Marathon Weekend 2017!

[camaker]

when are people planning on being in Disney for the race weekend , the wife and I were thinking to head January 1st or 2nd, we are coming from Canada , would it make sense to head down on December 31? anyone from Canada experience flying on new years eve or day ?

I'll be there from Wednesday, the 4th, through Monday, the 9th. I have been in Disney on New Year's Eve and Day and it was the most miserably crowded time I have ever experienced. I'd just plan on coming in on the 2nd or 3rd, if it was me.

 

[Dis5150]

Since we decided to only run the Marathon, we are arriving late Friday night or early Saturday morning and staying thru the next Sunday! So 7th thru 15th. We are trying the dining plan for the first time and want to enjoy our meals so decided to switch our extra days to after the race instead of before. And, this is huge for me, we are not going to be at the Expo when it opens, just hitting it Saturday to get bibs and get something "marathon" if it is left over (saw tons of marathon stuff in the outlets during Princess weekend so we will probably be good). Princess Expo left a bad taste in our mouths and don't want to experience that again!

 

[beltwaybarry]

Southwest flights are now up through Jan. 4.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

when are people planning on being in Disney for the race weekend , the wife and I were thinking to head January 1st or 2nd, we are coming from Canada , would it make sense to head down on December 31? anyone from Canada experience flying on new years eve or day?

I'll be there from Wednesday, the 4th, through Monday, the 9th. I have been in Disney on New Year's Eve and Day and it was the most miserably crowded time I have ever experienced. I'd just plan on coming in on the 2nd or 3rd, if it was me.

I agree with @camaker - I'm an AP holder and you couldn't pay me to go to Disney between December 21 and January 2. Just miserable crowds, long waits for everything (example: POTC could be upwards of 90 minutes), and people ruining any sort of holiday spirit you may be feeling. I'd stick to your plan of flying either January 1 or 2.

As for me, I'm just doing the half this year, so I think it's going to be an overnight for me on Friday, unless I can't get registered for Star Wars the following weekend in DL, and then we'll extend our WDW time.

 

[Nole95]

We're planning on checking in on Wednesday and leaving on Sunday. 5K with the whole family on Thursday and the half with DW on Saturday.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Everyone is worrying me with the talk of the crowds. We are arriving Dec. 28th and staying through Monday, Jan. 9th. We have yet to really come up with a definitive plan of when we are going to the parks and how many of them we will try to visit. I figured it would be bad, but hopefully we can figure out something that won't make it a nightmare. I would guess we should probably save MK for after New Year's when the crowds hopefully start to thin out.

 

[Ariel484]

Everyone is worrying me with the talk of the crowds. We are arriving Dec. 28th and staying through Monday, Jan. 9th. We have yet to really come up with a definitive plan of when we are going to the parks and how many of them we will try to visit. I figured it would be bad, but hopefully we can figure out something that won't make it a nightmare. I would guess we should probably save MK for after New Year's when the crowds hopefully start to thin out.

I would avoid MK as much as possible that week and avoid Epcot on NYE. We went to Hollywood Studios on NYE 2013 and it was fine.

Make ADRs and FP+, and have realistic expectations - yes, it will be crowded, but if you have the right attitude and do a little preparation, it'll be fine. Also..you're still in WDW, so that's always a good thing.

 

[Keels]

It's looking like I'll be there December 18 through January 14, but a lot of plans are up in the air for me during that timeframe - other than Dopey and playing golf. Lots and lots of golf.

I usually do EPCOT for New Year's Eve, so that will probably be my plan again unless we do something else.

 

[Keels]

I would avoid MK as much as possible that week and avoid Epcot on NYE. We went to Hollywood Studios on NYE 2013 and it was fine.

Make ADRs and FP+, and have realistic expectations - yes, it will be crowded, but if you have the right attitude and do a little preparation, it'll be fine. Also..you're still in WDW, so that's always a good thing.

THIS. I know FP+ doesn't get a lot of love, but it really does make high-traffic holidays at WDW easier to navigate. For NYE, I make three ADRs and then my three FP+s to fill in the time between those ADRs. I don't usually get to the park until after Noon and still have a blast.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I would avoid MK as much as possible that week and avoid Epcot on NYE. We went to Hollywood Studios on NYE 2013 and it was fine.

Make ADRs and FP+, and have realistic expectations - yes, it will be crowded, but if you have the right attitude and do a little preparation, it'll be fine. Also..you're still in WDW, so that's always a good thing.

I will be with my five nieces and nephews aged 19 months to 7 years old, so MK is going to be on the docket at some point. I will just need to convince the group that it may be better to wait until Wednesday or Thursday of Marathon Week to visit MK. Epcot isn't necessarily in the plans as it tends to be the least younger children focused of the parks (at least in my mind). I'm sure it will work out well enough, it's just always nice to entertain the delusion that we would be the only people with the wondrous idea to visit WDW around the Holidays.

 

[Disney at Heart]

Everyone is worrying me with the talk of the crowds. We are arriving Dec. 28th and staying through Monday, Jan. 9th. We have yet to really come up with a definitive plan of when we are going to the parks and how many of them we will try to visit. I figured it would be bad, but hopefully we can figure out something that won't make it a nightmare. I would guess we should probably save MK for after New Year's when the crowds hopefully start to thin out.

