Just Decided to Go in Jan! So Excited! (Marathon questions)

[Luv4Disney]

Hey fellow DISer's! DBF and I miss the wonderful world of Disney (we were there in May) and decided to go in January to celebrate both of our birthday (we're only a week apart). So, we're leaving the 6th and coming back the 14th. Now, here's the thing. We've never been to Disney in January other than New Year's. We know that the marathon for 2006 is the 7th and 8th. How busy does it get, if it even does, and how long does it stay busy? Any information would be so helpful! Thanks in advance!

 

[solferino]

We're down there the 1-8th of Jan so I've inquired here abotu the marathon days and as I understand it from those who've been there in years past it's the traffic/transportation that's a little crazy in the mornings, but the parks themselves aren't that busy.

I'm hoping that's the case and we're able to spend our last day there not sitting on a bus waiting. It'll also be DD's birthday so I really hope for her sake everything moves right along.

Which resort will you be at?

 

[yellowfish78]

I've also been told that traffic is terrible in the morning hours as well. If your staying at a resort that offers something other than bus transportation, use it! (like walking, boat or monorail)

 

[Luv4Disney]

We're down there the 1-8th of Jan so I've inquired here abotu the marathon days and as I understand it from those who've been there in years past it's the traffic/transportation that's a little crazy in the mornings, but the parks themselves aren't that busy.

I'm hoping that's the case and we're able to spend our last day there not sitting on a bus waiting. It'll also be DD's birthday so I really hope for her sake everything moves right along.

Which resort will you be at?

Thanks for the info! We're not sure. We're thinking about ASMusic because we can get it really cheap with our AP's. However, we had a really bad experience at the Pop and vowed never to go a value resort again. I don't know. If we don't stay there, it will most likely be the Wilderness Lodge or the POR. I know, very different choices from one end of the scale to the other. I guess it also depends on what parks I plan and what ADR's are made. Hopefully it won't be that bad. We went this past May and everyone had us so nervous because we went on the 11th (right after the Celebration started) and everyone was saying how nuts it would be, and blah blah blah. Hopefully it won't be that bad. Thanks again!

What resort will you be at?

 

[Luv4Disney]

I've also been told that traffic is terrible in the morning hours as well. If your staying at a resort that offers something other than bus transportation, use it! (like walking, boat or monorail)

Do you think we could leave super early and beat it? Otherwise, around what time does it last until?

 

[solferino]

What resort will you be at?

POFQ We stayed there before DD was born and loved it.

 

[jkh1978]

Marathon starts at 6

Do you think we could leave super early and beat it? Otherwise, around what time does it last until?

 

[NCRedding]

I was at WDW during the marathon this year. Traffic was particularly bad around MK on the morning of the marathon because that was where the 1/2 marathon ended.

This year will be different. First, they will be doing the 1/2 and the full on separate days; plus they have also changed the route. I would recommend that you avoid Epcot on Saturday before about noon. The 1/2 will begin and end at Epcot. Other than that, I think any of the other parks would be OK for traffic.

I stayed at All Star Music and had a great stay during the marathon.

 

[Luv4Disney]

POFQ We stayed there before DD was born and loved it.

We loved the Riverside when we stayed there. The FQ looks beautiful too. We're having a hard time deciding. One of the reasons we like the Riverside so much was because of the mansion rooms. It's gorgeous at night. Enjoy your stay! Maybe we'll see you around!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Marathon starts at 6

Okay! Scratch that idea! Thanks for the info! No one can be THAT much of an early person.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I was at WDW during the marathon this year. Traffic was particularly bad around MK on the morning of the marathon because that was where the 1/2 marathon ended.

This year will be different. First, they will be doing the 1/2 and the full on separate days; plus they have also changed the route. I would recommend that you avoid Epcot on Saturday before about noon. The 1/2 will begin and end at Epcot. Other than that, I think any of the other parks would be OK for traffic.

I stayed at All Star Music and had a great stay during the marathon.

The buses at All Star Music seemed to be better because it seems like less people stay there. We were planning to do Epcot that Saturday. Darn. I had it all mapped out.

 

[disneymama73]

My friend and I are doing a Moms only trip in January for my birthday (Jan. 8). We will be at OKW from Jan. 7-10.

NCRedding: Thanks for the tips regarding the marathon! We'll just be arriving on Saturday, so it shouldn't be a problem. We're doing manicures & pedicures at SSR Spa on Sunday morning and then plan on spending the day at Epcot. Hoping for very few crowds since this is our first time kidless!

Hope everyone has magical January trips!

 

[antmaril]

The Builders' Convention will be in Orlando from January 11 - 13th bringing over 100,000 people to the Convention Center. We are going to be at WDW and Universal from January 9th - 14th and I'm more than a little worried about the impact this convention will have on our visit. Some people have advised that it won't be bad, but I'm not so sure. Not too worried about the parks, but Downtown Disney, Citywalk at Universal, restaurants, traffic, etc. could be bad.

 

[shellybaxter]

We were there last year during both the marathon and the builders convention. Aside from the traffic the marathon didn't really effort the parks at all. In fact, the parks seemed pretty empty on actual marathon day, at least the Studios did as that's where we ended up. Traffic was another problem though. We had a rental car and were transfering from BWI to WL that morning. It took about an hour and 15 mins to drive between the two due to traffic slow downs by the BWI and at the toll booths on the way to MK. Then we took a boat to the Contemporary and the monorail to the TTC. At the TTC we got a bus to the Studios. This was about 1:00PM and things were starting to get cleared up. It still took a awhile to get there (35-40 mins), and the bus driver said it had taken an hour to get to the TTC from the Studios just prior.

