How much does a Run Disney event affect crowd level?

[StefWalsh]

Hey!

I'm heading to Orlando in about a month and am spending one day (April 17) at Disney at Hollywood Studios. We decided on this specifically to see the Symphony in the Stars fireworks and that is the day that works best for us. This, of course, falls on the weekend of the Star Wars marathon and I'm curious as to how much this might affect the crowd level that day. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[burberryplaid]

I was there for the Princess half before and the race won't affect crowds much. The race is over before the parks open (or just about) and the runners go on their merry ways from there.

That said, crowds are probably going to be heavier in general as that is April vacation week for schools in New England and that does seem to affect crowds.

 

[Dug720]

Hey!

I'm heading to Orlando in about a month and am spending one day (April 17) at Disney at Hollywood Studios. We decided on this specifically to see the Symphony in the Stars fireworks and that is the day that works best for us. This, of course, falls on the weekend of the Star Wars marathon and I'm curious as to how much this might affect the crowd level that day. Anyone have any experience with this?

Odds are that many of them WILL go back into the park (walking after a distance race is good for you), and given that it's a Star Wars race, I'd bet a LOT of them will go to DHS and be there for the fireworks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hey!

I'm heading to Orlando in about a month and am spending one day (April 17) at Disney at Hollywood Studios. We decided on this specifically to see the Symphony in the Stars fireworks and that is the day that works best for us. This, of course, falls on the weekend of the Star Wars marathon and I'm curious as to how much this might affect the crowd level that day. Anyone have any experience with this?

We were at Disney for both marathon weekend in January and Princess half marathon weekend in February. The crowds in the parks weren't too bad, but the traffic trying to get to MK on the day they ran the marathon was absolutely terrible. We were staying at the WL on marathon Sunday and took the boat to MK, avoiding the terrible traffic. We had the park to ourselves until people finally started to fill the place around 11am. So keep that in mind when planning what park you want to go to on the day they run the marathon. The half marathons don't mess up the traffic as much because they end sooner than the full marathon. We enjoyed seeing the runners wearing their medals and wouldn't hesitate to book a race weekend again.

 

[StefWalsh]

Thanks for the replies guys! I was having very similar thoughts myself about the traffic in the AM and the potential for the runners to make their way back later on, I just really wanted to hear from some folks who have experienced it! We're staying offsite and we do have a rental car, but I think we may take a cab to and from the park that day so I don't have to deal with driving in the traffic myself haha. As for the crowds and the runners coming back later, we'll go for park opening (although I think there are AM EMH that day, but what do ya do) and book our fast passes for later in the day, so I think we'll be fine there. And we have tickets for the dessert party so we'll be just fine for the fireworks too!

 

[StefWalsh]

A happy update! Rooms at All Star Movies opened up (I've been looking since my original post with no success) so we booked a night there! Checking in on April 16th, out on the 17th! So on the 17th we'll leave our car at the resort, head to the park for the EMH and bang out some rides before it gets too crowded. Then lunch and some exploring, check out the Launch Bay, FP+ for Midway Mania, Tower of Terror and Star Tours, some more exploring and then on to the Dessert Party! Then back to the resort, get the car, and head out!