My suggestions: Hit the parks early. When the crowds get unbearable, do some resort hopping. The Christmas decorations, especially at the deluxe resorts, are awesome. I especially love the huge trees, gingerbread houses, and the chocolate carousel at the Beach or Yacht club. Also, it is usually more relaxing to eat at the resorts instead of in the parks when things get crowded (Grand Floridian Cafe, anyone?). If it is warm enough, pool time is great. Fireworks at MK are beautiful from the Contemporary and all the music is piped in. You can dine at the California Grill and watch from the top, or just go outside on about the 3rd or 4th floor and watch from there... music is still piped in! Also, a tour of the Christmas decor at Fort Wilderness is a must! People there go all out! Also you can hit the Chip n Dale marshmallow roast. There are so many things to do when the parks get crowded.

 

[Ariel484]

I will be with my five nieces and nephews aged 19 months to 7 years old, so MK is going to be on the docket at some point. I will just need to convince the group that it may be better to wait until Wednesday or Thursday of Marathon Week to visit MK. Epcot isn't necessarily in the plans as it tends to be the least younger children focused of the parks (at least in my mind). I'm sure it will work out well enough, it's just always nice to entertain the delusion that we would be the only people with the wondrous idea to visit WDW around the Holidays.

Hopefully these will post...

EPCOT on December 30:

MK on December 30...I thought Mr. Ariel484 was going to have a panic attack:

 

[Ariel484]

One thing I didn't know and wish I had ahead of time, is that the resorts will have NYE activities. We were staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge and it turns out they had a band and some sort of little party in the lobby. Grand Floridian had something going on as well...had we known that, we would have just stayed in (because we're party animals like that).

 

[Ariel484]

@Barca33Runner here's my trip report from that trip (different board so we'll see if the link lasts): http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...013-january-2014-trip-report-complete.879123/

I planned like crazy and we did some resort hopping. We also both got sick, but it was still fun.

 

[Barca33Runner]

One thing I didn't know and wish I had ahead of time, is that the resorts will have NYE activities. We were staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge and it turns out they had a band and some sort of little party in the lobby. Grand Floridian had something going on as well...had we known that, we would have just stayed in (because we're party animals like that).

I am the exact opposite of a party animal. I have gone to bed well before midnight the last few New Year's Eves so our group will be fine with whatever we find to do on NYE. My (somewhat) problem is that many of the group are very non-committal, somewhat laissez-faire, and frustratingly last-minute about making plans, which seems like a bad combination with WDW during high traffic times. Getting tickets, ADRs, and FP+ nailed down is going to be like herding cats.

 

[Barca33Runner]

@Barca33Runner here's my trip report from that trip (different board so we'll see if the link lasts): http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...013-january-2014-trip-report-complete.879123/

I planned like crazy and we did some resort hopping. We also both got sick, but it was still fun.

Thanks. I'll definitely look the trip report over when I have a little more time. I'm just trying to get as well-versed as I can beforehand so that we are at least making educated bad decisions when the time comes.

 

[Ariel484]

I am the exact opposite of a party animal. I have gone to bed well before midnight the last few New Year's Eves so our group will be fine with whatever we find to do on NYE. My (somewhat) problem is that many of the group are very non-committal, somewhat laissez-faire, and frustratingly last-minute about making plans, which seems like a bad combination with WDW during high traffic times. Getting tickets, ADRs, and FP+ nailed down is going to be like herding cats.

Ooooh...yeah. That makes it tough.

Thanks. I'll definitely look the trip report over when I have a little more time. I'm just trying to get as well-versed as I can beforehand so that we are at least making educated bad decisions when the time comes.

Yeah, I tried to do the same. At the time I was posting on WDWMagic more and that was my primary place to get WDW planning info, and I COULD NOT find anything helpful - just "you should go at a different time." So that was frustrating. I hope you can find some good info.

 

[Keels]

Thanks. I'll definitely look the trip report over when I have a little more time. I'm just trying to get as well-versed as I can beforehand so that we are at least making educated bad decisions when the time comes.

Let me know if there's anything I can help with or advice I can give. As a "snowbird", I spend almost every Christmas in Orlando and often go to the parks quite a bit during the time I'm at home (granted, I'm solo so it makes it a tiny bit easier, but still), so I can probably help devise a plan based on my experiences. Granted, no two holidays (or even days!) are going to be the same just based on people being people, but they've all been remotely similar in my experience.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Let me know if there's anything I can help with or advice I can give. As a "snowbird", I spend almost every Christmas in Orlando and often go to the parks quite a bit during the time I'm at home (granted, I'm solo so it makes it a tiny bit easier, but still), so I can probably help devise a plan based on my experiences. Granted, no two holidays (or even days!) are going to be the same just based on people being people, but they've all been remotely similar in my experience.

Thanks. I am still working on the general right now, but when I get to the point that I start having more specific questions I will definitely be coming here first for help.

 

[bananabean]

MK on December 30...I thought Mr. Ariel484 was going to have a panic attack:

Ugh. I'm having a panic attack just looking at that picture!!