Marathon Crowds

[Lord Fantasius]

Don't know where to post this exactly, but does anyone know what the crowd levels were/are the days before and afternoon the marathon?

I'm thinking of heading down there with my DW and DD2.5 to join my brother and family running the 2006 marathon but don't know whether it would be better to go the week before, potentially during the end of Christmas break, or afterwards, the week and weekend before MLK, Jr's, birthday.

Any idea how the parks are like during those weeks? I know it's considered value season and don't really expect all the runners and families to stay on and do a Disney vacation as quite a few will be locals, but am looking forward to spending this next entire year enjoying planning it!!

Thanks!

-R

P.S., also, when do they take down their Christmas decorations? We're thinking about staying at the WL if we can get rates and would love to see the decorations still up...do they take them down right after Christmas, New Year's, or Twelfth Night (Jan. 6)?

 

[Lord Fantasius]

Just bumping this myself, once, to see if I can get a response from anybody that might not have seen it over the weekend.

Thanks, R

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'd like to know too. DH is running the marathon for the first time and we're leaning towards staying at WL also.

 

[aunties]

We were there this year to warch a friend run the marathon. It was fun to cheer on the runners as they ran through Epcot. The only crowd was Pleasure Island on Sunday night. The marathoners get in free that night.

We walked on most of the popular rides, including Splash Mountain. At the end of the ride, I asked if we could stay on again because there were only five people waiting in line. We now have a picture of us on Splash Mountain without another person in the boat! We walked onto the Haunted Mansion twice in a row.

The only PS we needed was for Victoria and Albert's.

The only downside is, it can get cold there at that time of year. We lucked out and didn't have to wear jackets at all, but it can get down to the 40s at night and only 60 or so during the day.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

I agree! We were there in 2003 for the Marathon; it was downright chilly!!! I was in jackets, sweaters, and any other layers I could find!

The plus: the parks weren't too crowded!

The minus: DON'T do MGM on Marathon day! We were there the day of the race, and had to dodge the runners as we tried to skip up to TofT and RnR Coaster! It was a zoo!

 

[HopperFan]

We arrived Thurs night and the ASMo seemed to be busy and hopping at 9 pm. We decided to go get our race packets Fri 9 am (sports complex) then drive to MK. We spent the entire day at MK and didn't think it was very crowded. To us this would have been the day for runners to do a park, as they should be resting on Saturday. Sat we went to the 5k at EPCOT (before park opens) and then spent the day at the hotel pool, dinner and early bed...........because you have to catch the bus between 3-4 am for marathon. Now we left after the marathon to head home but many stay to enjoy PI/awards event that evening and head home Monday. Full marathon does wind through all 4 parks, so you will have runners in MGM & EPCOT in the opening morning hours on Sunday. 2006 is splitting the two races, half on Sat & full on Sun, which may alter the park crowds as well. We had weather in the 80's and were swimming. Alittle warm for the race, but that was okay for us spectators. We thought it was a great trip and plan to return next year.

PS ASMo still had their xmas decorations up !

 

[scotthart]

We were there this year during the marathon weekend and crowds were light in the parks. However, you need to book your room in advance as there was not a room available at a deluxe resort when I checked about two weeks before the marathon.