Character Lines?

[beckyb29]

Hi everyone!!

I can't believe we are getting so close to Marathon weekend!!

Since this is my first WDW race, I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the whole thing!

How long are the waits for the characters typically during the Marathon? Who have you waited for, and for how long? I will probably be in the last corral, due to not being able to submit a time (although I'm going to try to get to the front of the corral...) We're just trying to figure out a "plan", although I know everything can change quickly in a race. We would like to stop for a couple of photos, but want to stay as far ahead of the sweepers as possible!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ariel484]

Hi everyone!!

I can't believe we are getting so close to Marathon weekend!!

Since this is my first WDW race, I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the whole thing!

How long are the waits for the characters typically during the Marathon? Who have you waited for, and for how long? I will probably be in the last corral, due to not being able to submit a time (although I'm going to try to get to the front of the corral...) We're just trying to figure out a "plan", although I know everything can change quickly in a race. We would like to stop for a couple of photos, but want to stay as far ahead of the sweepers as possible!

Thanks in advance!

I think the longest character line I have waited in was for Royal Mickey & Minnie on the back side of the castle. It was...7-8 minutes long, maybe?

Most of the lines are pretty short. There are usually 2 CMs working each line - one taking the current runner's picture, the other getting the camera ready for the next person. Between that and no autograph books, they move quickly.

Here's my report from Goofy in 2013. I stopped for most of the character pictures during the half...the first 8 miles or so are the same for the marathon, meaning that a lot of the characters were the same the next day. I didn't stop for characters during the marathon if I already had stopped during the half. The line-up can always change, of course, but hopefully it'll give you an idea of who may be out there and locations to look for (a lot of them are the same from year to year - always someone by the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland, Mad Tea Party, etc.):

Half: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47303889&postcount=89
Marathon: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47367276&postcount=158

In general I try to only stop for characters that are in special outfits, or if they are rare/someone I haven't met before. That sort of helps cut down on the time. I have run the marathon twice, the Princess Half once and the WDW Half once - the Magic Kingdom portion ALWAYS takes the longest because there are so many characters there, so keep that in mind.

 

[FFigawi]

Hi everyone!! I can't believe we are getting so close to Marathon weekend!! Since this is my first WDW race, I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the whole thing! How long are the waits for the characters typically during the Marathon? Who have you waited for, and for how long? I will probably be in the last corral, due to not being able to submit a time (although I'm going to try to get to the front of the corral...) We're just trying to figure out a "plan", although I know everything can change quickly in a race. We would like to stop for a couple of photos, but want to stay as far ahead of the sweepers as possible! Thanks in advance!

The more popular ones like Capt. Jack and the princesses, and the ones that are closer to the start, can have 20-40 people in line. The minor characters and the ones closer to the finish (where people are tired and trying to stay ahead of the balloon ladies) can have no line or maybe up to 10 people. The hardest thing about waiting in line is not the time it takes but rather the cooling off of your muscles while you are waiting for several minutes.

 

[xlxo]

Pay attention to WHEN the line ends and get there with time to spare. Don't want to tell your kids the lines are closed and you failed as a parent.

 

[FFigawi]

Pay attention to WHEN the line ends and get there with time to spare. Don't want to tell your kids the lines are closed and you failed as a parent.

I'm pretty sure most of the characters stay on the course until the sweepers go by, so I doubt there will be an issue with the line ending.

 

[RD-SOX]

Ariel484...
Totally love your mile by mile recount of you day!! Congrats on such a great job.

Silly question, where did you store your Gu Chomps? I didn't see a fuel belt in you pics. I have an outfit/costume I would like to run in but don't want to carry a fuel belt.

 

[Ariel484]

Ariel484... Totally love your mile by mile recount of you day!! Congrats on such a great job. Silly question, where did you store your Gu Chomps? I didn't see a fuel belt in you pics. I have an outfit/costume I would like to run in but don't want to carry a fuel belt.

Thank you!!

Chomps were in pockets in my running skirt!

 

[MeridaAndAngus]

I'm pretty sure most of the characters stay on the course until the sweepers go by, so I doubt there will be an issue with the line ending.

I think this was an issue recently with the Avengers 5k - I heard they shut down the line for Captain America before the end of the race because the line was so long. Doubt that'd be a problem for the WDW marathon, though.