Marathon Weekend? Busy?

[Erica]

I am crushed! I thought I was picking the slow part of January; however I just read that we will be there over the same weekend as the marathon!

Someone please tell me it will not be THAT crowded. I am so disappointed in myself that I did not catch this sooner! I have been planning a surprise for my boyfriend for months...SO much for being net savvy....

-Erica

 

[Daisie]

We go every January/Februray.....one year we came during marathon week...the only crowds I noticed were at the airport, I just couldn't imagine what all these people were doing there in January, usually its almost empty!! But, here comes the good part, at the parks we hardly even noticed a difference! Relax, you'll be fine!

 

[Erica]

...you have settled my nerves quite a bit Daisie!

I am sure you understand, when you are planning you want everything perfect. We are a couple that hates crowds, so you can see my worry.

Thanks again!

-Erica

 

[cmcvean]

My DH has run in the marathon the last two years. The parks are still pretty empty, and seem REALLY empty on Tuesday when most of the marathoners leave. We love it!

Christine

 

[mm1928]

Good afternoon.....

No problem with the trip during the marathon weekend!!! We have gone to WDW annually, in January, for 17 years. Only for the past few years did we actually decide to participate for the marathon itself. We did not see that much of a difference once the marathon began. The reasons we pick this time of year....crowds are down, lines are short, temperature is great, kids are in school, etc. I do not see a problem, at all, with going the marathon weekend. When is your check-in and check-out? Will be happy to give any tips is wanted....unless you already know all the ropes! Where are you staying...just curious. Be sure and cheer on the marathoners...we love it!!!

 

[Muffy]

We have visited 3 times during the marathon. The resorts will be packed that weekend but the parks will be fine. Be aware that they do close some roads in the morning do to the marathon. Have a great time!

 

[MissyinNM]

We were there the weekend of the Marathon and the following week, and we thought it was fantastic! In fact, we are going back during the same time period this year. My parents also hate crowds and we were thrilled to walk onto just about every ride. The crowds exploded the following Friday which is MLK weekend.

 

[mbb]

When is the Marathon weekend? We're going Jan18-Feb2...didn't realize that when we booked that it was Martin Luther King Weekend...didn't realize when we booked that it was Cheerleaders...

Think I need to check some calendars next time!

Tad concerned about exploding crowds...would get kind of messy? Just teasing, MissyinNH!

Seriously, though...won't we miss the majority of the throngs by arriving on Sunday, and not hitting the parks until Tuesday? We are planning to head on over to the WWS to do some cheering along, though! Would cheer for the Marathoners too...you guys (and ladies!) are inspiring to us "armchair athletes"

 

[kermittheturtle]

Were going Jan 9-17!! What park or parks is the marathon taking place? We will be driving to the parks, are the main roads closed? Glad to hear that the crowds are still low at this time!!

Mm1928,
Hope you don't mind me asking.... What are the park hours for the past Januarys? Thet still don't have them posted anywhere that I have seen. Are there any x-mas decorations up in January? Are there any special events that take place for the marathon? Any info is much appreciated.

~Kermit~

 

[Jillpie]

To mm1928...we are going Jan. 9-18th (first time going in January). What do you suggest to do that marathon weekend...should we go to the parks or not? I understand the races are early in the morning, but then they also give them 7 hrs. to complete it, so does this cause major traffic problems (walking around parks I mean)? Should we just avoid them all together on that Sunday?

 

[MissyinNM]

Ill just say we went to Magic Kingdom on the day of the marathon, and other than early entry not being available and we had to walk a little bit further to the entrance because the buses could not cross the runners' path it was not that big of a deal. The crowds in the park were minimal. It was our first visit with two small children and it was fantastic. We watched the runners pass through the Magic Kingdom at about 9am, but I know there is a marathon map on the Disney Wide World of Sports website somewhere.

 

[Joyciemc]

So crowds don't get too bad with the marathon, and lighten up afterwards. My question: how is the week before? I'l be there Jan 4-11, anyone with experience this week? I'm not too worried about crowds, Fastpass really does work wonders, but lower crowds would be nice!

 

[mm1928]

Good morning....all!!!

I will try to answer your questions...if I miss anybody...just let me know and I will respond again.

mbb - the marathon is sunday, jan 11.

kermit - marathon starts at epcot and travels through each park at different stages. some roads are closed....at early times. we stay on property, so that part is difficult to remember. if you go to a disneyworld of sports site and click on the marathon, you can access the map, etc. On park hours....if you go to "home" on this site and click on theme parks, you can input the dates to access the hours of projected operation. Christmas decorations were still up two years ago, but last year they had taken them down the day prior to our arrival. Have not checked the schedule for this year, but will try to do so and post later for you. I suspect they will be down, but I will doublecheck.

jillpie - i would do the usual stuff...the parks should be fine crowd-wise, in my opinion. Please...be there...cheer us on!!!!! Anyway, you are correct that the marathon is all but over in seven hours and it begins at 6:00 a.m. afterwards, we go shower, etc and then head back to the parks...we prefer to hit MGM since it is smaller...we do some walking to keep from getting "stiff" and stay for fantasmic. Again, may I add, that we have not experienced problems with lines, etc during this weekend.

Any other questions....please just let me know and I will try to accommodate.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We were there for the marathon last year. We went to AK that morning. It was a little strange getting in and walking around the park because we had to dodge the runners. There were CM's who would tell us to "hurry up and run across" before the next runner(s) came. A little bit hairy with a baby in a stroller.

The crowds were really non-existant. There were quite a few people cheering on the runners, but no lines for the rides.

I am taking my mom and my DD this january. We will actually be there again for the marathon.

Oh, I do recommend not driving that morning. It was a little tough getting around due to some of the roads being closed.

 

[kermittheturtle]

Now I'm EXTREMELY nervous about driving!!!Saturday will be our first day at the parks. I was thinking of going to Animal Kingdom?? Then to MK for the evening. But Sunday???? Any recommendations on which park to drive to?I have a rental so I have to drive.(my DH has already designated me the official driver- of course I said "No Problem") Please give me some advice?

~Kermit~

mm1928
Thank you for answering my questions! That info was great! Will you be wearing your lime green mickey tag? We'll be cheering for you !!! Good Luck

 

[Jillpie]

mm1928, thanks! I will for sure cheer you on!! That will be our second day on our vacation, so I can't see skipping parks, besides my 15DS is a 3 season track runner and would probably love to see the runners. I hope you win!!