another '08 marathon crowd ?

[amyminzey]

The 2008 marathon is on the 12th and 13th - right in the middle of our trip. My question is what days (before and after) should we expect the crowds to be light/minimal? We had our days all planned, but now are thinking of changing things to avoid the marathon crowds.
Thanks

Here is what we have planned right now:
Jan 6th Sun - arrive
Jan 7th Mon - MK
Jan 8th Tue - MGM
Jan 9th Wed - Epcot
Jan 10th Thur - AK
Jan 11th Fri - Typhoon Lagoon
Jan 12th Sat - free day
Jan 13th Sun - free day/move to USO hotel?
Jan 14th Mon - SW
Jan 15th Tue - US
Jan 16th Wed - IoA
Jan 17th Thur - free day
Jan 18th Fri - DC
Jan 19th Sat - leave

 

[NCRedding]

I've been at WDW during the marathon weekend twice in 2005 and 2006. The marathon doesn't seem to affect the park attendance that much. Getting to some of the parks involved may be difficult during the early part of the day. It is a good time to go.

 

[CinderellaPug]

Has the date for the 2008 marathon officially been posted? I know registration usually opens after the 2007 marathon. Also, I thought it was always the first weekend in January?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Only MK is tough to access on both Sat and Sun morning. Other than than, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[amyminzey]

Has the date for the 2008 marathon officially been posted? I know registration usually opens after the 2007 marathon. Also, I thought it was always the first weekend in January?

Here is the thread I got the dates from:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286006&referrerid=&highlight=2008+Marathon

Does anyone know if there is a schedule anywhere to tell which park/which times the marathon is running through?

Thanks everyone for helping me feel better about our trip (actually, our honeymoon!).

 

[Deb & Bill]

The half goes from Epcot to MK back to Epcot. They allow 3.5 hours to complete this. It starts at 6AM.

The full goes from Epcot to MK to AK to Disney Studios to Epcot. They allow 7 hours to complete this and it starts at 6AM.

 

[TiffJ]

Yes, those are the dates for 2008. But park attendance will not be affected. Most runners go to the park very little, if at all. Some come in for the race & go right back out after. Now, resort ressies are another story. They will fill up fast.

Use WDW transportation to get around the morning of the race. The day of the 1/2 it is all over by 9:30 so you shouldn't have too many problems. The full takes longer so more traffic delays. Use the monorail if possible.

 

[AdamsPrincess]

although they "allow" 3.5 hours for the half and "7" hours for the full. It rarely happens. I have ran it for the past 3 years and my husband for the past 5, and people are still running well past the time.

 

[Jynohn]

That's disappointing news. The marathon has always been on the first weekend in January and we timed this year's trip so that our AP's would still be good for a marathon trip next year. They'll expire on Jan. 12th 2008

To answer your question, though, I've never seen the marathon affect park attendance to any noticeable degree. The most you'll see is some traffic congestion on marathon morning, then a few runners limping around the parks for a couple of days after.

Enjoy your trip!