Jan 2012 Visitors, when did crowds lighten after New Years

[miss_nik_nik]

Anyone know when the crowds lightened after New Years? My aunt went many years ago and said it was practically empty on January 2nd. I am wondering if this is still true, or if it stays mostly busy until the end of the week.

Also, has anyone been in the parks during the January marathon? Are the parks crowded? Are certain areas of the park closed for the race? I know some driving roads will be closed, so that will cause extra time, but wondering about actually in the parks. Any info greatly appreciated!

 

[Donna3271]

We go every year for the Marathon, and I have to say the parks are at a moderate level for the weekend, not empty like you would think. We stay for a few days after the marathon weekend, and it empties out more. NOTHING like spring break or a holiday.

 

[we3peas]

MK is very crowded during marathon weekend. The other parks not so much. It does empty when they all leave though. My DD and were in MK on Friday and it was a slow day except in Fantasyland.

 

[cab0899]

We were in Hollywood Studios on the marathon day and it was busy! Very hard to get around as the runners run right through the park.

We thought it would be much quieter than it was. We left on Jan 11th and it was pretty busy right until the last couple of days.

 

[miss_nik_nik]

I think we will be going the 2nd week in January, arrive maybe around the 4th and leave just as marathon runners will be arriving on the 11th. It's just a bummer that they usually do free dining during/after the marathon, b/c i'd love free dining, but i don't want the crowds! Oh well, can't have it all.

 

[CookieGVB]

We were just there during that time, and the crowds only let up a little after Jan. 2nd - then it was right back up again with the numbers because of the marathon that next weekend. Seems that every time there is a "quiet time", Disney finds a way to get more people there with a special event. It was fine, because there were extended hours. During the busier portions of the day, we got to actually enjoy the park itself, and not be so concerned about the rides.

 

[miss_nik_nik]

The marathon for 2013 will be Jan 10-13. So I'll probably go the 3rd-10th. Hopefully that will be a quiet week.