Arriving During Marathon Weekend, Problematic?

[RenaissanceBabe]

Finally planning my next visit to the world after our Honeymoon a year ago and just realized today that our dates we are planning on arriving are right in the middle of the marathon weekend. Is this an issue? We'll be staying well past it, arriving the Friday night of the weekend and staying through to the following Saturday. I've never been during the winter let alone a race weekend. Is there anything I should expect? Crowds? Hubs and I are on the pooh size so this might be an odd question but will we be the only fat people in the park? I know disney is super inclusive but it'd be nice to know if we should expect to look out of place. While I'm currently on a great diet and exercise plan there's no way that by the time we get there we'll look like athletes lol. Any information what so ever from racers or folks who have traveled during this time would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[mountdew1]

It shouldn't be an issue. The biggest issues from Marathon weekend are road closures early Sat and Sun AM. And even for those, it's mostly going to affect people with pre-park opening dining/tours at MK and those staying at the MK resorts. The road closures will add to travel times in those areas. If you take Disney transit, they will know all the closures, so it's not a problem you may just want to allow for extra time in the mornings. If anything, the resorts and non-park dining will be busier than the parks. Lots of runners won't go to the parks on the day they run, or if they do, it will be a shorter day, either because they were up at 2AM to get to the race, or because they are going to get up at 2AM the next day for a race.

While there may be a higher percentage of fit people than normal, it's not an issue, nor will you look out of place. The runDisney events are very popular among those who are more likely to walk a 16min mile (slowest they allow) than to qualify for Boston.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hubs and I are on the pooh size so this might be an odd question but will we be the only fat people in the park?

My goodness gracious NO. Please do not worry about that. FYI there are plenty of not-teensy people who take part in rundisney events! You don't have to be small to take part; to walk them or even to run them!

As mountdew1 says, the road closures in the morning will be the biggest issue; take disney transportation and leave early if you have any early morning stuff, and you should be just fine. If you're at Epcot early as the runs are finishing, you might get held up as they let walkers/joggers/runners pass; if you cheer for them it makes them smile. (assuming the runs end in the same spot, that is)

 

[MeganMango]

As far as crowds, it might be more crowded that weekend. I did this race 3.5 years ago. It's a very fun weekend!

And like bumbershoot says, run Disney events aren't just for "smaller" people. Actually, you see a lot of more "pooh sized" people doing the run Disney events than you might think! The marathon weekend, along with any other race Disney puts on, allows for a lot of extra time to finish the races. More time than the average race. Because Disney races are fun, you get to meet characters, so a lot of "beginner" runners do these races!!! Running isn't just for smaller people!

 

[Alice777]

FYI, Sunday, November 6, there's "post party" for the runners who did 10K and half marathon and their paid guests at Epcot from 10 pm to 1 pm. Epcot, I believe closes at 10 pm but like other special events, will let the runners and guests enter at 8 pm.

I have never been to one of this but have bought ticket for the post party since my son will be running. I'm guessing Epcot might get busy starting 8 pm?

 

[wilkeliza]

FYI, Sunday, November 6, there's "post party" for the runners who did 10K and half marathon and their paid guests at Epcot from 10 pm to 1 pm. Epcot, I believe closes at 10 pm but like other special events, will let the runners and guests enter at 8 pm.

I have never been to one of this but have bought ticket for the post party since my son will be running. I'm guessing Epcot might get busy starting 8 pm?

I think they are going during Marathon weekend not Wine and Dine weekend. There aren't any after parties at Marathond weekend. Magic Kindgom will be situated a little differently on marathon morning. You can access everything but may still have some roped off areas where you have to wait for a CM to let you throught. Also Disney Springs is usually swamped on the Sunday after or Monday after because the official "party" will be there one of those two days.

You have nothing to worry about OP a lot of pooh sized people actually participate in runDisney.

 

[Keels]

It's really a great time of year to go to the parks - and you never know! It might inspire you to do a race! We were at EPCOT on Marathon Day in 2014 and seeing all of the runners (and cheering them on!) was so awesome - and then running a Disney race ended up becoming a goal of mine.

I ran Marathon Weekend this year, and the crowds were light but incredibly energetic. On Marathon Day (Sunday), you'll probably still see runners in the parks until almost 1 p.m., but Disney does a GREAT job of directing foot traffic so both runners and park patrons can get where they need to go. Brunch/lunch time will be a little empty, but the runner crowds will show up later in the afternoon/early evening.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I'll echo the statement that plenty of Pooh-sized folks attend and participate in RunDisney events. I'm one of them (but I only do 5ks).

