is there. Goofy's Kitchen and Steakhouse 55 are popular breakfast sports after races. You'll definitely notice crowds near DLH.

 

[bumbershoot]

So if you had to pick between Sunday or Monday (Labor Day), which would it be? I am thinking Monday would be the best for crowds. Any thoughts?

Monday of holiday weekends might start off busy but as people leave for their flights during the day it starts to clear out.

That 16 min per mile pace clock does not start until the last person crosses the start line. Estimate a good hour for the last to start, so I would say at least 10am, probably closer to 10:30.

YES. Great point. There are so many corrals for the Half, and there can be a good hour from start to the last people starting. And only then does the 16 min/mile clock start.

the parks are early on in the run

YES. Very early.

For the person wondering if they should focus on DCA - it really doesn't matter, the races don't affect one park more than the other.

I agree.

Don't be concerned about it ruining your 20th anniversary celebrations.

I totally agree!

Are you staying at DLH? The expo is in the hotel's convention center, so it will be crowded. Also, the start and finish lines and the reunion area is there. Goofy's Kitchen and Steakhouse 55 are popular breakfast sports after races. You'll definitely notice crowds near DLH.

Good point.

 

[Malcon10t]

The race on Sunday won't finish til close to 1000, maybe 1030. They cheer to the last person. Be aware if you are attempting to get to the DLH or leave the DLH, the race comes down the path between the DLH and DTD. Crossover point will be down the path midway to Paradise Pier hotel.

The park is the first 4 miles of the half, so it will be cleared by 8am and ready for 9am opening. On Sat, the 10K should be over by 815a and cleared for a 9am opening. After the 10K will be the kid races, so expect the area around ESPN Zone to be crowded.

 

[gstq]

Are you staying at DLH? The expo is in the hotel's convention center, so it will be crowded. Also, the start and finish lines and the reunion area is there. Goofy's Kitchen and Steakhouse 55 are popular breakfast sports after races. You'll definitely notice crowds near DLH.

yes we are staying at DLH for 4th and 5th and Grand Californian from 6th to 11th, thanks for the heads up

 

[gstq]

Hello fellow Aussie

I'm travelling from Melbourne to run the half marathon this year. We went over that weekend last year too (ran the 10k), and I agree with most of the observations mentioned so far. Here are some things you might notice.

• As previously mentioned, the bulk of the crowds will start building from the Thursday. It will be busy by the Friday when you arrive. Majority of the crowds will head home on Sunday or Monday though, and the rest of that week is known to be one of the quieter times of year. My advice... spend the weekend getting your bearings and taking in the atmosphere. Make ADRs for any dining you want to do on those days and make good use of FP. Once the crowds disperse, you will find the parks very enjoyable for the rest of your trip
• If you want to get stuck into rides straight away, make use of early mornings and late evenings. Most runners and their families will be showering/eating after their run when the parks first open, and retiring early in preparation for very early morning starts. There is a private party on the Thursday night, but that won't affect you anyway. Apart from that, the park hours are not affected at all - they make sure they send runners off early enough (and catch any stragglers) so that it doesn't interfere with the day-to-day operations of the parks.
• The area around the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney (especially that end of it) will be crowded until Saturday afternoon, as that's where all the running related things are - expo, start line, finish line, kids races etc. Also, a lot of people just come for the race and don't actually have park admission, so they will be enjoying the publicly accessible parts of the Disneyland Resort.
• You might not see any people actually running, but you will notice lots of people walking around in athletic clothes, and also plenty of people walking around proudly wearing their hard-earned medals once the races are finished.
• The last half marathoner may not finish until around 10am, but the parks are early on in the run. I would expect all the runners to be finished in the parks by 7ish. They will go around and pick up anyone who is too slow so that park opening is not affected.
• For the person wondering if they should focus on DCA - it really doesn't matter, the races don't affect one park more than the other.

Don't be concerned about it ruining your 20th anniversary celebrations. Make sure you stop by City Hall when you arrive to get anniversary buttons (and 1st visit ones too if applicable), and mention that it's your anniversary in all your reservations (hotel, dining, tours etc). You never know what sort of pixie dust might get sprinkled your way

Thanks a bunch that's great advice, it is the third visit for my wife and I but first for our three children cant wait !