January Marathon

[chorlick]

Does anyone know how the Marathon in January affects regular park traffic? Will there be any problems getting to the parks? I've heard it is rather hairy for people in the marathon getting to their starting place. Does anyone else experience problems later in the day?

 

[PCFriar80]

The biggest congestion point is the EC main parking entrance, both Saturday and Sunday, anywhere from early morning to early afternoon. Disney busses are able to bypass the back-up at the gates and the monorail is the best option from TTC or the MK resorts. Walking from the EC resorts is obviously the best
for EC. Access to MK, AK and MGM has limited road closures, but not the same
impact as EC. AK and MGM are not impacted by the 1/2 marathon, but the
5K is being run over at MGM this year. Both on Saturday. Hope this helps.

 

[RunningthruDisney]

I thought the 5k was on friday at MGM. My sister and I are planning to run it as part of our work out. We are staying at WL is it going to be difficult getting to Epcot that morning.

Megan

 

[PCFriar80]

I thought the 5k was on friday at MGM. My sister and I are planning to run it as part of our work out. We are staying at WL is it going to be difficult getting to Epcot that morning.

Megan

You're correct! I failed to look at the date and "assumed" that it was Saturday since that is when it was this year. Thanks for keeping me honest!

 

[bab31]

Could you tell me what the date is of the marathon(s)? Thanks

 

[NCRedding]

The marathon is 1/7/07; the 1/2 marathon is 1/6/07

 

[jiminy14]

The half marathon and Goofy's Race Challenge registrations are already closed. You can still register for the full marathon or the Family 5K.
We were at WDW for this year's marathon staying at the BWV. We avoided MK and AKL over the weekend and walked to EPCOT and MGM instead. EPCOT was very crowded especially WS since the finish line was located there.
It was really fun to watch the participants run by our room at the BWV. Many of them were dressed in Disney costumes. We saw a couple of Tinks, Goofys, Mickeys and Minnies, a Snow White and an entire family of pirates.

 

[solotraveler]

From what I experienced last year, the most significant impact will be for the Sunday full marathon and you are most likely to be impacted if you are headed to the Magic Kingdom by bus. (MK buses drop at the TTC during the races). Ditto access in or out of the Contemporary Resort on either day (One lane under the waterway bridge open--- Loooong backups last year)

The half marathon Saturday is done by 9:30-10am, so transportation would only be somewhat affected in the morning. The full marathon on Sunday involves a significant number of road closures and runs until 1:00pm-2:00pm, so allow plenty of time to get where you are going.

The transportation for runners to the start is fantastic! even though you do need to leave the resort by 4am.

Hope that helps!

 

[ducklite]

DH runs the full every year. He's found getting to the start a bit different every year. We've stayed at the monorail resorts mostly, and that's the easiest way to get there. Two years we were at the BCV. One time he and a bunch of others waited over an hour for a bus that then got stuck in traffic and he almost missed the start. The next year he waited about 45 minutes for a bus, and when one didn't come he drove--and it took him under five minutes to get to the Epcot parking lot, so he doesn't know what the problem was.

After that we decided we'd ONLY stay at the monorail resorts, which makes it easy for both of us to get around--I see him at the half and then again at the finish.

The full marathon creates significant road closures for anyone driving on WDW grounds, and even some delays with buses.

Runners are supposed to finish in seven hours, and they start to get pulled off the course after noon if they are so far behind that they will never finish by 1:00 PM.

Anne