The builders convention wasn't an issue until the Friday of there weekend. On Friday you could tell thinks had picked up. I think that was the night they had an after hours party at MK. Because of that I LOT of convention people stayed at WL and for some reason they went back to MK all weekend. It was REALLY crowded. EPCOT was fine, but there were hour plus lines in fantasyland and at the big rides when they had all been walk on on Tuesday prior.

Don't know if those patterns will stick this year or not, but those were our observations


Shelly

 

[jbird327]

I arrived this past Jan on the day of the marathon, somewhere around 10:30. The roads were all backed up and it took probably an hour (maybe more) to get to the Poly from the main road. Otherwise, the parks were rather empty.

 

[DVCCarrie]

I am going January 6th through the 16th, staying at Wilderness Lodge Villas. Celebrating my birthday on the 14th. Hope the crowds are light. My trip last year was interrupted by Hurricane Francis, stuck in the room for 2 days. Maybe we all should meet up? What do you think?

 

[antmaril]

The builders convention wasn't an issue until the Friday of there weekend. On Friday you could tell thinks had picked up. I think that was the night they had an after hours party at MK. Because of that I LOT of convention people stayed at WL and for some reason they went back to MK all weekend. It was REALLY crowded. EPCOT was fine, but there were hour plus lines in fantasyland and at the big rides when they had all been walk on on Tuesday prior.

Don't know if those patterns will stick this year or not, but those were our observations


Shelly

Thanks for your thoughts on the Builders' Convention. I went to their website and found that the builders are having a private party at Citywalk at Universal on January 12th (the first night of our two-night stay at Universal). Looks like they will be gathering at many of the Citywalk restaurants (except Emeril's). Of course, we could just avoid Citywalk that night.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We are going Jan 4th to 11th, staying at SSR so thanks for asking this question. (or last trip was early Mary 2005 too, we had a great time! It was one of our best trips ever .)

Should be avoid MK and Epcot on Saturday? Would AKL or MGM be a better choices? Does the maraton effect those parks too? (or better yet go to a water park, DTD or just hang at the hotel in the PM pooling and playing.) We have AP so we can hop and can do half or even just a few hours at the park and it won't be a waste of a ticket. Since we are at SSR and close to DTD I am thinking just staying around that area might be our best bet for Saturday am.

We are considering getting a rental car. Would this make thing better or wrose? Is there anywhere that shows the marthon path and roads that will be effected by it? We were there Jan 1st ot 7th 2004 and I think we left on the day it started. It didn't effect us at all that trip (we stayed at VWL.)

Thanks for the info on the building convention too, that starts the day we leave so hopefully it won't effect us too much.

 

[NCRedding]

I don't know how to post a link. To find maps of both the marathon and the 1/2 marathon, go to disneyworldsports.com; click on sports; then endurance and it will bring up a page that includes the marathon. on the right hand side is an index that includes course maps.

The 1/2 will begin at 6 am, and must be completed by 9:30. Disney operated periodic sweeps which pick up all the participants who are not on pace to complete the race in the alloted time. The route for 2006 leaves from Epcot at 6, and goes straight to to MK--I would expect that MK would be cleared of all race participants by about 8 am. The HUGE traffic jams last year were caused by the fact that the race ended at MK at 9:30 with the marathon participants continuing on from there, which meant approximately 20000 participants plus spectators plus volunteer plus all the people wanting to go to MK that day were all crowded in the same area. Add to this, the builders group was that exact weekend, alot of those people stayed offsite and were trying to visit MK that day, most in their rental cars.

I really think, given the route, and the way that Disney sweeps the course, Epcot will be most affected, and MK much less so. I have no idea what the impact will be for marathon day on Sunday though.

Last year, the crowds during this time period were great--they did start to build towards MLK weekend.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't know how to post a link. To find maps of both the marathon and the 1/2 marathon, go to disneyworldsports.com; click on sports; then endurance and it will bring up a page that includes the marathon. on the right hand side is an index that includes course maps.

The 1/2 will begin at 6 am, and must be completed by 9:30. Disney operated periodic sweeps which pick up all the participants who are not on pace to complete the race in the alloted time. The route for 2006 leaves from Epcot at 6, and goes straight to to MK--I would expect that MK would be cleared of all race participants by about 8 am. The HUGE traffic jams last year were caused by the fact that the race ended at MK at 9:30 with the marathon participants continuing on from there, which meant approximately 20000 participants plus spectators plus volunteer plus all the people wanting to go to MK that day were all crowded in the same area. Add to this, the builders group was that exact weekend, alot of those people stayed offsite and were trying to visit MK that day, most in their rental cars.

I really think, given the route, and the way that Disney sweeps the course, Epcot will be most affected, and MK much less so. I have no idea what the impact will be for marathon day on Sunday though.

Last year, the crowds during this time period were great--they did start to build towards MLK weekend.

Thanks so much for the info, here are a few links I have found (following your directions.)

This is a map of course, very interesting. It takes a while to open. It is really neat to look at. I am very impressed with anyone who actually runs it. I think it would be very neat to see. Very intersting where they come in and out of places.

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go.com/media/dwws_v0220/en_US/pdf/06FullCourseMap.pdf


Here is info on the Marathon itself.

http://disneyworldsports.disney.go....name=FullMarathon2006EventInfoEventDetailPage

So it is on Sunday, but there a half one on Saturday too. It is the most disruptive? It looks like for us we could take the "back roads" from SSR to MK and miss most of it with out a problem. (actually I wouldn't drive myself to MK, too much of a pain, but the busses could.)