Jan. '06 ??'s about marathon?

[Kris & Steve]

Ok, so I just found out that smack dab in the middle of my vacation there is this Marathon going on. I am so mad right now. Should I change the dates for my DW trip to the week after? Does this marathon make the parks crowded like it is in the summers, etc.? If you know anything about this please let me know...

Thanks all!
I appreciate the help I get here!

 

[xmelissax]

I want to know this too since my vacation is booked for Jan 2-9th, I'm a bit worried.

 

[ioneblair]

I'm looking also for those in the know to comment here but from what I've read, those dates, marathon and all, are nothing like the summer, plus I've read that the latter part of January is when crowds from South America come to visit and that there can be lots of teens from cheerleading contests events, how does this affect the park?.....

 

[skfulkers]

You don't have anything to worry about. The crowds that weekend are nothing like spring break/summer/Christmas crowds. This is actually one of the slowest times of the year.
The marathons are broken up over two days this year (half marathon on Saturday, 1/7, and full marathon on Sunday, 1/8), so you will probably want to avoid trying to get to the MK early either of those two mornings. Traffic, including bus transportation, can be VERY slow from early morning till around 11:00 or so heading up World Drive, around the MK resorts, and the TTC parking lot. If you visit any of the parks those two mornings, you will see areas roped off and runners making their way through the parks, but this should not hinder your plans too much. The CMs coordinating the event ensure that this is run very efficiently with minimal effect on other guests.
After the races are over (around 10am on Saturday and noon-1pm on Sunday), you will notice very little at all that would even indicate there was a race that morning, other than some people wearing their prized finisher's medals around the parks.
I will be running in the marathon, so I guess I have a different perspective on the whole weekend, but if I was not running it and I had happened to plan my vacation through that weekend, I wouldn't sweat it. It's still a very slow time of year for the parks.
Hope this helps!

Steve

 

[Kris & Steve]

skfulkers thanks for your help! Good luck in the marathon! I could never ever do it.

 

[bwv4me]

skfulkers thanks for your help! Good luck in the marathon! I could never ever do it.

I bet you could! If I did, almost anyone can. Some people even walk it!

 

[nine9d]

Wow! This is our first family trip to WDW and I am missing the marathon by a day! How many people are in the marathon; and how many people stay for the week after the maraton?

 

[nowellsl]

We were there this year during the marathon weekend. It really didn't seem to affect the crowds in the park. It was pretty slow. There was some congestion on the roads going to the parks but it cleared up pretty quick. I wouldn't worry about it!

 

[ioneblair]

*methinks I will be looking into doing this marathon in the future *

thanks for this info skfulkers & nowells

 

[Rustyflwr3]

I really wouldn't worry about the crowds. January is typically a slow month anyways. I am running in it this year and I am looking forward to it, so my perspective is probably a bit different. I just wouldn't worry about it, as it will still be a lot less crowded as it generally is during peak season.