MARATHON---Anyone know how this will affect our trip??

[dbozwell]

We will be going to Disney World this weekend and just learned of the Marathon. It is only the first weekend of our 8 day stay, so it shouldn't be too bad. However, we had planned to go to Epcot on Saturday, Magic Kingdom on Sunday, and then rest on Monday. Does anyone have any advice if the marathon will make it bad enough that we should rest on Sunday and do Magic Kingdom on Monday???

Any advice on the Marathon will be gladly accepted!!!

 

[livndisney]

We will be going to Disney World this weekend and just learned of the Marathon. It is only the first weekend of our 8 day stay, so it shouldn't be too bad. However, we had planned to go to Epcot on Saturday, Magic Kingdom on Sunday, and then rest on Monday. Does anyone have any advice if the marathon will make it bad enough that we should rest on Sunday and do Magic Kingdom on Monday???

Any advice on the Marathon will be gladly accepted!!!

We avoid the Marathon! It seems to take over the park. Depending on when you try to arrive at a park- traffic can be bad And the routes seem to go right through the middle of the parks making it difficult to get from one side to the other. They have "crossing points" but you have to cross in between runners.

 

[MiniGirl]

But the plus side is that the lines for the rides are fairly short. Yes, it is crowded, but people are there cheering on the runners/walkers. Also, the last person usually crosses the finishline for the half around 10:30/11:00. Also, for the full, the MK is usually cleared of runners/walkers by 9:00 or so.

 

[lori1043]

I did the marathon for Team in Training a good while back-2003- and the parkes on the day before and after were dead-no lines, emoty and awesome weather! My kind of week to go!

Lori

 

[RMulieri]

in the parks is not too awful.Getting to the parks can be gridlock with traffic being re-routed and re-directed.

 

[Shleedogg]

DH is running the full marathon on Sunday. If I were you I'd steer clear of Epcot on Sunday. I'm not sure where the start/finish is for the half marathon, but I'm guessing it's also Epcot, so you might want to skip it on Saturday too. Other than that I think you'll be fine. We're leaving on Friday, maybe we'll see you there! Have a good trip!!

 

[Principessa1284]

Look both ways before crossing the pathway!!

Really, don't worry too much about it. Just allow a lot of extra travel time to get to the park and once you're in there, it's gravy! The parks seems crowded, but the rides and shows really won't be. It's just a lot of people running and family members cheering them on and such.

 

[Shelly D.]

DH is also running the marathon and this will be our first time to visit in January. But, from what I understand it doesn't affect the parks too much. For us, we plan to do a little park hopping early in the day on Sat, but will take it easy and get rest Sat night. Then Sunday will be the race, recovery & rest in the room and then back to the parks on Monday. So, I think most of the actual racers will be pre-occupied with getting ready, race details, etc and not so much taking over the parks. And, from reading posts on different boards, many are only going to be here for the weekend and then head home.

 

[Guest-expert]

I don't run in the marathon, but I book our trip every year during it! Ther is a trick to it. What is your situation? Number of Kids, Lodging, driving?

When do you arrive? I found that Epcot on Friday night (extra magic hours) is very effective. Definately Do Magic Kingom on Saturday (the half Marathon keeps many of the other guests out)...Sunday is tricky. If you Go early early...Epcot will be great, as the race ends there. But As the racers start to finish...most familes are waiting there for the runners. And most of those families often Start their day at Epoct. That's why I do epcot on Friday night if at all possible. Sunday you should do Animal Kindom, or Hollywood Studios has Morning Magic Hours.
Hope this helps.

 

[dbozwell]

I don't run in the marathon, but I book our trip every year during it! Ther is a trick to it. What is your situation? Number of Kids, Lodging, driving?

When do you arrive? I found that Epcot on Friday night (extra magic hours) is very effective. Definately Do Magic Kingom on Saturday (the half Marathon keeps many of the other guests out)...Sunday is tricky. If you Go early early...Epcot will be great, as the race ends there. But As the racers start to finish...most familes are waiting there for the runners. And most of those families often Start their day at Epoct. That's why I do epcot on Friday night if at all possible. Sunday you should do Animal Kindom, or Hollywood Studios has Morning Magic Hours.
Hope this helps.

How will Magic Kingdom be on Sunday? And how will Epcot be on Saturday?

 

[MiniGirl]

How will Magic Kingdom be on Sunday? And how will Epcot be on Saturday?

The MK should be cleared of runners by 9 or so with the bulk of them going through there way before that. On Sat, the last runners (well... walkers) will cross the finish line at Epcot around 10:30/11:00 -- again with the bulk of them going through there earlier than that. After that, it will be all clear. All the runners and many of their families will be back at the resorts resting and enjoying their accomplishments.

 

[mom2princessj]

Thanks so much for starting this thread. I'm also going this saturday and have read on one of the crowd calendars to steer clear of MK/Epcot on sunday however since it will be our first full day there I know my kids wouldn't be happy to start out at DHS or AK. We are going to MK on sunday and riding the monorail so hopefully we won't really be affected.