marathon crowds

[briarberry]

I have a question about marathon crowds. Do they really affect park attendance? I have friends who are going to be there during the marathon and they would like to know which parks to avoid on marathon day?

 

[marquettedis]

my dad ran the marathon last jan. my family and i chased him around all the parks trying to get good pictures of him running. i would say that the crowd level wasn't bad at all. it is a little bit of a pain at epcot getting in the main entrance (or if they are parking) because that is where the marathon ends. most of the runners are too pooped to do anyting after the race so you just have to compete with supporters.

Bus service was HORRIBLE!!! the race path crosses some of the main streets so there are long backups trying to get anywhere. if you allow extra time to get to the parks in the morning it is no different. i think probably around 10 or 11 that the traffic should clear up. disney did a great job handling the runners and the regular guests.

the only problem we had with epcot was trying to cross over the actaul course. we would just have to wait until a clearing of runners to pass. We usually go in june so jan crowds were a breeze.

i hope this helps!

 

[maliboomer]

I went to Epcot on marathon day, no crowd difference for early January, just there were a constant stream of runners through the course. The biggest problem was having to lift your camera a little bit higher so their were no fluro cones in picture.

 

[briarberry]

Thanks you for your help. I will let them know.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The 5K race is Friday morning at Disney Studios. The Kids races are Fri and Sat at WWoS. The 1/2 marathon starts at 6AM at Epcot on Sat, goes to the MK and returns to Epcot. Do not plan an 8AM CRT ADR that morning. They allow 3.5 hours to complete the 1/2 marathon.

The full marathon starts at 6AM at Epcot and goes to MK, the AK then Disney Studios, then back to Epcot. They allow 7 hours to complete the marathon. Again, do not plan an 8AM CRT ADR that morning.