A lot of the hardcore runners don't spend much downtime in the parks, because of their early start times and the amount of ground they're already covering in the events. They tend to rest and recover between races, especially if they're doing the full weekend challenge.

The biggest issue with race weekends is all the road closures and traffic reroutes. Try not to plan any PPO breakfast ADRs unless you leave a TON of extra travel time.

 

[RenaissanceBabe]

Thank you everyone for the fantastic responses! Sounds like I have nothing to worry about traveling at this time. And I hope no one was offended by my comment on size. I've been pooh sized my whole life and there are times when you stick out of certain crowds and there are certain crowds that make you feel like you stick out. Hearing that they have 5ks however.... Hmmm one day maybe?
Thanks again everyone!

 

[Accident]

anytime I've been in mk the day after the races I see a lot of runners who are getting 1 last whirl of the kingdom before heading home. can be a lot crowded that morning but generally they are gone shortly after lunch. It's not a good day to rope drop MK.

Also the races are really early in the morning so evenings tend to be a lot more quiet than the rest of the week if your a night owl it's a great time to plan to close the place down.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you everyone for the fantastic responses! Sounds like I have nothing to worry about traveling at this time. And I hope no one was offended by my comment on size. I've been pooh sized my whole life and there are times when you stick out of certain crowds and there are certain crowds that make you feel like you stick out. Hearing that they have 5ks however.... Hmmm one day maybe?
Thanks again everyone!

No one was offended.

Dh is 350ish and does the 5k events. He's done the marathon weekend 5k and Star Wars in Disneyland. He'll be doing SW again this year. And maybe the SW in WDW too if I can swing it.

He does (as I do) Galloway walk/jog method as straight running is really hard on his Achilles.

I'm 100% sure he could do the 10k but he has psyched himself out about them.

Even at Disneyland we clock a good 13 miles each day just having fun at the parks and getting to and from the hotel, so the mileage is being oput in.

Registrations are 7 months prior to the events, for when you decide to think about it.

 

[dkrauss]

We visited during marathon weekend this past January! No problems at all! Stayed at BWV and had a great time!

Doug

 

[Mkid451]

We arrived on Marathon day this year. We didn't do a park that Sunday because we didn't get in until late morning/early afternoon. The crowds at Disney Springs were a little thick that day, but not unbearable. AK the next day was pretty quiet. We didn't even really need the fastpass reservations we made. That Tuesday in MK was also one of the quieter days I have had in that park.

One thing that was different was the weather. It was freezing! And before someone says: "Well, duh, you went in January, what did you expect?" let me counter by saying I go to school in Maine, I understand how winter works, how cold works, and how weather changes. We were in town for a conference, and while we were there we sat by the pool/went swimming in the afternoon/early evening, had a day at Universal where we were happy and comfortable in shorts and t-shirts and generally enjoyed nice Florida weather. Once we transferred to Disney, it got cold, and we weren't well prepared. The pool would even steam in the evenings. We still had fun, but if you go at that time, pack your pants and sweatshirts, as well your shorts and t-shirts because the weather could go either way.

 

[monkistan]

the last time I was there for marathon weekend, I met a lovely pooh sized couple who were doing the goofy challenge. they were amazing!

 

[disnut8]

We were there during the marathon weekend a few years ago and the only "problem" we had were some of the roads had a lane only for runners so traffic was a bit of a problem but like a PP said, take Disney transportation as they know the schedule and what is available and what is not. It might take a bit longer to get to where you are going but that's about it. Oh - and we were at Animal Kingdom and then took a bus to the Epcot resort area to visit Epcot and since the route traveled through there and runners were there when we were, we were asked to stay to one side. But, as usual, Disney had Cast Members kindly telling us where not to go and when we joked we would have to cross the "street" just to cross back over it again, the Cast Member laughed and said "but at least you get to enjoy the theme park instead of just running through it."

 

[Fire14]

I am a run Disney runner, I weigh in at around 200 pounds. I would just plan on allowing extra time for getting places in AM and be aware of runners who maybe trying to finish races. DTD on Sunday night maybe busier than normal with "after party" but other than that have fun. I know that A lot of visitors/ even CM had no clue a race had happened that AM until they saw me wearing my medal and asked about it.

 

[roselark]

I highly recommend you try to make it over to Epcot that Sunday. It is a lot of fun to cheer on the marathoners. That is the last leg of the race and I know from experience that an energetic crowd can make all the difference. I will be running in the half marathon next year and hoping to volunteer for the marathon. It is a GREAT weekend to be there. I have done this particular race twice before.