Marathon Madness -How bad in Jan?

[decaff38]

I just discovered that the Disney Marathon is on Jan. 9 , 2005. We are planning a trip for ether Jan. 1-9 or Jan. 8-17. We were hoping to go to Universal for 2 days and switch to Disney for 3 and then cruise. We will probably stay off-site.Would it be better (Crowdwise) before the Marathon or After. Has anyone been there during that time. What are the suggestions. We can flip any of the activities around, just hope to plan it so that we are not fighting crowds.

Thanks so much

 

[ironz]

Marathon crowds are not bad. but I would personally plan my trip to be further away, time-wise, from Jan. 1...let all the families and kids get back to school first. The week after the marathon has had very low crowds the 3 years I've been there to run.

Now shhhhh! Don't tell Everyone!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We were there in Jan and did not notice any impact from the Marathon, except in the MK that morning. We went to the MK that afternoon for a late lunch and it was not crowded in the least. My husband ran the 1/2 marathon. Lots of the runners are more interested in running than in Disney. But we saw lots of runners with their medals on.

The 1/2 marathon ends at the Pluto Parking Lot of the TTC, so that's where you will find a big crowd. But by 9:30 or so, the crowd should be thinning out big time.

 

[GEM]

We've been several times during the marathon and never noticed any impact on the crowds at all - and we are people who HATE crowds and lines. The actual marathon happens pretty early in the morning and is mostly over by the time you get up and around. We did see some people run through the MK while we were there on that morning, and some people ran by the window when we were having breakfast at Ohana. Other than that, we didn't notice any difference. Don't worry about it!

 

[decaff38]

What about accomidations during that time. I read in one of the guidebooks that there are upwards of 20,000 prople at WDW during that time. I suppose they leave on Mon? Maybe I should just plan to run the 1/2.Would be a great goal for a 45 yr. old. Are there good disocunts if you are a Disney Marathon runner? Just another angle for saving bucks to make the trip "THE BEST"!!! Thanks for all your input.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, about 26,000 runners. We used our DVC points to stay. They offered some Marathon packages, but nothing better than other discounts. They have the awards ceremony on Monday morning. They have a big party at PI for the runners on Sunday night.

This year we left on Monday (we had arrived on NYE). Next year we are arriving on Friday and staying through the week. I'd say of the people who stay, it's probably half who arrive early and half who stay through the week.