Marathon and park attendance

[Nickiekay]

I just found out there will be a Marathon held on Jan 11th, My trip dates are Jan 12-17, I was wondering if anyone knew how this would effect park attendance for my stay. This is my first Jan trip and I was hoping for small crowds. Thanks

 

[kermittheturtle]

Were going Jan 9-17th. First weekend there is the marathon (Sunday i think...) I have read that the crowds in past years have not been that heavy... (hoping too) We plan to take an off day on Sunday because I heard they change hours and EE and the driving can be pretty tough w/ some closed roads.(we have a rental car and staying offsite) I'm a little nervous about trying to drive so I made that my R&R day! If we were staying onsite I would definitly not worry about it and I would go and cheer them on!
Have fun!!

~Kermit~

 

[IloveDMB]

We went down for the marathon last year. We arrived on Saturday and went right to Magic Kingdom. I think the longest line we waited for was Space Mountain and that's because it broke down.

The day of the marathon, we volunteered so I can't tell what it was like during, but after the marathon we went to MGM and it was fine. Practically no waits.

Then Monday the parks were dead. We went to all 4 parks and were able to get on everything we wanted.

So from my experience the crowds weren't that bad. Figure wise, I had the opportunity to speak with the marathon organizer last year. She said they were expecting about 24,000 runners. Add in family members and such, and divide that over 4 parks. Not too bad for crowds, I don't think.

Any other questions, I'll be happy to answer.

 

[Nickiekay]

Thanks, we have always had to deal with crowds and we were looking forward to a slower time of year. I do have one more question, where is the marathon held. I had never even heard of it until this week. Thanks

 

[Deb & Bill]

The marathon starts at Epcot at 6AM. They leave Epcot and run towards the MK past Contemporary, through the MK and out past the GF. The 1/2 marathon ends at the Pluto parking lot at MK. The marathon continues to the AK, enters through the back side of the park and out the front. Then on to Wide World of Sports, through the Disney Studios, past the Boardwalk and back to the World Showcase at Epcot. The slowest runner is allowed 7 hours to finish the Marathon and 3.5 hours to finish the 1/2.

There is also a 5K race at Epcot on Saturday, Jan 10. I still need to find the start time for that one since I am doing that one. My husband is doing the 1/2.

 

[IloveDMB]

Anyone who is going to be down during that time, I am trying to get together a meet if you guys are interested. I posted a feeler on the Meets board.

 

[ironz]

Nickiekay,
I've been there for marathon week twice. Since you are arriving the day after the race, the race morning traffic (which looks like it can be a mess) won't be an issue for you.

The week after the race is my favorite time to be at WDW...no crowds! They have upped the marathon race capacity this year from about 16,000 runners to about 24,000...but as IloveDMB said, divide that among the parks and it still isn't too bad. Plus, I would guess that some runners will be gone and maybe spent their time at the parks before race day. (I spend the time AFTER the race, so I can play and rest and drink margaritas at EPCOT...that's where you can find me that Sunday afternoon!). In fact, last year on the Thursday after the race, we were talking to a CM before Fantasmic...he said not to worry about seating, 'cause the park attendance that day was less than the theater capacity!

Plus, if you need to get somewhere in a hurry the couple of days after the race, you can get by the runners...we'll be the ones walking/hobbling very slowly!


I can't wait! Had a great run this morning...few more weeks of building distance, then a little taper, then we're going to DisneyWorld!!

 

[bjakmom]

We'll be there, too - cheering the runners on!

Here's a map of the route someone had posted earlier - puts a little visual to Deb's great description:
http://psc.disney.go.com/dwws/media/MarathonMap04.pdf

 

[Nickiekay]

Thanks Guys, this makes me feel alot better. My DH is not as a big of Disney fan as I am, he hates crowds, so I was hoping with low attendance he would enjoy himself more. This is our first "just the two of us" trip since we had our DS about 17 years ago. I am soooooo excited. Good luck to those in the marathon.

 

[TDERadulski]

Is there a website with information on the WDW Marathon?
I may be interested in the 1/2 marathon in 2005 (or maybe just the 5K if I don't get my backend in gear!)

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Disney marathon info

Here is a link to the WDW marathon info. Registration for the 2005 event hasn't started yet - but the 1/2 marathon fills up rather quickly once it opens. There are 8,000 runners for the 1/2 marathon and 16,000 (if it filled) for the full.

We spent our vacation last week checking out the course as we travelled around WDW. Almost entirely flat....should be a nice early morning run in Florida on a January morning. I can't wait, as right now my training is confined to indoor treadmill running due to the nasty weather we've been having!