January '06 at POP with marathon?

[flamanar]

OK. We're looking at staying from 1/2-1/16/06 at POP. We were going to stay from 11/30-12-15/05, but we decided that the POP Warner crowd would not be a POSITIVE experience for us Anywho, is it less busy in January? I heard that the marathon takes place during the first/second week...how does this affect the parks? Is it pretty busy in the resorts? Thanks.

flamanar

 

[Bob P]

Both of those time periods should find the parks pretty empty. The marathon has no impact on the crowds in the parks, but it will have an effect on certain parts of the parks (MK and Epcot on Saturday, all four parks on Sunday) being roped off for the runners to come through in the morning.

The biggest disruption on the two days will be in the traffic going to and from the parks.

Bob

 

[flamanar]

Both of those time periods should find the parks pretty empty. The marathon has no impact on the crowds in the parks, but it will have an effect on certain parts of the parks (MK and Epcot on Saturday, all four parks on Sunday) being roped off for the runners to come through in the morning.

The biggest disruption on the two days will be in the traffic going to and from the parks.

Bob

Can you tell me what time that MK and Epcot are roped off on Sat.? Also, are the 4 parks only roped off for Sun. morning, then available for the rest of the day? Also, does the traffic disruption extend to the resort buses? Is there a schedule of events listed somewhere? Thanks!!

flamanar

 

[Deb & Bill]

The 1/2 marathon starts at 6AM on Sat. The runners have 3.5 hours to complete the course, so they have to be through the MK by 8AM at the very latest. Following the 1/2 marathon on Saturday will be the 5K race at Epcot, goes mainly through the WS, but does exit past Spaceship Earth to the parking lot.

The full marathon takes place on Sun. Again it starts at 6M. Runners have 7 hours to complete the course. Starts Epcot, goes to MK, the AK, then WWoS, then Disney Studios, past the YC/BC/BW, into Epcot at the International Gateway and finishes at the parking lot.

When the runners go through the parks, they are not really roped off. You just have to keep out of the way of the runners. Don't cross in front of them. Sections of roadway will be blocked to vehicular traffic for the runners. Try not to plan a Chef Mickey's breakfast for 7:30 or 8AM either morning. You will have a hard time getting through unless you can get to the resort by monorail from Epcot.