Marathon Week questions

[LaughinPlace289]

Good morning everyone! I am considering running the WDW Marathon in 2016 but I have a few questions... hopefully a few of you have been there for the event in the past. My (soon-to-be) DW will be the joining me on the trip.

1. Do participants receive any discount at resorts? Booking information does not go that far in advance on the website. I would assume that rates are up the week before and after the race because of the large number of people it brings in.

2. How are crowd levels in the parks the week after the race? If we were to go, we would most likely arrive two days prior to the marathon and stay until the following Wednesday or Thursday to have a few days at the parks (assuming I am able to walk!)

3. How is transportation during the event? I know the course is very spread out and my fiance would like to be able to see me at a few different spots. Are the buses reliable enough for this or is it a waste of time for her to even try?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tehvalerie]

You'll have better luck getting answers in the events/competition forum, but here are my answers!

1. runDisney does offer special rates and packages for runners, but you have to book though them, which more like booking through a travel agent than directly with WDW. I've found the WDW deals to be better, especially once January discounts roll out. In the past we've booked in July/August when the rates for the following year come out, then call back to apply whatever discount is announced a few months later. If you book through runDisney, you can't apply these discounts.

2. Crowd levels are relatively low, especially as the week goes on. A CM told me last year that the Tuesday following marathon weekend is the beginning of one of the slowest weeks at WDW.

3. I've never spectated one of the races but a lot of people are successful with doing multiple stops during the marathon. The folks in the race forum can definitely help you with this one!

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

Run Disney does not offer any discounts for rooms during race weekend. It is in high demand, therefore no need to discount anything.

 

[DOOM1001]

Yeah most of the Run Disney questions are in the events/competitions section of the W.I.S.H section of the boards.The crowds are relatively low before and after the marathon,the marathon was scheduled this time of year to bring people in as the holidays end the previous week.As far as spectating the marathon most people take the monorail over to the MK to see the runners as spectators can get into Main Street USA free until about 8:30 am or so.A lot of spectators also take the monorail to the TTC,Poly or GF to see the runners,a bit more space and not as crowded as Main Street USA.To see the runners at AK and DHS you do have to take a bus but I would avoid AK as its just too far away and you're likely to get stuck in traffic,it could be like over 2 hours to get to and come back from AK.If you have a car going to WWoS is also an option but if you don't want to get too complicated I would just go to MK and/or the MK resorts go get something to eat and head back to Epcot where you can see the runners inside the park as they come into the park by the UK and run towards France and around the WS towards a side exit by the front of the park to the finish line outside Epcot.Another good option after first going to see the runners in the MK area is to head to the Y&B club to see the runners in this area before they head into Epcot