Disney Marathon Weekend - Need Help!

[Puncek]

We always go to Disney in late January, but needed to adjust our trip this year to go a bit earlier. We will be arriving at Pop Century on the Saturday of the Marathon weekend. For those who have gone during this time - how is it going to be??? Will we be able to take Disney buses to the parks? Are the parks closed during the marathon? Should we avoid them? What should we do? I've read the books, and searched the Internet, but I guess I can't find the answers I'm looking for regarding the Marathon. We are not participating in any of the Marathon-related activities, but just want to know how to avoid the craziness for that weekend. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

As far as I know all the marathon events take place before park opening. Along with the fact that I think people are insane to be able to run that much, the fact that they do it at the crack of dawn makes me even more I'm kidding. DH used to run, but never quite reached Marathon level. But from all I have read it is just the early morning that is a problem. Disney does a good job of keeping things under control and getting everything cleared out before the parks open so their busses run smoothly. You might just want to plan that for a sleep in a bit later day if you want.

I am sure some that have been there, done that will come along with more details about the specific schedules.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We always go to Disney in late January, but needed to adjust our trip this year to go a bit earlier. We will be arriving at Pop Century on the Saturday of the Marathon weekend. For those who have gone during this time - how is it going to be??? Will we be able to take Disney buses to the parks? Are the parks closed during the marathon? Should we avoid them? What should we do? I've read the books, and searched the Internet, but I guess I can't find the answers I'm looking for regarding the Marathon. We are not participating in any of the Marathon-related activities, but just want to know how to avoid the craziness for that weekend. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

I just planned a vacation for a family who will be at Disney for the 1/2 marathon and the marathon, and they do run through the parks while they open on Saturday. They do have to be done in a certain time. If you go to Disney's website and go to the sports complex section they have the start times and the route online. You can expect to experience heavy crowds that weekend due to the race.

 

[Puncek]

Thank you lovetoscrap and dairyqueenmom!