marathon question

[reesecup]

Is this the first time the marathon is being held in Jan. or is it always at the same time? And how busy will the parks be due to the marathon? We are going to be down the week of New Years until that weekend and wondered how packed it will be. I know New Years Eve will be packed of course but what about the rest of the week? Thanks

 

[ralphd]

Is this the first time the marathon is being held in Jan. or is it always at the same time? And how busy will the parks be due to the marathon? We are going to be down the week of New Years until that weekend and wondered how packed it will be. I know New Years Eve will be packed of course but what about the rest of the week? Thanks

Marathon weekend is always in Jan. There are around 25,000 runners in the half and full marathon. Some runners are local residents.
The crowds are heavier than normal, but are not bad in my opinion. Some of the runners do not go to the parks.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Keep in mind the half marathon is run on Saturday. The full the following day on Sunday.
That being said, early January generally has much lesser crowds. Other than traffic issues first thing both mornings you may very well not even notice anything.

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH says it is 16,000 - 18,000 registered per each race. He could not recall the exact numbers though. And also consider many runners have families and friends cheering them on the side. SO it will draw a large crowd. But still should not impact anyone's vacation.
The crowds during marathon time in the parks will be considerably lower than they are now!

 

[reesecup]

Oh good! (about the parks being much less crowded). I was wondering b/k when we were there before around New Year's , it cleared out a lot after New Year's Day and I just wanted to make sure it would be similar to that time. Thanks for all of your responses!

 

[hitchedpumpkin]

We were in Disney last year from 12/31 - 1/6 and I have to tell you it was very busy in all of the parks at the beginning and again at the end of our stay. Days 3 and 4 were pretty good but then the marathoners started showing up and so did the crowds. If it helps the weather was perfect - mid to upper 70s and even 80's once or twice so the kids got to swim. All in all it is a great time of year to go. As a matter of fact we liked it so much we are going again this year for the exact same week!hourglass

 

[eeyoreiscool]

During the races, the runners and families probably won't be in the parks although getting to the parks will be more interesting. Avoiding MK and Epcot on those mornings is highly recommended. The other parks don't seem to be effected as badly.

 

[HopperFan]

Two races (and now the 5k has gotten so big it is on a third day) equal closer to 30,000+ runners, and many like ours bring the whole family. Last year and again this, it worked with many school vacations so we are there the whole week. Last year the Magic Kingdom was packed on the 3rd. Downtown Disney was crowded the entire week. We go expecting the crowds and if we hit a park that isn't - then it is a perk.

 

[nutty4wdw]

was there during the marathon. traffic is impacted on day of events in the morning but it did not interfere with us going to the parks. we went to AK that morning and just had to be careful when we walked to the entrance since the runners go by. but the parks were not impacted at all.

 

[Skyw]

We are also going from the 5-10 of jan. A certain web site has a 1-10 scale for crowds. Just multiple the number by 8 and that will give you the wait time in the rides (splash moutain etc). This is based on alot of their research. I have a 6 for crowds on sat and a 4 for sundays (32min). So here is my question.....

Do you aviod EP and MK in the morning, after the race is finished or during the evening?

 

[reesecup]

Ok. Well, as far as the marathons go , those days won't affect us except for maybe Sat. (we don't have Friday night booked yet). So I was really just wondering if the parks were crowded before it. But I am gathering that they may be very crowded b/k those who are running will get there early and have their families with them and that is when they will be going to the parks (the days BEFORE the race..or at least many of them...I know some are local and some may stay the following week).

Sooo...we are early risers, is it best for us to go to the parks with the early entry and then on to a late breakfast and then hit the other parks after that? I'm guessing so. Please advice though. I know the year were there on New Year's Eve , being the party poopers we are , went to bed early b/k our children were still fairly young and the next morning had MK all to ourselves. It was crowded by lunch time but we were leaving by then.

And Skyw...I would think if you don't have any trouble getting to the parks mentioned, that on the day of the actual races, all the parks shouldn't be too bad during the race because all family members will be cheering them on ...as mentioned I think somewhere earlier.

 

[CDizney]

Hello,
I ran the Marathon Jan. 2004 and even though there are obviously alot of people that run this race, I did go into the parks during my stay (this Disney nut can't stay away) and I found the crowds at the parks to still be pleasant and no long lines. I think you'll be just fine with your vacation.

 

[ktbugsmom]

This is our third year going during this time frame. We find the crowds to be fine. During the races - the parks are fine. Once the races were over, it got a little more hectic, but nothing too bad. I did not drive anywhere and avoided DTD because they have the after race celebration there. I ran the 5K last year and that was a hoot. TONS of people, but tons of fun. Picking up our packets was the most annoying and crowded part!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are also going from the 5-10 of jan. A certain web site has a 1-10 scale for crowds. Just multiple the number by 8 and that will give you the wait time in the rides (splash moutain etc). This is based on alot of their research. I have a 6 for crowds on sat and a 4 for sundays (32min). So here is my question.....

Do you aviod EP and MK in the morning, after the race is finished or during the evening?

The runners have 3.5 hours to get from Epcot to the MK and back to Epcot on Sat morning for the 1/2 marathon. They have 7 hours to get from Epcot to MK to AK to WWoS to Disney Studios and back to Epcot. The start and finish lines are outside the parks, but the runners do go through the parks. On Fri morning they will have the 5K Family Fun Run and the kids' races.

So don't plan on CRT for Sat or Sun morning as soon as the park opens. It's tough to get to the MK unless you are riding the monorail.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Two races (and now the 5k has gotten so big it is on a third day) equal closer to 30,000+ runners, and many like ours bring the whole family. Last year and again this, it worked with many school vacations so we are there the whole week. Last year the Magic Kingdom was packed on the 3rd. Downtown Disney was crowded the entire week.

The first week of January used to be an uncrowded time to go. Now with many schools out until the second week of January, the British holiday season and the marathon, it's not. Expect to see large crowds the whole week.

 

[reesecup]

oh, boy...well it sounds like it has changed since the year we were there during that time (2000/2001). I hope it will be maneagable.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The marathon is no big deal. Depending on where you stay, the morning traffic can be a pain in the butt, but I wouldn't avoid parks because of it. They section off areas for the runners, so you can get where you're going. Just give yourself an extra 15-20 minutes for travel (again, depending on where you stay.)

I've gone often during the marathon (up to and including January, 2006) and it hasn't been any kind of problem.

The crowds calm down by the 3rd and the parks are pretty much empty after the 10th or 12th, whenever the people from England go home.

Beats the heck out of summer, that's for sure!!!!!!!!