Getting to MK the day of the marathon

[pinkxray]

I am doing the half marathon in Jan. We will only be there Fri-Mon. The only park day I had planned was a full day at MK on Sunday. I wasn’t even thinking about the how the full marathon will affect things. I was hoping to be at MK opening. We are mostly likely stay at the Swan.
How bad is it getting there? We would be taking the buses?
I don’t really want to do day at a different parks. Our other option would be to check out of Disney Sat. And head to Universal for a day but I like MK more.

 

[Chrisizzle]

As someone who takes part in the RunDisney events, they start at 5am with guests advised to arrive by 3:30am. Much earlier than park open.

Also, looking at the Marathon Route Map, it starts and ends at Epcot. Participants just run through MK for minimal disruption.

There will most certainly be additional traffic but the hotel buses will be the best option, probably given preferred routes/access.

 

[winthropf]

In the past, the marathon route has cut off access to the MK bus depot area so busses for MK would take people to Epcot where they would board the monorail to TTC and switch to the MK monorail. To get around that and save a lot of time, I used to take a taxi/uber/lyft to the the Contemporary and walk to MK.

 

[kwdw]

The marathoners will be out of the park before the park opens. Traffic and bus times to all parks that day are less predictable until the whole course is cleaned up. I just wouldn't worry about it too much. Maybe aim to leave for the park about 20 minutes earlier than you might normally think. I've been there three times during Marathon weekend - and yes - there have been some bus delays in the morning due to holding folks for runners or cleaning up race markers - that type of stuff. But I've had bus issues on regular mornings, too. My last trip - waited for 35 minutes one morning for bus at SSR to Epcot. Why? Who knows!