Going to parks during a marathon weekend

[osufeth24]

I have friends visiting me next weekend, and unfortunately one of the only weekends they could take off is the same weekend as the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend. They'll be all staying at my place that's about 20 minutes east of Disney, so we'll be driving in. Any advice on how to deal with the traffic/crowds? I think we want to do HS Fri evening, and Saturday is most likely Epcot/MK day.

I've never been on property during an event, so not sure what to expect.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Crowd wise, you won't notice much. Saturday AM is the half marathon (I think). You will have traffic getting to the parks and, depending on how early you are there, may get to wave at some runners as they pass, but otherwise, you should be fine. Just plan on lots of traffic and altered roads until after 10am.

 

[DisneyBelle27]

Crowd wise, you won't notice much. Saturday AM is the half marathon (I think). You will have traffic getting to the parks and, depending on how early you are there, may get to wave at some runners as they pass, but otherwise, you should be fine. Just plan on lots of traffic and altered roads until after 10am.

The half marathon is actually Sunday morning (I know b/c I'm doing it, lol). The 5k is Friday morning and the 10k is Saturday morning.

 

[BurleyGirl]

The half marathon is actually Sunday morning (I know b/c I'm doing it, lol). The 5k is Friday morning and the 10k is Saturday morning.

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Encounter 13.1 Miles of Magic through Walt Disney World Resort!

• Saturday, January 11, 2020
• Start Time: 5:30 AM

You had me completely scared, as I, too, am doing the half and have made all my travel arrangements/scheduling based on Saturday, so when you said the half is Sunday, I was scrambling...BUT, the HALF is actually SATURDAY morning per RunDisney's website. I hope this does not throw you for a loop!!

 

[kydisneyfans]

The OP is talking about Wine and Dine, which actually is Sunday morning. Friday is the 5K, Sat is 10K, Sun is the half. For Marathon weekend in January, everything is a day earlier.

Driving in will be a challenge in the mornings. Roads are completely closed, others are 1 lane. Maps are available. Not sure of the courses this time but Epcot has been the epicenter of the past several year's worth of races-trying to get in on a Sat morning will result in likely some detours and backed up traffic.

 

[Tink9721]

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Encounter 13.1 Miles of Magic through Walt Disney World Resort!

• Saturday, January 11, 2020
• Start Time: 5:30 AM

You had me completely scared, as I, too, am doing the half and have made all my travel arrangements/scheduling based on Saturday, so when you said the half is Sunday, I was scrambling...BUT, the HALF is actually SATURDAY morning per RunDisney's website. I hope this does not throw you for a loop!!

Different marathon weekend

 

[osufeth24]

The OP is talking about Wine and Dine, which actually is Sunday morning. Friday is the 5K, Sat is 10K, Sun is the half. For Marathon weekend in January, everything is a day earlier.

Driving in will be a challenge in the mornings. Roads are completely closed, others are 1 lane. Maps are available. Not sure of the courses this time but Epcot has been the epicenter of the past several year's worth of races-trying to get in on a Sat morning will result in likely some detours and backed up traffic.

ya that's my worry. We are trying to hit up Epcot Sat morning to do some F&W before it got crazy, then head over to MK.

 

[disneygirlsng]

Different marathon weekend

I get the confusion as there is only one "Marathon weekend" which is in January. The other 3 all max out at a half marathon, big difference. Though OP did say next weekend, which is the Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend.

 

[disneysteve]

We've gone during Marathon weekend numerous times and we were there for Wine and Dine last year (and ran the 5K). Other than some road closures early in the day, there's not much else to worry about. I actually kind of like being in the parks those days and seeing everyone wearing their medals.

If the 10K is Saturday morning, it really won't impact you at all. The race is at 5:30am so most runners are done in about 60-90 minutes. Then there's some post-race festivities but by the time the park is getting ready to open for the day, things are pretty well done.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Oops! Sorry about that!!

 

[rteetz]

Other than maybe some early morning transportation delays there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

 

[Upatnoon]

I have friends visiting me next weekend, and unfortunately one of the only weekends they could take off is the same weekend as the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend. They'll be all staying at my place that's about 20 minutes east of Disney, so we'll be driving in. Any advice on how to deal with the traffic/crowds? I think we want to do HS Fri evening, and Saturday is most likely Epcot/MK day.

I've never been on property during an event, so not sure what to expect.

If you didn't know there was a race weekend ahead of time, you'd probably not even realize it was one. As others have said, the event will be long over by the time you roll in.